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Bio-Insight

MADRID, Spain, July 9, 2021 (Press Release) -Ence’s biofactory in Navia has successfully passed the “Zero Waste” environmental seal certification granted by AENOR to those organizations that carry out a more efficient management of their waste and that are capable of recovering it. All this thanks to the fact that, during the past year, the company’s facilities in Asturias managed to recover 97 percent of the waste.

The plant thus revalidates the results that made it worthy of recognition for the first time last year, and that make it a paradigm of responsible use of resources and circular economy.

The verification process carried out aims to guarantee the recovery, through reuse, recycling or through energy recovery, of the waste generated at the plant, thus avoiding its transfer to landfills. Also the traceability of the entire process, and the verification of the data related to the quantity of the different waste fractions.

This shows that the biofactory not only prevented these materials from ending up in landfills, but also reintroduced them into its value chain, giving them a new life.

In fact, Ence’s own biofactory activity is an example of contribution to the aforementioned circular economy: throughout the pulp production process, the plant produces and operates with materials of natural origin, renewable and recyclable. At the same time, it generates renewable electrical energy from biomass using lignin, a component of wood that constitutes an excellent renewable and natural biofuel, as well as forest debris.

In this way, the more than 6,900 jobs linked to Ence Navia also contribute, with their daily work, to reduce energy intensity and carbon footprint, as well as to advance on the path of the energy transition, towards the objectives of decarbonization marked from the European Commission.

Ence’s biofactories in Navia and Pontevedra hold the AENOR “Zero Waste” seal, to which Ence’s renewable generation plants with biomass in Jaén and Ciudad Real have recently joined. All of this reflects the company’s commitment to the circular economy model, while demonstrating its firm commitment to sustainability and caring for the environment.

Ence’s biofactory in Navia receives “Zero Waste” environmental seal certificate from AENOR

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/09/2021 - 07:50

MADRID, Spain, July 9, 2021 (Press Release) -Ence’s biofactory in Navia has successfully passed the “Zero Waste” environmental seal certification granted by AENOR to those organizations that carry out a more efficient management of their waste and that are capable of recovering it. All this thanks to the fact that, during the past year, the company’s facilities in Asturias managed to recover 97 percent of the waste.

The plant thus revalidates the results that made it worthy of recognition for the first time last year, and that make it a paradigm of responsible use of resources and circular economy.

The verification process carried out aims to guarantee the recovery, through reuse, recycling or through energy recovery, of the waste generated at the plant, thus avoiding its transfer to landfills. Also the traceability of the entire process, and the verification of the data related to the quantity of the different waste fractions.

This shows that the biofactory not only prevented these materials from ending up in landfills, but also reintroduced them into its value chain, giving them a new life.

In fact, Ence’s own biofactory activity is an example of contribution to the aforementioned circular economy: throughout the pulp production process, the plant produces and operates with materials of natural origin, renewable and recyclable. At the same time, it generates renewable electrical energy from biomass using lignin, a component of wood that constitutes an excellent renewable and natural biofuel, as well as forest debris.

In this way, the more than 6,900 jobs linked to Ence Navia also contribute, with their daily work, to reduce energy intensity and carbon footprint, as well as to advance on the path of the energy transition, towards the objectives of decarbonization marked from the European Commission.

Ence’s biofactories in Navia and Pontevedra hold the AENOR “Zero Waste” seal, to which Ence’s renewable generation plants with biomass in Jaén and Ciudad Real have recently joined. All of this reflects the company’s commitment to the circular economy model, while demonstrating its firm commitment to sustainability and caring for the environment.

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BRUSSELS, July 9, 2021 (Press Release) -With the slowing down of the European economy and the sanitary restrictions, European paper and board consumption decreased by 5.3% in 2020 compared to 2019, totalling 71 million tonnes.

Cepi members produced 85.2 million tonnes of paper and board, a decrease of 4.8% compared to 2019. This downward trend was observed in many other parts of the world, namely the US, Japan, Brazil and Canada.

Covid crisis has accelerated both negative and positive existing trends

Despite the slowing down of the European economy and the sanitary restrictions, most of the mills ran without disruption in 2020; even if some operated at reduced speed because of lower levels of demand.

In 2020, the pandemic accelerated the structural decline of graphic grades but stimulated the production of packaging grades as well as sanitary and household paper. The overall output of graphic grades including newsprint fell by 19%. Demand from publishers, offices and commercial printing declined dramatically.

In contrast, the packaging paper and board as well as the sanitary and household paper production increased by 2.1% and 3.1% respectively in 2020 while speciality paper and board production remained stable.

Packaging paper and board are essential materials to transport and deliver supplies, such as medicines or food, they also benefitted from the acceleration of e-commerce related to the sanitary crisis. Demand for sanitary and household grades benefitted from higher hygiene requirements, despite the restrictions affecting the ‘away-from-home’ markets.

Also impacted by the economic slow-down and the decrease in paper and board production, pulp consumption decreased by 6.4%. Total pulp production decreased by 4.7% while market pulp output remained unchanged.

Net-exports remained strong despite minor decrease

Market pulp exports grew by 2.8% while paper and board exports decreased by 3.1%, a lower extent than production and imports (-4.5%). Looking at market pulp and paper and board combined, the share of our production going for export has reached a new height: 26% in 2020.

Sustainability performance on track

While providing essential products to European citizens in 2020, the European paper industry delivered on its competitiveness and sustainability agenda.

In spite of the pandemic impacting availability and quality of paper for recycling throughout 2020, the European recycling rate increased by 1.4 percentage points and reached 73.9% in 2020. Looking back at the progress made since 1998 - the base year for the first voluntary commitment set in the European Declaration on Paper Recycling[1]- recycling has increased by 40% or 16.0 million tonnes.

CO2 direct emissions from the European paper industry also declined by 7.1% in 2020, mainly due to the reduced activity but also the continuing efforts of the industry to decarbonise. As a result, the specific CO2 emissions (per tonne of product) further decreased in 2020 by 3.1%. In terms of energy use, 62.2% of the fuel consumption was based on renewable energy: woody biomass sourced from sustainably managed European forests.

“I am proud to announce today that our investments in reducing emissions and using more renewable energy are paying off, with a 7.1% reduction of our CO2 direct emissions last year. We continue to lead among industries switching to renewable energy, renewables represented 62.2% of our primary energy in 2020. Our climate commitment is even more important this year, just days ahead of the European Commission’s “Fit for 2030” package. It will radically revamp the regulatory framework to achieve higher emission reductions by 2030”, commented Jori Ringman, Cepi Director General.

Production will pick up with economic recovery in 2022

Looking ahead, the paper and board demand will undoubtedly benefit from the economic rebound forecasted for 2021. The EU economy is estimated to grow by 4.2% in 2021 and to strengthen to around 4.4% in 2022 according to the European Commission. As of end-April 2021, the production of paper and board in Cepi countries increased by1.0% over the same period of the previous year.

[1]The European Paper Recycling Council (EPRC) was set up as an industry self-initiative in November 2000 to monitor progress towards meeting higher paper recycling targets.

About Cepi :

Cepi is the European association representing the paper industry. We offer a wide range of renewable and recyclable wood-based fibre solutions to EU citizens: from packaging to textile, hygiene and tissue products, printing and graphic papers as well as speciality papers, but also bio-chemicals for food and pharmaceuticals, bio-composites and bioenergy.

We are a responsible industry: 92% of our raw materials are sourced in Europe and certified as sustainable, 91% of the water we use is returned to the environment, in good condition. We are the world champion in recycling at the rate of 72%. At the forefront of the decarbonisation and industrial transformation of our economy, we embrace digitalisation and bring 20 billion value addition to the European economy and €5.5 billion investments annually. 

