Spanish paper and packaging group Saica has inaugurated a new biomass boiler at its Champblain-Laveyron containerboard mill in September, advancing the energy transition at the site in the Southeast of France. The project was supported by the environmental agency Ademe as part of the French BCIAT (Biomass Heat Industry Agriculture and Tertiary) funding programme.
According to Saica, the biomass boiler replaces a natural gas boiler, significantly reducing the site's carbon footprint. It is mainly fuelled by waste wood recovered locally, but also by by-products from paper production. Around 105,000 tonnes of end-of-life wood and 50,000 tonnes of production residues are to be recovered for energy generation each year.
Saica says the investment will reduce fossil fuel greenhouse gas emissions at the Laveyron mill by around 60 per cent and natural gas consumption by 77 per cent. In addition, the amount of papermaking residues sent to landfill can be reduced by 90 per cent.
The installation of the new boiler is part of a modernisation programme for the Laveyron site that Saica announced back in 2021. In addition to the biomass boiler, the project includes investments in raw material handling and end-of-life wood processing. The wood is to be recovered locally within an average radius of less than 100 km, according to the company.
The total investment sum for the programme, aimed at improving energy efficieny, reducing the carbon footprint and enhancing competitiveness, was put at €174m. Biomass boilers are already in operation at Saica's two other plants in France – Vénizel and Nogent-sur-Seine.
Saica produces recycled corrugated case material (RCCM) on two machines in Laveyron. They machines have an annual production capacity of 160,000 tonnes and 340,000 tonnes, respectively.
