A dedicated team of South African environmentalists, Andrew Zaloumis, Nicolette Forbes, Bronwyn James and Peter Gardiner, scooped two awards for their work in conserving Africa’s largest and oldest proclaimed estuarine system.

The team has worked together over decades to ensure that one of the world’s greatest natural treasures will endure for generations to come.

At the National Wetlands Indaba at the end of October, Zaloumis, founder CEO of iSimangaliso, and Gardiner, Mondi’s group natural resources manager, received the South African National Wetlands Society Stewardship Award.

The award recognises the significant contribution that Zaloumis and Gardiner have made towards securing effective and sustainable management of the Lake St Lucia estuary and associated wetlands, through a partnership that saw key land being brought under conservation in order to conserve wetland health, eco-services and biodiversity.

Colleagues Bronwyn James, senior manager: research, policy and planning at iSimangaliso and Nicolette Forbes, managing director of Marine and Estuarine Research, were also recognised for their work on the restoration of the Lake St Lucia Estuarine and Wetland System.

They received the Wetland Science and Research award for making a significant contribution towards wetland scientific research that provided a sound basis for informed management action to restore the Lake St Lucia estuarine system.

Key drivers

The two projects are key drivers to the conservation and restoration of the 350km² Lake St Lucia estuarine system, a global natural wonder and one of South Africa’s poorest regions.

‘It takes an extra-ordinary combination of bold management, vision, scientific knowledge and research, financial acumen and a deep understanding of the social and economic dynamics within communities living on the margin to reverse the devastating effects of decades of human intervention on multiple sensitively-balanced ecosystems that have co-existed for centuries and together created a place of natural wonder and beauty,’ said Nicolette Forbes.

Arguably, this is one of the largest restoration initiatives of its kind.

Elephants, buffalo and African serval or Savannah Stalkers now roam where 20,000 ha of commercial plantations used to exist.

Grey crown cranes, known indicators of a healthy wetland and grassland habitat, are back and breeding, alongside Secretary birds and waterbuck in rich wetlands that were covered by plantations not so long ago.

Lake St Lucia is now receiving fresh water from the uMfolozi River after 60 years of being separated from it.

Negative impacts reversed

The knock-on effects of significant negative ecological and livelihood impacts are beginning to be reversed, and the system is starting to show signs of healing after the removal of some 12000ha of plantations and 1.3 million cubic metres of dredge spoil.

The desiccated lake bed that as recently as 2016 could be traversed on foot, is now covered with water.

Andrew Zaloumis comments, ‘Lake St Lucia and its wildlands are now looking, smelling and feeling like a true African park, providing refuge for many rare, endangered and endemic species, as well migrant estuary-dependent invertebrates, fish, 50% of South Africa’s water birds and South Africa’s largest crocodiles and hippo population.’

‘Significantly, in the context of this turn-around, people are able to reconnect with nature, giving communities access to and equity in conservation, and providing sustainable income and employment to some of the most impoverished communities in the country.’

Community benefits

The Lake St Lucia estuarine and wetland system supports some 8 000 direct tourism jobs and accounts for some 7% of KZN tourism GDP.

The restoration of this globally significant wetland complex contributes to the livelihoods of some 80 000 people living in 15 000 households situated within 15km of the system, who rely significantly on the eco-system services it provides.

In his acceptance speech, Andrew Zaloumis recognised the work of Terri Castis, Prof Derek Stretch and Prof Ticky Forbes, acknowledging the value of the work implemented by people like Terri Castis, whose business and financial acumen built the foundation on which the projects were able to function as successfully as they did.

Paraphrasing Al Gore, Zaloumis said,’In conservation, fight like the world depends on it, because your children’s world does.’

Source: Zululand Observer. Original article penned by Larry Bentley

The removal of the pine and eucalyptus trees on Western Shores

Andrew Zaloumis, Bronwyn James (iSimangaliso GEF Project Manager), Nicolette Forbes (Estuarine Ecologist, Marine and Estuarine Research) PHOTO: Larry Bentley, Zululand Observer

Elephants in the rehabilitated area

The post Local Lake St Lucia team scoops South African Wetland Awards first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

   “Paper, in its countless forms, touches our lives every day and it’s a relationship that often goes unnoticed. We use it without a second thought – from our first cup of coffee and morning ablutions, to eating yoghurt, popping our vitamins or putting on lipstick.”

