The Paper Story (PAMSA)

PAMSA invests in future engineers to drive South Africa’s circular bioeconomy

SiteAdmin — Wed, 06 May 2026 12:49:47 +0000

R320,000 Master’s bursary programme targets final-year chemical engineering students to boost skills and industry innovation

The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) is investing in the next generation of chemical engineers through its 2027–2028 Master’s in Engineering Bursary Programme, aimed at strengthening South Africa’s skills pipeline and advancing innovation in the circular bioeconomy.

This initiative has been equipping young chemical engineering students for more than a decade with their industry-relevant research helping the South African pulp and paper sector to further contribute to the circular bioeconomy and develop more resource-efficient processes.

“Students on this programme work at the forefront of innovation in an industry that transforms renewable wood fibre and recycled materials into everyday essentials such as printing paper, packaging, tissue and wood fibre-based materials,” says Jane Molony, executive director of PAMSA.

Funding the next generation of engineers

Open to final-year students studying a BSc or BEng in Chemical Engineering, the programme offers a two-year bursary valued at R320,000, covering tuition, accommodation, study materials and living expenses. Successful candidates would undertake full-time Master’s study at leading South African institutions, including North-West University, Stellenbosch University, the University of Pretoria and the University of the Witwatersrand.

“Over the course of two years, students will engage in research projects that align closely with industry priorities, covering areas such as process optimisation, energy and water efficiency, waste-to-value innovation, and the development of bio-based materials and fuels,” explains Molony.

She adds that many of the programme’s graduates go on to become engineers-in-training at PAMSA’s member companies, gaining valuable practical experience and career opportunities.

Who should apply

The programme is only open to final-year students and recent graduates with a BSc or BEng in Chemical Engineering.

The students are required to demonstrate strong academic performance, with a minimum 60% average in their final year, and must have completed, or be on track to complete, their studies within five years. In addition, candidates should be committed to pursuing full-time Master’s study and be motivated to contribute to research that supports industry needs and advances the circular bioeconomy.

Applications close on 12 June 2026. Apply here.

Chris du Toit

Chris du Toit is a chemical engineer in training at Sappi’s Saiccor mill on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast. His work focuses on process improvement, combining proactive trend monitoring to identify optimisation opportunities with root cause investigations to resolve operational challenges. Working within multidisciplinary teams, he contributes to designing more efficient systems through both theoretical analysis and hands-on involvement, including simulations, sampling, experiments and overseeing equipment installation and maintenance.

Qiniso Ngiba

Qiniso Ngiba, a process engineer and graduate of the 2020–2021 Master’s programme at Stellenbosch University, researched the conversion of lignin from waste pulping liquors into slow-release nitrogen fertilisers and soil conditioning materials, supporting more sustainable use of forestry resources.

Lerato Tau

Lerato Tau, a master’s student at University of Pretoria, is using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to better understand how paper materials respond to heat. By tracking how materials lose weight as temperatures rise, her research reveals their composition and thermal stability. This faster, safer method delivers results in hours rather than days, offering practical benefits for the papermaking industry. She will be graduating this year.

Kelly Campbell

Kelly Campbell, a chemical engineering graduate completing her MEng at Stellenbosch University, is exploring how food waste can be converted into ethanol through fermentation. Her research aims to divert organic waste from landfill while producing a high-value product with applications in the chemical and transport sectors.

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More than trees: how South Africa’s forestry sector grows the economy

SiteAdmin — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:55:54 +0000

International Day of Forests highlights the economic potential of South Africa’s planted forests

MARCH 19, 2026 – South Africa’s forestry sector contributes an estimated R8 billion to the country’s GDP, while supporting more than 150 000 jobs and livelihoods – many of them in rural areas where economic opportunities are limited. Beyond its direct contribution, the sector supports a further R58 billion in value-added activity across downstream industries, including sawmilling, pulp and paper, packaging and construction.

Marking this year’s International Day of Forests (21 March), themed Forests and the Economy, Forestry South Africa (FSA) is highlighting the tangible role that sustainably managed planted forests play in driving inclusive economic growth.

“The economic contribution of Forestry is often viewed through a very narrow lens, as a few large companies and obvious forest products, when in reality it’s a vast and diverse sector and its economic contribution reflects this,” says Dr Ronald Heath, Director of Research and Protection at FSA.

Supporting jobs and livelihoods

From planting and harvesting to transport, processing and manufacturing, forestry provides a stable source of income while sustaining a network of contractors, small growers and suppliers.

