Current and Emerging Solutions for Carbon Neutrality in Wood Based Biorefinery

Industry transformation process toward sustainable bioeconomy is on-going in pulp and paper industry. Focus is on energy and material efficiency of own operations, sustainability of the supply chain, and new innovation towards more sustainable products and services with replacement or reduction of use of less sustainable materials. This chosen industrial strategic agenda demands continuous investments in innovation and R&D and higher speed to market, and development of partnerships across various industries. Reaching the goal of low-carbon or carbon zero bioeconomy by 2050 remains challenging. Most companies in pulp and paper industry have already defined and committed to strict goals in reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. New breakthroughs and radical innovation are needed targeting at major achievements in climate change mitigation. In this article we assess the potential for improving energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions in the pulp and paper sector of the bioeconomy. Bottom-up and top-down approaches are used to discuss the existing and futureoptions and necessary technology developments and investments. Analysis remains on a conceptual level as each mill is different. We conclude that a combination of investments in both short- and longterm technologies that are necessary