Energy Solutions for the Transformation the Paper Industry Needs

The paper sector is one of the most important industries in the Spanish economy—so much so that it ranks as the sixth largest producer of paper and cardboard in the European Union. Its high consumption of natural resources and energy has placed it at the center of numerous debates and criticisms in recent years. However, this also makes it a sector with great potential and strategic importance in the transition toward a more sustainable production model.

In recent years, the paper and cardboard industry has faced significant challenges. In 2023, due to the global macroeconomic situation, Spain experienced a 4.6% drop in production, particularly affecting newsprint, printing, and writing papers.

In light of this scenario, sustainability and energy efficiency have become central to the strategies of many paper companies seeking to increase profitability. Through self-consumption and energy efficiency solutions, these companies are optimizing energy use—not only reducing their energy bills but also minimizing their environmental impact.

As a result, companies in the sector have long been investing in energy solutions and improvements to their production processes, aiming to become more efficient, sustainable, and above all, competitive. In particular, the sector has shown growing interest in technologies such as high-efficiency heat pumps, high-efficiency cogeneration (CHPs), biogas and biomass utilization, and digitalization for smart energy management.

At Edison Next, we have been working with companies in the paper industry to promote, among other initiatives, the optimization of their energy efficiency through energy audits, energy management systems, and the integration of renewable sources such as biogas and biomass. These solutions have enabled companies to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and improve their competitiveness in a volatile energy market.

At the same time, solutions like Building Management Systems (BMS) are also playing a key role in these strategies, allowing companies to efficiently manage the energy consumption of their facilities.

These systems integrate and automate control over key elements such as heating, lighting, and ventilation systems, optimizing their real-time performance to reduce energy waste and improve comfort in the workplace. Thanks to digitalization and data analysis, BMS platforms make it easier to detect inefficiencies, alert about potential faults, and support strategic decision-making based on actual energy consumption.

It is essential for each company to evaluate its carbon footprint and design an energy strategy tailored to its needs. In this regard, collaboration with energy transition experts is key to ensuring the efficient and customized implementation of sustainable solutions.

The paper sector is taking decisive steps toward a more efficient and environmentally responsible model. Investing in energy efficiency solutions, heat pumps, biogas, CHPs, and biomass not only offers a competitive economic advantage but also strengthens the industry’s commitment to sustainability and enhances its public image.

At Edison Next, as energy partners, we work to offer comprehensive energy efficiency solutions tailored to the needs of each sector, with the aim of driving their transformation and helping businesses achieve their goals.