FisherSolve® database shows which paper mills have the lowest carbon emissions

The FisherSolve® database is a tool to learn more about the environmental impact from every paper producer in the world. Download our free material for background and data, and see why Holmen's paper mills are best in class.

Are you looking for a comparison tool to screen for the industry leaders and lower the carbon emissions from your paper purchasing? The material you can download here below is a good place to start. We at Holmen subscribe to the FisherSolve® database, and therefore we are allowed to share the benchmarks for:

our own graphical paper production in comparison to all other European graphical paper mills
our own containerboard component production in comparison to all other European containerboard producing mills

Every column bar in the charts represents a paper mill's emission benchmark per tonne of paper they produce. And all paper mills that produce more than 45 tonnes of paper per day are represented.

With access to this overview it's very easy to compare and get a view of the difference between mills.

Some interesting facts from the material:

Holmen's containerboard component production emits around 600 kg less CO₂e per tonne of paper compared to the average European containerboard producing mill benchmark.
Holmen's graphical paper production emits around 850 kg less CO₂e per tonne of paper compared to the average European graphical paper mill benchmark.
It's no news that fossil fuel combustion and raw material transport and handling differs a lot between the mills, but it may be a surprise to see how much of a difference they stand for with regard to carbon footprint per tonne of paper.

Why look at the mill emission benchmarks?

The emission benchmark for each mill is calculated by FisherSolve based on data from official sources and model algorithms to be as specific as possible.

The benchmarks are used because the industry benefits from being able to compare mills based on the same parameters. They also simplify screening for potential industry leaders and following up data in direct contact with the chosen companies.

Which paper mill has the lowest emissions?

So, which paper mill has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions, according to FisherSolve?

We are very proud to reveal that Holmen's both paper mills, Hallsta and Braviken, have the lowest CO₂e emissions for graphical paper production, cradle to gate (including scopes 1, 2 and scope 3 upstream).

And Braviken paper mill also has the lowest CO₂e emissions among the fresh-fibre containerboard producers cradle to gate, per tonne of paper. We set the benchmark.

We have updated our summary of the data, which we share in the material for free download here below.

The material also shows a comparison to all the other European paper producing mills, based on period Q3, 2024, emission benchmark per tonne of paper produced.

Holmen Hallsta paper mill has the lowest CO2e emissions in the world

Holmen, Hallsta paper mill, graphical paper production

Holmen Braviken paper mill has very low climate footprint

Holmen, Braviken paper mill, graphical paper and containerboard components

We share our data

Download the FisherSolve data overview

As a subscriber to the FisherSolve database, we can share our own data and some of the explanations behind it. This material shows what causes the emissions at our mills in direct comparison to benchmarks and averages from all the other mills in Europe.

What is FisherSolve?

FisherSolve is a supplier-independent database from Fisher International, which since 2022 is part of ResourceWise. ResourceWise is a globally operating company providing data, analytics, and consulting services, to facilitate sustainable decision making, with focus on forest products, pulp & paper, and chemicals.

The FisherSolve database collects detailed and complete information on all pulp and paper mills in the world that produce more than 45+ tonnes of paper per day. The database has collected data through official sources since it was first established in 1985. The information is updated quarterly and subscribers have access to data regarding carbon emissions, energy, and water use.

How to use the database

The database covers emission benchmarks per mill, calculated from official data and divided per tonne of paper produced over the period. The data is collected by Fisher Industries to define the leaders in the industry and encourage companies in the field to keep reducing their climate footprint and environmental impact.

Therefore, the database can be used as an analytical tool to enable overview and strategic decision-making, for example to screen for the most relevant suppliers. We recommend that you always follow up by contacting the supplier to get their own collected detailed CO₂e data, to be able to compare emissions on product level.

Find the carbon footprint for Holmen's papers here.

Facts about GHG and carbon dioxide reporting

In the FisherSolve database, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are reported as “mass of carbon dioxide equivalents”, CO2e. Common units are kg or metric tonnes.

Which greenhouse gases are included in the CO2e?

CO₂e emissions include emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), which are those that can be related to pulp and paper production. A transformation factor is used for methane and nitrous oxide based on their climate change potential compared to carbon dioxide.

Why are methane and nitrous oxide counted?

Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are greenhouse gases generated during combustion of fossil and biomass fuels. The climate change potential of methane is 21 times that of carbon dioxide and for nitrous oxide, 310 times that of carbon dioxide. That’s why their emissions are counted with a transformation factor and added to the carbon dioxide emissions for the mill.

How are fossil and biogenic carbon emissions calculated?

Most fossil and biomass fuels cause CO₂ emissions but not all CO₂ emissions are considered GHG emissions. Biomass absorbs CO₂ from atmosphere while growing and releases it when it decomposes or burns. Bioenergy carbon sources therefore count as carbon neutral in a circular system, and the emissions are called biogenic CO₂ in line with the IPCC recommendations because they don’t add carbon to the natural cycle.

Fossil fuel combustion on the other hand, increases the total carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, and the emissions are called fossil CO₂. The fossil CO₂has been captured in the ground for thousands of years, and when released, it adds carbon that cannot be recaptured within the foreseeable future.

Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) is released during combustion of both fossil and biomass fuels and counts as GHG emissions. This explains why the FisherSolve database reports CO₂e emissions also from mills that only use biomass fuels in their production.

What is the scope of the GHG emission benchmark?

Fuel combustion during the pulp & paper manufacturing process (Scope 1 emissions).
GHG emissions associated with purchased electricity (Scope 2 emissions).
GHG Emissions associated with production and transportation of raw materials purchased (Scope 3 upstream emissions).
Transportation of products to customer destination (Scope 3 downstream emissions)

In the database, detailed data from all the above scopes are calculated, so that comparisons can be made at all levels. Learn more about how to calculate emissions in scopes in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

What does a calculation “cradle to gate” mean?

When mill emissions are reported “cradle to gate”, they include emissions generated from the raw material all the way until the paper leaves the mill, which is Scope 1, 2 and Scope 3 upstream emissions, in accordance with GHG Protocol reporting. As Scope 3 downstream varies greatly with distance and the chosen mode of transport, as well as with the end use of the products, we recommend calculating those parts case by case.

More about how to define carbon emissions

Fisher International aims to help their customers make exponentially better decisions by providing them with the most accurate data and analytics available in the market. Holmen subscribes to their data for supplier comparisons, and to define which areas will need further focus from us for a sustainable development. We are not affiliated to Fisher International or ResourceWise apart from being a subscriber.

If you have questions about how to access all FisherSolve data, please contact ResourceWise.

You can also read about other tools for comparing carbon emissions from paper.

To access climate impact data regarding a specific paper from Holmen, please get the Carbon footprint calculations and Paper profiles in our Download center.

Carbon footprint calculations are based on the CEPI framework. Paper profiles are voluntary supplier declarations covering additional parameters such as impact on air, water, and waste going to landfill.

We also recommend the following shortlinks:

How to calculate the GHG emissions in scopes: holmen.com/paper/ghg
Why are Holmen's paper mill emissions this low: holmen.com/paper/co2

Find your contact

Holmen Paper Nordic & International

Vattengränden 2

SE-60188 Norrköping

Sweden

Holmen Paper Nordic & International

Vattengränden 2

SE-60188 Norrköping

Sweden