Towards carbon-neutral self-sufficiency with a new biomass heating plant
Mayr-Melnhof Holz’ sustainability approach spans across the entire procurement and production process. Making another important step towards active climate protection and sustainability, the Reuthe site set up a wood heating system to achieve self-sufficiency.
Mayr-Melnhof Holz pursues a no-waste policy. In Reuthe, this means that residual wood and sawmill by-products from glued laminated timber and formwork panel and beam production that cannot be further utilised are now used for carbon-neutral heat generation.
Two new biomass boilers replace the previously separated heat generation plants. Until recently, a cogeneration plant had been used in the “Western Zone” and two wood boilers in the “Eastern Zone”. The new biomass heating plant saves more than 12,200 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
Now, the two operating zones are connected by a pipeline in an underground collector corridor. In addition, a balancing tank was installed in the hot water circuit to balance the load between the biomass boilers and the consumers. The annual heat requirement for drying the sawn timber, operating the production facilities and heating the buildings is now covered entirely by the company's own energy.
Mayr Melnhof Holz Reuthe invested some 3.5 million Euros into this environmentally and climate-friendly project, supported by “Domestic Environmental Support” fund provided by the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology.