Displaying items by tag: sappi

Now Offering More Products Manufactured With Certified Renewable Electricity

BOSTON –  As part of its commitment to operating sustainably, Sappi Fine Paper North America today announced that its Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Maine, has been certified by Center for Resource Solutions' Green-e® Marketplace program. The Somerset Mill secured this qualification through new investments in renewable energy generation. Sappi invested $49 million this past fall to upgrade the Somerset pulp mill's recovery boiler and related equipment.

Prior to this recent investment, Sappi Fine Paper North America has led the industry in the use of renewable energy and already has the lowest reported carbon footprint among domestic coated paper suppliers, with more than 85% of the total energy being derived from renewable resources at its coated fine paper mills.

Under the Green-e certification, 100% percent of the electricity used to manufacture Opus web paper at the Somerset Mill is Green-e certified renewable energy sappi_1that is generated onsite by Sappi. Opus web now joins the line-up of Sappi Fine Paper North America's current Green-e certified product offerings: Sappi's McCoy web, sheets and digital; Opus sheets and digital; Opus 30 web; and Flo sheets and digital; all of which have been Green-e certified via renewable energy generated at the Cloquet Mill in Minnesota.

Green-e is the nation's leading, independent, third-party certification and verification program for renewable energy, ensuring that strict environmental and consumer protection standards are met.

Customers who choose one of Sappi Fine Paper North America's Green-e certified products and one of the Green-e Marketplace re:print certified printers for their print job can further leverage that they are minimizing their environmental footprint through the Green-e Marketplace re:print program.

"Green-e certification is a testament to Sappi Fine Paper North America's commitment to sustainability, which is fundamental to our business strategy," said Jennifer Miller, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Sappi Fine Paper North America. "As companies are increasingly seeking to minimize their impact on the environment, we are pleased that we can now offer our customers additional assurance through the added value of Green-e- a recognizable and credible labelling program, for many of our coated fine paper products," added Miller.

Based on the audit conducted for this certification, initial estimates indicate the amount of Green-e certified renewable electricity generated from renewable resources at Sappi's Somerset Mill is approximately 260 million kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is comparable to the yearly electrical usage of approximately 24,000 homes consuming nearly 11,000 kWh per year.

In addition to obtaining Green-e certification through the recovery cycle upgrade project, Sappi's Somerset Mill has also implemented several other major projects to improve energy efficiency and reduce the site's carbon footprint over the past year. This includes work underway to improve the efficiency of the pumping systems of Paper Machine Number 3 for which Sappi received an Efficiency Maine grant. Through these projects and others, the Somerset Mill continues to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

In 2008, already operating significantly better than industry average, Sappi established a five-year goal of reducing emissions from fossil fuels by 40% over its 2007 baseline. The metric for this goal includes both direct emissions from Sappi Fine Paper North America's mills, as well as emissions associated with purchased electricity. In terms of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, this is known as Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. At the end of the company's 2010 fiscal year, Sappi had already achieved more than a 40% reduction in just three years, outpacing targets proposed by climate change legislation.

"Sappi Fine Paper North America's performance data and third-party certifications such as Green-e, demonstrate that we are leading the industry when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions and the use of renewable energy. We will continue to implement projects like these that demonstrate environmental responsibility," said Laura Thompson, Ph.D., Director of Sustainability and Technical Marketing, Sappi Fine Paper North America.

For more information about Sappi's sustainability initiatives and specifying environmentally preferable paper, visit: www.sappi.com/eQ and www.sappi.com/eQTool.

