Over 50% of the energy used in the European pulp and paper industry comes from wood by-products which are used to generate electricity and steam for the manufacturing process. The industry is the largest producer and consumer of biomass-based energy (25% of the EU total) thus avoiding the use of non-renewable energy sources such as fossil-based oil or coal.

The cartonboard industry is contributing to this total through significant investments. A large scale producer of pulp and cartonboard has recently invested in a new recovery boiler¹ which will enable the mill to be self-sufficient in electricity, give greater energy efficiency and ensure a production process free from any fossil fuel use. In addition, new equipment for capturing and incinerating weak, sulphur-containing gases will further reduce the mill’s airborne emissions.

All Pro Carton members are working to improve their environmental performance. From 2005 to 2008, an overall improvement of 7% has been achieved, with reductions in all impact categories. The data clearly shows that less fossil fuels were used in the mills’ production and more biomass was used. This led to less consumption of fossil resources and a decrease in carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.

Biomass : Paper and Board Production or Energy Production?

The pulp and paper industry is committed to continuing the upward trend to generate even more renewable energy in the future. However, it faces a challenge for its raw material from the energy industry seeking to burn wood to generate energy. The paper industry is concerned about detrimental effects of support mechanisms on the wood market.

In order to clarify the picture, CEPI (Confederation of Paper Industries) commissioned a study². The study concluded that burning wood to generate electricity is not efficient or sustainable, as it would lead to pressure on forests and higher costs. Using wood as a raw material for the paper and board industry creates four times more value and retains six times more jobs than simply burning wood for energy.

¹ A recovery boiler is a part of the pulping production process. Black liquer, a by-product of the pulping process, is burned in the recovery boiler. This generates heat which is used to power the process or to make electricity.

² McKinsey- Poyry study is available at www.cepi.org