Sofidel, the global hygiene and household paper producer, has commissioned a new biomass boiler at its Frouard mill in the Grand Est region of France, replacing natural gas steam generation and supporting government decarbonisation targets.
The biomass unit, backed by ADEME funding under the BCIAT 2022 programme (Biomasse Chaleur Industrie, Agriculture et Tertiaire), will eliminate an estimated 9,100 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Combined with an existing biomass boiler installed in 2014, the two units now provide 95% of the steam required to heat the facility's two paper machines. Natural gas remains only for peak demand and backup, accounting for roughly 5% of total steam demand.
'For Sofidel, the journey toward decarbonisation is not only a regulatory requirement, but a clear industrial choice. In France, biomass represents a valuable resource, in which we have invested and will continue to invest,' said Luigi Lazzareschi, Sofidel Group CEO.
The Frouard investment is part of Sofidel's broader decarbonisation strategy across European and US operations, tailoring renewable energy deployment to regional climate, infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. The Regina brand owner operates paper production facilities across multiple continents.
Sofidel deploys biomass boiler at French mill
