The world's first geothermal tissue plant
SCA has set a goal to reduce 20 % of its CO2 emissions by 2020. Our tissue plant in Kawerau, New Zealand – where Tork paper towels, napkins and toilet tissues is manufactured – just managed to reduce its emissions and match that in a single stroke, by the double.
SCA has set a goal to reduce 20 % of its CO2 emissions by 2020. Our tissue plant in Kawerau, New Zealand just managed to reduce its emissions and match that in a single stroke – by the double.
Steam is an integral part of the tissue-making process. The steam at the Kawerau tissue plant was previously produced by boilers fired by non-renewable gas. At the end of last year the plant was able to adapt its production and make use of geothermal steam. The result: a reduction of the plant’s CO2 emissions by 39 %.
From local hospitals to large quick service restaurant chains, partners have shown great interest and spread the story throughout their organizations, as it demonstrates that not only themselves, but a partner, takes environment responsibility.
“I shared this with our Head Office and re-signed with SCA because of their sustainability story; this is another great example of SCA and Tork leading the way”, says the Supply Chain Manager at a leading Australian real estate group.
Digging deep for sustainable solutions
Environmental upgrades are often the consequence of maximising the potential at hand. This time the solution was close by, just under the ground. A new pipeline and steam processing equipment draws the steam from naturally occurring thermal activity in nearby geothermal heat field zones and into the plant.
In this case, the sustainable solution means more than just geothermal energy. A sustainable relation with the owners of the land is also required. SCA had already worked together with the local Maori – the Tuwharetoa tribe. The geothermal project is the result of a mutual agreement and a commercial contract for supplying the plant with heat from the Tuwharetoa’s geothermal steam field.
“We aim to set new standards for sound tissue manufacturing. Right now we are looking at the next step and the possibilities to expand the initiative to develop an electrical supply that’s generated by the geothermal energy.” says Murray Lucas at SCA Hygiene Australia, Manager at Kawerau Operations.
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