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

  • 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 a by-product of the kraft process used to convert wood into paper pulp. It is a biofuel derived from organic, renewable biomass sources and represents a significant form of industrial energy.

In 2023, the United States led in black liquor energy content with 696.0 PJ, representing 38.9% of the global total. Sweden, Canada, Finland, and Japan followed with 185.1 PJ (10.4%), 157.9 PJ (8.8%), 142.5 PJ (8.0%), and 133.0 PJ (7.4%), respectively.

South Africa was the only African country with reported black liquor production in 2023, totaling 16.4 PJ (1% of the global share). The relatively low share highlights a significant gap in energy recovery from industrial by-products in Africa, especially in relation to the growing pulp and paper industry across the continent.

Source:

Food and Agriculture organization of the UN

Period:

2023
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