Sofidel has brought a new biomass boiler online at its Frouard facility in France, a move expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 9,100 metric tons each year. The new unit will generate steam currently produced using natural gas, with the project receiving backing from ADEME (Agence de la Transition Écologique) under the BCIAT 2022 program (Biomasse Chaleur Industrie, Agriculture et Tertiaire), according to Sofidel.
The Frouard site has operated an existing biomass boiler since 2014. Together, the two units will supply 95% of the steam required to heat the drying cylinders of the plant's two paper machines, with natural gas reserved for peak demand and backup purposes. Sofidel Group CEO Luigi Lazzareschi stated that the company views decarbonization as an industrial choice rather than merely a regulatory obligation.
The activation follows the recent completion of an expansion at the Group's Inola, Oklahoma facility in the United States. Sofidel continues to pursue a multi-option decarbonization strategy tailored to local energy conditions.
Sofidel is one of the world's leading manufacturers of paper for hygienic and household use.
