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ACE UK COMMENTS ON THE COURTAULD COMMITMENT
Richard Hands, chairman of the Alliance for Beverage Cartons & the Environment (ACE) UK, comments on the targets set by the second phase of the Courtauld Commitment (2010-2012), unveiled by WRAP last month: “ACE UK welcomes the announcement of the second phase of the Cour- tauld Commitment (CC2), and what it sets out to achieve: a move away from solely weight-based targets to a more sustainable use of resources over the entire lifecycle of products. The in- dustry has worked tirelessly, with local authorities to in- crease recycling rates, with the result that 86% of the UK now has access to carton collection. Furthermore, the industry is making it easier for people to recycle their cartons with nearly a quarter of UK households now hav- ing carton collection from the kerbside. We are com- mitted to making recycling easier and urge local and na- tional government to work with us. However, most ob- viously missing from CC2 is any acknowledgement of the role independently-certi- fied renewable materials have to play in a low-carbon economy. Using recycled content makes sense for some materials, but renew- able materials have a low impact on the environment and are continually replaced as they are used. Independ- ent certification of both the forests and the industry’s traceability systems demon- strates ACE UK members’ commitment in this vital area. We would strongly argue that certified renew- able content should be considered alongside recy- cled content by CC2, and that its omission is an oppor- tunity missed.”
Latest news from M-real
M-real’s energy efficiency system is now in place – with further progress planned
M-real, Europe’s leading pri- mary fibre paperboard producer and major paper supplier, has met its target to implement an Energy Efficiency System (EES) in all its production units by the end of 2009. M-real is among the first companies in the world to adopt such a management system, now integrated into M-real’s operating policies and providing a foundation for the company's continuous energy efficiency improvement activi- ties in the future. ”The EES not only provides answers to inter- nal obligations, it also proves to our customers that we take measures to cut down our own energy consumption and there- by fulfil our share in combating climate change,” says Mikko Helander, CEO of M-real. “This
system allows us to improve energy efficiency thoroughly throughout the company. Energy efficiency is now a systematic and visible part of M-real’s daily operations,” he continues. Several operational energy efficiency projects are underway within the system; on average 50-100 projects a year. The total amount of ener- gy saved in one year, as a result of these projects, so far equals the amount of energy con- sumed by a small town. The latest major project to
improve M-real’s energy effi- ciency is the Husum mill’s new turbine investment, totalling EUR 22 million. The measures will improve electricity self-suffi- ciency at the Husum site from 30 per cent to 50 per cent. The investment is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. Optimisation of energy efficien-
cy has a key role in M-real and environmental issues are closely related to energy, with M-real’s EES being integrated to the ISO 14001 environmental standard.
Innovative cartons attract consumers, who may pay more for unusual designs, reveals M-real research
Recent studies, commissioned by M-real Consumer Packaging, have found that cartons with innovative designs attract con- sumers on the shelf, but that difficulties in opening and closing the same package will alter opin- ions dramatically and influence the decision on whether to re- purchase a product. The studies also showed that consumers are prepared to pay more for prod- ucts in special or unusual packaging and for a board grade that provides good print and colour reproduction. The studies,
For more information about M-real call +358 (0)50 598 9757 or visit www.m-real.com
CPI & SPA call on MPs to support UK manufacturing
The Confederation of Paper Industries and the Sheet Plant Association have united with one voice, on behalf of the corrugated packaging industry, to engage in a pre and post election drive, urg-
ing MPs to encourage the healthy growth of manufacturing in the UK. The central message is that decline in UK manufacturing is not inevitable and that policy- makers need to create more advantageous conditions for in- vestment. The industry’s thoughts are detailed in its Manifesto for Manufacturing which can be read at http://www.paper.org.uk/mani- festo. Naturally proud of its own investment record, and the ability
of corrugated packaging to help companies reduce costs and carbon footprints, the corrugated packag- ing industry wants to open up its factories to more visits from MPs to show them British manufacturing at its best. Both the advertisement and the mailer provide contact de- tails so MPs can arrange a visit and see for themselves what modern manufacturing is like. Andy Barnetson, Corrugated Sector Manager of CPI, com-
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