Muda Paper Mills said reducing its dependence on fossil fuel-based steam generation has become a key business decision, driven by regulatory pressure and changing market expectations rather than environmental concerns alone, reports Bioenergy Insight.
The company, among India’s largest paper producers, said steam is critical to its manufacturing process, making fuel use a major source of its direct emissions. It said continued reliance on fossil fuels poses long-term risks as rules become stricter, carbon pricing becomes clearer and fuel costs remain unpredictable. The company also pointed to tougher sustainability checks by global customers and stricter disclosure demands across supply chains.
These factors led Muda Paper to examine alternative energy options. After reviewing several possibilities, the company chose biomass-based steam generation as a suitable replacement for fossil fuels.
The company said the wide availability of agricultural waste in Malaysia, especially by-products from the palm oil industry, offers a dependable local fuel source that can cut emissions without affecting production.
Muda Paper worked with Wasco Greenergy to design a biomass system suited to its operating needs. Within the first year of use, the company recorded a drop of more than 20% in its direct emissions. Based on the system’s stable performance, a second and larger biomass boiler was later installed at another plant.
Along with changing its fuel source, the company has stepped up efforts to improve system monitoring and plant reliability. It said better tracking and analysis of performance data are helping improve maintenance planning and raise efficiency.
The company said clean energy systems can be affordable when planned properly, and the view that renewable energy always leads to higher costs is not always correct. It added that customer demands for emissions data, responsible practices and supply chain openness are rising, making early action a business advantage.
Muda Paper said the success of biomass projects depends on careful system design, consistent fuel quality and close cooperation with experienced partners to ensure reliable operations over time.
Looking ahead, the company said biomass and other renewable energy options offer practical ways to reduce emissions in industries that rely heavily on steam and heat. It added that as carbon levels become more important in global trade, more manufacturers are likely to adopt similar approaches to meet both regulatory and commercial expectations.
