The Saica Group has presented a PERTE (Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation) for the decarbonisation of the recycled paper process at its El Burgo de Ebro (Zaragoza) mill, a project that has been declared of Autonomous Interest by the Government of Aragon.
“We are excited about the project and grateful for the support received by the Government of Aragon, because it implies a push to carry out different energy solutions that allow us to reduce 53% of Scope 1 CO2 emissions at our El Burgo plant. However, the deadlines set by the call are extremely tight and make the execution of the project complicated. We are working to achieve it,” said Ramón Alejandro, President, Saica Group,
The company is analysing the economic viability of the investment, the sustainability of biomass supply and the ability to meet established deadlines. If these conditions are met, the project would involve an investment of €101.5m and the creation of 440 direct and indirect jobs.
The investment contemplates the development of a comprehensive decarbonization project, with six directly linked primary projects, at the mill. Three papermaking machines operate there, producing 1.3 million tons per year of 100% recycled and recyclable paper for packaging.
The objective of PERTE is to achieve a comprehensive transformation in the energy strategy, through improving efficiency and reducing natural gas consumption. The main actions reflected in the project are the start-up of an energy generation plant from biomass, with a steam production of more than 700,000 tons per year; the implementation of a biomass preparation plant, which would treat 161,000 tons per year; the assembly of a backpressure steam turbine that would be placed in the existing energy recovery plant; and the start-up of a biogas boiler, with the capacity to utilise the biogas generated in the factory’s water treatment and purification plant.
