GERMANY (News release) -- Smurfit Kappa has completed a large-scale sustainability project at its Zülpich paper mill in Germany, which significantly reduces the plant's CO2 emissions. The Euro11.5 million investment included a major redesign of the plant's multi-fuel boiler to provide a more sustainable fuel source for the generation of steam and electricity.

The mill, which produces approximately 500,000 tonnes of paper annually, is now powered by a combination of its own biogas, which is a by-product of its circular water treatment plant, natural gas, and the residual materials or so-called 'rejects' which occur in the paper recycling process that would otherwise be considered waste.

The project reduces CO2 emissions at the Zülpich paper mill by more than 25% and saves 55,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, which represents a 2% reduction in Smurfit Kappa's global CO2 emissions. Smurfit Kappa has the goal of achieving a 55% intensity reduction in fossil CO2 emissions by 2030 and at least net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

The Zülpich circular approach also extends beyond its own operations to create loops with Smurfit Kappa's Parenco and Roermond paper mills in the Netherlands. The rejects from Parenco and Roermond are a valuable source of fuel for Zülpich's boiler.

The Zülpich mill is currently planning a series of initiatives over the coming months to further enhance its sustainability performance.

Smurfit Kappa is a leading company in the production of paper-based packaging.