Metsä Group has entered the testing phase of a groundbreaking carbon capture pilot project at its Rauma pulp mill in Finland. Launched in partnership with technology supplier Andritz, the pilot aims to explore the feasibility of capturing carbon dioxide from pulp mill flue gases—an application that, until now, has remained largely untapped in the pulp and paper industry.

While carbon capture technology is not new, its use within pulp production presents unique challenges and opportunities. The pilot project, operational since June 2025, marks a significant milestone in industrial sustainability. Over the coming months, Metsä Group will assess various operational parameters, including energy consumption, capture efficiency, flue gas treatment needs, and the quality of the captured CO₂.

“So far, the technology appears to be working well with the pulp mill’s flue gases,” said Kaija Pehu-Lehtonen, SVP of Business Development and Director of the carbon capture project at Metsä Group. Her statement reflects the initial success of integrating capture systems into an existing production environment without compromising efficiency or requiring additional wood input.

Looking ahead, Metsä Group is exploring the development of a larger-scale demonstration plant on the same site, with a proposed annual capacity ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 tonnes of captured CO₂. By comparison, the current pilot captures about one tonne per day. However, no formal decision has been made regarding the scale-up, pending detailed assessments of technical feasibility, financial viability, and regulatory support.

"Capture-related investments are large, and the market is underdeveloped, so we’re proceeding gradually," Pehu-Lehtonen explained, emphasizing the complexity and novelty of CO₂ value chains in this context.

The captured CO₂, being bio-based, holds significant potential for reuse in the chemical and fuel industries as a sustainable alternative to fossil-based raw materials. Crucially, its capture does not require increased raw material use or affect production volumes, making it a circular side stream that aligns with climate neutrality goals.

This pilot initiative is also a clear example of how industry can take proactive steps to support the EU Green Deal and broader environmental targets. Yet, the full commercial realization of carbon capture in pulp production depends heavily on the development of supportive regulatory frameworks and public investment. Metsä Group is calling for increased state aid and clear policy direction to unlock industrial-scale adoption.

By pioneering this technology in an industrial pulp setting, Metsä Group not only demonstrates climate leadership but also catalyzes the formation of new markets and green value chains. As industries across Europe transition toward low-carbon models, such initiatives may become central to decarbonizing traditionally high-emission sectors like pulp and paper.

The pilot’s progress will be closely monitored throughout autumn 2025, with outcomes likely to shape future carbon utilization strategies in the packaging and bio-based material sectors.