Sustainable Converting
International Paper reveals performance levels towardsVision 2020 Goals
I
nternational Paper, one of the world’s largest packaging and paper companies, has revealed how it is
currently performing against its Vision 2020 Goals, a set of 12 voluntary goals aimed at improving the company’s impact on people and the planet. As a responsible global producer of pulp,
paper and packaging products, International Paper recognises the importance of aligning the needs of its business, with the needs of the world, and it is committed to continuous improvement and transparency about its sustainability successes and challenges. Overall, with regards to its 2020 goal to
improve energy efficiency in purchased energy usage by 15 per cent, up to 2015, there has been a 4.7 per cent improvement from the 2010 baseline. Another 2020 goal was to reduce GHG
(Greenhouse Gas) emissions by 20 per cent (direct and indirect). As of 2015, there has been a 16 per cent reduction. A reduction in air emissions, (PM, SO2,
NOx) by 10 per cent has been accomplished, with a reduction of 18 per cent. Water usage is another goal, where the
aim was to map water usage through its manufacturing locations by 2013, develop site-specific plans by 2015 to reduce use in strategic watershed areas by 2020. By 2015, International Paper has successfully mapped its water use and risk by location, identified priority mills, and initiated programmes to reduce its water use. Water Quality is another 2020 Vision Goal
target which has been surpassed. The Goal was to reduce mill wastewater discharges of oxygen-depleting substances to receiving streams by 15 per cent. The accomplishment has seen a reduction of 17 per cent up to 2015. The goal of reducing manufacturing waste
to landfills by 30 per cent and ultimately to zero by 2020 is currently at an 11 per cent reduction from the 2010 baseline. Recycling is another area; the Goal is to
increase the recovery of old corrugated containers by exploring new sources and diverting usable fibre from landfills by 15 per cent. As of 2015, this has seen a three per cent increase since 2010. With regards to International Paper’s
Supply Chain, a 2020 Vision Goal was set to
establish processes promoting transparency, managing risk by monitoring, and identifying opportunities with suppliers. The company has successfully established a baseline supply chain performance and also implemented plans to improve this. To view the 2020 Vision Goals and
performance in full, visit:
http://www.internationalpaper.com/planet/ vision-2020-goals
uwww.internationalpaper.com
Plastic is most sustainable packaging A
recent study shows that plastic sacks are the most sustainable packaging
solution for cement. AD*STAR cement sacks made of coated polypropylene fabric reportedly achieve considerably better results than sacks made of paper or recycled polypropylene tape fabric. The effects on the environment, a much-
discussed topic regarding plastic bags for everyday use, also play an increasingly important role for industrial packaging. A new study that compares different types of cement packaging now proves that woven plastic packaging is the most
environmentally friendly solution for this application. The results of the life-cycle- analysis, carried out by the German PE INTERNATIONAL and commissioned by Austrian machinery supplier Starlinger, show that AD*STAR sacks – welded block bottom valve sacks made of coated polypropylene tape fabric – have lower global warming potential (also known as carbon footprint) than paper sacks or sewn PP sacks. For comparison, sewn sacks made in China as well as kraft paper sacks made in Saudi Arabia were analysed; all sacks had a filling capacity of 50kg cement.
THE RESULTS ARE CLEAR The AD*STAR sacks developed by Starlinger do not only show the lowest values regarding global warming potential, they are also the most environmentally friendly packaging in terms of acidification potential (acid rain), ozone depletion potential, photochemical ozone creation potential (causes summer smog), as well as energy and fresh water consumption. A decisive factor for the positive results of
AD*STAR sacks are the low breakage rates in the course of the life cycle of the sacks. For the production of the AD*STAR sacks analysed in the study, 100 per cent virgin
www.convertermag.co.uk
material was used both in China and Saudi Arabia. Due to the special production process AD*STAR sacks are very robust despite their very low weight. The strength and resistance results in breakage rates below one per cent in the entire lifecycle; this means that if these are used, less cement is lost and less packaging is needed – consequently, less greenhouse gases are produced. Starlinger has commissioned the study
with comparable products from China and Saudi Arabia because the type of cement packaging analysed forms the biggest share on the cement market in the respective country. In the study, sacks made of 50 per cent virgin material mixed with 50 per cent recycled material, and sacks made of 100 per cent recycled material were analysed. The quality of the sacks is comparatively low because the recycled material used to produce the sacks is in most cases degenerated. Starlinger supplies machinery and
complete plants for the production of woven plastic packaging; it has installed AD*STAR production plants with a total yearly capacity of more than 7.5 billion sacks all over the world.
uwww.starlinger.com October 2016 23
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