The uMfolozi Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College,  Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) Seta and the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) open Pulp and Paper Centre of Excellence

On Thursday, 31 August  2017 the uMfolozi TVET College, the FP&M Seta and the Paper Manufacturing Association of South Africa hosted the official opening of the Pulp and Paper Centre of Excellence in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal.

The facility will function primarily as a hub for local Pulp and Paper industry initiatives and as a central point for industry employees enrolled in the Pulp and Paper Occupational Programme (PPOP). It will not only serve as an ideal training venue but will provide space for study groups, seminars and meetings.

College deputy-principal Elsie du Toit described how the centre had been born out of efforts to deliver development opportunities for all involved in the paper industry. This includes, in particular, PPOP participants wishing to study further in their respective fields. Describing the project as a ‘true example of partnership between training institution and industry’, she outlined  some of the activities it will facilitate.

These include the research, workplace integrated learning, the administration and management of the PPOP, stakeholder liaison, academic support, and a platform to build partnerships with other TVET colleges and academic institutions.

FP&M Seta CEO Felleng Yende told the gathering that the centre would serve as focus point for PPOP projects which have already been funded to the tune of R3.25 million since 2015.

“Today I can proudly say that more than 300 people have registered and are training to receive the National [Vocational] Certificate in Pulp and Paper.”

She went on to say that despite the advent of the digital era, paper still plays a major role in our daily lives. “For decades, the paper manufacturing industry has contributed greatly to South Africa’s economy, and having been ranked as one of the largest producers of pulp and paper in the world, this industry continues to benefit our people tremendously.”

Ursula Henneberry, operations director of the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa (RecyclePaperZA), reiterated the importance of education, not only for individual development but for the economy and society as a whole.

“The Pulp and Paper Centre of Excellence showcases collaboration, partnership and the goal of excellence in education and makes access to education for current and future industry employees easier. It gives them a place to learn, to grow and to excel.“

The ever growing importance of recycling as a supplier of fibre to the paper-making industry is underlined by the fact that The Paper Recycling Association Of South Africa (RecyclePaperZA) has trained more than 5,000 people through its entrepreneurship courses and enjoys the full collaboration and support of the FP&M Seta.

The Paper Recycling Association Of South Africa

The post Pulp and paper centre of excellence launched in Mandeni, KZN first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

Setting the theme of innovation and sustainability, keynote speaker Bruce Strong (CEO of Mpact) reminded delegates of the importance of the pulp and paper industry to every South African. Through the manufacture of the paper, packaging and tissue products that we each use every day, the industry makes a substantial contribution to the country’s GDP. Local pulp and paper sales of R16.35 billion and pulp and paper exports of R9.2 billion (PAMSA 2012) have helped contribute 7.7% to the Manufacturing GDP (excluding roundwood sales). Furthermore, many rural South Africans are directly or indirectly dependent upon the forestry sector for an income, the key beneficiator of which is the pulp and paper industry.

Another key discussion point at the 2013 TAPPSA National Conference was the lack of public knowledge about the unique contribution that the South African pulp and paper industry makes to the environment. It is little known that it is one of the very few industries in the world to be quantified as carbon positive – meaning that, over the entire supply chain, it absorbs more C0₂ than it releases into the atmosphere.

Beginning at its plantations, the local pulp and paper industry is inherently sustainable. As an agricultural crop, its plantations are cyclically harvested and replanted with in excess of 260 000 trees planted every day. The 762 000 hectares of forestry plantations planted for pulp and paper production act as atmospheric carbon sinks, locking up millions of tonnes of C0₂ in its paper products. Not printing an email in order to save a tree is the equivalent of not eating bread to save wheat, and is a complete fallacy – the harvesting and planting of trees plays a vital role in capturing greenhouse gases and in providing biodegradable and recyclable end-products.

Even its manufacturing processes inherently reduce global warming. As one of the largest producers of renewable biomass fuel in South Africa, the pulp and paper industry avoids the use of 1,3 million tons of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas each year, therefore reducing its carbon emissions significantly too.

In addition to its production of biomass, conference speakers discussed the opportunities offered by CoGeneration in the pulp and paper industry, the feasibility of generating income from a number of by-products and numerous exciting R&D initiatives by research centres such as Sappi Technology Centre, CSIR and the University of Stellenbosch. The conference also included presentations on energy and paper production optimisation within pulp and paper mills by international and local technology leaders Andritz, Metso, ABB, PMT, BASF and Hitachi Power Systems.

While one cannot deny the ease of digital media and electronic technology, it is essential to keep in mind that refraining from using paper products will not save the environment. Instead, the 2013 TAPPSA National Conference & Exhibition has clarified that buying local paper products will not only continue the industry’s important role in scientific research and rural employment, but that the simplest way for any one of us to contribute to reducing climate change is to use paper products.

TAPPSA is instrumental in the sharing and promotion of top technologies and technical skills across South Africa’s pulp and paper mills. For more information on TAPPSA and its activities, visit www.tappsa.co.za. To learn more about the positive contribution that the pulp and paper industry makes to South Africa, visit www.thepaperstory.co.za.

The post Embracing the positives in paper first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).