Through its 18 national associations, Cepi gathers 500 companies operating 895 mills across

CEPI: European paper industry delivers on emission reduction and recycling commitments

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/09/2021 - 04:20

BRUSSELS, July 9, 2021 (Press Release) -With the slowing down of the European economy and the sanitary restrictions, European paper and board consumption decreased by 5.3% in 2020 compared to 2019, totalling 71 million tonnes.

Cepi members produced 85.2 million tonnes of paper and board, a decrease of 4.8% compared to 2019. This downward trend was observed in many other parts of the world, namely the US, Japan, Brazil and Canada.

Covid crisis has accelerated both negative and positive existing trends

Despite the slowing down of the European economy and the sanitary restrictions, most of the mills ran without disruption in 2020; even if some operated at reduced speed because of lower levels of demand.

In 2020, the pandemic accelerated the structural decline of graphic grades but stimulated the production of packaging grades as well as sanitary and household paper. The overall output of graphic grades including newsprint fell by 19%. Demand from publishers, offices and commercial printing declined dramatically.

In contrast, the packaging paper and board as well as the sanitary and household paper production increased by 2.1% and 3.1% respectively in 2020 while speciality paper and board production remained stable.

Packaging paper and board are essential materials to transport and deliver supplies, such as medicines or food, they also benefitted from the acceleration of e-commerce related to the sanitary crisis. Demand for sanitary and household grades benefitted from higher hygiene requirements, despite the restrictions affecting the ‘away-from-home’ markets.

Also impacted by the economic slow-down and the decrease in paper and board production, pulp consumption decreased by 6.4%. Total pulp production decreased by 4.7% while market pulp output remained unchanged.

Net-exports remained strong despite minor decrease

Market pulp exports grew by 2.8% while paper and board exports decreased by 3.1%, a lower extent than production and imports (-4.5%). Looking at market pulp and paper and board combined, the share of our production going for export has reached a new height: 26% in 2020.

Sustainability performance on track

While providing essential products to European citizens in 2020, the European paper industry delivered on its competitiveness and sustainability agenda.

In spite of the pandemic impacting availability and quality of paper for recycling throughout 2020, the European recycling rate increased by 1.4 percentage points and reached 73.9% in 2020. Looking back at the progress made since 1998 - the base year for the first voluntary commitment set in the European Declaration on Paper Recycling[1]- recycling has increased by 40% or 16.0 million tonnes.

CO2 direct emissions from the European paper industry also declined by 7.1% in 2020, mainly due to the reduced activity but also the continuing efforts of the industry to decarbonise. As a result, the specific CO2 emissions (per tonne of product) further decreased in 2020 by 3.1%. In terms of energy use, 62.2% of the fuel consumption was based on renewable energy: woody biomass sourced from sustainably managed European forests.

“I am proud to announce today that our investments in reducing emissions and using more renewable energy are paying off, with a 7.1% reduction of our CO2 direct emissions last year. We continue to lead among industries switching to renewable energy, renewables represented 62.2% of our primary energy in 2020. Our climate commitment is even more important this year, just days ahead of the European Commission’s “Fit for 2030” package. It will radically revamp the regulatory framework to achieve higher emission reductions by 2030”, commented Jori Ringman, Cepi Director General.

Production will pick up with economic recovery in 2022

Looking ahead, the paper and board demand will undoubtedly benefit from the economic rebound forecasted for 2021. The EU economy is estimated to grow by 4.2% in 2021 and to strengthen to around 4.4% in 2022 according to the European Commission. As of end-April 2021, the production of paper and board in Cepi countries increased by1.0% over the same period of the previous year.

[1]The European Paper Recycling Council (EPRC) was set up as an industry self-initiative in November 2000 to monitor progress towards meeting higher paper recycling targets.

About Cepi :

Cepi is the European association representing the paper industry. We offer a wide range of renewable and recyclable wood-based fibre solutions to EU citizens: from packaging to textile, hygiene and tissue products, printing and graphic papers as well as speciality papers, but also bio-chemicals for food and pharmaceuticals, bio-composites and bioenergy.

We are a responsible industry: 92% of our raw materials are sourced in Europe and certified as sustainable, 91% of the water we use is returned to the environment, in good condition. We are the world champion in recycling at the rate of 72%. At the forefront of the decarbonisation and industrial transformation of our economy, we embrace digitalisation and bring 20 billion value addition to the European economy and €5.5 billion investments annually. 

Through its 18 national associations, Cepi gathers 500 companies operating 895 mills across

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BOCA RATON, FL , July 7, 2021 (Business Wire) -The ODP Corporation, a leading provider of business services, products and digital workplace technology solutions through an integrated B2B distribution platform with an online presence and approximately 1,100 stores, today announced the release of the company’s 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report, which provides information on environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and goals for Office Depot, CompuCom and Grand & Toy.

“The ODP Corporation’s sustainability platform includes a variety of programs and initiatives in place to support our commitment to be a responsible corporation and help our suppliers and customers do the same,” said Gerry Smith, chief executive officer for The ODP Corporation. “I’m proud to close out our 2018 public-facing sustainability goals by exceeding our targets. We will set new baselines with meaningful goals in regard to our continued commitment to decreasing the company’s environmental impact.”

The ODP Corporation’s 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report highlights resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on associate well-being, as well as maintaining business operations. The report also showcases the progress made on the company’s public-facing sustainability goals around energy consumption, transportation emissions and cube utilization:

  • The company had already exceeded its goal in 2019 to reduce energy consumption by 2021, with a 44% decrease in facility energy consumption since 2016.
  • Miles per gallon in Office Depot’s private fleet increased 18% since 2018, exceeding the goal of 15%.
  • Office Depot improved cube utilization by 14% since 2018, exceeding the goal of 10%.

Other accomplishments highlighted in the 2021 report include:

Planet:

  • 11% reduction in GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions since 2019
  • 15,365 MT waste diverted from the landfill
  • Recycled more than 6 million pounds of e-waste from customers
  • The Office Depot Chemicals Management Policy was expanded and a Beyond Restricted Substances List (BRSL) was published for the first time in 2020.

People:

  • Associate Resource Groups expanded to 14, with four new ARGs established between Office Depot, CompuCom and Grand & Toy, including groups for Asian Professionals, Men of Color, and Women in Leadership.
  • Over $10 Million worth of in-kind products were donated to community organizations and $2 Million was donated directly to COVID-19 relief programs.
  • 18,000 fully stocked backpacks, gift cards and supplies were given to students and teachers at 25 schools across the country through the Office Depot Start Proud! program.

Prosperity:

  • By partnering with minority-, women-, veteran-, disabled-, LGBTQ+ -owned and small businesses through Office Depot’s diverse supplier program, diverse businesses reached $270+ million in spend and sales.
  • 31% of total Office Depot sales were greener products.
  • The ODP Corporation created Elevate Together powered by Round It Up America – a nonprofit initiative designed to address systemic discrimination by accelerating the creation, growth and prosperity of Black- and Hispanic-owned small businesses.

About The ODP Corporation

The ODP Corporation is a leading provider of business services and supplies, products and digital workplace technology solutions to small, medium and enterprise businesses, through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform, which includes world-class supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals and technicians, online presence, and approximately 1,100 stores. Through its banner brands Office Depot, OfficeMax, CompuCom and Grand&Toy, as well as others, the company offers its customers the tools and resources they need to focus on their passion of starting, growing and running their business. For more information, visit news.theodpcorp.com and investor.theodpcorp.com.

