A few years ago SCA Timber made an inventory of their energy consumption aiming to cut costs. To identify leakage and unnecessary use of energy, Jerry Larsson, Technical Director at SCA Timber, began to investigate and take tours around the site.
“We were looking for things like leaking compressed air, humming units, unnecessary lights, etc. In addition to this we also work consistent reducing the energy consumption by spreading knowledge, engaging employees, setting goals and follow up. Lately we have also conducted nighty tours when the production is standing still to see if we can make further energy savings,” says Jerry Larsson.
Since the beginning of the project in 2005 until today SCA Timber has reduced the electricity costs by Euro 2.7 million a year.
The investigation also showed high consumption of fossil fuels at Bollsta sawmill. “By replacing the old, fossil fuel-fired boiler with a new boiler using biofuels we reduced the carbon footprint from 26 kilogram per produced kilowatt hour to 1. The biofuel being used is bark, i.e. leftovers from SCA Timbers own production which make the new boiler much more energy- and cost efficient,” says Jerry Larsson.
SCA Timber includes five sawmills, wood-processing units, distribution and wholesale operations. The total production of solid-wood products amounts to 2.1 million cubic meters.