Published in North American News
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Sappi’s Somerset Mill is on a mission to continually improve its reel building quality, and the ABB Optical Caliper Sensor has helped Sappi to effectively manage optimum reel-building conditions in real-time.

abb_sappi

 

Uniform caliper is extremely important for good roll-building on coated and calendered papers. Because the paper is so dense and smooth, very little caliper profile deviation can be tolerated before the effect is seen on the hardness profile of the reel, and subsequently in the quality of the rolls coming off the winder. PM2 at Sappi’s Somerset Mill used to rely on manual off-line testing of reel hardness profiles using a hand-held hardness tester to assist with the process of troubleshooting reel-building. While this approach was sufficient to enable Sappi to meet its quality targets, the infrequency of these hardness tests represented an opportunity for Sappi to further optimize reel-building conditions, and their available manpower.


“The stability and repeatability of the Caliper Sensor allows the operator to trust the profile shape and make reel-building corrections in real-time rather than wait for an off-line hardness profile test,” says Dave Moore, Senior Process Engineer at Sappi Somerset Mill.


The Optical Caliper Sensor contacts the sheet on one side using a smooth ceramic stabilizing plate with vacuum applied by concentric rings. On the other side of the sheet is a unique optical (confocal) measurement. The confocal measurement is combined with a magnetic reference measurement, and the result is caliper measurement. The simplicity of this design provides reliable performance day after day in the harsh paper mill environment.


Even with the sensor applied very soon after the calendering process on high-gloss grades, Moore adds that, “We have not seen any sheet marking issues with this design.”


Caliper correlation within ±1% between the laboratory and the Optical Caliper Sensor was one goal of the project: “The optical sensor has met our requirement of reproducible CD profile correlation without marking the sheet surface,” reports Moore.


Equally important for Sappi was the correlation to the hand-held hardness instrument. Figure 1 shows that the correlation was good enough to allow operators to make corrections before out of specification limits were reached.

abb_graph


ABB has been working with the Sappi Somerset Mill to implement service and evolve its Quality Control Systems (QCS) for more than 25 years on its three paper machines. Over that period of time, ABB and Sappi have worked together to evolve the systems in a step-wise approach, with manageable capital investments.

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Friday, 25 February 2011 11:45

New Masuga is Sappi’s “sweet” paper choice

Global pulp and paper producer, Sappi, has come up with another environmentally sound solution that combines the natural look of uncoated paper with the smoothness of a coated grade.

 

Masuga was recently launched in Johannesburg, with renowned chef Justin Bonello giving a ‘sweet cooking’ demonstration to reiterate Masuga’s branding as ‘Sappi’s sweet paper’. Masuga is produced primarily from sugar cane waste (bagasse) and wood fibre derived from sustainably certified and well managed forests.

 

During his demonstration, Justin highlighted the analogies between cooking and making paper. Both require specific, quality ingredients and fail-proof recipes. And in both instances, the end product is something tactile that can be touched and enjoyed in a way that no digital product can.
Masuga is also a ‘sweet’ choice for many other reasons. The development of this paper is the prime example of a manufacturer understanding and interpreting the needs of its customers, and as a result producing an innovative local grade made from alternative fibres.

 

“Masuga was developed in response to a specific customer request (from Woolworths) for a very smooth, uncoated environmental paper in a natural shade. This makes it the first text and cover grade of its kind on the market,” says Sappi Paper and Paper Packaging Business Develop Manager, Kathy Ormerod. The new grade is a double win for specifiers across the board. “Not only does it provide a natural-looking ‘canvas’ to unleash design creativity and provide more end-use options, but its smooth surface gives it the excellent printability and quality finish that are characteristic of a coated grade.”

 

The paper’s environmental and socio-economic credentials are equally impressive. It consists of 90% sugar cane waste and 10% wood fibre sourced from a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified plantation. The unbleached mixture is pulped, revealing the fibres’ natural shade when turned into paper. Masuga is 100% recyclable. A further benefit is that the sugar cane mill that supplies Sappi with the sugar cane waste, is black owned; and 25% of the mill’s shareholders are local cane farmers.