The ODP Corporation and Office Depot are trademarks of The Office Club, Inc. OfficeMax is a trademark of OMX, Inc. CompuCom is a trademark of CompuCom Systems, Inc. Grand&Toy is a trademark of Grand & Toy, LLC in Canada. 2021 Office Depot, LLC. All rights reserved. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

ODP releases 2021 sustainability report including information on its ESG practices and future goals

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/07/2021 - 12:04

BOCA RATON, FL , July 7, 2021 (Business Wire) -The ODP Corporation, a leading provider of business services, products and digital workplace technology solutions through an integrated B2B distribution platform with an online presence and approximately 1,100 stores, today announced the release of the company’s 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report, which provides information on environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and goals for Office Depot, CompuCom and Grand & Toy.

“The ODP Corporation’s sustainability platform includes a variety of programs and initiatives in place to support our commitment to be a responsible corporation and help our suppliers and customers do the same,” said Gerry Smith, chief executive officer for The ODP Corporation. “I’m proud to close out our 2018 public-facing sustainability goals by exceeding our targets. We will set new baselines with meaningful goals in regard to our continued commitment to decreasing the company’s environmental impact.”

The ODP Corporation’s 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report highlights resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on associate well-being, as well as maintaining business operations. The report also showcases the progress made on the company’s public-facing sustainability goals around energy consumption, transportation emissions and cube utilization:

  • The company had already exceeded its goal in 2019 to reduce energy consumption by 2021, with a 44% decrease in facility energy consumption since 2016.
  • Miles per gallon in Office Depot’s private fleet increased 18% since 2018, exceeding the goal of 15%.
  • Office Depot improved cube utilization by 14% since 2018, exceeding the goal of 10%.

Other accomplishments highlighted in the 2021 report include:

Planet:

  • 11% reduction in GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions since 2019
  • 15,365 MT waste diverted from the landfill
  • Recycled more than 6 million pounds of e-waste from customers
  • The Office Depot Chemicals Management Policy was expanded and a Beyond Restricted Substances List (BRSL) was published for the first time in 2020.

People:

  • Associate Resource Groups expanded to 14, with four new ARGs established between Office Depot, CompuCom and Grand & Toy, including groups for Asian Professionals, Men of Color, and Women in Leadership.
  • Over $10 Million worth of in-kind products were donated to community organizations and $2 Million was donated directly to COVID-19 relief programs.
  • 18,000 fully stocked backpacks, gift cards and supplies were given to students and teachers at 25 schools across the country through the Office Depot Start Proud! program.

Prosperity:

  • By partnering with minority-, women-, veteran-, disabled-, LGBTQ+ -owned and small businesses through Office Depot’s diverse supplier program, diverse businesses reached $270+ million in spend and sales.
  • 31% of total Office Depot sales were greener products.
  • The ODP Corporation created Elevate Together powered by Round It Up America – a nonprofit initiative designed to address systemic discrimination by accelerating the creation, growth and prosperity of Black- and Hispanic-owned small businesses.

About The ODP Corporation

The ODP Corporation is a leading provider of business services and supplies, products and digital workplace technology solutions to small, medium and enterprise businesses, through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform, which includes world-class supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals and technicians, online presence, and approximately 1,100 stores. Through its banner brands Office Depot, OfficeMax, CompuCom and Grand&Toy, as well as others, the company offers its customers the tools and resources they need to focus on their passion of starting, growing and running their business. For more information, visit news.theodpcorp.com and investor.theodpcorp.com.

The ODP Corporation and Office Depot are trademarks of The Office Club, Inc. OfficeMax is a trademark of OMX, Inc. CompuCom is a trademark of CompuCom Systems, Inc. Grand&Toy is a trademark of Grand & Toy, LLC in Canada. 2021 Office Depot, LLC. All rights reserved. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

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GRAZ, Austria, July 6, 2021 (Press Release) -International technology group ANDRITZ is supplying major energy-efficient and environmentally friendly pulp production technologies and key process equipment for Bracell’s Project “STAR” in the city of Lençóis Paulista, São Paulo state, Brazil. The mill features two flexible, environmentally friendly hardwood fiberlines for a capacity of 2.6 – 2.8 million tons/year of bleached kraft pulp or 1.5 million tons/year of dissolving pulp, which is used as raw material for the production of viscose. ANDRITZ was awarded this contract in July 2019, and start-up is scheduled for August 2021.

Bracell, one of the largest global producers of dissolving pulp and special pulp, is finalizing its Project Star work to expand the company's operations in Lençóis Paulista, in the interior of São Paulo state. The plant, which is one of the largest and most sustainable pulp mills in the world, will start operating in mid-August 2021, with a production capacity of up to three million tons per year. The project is outstanding due to its sustainable DNA, featuring advanced technology, operating entirely free of fossil fuel, and using renewable raw materials to create biodegradable products.

According to Pedro Stefanini, General Director of Bracell SP, the technologies applied in Project Star aim to make production in the mill even more sustainable. “The project is much more than a pulp mill. It is the future of the bioindustry. Here we will have the largest and cleanest recovery boiler in the world, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that are not yet used on an industrial scale in the region,” says Pedro Stefanini.

ANDRITZ is providing – on EPCC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Civil Construction) basis – four of the six most important process islands in the pulp mill:

  • A complete Wood Processing Plant using ANDRITZ’s proven technologies and including four chipping lines, two stacker-reclaimers, eight chip screening units, biomass handling with two ANDRITZ BioCrushers, and biomass storage. Each chipping line for eucalyptus processing includes ANDRITZ’s unique, horizontally fed HHQ-Chipper (EXL model), ensuring high capacity and optimum chip quality. Woodyard operation is enhanced with state-of-the-art Metris – ANDRITZ digital solutions, featuring artificial intelligence and digital sensors. The plant includes ChipperEKG, stone detection, the ScanChip chip analyzer, and a FlowScanner, which measures the density and moisture content of the chips to optimize the fiberline process and minimize wood consumption.
  • An ANDRITZ HERB Recovery Boiler with high steam parameters of 101 bar(a) and 515°C to maximize power generation. This is the largest recovery boiler in the world, with the capacity to burn total solids of 13,000 tons per day, and it is being equipped with state-of-the-art technologies not yet used in the region so far on an industrial scale. The state-of-the-art boiler will not only make the mill self-sufficient in energy supply but will additionally produce around 180 megawatts of green energy that will be fed to the Brazilian grid to supply roughly three million people with clean energy. The HERB Recovery Boiler features energy-efficient flue gas cooling and feed water preheating technologies to maximize steam production for power generation. It is designed for extended operating periods without requiring wash water.
  • Two environmentally friendly hardwood Fiberlines, for capacities of 2.6 to 2.8 million t/y of kraft pulp or 1.5 million t/y of dissolving pulp, that process certified eucalyptus trees ensure low effluent emissions and also include a chip feed system, LoSolids continuous cooking system with Pre-Hydrolysis Vessel (PHV), screen room and bleach plant as well as ANDRITZ’s DD-Washer technology, ensuring low operating costs, low emissions, extremely high washing efficiency, and excellent fiber quality. The cooking plant for the fiberline is state of the art in the continuous cooking process for production of dissolving pulp.
  • Two innovative EvoDry Pulp Drying Systems for the most energy-efficient pulp drying based on the high-capacity Twin Wire Former technology, with airborne dryers, cutter-layboy and baling lines. The approach flow with cleaner systems ensures homogeneous pulp feed to the subsequent process stage for both types of pulps – dissolving and kraft. The pulp dewatering machine comprises a headbox with dilution control, a Twin Wire Former, and a press section with one combi-press and two shoe presses. The ANDRITZ technology for pulp drying is very well proven all over the world. The ANDRITZ cutter-layboy provides the pulp bales to be further processed in the high-capacity baling lines, where the final pulp bale units are produced.
  • ANDRITZ is also supplying a Non-Condensable Gas (NCG) treatment system that enables safe and environmentally friendly treatment of all types of diluted or concentrated malodorous gases, thus meeting the strictest environmental and social requirements. The gases are collected and eliminated by waste gas incinerator with quenching as well as flue gas scrubbers. The NCG incineration system is based on the “A-Recovery+” concept developed by ANDRITZ, focusing on the use of side streams in the recovery cycle.