Programmes such as Sappi’s Khulisa initiative are expanding this impact. The programme supports more than 4 400 small-scale growers and 1 000 SMMEs, supplying 5.9 million tonnes of timber from 34 000 hectares – creating an estimated R4 billion in value.

Skills development initiatives, like Mondi’s Semi-skilled Artisan Initiative are also creating pathways into employment and enterprise, both within the sector and beyond. Merensky’s Komazi Woodwork Project is equipping unemployed youth with practical skills to start their own businesses, while supporting local schools through the production of desks and furniture.

Strengthening rural economies through small growers

Forestry is helping to unlock growth for small businesses in rural areas by improving access to funding, markets and technical support.

Through Mondi Zimele, for example, 24 contracting SMEs secured R29.5 million in funding in 2025, addressing one of the biggest barriers to expansion. In KwaZulu-Natal, the NCT/NTE Wattle Regeneration project is supporting small-scale growers in the Greytown area with seedlings and expertise to establish commercially viable plots – with some participants progressing to become independent growers and local employers.

“This kind of support is critical to unlocking the potential of small enterprises in rural economies,” says Heath. “By strengthening small growers and contractors, the sector is becoming more inclusive and resilient.”

Growing value beyond timber: eco-tourism, livelihoods and living heritage

In addition to wood and fibre, forestry landholdings are increasingly supporting tourism, recreation and local enterprise. Activities such as trail running, mountain biking and hiking are creating new income streams and jobs in rural areas.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the Sappi Trails Programme has seen visitor numbers increase by 884%, supporting over 500 direct jobs and more than 3 000 indirect jobs in the uMngeni municipal area. Events such as the Karkloof Classic and Trail Festival generate R6.88 million in direct economic impact.

Forestry is also creating value by supporting biodiversity, cultural practices and community well-being. Through the Sappi Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species Programme, partnerships with conservationists, traditional healers and local communities are helping to cultivate endangered medicinal plant species that are vital to cultural traditions and primary healthcare.

One such success is the Pepperbark (Warburgia salutaris), which has been reclassified from endangered to vulnerable following the cultivation of more than 140 000 plants distributed to local communities.

“Forestry is about far more than timber,” adds Heath. “It is about how these natural resources are managed to deliver value across economic, social and environmental outcomes.”

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South Africa’s paper recycling rate climbs to 63.3%

SiteAdmin — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:25:55 +0000

18 March 2026 – South Africa’s paper recycling rate reached 63.3% in 2025, up from 60% in 2024.

Through paper mills and a nationwide network of collectors – including small recycling businesses and informal waste pickers – around 1.2 million tonnes of paper and paper packaging are diverted from landfill each year and returned to the recycling loop, where they are used again to produce new paper products such as packaging and tissue.

Marking Global Recycling Day, the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) says that while this progress reflects the growing role that consumers play in keeping recyclable materials in circulation, there is still significant room for improvement. “Unfortunately, a substantial volume is still ending up in landfill or the environment due to poor waste separation and recycling habits,” says Samantha Choles, communications manager for PAMSA.

Office paper and paper packaging, such as cardboard boxes and grocery bags, are both widely used and highly recyclable, making them key to improving South Africa’s recycling rate.

“We really want to encourage people to put cardboard boxes and paper bags out for collection by informal collectors,” says Choles. “If these materials are placed in wheelie bins, they often become dirty and wet, making them far more difficult to recover and recycle.”

PAMSA also appeals to businesses, schools and home to help improve the recycling of office paper. “Put containers at printers, desks and in classrooms to make it easier for people to recycle,” advises Choles.

“By making a few simple changes at home, work and school, consumers can help ensure that paper products get a second life instead of ending up in landfills, which are rapidly nearing capacity.”

Every tonne of recycled paper saves around three cubic metres of landfill space. If baled, the recovered material would cover the equivalent of 218 football fields or 154 rugby fields, fill 1,438 Olympic-sized swimming pools, or stretch 1,797 kilometres if laid end to end – roughly the distance from Cape Town to the Kruger National Park.

Three simple ways to recycle more paper

1. Know what can be recycled

Items such as office paper, cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, magazines, newspapers as well as milk and beverage cartons can all be recycled.
Very wet or dirty paper products, tissues, nappies, and laminated paper should be disposed of as general waste.

2. Keep paper separate, clean and dry

Paper and cardboard should be kept separate from wet or food waste so they remain suitable for recycling.
Remove plastic windows, tape, staples or other non-paper components where possible before recycling.

