Ahlstrom invests in biomass boiler at Rottersac mill in France to advance decarbonization

Ahlstrom has announced a major step in its decarbonization strategy with the installation of a new biomass boiler at its Rottersac site in France, a key hub for the company’s food packaging operations in Europe. The investment will reduce site emissions by approximately 80%, significantly lowering the carbon footprint of products and creating direct benefits for Ahlstrom’s customers.

Once operational, the biomass installation is expected to cut 34 kilotons of carbon emissions annually – the equivalent of removing more than 21,000 passenger cars from the roads. Preparations for implementation will start immediately, with operations scheduled to commence in 2029. The project will directly contribute to Ahlstrom’s 2030 climate targets.

This investment is part of the company’s broader sustainability agenda, which includes achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitments, and increasing the share of renewable energy across operations. These objectives are central to Ahlstrom’s strategy of driving transformation through innovation, collaboration and responsible resource management.

“This project reflects our purpose to purify and protect,” said Wouter Hut, Executive Vice President, Procurement and Sustainability. “It reinforces our leadership in Safe and Sustainable by Design solutions and responds directly to growing customer demand for low-carbon products.”

“The biomass boiler investment is not only a clear demonstration of Ahlstrom’s commitment to sustainability, but also a response to our customers’ evolving needs. By prioritizing decarbonization at Rottersac, we strengthen our ability to deliver high-performance, low-carbon solutions that help customers achieve their own climate ambitions,” added Konraad Dullaert, Executive Vice President Food & Consumer Packaging and Protective Materials and Chief Innovation Officer.

Ahlstrom’s concept of Safe and Sustainable by Design means integrating safety, sustainability, and circularity into every stage of product development and production. By embedding these principles from the outset, Ahlstrom ensures that its solutions remain high-performing, environmentally responsible, and aligned with customer expectations.

Through this strategic investment, Ahlstrom reaffirms its commitment to accelerating impact beyond its own operations and to driving bold, science-based climate action across the industry.