ANDRITZ GROUP

International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems and services for the pulp and paper industry, the hydropower sector, the metals processing and forming industry, pumps, solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors, as well as animal feed and biomass pelleting. Plants for power generation, flue gas cleaning, recycling, and the production of nonwovens and panelboard complete the global product and service offering. Innovative products and services in the industrial digitalization sector are offered under the brand name Metris and help customers to make their plants more user-friendly, efficient and profitable. The publicly listed group has around 26,950 employees and more than 280 locations in over 40 countries.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER

ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides equipment, systems, complete plants and services for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The technologies and services focus on maximum utilization of raw materials, increased production efficiency and sustainability as well as lower overall operating costs. Boilers for power generation, flue gas cleaning systems, plants for the production of nonwovens and panelboard (MDF), as well as recycling and shredding solutions for various waste materials also form a part of this business area. State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.

ANDRITZ to supply major pulp production technologies and key process equipment for Bracell’s Project “STAR” in Lençóis Paulista, Brazil

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/06/2021 - 02:57

GRAZ, Austria, July 6, 2021 (Press Release) -International technology group ANDRITZ is supplying major energy-efficient and environmentally friendly pulp production technologies and key process equipment for Bracell’s Project “STAR” in the city of Lençóis Paulista, São Paulo state, Brazil. The mill features two flexible, environmentally friendly hardwood fiberlines for a capacity of 2.6 – 2.8 million tons/year of bleached kraft pulp or 1.5 million tons/year of dissolving pulp, which is used as raw material for the production of viscose. ANDRITZ was awarded this contract in July 2019, and start-up is scheduled for August 2021.

Bracell, one of the largest global producers of dissolving pulp and special pulp, is finalizing its Project Star work to expand the company's operations in Lençóis Paulista, in the interior of São Paulo state. The plant, which is one of the largest and most sustainable pulp mills in the world, will start operating in mid-August 2021, with a production capacity of up to three million tons per year. The project is outstanding due to its sustainable DNA, featuring advanced technology, operating entirely free of fossil fuel, and using renewable raw materials to create biodegradable products.

According to Pedro Stefanini, General Director of Bracell SP, the technologies applied in Project Star aim to make production in the mill even more sustainable. “The project is much more than a pulp mill. It is the future of the bioindustry. Here we will have the largest and cleanest recovery boiler in the world, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that are not yet used on an industrial scale in the region,” says Pedro Stefanini.

ANDRITZ is providing – on EPCC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Civil Construction) basis – four of the six most important process islands in the pulp mill:

  • A complete Wood Processing Plant using ANDRITZ’s proven technologies and including four chipping lines, two stacker-reclaimers, eight chip screening units, biomass handling with two ANDRITZ BioCrushers, and biomass storage. Each chipping line for eucalyptus processing includes ANDRITZ’s unique, horizontally fed HHQ-Chipper (EXL model), ensuring high capacity and optimum chip quality. Woodyard operation is enhanced with state-of-the-art Metris – ANDRITZ digital solutions, featuring artificial intelligence and digital sensors. The plant includes ChipperEKG, stone detection, the ScanChip chip analyzer, and a FlowScanner, which measures the density and moisture content of the chips to optimize the fiberline process and minimize wood consumption.
  • An ANDRITZ HERB Recovery Boiler with high steam parameters of 101 bar(a) and 515°C to maximize power generation. This is the largest recovery boiler in the world, with the capacity to burn total solids of 13,000 tons per day, and it is being equipped with state-of-the-art technologies not yet used in the region so far on an industrial scale. The state-of-the-art boiler will not only make the mill self-sufficient in energy supply but will additionally produce around 180 megawatts of green energy that will be fed to the Brazilian grid to supply roughly three million people with clean energy. The HERB Recovery Boiler features energy-efficient flue gas cooling and feed water preheating technologies to maximize steam production for power generation. It is designed for extended operating periods without requiring wash water.
  • Two environmentally friendly hardwood Fiberlines, for capacities of 2.6 to 2.8 million t/y of kraft pulp or 1.5 million t/y of dissolving pulp, that process certified eucalyptus trees ensure low effluent emissions and also include a chip feed system, LoSolids continuous cooking system with Pre-Hydrolysis Vessel (PHV), screen room and bleach plant as well as ANDRITZ’s DD-Washer technology, ensuring low operating costs, low emissions, extremely high washing efficiency, and excellent fiber quality. The cooking plant for the fiberline is state of the art in the continuous cooking process for production of dissolving pulp.
  • Two innovative EvoDry Pulp Drying Systems for the most energy-efficient pulp drying based on the high-capacity Twin Wire Former technology, with airborne dryers, cutter-layboy and baling lines. The approach flow with cleaner systems ensures homogeneous pulp feed to the subsequent process stage for both types of pulps – dissolving and kraft. The pulp dewatering machine comprises a headbox with dilution control, a Twin Wire Former, and a press section with one combi-press and two shoe presses. The ANDRITZ technology for pulp drying is very well proven all over the world. The ANDRITZ cutter-layboy provides the pulp bales to be further processed in the high-capacity baling lines, where the final pulp bale units are produced.
  • ANDRITZ is also supplying a Non-Condensable Gas (NCG) treatment system that enables safe and environmentally friendly treatment of all types of diluted or concentrated malodorous gases, thus meeting the strictest environmental and social requirements. The gases are collected and eliminated by waste gas incinerator with quenching as well as flue gas scrubbers. The NCG incineration system is based on the “A-Recovery+” concept developed by ANDRITZ, focusing on the use of side streams in the recovery cycle.

ANDRITZ GROUP

International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems and services for the pulp and paper industry, the hydropower sector, the metals processing and forming industry, pumps, solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors, as well as animal feed and biomass pelleting. Plants for power generation, flue gas cleaning, recycling, and the production of nonwovens and panelboard complete the global product and service offering. Innovative products and services in the industrial digitalization sector are offered under the brand name Metris and help customers to make their plants more user-friendly, efficient and profitable. The publicly listed group has around 26,950 employees and more than 280 locations in over 40 countries.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER

ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides equipment, systems, complete plants and services for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The technologies and services focus on maximum utilization of raw materials, increased production efficiency and sustainability as well as lower overall operating costs. Boilers for power generation, flue gas cleaning systems, plants for the production of nonwovens and panelboard (MDF), as well as recycling and shredding solutions for various waste materials also form a part of this business area. State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.

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DUSSELDORF, Germany, July 5, 2021 (Press Release) -METRO is one of the first signatories of the 'Code of Conduct on Responsible Business and Marketing Practices'. With this voluntary commitment, METRO wants to contribute to a sustainable change in the food industry. At the same time, the wholesale specialist is tightening its own climate target: by 2040, its global business operations are to be climate-neutral.

  • METRO is among the first signatories of the Code of Conduct, which unites European stakeholders along the supply chain on a common path to a sustainable food economy
  • The international wholesale specialist is tightening its own climate target and aims to make its global business operations climate-neutral by 2040
  • To achieve this, METRO plans to invest around €1.5 billion, mainly in the renewal of energy, refrigeration and heating infrastructure

Against the backdrop of the European Green Deal and the European Commission's ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy, the ‘Code of Conduct’ is a voluntary commitment by European stakeholders along the food supply chain. Its signatories share the view that joining forces is the only way to successfully transition to greater envi-ronmental protection, health and social compatibility in the food industry. They intend to shape this change together. With its commitment METRO has included 3 of its existing sustainability goals in the Code of Conduct. The wholesaler has also gone a step further and today upped its climate target: instead of halving its greenhouse gas emissions per square metre of sales and delivery space by 2030, METRO will now aim to make its own global business operations climate-neutral by 2040 – mainly through own investments.

