The multinational specialised in the production of paper and cardboard packaging has equipped itself with a photovoltaic park which, together with its existing biomass and recovery boilers, will enable one of its production centres in the Autonomous Community of Navarre to produce ‘more than 50%’ of the energy it consumes from renewable and sustainable sources. In addition, the 12,000 solar panels installed on 80,000 square metres will produce 13,200 MWh of energy per year, in line with the objectives defined by the company as part of the ‘Better Planet 2050’ plan.
The official inauguration was attended by the Regional Minister for Industry, Ecological Transition and Digital Business, Mikel Irujo, as well as other institutional and business representatives from Navarre. The meeting was also attended by the CEO of Smurfit Kappa Group, Anthony P.J. Smurfit; Javier Rivas, COO of Smurfit Kappa Paper & Board Europe; as well as the general manager of the Sangüesa plant, Pedro Mendarozketa.
Rivas stressed that this investment ‘represents an important step for the Smurfit Kappa Sangüesa plant and is in line with the transition of the EU Green Pact towards climate neutrality’. For his part, Mendarozketa said that the commissioning of this large photovoltaic installation ‘is yet another example’ of the initiatives being carried out to increase the use of renewable energies. ‘This measure aligns our company with the decarbonisation plan of Navarre’s industry, helping the energy transition by maximising the use of renewable energies and directly affecting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions’, he pointed out.
Smurfit Kappa Sangüesa produces 90,000 tonnes of MG Kraft paper annually from local, 100% renewable and certified pine wood. The paper is present in numerous everyday uses such as supermarket bags, bakery and pastry wrapping, fruit and vegetable bags… as well as in other industrial applications. The company, which employs more than 250 people, has three paper machines and more than 500 customers in more than 50 countries.
Source: pamplonaactual.com