Saica commissions new biomass boiler at Nogent-sur-Seine mill
Saica Group has commissioned a new biomass boiler at its Nogent-sur-Seine paper mill in France, marking another major step in the company’s decarbonization strategy. Following similar projects at its Venizel and Champblain-Laveyron facilities, the investment further strengthens Saica’s commitment to replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy across its industrial operations.
The project represents an investment of €86 million, including €14.99 million in public funding from the French Government through the Recovery Plan managed by ADEME and financed by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU programme.
The new energy plant features a 49.75 MW biomass boiler capable of producing approximately 450,000 tonnes of low-pressure steam annually, a wood waste processing unit, a recovery system for paper and cardboard recycling by-products, and a 5.5 MW steam turbine generating around 37 GWh of electricity per year, equivalent to approximately 28% of the mill’s electricity demand.
Construction of the project began following administrative and environmental procedures launched in 2021, with permits granted in 2023. Installation of the main equipment took place between 2023 and 2024, while testing and commissioning were completed during 2025. The facility officially entered operation in May 2026.
The biomass boiler will generate around 300 GWh of renewable energy annually, supplying approximately 90% of the site’s steam requirements, while the remaining demand will be covered by a biogas boiler. According to Saica, the project will replace around 30 million standard cubic metres of natural gas per year, reducing the site’s fossil fuel consumption by 89% and cutting Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 75%, equivalent to around 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Beyond the environmental benefits, the investment is expected to improve the competitiveness of the mill by stabilizing long-term energy costs in an increasingly challenging industrial environment.
The project also strengthens Saica’s circular economy strategy. More than 97% of the paper production by-products, equal to approximately 50,000 tonnes per year, will now be recovered directly on-site. In addition, the biomass boiler will be supplied with approximately 65,000 tonnes of locally sourced wood waste annually, collected within a radius of around 100 kilometres from the mill, helping establish a regional supply chain expected to support around 40 local jobs.
Located in France’s Aube department, the Nogent-sur-Seine mill was established in 2005 and acquired by Saica in 2018. The site employs more than 150 people and produces 100% recycled containerboard manufactured entirely from recovered paper and cardboard. The commissioning of the biomass facility further reinforces its strategic role within Saica’s industrial network and has also resulted in the creation of more than 15 new jobs.
“At Saica, biomass is much more than an energy alternative: it is a cornerstone of our commitment to a sustainable future. By utilising every tonne of end-of-life wood waste in our biomass boiler, we significantly reduce our carbon footprint whilst creating a genuine circular economy at a local level. In Nogent-sur-Seine, this commitment takes the form of a structured supply chain that combines energy independence with respect for the environment. Through this approach, we combine industrial performance with environmental responsibility, an ambition that guides everything we do,” said Renaud Guilianelli, Industrial Director, Saica Paper France.
