Consumables
Sappi highlights its environmental credentials at Drupa
Monday 09. June 2008 - In addition to presenting its latest technical innovations and high quality coated fine papers and boards at Drupa, Sappi is highlighting its products excellent environmental properties on its stand (Hall 6, B40) as well as the company's leadership approach to sustainable development.
“The environment is increasingly important to us all and is now often a primary consideration for those who specify and use our papers and boards,” says Sappi Fine Paper Europe CEO Berry Wiersum. “Our products primarily consist of natural, renewable raw materials and help our customers to achieve superior printed materials or sustainable packaging solutions. Compared to coated woodfree papers from other parts of the world, those produced in Europe have an excellent environmental footprint. After initial use, they are fully recyclable, being reused as a raw material for further paper production or for other products. In the end, they can also provide a carbon-neutral source of renewable energy.”
Sustainability, energy and environmental issues are a main focus at this years Drupa, and Sappi is one of the members of the PrintCity Alliance who have shared their knowledge to create a special 24-page, cross-industry environmental overview that is available at the show. The report titled Sustainability, Energy & Environment compares different methods of assessing carbon footprint and gives advice on Frequently Asked Questions. It is available on the Sappi stand and from the main PrintCity information point (Hall 6, C46).
Paper Profile product declaration scheme
Sappi is already part of the European paper industry’s Paper Profile environmental product declaration scheme aimed at paper specifiers and end-users. This one page environmental data sheet contains all the significant environmental information for a particular grade. It provides essential figures regarding product composition and key environmental parameters, as well as information on environmental management and wood procurement. Paper Profiles for each Sappi product are available from local Sappi sales offices.
“Sappi has led the European industry in ensuring that its raw materials come from well controlled sources and that its processes are efficient, safe and with low environmental impact,” states Jens Kriete, Environmental Manager at Sappi Fine Paper Europe. “Our European operations were the first to achieve joint certification under the ISO 9001, 14001 and EMAS standards, as well as multi-site, group chain-of-custody certification under both the FSC and PEFC forest management schemes.”
Energy efficient mills
Sappi now operates highly efficient CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plants at each of seven mills in Europe and renewable biofuels, in the form of biogas or black liquor from the production process, account for approximately 32% of its energy needs. A continuous programme of investment in its paper machines and processes means that these are some of the most advanced in the industry, making highly efficient use of raw materials, as well as reusing or recycling a high percentage of waste from the production process.
“Usually we issue our Paper Profiles at the end of each calendar year, but with our new gas-steam power plant coming on stream last year at Gratkorn, our largest and most modern mill is now totally self-sufficient in its energy needs. The environ¬mental parameters for products produced at Gratkorn have therefore improved to such an extent that we have decided to provide a preview of this based on figures for the first three months of this year,” adds Kriete.
On the transportation front, Sappi is also increasingly switching the carriage of both its raw materials and finished product from road to rail. Two dedicated 18-wagon trains make a daily trip to or from its Gratkorn mill, carrying 1,700 tons of paper to its Wesel distribution centre in northern Germany or returning with raw materials for the mill. In addition, rail terminals at Sappi’s Alfeld and Ehingen mills in Germany have eliminated more than 5,000 truck deliveries annually, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and road congestion.
Environmental fact sheets
To meet growing interest in its approach to sustainable development, the company has published ‘The Environment and Sappi in Europe’, a set of fact sheets describing its environmental initiatives and track record. Individual sheets outline Sappi Group policy on sustainable development, its environmental management system in Europe, safety and health, its products, source materials, energy, production processes and the company’s environmental record in Europe over the past eight years. The fact sheets are available on the Sappi stand at Drupa in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian and Spanish or from local Sappi sales offices. Further information on Sappi’s environmental initiatives can also be found at www.sappi.com/Environment.