Volume 61

Decarbonization Pathways for the Pulp and Paper Industry: An Emission Centric Techno-Economic Assessment Saranya Jayalal , Moksadur Rahman, Stefan Thorburn

Abstract

The pulp and paper industry accounts for ~6% of global industrial energy use and ~2% of direct COâ‚‚ emissions. This study develops a process-level energy and emissions model for an integrated Swedish kraft mill. Thermal and electrical demands were quantified using benchmark-specific energy consumption values, refined with first-principles models for drying, evaporation, and cooking. Emissions covered biogenic and fossil COâ‚‚ from combustion and indirect electricity use. Drying (38%), evaporation (24%), and cooking (18%) dominated thermal demand, with recovery and bark boilers supplying most steam and contributing >50% of total COâ‚‚ emissions. Three electrification pathways were assessed: electric boilers (EB), high-temperature heat pumps (HTHP), and mechanical vapour recompression (MVR). MVR reduced evaporator demand by ~92%, while complete substitution with low-carbon electricity cut mill emissions by up to 90%, depending on grid intensity. The framework integrates energy balances with technoeconomic indicators, supporting process-level prioritization and cost-effective decarbonization.

Keywords pulp and paper, decarbonization, electrification, emission abatement, energy efficiency, techno-economic assessment