Smurfit Kappa’s industry-leading new recovery boiler is now operating at its Nettingsdorf paper mill in Austria.
The unveiling of the state-of-the-art boiler marks an important milestone in Smurfit Kappa’s Future Energy Plant project, which was a €134 million investment to increase the sustainability and efficiency of the leading kraftliner mill.
The innovative new boiler will enable the plant to further boost energy optimisation at the mill. By recovering energy from the biomass contained in black liquor from pulp production, the new boiler is set to cut CO2 emissions by 40,000 tonnes, which equates to about two-thirds of the current emissions at the site, and 2.4% of those from Smurfit Kappa Europe.
The Future Energy Plant also involved developing an advanced new steam turbine, as well as several other projects including an upgraded water treatment plant and installation of additional drying cylinders to the paper machine.
Speaking about the mill’s latest milestone, Günter Hochrathner, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Nettingsdorf, said:
“I am very proud to get to this day in such a huge and ambitious project and it’s a great moment for all our employees here. By starting to operate this new recovery boiler, we have taken a very important step forward in sustainability and are practising true circularity.”
Laurent Sellier, COO Smurfit Kappa Paper & Board, Europe, added:
“The Future Energy Plant project was part of an ongoing investment programme by the Smurfit Kappa Group to implement a series of transformative sustainable innovations. Efficient energy plants play a major role in the production of paper. This investment in Nettingsdorf will enable us to ensure a long-term supply of high-quality and sustainable containerboard – something our customers have come to expect from us.”
Founded in 1851 and with over 360 employees, Nettingsdorf is one of Smurfit Kappa’s most efficient paper mills and one of the leading producers of kraftliner in Europe. The mill produces approximately 450,000 tonnes of paper annually and has seen a 34% increase in productivity since becoming part of Smurfit Kappa in 1995.
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