From coal to biomass: Koehler Innovation & Technology supports conversion of Oberkirch power plant

The expansion and conversion of the Koehler Group's existing coal-fired power plant at the Oberkirch site is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024, so that climate-friendly biomass can be burned there in the future. The conversion process for the Koehler power plant in Oberkirch gets extensive support from Koehler Innovation & Technology in cooperation with experts from Koehler Renewable Energy and the Koehler Group at the Oberkirch site. Converting the power plant to biomass will save 150,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ per year at the Oberkirch site. Germany, and is another step towards achieving the Koehler climate strategy. The Koehler Group is aiming to generate more energy from renewable sources than is required for paper production by 2030. “The existing power plant, which was built in 1986, is being adapted for the new fuel through various conversion measures. In addition, two collection points for unloading trucks and corresponding silos will be built”, explains Michael Trautmann, Corporate Director Central Plant Engineering at Koehler Innovation & Technology. Only natural wood from the region is used. The Koehler Group will continue to reduce it’s carbon footprint through efficient processes, one step at a time. The Koehler Group has invested over EUR 70 million in the entire conversation in the Oberkirch site, Germany.

With the groundbreaking ceremony on April 21, 2023, construction work on the Koehler Group's combined heat and power plant in Oberkirch/Germany was officially started by Michael Trautmann, Corporate Director Central Plant Engineering from Koehler Innovation & Technology, Hartmut Felsch, Mill Director Koehler Paper Oberkirch, Dr. Stefan Karrer, COO Koehler Group, Kai Furler, CEO Koehler Group, Christoph Lipps, Mayor of Oberkirch/Germany, Markus Huber from Rendler Bau GmbH, Björn Stuba from SPB Ingenieure and Andreas Bächle from Rendler Bau GmbH.