 

Masuga was developed in response to Woolworths’ need to use a paper that supports its Good Business Journey goals of protecting the environment and empowering people. “We are fortunate to have partnered with Sappi in developing this exciting and innovative paper. Their expertise has made this possible,” says Woolworths’ Good Business Journey Manager, Justin Smith.  Woolworths’ 2010 Annual and Sustainability Reports were the first documents to be printed on Masuga.



“Being a 100% locally produced paper is an added bonus,” adds Sappi’s Kathy, “as buying ‘local’ supports the economy and job creation in our country.  It also assists in establishing a unique South African offering of paper that is manufactured according to the highest environmental standards; and without the big carbon footprint that is evident in many of the imported grades.

 

Masuga’s smoothness and natural look makes it a great choice for printing annual reports, corporate stationery, books, brochures, tags, folders etc. It is available in an extended grammage range of 100,120,170 and 350g/m² and is exclusively distributed by Antalis.

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Sappi Fine Paper North America announces the launch of the Flo Channel: Off RegisterTM-- its online comedy video series developed with VSA Partners, aimed at the influential print community. The new video series features stories told by Second City Improv that demonstrate the trials and tribulations of what printers encounter daily, as they aim to please their demanding, edgy-black-glasses-wearing clients.

 

The first video of the Off Register series is "Luscious:"
http://www.youtube.com/user/OffRegister

 

"Luscious" is the kick-off to the video series and tells the story of designer, Kat, trying to get Sully, the printer, to understand and produce for her a color that is not just pink but "luscious." Each video ends with an invitation: "Share your own outrageous printing story for a future episode of Off Register." The series can be seen on Sappi Fine Paper North America's Web Site, YouTube, Vimeo, and FunnyorDie.com.

 

"Through our new Off Register video series, we are striving to illustrate to audiences how print can be integrated with digital to make a communications campaign have a more powerful impact," said Patti Groh, marketing director, Sappi Fine Paper North America. "True, the campaign lives online, but its heart and soul reside on the pressroom floor," said Jonathan Turitz, VSA Creative Director.

 

The videos are pushed out to the primary audience of printers and press operators as part of an ongoing dialogue with Sappi and the promotion of its top-selling economy paper, Flo. Most paper company promo efforts utilize only print collateral but Sappi believed it was necessary to break through the clutter with marketing that is multi-media based and engaging on many levels.

 

To demonstrate the potent digital/print relationship, Sappi Fine Paper North America's Off Register campaign also utilizes e-blasts to printers to link them to the videos and QR codes that appear on printed collateral for Flo paper, which take smartphone users directly to the videos--providing new ways for the target audience to interact with the series, as well as demonstrating how print is still a vital and dynamic medium when combined with digital media today.

 

The next video in the Off Register series, "Designer Disaster," will tell the story of a designer whose precious original art gets inadvertently destroyed. Both stories for the videos are based on submissions of actual events from printers and press operators.

 

Another campaign element of the Off Register marketing campaign is a commemorative Series "Press Kit" (to be released late March). The Press Kit will further showcase the qualities of Sappi Flo paper and invites printers to continue the conversation, by submitting stories of their own for future episodes of the Off Register series to be released throughout the year.

Published in North American News
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Tuesday, 07 September 2010 13:12

Sappi News: Peter Sarstedt to sing for conservation

Peter Sarstedt, the famous musician and supporter of conservation and the planet will be visiting South Africa during the month of September as a guest of Sappi Limited to help raise funds and awareness for various environmental conservation organisations. He has previously visited South Africa to provide support, along with Sappi Limited, for the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre at De Wildt. His upcoming visit will again benefit Ann van Dyk’s Cheetah Centre, along with Birdlife South Africa; the Freeme Rehabilitation Centre; the Pilansberg Wildlife Trust; the Two Oceans Aquarium Cape Town Harbour Seal Project; the Bergvlam Wetland Rehabilitation project in Nelspruit, in conjunction with the Innibos Arts Festival; the Water Sisulu National Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort; the Anatolian Sheppard Project with Cheetah Outreach at the Bienne Donne Outdoor and Travel Show in Franschoek and the Sappi Green Ambassador Recycling programme. He will also hold a number of ‘singer songwriter’ workshops for aspiring musicians, in keeping with both Sappi and his support and encouragement of music in South Africa.

