Metsä Group has begun operating a carbon capture pilot plant at its Rauma pulp mill (in Finland), in cooperation with technology supplier Andritz.
The initiative marks the first industry trial of capturing carbon dioxide directly from pulp mill flue gases.
Throughout autumn 2025, the pilot will test operating models related to energy consumption, capture volumes, flue gas treatment, and product quality. Early results show the technology functioning effectively with pulp mill emissions, according to Kaija Pehu-Lehtonen, SVP Business Development and Director of Metsä Group’s carbon capture project.
Alongside the pilot, the company is exploring the feasibility of a large-scale demo plant at another site, with potential capacity to capture between 30,000 and 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. No decision has yet been made on the project or its location.
Bio-based carbon dioxide, an underutilized pulp mill byproduct, could serve as a sustainable raw material for industries such as chemicals and fuels, replacing fossil-based alternatives. Metsä Group emphasized that carbon capture does not increase wood use or reduce mill efficiency.
“The investments are large, and the markets remain underdeveloped, so we’re proceeding gradually,” Pehu-Lehtonen said, noting that successful commercialization will require strong cooperation across industries, regulatory clarity, and state support for green transition investments.
With the Rauma pilot, Metsä Group aims to contribute to the development of carbon dioxide utilization markets, advancing both industrial innovation and climate goals.
Metsä Group is a Finnish forest industry group operating in pulp, paperboard, tissue, and wood products. Owned by Metsäliitto Cooperative, the company focuses on renewable raw materials and sustainable innovations, with operations serving global markets.