3. Support local recycling systems

Consumers can place recyclables out for neighbourhood collectors, use municipal recycling programmes where available, or drop materials off at recycling centres or shopping mall recycling points.

According to PAMSA, small actions by millions of South Africans can make a significant difference.

“Every cereal box, cardboard box or office document that is separated for recycling helps keep valuable fibre in the production loop,” says Choles. “By building simple recycling habits, consumers can help South Africa continue improving its recycling rate.”

For more information on how to recycle paper, visit www.pamsa.co.za.

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Driving the Forest-Based Bioeconomy: A Call to Action from the Private Forest-based Sector

SiteAdmin — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:36:45 +0000

Forest-based value chains represent the most advanced and scalable foundation of the global bioeconomy. Through sustainably managed forests and efficient, circular use of biomass, the sector delivers renewable materials, carbon storage & material substitution, biodiversity co-benefits, and quality employment, particularly in rural areas. Recognizing and strengthening the role of the forest-based value chains is essential if bioeconomy strategies are to move beyond ambition and deliver tangible results.

The private forest‑based sector, including forest owners, pulp and paper producers, packaging manufacturers, wood products companies, and emerging bio‑based material innovators, continues to advance sustainable forest management, circularity, and low‑carbon solutions. This reflects work already central to the sector’s daily operations around the world.

Growing demand for renewable, climate‑beneficial materials creates important opportunities across forest product and wood‑fiber value chains. At the same time, policy misalignment, financing challenges, as well as market and raw material uncertainties can slow progress. Strengthening cooperation among governments, academia, industry, and communities—while respecting national policy frameworks and competitive, market‑based approaches—can help unlock further benefits.

Looking ahead, the private sector is welcoming the Vienna Call for Action for a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy and prepared to continue collaborating in several areas, including:

Improving coherence between policy and market reality;
Expanding access to market‑driven finance;
Developing resilient forest‑based value chains by ensuring a stable, secure and long-term supply of raw materials;
Strengthening resilient and productive forests while ensuring ecological and social responsibility;
Scaling up market opportunities for existing wood and wood-fiber products to strengthen competitiveness and substitution effects;
Unlocking new market opportunities for sustainable forest-based products through market tools and policies;
Advancing the full range of wood and non-wood forest products, as well as wood‑fiber solutions—including pulp, paper, packaging, and emerging bio-based materials; and
Encouraging innovation, skills, and knowledge‑sharing across the sector.

This statement reflects a shared interest in ongoing dialogue and cooperation and a collective expression of support for continued engagement in advancing sustainable forest‑based bioeconomy approaches.

About

*Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest-based Industries is a statutory body of the of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

**The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) and the WBCSD Forest Solutions Group collaborate under the major group “Business and industry” Focal Points of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF).

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Meet six young women who are turning science into sustainability solutions

SiteAdmin — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:16:39 +0000

10 February 2026 – South Africa’s pulp and paper sector has been opening doors for a growing cohort of young women who apply science and engineering to making the circular bioeconomy a reality.

Over the past 15 years, the Master’s in Engineering bursary and research programme, established by the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), has seen several young women pursue postgraduate studies in chemical engineering, wood science and related disciplines.

“As a sector centred on the renewability of wood-derived products such as cellulose, paper, packaging and tissue, our students’ research projects enable our members to improve efficiencies and close the loop in the manufacturing process,” says Jane Molony, executive director of PAMSA.

The range of research projects is vast – from putting process by-products and waste streams such as lignin, sludge and even food waste to higher value use – to optimising water and energy efficiency.

“One of our earlier students is Sonja Boshoff, who graduated from the programme in 2015. She is a thriving process engineer in an all-female team at Mpact that is passionate about incorporating innovative technologies and practices to ensure both sustainability and profitability,” says Molony.

Boshoff was instrumental in kick-starting the early research that ultimately led to a bioethanol production project using sludge from the pulp and paper industry. “Paper sludge is rich in organic material such as cellulose, making it a promising feedstock for bioethanol production,” Boshoff explains. Bioethanol serves as a platform chemical in the production of industrial chemicals, bio-based plastics and even sustainable aviation fuel.

“The launch of a bioethanol demonstration plant in 2024 marked the culmination of more than a decade of research by Stellenbosch University’s Department of Chemical Engineering and its Bioresource Engineering research group, which Boshoff was part of,” notes Molony.

Upon completion of her master’s project, Boshoff moved on to the Mpact Innovation Centre in Stellenbosch where she did further research on alternative technologies for the recovery of energy from waste.

