Essity pursues CO2-free green hydrogen process
7 Dec 2021 --- The leading global hygiene and health company Essity is pursuing green hydrogen in a bid to be the first company to carry out a large-scale industrial hydrogen test with ongoing production.
The company reviewed its production processes at its site in Kostheim, Germany, looking into various technologies to create carbon dioxide (CO2)-free production. Currently, the company’s paper machines are responsible for most of the site’s CO2 production. Until now, natural gas was the only available resource to achieve high enough temperatures in the machinery’s drying hood.
Click to EnlargeThe pilot will take place at the Mainz-Kostheim facility. Source: Essity.“The project team in Mainz-Kostheim saw the potential of green hydrogen as a CO2-free alternative,” says Henrik Sjöström, Media Relations Manager at Essity. Detailing the discovery of a more sustainable option, Sjöström adds: “It behaves similar to natural gas.”
As Essity hopes to lead the way in the technology field, it sees potential in green hydrogen - which comes from renewable sources - to develop products including hand towels, wipes and cleaning wipes. “So now, with our pilot, we are developing the last puzzle piece needed in order to create a CO2-free paper machine,” says Sjöström. As part of its pilot program, Essity will use the equipment to access the steam and electricity required to produce health and hygiene products.
Essity’s plan is for its core piece of production equipment, known as its paper machine 4 (PM4), to become the blueprint for the other machines in its Mainz-Kostheim plant. Beyond its pilot program, the company hopes its paper machine will also be rolled out to other Essity sites if green hydrogen is available.
“As an energy-intensive company, we are aware of our responsibility and are continuously working to reduce our energy consumption and CO2 emissions,” says Sjöström. As part of its net zero commitment, Essity has pledged to create CO2-neutral production by 2050 at the latest. “In Kostheim, we even want to go one step further and prove that CO2-free production is possible,” outlines Sjöström.
Achieving CO2-free production
Essity is prioritizing the use of green hydrogen in its by swapping out CO2 for the green alternative. “We are convinced that by using green hydrogen, we can make a significant contribution to decarbonization,” emphasizes Sjöström.
To date, Essity recognizes that hydrogen has only been used in industry sporadically and in small quantities for testing purposes. The Essity team aspires to be the first to realize a large-scale industrial hydrogen test with ongoing production in an energy-intensive sector such as paper product production. “We focus specifically on the drying process of the hygiene papers in the paper machine, for which hot air is required,” says Sjöström.
Commenting on how Essity plans to be the first in the world to use green hydrogen in the drying hood, Sjöström highlights: “At this point, there is currently no technically feasible substitute for the use of natural gas as a fossil fuel in the high-temperature range.” In the hope of setting an example for many other companies in the future, Sjöström says: “We will prove that completely CO2-free production is possible for energy-intensive companies.”
Click to EnlargeTest will concentrate on the drying hood of machines for paper product production. Source: Essity.In its pilot program, Essity’s machinery operates differently from its previous iteration through the sustainable use of green hydrogen.
“In order to achieve the greatest possible effect with our pilot project, we have decided to convert the largest paper machine at the site for this purpose,” says Sjöström. The PM4 produces around 200 tons of tissue paper per day, which is further processed into products for Essity’s Tork brand.
By autumn 2022, Essity will equip the drying hood of its paper machine with new burners designed for up to 100% hydrogen. After commissioning, the company will start with 10% green hydrogen and gradually increase the quantity to 100%. The machine will process specific health and hygiene products during the pilot project. On Essity’s PM4, mother reels produce paper hand towels, wipes, and cleaning wipes. The conversion of the machine takes place during regular operation.
“In a successful project, Essity makes a significant, unprecedented contribution to decarbonization,” notes Sjöström. As it strives to contribute to climate protection effectively, Sjöström adds: “Since Essity only uses green hydrogen, i.e. hydrogen from renewable energy sources, we will not only reduce our CO2 emissions in terms of the balance sheet but also for Essity in total.”
If this process proves successful, Essity will be able to use green hydrogen at its other paper machines in Mainz-Kostheim and at other locations that have suitable conditions to produce CO2-free paper in the future. At the same time, Sjöström hopes its pilot project will also be “groundbreaking” for many other companies. “Sharing our experiences and exchanging knowledge with others is very important to us.”
By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe, BPC Insights Senior Journalist
