DS Smith, a world leader in sustainable packaging solutions, has unveiled a major investment to transform the paper mill's energy supply at its site in Normandy, near Rouen.
The project includes replacing the coal-fired boiler with a new biomass boiler that will reduce the site's emissions by 99,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, compared to FY22/23.
The 56 MW Valmet high-tech boiler will supply at least 80% of the site's heat demand and will be fully operational by the first quarter of 2025.
It will be fuelled by 94,000 tonnes 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 €15 million subsidy from the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME).
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).
"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.”
DS Smith invests in biomass boiler for Normandy site
