Portuguese tissue manufacturer Renova has inaugurated its Descarbonizar@Renova project at Factory 2 in Torres Novas, marking an €11 million investment aimed at significantly reducing the company's carbon footprint while improving energy efficiency and long-term competitiveness. The project represents a major milestone in Renova's energy transition strategy and was supported by the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
At the heart of the project is a new biomass energy plant that replaces most of the natural gas previously used to generate thermal energy for tissue production. By switching to renewable biomass, the company has reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon dioxide emissions by 50.6% compared with 2020 levels, surpassing the project's original target of a 43% reduction. The new facility is expected to prevent approximately 54,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, while natural gas will now be used only as a backup during maintenance or operational interruptions. Around €5.8 million of the investment was financed through the PRR.
According to Renova Chairman and CEO Paulo Pereira da Silva, the project represents a major step forward in the company's sustainability journey.
"With this project, we have taken a giant step in our energy transition and decarbonization," he said during the inauguration ceremony. He added that the investment not only reduces the company's environmental footprint but also improves energy efficiency, strengthens competitiveness, and reinforces the sustainability credentials of Renova's products.
The biomass plant forms part of a broader modernization programme at Renova's Torres Novas operations. Over the past 12 years, the company has invested approximately €152 million in expanding production capacity, automation, logistics, digitalization, environmental performance, energy efficiency, and product and process innovation.
The decarbonization project also includes several complementary energy-efficiency measures, including enhanced waste heat recovery systems, improved environmental monitoring, and the installation of an electric paper-drying unit. Together, these initiatives support Renova's long-term ambition to achieve carbon neutrality while increasing operational efficiency.
Renova continues to expand its international presence, with approximately 60% of its revenue generated from exports to more than 70 countries, including key markets such as Spain, France, and Belgium. The company estimates that consumers purchase around 10 million Renova products every month worldwide, demonstrating the global reach of one of Portugal's best-known consumer brands.
The inauguration was attended by Portugal's Secretary of State for Energy, Jean Barroca, who highlighted the strategic role of industrial decarbonization in strengthening the competitiveness of Portuguese manufacturing.
"Industrial decarbonization cannot remain an abstract concept. It takes shape through companies' investment decisions, the modernization of production facilities, and lower energy consumption," Barroca said, adding that projects such as Renova's demonstrate how public investment can accelerate industrial modernization and support economic growth.
