News
International Day of Forests 2023
As society looks for more planet-friendly ways to live, it is becoming increasingly clear that we will need to develop a more symbiotic relationship with our forests. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), forests cover 31% of the world’s land surface, store an estimated 296 gigatonnes of carbon and are home […]
South African chemical engineering student among top three in prestigious global award
Despite women making up around half the world’s population, female researchers constitute 33% of researchers globally and only 35% of all students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Technology (STEM) related fields of study are women. This has not stopped 25-year-old South African Leane Naude who clinched third place in the 2022-2023 Blue Sky Young Researchers […]
How the paper industry is the epitome of the circular economy
How the paper industry is the epitome of the circular economy JOHANNESBURG – October 27, 2021 – Even before extended producer responsibility (EPR) was mandated by the South African Government in May 2021, the pulp and paper manufacturing and recycling sector has been embarking on process and production innovation to reduce its environmental footprint, divert […]
Sappi collaborates with WWF-SA for water security
Sappi has entered into a Water Stewardship agreement with WWF-SA (World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa), aimed at improving the water security in the uMkhomazi catchment area. With its significant manufacturing and forestry footprint in this catchment area, which forms part of the Southern Drakensberg Strategic Water Source Area in KwaZulu-Natal, it makes sense […]
Government issues packaging design guidelines for comment
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment has published the Packaging Guideline: Recyclability by Design for Packaging and Paper in South Africa. Stakeholders and members of the public are invited to submit their comments within 30 days of the notice, i.e. 6 November.
FSC® Friday 2021: 24 September “Save our Forests. Save our Climate”
What solutions will COP26 bring to the climate change debate? The world waits with bated breath as the international score card will be completed on signatories’ progress in achieving their climate change goals. As the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and its supporters celebrate its international name day, FSC Friday, on 24 September, FSC reconfirms its […]
Forest Sector Charter Council announces three vacancies
The Forest Sector Charter Council (FSCC) has vacancies available within its organisation. If you are interested in any of the positions, you are invited to apply in writing…
Paper industry association opens applications to BSc students for its bursary and research programme
The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) Masters of Engineering bursary programme is now open for applications for the 2022/2023 intake. A limited number of students will have the opportunity to further their master’s studies at participating universities by way of a R260,000 bursary over two years. For the past decade, PAMSA has presented […]
Paying tribute to the bicycle as it grows tourism and takes us back to nature
As we celebrate World Bicycle Day on 03 June, Sappi salutes this humble, yet inspirational mode of transport, which helps to bring to life some rural economies through tourism and recreational activities. Following a particularly difficult year where people have faced the restrictions and isolation of lockdown, the trails on Sappi’s property which are used […]
News
How harvested wood products can create climate friendly solutions
By Jane Molony, executive director, Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa Despite misinformation to the contrary, using wood from sustainably managed forests to make things like paper and packaging can help the environment. With Earth Day coming up on 22 April, the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) argues that using harvested wood products […]
New study on impacts of EU packaging regulation shows a blanket approach on re-use may have unintended consequences: higher CO2 emissions & costs
Brussels, 6 April 2023 According to a press release issued by Cepi, a new in-depth study, merging data from various sources, finds that imposing strict reusable packaging targets by 2030 will severely impact the EU’s climate footprint, as well as consumers’ budgets. This is on the back of the European Union looking to adopt the […]
FOREST21 Exceeding Expectations
FOREST21 is a collaborative project between five South African and three European universities aimed at strengthening capacity across South African higher education institutions offering forestry programmes. The initiative recently received great praise from Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Maggie Sotyu, at a stakeholder engagement workshop. “FOREST21 illustrates the true spirit of […]
International Day of Forests 2023
As society looks for more planet-friendly ways to live, it is becoming increasingly clear that we will need to develop a more symbiotic relationship with our forests. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), forests cover 31% of the world’s land surface, store an estimated 296 gigatonnes of carbon and are home […]
South African chemical engineering student among top three in prestigious global award
Despite women making up around half the world’s population, female researchers constitute 33% of researchers globally and only 35% of all students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Technology (STEM) related fields of study are women. This has not stopped 25-year-old South African Leane Naude who clinched third place in the 2022-2023 Blue Sky Young Researchers […]
Survey Find That 41% of South Africans own fewer than 10 books.
Acclaimed author Stephen King once said that “books are a uniquely portable form of magic”, yet for millions of South Africans, that magic is inaccessible. A recent survey by the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) found that 41% of the respondents own ten books or fewer. Some 80% of those who completed the […]
PAMSA’s Collaborative Talent Pipeline Initiatives Start to Reap Rewards
Lack of awareness around the employment opportunities in the pulp and paper industries, combined with the challenges of South Africa’s poor education outcomes, have led to a talent shortage, but the industry’s collaborative efforts in addressing this are being rewarded. The partnership between Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), industry, academic institutions, and government […]
Two South African young engineers to progress to global round of Blue Sky Awards
Two young South African researchers have won the local segment of the global Blue Sky Awards, and will now progress to competing against 12 international peers from seven countries. Qiniso Ngiba, a chemical engineer by training, and currently a junior research engineer at paper and packaging manufacturer Mpact, and Leane Naude, who is currently completing […]
The power of paper showcased at restaurant awards
On Sunday 20 November, the country’s top chefs and restaurateurs were celebrated at the 2022 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards in Cape Town. After a two-year hiatus, the illustrious event saw some of South Africa’s respected culinary professionals applaud the people and places that make our mouths water. Behind every great chef or every marvellous […]
New survey finds that paper and print are as relevant as ever
Are paper and print dead? According to 82% of South African consumers, paper is still a part of their daily lives Johannesburg, November 15: Contrary to popular belief, society is far from being paperless. Despite the ubiquity of electronic communication, a recent survey conducted by the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) found that […]