Opportunities for utilising nanotechnology in reaching near-zero emissions in the paper industry

Although there is a pragmatic side of nanotechnology, active and applicable today, its possible applications in the paper industry, especially in emissions reduction and dematerialisation, have attracted only limited consideration. Nanotechnology plays a major role in the development of new products to substitute existing production equipment, materials and chemicals with improved performance resulting in potential environmental and cost savings. Reduced consumption of materials also benefits the environment. Moreover, nanotechnology gives possibilities to organise and develop production processes in a more sustainable way-eventually as close to the zero-emissions approach as possible. This study looks at the current role of nanotechnology in the paper industry and its possible future implications with an analysis of both challenges and opportunities with respect to environmentally sound papermaking and consumer concerns such as health effects. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.