‘Climate change and its consequences pose risks for every company – but especially for those whose business model is based on natural resources. As an international wholesaler with over 16 million customers in the food service and retail industries, we have a huge lever to initiate sustainable change – not only for ourselves, but also for our customers and partners. We can contribute to a more sustainable supply chain with a resource-saving core business and even more efficient processes,’ explains Dr Steffen Greubel, CEO of METRO AG. ‘For this reason, we are joining the Code of Conduct with optimism and a tightened climate target for 2040.’

METRO has committed to the overarching goals of the Code of Conduct on Responsible Business and Marketing Practices, which include better and healthier nutrition, the careful use of food resources as well as closed loops for packaging. In addition, signatories can also add their own corporate targets to the Code of Conduct, provided they guarantee transparent and regular reporting. METRO has decided to specifically report on the company’s following existing targets as part of the Code of Conduct:

  • CO2 emissions (tightened target): METRO aims to achieve climate-neutral global business operations by 2040, mainly through its own efforts.
  • Food waste: METRO aims to halve food waste in its own operations by 2025
  • Sustainability within its own-brand assortment:
    • Reformulation: reworking suitable products with the aim of re-ducing fat, salt and sugar content and/or eliminating additives
    • Sustainable supply chains: METRO is working towards more sustainable supply chains with strict purchasing policies and efficient action plans, especially in the areas of fish & seafood, palm oil and soy.

Climate neutrality through innovation and investment

According to METRO’s tightened target, its own global business operations will become climate-neutral by 2040, largely thanks to its own efforts. The international wholesale specialist is pushing ahead with an ambitious package of measures supported by investments in technology and innovation to achieve this. It plans to invest €1.5 billion between now and 2040. The core measures comprise:

  • Energy saving
  • Switching to natural refrigerants in cooling systems
  • Phasing-out fossil heat
  • Expansion of photovoltaic systems
  • Electrification of the company car fleet
  • Zero-emission model for new store construction.

METRO’s ultimate goal is to avoid CO2 emissions. It will offset any remaining emissions via Gold Standard certificates.

METRO first set itself the goal of halving its greenhouse gas emissions per square metre of sales and delivery space in 2015. In the base year 2011, the wholesaler’s specific CO2 emissions amounted to 376 kg, which it had already reduced by 34 % to 247 kg of CO2 per square metre of sales and delivery space by the end of financial year 2019/20 – without offsetting. In financial year 2018/19, METRO also extended its climate target to the supply chain and became the first German retail company to set a recognised ‘science-based target’.

Today, METRO is once again tightening its own climate protection target: ‘By 2040, we will put METRO on a climate-neutral basis – sustained by measures that take effect immediately, not just in the distant future,’ emphasises Andrea Euenheim, Member of the Management Board of METRO AG, responsible for Human Resources and Sustainability. ‘METRO has been pursuing an ambitious sustainability strategy for more than 2 decades. Our next goal must be the climate-neutral supply chain “from farm to fork”. This is a massive task that requires not only innovation, but also radical cooperation across company boundaries. For this reason, too, the Code of Conduct and its broad acceptance throughout the European food industry right from the start is an important and pioneering signal.’

Food logistics as a challenge

METRO’s climate target covers the areas of energy, heating, cooling, paper consumption, company car fleet and business trips. Of the specific greenhouse gas emissions per square metre of sales and delivery space, 93 % is attributable to energy, heating and cooling.

In line with its recognised science-based target, which confirms the wholesaler’s ‘well-below-2°C target’, METRO classifies its emissions into:

  • Scope 1, which includes emissions from refrigerant leaks or the company car fleet’s fuel consumption;
  • Scope 2, which includes purchased heating and electricity; and
  • Scope 3, which includes business travel, as well as upstream supply chain processes.

METRO has committed to working with its suppliers to reduce emissions in these upstream processes by 15 % between 2018 and 2030. In light of this, in 2020 alone, 120 suppliers provided climate disclosures as part of the ‘CDP Supply Chain Programme Climate’, which records suppliers’ greenhouse gas emissions.

METRO is currently working on its own climate target for its global logistics fleet. The German logistics fleet includes over 80 diesel trucks that meet the Euro6 standard as well as 6 more climate friendly CNG (compressed natural gas) trucks. At present, there is no technology that enables the sustainable and cost-efficient use of alternative drive systems for heavy-duty trucks over 7.5 tons – particularly cooling trucks, which are especially relevant for METRO.

An impact assessment conducted by METRO compared the economic, ecological and social effects of its growing food service distribution (FSD) business with those of its stationary business. This assessment found that the environmental impact of the delivery business is no greater than that of conventional store visits. Direct delivery saves customers time, avoids cold chain interruption and enables transport routes to be efficiently combined – this reduces CO2 emissions and avoids food waste. The sustainability balance shows that FSD offers additional positive effects for customers, society and the environment amounting to €68 per €1,000 in sales compared with the conventional cash & carry business – and the trend is upward.

To ensure transparency, METRO reports its CO2 target clearly and publicly: responsibility.metroag.de/focus-areas/climate-action

METRO is a leading international wholesale company with food and non-food assortments that specialises in serving the needs of hotels, restaurants and caterers (HoReCa) as well as independent traders. Around the world, METRO has some 16 million customers, who can choose whether to shop in one of the large-format stores, order online and collect their purchases at the store or have them delivered. METRO also supports the competitiveness of entrepreneurs and independent businesses with digital solutions and thereby contributes to cultural diversity in retail and hospitality. Sustainability is a key pillar of METRO’s business. METRO has been listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 7 consecutive years. The company operates in 34 countries and employs more than 97,000 people worldwide. In financial year 2019/20, METRO generated sales of €25.6 billion.

In addition, in our online magazine MPULSE.de, we also report on the things that affect our customers, employees, partners and suppliers – and the things that we do for them.

German wholesaler METRO joins 'EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Business and Marketing Practices' to contribute to sustainable change in food industry

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/05/2021 - 06:58

DUSSELDORF, Germany, July 5, 2021 (Press Release) -METRO is one of the first signatories of the 'Code of Conduct on Responsible Business and Marketing Practices'. With this voluntary commitment, METRO wants to contribute to a sustainable change in the food industry. At the same time, the wholesale specialist is tightening its own climate target: by 2040, its global business operations are to be climate-neutral.

  • METRO is among the first signatories of the Code of Conduct, which unites European stakeholders along the supply chain on a common path to a sustainable food economy
  • The international wholesale specialist is tightening its own climate target and aims to make its global business operations climate-neutral by 2040
  • To achieve this, METRO plans to invest around €1.5 billion, mainly in the renewal of energy, refrigeration and heating infrastructure

Against the backdrop of the European Green Deal and the European Commission's ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy, the ‘Code of Conduct’ is a voluntary commitment by European stakeholders along the food supply chain. Its signatories share the view that joining forces is the only way to successfully transition to greater envi-ronmental protection, health and social compatibility in the food industry. They intend to shape this change together. With its commitment METRO has included 3 of its existing sustainability goals in the Code of Conduct. The wholesaler has also gone a step further and today upped its climate target: instead of halving its greenhouse gas emissions per square metre of sales and delivery space by 2030, METRO will now aim to make its own global business operations climate-neutral by 2040 – mainly through own investments.

