Essity accelerates decarbonization with biomass energy projects in France
Essity is reinforcing its industrial decarbonization strategy through the commissioning of new biomass energy installations at two production sites in France. The hygiene and health company announced the start-up of biomass systems at its Kunheim facility in Alsace and at its Le Theil-sur-Huisne site in Normandy, supporting the company’s science-based climate targets and long-term ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The newly commissioned biomass installations, with capacities of 7 MW at Kunheim and 5.8 MW at Le Theil-sur-Huisne, are designed to cover between 70% and 75% of the steam demand required for paper hygiene production at the two sites. According to Essity, the projects are expected to reduce natural gas consumption by up to 53% and lower the carbon footprint of the paper machines by up to 42%. The renewable energy generated at the facilities will support the production of private-label hygiene products including toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissues for the French and wider European markets.
Part of Essity’s global climate strategy
“Decarbonizing our operations is a key pillar of Essity’s sustainability strategy and a core part of delivering on our science-based climate targets,” said Sahil Tesfu, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at Essity. “By scaling up renewable and locally sourced energy across our production sites, we are driving measurable emissions reductions today while strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of our industrial operations.”
Essity stated that the projects form part of its broader strategy to progressively replace fossil fuels with renewable and sustainable energy solutions across its manufacturing network.
Supporting lower-carbon hygiene products
In addition to reducing Essity’s direct operational emissions, the biomass investments also contribute to lowering the carbon footprint associated with the manufacturing phase of private-label tissue products. The company noted that this supports retail customers seeking to reduce emissions across their product portfolios and offer consumers hygiene products with a lower CO₂ footprint.
The projects were developed through long-term energy partnerships and received financial support from the European Union and the French Government under recovery and industrial energy transition programmes managed by ADEME, the French Agency for Ecological Transition.
Long-term industrial presence in France
Essity has maintained an industrial presence in France for more than 60 years and continues to invest in site modernisation and sustainability initiatives. According to the company, the Kunheim and Le Theil-sur-Huisne biomass projects also support local wood value chains and contribute to improving regional energy sovereignty.
