Ence Invests More Than €200 Million in Pulp and Decarbonization Projects in Asturias

Ence is inaugurating three projects today at its Navia biofactory, reinforcing its commitment to specialty pulps, industrial efficiency, and emissions reduction, which will increase the company's competitiveness. These initiatives are part of a new phase of investment and innovation through which Ence is positioning Asturias as a leader in Europe, thanks to the progress it is making in the pulp sector.

Among the investments, the one earmarked for expanding and improving production processes and developing fluff pulp for the European market of absorbent products, as a substitute for long fiber, stands out. More than €160 million has been allocated to this project. With the fluff pulp project, Ence's biofactory in Navia has positioned itself as a leader in Europe, being the pioneer and the only one producing this type of pulp from eucalyptus. The company has already completed fluff pulp certifications for more than 70 clients internationally.

Ence has also inaugurated a new, higher-capacity wood processing line , replacing one of the existing lines at its timber yard. The facility includes two debarkers and a chipper, with a processing capacity of 5,400 cubic meters per day. This technical improvement increases the availability of its own bark for use as biofuel in the biomass boiler. In this way, the company reduces its dependence on external biomass, optimizes the use of byproducts, and strengthens its circular economy model.

The third action focuses on replacing fossil fuels in the lime kilns with biomass and installing new multi-fuel burners. The company's goal is to achieve complete decarbonization of the plant and reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 40,000 tons per year.

These two projects, which increase the biofactory's energy efficiency, represent an investment of €48 million. Of that amount, €13 million was financed through the energy efficiency program of the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE).

Molded cellulose

Meanwhile, the molded pulp project, in whose first phase the company is investing €12 million, continues to progress according to its roadmap. This innovative project represents a decisive step for the company towards replacing plastic packaging in the food sector. Ence is thus moving towards a circular economy model that opens up new industrial opportunities for Asturias .