The Spanish pulp and bioenergy company Ence is investing €11 million in modernisation work at its biofactory in Navia in northern Spain.
The investment is being carried out during the plant’s annual maintenance shutdown, which began in early March and is scheduled to run until 20 March.
According to the company, the shutdown represents a major operational milestone for the facility. During this period, more than 1,500 additional workers are expected to be on site to assist with inspections, maintenance tasks and upgrade projects.
Focus on efficiency and digital systems
While routine maintenance of equipment and installations forms part of the shutdown, the main focus this year is on improving operational efficiency and strengthening the plant’s long-term performance.
The investment programme includes upgrades to digital systems and cybersecurity, improvements to thermal efficiency and measures designed to reduce the use of fossil fuels in the production process.
Ence also plans to introduce a series of operational improvements aimed at increasing flexibility in the plant’s production lines.
These projects are part of a broader strategy to modernise the facility and improve performance at the Asturian pulp mill.
New technology for pulp quality monitoring
One of the upgrades involves the installation of advanced sensors capable of measuring pulp quality parameters in real time.
According to the company, the new monitoring system will allow continuous tracking of pulp quality during production. The aim is to stabilise operations and improve product consistency at the Navia biofactory.
The maintenance shutdown will also make it possible to advance the company’s decarbonisation project. In addition, a new wood yard processing line will be installed, which is expected to increase operational flexibility and support the production of specialised pulp grades.
Environmental certifications at the Navia facility
The Navia biofactory has received several environmental certifications related to its production processes.
Among them is the Nordic Swan Ecolabel as well as a Zero Waste certification. According to the company, the latter indicates that almost all waste generated at the facility is reused instead of being sent to landfill.
The mill also received the Quality Innovation Award in 2024. The award recognised the plant’s environmental management practices and ongoing improvements in production processes.
Major pulp production site in Spain
Ence is one of Spain’s main producers of market pulp and renewable energy derived from biomass. The company operates several biofactories across Spain and focuses on producing eucalyptus-based pulp for the global paper industry.
The Navia biofactory in Asturias is one of the company’s largest production sites and specialises in eucalyptus pulp used in a variety of paper and hygiene products.
Through investments in equipment upgrades, digitalisation and energy efficiency, the company aims to maintain competitiveness while responding to increasing regulatory and environmental requirements in the pulp and paper industry.
Source: Ence.
Fact:
Market pulp refers to pulp produced for sale on the open market rather than for internal paper production. It is widely used in the manufacture of paper, tissue and packaging products. Eucalyptus pulp, produced from fast-growing eucalyptus trees, is commonly used in tissue and hygiene papers due to its fibre characteristics.
