Metsä: Fossil free steam production for tissue production
Since September this year Metsä Tissue Kreuzau mill is replacing the use of fossil-based lignite by wood pellets. So far, the papermaking process requires an annual emission of 90tk CO₂. By implementing wood pellets instead of lignite, fossil-based CO₂ emissions are reduced by 60 kt per year means Metsä Tissue’s Kreuzau mill compares favourably with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): the emission level at Metsä Tissues Kreuzau mill is 200 kg CO₂/tn compared to the benchmark of 340 kg CO₂/tn. With this step Metsä is further executing the transition to a fossil-free production by 2030 as well as delivering world-class environmental performance. This transition has been initiated by a simple idea to change fuels, but keeping the existing technical infrastructure. Since beginning of 2022 the shift to wood pellets has been tested, necessary adaptions were made and now the shift has been finalized.
Goals
As part of Metsä Tissues strategic goals the company strives to have fully fossil free production by 2030. The wood pellets replace now the use of fossil-based lignite/charcoal, supporting Metsä Group's and Metsä Tissue's sustainability goals as well as the German government's phase-out of coal-fired power generation. Although this fuel shift applies to Metsä Tissue’s Kreuzau mill, we will continue to develop towards a sustainable future technology in all Metsä Tissue mills.
“Metsä Tissue as part of Metsä Group, is investing to reduce CO₂ emissions and to achieve our 2030 goal of completely fossil-free mills. At the same time it requires the right framework conditions e.g. industrial bridge electricity prices to be able to remain competitive.”
• Fossil-based CO₂ emissions are reduced by 60 kt per year, which equals 2/3 of annual CO₂ emission level at Kreuzau mill.
• Kreuzau mill compares favorably with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): The emission level is significantly below benchmark: 200 kg CO₂/tn compared to the benchmark of 340 kg CO₂/tn
• By using existing technologies in combination with adapting efforts, the positive savings effect could be proven over a test phase starting at the beginning of 2022.
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