| 15 Oji Fibre Solutions NZ Bio-energy use reducing environmental impact Oji is also New Zealand’s largest producer and user of bioenergy, using approximately 20 Petajoules per annum. T T Richard Loader REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Oji Fibre Solutions is New Zealand’s largest producer of pulp and paper-based packaging products, supplying New Zealand’s agriculture and horticulture industries, and exporting pulp and paper to a range of countries. Oji is also New Zealand’s largest producer and user of bioenergy, using approximately 20 Petajoules per annum. The company’s manufacturing operations promote the efficient and complete use of sustainably sourced virgin wood-fibre from renewable forestry resources, enabling it to power the circular bioeconomy. Primarily based in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Oji employs over 1500 people. The company has been a member of the Bioenergy Association for the past six years. The Bioenergy Association provides assistance and a wealth of bioenergy information to support members and promote their expertise and capabilities for undertaking activities in New Zealand. “Oji is New Zealand’s largest producer and user of bioenergy, and is an important member of the bioenergy sector,” says Bioenergy Association managing director Brian Cox. “The Bioenergy Association provides value for Oji and other members in being able to work together to promote the benefits of bioenergy. Being part of a wider group also enables members to learn from each other, and it is useful for members’ understanding of the wider industry, including the exciting new opportunities in solid biofuels, biogas and even sustainable aviation fuel.” Oji utilises biofuel in a circular process, producing market pulp and packaging products to minimise the impact on the environment. Over 80% of Oji Fibre Solution’s energy requirements are met from renewable sources, primarily biofuel. Most of the biofuel is produced during the Kraft pulp process, with wood fibre converted into market pulp, which is then used in the production of packaging products. The Kraft process involves “cooking” the wood fibre using chemicals and steam to extract the cellulose (pulp) from the wood. The cellulose is held together by a substance called lignin, which has a very high calorific value (energy content per unit mass of the fuel). The lignin is extracted in a liquid form (black liquor) and burned in recovery boilers to produce steam at high pressure, approximately 45 bar. That steam goes through a turbine to produce electricity, with the turbine exhaust steam used for process heat, to “cook” the wood, or for drying in the paper machine. The system is highly efficient, with the energy from the lignin fully utilised. Small amounts of wood-waste such as bark, sawdust and wood shavings that are not suitable for pulp production are also burned in a boiler to produce auxiliary steam. This auxiliary steam also goes through the turbine to produce electricity, with the exhaust steam again used for process heat. Most of the wood-waste is sourced as a waste product from timber and plywood mills, along with a small amount of forest residues. Pulp logs (logs that are not export grade), are also used to make pulp and are processed on site, with the chips used for pulp production and the residues used for fuel. Oji’s use of low-emission renewable energy to produce essential packaging products enables it to make a remarkable contribution to the New Zealand bioeconomy.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=