STORY: Making paper takes a lot of energy, especially to dry the fiber mass and shape it into the desired shape. In most cases, fossil fuels provide the necessary heat in the factory and thus also the emission of climate-damaging carbon dioxide. According to the company Essity, it has now found a way to produce paper CO2-free. At the Mainz-Kostheim site, the Swedish paper and hygiene products group is also relying on a new energy source. Christian Schüller, project manager: “By using 100 percent green hydrogen, we were able to successfully carry out this pilot here for the first time worldwide and are CO2-free for the first time.” The company Essity, headquartered in Stockholm, wants to produce its paper, hygiene and medical products in a climate-neutral manner by 2050. For example, to dry paper quickly, the air has to be heated to up to 600 degrees Celsius. In the future, Essity wants to replace the fossil natural gas that has been used for this with “green” produced hydrogen. An approach that could set a precedent. Christian Schüller, project manager: “With this pilot project, we also see ourselves as a door opener, yes, as a showcase for other industries, of course within the Essity Group, but also outside in the paper industry, but also other branches of industry. We get a lot of inquiries that who want to look at this technology, and we’re very open to showing it because we can only save the climate together, not alone.” And the financial basis for the pilot project was laid together. According to its own statements, the group has invested a gigantic four billion euros in the development of CO2-free production. But the Hessian Ministry of Economic Affairs also provided 1.4 million euros in funding from European funds for regional development. The Mainzer Stadtwerke and Schott AG are also involved in the project as partners.