According to the Vietnam Pulp and Paper Association, the industry produces millions of tons of paper each year, contributing greatly to export turnover and creating jobs for hundreds of thousands of workers. However, the pulp production process consumes a lot of energy and water resources, and also generates greenhouse gases. In the context that Vietnam has committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050 at the COP 26 Conference, pulp and paper emissions mitigation planning Not only to minimize environmental impact, but also to help businesses increase competitiveness, access international markets that are tightening green standards. So what are the planning steps? Let's find out the details with GREEN IN in the content below!
Overview of emissions in pulp production
The pulp production process typically involves major steps such as cooking, washing, bleaching, drying, and finally processing and packaging. Each of these steps consumes significant energy and can generate greenhouse gases (GHGs) if fossil fuels or toxic chemicals are used, or if waste is not treated effectively.
Main sources of emissions
- CO₂ (carbon dioxide): Emissions arise mainly from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) in boilers for pulp cooking, paper drying, and in the supply of steam for thermal processes. In addition, indirect CO₂ emissions also arise from the use of electricity purchased from the grid (if the source of electricity is not renewable) and from the production of chemicals used in bleaching or raw material processing.
- CH₄ (methane): Occurs in anaerobic wastewater treatment — especially in industrial wastewater systems of paper mills. When the amount of organic matter in wastewater is large, anaerobic decomposition processes occur in the absence of oxygen, leading to CH₄ emissions. CH₄ can also arise from sludge or organic solid waste if decomposed in an oxygen-deficient environment.
- N₂O (nitrous oxide): Occurs from two main sources: incomplete combustion of fuels and from nitrogen treatment in wastewater or from treatment chemicals containing nitrogen compounds. Bleaching of paper with chemicals containing chlorine compounds or precursors can contribute to N₂O generation if the process is not well controlled.
Emission statistics in Vietnam and internationally
According to research "Numerical model for estimating greenhouse gas emissions from pulp and paper industrial wastewater treatment systems in Vietnam" (HUST & Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), calculation of greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment systems at two paper mills Bai Bang and Tan Mai shows:
- Bai Bang Plant (wastewater flow ~8.000 m³/day) emits a total of about 3.070,3 kg CO₂-eq/day, equivalent to 0,38 kg CO₂-eq/m³ wastewater.
- Tan Mai factory (flow rate ~10.000 m³/day) emits about 7.413,6 kg CO₂-eq/day, equivalent to 0,74 kg CO₂-eq/m³.
In terms of energy consumption, the paper and pulp industry in Vietnam accounts for about 5% of total energy consumption of industrial sectors.
According to VNEEC (when revising energy consumption standards), paper and pulp production is one of the industries with high potential for energy saving, and large and small enterprises are starting to pay attention to reducing energy and raw material consumption.
Globally, the IPCC reports (AR4 and AR6) indicate that the pulp & paper industry is one of the major emission-producing industries.
According to AR4, direct emissions from the pulp, paperboard, wood products industry are estimated at 264 million tonnes CO₂/year (reported from developed & developing countries) excluding purchased electricity.
Additionally, indirect emissions from purchased electricity could amount to 130-180 million tonnes CO₂/year depending on the country, according to reports from IPCC/WBCSD sources.
Principles of pulp and paper emissions mitigation planning
Pulp emission reduction planning should be based on scientific principles, in line with national and international guidelines:
- Compliance with international standards: Apply the IPCC 2006 guidelines and 2019 update in inventorying and determining emission reduction potential, to ensure transparency, comparability and consistency.
- In accordance with national commitments: The plan must be linked to the emission reduction target in Vietnam's NDC, while supporting businesses to meet current legal regulations and integration trends.
Three-pillar orientation:
- Reduction at source: Limit the use of fossil fuels, optimize production processes, and reduce emissions right from the input stage.
- Technology optimization: Applying modern technology, saving energy, circulating raw materials and using renewable energy.
- Increase carbon absorption: Implement emission offset measures such as afforestation, use of raw materials from sustainable forests and participate in carbon credit mechanisms.
Technical solutions to reduce emissions
To achieve the goal of reducing emissions in pulp production, businesses need to apply synchronous technical solutions to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve production efficiency:
Energy management
- Switch to renewable energy: Prioritize the use of biomass (wood chips, rice husks, agricultural by-products) to replace coal and DO oil, and develop rooftop solar power systems at the factory.
- Optimizing boiler efficiency and waste heat recovery: Improve boilers, apply cogeneration technology, install heat recovery system from flue gas to reduce fuel consumption.
Improve production technology
- Application of low chlorine bleaching technology (ECF/TCF): Reduces the generation of chlorinated organic compounds (AOX), limiting the impact on the aquatic environment and reducing the amount of chemicals required for treatment.
- Water reuse and chemical recycling: Optimize pulp washing, recirculation of bleach and chemicals to reduce costs and emissions from wastewater treatment.
- Using biological enzymes: Partially replacing bleaching chemicals and raw material treatment with enzymes (xylanase, laccase) helps reduce energy and chemical consumption.
Waste management and treatment
- Biogas recovery from anaerobic treatment: Apply UASB or CSTR system to treat wastewater, while recovering biogas as alternative fuel, reducing CH₄ emissions into the environment.
- Utilizing sludge: Processing sludge into organic fertilizer or mixing it into fuel, reducing the amount of waste that must be buried.
Recycling and circulation
- Increase the rate of recycled paper: Prioritize the use of recycled paper in raw material mixing, reducing the need for virgin pulp, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions from wood exploitation and processing.
- Developing a circular economic model: Connecting paper industry by-products (ash, sludge, lignin) with other industries (construction materials, agriculture, energy), forming a green and closed value chain.
Conclusion
Planning for pulp emission reduction is not only a responsibility to implement the national commitment to Net Zero 2050, but also an opportunity for businesses to improve their competitiveness, save costs and build a green brand. Through international principles (IPCC, NDC) and synchronously deploying technical solutions - from energy management, technology improvement, waste treatment to circular economy development - the pulp industry can completely create a strong transformation. This factor not only helps to minimize negative impacts on the environment but also contributes to affirming the position of the Vietnamese paper industry in the global market.