UPM, ANDRITZ partner to recycle paper machine clothing, advancing circular economy

FINLAND – UPM has partnered with ANDRITZ to establish an industrial-scale recycling program for paper machine clothing, marking a significant step toward circularity in the pulp and paper sector.

The initiative aims to divert used fabrics and felts made from synthetic polymers from incineration and landfills, returning them to the materials economy while reducing reliance on virgin fossil-based plastics.

The program, launched in January 2025, collects end-of-life paper machine clothing at several UPM mills in Finland and Germany.

Collection is coordinated by HolyPoly, which ensures proper recycling of press felts primarily made from polyamides (PA) and forming fabrics composed of PA and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), in compliance with European regulations.

Heiner Schütte, Senior Sourcing Manager at UPM, said, “We at UPM are delighted to collaborate with ANDRITZ and HolyPoly to recycle our used paper machine clothing.

“With this initiative, we are moving the utilization of used paper machine clothing higher up the waste hierarchy, from energy recovery to material recycling.”

Recycled polymers from the program are currently being used to produce injection-molded components for the automotive and furniture industries, replacing virgin material.

The initiative not only meets growing demand for recycled polymers but also prevents approximately three tons of CO₂ emissions per ton of recycled paper machine clothing by avoiding incineration.

With an estimated 7,000 tons of paper machine clothing discarded annually across Europe, the program addresses a significant waste stream that has historically been sent to energy recovery or landfill.

In parallel, ANDRITZ is working to optimize the granulate quality and specifications, aiming to make the recycled material suitable for producing new paper machine clothing.

This approach aligns with ANDRITZ’s commitment to extended producer responsibility (EPR) principles and EU regulations, demonstrating proactive sustainability in equipment manufacturing.

The collaboration builds on UPM’s broader commitment to sustainable material use. Recent initiatives in the sector include Stora Enso piloting chemical recycling of multilayer packaging and Mondi developing fiber-based, recyclable food trays.

Collectively, these projects highlight a trend in the pulp and paper and packaging industries toward advanced recycling technologies and circular material loops.

Through this partnership, UPM, ANDRITZ, and HolyPoly aim to set a new benchmark for industrial textile recycling, demonstrating how high-value polymer recovery can reduce environmental impact, cut CO₂ emissions, and create material streams for secondary industrial applications.

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