KIMBERLY-CLARK’S KOBLENZ SITE SET TO OPERATE ON 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2029

Kimberly-Clark has announced that its tissue manufacturing facility in Koblenz, Germany will become the company’s first to transition fully to 100% renewable energy by 2029. This transformation, supported by a Carbon Contract for Difference grant from the German government and recent virtual power purchase agreements, is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 50,000 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually—the same as the energy use of 6,700 homes.

The transition will involve electrifying the site's heating systems and sourcing renewable electricity from offsite solar projects in Italy and Spain. Planned upgrades include converting natural gas boilers and related infrastructure to electric systems, which alone will cut over 13,000 metric tonnes of emissions per year. The renewable electricity sourcing will account for an additional estimated reduction of 36,000 metric tonnes.

This effort supports Kimberly-Clark’s broader goal of cutting scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% from 2015 levels. Other recent sustainability milestones include rooftop solar installations in Spain and South Africa and the launch of a wind farm in Scotland.

Koblenz also contributes to Kimberly-Clark Professional’s closed-loop recycling program, where used hand towels collected across several countries are turned into new tissue products. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in manufacturing.