Decarbonising the Italian pulp & paper industry with Assocarta

AFRY supported Assocarta in defining a decarbonisation strategy for the pulp and paper sector that is in line with the EU framework, country-specific conditions, and technological advancements. AFRY’s assessment outlined an overall decarbonisation roadmap for the sector, pinpointing the best available technologies, regulatory and infrastructural obstacles, and competitive levers.

Assocarta is the trade association that brings together, represents and protects companies that produce paper, cardboard and pulp in Italy. Assocarta is part of Confindustria and, at the European level, is a member of CEPI, the European federation for pulp and paper industries. As of today, Assocarta members cover over 90% of the Italian production in the sector.

We are proud to contribute Italian pulp and paper industry in their path towards more sustainable future. Our multidisciplinary team combining expertise from Italy, Spain, Finland, Sweden and Germany ensures that the best available knowledge is applied in this important assignment.

  Visa Moilanen, Head of Pulp & Paper business at AFRY

The study, “Competitive Decarbonisation of the Italian Paper Sector: A Possible Strategy Between Green Sources and Electrification”, shows that achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 requires a 70% reduction in emissions by 2030.

The findings highlight that the decarbonisation of the paper sector passes through improved efficiency, and continues with the electrification and the transition to low-carbon fuels. However, to ensure competitive decarbonisation, the industry must adopt an efficient and sustainable pathway tailored to its specific characteristics while leveraging viable opportunities. Synergies with local resources, such as biomass and syngas, can be facilitated. In the short and medium term, existing cogeneration plants can be decarbonised using biomethane and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Investments in electrification can also be accelerated through dedicated access to green energy.

Our study highlights the critical steps needed for the pulp and paper sector to achieve decarbonisation while maintaining competitiveness. In this project, we combined our in-depth expertise across energy, industrial processes, sustainability, and regulatory and market dynamics, demonstrating AFRY’s unique ability to integrate knowledge across sectors and deliver impactful, sustainable solutions. We are well prepared to assist companies in this vital transition.

  Riccardo Siliprandi, Senior Principal, AFRY Management Consulting