Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, visited the Sappi Maastricht Mill today to explore how the pulp and paper sector is leveraging clean technology to drive decarbonisation, innovation, and industrial competitiveness—key pillars of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal and the Net-Zero Industry Act.

Sappi, a global leader in the production of woodfibre based, renewable resource products supporting the bioeconomy, is investing in cutting-edge clean technologies that are not only reducing emissions but also strengthening its position as a future-ready industrial player. At its Maastricht Mill, the company is delivering tangible climate action while contributing to the resilience and technological leadership of Europe’s manufacturing base.

Leading by Example: Transformation of an Energy-Intensive Industry

Sappi Maastricht Mill is one example of how energy-intensive industries can transform in full alignment with and contributing to EU climate ambitions. Through major investments in electrification, including 20MW electric boilers, thermal steam storage, and AI-powered energy management, Sappi is transitioning away from fossil fuels and toward a more flexible, renewable-based energy supply system.

This transformation supports the EU’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, enhancing industrial energy efficiency, and reducing dependency on imported gas.

“As an industry rooted in Europe’s economy and forests, we believe the green transition must also be a competitive transition,” said Marco Eikelenboom, CEO of Sappi Europe. “At Sappi’s Maastricht Mill, we are proving that climate leadership and industrial strength go hand in hand—and we’re doing so with speed, innovation, and clear alignment to EU objectives.”

Clean Tech That Supports Balancing the Grid and the Economy

Sappi’s clean energy systems also offer direct benefits to the wider European energy landscape by providing demandside flexibility to help balance the grid. The mill’s flexible operations allow it to absorb excess renewable electricity when supply is high, helping to stabilize the grid, avoid curtailment of green energy, and lower system costs—all critical aspects of Europe’s push for smarter, more integrated energy markets. This is just one example of how companies can actively contribute to driving systemic emission reductions and enhancing grid resilience.

Driving Down CO₂ While Driving Up Competitiveness

The first e-boiler, launched in 2022, has already reduced CO₂ emissions by 12%, with subsequent projects included in the mill's decarbonisation roadmap capable of up to a total emission reduction of 80%. These gains reflect not just environmental stewardship but also a commitment to long-term operational efficiency and resilience against volatile fossil fuel prices—another core goal of the EU’s industrial strategy.

Sappi is currently exploring the potential to fully deploy the decarbonisation of the Maastricht mill and to kick off similar projects in its other production sites located in Europe. Given the national specificities of the grid, the business case has to be determined for each country and site. But as a baseline, the most frequent hurdles in most of the countries are access to the grid and the competitiveness of electricity tariffs.

Enabling Policy Will Accelerate Impact

Sappi continues to advocate for supportive European and national policy frameworks that reward early action of industries supporting the demand flexibility of the grid, facilitate grid access for flexible users, shift towards renewable energy sources, use spare capacity in the grid to go faster and at a lower cost and harmonize CO₂ pricing across borders.

The successful implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal will depend on incentivising affordable approaches for industry which significantly reduce emissions and enhance grid resilience. Private sector investments in decarbonisation of industrial production must be accompanied by concrete policy incentives that enhance the creation of lead markets for decarbonised products, such as bio-based materials and products.

A policy environment which fosters innovation and collaboration cross industries, policymakers, technology and energy providers, will allow pioneers like Sappi to go further and faster—delivering not just on their own sustainability goals but on Europe’s shared climate and economic ambitions.
www.sappi.com

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