Stora Enso reduces fossil emissions by 90% after major renovation

Stora Enso has significantly reduced fossil emissions at its fluting board mill in Heinola, Finland, following a major renovation of its energy production facilities.

The company invested 30 million euros in the renovation, which eliminated the need to burn peat alongside forest residues. As a result, the mill’s fossil carbon dioxide emissions have dropped by 90%.

Stora Enso’s renovation is part of a broader trend in the forest industry, which has dramatically reduced the use of fossil fuels over the past two decades. According to Metsäteollisuus ry, the share of fossil fuels in the industry’s energy consumption has fallen from around 30% at the start of the millennium to about 8% today.

The forest industry has long used wood-based materials for energy production, but often supplemented these with fossil fuels. The Heinola mill, for example, previously used bark, wood chips, and biogas, with peat as an additional fuel. The renovation has enabled the mill to produce heat entirely from biomass.

The industry’s shift towards renewable energy sources has been driven by a desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it has also led to cost savings and greater fuel security. The forest industry accounts for about 5% of Finland’s fossil carbon dioxide emissions.

Looking ahead, the industry is exploring the potential for capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide emissions. The European Commission has set new climate targets that encourage industrial carbon capture and utilization. Metsäteollisuus ry’s energy and climate manager, Ahti Fagerblom, sees potential for new business opportunities in carbon capture and utilization, but notes that profitable business models in this area are still some way off.

Source: Yle