The packaging and paper group said in a statement issued just before Christmas that the full benefit of the upgrades is expected from the first quarter of 2025, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased energy efficiency and operational safety.

The programme encompasses four key projects at the Kematen pulp and paper mill including the rebuild of the recovery boiler and associated infrastructure to increase energy efficiency and improve overall performance; and the upgrade of the pulp dryer from gas burners for air heating to steam heat exchangers to eliminate emissions and further improve safety.

It also includes the installation of a new steam accumulator to balance fluctuations in steam demand, which improves efficiency and turbine performance, and the revamp of the steam turbine with a new rotor to increase electricity production.

Additional enhancements include a new steam system and heat recovery at the paper machine, and winder optimisation to improve customer reel output.

The programme also included upgrades at Mondi’s Theresienthal site to improve the efficiency of the paper machine’s steam and condensate system, increase automation in the additive kitchen, and introduce a refined winder concept.

“We are proud to invest in technology that drives efficiency, reduces emissions, improves product quality, and strengthens our resilience,” said Florian Döbl, managing director of Mondi Neusiedler.

“These measures will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, and we will consume around a quarter less gas in future, all contributing to our sustainability commitments.”

The investment programme was funded by Mondi with the support from the European Union's NextGenerationEU scheme.