‘Climate change and its consequences pose risks for every company – but especially for those whose business model is based on natural resources. As an international wholesaler with over 16 million customers in the food service and retail industries, we have a huge lever to initiate sustainable change – not only for ourselves, but also for our customers and partners. We can contribute to a more sustainable supply chain with a resource-saving core business and even more efficient processes,’ explains Dr Steffen Greubel, CEO of METRO AG. ‘For this reason, we are joining the Code of Conduct with optimism and a tightened climate target for 2040.’

METRO has committed to the overarching goals of the Code of Conduct on Responsible Business and Marketing Practices, which include better and healthier nutrition, the careful use of food resources as well as closed loops for packaging. In addition, signatories can also add their own corporate targets to the Code of Conduct, provided they guarantee transparent and regular reporting. METRO has decided to specifically report on the company’s following existing targets as part of the Code of Conduct:

  • CO2 emissions (tightened target): METRO aims to achieve climate-neutral global business operations by 2040, mainly through its own efforts.
  • Food waste: METRO aims to halve food waste in its own operations by 2025
  • Sustainability within its own-brand assortment:
    • Reformulation: reworking suitable products with the aim of re-ducing fat, salt and sugar content and/or eliminating additives
    • Sustainable supply chains: METRO is working towards more sustainable supply chains with strict purchasing policies and efficient action plans, especially in the areas of fish & seafood, palm oil and soy.

Climate neutrality through innovation and investment

According to METRO’s tightened target, its own global business operations will become climate-neutral by 2040, largely thanks to its own efforts. The international wholesale specialist is pushing ahead with an ambitious package of measures supported by investments in technology and innovation to achieve this. It plans to invest €1.5 billion between now and 2040. The core measures comprise:

  • Energy saving
  • Switching to natural refrigerants in cooling systems
  • Phasing-out fossil heat
  • Expansion of photovoltaic systems
  • Electrification of the company car fleet
  • Zero-emission model for new store construction.

METRO’s ultimate goal is to avoid CO2 emissions. It will offset any remaining emissions via Gold Standard certificates.

METRO first set itself the goal of halving its greenhouse gas emissions per square metre of sales and delivery space in 2015. In the base year 2011, the wholesaler’s specific CO2 emissions amounted to 376 kg, which it had already reduced by 34 % to 247 kg of CO2 per square metre of sales and delivery space by the end of financial year 2019/20 – without offsetting. In financial year 2018/19, METRO also extended its climate target to the supply chain and became the first German retail company to set a recognised ‘science-based target’.

Today, METRO is once again tightening its own climate protection target: ‘By 2040, we will put METRO on a climate-neutral basis – sustained by measures that take effect immediately, not just in the distant future,’ emphasises Andrea Euenheim, Member of the Management Board of METRO AG, responsible for Human Resources and Sustainability. ‘METRO has been pursuing an ambitious sustainability strategy for more than 2 decades. Our next goal must be the climate-neutral supply chain “from farm to fork”. This is a massive task that requires not only innovation, but also radical cooperation across company boundaries. For this reason, too, the Code of Conduct and its broad acceptance throughout the European food industry right from the start is an important and pioneering signal.’

Food logistics as a challenge

METRO’s climate target covers the areas of energy, heating, cooling, paper consumption, company car fleet and business trips. Of the specific greenhouse gas emissions per square metre of sales and delivery space, 93 % is attributable to energy, heating and cooling.

In line with its recognised science-based target, which confirms the wholesaler’s ‘well-below-2°C target’, METRO classifies its emissions into:

  • Scope 1, which includes emissions from refrigerant leaks or the company car fleet’s fuel consumption;
  • Scope 2, which includes purchased heating and electricity; and
  • Scope 3, which includes business travel, as well as upstream supply chain processes.

METRO has committed to working with its suppliers to reduce emissions in these upstream processes by 15 % between 2018 and 2030. In light of this, in 2020 alone, 120 suppliers provided climate disclosures as part of the ‘CDP Supply Chain Programme Climate’, which records suppliers’ greenhouse gas emissions.

METRO is currently working on its own climate target for its global logistics fleet. The German logistics fleet includes over 80 diesel trucks that meet the Euro6 standard as well as 6 more climate friendly CNG (compressed natural gas) trucks. At present, there is no technology that enables the sustainable and cost-efficient use of alternative drive systems for heavy-duty trucks over 7.5 tons – particularly cooling trucks, which are especially relevant for METRO.

An impact assessment conducted by METRO compared the economic, ecological and social effects of its growing food service distribution (FSD) business with those of its stationary business. This assessment found that the environmental impact of the delivery business is no greater than that of conventional store visits. Direct delivery saves customers time, avoids cold chain interruption and enables transport routes to be efficiently combined – this reduces CO2 emissions and avoids food waste. The sustainability balance shows that FSD offers additional positive effects for customers, society and the environment amounting to €68 per €1,000 in sales compared with the conventional cash & carry business – and the trend is upward.

To ensure transparency, METRO reports its CO2 target clearly and publicly: responsibility.metroag.de/focus-areas/climate-action

METRO is a leading international wholesale company with food and non-food assortments that specialises in serving the needs of hotels, restaurants and caterers (HoReCa) as well as independent traders. Around the world, METRO has some 16 million customers, who can choose whether to shop in one of the large-format stores, order online and collect their purchases at the store or have them delivered. METRO also supports the competitiveness of entrepreneurs and independent businesses with digital solutions and thereby contributes to cultural diversity in retail and hospitality. Sustainability is a key pillar of METRO’s business. METRO has been listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 7 consecutive years. The company operates in 34 countries and employs more than 97,000 people worldwide. In financial year 2019/20, METRO generated sales of €25.6 billion.

In addition, in our online magazine MPULSE.de, we also report on the things that affect our customers, employees, partners and suppliers – and the things that we do for them.

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PORTO, Portugal, July 1, 2021 (Press Release) -Following the announcement released on June 7, 2021, ALTRI, SGPS, S.A. hereby informs that its wholly-owned subsidiary GREENVOLT – ENERGIAS RENOVÁVEIS, S.A. (“GREENVOLT”), on the present date, has concluded, together with funds managed by the Equitix Group (“EQUITIX”), the acquisition of Tilbury Green Power Holdings Limited (“TGPH”) — the owner of a fully operational renewable energy biomass power plant, with net design capacity of 43.6 MW, located in the port of Tilbury, Essex, England.

Tilbury Power Plant is situated approximately 25 miles from central London and the plant has been designed with net generating capacity of 43.6 MW. As of year ended December 31, 2020, Tilbury Power Plant reported turnover of £28.6 million with adjusted EBITDA for the year being £18.0 million.

As stated in the announcement released on June 7, 2021, ALTRI, SGPS, S.A., the completion of the agreement will allow GREENVOLT, together with EQUITIX, to follow its ambitious project of international growth, solidifying its position in the European renewable energy sector, and contributing to the expansion of its business.

Altri's Greenvolt jointly with Equitix Group completes acquisition of Tilbury Green Power in Tilbury, UK

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/01/2021 - 03:48

PORTO, Portugal, July 1, 2021 (Press Release) -Following the announcement released on June 7, 2021, ALTRI, SGPS, S.A. hereby informs that its wholly-owned subsidiary GREENVOLT – ENERGIAS RENOVÁVEIS, S.A. (“GREENVOLT”), on the present date, has concluded, together with funds managed by the Equitix Group (“EQUITIX”), the acquisition of Tilbury Green Power Holdings Limited (“TGPH”) — the owner of a fully operational renewable energy biomass power plant, with net design capacity of 43.6 MW, located in the port of Tilbury, Essex, England.

Tilbury Power Plant is situated approximately 25 miles from central London and the plant has been designed with net generating capacity of 43.6 MW. As of year ended December 31, 2020, Tilbury Power Plant reported turnover of £28.6 million with adjusted EBITDA for the year being £18.0 million.

