European Database for Cartonboard and Carton Production 2023

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• Bark – from the debarking process
• Biogas and bio-sludge – from the wastewater treatment process
• Refuse-derived fuel – from the rejects associated with processing of paper for recycling
The consumption of all fuels and energy (purchased fuels and electricity and internal
fuels) for production of cartonboard is summarised in Table 3. This data is for
information purposes only and should not be added to the life cycle inventory for each
paper grade as it refers to fuels that are generated and consumed within the “black box”
of the papermill. The internal fuels will be used for production of heat (in the form of
steam) and electricity at the mill.
Table 3 External energy inputs and internal fuels consumed for the production of
cartonboard
Recycled
cartonboard
Virgin
cartonboard
EXTERNAL ENERGY INPUTS
Steam GJ/t 0.000 0.000
Bought electricity GJ/t 0.609 2.255
External fuels – fossil GJ/t 5.899 3.374
External fuels – renewable GJ/t 0.000 1.476
Total external energy inputs GJ/t 6.508 7.105
INTERNAL FUELS
Black liquor GJ/t 0.000 3.730
Bark and wood GJ/t 0.000 1.558
Biogas and biosludge GJ/t 0.034 0.060
Refuse derived fuel (RDF) GJ/t 0.000 0.000
Other internal fuels GJ/t 0.000 0.073
Total internal fuels GJ/t 0.034 5.421
TOTAL ENERGY (BOUGHT ELECTRICITY, PURCHASED
STEAM, EXTERNAL FUELS, INTERNAL FUELS)
Total energy GJ/t 6.542 12.526
Year-on-year trends
Improvements to the questionnaires
A number of improvements were made to the data collection questionnaires for the 2021
compared to previous studies. These changes have resulted in more consistent and
reliable data provision across mills. In particular, the following changes are highlighted:
• For the mills that produce and sell energy (electricity and/or heat and steam), the mill
experts completing the questionnaire were asked to allocate resources and emissions
between the co-products of board and energy. This approach means that, unlike previous
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