Spotlight on energy projects

EECA follows and shares the progress of clean and clever energy projects around New Zealand, particularly if we have contributed co-funding to the project. 

Decarbonising paper production

Essity has committed $20 million to decarbonise its paper production at its Kawerau mill. By the end of 2024, Tork paper towels and napkins used daily by businesses in New Zealand and Australia will be produced using renewable geothermal steam.

A few key facts about the project.

  • The decarbonisation initiative involves temporarily shutting down a paper machine to replace its natural gas component with a new drum dryer that uses geothermal steam for heat and drying.
  • Essity’s efforts at Kawerau to reduce emissions have been ongoing for over a decade. With this transition, the site’s total carbon footprint will be about 66% lower in 2025 compared to 2009.
  • This switch to geothermal steam will reduce emissions equivalent to removing over 2,200 cars from New Zealand roads.

The innovative use of geothermal steam in a paper machine for tissue drying is a world first in the paper manufacturing industry. The Kawerau project not only boosts paper machine efficiency and product range, but also significantly reduces carbon emissions.

Essity Australasia’s Senior Manager of Sustainability, Jake Hatton, commented, “Kawerau is a great place for paper making because of the unique access to geothermal steam, a renewable energy resource that is sustainably managed by our geothermal steam partner and supplier, Ngāti Tūwharetoa Geothermal”.

The $20 million investment, primarily funded by Essity with support from EECA, involves around 80 contractors and 25 Essity employees.

Pictured: Matt Bain, Peter Hockley, Deb Berry, and Lance Gray stood in front of the Yankee Drum.

EECA support for business