KTH and APRIL Group: Nurturing Future Leaders in Sustainable Pulp and Paper Industry
For the past two decades, KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has fostered a rich exchange relationship with APRIL Group, one of the world’s foremost manufacturers of pulp and paper based in Sumatra, Indonesia. APRIL Group, part of the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) corporate group, operates extensive mills and plantations that place a strong emphasis on sustainable practices. The partnership has not only enriched the academic environment at KTH but has also cultivated a new generation of leaders in the pulp and paper sector: ambitious employees from APRIL Group who study master’s-level programs at KTH.
Mikael Lindström, a professor in pulp technology and vice-rector at KTH, underscores the significance of this collaboration. "The employees from APRIL are extremely ambitious and dedicated," he says, highlighting how the exchange boosts students' education with fresh perspectives and insights. Indonesia's surge in pulp production has overtaken Sweden, while the latter remains an academic leader in the field.
APRIL Group boasts an impressive production capacity of around 35 million tons of pulp and over one million tons of paper annually. The company has extended its product line to include paperboard, addressing the increasing global demand for sustainable packaging solutions. Furthermore, Asia Pacific Rayon, part of the APRIL Group, produces 300,000 tons of viscose fiber, catering to the textile market’s need for recyclable materials.
APRIL's commitment to sustainability is palpable. Operating under the principles of Best Available Technology (BAT), the company leverages advanced technology to limit emissions and reduce environmental impacts. According to Lindström, the profitability of APRIL Group enables it to attract skilled employees and invest extensively in sustainable initiatives.
The collaboration has led remarkable stories of professional growth, exemplified by Eduward Ginting, who was the first student to complete a master's degree from KTH 16 years ago and is now APRIL Group’s Chief Operating Officer. Ginting credits his time in Sweden as transformative, offering advanced academic knowledge and valuable industry contacts. He emphasizes that APRIL's investment in sending future leaders to KTH is crucial for both personal development and the organization’s technological advancements.
"We see the employees we send to Sweden as future leaders of our company," Ginting states, noting how exposure to Swedish culture and work methodologies has enhanced leadership skills. Widi Suganda, another APRIL employee who completed his master’s degree at KTH in 2023, echoes similar sentiments about the profound impacts of his experiences in Sweden—asserting that the knowledge gained at KTH significantly informs his work at APRIL and propels his career.
Both Ginting and Suganda have found inspiration in Sweden's emphasis on sustainability and circular economy practices, which seamlessly align with APRIL Group’s operational philosophies. They admire the Swedish forestry strategies aimed at replacing fossil-based materials and extending the lifecycle of raw materials, finding them crucial for sustainable advancement in their own work in Sumatra.
"For us, sustainability is not a choice but a natural part of our lives and operations," Ginting remarks, highlighting the role of innovation in achieving the company’s sustainability goals. They strive to turn waste into value, championing a circular economy approach where all materials are optimized. This philosophy is underpinned by methods such as biomass energy conversion and the integration of solar energy.
Moreover, the cultural exchange has also infused a sense of effective collaboration and work-life balance into APRIL's operations. Ginting and Suganda appreciate the directness and transparency of Swedish communication styles and the refreshing work culture that includes coffee breaks—the famed “fika”—which they believe promotes teamwork and rejuvenation in high-pressure environments.
With APRIL Group positioned as a worldwide leader in the pulp and paper industry, its partnership with KTH serves as a testament to the power of academic-industry collaboration. As the company continues to prioritize sustainability and invest in its people, it is poised to shape the future of responsible forestry practices well into the next generation.
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