Peter Sarstedt first came to prominence in February 1969 with the Number 1 hit single ‘Where do you go to, my lovely’. He held this position for six weeks on the British charts, as well as reached the No 1 position in 14 other countries. He was awarded the highly coveted Ivor Novello Award for Best Song 1969/70 for this composition. Today, this song is still an icon and recently the theme song for the big screen movie by Wes Anderson…… 'The Darjeeling Limited'. Sarstedt has also written hits for the likes of Eden Kane, Right Said Fred and Herb Alpert.

“We invited Peter back to South Africa to add a new dimension to our long-standing support for the arts, community development and conservation” said André Oberholzer, Group Head Corporate Affairs at Sappi Limited. He continued “Peter’s wonderful music and his passion for conservation will help generate much needed funds and awareness for a number of very worthy causes across the country”. Peter Sarstedt will also help Sappi celebrate 10 years of Sunday Picnic Concerts in support of the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens when he appears as a guest artist on the Mathys Roets programme at the Sappi Sunday Picnic Concert of 12 September 2010.
 
Sarstedt’s commitment to environmental conservation is highlighted in his ‘Green Alphabet’ song as it explores environmental issues that require urgent action from A to Z. ‘Hemmingway’ is a song of passion for Africa which depicts the ease in which we can lose the beauty of the natural world. Sarstedt’s signature songs were a product of a time when folk singing created an awareness of and protested many an injustice and captivated the world in passive protest that formed the basis of change in many communities and countries.

Today, Sarstedt continues to write and perform music and songs throughout the world. While his ’green music’ entertains, it importantly also speaks of the hope for sustainable improvement of our planet…….’Save the Rhino’ will be performed in South Africa to raise awareness of the plight of these magnificent creatures.

Further information regarding tickets for the fundraising events can be obtained through the beneficiary organisations or by contacting Tim Neary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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A public auction will be held September 29, 2010, by LiquiTec Industries, in association with Can-Am Machinery, to sell the assets from Sappi's permanently closed coated paper mill in Muskegon, Michigan.

Equipment from the Muskegon pulp mill, paper mill, and converting facility will be for sale.

Primary assets up for bid include a 174 in. wire width paper machine wet end, 2004 Bielomatik folio ream wrapper, Jagenberg Synchro 86 in. folio sheeter, Jagenberg converting complex sheeter and ream carton packaging line, Voith pulper, and a MSK/Covertech automatic shrink wrap skid carton line.

For a list of the Muskegon mill assets up for bid, visit: www.liquitec.net

Published in North American News
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Sappi Southern Africa today announced that it would be consolidating its paper divisions to strengthen its ability to meet customer requirements and develop new business opportunities.

Sappi Fine Paper South Africa and Sappi Kraft will merge to become Sappi Paper and Paper Packaging South Africa (SA). Jan Labuschagne, CEO of Sappi Southern Africa, will assume direct responsibility for the new division.

Albert Lubbe, will retire from his position as Managing Director of Sappi Kraft at the end of July 2010. He has served the group and industry with distinction since joining Sappi in 1997 as the Managing Director of Sappi Fine Paper South Africa and indeed can be credited with beginning the drive to bring Sappi closer to our customers.  He has also served the industry as chairman of the Paper Manufacturers Association (PAMSA) for the past 10 years.

Dinga Mncube is appointed as the new Executive Director Marketing: Sappi Paper and Paper Packaging SA. He brings his extensive experience to this new role where he will be responsible for all sales and marketing activities related to paper and paper packaging in South Africa, as well as for new products and market development. He was previously the Managing Director of Sappi Forests and thereafter the Managing Director of Sappi Fine Paper South Africa. Dinga is also the current vice-chair of Forestry South Africa. He has been with Sappi for 17 years and holds an MSc (Forest Products) from the University of Idaho (USA) and an MCom from the University of Johannesburg.

