SMURFIT Kappa has announced completion of a major sustainability project at its Zülpich paper mill in Germany, which ‘significantly’ reduces the plant’s CO2 emissions.
The €11.5 million investment included a redesign of the multi-fuel boiler to provide a more sustainable fuel source for the generation of steam and electricity.
The mill, which produces around 500,000 tonnes of paper annually, is now powered by a combination of its own biogas, which is a by-product of its circular water treatment plant, natural gas, and the residual materials or so-called ‘rejects’ which occur in the paper recycling process that would otherwise be considered waste.
Smurfit Kappa added that the project reduces CO2 emissions at the mill by more than 25%.
Pim Wareman, CEO of the Smurfit Kappa recycled paper cluster, said, “The unveiling of this state-of-the-art multi-fuel boiler is yet another example of how, at Smurfit Kappa, sustainability is part of our DNA. The project shows that economic efficiency and sustainability are by no means mutually exclusive but can go together hand in hand taking the mill on a very positive journey.”
Andreas Zeitlinger, MD of the Zülpich paper mill, added, “We are delighted to have this high-performing new boiler up and running. This investment has reinforced our commitment to a circular business model. By turning side streams from the paper manufacturing process such as the rejects and biogas into steam and electricity, we are well on track to meet our sustainability targets.”
