Valmet Supplies Biotrac System with Automation for Outnature’s Agro-Residue Straw-Pulp Project

OutNature in Germany is taking a new innovative step in widening raw material sources for sustainable packaging production with converting agriculture residues into pulp blend based on straw fibre. Valmet has been selected to deliver pretreatment and automation systems to be an important part of the technology solution for this process. The BioTrac system is a pretreatment technology designed to process all kinds of lignocellulosic raw materials, including straw, into high-quality fibres suitable for further refining and papermaking. 

The new straw fibre plant will be installed at the LEIPA paper mill in Schwedt/Oder where the company currently processes over one million tonnes of wastepaper per year to produce various types of paper for packaging and graphic applications. LEIPA plans to use straw fibres in combination with wastepaper. The straw fibre plant, based on Valmet’s continuous steam treatment technology, is planned to start-up by the end of 2026.

Straw offers a number of advantages as a raw material for fibre production. As a by-product of agricultural grain processing, it does not require any additional cultivation areas. Furthermore, cultivation in Germany contributes to short transport routes, which reduces emissions. Straw fibres make it possible to reduce the use of virgin wood fibres and improve the recycled fibre-based paper properties.

Straw is an excellent way to close the gap between quality loss and the demand for fresh wood fibres. Together with LEIPA, we will unlock the potential of regionally available agricultural by-products and thus promote the overall social benefit for customers, farmers and renewable material circularity. The increased focus on securing raw materials also contributes to the sustainability strategy of the entire Schwarz Group. The new fibre production facility is part of a two-stage investment project.

Michail Ginsburg, Managing Director of OutNature

“Together with OutNature we have developed the process and tests conducted at our pilot plant in Sundsvall show that the straw fibres have excellent strength properties. It has been very encouraging for us to be a part of this, for the future, groundbreaking project creating a foundation for sustainable papermaking with reduced carbon footprint and the use of agriculture residues,” said Per Norlin, Sales Manager at Valmet.

The delivery includes Valmet Pretreatment BioTrac system, Valmet DNAe control system and stock preparation equipment. The order is included in Valmet’s third-quarter 2025 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

About OutNature
OutNature, a brand of the environmental service provider PreZero, is pioneering in the utilisation of the Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum) as an alternative raw material source for the paper industry. In addition to paper, the experts at OutNature are also researching additional areas of application for the natural fibres. The PreZero Group has approximately 30,000 employees at over 430 locations in Europe.