Mondi is investing €20 million to further improve the sustainability of its pulp production at the Frantschach mill in Austria. The mill, which is celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2021, has already been self-sufficient in terms of energy for many years and supplies surrounding communities and industrial companies with surplus heat from the pulp production process.“Today, the focus on sustainability and circularity puts fibre-based products, and pulp, right into the spotlight. Not only is wood a renewable resource, but we know that paper is the most widely recycled material in the world with, for example 74% of paper and 83% of paper-based packaging in Europe being recycled. Our new plant equipment will make our pulp production even more efficient and sustainable. The modernisation and expansion of the evaporation plant increases the amount of heat extracted and reduces the need for steam. It also reduces the chemical oxygen demand of the biological waste water treatment by 140 tonnes per year”, says Gottfried Joham, Managing Director of Mondi Frantschach. The decision to invest was driven by the need to make best use of wood as a primary input.

Georgia-Pacific recently relaunched its Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong® sub-brand to provide what one could say is a two-for-one deal. Combining both a sustainable bath tissue product that consumers can feel good about purchasing, while being able to enjoy the same premium comfort and quality. “Consumers today often believe they have to choose between bath tissue products that are either comfortable or sustainable, and we don’t think they should have to choose,” said Vivek Joshi, General Manager of Retail Bath Tissue at Georgia-Pacific. “When we decided to relaunch the Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong® sub-brand, our vision was to produce the same comfortable bath tissue our consumers know and love, but to do so in way that ensures they can feel good about purchasing a product that’s made with the environment in mind. While we are the experts when it comes to developing a more energy and water-efficient manufacturing process, for the tree plantings it was important to us to work with experts like the Arbor Day Foundation® who can help ensure that the plantings are done in the appropriate areas and are well taken care of at the proper stages for healthy forest rehabilitation.”

Water is one of the world’s most precious resources, and is inextricably linked to combating climate change. According to the UN, 2.2 billion people worldwide lack safe drinking water and the responsible use of water will help reduce floods, droughts, scarcity and pollution. As a leading manufacturer of packaging and paper, water is vital to our global operations and responsible water stewardship is central to how we do business. Since 2014 we have promoted a landscape approach to water stewardship, working together with farmers, local government, and industries, who all share a common interest in maintaining freshwater ecosystems and services.