Wood-Based Biomass Instead of Gas Boiler in Brazil

Project type: Biomass

Project location: Caeiras, Brazil

Project status: In operation, credits available

Annual CO₂ reduction: 16,800 t

This project decreases CO₂ emissions by installing a biomass boiler instead of a gas boiler to meet the heat demands of a new paper machine at a pulp and paper mill in Caieiras, Sao Paulo, Brazil. With the project, the use of ash as fertilizer in agriculture and forestry as well as the implementation of alternative ways to give value to biomass residues such as sludge from the pulp and paper production  are being promoted, and local jobs are being created.

The mill produces around 43,000 tonnes of tissue paper articles such as hygienic paper, paper handkerchiefs, paper towels and napkins per year. Heat is a vital part of every pulp and paper production process and therefore a constant heat supply is essential for the mill to remain competitive. 

The biomass boiler will be fed with renewable biomass and biomass residues from external agriculture, forestry and related industries, and with biomass residues from the mill’s own production process, some which are otherwise stockpiled.

The project helps with the promotion and use of innovative clean and efficient technologies as it is a show case for the rest of Brazil. It generates local income and promotion of employment opportunities in local communities due to the construction and maintenance of the plant; the collection, transport and sale of biomass residues; and services associated with the management of biomass residues. Moreover it helps to valorize regional biomass excess thereby helping avoid emissions from uncontrolled burning of these residues and also reducing the risk of forest fires.

The additional money from carbon finance is required as the project can be considered as first-of-its-kind since it is the first boiler that is able to burn sludge from the pulp and paper industry in Brazil. This has significant impacts on the design of the boiler, the required maintenance, the emission treatment system (enhanced) and the handling and mixing of the biomass fuel mix and it means that it has a higher probability of malfunctioning in comparison with a standard biomass boiler. Carbon finance will also be used for the building of a renewable energies educational center at the mill available to employees and community members.

 

This project contributes to 5 SDGs (as end of 2022):

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The following SDGs are verified by the Gold Standard:

793 GWh thermal electricity produced

29 jobs generated

87,518,165 m3 of natural gas avoided

CO2 reduction

These SDGs have been approved by myclimate:

R$ 172,329 Carbon Income for social development

Situation without project

Natural gas plants that emit CO₂ emissions

Project standard

Project number

7179

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