London-based paper group Smurfit Kappa has inaugurated two major investments in Spain, with a focus on the environment and representing a total investment of 33 million euros.
At a cost of 6 million euros, over 12,000 solar panels have been installed at the MG kraft paper mill in Sangüesa. These panels power the biomass and recovery boilers, generating over 50% of their annual energy needs, equivalent to the consumption of 3,600 households.
This photovoltaic installation, the largest of its kind in the Navarre region, is expected to reduce the plant's annual CO2 emissions by over 3,000 tonnes.
Since 2005, the Sangüesa paper mill has reduced its CO2 emissions by more than 51%, according to the paper and packaging manufacturer.
Smurfit Kappa has also invested 27 million euros in its biggest landfill reduction project to date.
The Nervión paper mill manufactures kraft paper for sacks thanks to a new "fully circular production process".
Featuring a lime kiln and gas treatment system, this new system converts calcium carbonate waste generated by the plant's manufacturing process into lime, then reintroduces it into the production process as a raw material.
This should prevent 75,000 tonnes of waste from being landfilled, and eliminate around 450,000 km of road transport per year.