Patrick (Pat) McGrady is appointed as Manufacturing Director: Sappi Paper and Paper Packaging South Africa (SA). The position will have primary responsibility for all paper and paper packaging operations in South Africa. Pat was previously the Regional Engineering Services Manager for Sappi Southern Africa. He holds a BSc Electrical Engineering degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

It also announced that Alan Tubb will be retiring as Managing Director of Sappi Saiccor at the end of December 2010 having served in this role for 14 years. He has been instrumental in establishing Sappi as a world leader in chemical cellulose and he recently oversaw the successful expansion of Sappi’s Saiccor Mill taking market volumes from some 600,000 tons to 800,000 tons per annum.

Gary Bowles will succeed Alan Tubb as Managing Director of the renamed Sappi Chemical Cellulose division. Gary is well qualified for this role and is currently the General Manager of the Sappi Saiccor Mill. He has been with Sappi since 1990 and holds a BSc Engineering degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He assumes his new position on 01 January 2011.

Commenting on the changes and appointments made, Sappi SA CEO Jan Labuschagne, said today:

“By consolidating our paper and paper packaging businesses we are ensuring that we remain well positioned to respond effectively to the requirements of our customers and to drive strongly the key message that paper and paper packaging have a strong future and remain the best choice for many applications. In this regard Dinga Mncube will play a critical role to lead and drive this initiative and focus for Sappi Southern Africa. In addition, he is also being tasked with the development of new products and markets.” He continued, “By putting in place early the succession plan for our chemical cellulose business we are ensuring that there will be no disruption in this important and growing segment of our business.”

Commenting on the announced changes in Sappi’s Southern African business, Ralph Boëttger, CEO of Sappi Limited, said: ”Our chemical cellulose business continues to grow in importance and the early announcement regarding succession in this division, will help to ensure the seamless transition from one leader to another.” He continued, “As to our paper businesses in Southern Africa, our global strategy and commitment is to move ever closer to our customers to ensure we better meet their requirements. Combining the paper and paper packaging businesses thus makes strategic sense and will contribute to the group delivering on its strategic priorities and profitability objectives.”

Please visit www.sappi.com

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Appleton Coated LLC, NewPage Corporation and Sappi Fine Paper North America – commended the Economic Policy Institute for its study, No Paper Tiger, Subsidies to China’s Paper Industry From 2002-09, authored by Professor Dr. Usha C.V. Haley.

The Economic Policy Institute’s (EPI) report highlights the continuing efforts of the Chinese government to promote the development of its paper producers at almost any expense. The academic study identified roughly $33 billion in subsidies provided to China’s paper producers in a variety of forms that have stimulated enormous capacity increases and jeopardized production and jobs in the U.S.

This study backs up the facts that underlie the trade case that was filed by our companies and the United Steelworkers (USW) union last September. That case alleged that Chinese and Indonesian paper producers benefitted from subsidies and were dumping their products in the U.S. market. At each stage of the government’s review of the cases, the concerns were validated and relief has been authorized.

Among the study’s findings:

* “Since 2000, China has tripled its paper production...”
* “China’s rapid rise in the global paper industry has been fueled by over $33.1 billion in government subsidies from 2002 to 2009.”
* “China has no natural competitive advantage in papermaking, and lacks the natural resources to fuel the industry... Despite global overcapacity, China’s paper industry has added on average 26% of new capacity every year from 2004... (E)xports have led the development of China’s paper industry with detrimental effects on the United States and global economies.”
* “The U.S. trade deficit with China on paper has been increasing exponentially since 2002. Imports from China are rising faster than those from any other country for this industry. In February 2010, the annualized growth rate of Chinese paper and paper-product imports into the United States approximated 22%.”
* “China has no inherent cost advantage in the capital-intensive paper industry. Indeed, labor makes up about 4% of the costs in this industry; in contrast, imported recycled paper and pulp comprise over 35% of the costs. Raw materials, which make up three-fourths of the costs of producing paper, as well as electricity, coal, and transportation, have nearly doubled in price over the last decade. Yet, Chinese paper sells at a substantial discount compared to U.S. or European paper.”

