Sappi reduces carbon footprint of Galerie range by 55%

Sappi Europe has achieved a significant milestone by reducing the carbon footprint of its Galerie range by 55%. This figure is expected to increase to 70% by the end of 2024.

In 2023, Sappi made significant investment in its Kirkniemi Mill energy systems in Lohja, Finland, successfully transitioning to renewable biomass energy, reducing its Scope 1 (direct) emissions from its own operations by 90%.

Building on this, clean electricity is now also being supplied to the mill, removing Scope 2 (indirect) emissions. As a result, the carbon footprint of Sappi’s Galerie paper range, which is produced exclusively at the Kirkniemi Mill, has been reduced by 55%.

This transformation is one of almost 80 projects outlined in Sappi Europe’s decarbonisation roadmap which outlines the company’s energy-related sustainability targets up to 2025. The roadmap also closely aligns with Sappi’s science-based targets for 2030.

Antti Makkonen, sales director at Sappi Europe, says: “The reductions from our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions enormously contributes 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).”

Sarah Price, director of sustainability at Sappi Europe, adds: “Sappi Europe’s decarbonisation journey underwent a massive acceleration from 2020 onwards. We’re proud to be on schedule, despite challenging economic conditions.

“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.”