Electrically-powered boilers to cut carbon emissions at UPM mills

UPM is cutting the use of fossil fuels with the use electric boilers in heat and steam production at its mills in Finland and Germany. A total of eight boilers will be installed, mainly to replace the use of natural gas. With the introduction of the electric boilers, the pulp and paper producer will take a step towards its 2030 target of reducing CO2 emissions from the fuels and purchased electricity by 65 per cent. In Finland, it says that new electric boilers will be able to reduce CO2 emissions from the use of fossil fuels by about 50,000 tonnes per year. In Germany, electric boilers will improve security of supply for heat and steam generation and achieve even more emission reductions.

“In addition to improved security of supply and emission reduction, electric boilers will significantly increase the mills’ ability to provide demandside flexibility to the electricity system and markets,” says Petri Hyyryläinen, energy director at

UPM Communication Papers.

UPM’s Tervasaari paper mill has already commissioned its first 50 MW electric boiler, which was transferred from UPM’s Kaipola mill. In the autumn, a new, moreefficient 60 MW electric boiler will be installed at the mill. The new boiler will not only produce steam and heat for the mill, but also heat for the surrounding Valkeakoski district heating network.

The remaining electric boilers will be installed at the Finnish and German mills by the end of 2023. Once operational, they will replace a significant amount of various fossil fuels, thereby reducing emissions at the mills and at UPM.