Redesigning the energy transition in Colombia
Our commitment to driving down emissions and how we achieve this across the Group’s operations is well demonstrated at our paper mill in Cali, Colombia. With the US$100 million investment announced in October 2022, we started the project to transition to a sustainable biomass boiler. As a result, upon completion, we expect to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO₂ emissions by approximately 6% of Smurfit Kappa’s (now Smurfit Westrock) total emissions. The project is expected to startup in 2025 with progress made in 2023 with the completion of the evaporator project.
When making paper from fresh wood, we gain by-products such as black liquor and bark. The biomass boiler creates steam with energy generated from these by-products. As part of the energy recovery process, an evaporator system tis used that then helps to generate electricity from the steam. With increasing production capacity, we needed to ensure the supply of this steam could match the electricity demand. To support this requirement, we invested in a new evaporation line designed to improve the energy system’s capabilities, meet the capacity demand, and ensure a resilient and sustainable operation for years to come.
The overall objective is to renew the mill’s energy system, allowing for flexibility and supporting the needs of the paper machines. Rafael Concepcion, Paper & Production Technology Specialist at Smurfit Kappa (now Smurfit Westrock) the Americas, explains: “With a focus on innovation and environmental responsibility, we’ve crafted an updated system that embraces flexibility in the paper mill. The benefits cascade through our operations, addressing the immediate demand for increased paper production, expanding the outer capacity of our pulp plant, fortifying the mill’s productivity, and securing a path for long-term operational excellence.”
Smurfit Kappa's (now Smurfit Westrock) aim is to contribute to a world with reduced carbon emissions, supporting the concept of circularity in combating climate change. Learn more about our climate commitments.