The machine worth USD 1.16 million has reduced the annual CO2 emissions of Essity’s Kawerau plant in New Zealand by two-thirds (66 percent).
Mar 19, 2025
Essity has unveiled the world’s first tissue paper machine operating wholly on geothermal steam at its production facility in Kawerau, New Zealand.
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As per the New-Zealand-based tissue paper manufacturer, the machine has reduced the annual CO2 emissions of the plant by two-thirds.
“We’ve invested USD 1.16 million (NZD 20 million) to upgrade our paper machine, which is the world’s only tissue paper machine using 100 percent geothermal steam drying in replacement of fossil fuels. This has enabled us to reduce the carbon footprint by 66 percent since 2009 at the Kawerau production facility, including a 25 percent reduction with our new technology upgrade. That’s the equivalent of removing 2,200 cars from the road annually,” said Managing Director Essity Australasia, Sid Takla.
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Essity is the only tissue paper manufacturer in New Zealand that makes paper onsite and converts it into finished products. The Kawerau Mill produces hygiene paper products used every day by New Zealanders, including Sorbent and Purex toilet tissue papers and Handee paper towels. The production of tissue paper from geothermal steam is part of Essity’s work to use less energy and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
