Carton, Board & Paper
Continuous improvement of environmental footprint of paper sacks
E
uropean kraft paper and paper sack industry has a long tradition of tracking and communicating its environmental impact. Between 2007 and 2021, the carbon intensity of a single paper sack was reduced by 28%. This is the result of the latest carbon footprint analysis on European paper sacks. It was conducted by the Swedish research institute RISE on behalf of the European Paper Sack Research Group (ESG), a collaboration between EUROSAC and CEPI Eurokraft. Also, the fossil carbon impact per tonne of sack kraft paper was reduced by 26% during the same time. The most important findings are summarised in an infographic.
The recent LCA study by RISE reports a consistent downward trend in the cradle-to- gate fossil carbon impact of average European sack kraft paper and paper sacks. From 2018 to 2021, this course was continued; the impact per tonne of sack kraft paper was improved by 5% from 442kg CO2e to 421kg CO2e. Also, the fossil carbon footprint of paper sacks saw a slight amelioration of 1% from 87 g CO2e in 2018 to 86g CO2e per sack in 2021. With 61%, emissions from the production of sack kraft paper are the dominating factor for the result of an average European paper sack.
ON THE ROAD TOWARD CLIMATE NEUTRALITY
The long-term figures show an impressive development. When comparing the recent data to the results from the first LCA conducted by the ESG in 2007, there is a significant reduction in fossil carbon impact per tonne of sack kraft paper of approximately 26% from 570kg CO2e to 421kg CO2e. The reasons for that are predominantly fewer emissions from net purchased grid electricity and from the combustion of fuels consumed by the mills. When considered per paper sack, the reduction is even higher, from 118g CO2e per sack in 2007 to 86g CO2e per sack in 2021. This represents a 28% improvement. It can be attributed to reductions in sack weight and in fossil fuel consumption. “It’s good to see that even small steps lead to big changes in the
Paper sacks: continuous improvement of carbon impact CO2
footprint of the European paper sack in 2021 2007
570 kg CO2
tonne of sack kraft paper
e/ Main reasons:
emissions reductions from net purchased grid electricity and combustion of fuels
–26% Sack kraft paper production Mostly renewable energy use
–9% external fossil fuel consumption from 2015 –2021
92% biofuels, 78% of them produced on-site
59% of electricity generated at mill
29% of purchased grid electri- city is low carbon electricity
Production of sack kraft paper:
52 g CO2 e
Production of fuels and non-paper inputs:
19 g CO2 e
Production of electricity:
7 g CO2 e
converting operation: 7 g CO2
Transport to e
Production of paper sack:
1 g CO2 e
The results presented are based on a study conducted by the Swedish research institute RISE.
CEPIEUROKRAFT December 2023
eurosac.org
European Producers of Sack Kraft Paper and Kraft Paper
cepi-eurokraft.org
52 g CO2 e CO2
421 kg CO2
tonne of sack kraft paper
e/
118 g CO2
e /sack 2021 2007 Main reasons:
emissions reductions from paper impact, sack weight and fossil fuel consumption
–28% CO2 e Low carbon solution Biogenic removals Biogenic emissions
When including cradle-to-gate biogenic removals and emissions in the calculation, the carbon footprint would be negative.
CO2 7 g e 19 g CO2 e 86 g CO2 e 2021
86 g CO2
e /sack CO2 7 g e
1 g
long run. As our members are committed to continuously enhancing the sustainability of their manufacturing operations, we have been tracking our industry’s energy use and emissions for more than 15 years. This data gives us an understanding about which levers to pull to reach the next level of reducing our environmental impact,” explains Catherine Plitzko-Kerninon, General Delegate, EUROSAC. “As the entire value chain gains importance in a sustainable business conduct, more and more stakeholders are using our data to achieve insights how to master the road toward climate neutrality.”
MOSTLY RENEWABLE ENERGY USE The reliance on fossil fuels in sack kraft production is decreasing. External fossil fuel consumption has been reduced by 9% from 2015 to 2021. A high degree of renewable energy sources is used in 2021. In total, biofuels account for 92% of all fuels consumed on- site, 78% of them are generated in the mill during the production process. Additionally, the mills produce 59% of their own electricity requirements. From the purchased grid
electricity consumed by the mills in 2021, 29% was identified as “green” electricity.
LOW CARBON SOLUTION
As young trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The carbon is stored in forest products such as paper sacks during their life cycle. When including the cradle-to- gate biogenic removals as well as emissions in the calculation, the carbon footprint would even be negative. “This reinforces the fact that paper sacks are a low carbon, potentially even a carbon negative solution,” resumes Plitzko- Kerninon. To also consider the end-of-life scenarios of paper sacks would even give a more complete picture from cradle-to-grave. However, this methodology is problematic due to data accuracy. “In a circular economy, recycling is, of course, the preferred scenario. The recycling of paper and board products has another advantage, in that it delays the stored CO2 from returning to the atmosphere,” explains Plitzko- Kerninon. “Therefore, our industry is committed to encourage and pursue the recycling of paper sacks after usage.”
26
February 2024
www.convertermag.com
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