Ahlstrom, a global player in fiber-based specialty materials, has signed long-term biomethane supply agreements with two renewable energy producers, marking a significant milestone in its industrial decarbonization journey. The agreements, among the largest biomethane supply contracts signed directly with producers in Italy to date, cover output from seven biomethane production plants. As a result, Ahlstrom will partially replace fossil natural gas with renewable biomethane across its Italian operations, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Italy Plays a Key Role in Ahlstrom’s Global Operations
Italy represents a strategically important market for Ahlstrom, accounting for approximately 13% of the company’s global asset base and 9% of its workforce. Consequently, the new biomethane agreements form a critical component of Ahlstrom’s broader sustainability strategy and operational energy transition roadmap. By increasing the use of renewable energy sources, the company continues to strengthen its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting Europe’s clean energy objectives.
Renewable Biomethane to Replace Fossil Natural Gas
The energy producers will supply certified biomethane generated from renewable sources. The fuel will be backed by guarantees of renewable origin and aligned with recognized certification standards. Biomethane can be used as a drop-in replacement for conventional natural gas within Ahlstrom’s existing infrastructure. This enables the company to achieve immediate emissions reductions without requiring major modifications to its manufacturing facilities or energy systems. The seamless integration of biomethane allows Ahlstrom to accelerate decarbonization while maintaining operational reliability and efficiency.
Significant Reduction in Carbon Emissions
The transition to renewable biomethane is expected to substantially reduce Ahlstrom’s Scope 1 emissions by replacing fossil fuels used in combustion processes across its Italian sites. According to the company, the multi-year agreements are projected to lower carbon emissions from its industrial operations in Italy by approximately 44%. Based on the volume of natural gas being replaced, the initiative is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 65,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually, representing a major contribution toward the company’s climate goals.
Leadership Highlights Practical Path to Energy Transition
Juan García-Marquina Prieto, Vice President, Energy Procurement and Energy Transition at Ahlstrom, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative. “This agreement represents a concrete step in the execution of our industrial energy transition strategy. By replacing part of our natural gas consumption with biomethane, we are achieving immediate and scalable CO₂ reductions while making use of existing assets and infrastructure,” he said.
Marco Bellezza, Head of Special Projects, FLS & Technical Manager, highlighted the operational benefits of the transition. “At site level, the transition to biomethane translates ambition into action. By integrating biomethane into our day-to-day operations in Italy, we are reducing fossil fuel use while maintaining reliability and operational efficiency. It is a practical step that supports both our local operations and Ahlstrom’s climate targets,” he noted.
Collaboration Demonstrates Growing Role of Biomethane
The agreements also underscore the increasing importance of biomethane in helping energy-intensive industries reduce their environmental impact. From the renewable energy producers’ perspective, the collaboration demonstrates how industrial companies and clean energy suppliers can work together to accelerate the adoption of lower-carbon energy solutions. Supported by favourable policy frameworks and growing demand for sustainable fuels, biomethane is emerging as a key enabler of industrial decarbonization across Europe.
Advancing Sustainability Through Renewable Energy
By securing long-term access to renewable biomethane, Ahlstrom is taking a significant step toward reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing its sustainability commitments. As per the press release, the initiative not only supports the company’s climate targets but also highlights the critical role of renewable gas in achieving large-scale emissions reductions while maintaining industrial competitiveness and operational performance.