Leane de Beer, who completed her MSc in Chemical Engineering at North-West University in 2020, explored a more cost-effective purification method for lignosulphonate, a lignin-derived by-product of the pulping process. Her work focused on converting what is typically a low-value material into higher-value applications, supporting the circular bioeconomy and reducing reliance on fossil-based inputs. Further work on lignin is ongoing at the Sappi Technology centre and Naude is now progressing in her career as a chemical engineer, working on environmental projects, life cycle assessments, simulation modelling and water management plans.

A junior process engineer at Mpact, Mahlogonolo Mafela looked how to optimise energy usage in the paper manufacturing process by researching different levels of vacuum pressure and time to get the optimal dryness of pulp during the formation of paper. She explains that when the mixture is exposed to the vacuum, water can be removed; much like squeezing a sponge filled with water. “We are basically using a vacuum to squeeze as much water as possible, so I wanted to reduce the energy consumption required by the vacuum pressure process but still optimise water removal,” says Mafela.

Kelly Campbell, who holds a BEng in Chemical Engineering and is completing her MEng at Stellenbosch University, is focusing on food waste fermentation for ethanol production. Her work responds to the growing challenge of organic waste destined for landfill.

Instead of going to landfill, this waste could be converted into ethanol through fermentation,” Campbell explains. “That diversion reduces landfill emissions and creates a high-value product with potential in the chemical and transport sectors.” Campbell is currently working at Mpact as an engineer-in-training.

Lerato Tau will be graduating with her master’s at the University of Pretoria this year. “For my project I used thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to measure how certain materials used in the papermaking process behave when heated. Her project sought to study the make-up and thermal stability of feedstocks, process materials and final paper products.

“In simple terms, I’m heating up paper materials and watching how they lose weight as they get hotter,” Tau explains. “Different components break down at different temperatures, which shows up as patterns on a graph. This tells me exactly what the material is made of – how much hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin and char it contains.”

The beauty of her method is its efficiency. Traditional laboratory tests to analyse paper materials can take three days and require dangerous chemicals. Tau’s heat-based approach delivers the same information in about six hours, making it safer, faster and more practical for the industry.

Another example of the circular bioeconomy in action is the work of Gabriela Carzola, now a process engineer in training at an engineering firm. Her master’s project through Stellenbosch University, which recently earned her a distinction, explored methods to convert papermaking reject material into a slow-release fertiliser for trees in commercial forestry plantations.

“The work of these incredible women demonstrates how our sector is driven by sustainability and innovation,” Molony concludes. “By investing in women and girls in STEM fields, we are strengthening the forest-products value chain, supporting a circular bioeconomy with low-carbon alternatives and ensuring that we build a pipeline of young women for our sector’s future.”

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Give Mother Nature the perfect gift – the resolution to recycle more

SiteAdmin — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:41:58 +0000

December 11, 2025 – KeDezemba in Mzansi is not only a season of summer vibes, family time and opening presents – it’s also the perfect moment to clear out our homes and offices, giving paper and cardboard a second life instead of banishing them to landfill.

A tonne of recyclable paper products can save around three cubic metres of landfill space – and South Africa’s paper recycling industry collects around 1.2 million tonnes of paper and paper packaging every year. This material feeds the production of new paper packaging and essential tissue products.

“In total, the paper we recover each year saves approximately 3.6 million cubic metres of landfill space. That’s the equivalent of 1,400 Olympic-sized swimming pools or 212 football fields kept out of our landfills!” says Samantha Choles from the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA).

December 26 – or Boxing Day – was traditionally a time to sort through unused or unwanted items and pass them on to those in need. Today, it’s also the day when cardboard boxes, toy packaging and heaps of wrapping paper tend to overflow from wheelie bins and refuse bags.

This festive season, give Mother Nature a gift by recycling your paper and paper packaging. Every sheet, box and bit of cardboard makes a difference.

Clear those files and piles of office paper

“Office paper remains one of the least recycled paper products in South Africa – largely because documents are archived or stored indefinitely, or simply because of apathy toward recycling,” says Choles.

“If it’s time for you to clear out those files or piles, make sure that paper goes into a recycling bin.” She adds that plastic binders or covers should be removed, as these can damage paper recycling equipment.

Keep a paper recycling bin close by

A study conducted in Australia showed that only 28% of paper was recycled where recycling containers were centrally located such as a copier room. However when recycling containers were placed in near workspaces, the number increase to around 90%.

The same goes for households. Keep recycling bins in areas where you usually throw away paper and packaging such as the kitchen, bathroom or study.