As stated in the announcement released on June 7, 2021, ALTRI, SGPS, S.A., the completion of the agreement will allow GREENVOLT, together with EQUITIX, to follow its ambitious project of international growth, solidifying its position in the European renewable energy sector, and contributing to the expansion of its business.

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ESPOO, Finland, July 1, 2021 (Press Release) -Valmet has completed the acquisition of EWK Umwelttechnik GmbH and ECP Group Oy following the agreements that were announced on June 10. EWK Umwelttechnik is a German company manufacturing and supplying air emission control systems and after-installation services. ECP Group is a manufacturer and maintainer of electrostatic precipitators (ESP), focusing on power plants and pulp and paper industry, in Finland.

EWK Umwelttechnik and ECP Group will be included in Valmet’s financial reporting for the first time in Valmet’s third quarter financial reporting 2021.

The acquisition of EWK Umwelttechnik

The acquired business of EWK Umwelttechnik becomes a part of Valmet’s Pulp and energy business line. EWK Umwelttechnik’s offering of emission control technologies includes electrostatic precipitators, wet absorbers, catalytic and heat recovery systems, and wastewater purification products. The company serves multiple customer segments, including wood-based panelboard, glass, mineral wool, and steel industries. The net sales of EWK Umwelttechnik were approximately EUR 22 million in 2020. The company employs approximately 50 employees mainly in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

“The acquisition was completed as planned. Combining Valmet’s and EWK Umwelttechnik’s emission control offerings expand the solutions we can provide our customers and widens the industries that our technologies cover. This creates new business opportunities for our environmental systems business. EWK Umwelttechnik has a very skilled team and I am happy to warmly welcome the 50 professionals to be part of Valmet,” says Bertel Karlstedt, Business Line President, Pulp and Energy, Valmet.

“I am satisfied that the closing process has been completed successfully. EWK Umwelttechnik has a long history and our strengths are the flexibility of our solutions and closeness to customers. Joining Valmet is a start of a new chapter in our history. We bring new technology and industry competences to Valmet and I’m convinced that together we will be able to serve our current and future customers with a more comprehensive technology offering and service presence globally,” says Peter Ohlenschläger, CEO of EWK Umwelttechnik GmbH.

The acquisition of ECP Group

As of July 1, 2021, ECP Group is known as Valmet Environment Oy. The acquired business will be integrated into Valmet EMEA organization, to enhance energy and recovery services. The offering acquired from ECP Group consists of manufacturing and modernizing electrostatic precipitators as well as providing services, such as inspections, annual maintenance, spare parts and performance improvements. The net sales of ECP Group were approximately EUR 6 million in 2020. The company, founded in 2002, is headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, and employs around 20 employees.

“Valmet Environment complements our competences in improving and maintaining emission control processes in the pulp, paper and energy industries. The demand for better air emission control is increasing as emission regulations are tightening in our customer industries, and our customers look for more sustainable technology. Now we are able to better serve our customers’ needs in flue gas cleaning. This is a true step change, and we are excited to welcome experienced and committed members to our team,” says Minna Saarelainen, Director, Energy Sales and Services Operations, Valmet.

“Especially over the past five years, we have been able to serve our customers in energy, pulp and paper industries with new, broader service and modernization solutions both domestically and abroad. Joining Valmet enables us to develop and strengthen our expertise in ESP technology. As part of Valmet, we are taking a major leap forward as we will be able to serve our customers in an even stronger, more international and customer-oriented manner,” says Tapani Stipa, CEO of ECP Group.

VALMET 

Corporate Communications

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers. 

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy. 

Valmet's net sales in 2020 were approximately EUR 3.7 billion. Our 14,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. 

Valmet completes acquisitions of EWK Umwelttechnik and ECP Group to strengthen its environmental systems business

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/01/2021 - 02:42

ESPOO, Finland, July 1, 2021 (Press Release) -Valmet has completed the acquisition of EWK Umwelttechnik GmbH and ECP Group Oy following the agreements that were announced on June 10. EWK Umwelttechnik is a German company manufacturing and supplying air emission control systems and after-installation services. ECP Group is a manufacturer and maintainer of electrostatic precipitators (ESP), focusing on power plants and pulp and paper industry, in Finland.

EWK Umwelttechnik and ECP Group will be included in Valmet’s financial reporting for the first time in Valmet’s third quarter financial reporting 2021.

The acquisition of EWK Umwelttechnik

The acquired business of EWK Umwelttechnik becomes a part of Valmet’s Pulp and energy business line. EWK Umwelttechnik’s offering of emission control technologies includes electrostatic precipitators, wet absorbers, catalytic and heat recovery systems, and wastewater purification products. The company serves multiple customer segments, including wood-based panelboard, glass, mineral wool, and steel industries. The net sales of EWK Umwelttechnik were approximately EUR 22 million in 2020. The company employs approximately 50 employees mainly in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

“The acquisition was completed as planned. Combining Valmet’s and EWK Umwelttechnik’s emission control offerings expand the solutions we can provide our customers and widens the industries that our technologies cover. This creates new business opportunities for our environmental systems business. EWK Umwelttechnik has a very skilled team and I am happy to warmly welcome the 50 professionals to be part of Valmet,” says Bertel Karlstedt, Business Line President, Pulp and Energy, Valmet.

“I am satisfied that the closing process has been completed successfully. EWK Umwelttechnik has a long history and our strengths are the flexibility of our solutions and closeness to customers. Joining Valmet is a start of a new chapter in our history. We bring new technology and industry competences to Valmet and I’m convinced that together we will be able to serve our current and future customers with a more comprehensive technology offering and service presence globally,” says Peter Ohlenschläger, CEO of EWK Umwelttechnik GmbH.

The acquisition of ECP Group

As of July 1, 2021, ECP Group is known as Valmet Environment Oy. The acquired business will be integrated into Valmet EMEA organization, to enhance energy and recovery services. The offering acquired from ECP Group consists of manufacturing and modernizing electrostatic precipitators as well as providing services, such as inspections, annual maintenance, spare parts and performance improvements. The net sales of ECP Group were approximately EUR 6 million in 2020. The company, founded in 2002, is headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, and employs around 20 employees.

“Valmet Environment complements our competences in improving and maintaining emission control processes in the pulp, paper and energy industries. The demand for better air emission control is increasing as emission regulations are tightening in our customer industries, and our customers look for more sustainable technology. Now we are able to better serve our customers’ needs in flue gas cleaning. This is a true step change, and we are excited to welcome experienced and committed members to our team,” says Minna Saarelainen, Director, Energy Sales and Services Operations, Valmet.

“Especially over the past five years, we have been able to serve our customers in energy, pulp and paper industries with new, broader service and modernization solutions both domestically and abroad. Joining Valmet enables us to develop and strengthen our expertise in ESP technology. As part of Valmet, we are taking a major leap forward as we will be able to serve our customers in an even stronger, more international and customer-oriented manner,” says Tapani Stipa, CEO of ECP Group.

VALMET 

Corporate Communications

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers. 

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy. 

Valmet's net sales in 2020 were approximately EUR 3.7 billion. Our 14,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. 

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JAKARTA, Indonesia, June 30, 2021 (Press Release) -Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas and MDA are pleased to announce that they have been awarded top honors and named a project of the year by Environment + Energy Leader magazine. Both companies were recognised for their collaboration in reducing deforestation across APP’s entire supplier network to just under 0.06%.

