Enzymatic refining is the future of sustainable paper.

And we are already contributing to it.

At Alier, we believe that responsible paper recycling must move beyond incremental improvements. The next phase is a shift to lower-impact, smarter processes that preserve fibre quality while cutting energy use. Enzymatic refining is one of those pivots, and the review article we’ve published in Bioresources is our contribution to making it visible, rigorous, and actionable.

This publication is our blueprint for that future.

Developed in collaboration with the Turning Point Foundation and published in the Scholarly Reviews section of Bioresources Journal, Chiara Rossi & Aina Solé have written the first scientific article originating from Alier’s R&D department. It does not report lab results yet; instead, it systematically reviews the state of the art on enzymatic refining using the PRISMA 2020 protocol to ensure transparency and methodological rigor. The topic itself stems from our ongoing internal work applying enzymes in refining, a research direction we believe can reshape the circularity of recycled paper.

Why enzymatic refining matters

Traditional mechanical refining restores strength to degraded recycled fibres, but it does so with high energy consumption. Enzymatic refining introduces specific natural proteins, primarily cellulases and hemicellulases, to precondition fibres, enhancing their properties with significantly less energy input. It doesn’t replace mechanical refining outright; it complements it, creating a hybrid approach that combines performance with efficiency.

Enzymatic refining in practice: key findings from the review

• Energy savings of up to 20%. Enzymatic treatment can reduce the energy required for fibre conditioning compared to purely mechanical methods.
• Improved fibre performance. Treated fibres exhibit better strength and drainage characteristics, supporting higher-quality recycled paper.
• Effective enzymes identified. Cellulases and hemicellulases are the most impactful in modifying fibre surfaces for performance gains.
• Complementary, not substitutive. Enzymatic refining enhances traditional refining; it is not yet a complete replacement.
• Barriers to adoption remain. Technical and economic challenges slow wider industrial implementation, despite clear potential.
  

From review to real-world direction

The article by Chiara Rossi & Aina Solé synthesises existing knowledge but is grounded in Alier’s trajectory: the decision to study enzymatic refining grew from practical innovation efforts already underway. Using the PRISMA 2020 framework, the research team and Turning Point ensured that the selection of sources, inclusion criteria, and synthesis were structured and reproducible. This marks a shift in how we build knowledge, not only by doing, but by interrogating, reviewing, and sharing the evidence that guides what comes next.

A vision aligned with action

This publication is more than an academic milestone. It reflects Alier’s broader commitment to circularity, energy efficiency, and evidence-based innovation. As a certified B Corporation, and through our ESG roadmap, we aim to push the paper industry toward systems that conserve resources and reduce impact in the core processes that make those products possible.

We’re not just recycling paper.
We’re refining the future of sustainable fibre.

Read the full article here: https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24581