DS Smith to Invest EUR 90 Million in New Biomass Boiler for Rouen Paper Mill
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DS Smith has announced a major investment for its Rouen paper mill in Normandy, France, that includes replacing the coal-fired boiler with a new biomass boiler that will reduce the site's emissions by 99,000 metric tons of CO2 per year.
Valmet will supply the 56 MW high-tech boiler that will generate at least 80% of the site's heat demand and will be fully operational by the first quarter of 2025. It will be fueled by 94,000 metric tons of biofuel, 30% of which will come from plant by-products (pulper waste) and 70% from waste wood sources such as furniture and demolition waste.
Engie Solutions will operate the boiler, which will allow for the possibility for the future installation of a steam turbine capable of producing around 10 MW of electricity with a maximum steam supply of 65 t/h.
The project was granted approval by the Regional Biomass Scheme in 2022 and is supported by local authorities including a EUR 15 million subsidy from the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME).
"Rouen paper mill is a central part of our European operations and an important producer of recycled paper in France, playing a key role in providing the corrugated packaging need to help replace problem plastics," said Niels Flierman, Head of Paper & Recycling at DS Smith.
"As with all our operations, delivering large scale carbon reduction initiatives is a key focus for DS Smith as we look to deliver both our immediate and long-term sustainability targets. Through the transition away from coal and the installation of a new biomass from waste boiler we will deliver significant C02 savings to not only help our own operations, but the operations of our customers through their Scope 3 emissions," Flierman added.
In addition to the biomass boiler, two new gas-fired boilers (2 x 34 t/h of steam) will complete the back-up boiler fleet already consisting of an existing gas-fired boiler (34 t/h of steam).
This project of nearly EUR 90 million is one of a number of initiatives in Europe and North America that contribute to DS Smith's goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 46% in absolute terms by 2030, compared with 2019 levels, and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. DS Smith is also participating in the Science-Based Targets (SBTi) initiative with our 1.5°C science-based target in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. DS Smith is also a member of the United Nations' led Race to Zero campaign.
Acquired by DS Smith in 2019, the paper mill in Rouen was founded in 1928 and was the first mill in France to produce lightweight recycled fluting, used in the manufacture of corrugated board. The mill, which operates one paper machine (PM5), also produces light, medium and dual-purpose papers for consumer goods and e-commerce packaging. It has an annual production capacity of 280,000 metric tons.
