Hygiene and health company, Essity has recently made history by launching the world’s first tissue machine entirely powered by geothermal steam at its Kawerau production facility in New Zealand. This innovative upgrade has reduced the plant’s annual CO₂ emissions by two-thirds.
The official opening of the upgraded tissue machine was attended by over 100 people, including business leaders from New Zealand and Australia representing manufacturing, distribution, sustainability, and retail sectors, as well as local business and community representatives from Kawerau.
“We’ve invested NZD $20 million to upgrade our paper machine, which is the world’s only tissue machine using 100% geothermal steam drying in replacement of fossil fuels,” said Managing Director of Essity Australasia, Sid Takla.
Sid Takla added, “This has enabled us to reduce the carbon footprint by 66% since 2009 at the Kawerau production facility, including a 25% reduction with our new technology upgrade. That’s the equivalent of removing 2,200 cars from the road annually.”
Essity is New Zealand’s sole tissue manufacturer, producing and converting paper onsite into everyday hygiene products like Sorbent and Purex toilet tissue and Handee paper towels. The mill also manufactures products under Essity’s renowned Tork brand.
In addition to this groundbreaking achievement, 2025 marks 70 years of Essity’s manufacturing presence in the region. The company employs 300 people across New Zealand, with 200 based in Kawerau.
The production of tissue from geothermal steam is part of Essity’s work to use less energy and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