Asia Pulp & Paper partnered with MDA to track any forest cover changes across its supplier network. MDA’s RADARSAT-2 satellite Forest Alert Service (FAS) is able to capture forest disturbances down to a few trees, allowing APP to monitor, in near-real-time, and react to forest cover change resulting from natural causes, illegal logging, or encroachment. Every 24 days, satellite data is acquired by MDA, assessed for changes against historical imagery, and reported to APP, as ‘Alerts’, within three (3) working days. Alerts are then verified by APP’s staff and provided to the relevant supplier(s) to take the needed actions to mitigate forest degradation.

All Alert data is published and publicly available on APP’s web portal, ‘Sustainability Dashboard’. The dashboard provides APP stakeholders with a landscape view of all APP’s pulpwood suppliers’ concessions including conservation forests, pulpwood plantations, and communities. This near-real-time information provides APP’s customers with unparalleled visibility into their supply chain, resulting in sustainable sourcing assurance.

“This year’s winners showed remarkable innovation and commitment to achieving real-world results,” says Jennifer Hermes Nastu, Content Director for Environment + Energy Leader. “Partnerships like APP and MDA help to stop deforestation while assisting organizations meet their UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

“APP takes a holistic approach to sustainability within its entire operation and is committed to long-term forest protection through our Forest Conservation Policy,” said Elim Sritaba, APP’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “We strive to honour our commitments to forest protection through investing in new technologies that provide protection and full transparency for all our clients ensuring a safe and sustainable supply chain.”

“MDA’s commitment to advancing technologies is enabling ever-increasing diligence for environmental sustainability,” said Minda Suchan, MDA’s Vice President of Geointelligence. “Our partnership with APP has combined spaceborne radar imaging with land management responsibilities, which has resulted in APP adopting MDA’s RADARSAT-2 satellite technology to provide a measureable benefit in Indonesian conservation forest management. MDA continues to be motivated to improve its world-leading technologies and capabilities that can be used to benefit the environment.”

The two companies will showcase their award-winning partnership during the annual Environment + Energy Leaders Solutions Summit, taking place July 20 – 21, 2021. The session will be hosted by Elim Sritaba, APP’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Minda Suchan, MDA’s Vice President of Geointelligence.

About the Environment + Energy Leader Awards

For nearly a decade, the Environment + Energy Leader Awards have celebrated excellence in the world of environmental, sustainability and energy management. Award winners are truly buzz-worthy, and companies that sport a Top Project or Top Product of the Year Award badge are known to be the best of the best. When other companies are seeking a sustainability or energy management solution, they know that E+E Product of the Year Award winners offer a significant group of products, vetted by experts, to peruse for help in making their decisions. Project of the Year Award winners are known to illustrate how sustainability and energy management projects can successfully help other companies improve the bottom line.

About Asia Pulp & Paper

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) is a trade name for a group of pulp and paper manufacturing companies in Indonesia and China. APP is responsible for delivering quality products to meet the growing global demand for tissue, packaging and paper, with an annual combined pulp, paper, packaging product and converting capacity of over 20 million tons per annum. On any given day, APP’s products find their way into the hands of consumers in various branded forms from all over the world.

Ensuring supply chain integrity and commitment to the Sustainable Roadmap Vision 2020 are crucialto APP’s operations.

About MDA

Serving the world from its Canadian home and global offices, MDA is an international space mission partner and a robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 50-year story of firsts on and above the Earth. With over 2,000 employees across Canada, the US and the UK, MDA is leading the charge towards viable Moon colonies, enhanced Earth observation, communication in a hyper-connected world, and more. With a track record of making space ambitions come true, MDA enables highly skilled people to continually push boundaries, tackle big challenges, and imagine solutions that inspire and endure to change the world for the better, on the ground and in the stars.

Asia Pulp & Paper Sinar Mas and MDA awarded top honors and named project of the year by Environment + Energy Leader magazine

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/01/2021 - 02:15

JAKARTA, Indonesia, June 30, 2021 (Press Release) -Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas and MDA are pleased to announce that they have been awarded top honors and named a project of the year by Environment + Energy Leader magazine. Both companies were recognised for their collaboration in reducing deforestation across APP’s entire supplier network to just under 0.06%.

Asia Pulp & Paper partnered with MDA to track any forest cover changes across its supplier network. MDA’s RADARSAT-2 satellite Forest Alert Service (FAS) is able to capture forest disturbances down to a few trees, allowing APP to monitor, in near-real-time, and react to forest cover change resulting from natural causes, illegal logging, or encroachment. Every 24 days, satellite data is acquired by MDA, assessed for changes against historical imagery, and reported to APP, as ‘Alerts’, within three (3) working days. Alerts are then verified by APP’s staff and provided to the relevant supplier(s) to take the needed actions to mitigate forest degradation.

All Alert data is published and publicly available on APP’s web portal, ‘Sustainability Dashboard’. The dashboard provides APP stakeholders with a landscape view of all APP’s pulpwood suppliers’ concessions including conservation forests, pulpwood plantations, and communities. This near-real-time information provides APP’s customers with unparalleled visibility into their supply chain, resulting in sustainable sourcing assurance.

“This year’s winners showed remarkable innovation and commitment to achieving real-world results,” says Jennifer Hermes Nastu, Content Director for Environment + Energy Leader. “Partnerships like APP and MDA help to stop deforestation while assisting organizations meet their UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

“APP takes a holistic approach to sustainability within its entire operation and is committed to long-term forest protection through our Forest Conservation Policy,” said Elim Sritaba, APP’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “We strive to honour our commitments to forest protection through investing in new technologies that provide protection and full transparency for all our clients ensuring a safe and sustainable supply chain.”

“MDA’s commitment to advancing technologies is enabling ever-increasing diligence for environmental sustainability,” said Minda Suchan, MDA’s Vice President of Geointelligence. “Our partnership with APP has combined spaceborne radar imaging with land management responsibilities, which has resulted in APP adopting MDA’s RADARSAT-2 satellite technology to provide a measureable benefit in Indonesian conservation forest management. MDA continues to be motivated to improve its world-leading technologies and capabilities that can be used to benefit the environment.”

The two companies will showcase their award-winning partnership during the annual Environment + Energy Leaders Solutions Summit, taking place July 20 – 21, 2021. The session will be hosted by Elim Sritaba, APP’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Minda Suchan, MDA’s Vice President of Geointelligence.

About the Environment + Energy Leader Awards

For nearly a decade, the Environment + Energy Leader Awards have celebrated excellence in the world of environmental, sustainability and energy management. Award winners are truly buzz-worthy, and companies that sport a Top Project or Top Product of the Year Award badge are known to be the best of the best. When other companies are seeking a sustainability or energy management solution, they know that E+E Product of the Year Award winners offer a significant group of products, vetted by experts, to peruse for help in making their decisions. Project of the Year Award winners are known to illustrate how sustainability and energy management projects can successfully help other companies improve the bottom line.

About Asia Pulp & Paper

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) is a trade name for a group of pulp and paper manufacturing companies in Indonesia and China. APP is responsible for delivering quality products to meet the growing global demand for tissue, packaging and paper, with an annual combined pulp, paper, packaging product and converting capacity of over 20 million tons per annum. On any given day, APP’s products find their way into the hands of consumers in various branded forms from all over the world.

Ensuring supply chain integrity and commitment to the Sustainable Roadmap Vision 2020 are crucialto APP’s operations.

About MDA

Serving the world from its Canadian home and global offices, MDA is an international space mission partner and a robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 50-year story of firsts on and above the Earth. With over 2,000 employees across Canada, the US and the UK, MDA is leading the charge towards viable Moon colonies, enhanced Earth observation, communication in a hyper-connected world, and more. With a track record of making space ambitions come true, MDA enables highly skilled people to continually push boundaries, tackle big challenges, and imagine solutions that inspire and endure to change the world for the better, on the ground and in the stars.

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