Top tips

Avoid mixing your paper with other recyclables.
Do not let your paper get wet or dirtied by other rubbish. Keep it under cover or in a closed plastic container or bag.
Get to know what is recyclable and what is not. These are recyclable:
- Cardboard boxes
- Cardboard packaging – dry food, cosmetic and medicine boxes; roll cores, packing cartons
- Paper shopping bags
- Magazines and brochures, including glossy varieties
- Milk, beverage and food cartons (liquid board packaging)
- Newspapers
- Office paper
- Paper cups
- Paper gift wrapping without too much sticky tape
- Shredded paper is recyclable, although not always recommended, as it is difficult to bale and shredding shortens the paper fibres
The following paper types should not be put into your recycling bin:
- Foil gift wrapping and foil-lined boxes
- Wax coated or laminated boxes such as frozen food boxes
- Empty cement and dog food bags
- Disposable nappies
- Carbon paper
- Items such as paper receipts, paper sweet wrappers and sticky notes are too small to bale, so it’s best to put these in your refuse bin, or you could use for kindling for your braai!

Sign up to a recycling collection service, find a paper recycling depot, or keep it aside for a local recycling collector.

Some sustainable gift wrapping ideas

Ditch the foil-type gift wrap for more personalised and recyclable paper options.
Create unique gift wrap by decorating brown kraft paper or paper bags with paint or ink stamps, fingerprints, drawings, or handwritten messages.
Wrap your gifts with the plain brown kraft paper or newspaper, tie them with a pretty reusable fabric ribbon, and add some greenery from your garden for a natural, festive look.
Upcycle branded gift bags by covering logos with a drawing, craft paper, or a piece of Christmas-themed paper.

Make a New Year’s resolution to recycle in 2026

If you’re looking for a resolution that truly makes a difference, choose recycling — and not just paper. Glass, plastic and tins should also be kept separate from general waste so they can be recovered, reused and kept out of our landfills.

For more information about paper and paper recycling, visit thepaperstory.co.za

The post Give Mother Nature the perfect gift – the resolution to recycle more first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

Forests, Communities & the Circular Economy: Insights from COP30 of climate change

Sam — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:57:53 +0000

COP30 in Belém saw the first-ever theme days on the bioeconomy. As such, there were an impressive number of sessions and side events that focused on how the forestry sector is championing the circular bioeconomy and calling for a nature-positive economic model that will support a climate-resilient future.

Jane Molony, executive director of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa, was invited to speak at several of these events as a representative of both South Africa and the association.

Commenting on the presence of ICFPA colleagues, “It was wonderful to see NZFOA’s Rachel Finlayson, FPAC’s Kate Lindsay and CEPI’s Malgosia Rybak also participating in numerous side events. All four were constantly roped into events where a speaker hadn’t arrived, or joined in fishbowls or ‘huddles’ when there was no microphone and the Amazon thunderstorms were creating a cacophony of noise to accompany the robust debate on how best to implement the circular, biodiverse forest bioeconomy,” shares Jane.

Learning from nature

At the Brazilian–Belgian hosted Pre-COP30 event held on 7 November 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, the forestry sector played a prominent role in shaping discussions on the circular bioeconomy — an emerging global framework that uses renewable, biological resources to produce food, materials, chemicals and energy in a carbon-neutral way.

Speakers highlighted that while the bioeconomy offers enormous potential for climate action and rural development, its success depends on responsible implementation that protects biodiversity and ensures inclusive benefits for local and indigenous communities.

Reporting on South Africa’s involvement in the G20 Bioeconomy Initiative (GIB), Jane emphasised growing global momentum: “There is real appetite for making GIB a permanent platform, something that transcends the various Presidencies of the G20. Today’s bioeconomy is worth $4 trillion, and by 2050 it could reach $30 trillion. That’s not just growth — it’s a fundamental reshaping of how economies work.”

“Nature’s been running a circular bioeconomy for billions of years — zero waste, constant regeneration, everything feeding something else.

“Our challenge isn’t inventing something new — it’s learning from what works, and finally recognising nature’s value on our balance sheets.”

Speakers agreed that the bioeconomy is only sustainable when it is systemic, integrated and inclusive. If implemented poorly, it risks unintended consequences — most notably biodiversity loss or inequitable benefit-sharing. When implemented responsibly, however, it becomes a catalyst for development, positioning local communities as co-creators rather than bystanders in the transition.

