Essity announces CO2-free production breakthrough

Health and hygiene vendor Essity says it has become the first company in the sector to make tissue from a CO2-free process using renewable hydrogen. The supplier started a pilot for production at its facility in Mainz-Kostheim, Germany, in the second half of 2021. Traditionally, the paper drying process has relied on natural gas to achieve the required high temperatures of 600°C, while renewable energy has not been a viable alternative. “By using hydrogen in the drying process, Essity has demonstrated that energy-intensive production processes can also become CO2 emission-free,” Essity stated. “[We aim] to continue to apply breakthrough technologies to significantly reduce [our] environmental footprint.”

The Mainz-Kostheim location (pictured below) transforms recycled paper into tissue marketed under the Tork brand. A total of 152,000 tonnes of tissue are produced at the production facility each year.