Use Case 3: Ružomberok, Slovakia

  • Use Case Area of Application: analysis of potential configurations for integrating the RESTORE technology into plants of the pulp and paper industry connected to DH and RES.
  • Expected goals to be achieved: maximize the renewable energy integration and optimize WEH utilization from the factory for highly efficient seasonal heat storage.

Use Case Description

Mondi SCP in Ružomberok is one of Mondi’s largest plants and is the biggest integrated mill producing paper and pulp in the Slovak Republic, with a production capacity of 560,000 tonnes of uncoated fine paper, 66,000 tonnes of packaging paper and 100,000 tonnes of market pulp. After its latest investment into a new recovery boiler, the mill is 100% energy self-sufficient with over 94% of its energy coming from renewable resources. The wood comes from certified, well-managed forests. The production continuously decreases footprint on the environment. Part of the heat produced by the Mondi mill is used for the district heating system in the form of 5 bar steam. Steam enters a heat exchanger station, where heat exchangers transfer heat into water. Hot water is pumped via a distribution network into the city, through local heat exchangers and is flowing back to the steam/water heat exchanger station to gain heat again.

uc3 ruzomberok paper mill
Mondi SCP Plant overview (Source: https://www.profisteelholding.sk/en/reference/mondi-scp-2/)

Community addressed

Paper has been produced in Ružomberok for over 300 years. The abundance of the raw materials like wood, water, and energy has had a favourable influence on the development of the mill. In early years, the mill was far away from residential areas, but in the course of urban development, the city has spread and the mill is now in the heart of the Ružomberok area, which embeds 49,035 km2 with 40.84% of forest land and a population of ~5.4 million. The main industries of the region are: automobile, chemical, iron ore processing, and pulp and paper.