Amazon has joined forces with RTI International, Schlumberger, and International Paper to collaborate on a project aimed at scaling carbon capture and storage (CCS) for the pulp and paper industry. Selected by the US Department of Energy, the project focuses on decarbonizing paper packaging, a crucial step in reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
“With billions of packages delivered each year, we are committed to using packaging materials that are not only safe but also environmentally sustainable,” said Nii Ofei Mante, a representative from Amazon. “Our collaboration with RTI International, Schlumberger, and International Paper underscores our dedication to reducing carbon emissions associated with paper packaging production.”
The project aims to build a CCS plant at a containerboard mill operated by one of Amazon’s packaging suppliers. This facility, if successfully completed by 2029, will capture up to 120,000 metric tons of CO2 per year, a significant portion of which are biogenic emissions. The captured CO2 will be used to produce approximately 100,000 metric tons of decarbonized paper annually, benefiting both customers and the environment.
“Decarbonizing paper packaging is a critical step in addressing climate change,” said Alan Jacobsen, a representative from RTI International. “By capturing and storing biogenic carbon emissions, we can produce lower-carbon paper, contributing to global efforts to limit warming.”
The project will demonstrate the scalability of RTI’s non-aqueous amine solvent (NAS) carbon capture technology, which significantly reduces energy requirements for the absorption-regeneration cycle compared to traditional methods. This technology represents a promising approach to industrial decarbonization and could have broader applications across sectors such as cement and steel.
Amazon’s involvement in this project aligns with its commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement. The collaboration highlights the importance of partnerships in developing cutting-edge carbon reduction technologies and advancing sustainability in the pulp and paper industry.