Essity advances its decarbonization journey with fossil fuel-free production
The most interesting alternatives for the company in the near future include hydrogen, geothermal steam, sustainable biomass and synthetic biogas
Going fossil free in an industry that is traditionally energy intensive is one of the most important and challenging tasks for Essity to be carbon neutral by 2050. To achieve this goal, the company is committed to redefining industry standards, and investing in breakthrough technology.
The transition to renewable fuels requires alternatives that are not available at scale today. The most interesting alternatives for Essity in the near future include hydrogen, geothermal steam, sustainable biomass and synthetic biogas.
INVESTING IN DECARBONIZATION
Significant progress has already been made with a biomass-powered plant in Lilla Edet, Sweden. At the facility in Kawerau, New Zealand, the company have invested in the world’s first tissue machine running a fully geothermal steam drying process. Through reduction in pulp consumption, reduced waste and eliminating the use of natural gas for power, the improvements in Kawerau will contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions of 23%
Today, all Essity’s European production sites that manufacture baby, feminine care and incontinence products run on certified renewable electricity – which will be scaled up to more sites worldwide.
“By completely replacing natural gas with biogas and shifting to certified renewable electricity, the Lilla Edet production facility in Sweden is reducing its fossil fuel CO2 emissions to zero during normal production. It is the world’s first largescale tissue facility with fossil CO2 emission-free production,” says Christian Carlsson, Site Manager Lilla Edet.
With these investments to achieve its ambitious environmental goals, Essity will continue to evaluate potential solutions for energy sources for other locations.
