Rondo ends talks with opponents over Frastanz waste-fuel plant

Rondo Ganahl has ended its dialogue with the SOS Walgau opposition initiative over plans for a power plant at its packaging and paper factory in Frastanz, ORF reported. The company said in an open letter that it was taking the step because of what it described as unfounded fearmongering.

Rondo said it welcomed interest in and debate about the project. Criticism was legitimate and part of an open democratic discussion, the company said, but constructive debate required “recognisable facts” rather than misinformation or emotionally charged portrayals.

The company said it would not continue discussions with SOS Walgau under the current conditions. However, it added that dialogue with the public remained an important part of the project.

The plans have prompted support, protests and a rejecting decision by the municipal representatives. Supporters say the plant would reduce dependence on fossil fuels and help secure the future of the factory. Opponents cite air pollution and additional lorry traffic.

Plant would burn production waste

The planned plant would be built on a site currently used as a car park. It would burn residual materials from Rondo’s own production as well as waste from other large businesses in Vorarlberg. These materials could include plastic waste, waste wood, paper fibres and other combustible waste from production processes, said Udo Nachbaur, a board member of Rondo Ganahl AG.

Rondo says 82,000 tonnes of residual materials would be burned each year to produce heat and electricity, including 12,000 tonnes from its own production. The remaining 70,000 tonnes would have to be delivered from elsewhere.

Opponents point out that the plant’s environmental impact assessment application allows for a total of 122,000 tonnes. Nachbaur said that figure would only be reached if the delivered material had the lowest acceptable calorific value. He described it as a theoretical capacity required for the assessment of environmental impacts and said Rondo expected an average of 82,000 to 83,000 tonnes a year in practice.

Public project presentation planned

Rondo said it would hold an official project presentation at the site on September 11. Members of the public would be able to view the plans and ask critical questions, Nachbaur said.

The factory’s 120-metre paper machine currently uses gas to produce the hot steam required for production. If the new plant took over this function, the factory’s waste heat could later be used for regional district heating.

Nachbaur said the heat generated could supply an amount equivalent to the needs of the city of Feldkirch and its regional hospital twice over, creating potential for a new heat supply across the Feldkirch-Walgau region.

A hearing in the ongoing environmental impact assessment procedure is scheduled for September 22, 2026. The project is estimated to cost 110 million euros.