ABB Pledges Support for the Circular Economy by Maximising Resources
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — In today’s technological era, more industries are moving towards a circular economy, including the pulp, paper and fibre sector. This was acknowledged by Liew WeiMing, Cluster Manager for Pulp, Paper and Fibre, Asia & Oceania, at ABB Process Industries.
He said pulp and paper mills were making greater use of biomass and using production residues to generate energy.
Another notable development is the growth of biorefineries at pulp mills. These facilities can also produce biochemicals for use in other industries, creating mutual benefits.
“We are also seeing more people trying to find ways to recycle polyester,” he told CNBC Indonesia, as quoted on Wednesday (7 October 2026).
He also highlighted the modernisation of the pulp and paper industry. Many people understand paper only as a material for writing, printing or packaging, but its uses have now expanded well beyond these functions.
New segments are emerging, including sustainable packaging, alongside new applications, particularly in textiles. For example, viscose fibre can be produced from materials such as bamboo to create a softer material. Another development is the use of nanocellulose, which has different fibre characteristics and a wide range of potential applications, he said.
“As one of the major players, Indonesia needs to start focusing on developing higher-value products rather than simply producing large volumes,” WeiMing stressed.
He said the industry was no longer just about making paper. It had expanded into new segments, such as sustainable materials, new applications in areas including textiles, and the development of new technologies for bio-based production.
“The main conclusion is that most mills undergoing transformation into modern, future-ready facilities capable of adopting technology need to take a gradual approach. And we must embrace AI as we move forward together,” WeiMing said.
ABB has worked with the pulp, paper and fibre industries for decades, dividing the value chain into two areas. The first is the operational side: how mills run. ABB provides solutions ranging from substations, electrification, motors and drives to energy management systems, helping to reduce emissions.
The second area is intelligence. ABB recently launched Automation Extended, which uses a range of technologies. Its integrated process control and optimisation solutions help improve product quality.
ABB hopes that paper mills will become increasingly modern and competitive. High levels of connectivity are a key foundation, given that many mills are in remote locations. Connecting mills enables companies to receive support and collaborate with suppliers and colleagues within their organisations.
“Mills also need to be highly data-driven. We need to collect a great deal of information to make improvements, for example through predictive maintenance. Most mills are now also seeking to become more autonomous. To achieve this, we need to apply data-driven insights and AI to help operators make decisions quickly and achieve stable, continually optimised operations. With more data and information available, we can also apply advanced analytics and continue moving towards more efficient mills,” he concluded, emphasising that connectivity, data and autonomy will be essential for paper mills to remain competitive in the future.