5. Conclusions
This study has shown that paper recycling has a positive impact
on energy intensity and CO2 emissions over the total life-cycle.
Assuming no constraints on resource availability, the paper production
life-cycle from chemical pulping has the best score on CO2
emission (300 kgCO2/t) and the worst score on energy intensity
(44 GJ/t). This is explained by the high feedstock use for energy
generation. Paper production from recovered paper has lowest
energy use (13 GJ/t). Assuming constraints on biomass availability
(i.e. if biomass is also used for energy generation), recycling op
paper has the lowest energy intensity (22 GJ/t) and CO2 footprint
(−1100 kgCO2/t). is assumed to
replace energy produced from the grid.