Co-creating thriving forest-based bioeconomy approaches

On 10 November, it was the turn of FAO and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This session — Co-creating Thriving Forest-Based Bioeconomy Approaches — examined the importance of renewable forest products, responsible management and inclusive development in shaping resilient, low-carbon economies.

In the session chaired by FAO’s Amy Duchelle, leaders from Brazil, Austria, Japan, South Africa, CIFOR-ICRAF and FSC Brazil explored how the bioeconomy can unlock climate solutions, equity and innovation.

Speakers emphasised that bioeconomy approaches must be people-centred and nature-positive to succeed — benefiting those who live closest to forests and depend on them for their livelihoods.

Pictured below, from left, are Garo Batmanian, CEO, Brazilian Forest Service, Elfriede More, Austria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, Yutaka Kawashima, Forestry Agency of Japan, Elson Fernandes de Lima Fernandes, Director at FSC Brazil, Dr Alison Castilho, Senior Scientist at CIFOR-ICRAF and Jane Molony.

The striking entrance of the COP30 venue in Belém, Brazil

FAO’s Amy Duchelle with the panellists

Elfriede More, Jane Molony and FSC’s Sharon London

Innovative circular bioeconomy solutions for a sustainable future

On 11 November, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland, together with the World Bioeconomy Association, hosted a session on how circular, bio-based solutions can replace fossil materials and support resilient, inclusive societies. Moderator Jukka Kantola guided a discussion focused on cooperation, innovation and the sustainable use of renewable resources.

Jane Molony, Executive Director of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa, joined panellists Rokiatou Traoré (Herou Alliance) and Claus Felby (Novo Nordisk Foundation) to explore how forest-based industries can accelerate the circular bioeconomy while reducing climate impacts.

Jane highlighted the long-standing role of forests in meeting human needs and driving progress: “Paper, papyrus, fibre, wood — the bioeconomy is billions of years old. It’s the quiet engine behind human progress. But today, the forest bioeconomy is also a climate solution — a circular system rooted in people, prosperity and planet.”

She emphasised that as the climate shifts, the world has a rare opportunity for decadal change driven by adaptation, innovation and circularity — where resources are renewed, biodiversity thrives and economies grow stronger.

Felby concurred: “The bioeconomy is a carbon economy. It’s not new; we’ve had it forever. Then we shifted into a fossil economy, and for a long time we lived in an illusion of abundance. Fossils still play a role, but they’re not the future.

“But we need markets — real markets that can grow, scale and reward progress. We need markets that value biodiversity and ecosystem services. They are the true foundations of a sustainable future.”

Jukka Kantola as moderator with Jane Molony, Rachel Finlayson from NZFOA and Claus Felby from Novo Nordisk Foundation

Build trust, create value in the forest: principles for community engagement and development

On 17 November, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, FAO and FSC hosted a focused session on the importance of community engagement as a core driver of sustainable forestry. The discussion centred on practical principles from WBCSD’s Build Trust, Share Value in the Forest report and explored how meaningful partnerships can strengthen both community resilience and business performance.

Jane again shared the stage with Almir Narayamoga Suruí, Chief of the Paiter-Suruí People; Francisco Ruiz-Tagle, CEO of Empresas CMPC; and Edie Marriner, Senior Associate, Forest Solutions Group.

The session underscored that community engagement is a business imperative. Forestry operations coexist with rural and peri-urban communities whose livelihoods are closely tied to the land. In South Africa — where unemployment is particularly high in forestry regions — the sector employs 149,271 people and supports an estimated 597,000 livelihoods.

Speakers highlighted how investment in jobs, skills development, SMEs, recycling enterprises, small-grower programmes, agroforestry, infrastructure and eco-tourism can create lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Jane concludes, “For the forest sector, community engagement is not a defensive strategy — it is the backbone of sustainable business. When we invest in local jobs, skills, small enterprises and environmental stewardship, we are investing in shared prosperity. Thriving communities and thriving companies go hand in hand.”

Thanks must go to the ACSFI and FAO, as well as the Forest Pavilion organisers. We also appreciate the work of Ross Hampton from the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC) for providing platforms for ICFPA members to participate.

The post Forests, Communities & the Circular Economy: Insights from COP30 of climate change first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

Wits University and Sappi renew forestry research partnership to boost forest resilience to the impacts of climate change

SiteAdmin — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:22:07 +0000

Wits University and Sappi Southern Africa have renewed their research partnership to increase forestry resilience to climate change risks, by extending the Wits Sappi Chair in Climate Change and Plantation Sustainability until 2028.

