Once seen as a resource-intensive, slow-moving sector, the pulp and paper industry is now at the forefront of sustainability, digital transformation, and profitability. In this episode, we examine how mills are embracing advanced biotechnology, AI, and ERP process transparency to reduce waste, diversify products, and gain competitive advantages.

We dig into real-world innovations—from turning black liquor into biocomposites and bioethanol to deploying SAP Signavio for process mining—and how these technologies are helping companies meet aggressive environmental targets while boosting their bottom line. Learn why eliminating “process debt” in ERP systems is the hidden lever for enabling AI and why data-driven decision-making is becoming the ultimate competitive differentiator in this industry’s reinvention.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Industry Transformation

• How pulp and paper is moving beyond paper production into biochemicals, bioenergy, and premium sustainable packaging
• Why sustainability is now seen as a profit driver, not a cost

2. Waste-to-Value Innovation

• Black liquor biorefining into lignin biocomposites, PLA bioplastics, and tall oil products
• Converting sulfite liquors into industrial lignosulfonates and bioethanol using advanced yeast strains

3. Digital Optimization & ERP Transparency

• The concept of “process debt” and why outdated ERP processes hinder growth
• How SAP Signavio and SAP LeanIX provide visibility and structure for AI-driven optimization

4. AI-Driven Operations

• Predictive maintenance reducing downtime and cost
• Real-time quality analytics and process optimization in paper manufacturing
• AI market growth in pulp and paper projected to hit $15B by 2034

5. Data as a Competitive Advantage

• Using platforms like FisherSolve for sustainability benchmarking and supply chain decision-making
• How science-based targets are reshaping supplier relationships

Key Takeaways:

• The pulp and paper industry is becoming a model for sustainable, profitable transformation
• Biotech is enabling waste streams to become high-value product lines
• ERP process transparency is the critical enabler for AI and continuous optimization
• Data-driven decision-making is redefining competitive advantage in manufacturing
• Sustainability initiatives are directly linked to revenue growth and market differentiation

Subscribe to our podcast for expert insights on manufacturing transformation, ERP optimization, and the intersection of sustainability and profitability. Visit The Future of Commerce for in-depth coverage of how legacy industries are leveraging digital tools to reinvent themselves. Share this episode with industry leaders, sustainability strategists, and operations professionals looking to drive both environmental and economic gains.