The project was made possible by the support of the governments of Canada and Québec, with a contribution of $8.15 million through Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation Program (IFIT) and $9.5 million from the Technoclimat Program funded by the Ministry of Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks.
Kruger is partnering with the developers of the carbon capture technology, Mantel Capture Inc., a North American start-up founded by engineers and scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Together, they are investing a total of $6.1 million.
The promising technology has already proven successful at the laboratory scale and will be tested for the first time in an industrial setting at the Kruger Wayagamack Pulp and Paper Mill. It will use molten borate salt as a novel absorption fluid, which can withstand extremely high temperatures, up to 600°C. This crucial distinction allows for the direct integration of the capture system into a steam boiler.
Kruger said it slected the technology because it was more efficient and cost effective than other carbon capture methods, while being energy efficient and sustainable. It enables the capture of carbon while producing clean steam, both of which can be reinjected into the papermaking process. As part of the demonstration project, Kruger aims to capture up to 5 tons of high-quality CO2 per day.
Preparatory work to implement the technology begins now, while a two-year test phase is scheduled to start in Q4 of 2025. If the project meets expectations, Kruger could deploy the technology across all mill operations, with the goal of making the plant carbon neutral.
“We are thrilled to be at the forefront of testing this promising new technology, which has the potential to help us, as well as the entire manufacturing sector, achieve our goal of decarbonizing our operations. This project underscores Kruger’s commitment to intensifying its efforts to improve its environmental footprint and promote more sustainable prosperity," said Justin Paillé, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing, Kruger Pulp and Paper.