14 Mar. 2025: Hygiene and health company Essity has unveiled the world’s first tissue machine operating entirely on geothermal steam.

This groundbreaking innovation was introduced at its Kawerau facility in New Zealand, significantly reducing the plant’s annual CO2 emissions by two-thirds.

The inauguration event gathered over 100 attendees, including business leaders from the manufacturing, distribution, sustainability, and retail sectors in New Zealand and Australia, as well as representatives from the Kawerau business and community.

"We have invested NZD $20 million to upgrade our paper machine, which is now the only one in the world using 100% geothermal steam drying instead of fossil fuels," said Sid Takla, Managing Director of Essity Australasia. "With this technology, we have reduced our carbon footprint by 66% since 2009, including a 25% reduction with this latest upgrade. That’s equivalent to removing 2,200 cars from the road annually."

As the only tissue manufacturer in New Zealand, Essity produces hygiene paper products on-site, including well-known brands such as Sorbent, Purex, and Handee, as well as Tork products for professional use.

The year 2025 also marks Essity’s 70 years of manufacturing excellence in Kawerau, where the company employs 200 of its 300 employees in New Zealand.

This innovation is part of Essity’s broader strategy to reduce energy consumption and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.