Canson starts biomass boiler at French specialty paper mill

Canson and ENGIE have inaugurated a biomass boiler at Canson’s specialty paper plant in Saint-Marcel-lès-Annonay, France. The installation is part of a nearly €6 million investment to reduce the mill’s reliance on fossil fuels while maintaining production.

Fuel consists of wood chips and shredded pallets sourced within a radius of about 100 km. The project received €2 million in support from ADEME under the France 2030 programme and was backed by Canson’s parent company, the F.I.L.A. Group.

After a six-month commissioning and adjustment period, the boiler is reaching its performance targets. Canson projects a reduction of nearly 89% in greenhouse gas emissions associated with the site’s energy use, together with substantially lower natural gas consumption. The figure is the company’s projected energy-related reduction, rather than an independently measured reduction in the mill’s total emissions.

“With this new biomass boiler, we are achieving a major milestone in the transformation of our site. Our ambition is clear: reduce our carbon footprint while preserving our manufacturing footprint in France and securing the long-term sustainability of our operations locally,” said Luca Pelosin, managing director of Canson and COO of F.I.L.A. Group.

Emmanuelle Brisemur, ENGIE South-East regional director for local energy infrastructure, said the facility would deliver lasting CO₂ reductions while improving cost control and supply security.