A calculation method enabling energy benchmarking in the pulp and paper industry: Adopting a methodology that bridge the research–policy implementation gap

Cross-site benchmarking could be an essential driver of energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries. However, no widely adopted, harmonized method for calculating energy performance currently exists for the pulp and paper sector. This study presents a novel calculation method developed through a transdisciplinary process involving the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, academic researchers, and pulp and paper mills. The method ensures a uniform representation of energy flows, enabling consistent and transparent comparisons across mills of similar types. It introduces a new benchmarking approach that disaggregates energy use into functional processes. Benchmarking energy performance at the level of functional processes enables meaningful comparisons between mills with different degrees of integration and production configurations, thus broadening the comparison pool in a heterogenic sector. Remaining site-specific variations, such as feedstock and paper quality, are addressed through the manual inclusion of explanatory metadata. The method aligns with the revised EU Industrial Emissions Directive's (IED) ambitions for decarbonization by dividing energy use into four separate energy carriers. It also supports energy based industrial symbiosis by subtracting externally utilized excess heat, and other energy resources, from total energy demand. Due to its institutional fit with the IED, the method has strong potential for EU-wide adoption. The co-creation process used to develop the method also offers a transferable framework for establishing energy benchmarks also in other energy-intensive sectors. • Method developed with Swedish EPA, researchers, and pulp and paper mills. • Supports implementation of the revised European Industrial Emissions Directive. • Uses cross-site benchmarking on the level of process sections for 4 energy carriers. • Expands comparison pool in a heterogenic sector and supports industrial symbiosis. • The co-creation development process offers blueprint for other industries.