South Africa, the only African country producing black liquor, recorded 16.4 PJ of energy content in 2023 — approximately 1% of the global total

Key takeaways:

  • The United States of America led the production of black liquor with 696.0PJ produced making up 38.9% of the global total produced in 2023.
  • South Africa is the only African country producing black liquor with 16.4PJ produced making up 1% of the global total.
  • The total amount of black liquor produced globally in 2023 was 1,787PJ.
  • Sweden, Canada, Finland and Japan produced 185.1PJ - 10.4%, 157.9PJ - 8.8%, 142.5PJ - 8.0% and 133.0PJ - 7.4% respectively.

Black liquor is the by-product from the kraft process when digesting pulpwood into paper pulp. It is a source of biofuel derived from organic, renewable biomass sources and a very important form of energy.

In 2023, the United States of America led the production of black liquor with 696.0PJ (petajoules) produced, making up 38.9% of the total quantity produced globally. Sweden, Canada, Finland and Japan produced 185.1PJ (10.4%), 157.9PJ (8.8%), 142.5PJ (8.0%), and 133.0PJ (7.4%), respectively.

South Africa is the only African country producing black liquor, with 16.4PJ produced, making up 1% of the global total. Comparing the growth of the pulp and paper industry in Africa with the fact that Africa produced only 1% of black liquor in 2023, it was revealed that there is a huge gap in the recycling of by-products, commonly called waste products, in Africa.

Source:

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Period:

2023
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