“This study shows that Chinese subsidies are pervasive and have fueled the development of their industry. Their policies have damaged production here in the U.S., and cost jobs. Our case seeks to address only a portion of their subsidies that have affected the coated paper sector. But, something must be done to address China’s overall subsidies so that other sectors, producers and workers do not become victims as well,” said Sandra Van Ert, president and chief executive officer of Appleton Coated LLC.

“EPI’s study strengthens our case and shows that China’s actions are part of a larger strategy to grow their industry regardless of the cost to others. China is a non-market economy that simply doesn’t play by the rules. All we’re seeking is the restoration of a level playing field where we’re allowed to compete and continue to invest in plant, equipment and people,” stated Mike Marziale, senior vice president, marketing, strategy and general management of NewPage Corporation.

Mark Gardner, president and chief executive officer of Sappi Fine Paper North America said, “This study clearly demonstrates the need for a competitive market in coated paper. Our trade case is meant to restore a level playing field. Until something is done about China’s overall predatory policies, we and other industries will continue to have to pursue such trade cases.”

The companies and the United Steelworkers filed unfair trade cases on September 23, 2009 with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging that certain coated paper from China and Indonesia had been dumped and subsidized resulting in injury to the domestic industry and its employees. The paper products covered by the petitions include coated paper in sheet form used in high-quality writing, printing and other graphic applications, with a GE brightness rating of 80 or higher and weighing up to 340 grams per square meter.

The domestic industry has experienced capacity reductions and under-utilization resulting in the loss of jobs in communities all across the country. The petitions show that unfairly traded imports from China and Indonesia are a significant contributor to that underutilization of capacity, mill closures and resultant job loss.

The three companies employ about 6,000 production workers represented by the USW at 20 paper mills operating in seven states.

About Appleton Coated
Appleton Coated, headquartered in Kimberly, Wisconsin, provides focused market leadership in premium coated and specialty paper products. The Appleton Coated product portfolio includes a range of commercial printing and book publishing papers marketed under the Utopia® brand as well as specialty and private label products. Known for their performance, aesthetics, and environmental attributes, Appleton Coated manufactures their products in a state-of-the-art facility in Combined Locks, Wisconsin, hosting the newest papermaking machine of its type in North America. For more information please visit our website at www.appletoncoated.com/.

About NewPage Corporation
Headquartered in Miamisburg, Ohio, NewPage Corporation is the largest coated paper manufacturer in North America, based on production capacity, with $3.1 billion in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2009. The company’s product portfolio is the broadest in North America and includes coated freesheet, coated groundwood, supercalendered, newsprint and specialty papers. These papers are used for corporate collateral, commercial printing, magazines, catalogs, books, coupons, inserts, newspapers, packaging applications and direct mail advertising.

NewPage owns paper mills in Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nova Scotia, Canada. These mills have a total annual production capacity of approximately 4.4 million tons of paper, including approximately 3.2 million tons of coated paper, approximately 1.0 million tons of uncoated paper and approximately 200,000 tons of specialty paper. For more information, visit www.NewPageCorp.com.

About Sappi Fine Paper North America
Sappi Fine Paper North America (SFPNA) is a leading North American producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Sappi Fine Paper North America is known for innovation and quality. Its brand names, including McCoy, Opus, Somerset and Flo, are some of the industry’s most widely recognized and specified. SFPNA is a division of Sappi Limited (NYSE, JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with manufacturing operations on four continents in 10 countries, sales offices in 50 countries, and customers in over 100 countries around the world. Learn more about Sappi Fine Paper North America at: www.sappi.com/na/.

Media Contacts:
Ann Whalen, Appleton Coated LLC, 920-968-3809, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Shawn Hall, NewPage Corporation, 937-242-9373, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amy Olson, Sappi Fine Paper North America, 617-423-5409, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Asian News
Wednesday, 16 June 2010 14:22

What do YOU Choose?

Sappi introduces a whole new world of choice in environmentally-sound paper packaging solutions

In a world filled with choices, what do YOU choose? This is the question Sappi is asking businesses and consumers as the leading global paper group introduces a whole new world of choice in innovative, custom-designed and environmentally-sound paper packaging solutions.

While sustainability is high on most organisational agendas, implementation often lags behind intent, especially as far as packaging is concerned. And this applies not only to the agricultural and manufacturing sectors but, more specifically, to the retail sector. The lack of environmentally-sound, sustainably-produced and biodegradable packaging choices is simply not meeting changing consumer demand or business targets.

"Many brand owners and retailers are coming under pressure from consumers to respond positively to sustainability and environmental issues,” says Albert Lubbe, Sappi Kraft MD, “and this is particularly evident in the area of packaging.”

“So Sappi is partnering with them right from the R&D stage to custom develop food-grade and other paper packaging solutions that meet the specific needs of both the business and its customers. New innovations in paper technology and packaging design are enabling us and our packaging industry partners to offer solutions that have the properties most needed in this sector, including strength, attractiveness, durability, and resistance, while also facilitating our sustainability objectives. ”

This is just one of the many sound reasons for making the switch to paper packaging, and forward-thinking brand owners and retailers that have partnered with Sappi to make the change in all of their outlets, are leading the way.

But, of course, not all paper is created equal. Consumers looking for food-safe, convenient and environmentally-sound paper packaging choices want to know that the paper they choose has a solid, reliable pedigree.

“One of the greatest benefits of paper is that it’s a sustainable resource,” says Lubbe, “and at Sappi, all of our tree plantations are accredited by the international Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC). Independent auditing procedures also mean that it is possible trace our virgin fibre from source to end product, something that is becoming increasingly important not only to consumers, but to shareholders and other stakeholders as well.”

Sappi only uses fibre sourced from either Sappi-owned or partner-owned tree farms, and not from old-growth or indigenous forests. And innovations in manufacturing technology pioneered by the group mean that many Sappi papers contain a high percentage of either sugar cane fibre, which is manufacturing waste from the sugar industry, or recycled paper.

“We’re also deeply committed to efficient energy and water usage,” says Lubbe, “and our papers are produced using up to 50% renewable energy, a percentage we hope to increase in the future.”

At the end user interface, consumers choosing packaging made from Sappi paper can be assured that it is not only an environmentally-sound choice to make, but a convenient one. Packaging solutions like grocery bags and take-away boxes are developed with the precise end use in mind, and are frequently more reliable than alternatives.

“From a usage point of view, our retail partners and Sappi have interrogated consumer needs very carefully, and have responded with solutions that are safe, strong and durable,” says Lubbe.

“From an environmental point of view, Sappi packaging papers are not only reusable and recyclable, but offer a host of other features and benefits. Most importantly, they’re biodegradable, and don’t leave toxic residue in either the soil or the water when they do degrade. Together with the non-toxic inks used in the printing process, brand owners can be assured of a truly planet-friendly solution.”

All Sappi papers are produced locally, using labour drawn from local communities, and the services of small and medium enterprises situated in the areas around plantations and production facilities. The group also has a best-practice training programme and, through its corporate social investment programme, is investing in the socio-economic development of the communities in which its workers live.

“So when you choose paper by Sappi, you’re not just making a convenient choice, you’re making a progressive, environmentally-sound and socially-conscious choice too,” concludes Albert Lubbe.

“In short, paper is the choice of the future. And paper by Sappi is the paper to choose.”

For further information on Sappi, please visit www.sappi.com, and for more information about "I choose paper", visit www.ichoosepaper.com. Follow “i choose paper” and chat about it on both Facebook and Twitter.

Contact details

André Oberholzer
Group Head Corporate Affairs
Sappi Limited

Tel +27 (011) 407 8438
Fax +27 (011) 403 8236
e-Mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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As part of Sappi Fine Paper North America's ongoing commitment to sustainability, Sappi announces the launch of its eQ Tool - an interactive Web based tool that allows you to explore a full range of factors behind choosing a sustainable paper. The eQ Tool illustrates Sappi's industry leading approach to carbon management, explores the best use of recycled fiber, and brings to life our progress in forest certification and waste reduction. To develop the eQ Tool, Sappi worked with IDEO, a global design and innovative consultancy.

"Our newly launched eQ tool is an engaging demonstration of our core commitment to sustainability," commented Jennifer Miller, Executive Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Chief Sustainability image_galleryOfficer. "This interactive tool reflects our dedication to transparency, reporting measurable results and stating publicly the goals we have set for future progress. We recognize that the environmental performance of a paper supplier is an increasingly relevant and critical factor in choosing a product brand. The eQ tool responds to that need and allows us to have a meaningful dialogue with our customers on a range of issues."

"IDEO was pleased to collaborate with Sappi in the development of their eQ Tool. This strategic design work demonstrates how a complex organization can effectively communicate their holistic values and activities with regards to sustainability. To understand and affect the environmental impact of print, one must take a systems approach. The eQ Tool provides stakeholders with the foundation to engage with the broader environmental considerations when choosing a paper supplier," said Beto Lopez, Design Director of Sustainability, IDEO.

Check out Sappi Fine Paper North America's new eQ Tool at www.sappi.com/eQTool, where you can explore:

1. 1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
2. 2. Renewable Energy
3. 3. Managing Process to Minimize Waste
4. 4. Carbon Offsets
5. 5. Sustainably-Harvested Wood
6. 6. Initiatives for Sustainability
7. 7. Recycled Fiber

The eQ Tool also provides you with the ability to generate a customized product statement that summarizes the environmental benefits of choosing Sappi Fine Paper North America's papers for your job.

"Our eQ Tool reflects Sappi Fine Paper North America's commitment to providing clarity on the issues associated with the sustainability of paper, by providing audiences with reliable, accurate information that is grounded in science," said Laura Thompson, Ph.D., Director of Sustainability and Technical Marketing, Sappi Fine Paper North America

In addition, the second issue of Sappi Fine Paper North America's eQ Journal on sustainability is now available online and in print. The eQ Journal presents Sappi Fine Paper North America's initiatives in sustainability, and highlights best practices in this area among the printing, graphic design and publishing fields, and more. In the second issue of the eQ Journal, you'll get a first-hand look at: Sappi's carbon management strategies; how companies are raising the bar in sustainability; and a snapshot of the new eQ Tool. To request a printed copy of the eQ Journal, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 800-882-4332.
About Sappi Fine Paper North America

Sappi Fine Paper North America is a preeminent North American producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Sappi Fine Paper North America is known for innovation and quality. Its brand names, including McCoy, Opus, Somerset and Flo, are some of the industry's most widely recognized and specified. Sappi's mills in North America are triple chain of custody certified to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI), and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Over 80% of the energy used by Sappi's North American mills comes from renewable resources, resulting in one of the lowest carbon footprints of any major North American coated paper supplier. Sappi Fine Paper North America is a division of Sappi Limited (NYSE and JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with manufacturing operations on four continents in 10 countries, sales offices in over 40 countries, and customers in over 100 countries around the world. For more information about Sappi Fine Paper North America, visit: www.sappi.com/na.

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