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Decarbonization Prospects for the European Pulp and Paper Industry: Different Development Pathways and Needed Actions

Author

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  • Satu Lipiäinen

    (LUT School of Energy Systems, LUT University, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Eeva-Lotta Apajalahti

    (LUT School of Energy Systems, LUT University, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Esa Vakkilainen

    (LUT School of Energy Systems, LUT University, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

Abstract

The pulp and paper industry (PPI) has several opportunities to contribute to meeting prevailing climate targets. It can cut its own CO 2 emissions, which currently account for 2% of global industrial fossil CO 2 emissions, and it has an opportunity to produce renewable energy, fuels, and materials for other sectors. The purpose of this study is to improve understanding of the decarbonization prospects of the PPI. The study provides insights on the magnitude of needed annual renewal rates for several possible net-zero target years of industrial fossil CO 2 emissions in the PPI and discusses decarbonization opportunities, namely, energy and material efficiency improvement, fuel switching, electrification, renewable energy production, carbon capture, and new products. The effects of climate policies on the decarbonization opportunities are critically evaluated to provide an overview of the current and future business environment of the European PPI. The focus is on Europe, but other regions are analyzed briefly to widen the view. The analysis shows that there are no major technical barriers to the fossil-free operation of the PPI, but the sector renovates slowly, and many new opportunities are not implemented on a large scale due to immature technology, poor economic feasibility, or unclear political environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Satu Lipiäinen & Eeva-Lotta Apajalahti & Esa Vakkilainen, 2023. "Decarbonization Prospects for the European Pulp and Paper Industry: Different Development Pathways and Needed Actions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:2:p:746-:d:1029307
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    2. Stefano Barberis & Simone Maccarini & Syed Safeer Mehdi Shamsi & Alberto Traverso, 2023. "Untapping Industrial Flexibility via Waste Heat-Driven Pumped Thermal Energy Storage Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-24, August.
    3. Tomasz Neumann, 2023. "Efficient Use of Low-Emission Power Supply for Means of Transport," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-14, April.

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