Brussels (17 July, 2024) — Sappi Europe announces today that it has cut the carbon footprint of its Galerie paper range by 55%, which is projected to reach 70% by the end of 2024. This milestone is a key step forward in Sappi Europe’s sustainability journey, contributing significantly to its decarbonisation targets as well as those of its customers.
The Sustainability Journey
In 2023, Sappi Europe’s Kirkniemi Mill in Lohja, Finland successfully transitioned to renewable biomass energy, reducing its Scope 1 emissions, direct emissions from Sappi’s own operations, by 90%.
Building on the significant investment made to Kirkniemi’s energy systems, clean electricity is now also being supplied to the mill, eliminating scope 2, indirect emissions. These efforts have led to a 55% overall reduction in the carbon footprint of Sappi’s Galerie paper range, which is estimated to reach a remarkable 70% by the end of the year.
This transformation is among nearly 80 projects outlined in Sappi Europe’s decarbonisation roadmap, a blueprint that will see the company’s energy-related sustainability targets through to 2025. This also closely aligns with Sappi’s science-based targets for 2030.
Supporting Customers’ Sustainability Performance
These investments substantially support customers’ efforts to decrease their own carbon footprint. “The reductions from our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions enormously contribute to our customers’ respective emission reduction targets. There’s a direct impact on the reduction of their Scope 3 emissions, indirect emissions related to the purchase of goods and services.” says Sales Director, Antti Makkonen. “Since Galerie is exclusively produced at Sappi’s Kirkniemi Mill, customers can rest assured that the sustainability credentials are the same on every page produced.”
A Future Commitment to Sustainability
“Sappi Europe’s decarbonisation journey underwent a massive acceleration from 2020 onwards. We’re proud to be on schedule, despite challenging economic conditions,” says Sarah Price, Sappi Europe’s Director of Sustainability. “For us, this is much broader than emissions; it’s about investing now for long-term positive change and enabling our customers to do the same.”
