Ahlstrom's biomass boiler investment in France drives decarbonization
AHLSTROM OYJ, PRESS RELEASE, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 at 17:00 EEST
Ahlstrom, a global leader in sustainable fiber-based specialty materials, today announces a major milestone in its sustainability journey with the implementation of a biomass boiler at the company’s Rottersac site in France. This will reduce the site emissions with approximately 80% and significantly lowering the carbon footprint of products, benefiting Ahlstrom’s customers. This location serves as a key hub for Ahlstrom’s food packaging operations in Europe.
Once operational, the biomass installation will reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 34 kilotons annually, the equivalent of removing 21,250 passenger cars from the road. Preparations for implementation will begin immediately, with operations expected to commence in 2029. This reduction will contribute to Ahlstrom’s 2030 climate targets.
This strategic investment marks a significant step forward in Ahlstrom’s commitment to decarbonization and its Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals. Ahlstrom’s broader sustainability goals include achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with SBTi, and increasing the share of renewable energy across operations. These goals are embedded in Ahlstrom’s strategy to drive transformation through innovation, collaboration, and responsible resource use.
“This project reflects our purpose to purify and protect”, says Wouter Hut, Executive Vice President, Procurement and Sustainability. “It reinforces our leadership in Safe and Sustainable by Design Solutions and directly responds to growing customer demand for low-carbon products.”
“The biomass boiler investment is not only a testament to Ahlstrom’s commitment to sustainability, but also a direct response to our customers’ evolving needs. By prioritizing decarbonization at the Rottersac site, we’re strengthening our ability to deliver high-performance, low-carbon solutions that help our customers achieve their own climate goals”, says Konraad Dullaert, Executive Vice President Food & Consumer Packaging and Protective Materials and Chief Innovation Officer.
Safe and Sustainable by Design means embedding safety, sustainability, and circularity into the design of materials and processes from the outset—ensuring that Ahlstrom’s solutions are high-performing and environmentally and socially responsible. Ahlstrom remains committed to accelerating impact beyond its own operations and driving bold, science-based climate action across the industry.
For further information, please contact: Annemiek Voorzee – VP Marketing & Communications, annemiek.voorzee@ahlstrom.com
Ahlstrom in brief
Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2024 amounted to EUR 3.0 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more at www.ahlstrom.com.