Canson and Engie inaugurate biomass boiler at French paper mill

Canson and Engie have inaugurated a biomass boiler at Canson's paper mill in Saint-Marcel-lès-Annonay, France, designed to cover 89% of the plant's steam needs with renewable energy. The EUR 6m (USD 6.7m) project, contracted in autumn 2023 and commissioned over six months, will consume about 9,000 tonnes of biomass a year and is expected to avoid 50,715 tonnes of CO2 over its ten-year operating contract.

Why this mattersThe project cuts a specialty paper mill's natural gas dependence materially, a template other energy-intensive paper plants may follow to lower carbon and cost exposure.

• Biomass boiler has 5 MW thermal output and produces 31 GWh of heat a year
• Investment of nearly EUR 6m (USD 6.7m)
• Covers 89% of the mill's steam requirements with renewable energy
• Consumes about 9,000 tonnes of biomass annually, sourced within 100 km
• Expected to avoid 50,715 tonnes of CO2 over the ten-year operating and maintenance contract
• Contract signed in autumn 2023; existing 11 MW gas boiler remains as backup

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