The global pulp and paper industry has substantially increased its use of woody biomass for energyThe ability to perform work, mainly kinetic, potential, thermal energy, but also in forms of gravitational, sound, elastic and electromagnetic energy. in recent years, and was able to reduce its demand for fossil energyConventional energy from fossil sources, such as natural gas and oil. This type of energy contributes to climate change and because of its finite nature it is not a permanent resource.. The increased use of bioenergy by the pulp and paper industry now accounts for 18% of the total energy consumption(Final) energy consumption includes all energy supplied to to final user and includes all sectors, such as households, industries, agriculture…. by this industry sector.

In fact, many pulp and paper plants have decided to invest in the technology which makes the switch from fossil fuel to bio-fuels possible. The biggest increase in the usage of bio-fuels occurred in Latin America and Asia/Oceania, while mills in Europe and North America are still the largest users of biomassEnergy resources derived from organic matter. These include wood, agricultural waste and other living-cell material that can be burned to produce heat energy. They also include algae, sewage and other organic substances that may be used to make energy through chemical processes.
Biomass, a ... for energy. It is estimated that the global pulp industry has used 75 million tons of biomass, often a by-product previously discharged, for energy generation.

The lead in biomass usage is taken by Sweden and Norway, followed by Canada, Brazil and New Zealand. While pulp mills in those countries used 42% (Norway) and 38% (Sweden) renewable energy at their plants last year, at the other end of the spectrum, mills in China, Australia, Japan, Spain and Germany used less than 10% renewable energyRenewable energy is power generated from infinite sources, such as wind or solar power. Conventional energy is generated from finite sources, such as natural gas or fossil oil. at their plants.

While global consumption of biomass increased by 51% between 2006 and 2009, as percentage of total energy usage this relates to 16% in 2006 to 18% in 2009. There is also some interesting development in terms of acquisition; in 2006, 53% of woody biomass was purchased in the open market; in 2009, this share had increased to 69%. Generally, pulp and paper mills in Latin America and Asia/Oceania are less reliant on purchased biomass than plants in Europe and North America.

In the EU, primary energy production of solid biomassEnergy resources derived from organic matter. These include wood, agricultural waste and other living-cell material that can be burned to produce heat energy. They also include algae, sewage and other organic substances that may be used to make energy through chemical processes.
Biomass, a ... has increased in 2008 by 2.3 %. Especially electricity production from solid biomass has increased output by about 11% over 2007. Combined generation of heatHeat is a form of energy. Ways to convert it into useful energy are described in the field of thermo-dynamics. and powerUseful energy can be mechanical energy, for example powering a fan. (CHP) now provides about 63% of all electricityA form of energy having magnetic, radiant and chemical effects. Electric current is created by a flow of electrons. produced from solid biomass, increasing efficiencies from about 35% to more than 80%. This is why  some countries, e.g. Austria, require a minimum efficiencyUsing less energy/electricity to perform the same function. Programs designed to use electricity more efficiently - doing the same with less. of 60% for biomass plants, increasing CHP generation.  Black liquor, a wasteWaste consists of unwanted and thrown away goods that often still have value as fuel or raw material. product from the paper industry, accounted for 17% of biomass used for energy generation.

It often makes sense to use such by-products directly on-site for the plants which produce them, and give energy intensive industries an opportunity to reduce the amount of fossil energy they require. It also helps to keep distances for transportTransport includes all kinds of mobility, like cars, buses and airplanes. short, and, even with the initial investment for the conversion technologies, it’s an economically wise decision.