The new R4.3 million investment was announced during a launch event at Wits on Wednesday (26 Nov 2025). The programme will continue under the leadership of Professor Mary Scholes, with research focused on drought tolerance, fire regimes and tree responses to pests and pathogens in a warming climate.

“Forests are under growing pressure from heat, drought and disease,” says Scholes. “We need data and practical tools to help foresters plan for these changes now – not in 10 years.”

The renewed chair builds on a successful 2023–2025 cycle that provided positive results in supporting forestry resilience. Wits developed high-resolution climate data models tailored for the forestry industry and led a collaborative research project involving three universities and two industry partners. The work, funded by Sappi and the Department of Science and Innovation’s Sector Innovation Fund and supported by Forestry South Africa, took an integrated systems approach to forestry under climate stress. Research included genome analysis, laboratory experiments, pot trials, large-scale field studies and modelling approaches.

Wits coordinated the national project, which aimed to understand and improve how trees respond to drought and other environmental changes.

“I believe that this additional funding has brought researchers together in an innovative and exciting way that I have never experienced in South Africa,” says Scholes.

The Chair also resulted in the development of new methodologies, and instruments and models were developed to better track how trees manage water during drought – a key vulnerability in commercial plantations. The Chair also supported multiple Honours students, two MSc students, two PhD candidates and a postdoctoral fellow.

“The majority of these projects required collaboration, not just between disciplines, but between different universities,” says Giovanni Sale, Head of Sustainability at Sappi SA.

“A single university could not have done this project on its own. They had to create a consortium to work on it in partnership. The results of what we’ve seen, the multidisciplinary approach across the universities, have been an absolute win for us.”

At the launch, Dr Yolandi Ernst, Dr Caroline Hardy and Associate Professor Rob Skelton from the Global Change Institute and the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences demonstrated a new plant mechanistic modelling tool, coupled with climate modelling, to aid in the selection of tree species which may perform well under future heat and drought conditions.

“This platform helps answer practical questions like: which trees should be planted where – and how will they cope in 20 or 30 years?” says Skelton.

“There are critical drought thresholds beyond which trees won’t recover. Our models help identify these risks early.”

Sale noted that Sappi is breeding trees today for climates four decades into the future.

“Trees take up to 20 years to breed and another 20 years to grow, so the work we do now is for conditions that will exist in 40 years’ time. We cannot rely on the traditional way of doing things, which was observation – based on current conditions,” says Sale.

As Hardy’s presentation showed, in 40 years’ time, South Africa’s mean temperature will be around 5 degrees Celsius hotter, with decreased rainfall figures.

Sappi CEO Steve Binnie said the forestry industry in South Africa is globally competitive and a major rural employer, contributing R10 billion to the economy.

“For Sappi, this type of long-term academic partnership is essential. Our business operates on decades-long cycles, and our role as an anchor in the bioeconomy demands that we invest in the science, people and innovation that will shape the resilience of our plantations and value chain,” says Binnie.

Wits Vice-Chancellor Professor Zeblon Vilakazi said the partnership showed how academia and industry can tackle real-world challenges together.

The post Wits University and Sappi renew forestry research partnership to boost forest resilience to the impacts of climate change first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

From Papyrus to Biorefineries: PAMSA at G-STIC 2025

SiteAdmin — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 07:52:03 +0000

In October, Jane headed to Pretoria for a panel discussion on ‘Biomass and the bioeconomy’ at the G-STIC (Global Sustainable Technology and Innovation Community). The conference was the organisation’s 8th and was held in conjunction with the CSIR’s 80th birthday celebrations.

She was asked to look at what the new opportunities are for what is a very ancient bioeconomy, the forest and forest product industry.

I her opening statement, she said, “I represent one of the oldest bio economies in the world. Think shelter, think fire, think food! Our sector has been meeting the most basic of needs since time began, and indeed even allowing for self-actualisation at the top of the pyramid of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, because that is what paper offers you, from Pharaoh’s time when paper was made from papyrus until today when it’s made predominantly from wood fibre.”

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the pulp and paper industry represents a $350+ billion global market that’s part of a broader $663+ billion forest products sector. Interestingly, FAO statistics also state that around 405 million tonnes of paper and paperboard are produced every year and this totals only 13-15% of total wood consumption, yet it provides more than 50% of the value.

The Finnish Forest Industries federation expects the global market for the wood value chain to grow by 175 billion euros from 2022 to 2035, from around 600 billion euros in 2022 to 775 billion euros in 2025. In Africa specifically, the sector is smaller (~$23 billion for Middle East & Africa) because, as we will see, the bioeconomy is not a one-size-fits-all all.

This growth is despite seeing a structural decline in the consumption of graphic papers. A double-digit decline in the EU year after year. Internationally, there is a rising pulp inventory. All are looking at ways to innovate, to add value either through R&D or creative business solutions. Suzano is doing it with KC, with a new joint venture, e.g, vertical integration of pulp to tissue. Everywhere you look, the industry has and is re-inventing itself to survive; it needs to keep doing it. Nordic countries, in particular, have led this evolution; for years, many of their pulp and paper mills have functioned as biorefineries. Although the term is no longer fashionable and those who used it in the early 2000s now talk about offering biomaterial solutions or being part of the bioeconomy!

“So, despite a rocky road, this isn’t a declining industry, it’s a transforming one, with new bioeconomy initiatives driving new growth,” noted Jane.

The panel continued to discuss the most important elements to put the bioeconomy firmly on the agenda for climate change mitigation, particularly in Africa.

The post From Papyrus to Biorefineries: PAMSA at G-STIC 2025 first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

From Mills to Nurseries: Ministerial Delegation Gains Firsthand Insight into Forestry

SiteAdmin — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 07:40:22 +0000

Over two days during National Arbour Week in early September, Sappi, in collaboration with Forestry South Africa (FSA) and PAMSA – hosted now former Minister Dion George, Deputy Minister Narend Singh and a delegation from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to showcase the sector’s efforts in the areas of innovation, local investment, tree breeding and conservation.

The first stop was Sappi’s Saiccor Mill, located near Umkomaas on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast. As the world’s largest single-site producer of dissolving wood pulp (DWP), Sappi Saiccor supplies sustainably produced cellulose to international markets where it is used in textiles, pharmaceuticals, food products and other applications. It was here that the Minister announced that Deputy Minister Narend Singh would take on the forestry portfolio.

The delegation also visited a small community-based timber-growing operation. Small-scale growers form an integral part of South Africa’s forestry supply chain, providing timber to pulp mills and sawmills while supporting rural livelihoods. The Minister expressed delight at meeting smallholder farmers.

“It was a fantastic eye-opener to the DFFE delegation and a reminder to sector representatives of the value of our sector. From the contribution to GDP, rural development, and livelihoods to the growing of a renewable, carbon-storing resource, we are excited about the alignment of priorities between Government and the sector in terms of transformation, localisation, and green economy,” said Jane.

From Tree Planting to Fire Prevention: Exploring Tree Genetics, the Miyawaki Arboretum, and Fire Protection Efforts

Day two included a visit to the Tweedie Research Station and Clan nursery near Pietermaritzburg, which introduced the Minister and his team to tree breeding, genetics and precision forestry as well as tree propagation and seedling production. “Michael Peter (FSA) and I were also honoured to be invited to plant some trees alongside Minister George, Sappi SA CEO Graeme Wild, Duane Roothman, VP Forestry at Sappi and Tebele Makhetha, head of Sappi corporate affairs in the Miyawaki-style arboretum at the Shaw Research Centre,” says Molony.

A Japanese botanist, Akira Miyawaki, pioneered a tree planting method that involves growing indigenous trees in dense clusters to accelerate growth and restore biodiversity within compact spaces. Sappi’s arboretum seeks to be a “living classroom” for plant identification, a sanctuary for local wildlife, ecological restoration and indigenous stewardship.

A stop at the FireHawk camera-based fire detection centre and an aerial fire response facility in Shafton provided insight into the advanced technologies and coordinated efforts safeguarding the province’s plantations and adjacent key conservation sites. Fire poses a massive threat to people, livelihoods, food security, infrastructure, the environment and associated biodiversity. Technology such as remote sensing, HD cameras, weather monitoring systems and aerial and ground firefighting measures have been deployed to actively manage fire risks.

FSA executive director, Michael Peter, added, “In the initial responses made by the Minister and Deputy Minister, they expressed regret that it had taken so long to engage with our Sector and explained the unusually complex challenges of trying to oversee three important sectors like forestry.”

We are sincerely grateful to the minister and everyone who contributed to making this visit a success and the sector looks forward to working closely with the government to drive sustainable growth and transformation.

Jane notes, “All in all, it was a productive and worthwhile engagement. It was especially that the Minister and his delegation were appreciative of the sector’s efforts in addressing the Triple Ps – planet, profit and people.”

The post From Mills to Nurseries: Ministerial Delegation Gains Firsthand Insight into Forestry first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).