Papeco completely eliminates gas at Orval-sur-Sienne with a 35 MWh thermal storage system

A definitive shift away from fossil fuels in paper drying

The paper industry has long grappled with the immense energy requirements of the drying process. For decades, natural gas has been the default fuel, offering the necessary high temperatures and reliability. However, Papeteries du Cotentin SAS (PAPECO) is proving that the sector's reliance on fossil fuels is no longer an absolute necessity. The company has announced the launch of a massive electrification project at its Orval-sur-Sienne site, aiming to replace its entire natural gas consumption with a 35 MWh thermal energy storage system.

This is not a pilot program or a partial substitution. According to the project details, this transformation will avoid the emission of approximately 3,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. By completely electrifying the heat used in paper drying, Papeco is setting a new benchmark for industrial decarbonization in Europe.

The technological backbone: Energy Pool and Epyr

To execute this ambitious overhaul, Papeco has partnered with two key players in the energy transition sector. Energy Pool is handling the design, energy integration, and operational strategy, ensuring the system aligns with the mill's rigorous production demands. Meanwhile, the technical deployment is being spearheaded by Epyr, a French start-up that has rapidly gained traction in industrial heat electrification.

The mechanics of the 35 MWh system are straightforward yet highly effective. Electrical heating elements warm the air, which then charges a high-temperature thermal storage unit. This stored energy is subsequently released as heat precisely when the paper drying section requires it. The true ingenuity lies in the system's smart management capabilities. By integrating real-time market prices, the facility can draw low-carbon electricity from the grid during off-peak hours or when renewable energy production (like wind and solar) is at its peak. This not only ensures competitive energy costs for Papeco but also provides much-needed flexibility and balancing services to the national power grid.

Scaling up from previous industry milestones

This development marks a significant escalation in the deployment of thermal storage within the paper sector. Earlier in 2026, Epyr successfully commissioned a similar, albeit smaller, unit at the WEPA tissue mill in Troyes, which covered roughly 25% of that site's steam demand. Papeco's decision to scale this technology to cover 100% of its gas demand at Orval-sur-Sienne demonstrates a growing confidence in power-to-heat solutions among papermakers.

As carbon regulations tighten across the European Union and energy sovereignty remains a critical strategic priority, the ability to decouple production from volatile natural gas markets offers a distinct competitive advantage. Papeco is not just greening its operations; it is insulating its balance sheet against future fossil fuel shocks.

The successful implementation of a 100% gas-free drying process at a commercial scale proves that the technology is mature enough to handle the heavy lifting of our industry. Will other mid-sized European mills follow Papeco's lead and completely abandon gas, or will the upfront capital requirements keep the majority relying on hybrid systems for the rest of the decade? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai