Consumables
Sappi Fine Paper North America Showcases Sustainability Leadership with Notable Industry Research in eQ Insights
Thursday 24. October 2013 - Latest Editions to White Paper Series Cover the Life Cycle Assessment of Paper Products
Sappi Fine Paper North America today released the newest editions of eQ Insights, the white paper series aiming to address common stereotypes and misconceptions by examining important sustainability issues in the paper industry from a unique, insider perspective. In this two-part addition to the series, Sappi takes an in-depth look into the life cycle assessment (LCA) of paper products, providing thought-provoking context and sharing their findings to help readers rethink their current analysis processes. Sappi’s primary goal for eQ Insights is to help educate a wide range of stakeholders on key sustainability issues, and help guide paper buyers toward more environmentally responsible solutions. In these two latest white papers, Sappi comes full circle on LCA by examining the process and reflecting on the company’s own operations.
“The environmental impact of manufacturing, and a true understanding of what happens to paper as it moves through its life cycle is increasingly significant as companies make the tough decisions on where and how to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Laura Thompson, Ph.D., director of sustainable development and technical marketing, Sappi Fine Paper North America. “Leading by example, Sappi chose to undertake a detailed analysis of our Somerset manufacturing operations in Skowhegan, Maine. In sharing the findings of this study, we illustrate how a well done assessment can help eliminate misconceptions and push the boundaries of traditional thinking on the benefits of recycled fiber compared to virgin fiber.”
eQ Insights Volumes 4.2 and 4.3 continue whereVolume 4.1, “Life Cycle Assessment of Paper Products: Part One – The Basics,” leaves off by examining the LCA methodology needed to help paper buyers make good decisions about selection, and then leveraging a LCA study to provide a snapshot of the unexpected findings about the paper products made at Sappi’s Somerset mill:
— Volume 4.2, “Life Cycle Assessment of Paper Products: Part Two – The
Impact of Methodology on the Life Cycle Analysis of Paper Products”
provides an overview of how Sappi defined the boundaries of analysis and
methodology for studying the carbon footprint of pulp and printing
papers manufactured at our North American operations. LCA can be used
to help paper buyers make good decisions about paper selection – but due
to the varying benefits and limitations to using LCA, it can also lead
to false conclusions and bad decisions when implemented improperly.
Ultimately Sappi’s aim is to help companies make the right decisions to
help reduce the carbon footprint within their supply chain.
— Volume 4.3, “Life Cycle Assessment of Paper Products: Part Three – The
Carbon Footprint of Sappi’s Somerset Mill and the Impact of Recycled
Fiber” offers guidance to customers and other stakeholders looking for
information regarding LCA as it applies to the greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions, or carbon footprint of pulp and paper products made at
Sappi’s Somerset mill. Ultimately, Sappi learned that Somerset Synergy
virgin pulp has a low carbon footprint when compared to some other
pulping technologies, including the use of deinked, recycled fiber.
Contrary to general assumptions, displacing 10% of Sappi pulp with
purchased deinked recycled fiber actually increased the carbon footprint
of Sappi paper by about 16%.
Get Up to Date on eQ Insights!
Under the guidance of Dr. Laura Thompson, Sappi published its first eQ Insights white paper on environmentally responsible paper procurement policies in May 2011, and has since continued its coverage of important topics and best practices for the paper industry with additional volumes of research. Subjects range from water use and treatment in the paper industry to renewable energy certificates and sustainable uses of recycled fiber. The overall objective of the series is to provide current and applicable information that can help increase sustainable practices across the pulp and paper industry supply chain.