Displaying items by tag: Van Houtum

The Energietransitie Papierketen is an industry-wide innovation initiative. The goal is to achieve an energy saving of 50 percent throughout the supply chain by 2020. Van Houtum is a participant in a project that focuses on reducing dryer energy consumption. The results are promising: the new dryer hood reduces gas consumption substantially.

As a producer of hygienic paper, we acknowledge our responsibility for preserving the environment. Consequently, we strive to achieve optimum energy efficiency in all operational areas. Our production manager/energy coordinator, Ronald Kok, is enthusiastic about the innovation initiative that has been launched by  trade association Royal VNP  and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs: “The goal of this ambitious initiative is to halve the amount of energy consumed to produce each end product by 2020. This applies to the total paper supply chain: from forestry cultivation and the used paper sector up to and including the end-users.”

Five different research programmes have been set up in order to achieve this goal: energy management, energy-neutral paper, the paper supply chain of the future, biorefining and ‘waterless production’. “The first programme is the most relevant in our situation”, says Ronald. “Energy management focuses on achieving immediate and accelerated energy savings in the supply chain. The programme encourages you to view energy as an integral component of your operational management; so you analyse your processes and machines as part of a greater whole. Monitoring your energy consumption helps you to detect where energy savings can be made.”

For example, the results indicated that applying modern techniques to our tissue machine could improve its performance in terms of energy efficiency and capacity. Further research was required to determine the exact improvements. A project was set up for this in March 2008. An important aspect of the project was to exchange best practices on an industry-wide scale. Van Houtum teamed up with three other companies to identify the most energy-efficient solution. They were supported in their efforts by the VNP, a number of suppliers and a specialised consultant. “The project was primarily intended to gather knowledge in order to request quotations for a detailed design. We investigated a number of possible modifications using simulation models. Ultimately, the knowledge that we gained in this process led us to select the current dryer hood design.”

The new dryer hood was installed in mid-August. That was quite an event: the roof had to be partially dismantled before a crane could be used to remove the old hood and install the new one. “The team did a fantastic job”, says Ronald. “The project approach worked well and helped us come to the right decision. This was after all a substantial investment and not something that could be done on a ‘suck it and see’ basis.”

Van Houtum is the first company in the Netherlands to have passed the certification process for the NEN-EN 16001 energy standard. This confirms once again that our energy management system complies with the strictest European standards and that we systematically save on energy and related costs.

Reducing energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency are among the top priorities set out by the European Union. These targets are driven by the ever increasing price of oil, climate change and Europe's dependence upon (unstable) oil and gas producing countries. In December 2008, the EU presented a large package of energy and climate measures with three main targets for 2020:
• 20% reduction of greenhouse gases;
• 20% utilization of renewable fuels;
• 20% increase in energy efficiency.

The European NEN-EN 16001 standard sets out the requirements which an energy management system must comply with. “In broad terms, energy management works out in concrete terms how energy efficiency in the production process is to be structurally improved,” explains project coordinator Ronald Kok. “It helps us save energy and reduce costs. The standard is very much in line with the structure of the ISO 14001 standard, which is why we were able to integrate it into our existing environmental management system fairly easily. The method itself is based on the formulation of concrete energy policy and targets, and it enables us to realize improvements in an ongoing fashion.”

The successful certification process confirms once again that we are a leader in the area of corporate social responsibility (CSR). “An effective energy policy is no more than logical,” says Ronald. “The production and processing of hygienic paper products requires a great deal of energy. Accordingly, we have been tracking and recording our energy consumption for years, and have been increasing our energy efficiency wherever possible. Such a policy is not only good for the environment but also for our bottom line!”

“Van Houtum has implemented quality targets and standards throughout the organization,” adds Ronald. “We have been very proactive in implementing CSR policy and targets. It is therefore no surprise that our efforts have been recognized and rewarded by the market via various awards and certifications.”

The structural implementation of our CSR policy is confirmed by the following certifications:
• 1995 – ISO 9001 Quality management system
• 1998 – ISO 14001 Environmental management system
• 2005 – OHSAS 18001 HSE management system
• 2010 – NEN-EN 16001 Energy management system
• 2010 – ISO 26000 CSR guidelines

Paper producer Van Houtum is introducing the most environmentally friendly toilet paper in the world at the ISSA Interclean in the RAI Amsterdam. Satino Black is the only truly CO₂-neutral toilet paper made with 100% recycled paper and an environmentally friendly production process, and yet it is just as soft and white as normal toilet paper.

"Many users do not know that the largest part of toilet paper is still made of trees which are chopped down for that specific reason. That is totally unnecessary. That’s why we manufacture Satino Black from 100% recycled paper" says Henk van Houtum, director of Van Houtum. "In addition, we have developed a new production process during the last 2 1/2 years to replace all the harmful chemicals with natural, biologically degradable raw materials and additives."

Environmental objectives

"Black is the new green," says Nick op den Buijsch, Concept Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Van Houtum. "Consumers, companies and governments worldwide are demanding ever more stringent product requirements while at the same time they want to make a contribution to the improvement of the environment". Satino Black has been developed to get a step closer to the set environmental objectives with one simple act. This makes it possible for everyone to make a contribution to breaking through the unnecessary exhaustion of the natural resources on our planet. Green is cool with Black."

The water and energy consumption for the production of Satino Black are already the lowest in the world in the market segment. CO₂ neutrality is guaranteed as a result of the utilization of 100% green energy. Cradle to Cradle guarantees that chemicals for the production of Satino Black are converted to natural and biologically degradable auxiliary agents. It is harmless for humans as well as the environment.

Van Houtum has been an independent producer of hygiene paper for 75 years and is a front runner in the area of Socially Responsible Entrepreneurship. Satino Black is entirely CO₂-neutral Cradle to Cradle certified toilet paper and paper towel made of 100% recycled paper.

Source: Van Houtum B.V.

More information: Henk van Houtum, general director, telephone +31(0)475-507300.

Van Houtum B.V.

Boutestraat 125

6071 JR Swalmen

The Netherlands

www.vanhoutum.nl