Weekly

Sappi Europe - a milestone in sustainability

23 July 2024

Sappi Europe has reduced the CO2 footprint of its gallery paper range by 55%. The aim is to achieve a 70% reduction by the end of 2024. This step contributes significantly to the company's decarbonisation goals.

In 2023, Sappi Europe's Kirkniemi plant successfully switched to renewable energy from biomass, reducing its Scope 1 emissions, i.e. the direct emissions from its own operations, by 90%. Based on significant investments in Kirkniemi's energy systems, the plant is now supplied with clean electricity, avoiding indirect emissions (Scope 2). As a result, the overall carbon footprint of Sappi's gallery paper range has been reduced by 55% and is expected to increase to an impressive 70% by the end of the year.

This transformation is one of almost 80 projects set out in Sappi Europe's decarbonisation roadmap. With this plan, the company aims to achieve its energy-related sustainability targets by 2025. This is also closely linked to Sappi's science-based targets for 2030.

Supporting customers' sustainability performance

‘These investments support our customers' efforts to reduce their own environmental footprint. Reducing our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions makes an important contribution to our customers' emission reduction targets. They have a direct impact on reducing their Scope 3 emissions, i.e. the indirect emissions associated with the purchase of goods and services,’ says Sales Director Antti Makkonen. ‘As the gallery papers are produced exclusively at Sappi's Kirkniemi mill, our customers can be sure that the carbon footprint of every page produced is the same.’

Commitment to sustainability, also in the future

‘Sappi Europe's decarbonisation has gained enormous momentum since 2020. We are proud to be on schedule despite difficult economic conditions,’ says Sarah Price, Director of Sustainability at Sappi Europe. ‘For us, it's about far more than just emissions; it's about investing now in long-term positive change and enabling our customers to do the same.’

Source: Graphische Revue