Saica Group has commissioned a new biomass boiler at its Nogent-sur-Seine paper mill in France, replacing natural gas with biomass as part of the company's ongoing decarbonization strategy.
The €86 million project is designed to supply nearly all of the mill's steam demand while improving energy efficiency and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. It follows similar investments at Saica's Venizel and Champblain-Laveyron facilities, reinforcing the company's broader transition toward renewable energy across its French operations.
With a thermal capacity of 49.75 MW, the new boiler is expected to generate approximately 300 GWh of renewable thermal energy annually, covering about 90% of the mill's steam requirements. The remaining demand will be supplied by a biogas boiler. The installation also includes a 5.5 MW steam turbine capable of producing 37 GWh of electricity per year, equivalent to roughly 28% of the site's electricity consumption.
According to Saica, the project will replace approximately 30 million standard cubic metres of natural gas each year, reducing the mill's fossil gas consumption by 89%. The company estimates the investment will lower the site's Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by 75%, avoiding around 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
The biomass boiler is fuelled with approximately 65,000 tonnes of locally sourced wood waste each year, collected within a radius of about 100 kilometres from the mill. In addition, more than 97% of the paper production by-products generated on-site—around 50,000 tonnes annually—will be recovered and reused within the energy system, further strengthening the site's circular economy model.
Beyond its environmental benefits, the project is expected to improve energy cost stability while enhancing the mill's energy resilience. The biomass supply chain is also expected to support approximately 40 regional jobs, while commissioning the new facility has created more than 15 permanent positions at the Nogent-sur-Seine mill.
The facility was completed in May 2026 following several years of permitting, engineering and commissioning. The project received €14.99 million in funding through the French Recovery Plan administered by ADEME and supported by the European Union's NextGenerationEU programme.
"At Saica, biomass is much more than an energy alternative: it is a cornerstone of our commitment to a sustainable future," said Renaud Guilianelli, Industrial Director of Saica Paper France. He added that the project combines industrial performance with environmental responsibility while creating a local circular economy based on end-of-life wood recovery.
Saica Group is a leading European producer of recycled paper, corrugated packaging and waste management solutions. The company employs more than 12,000 people across 11 countries and operates four business divisions: Saica Paper, Saica Pack, Saica Natur and Saica Flex. In 2025, the group reported consolidated sales of €3.96 billion.