So says Jane Molony, executive director of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) in the association’s inaugural progress report. “Paper products are an enabler. Without them many industries would not be able to convey their messages, ship their products and deliver their goods. As the basis for tissue, paper is a bathroom essential and helps to improve lives through personal hygiene. As a medium through which learning is facilitated, paper educates and informs,” she adds.

Telling the fibre story

PAMSA’s industry report, Paper in Perspective 2016, tells a number of stories – the economic story, the sustainability story and the recycling story. It also delves into PAMSA’s efforts in the education, training and research space, and entrepreneurship training for recycling collectors.

Presented in an easy-to-read format, facts are abundant. Did you know that South African paper makers’ forests are home to 600 million carbon-absorbing, oxygen-giving trees? Or that only 9% of a plantation is harvested a year and that on average 260,000 new saplings are planted every day to replace what has been harvested?

Paper in Perspective 2016 clearly highlights how wood, pulp and paper – collectively fibre-based materials – are not only renewable but that their cellulosic foundations are taking the industry into new frontiers.

Cellulose used as a fibre additive in food and as a preservative in processed foods. It can be applied in the manufacture of cellphone and laptop screens, as well as through nanotechnology in automobiles, aerospace, defence and medical science.

Sustainability at the centre

The foreword – penned by PAMSA chairman and CEO of Mondi South Africa Ron Traill – sets out in no uncertain terms the value of the industry to the South African economy. In 2015 alone, paper, pulp and other associated products contributed R28 billion to the local fiscus and a significant R4.5 billion to the country’s balance of trade.

Crucially, more than 150,000 people are currently employed in the value chain from tree planting to paper making and recycling. Encouragingly, an estimated 38,000 work formally or informally in the recycling sector.

Valuable reference document – available on paper and online

Paper in Perspective 2016 is a one-stop guide to the South African pulp and paper making industry, its members and the vast scope of their activities. As a reference document, it will be of great value to industry commentators, journalists, economists, educators, students of all ages and people considering making a career in a vibrant and technologically advanced industry with an exciting future.

Naturally the publication has been printed on certified, sustainably produced paper, but is also available for download – and desktop printing.

The post Sustainability at the centre of paper manufacturers’ inaugural report first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

Vienna, 06 October 2014 – Mondi’s recycled brands NAUTILUS® SuperWhite and NAUTILUS® ReFresh have been awarded with the Buyer’s Lab (BLI) performance certification based on independent testing across numerous digital imaging devices.  Buyer’s Lab (BLI), the leading global independent office products test lab and business consumer advocate, tested the NAUTILUS® papers on a total of 15 different office document imaging devices (including copiers, printers, fax machines and multifunctional products) representing Canon, Epson, Kyocera, Ricoh and Brother and evaluated the results based on paper dust, runnability (curl, double-sheeting and misfeeds), image performance, packaging and cut defects. According to the certificates awarded, both NAUTILUS® brands have proven to be highly reliable, with excellent performance related to image quality, dusting and curl.

“I can confirm that both Mondi papers – NAUTILUS® ReFresh and NAUTILUS® SuperWhite – have been awarded BLI’s Performance Certification, which means that it has delivered very good results across a wide range of devices and brands in BLI’s testing program,” says David Sweetnam, BLI Head of European Research and Lab Services.

Beyond awarding the performance certification of NAUTILUS®, BLI has also chosen to use the NAUTILUS® brands for its ongoing lab testing. “All of BLI’s Environmental Testing on a wide range of imaging devices is conducted with Mondi NAUTILUS® Refresh Triotec 30% and NAUTILUS® SuperWhite 100% recycled papers, both of which are quality-grade recycled multipurpose papers. A number of other Mondi media types, including NAUTILUS® SuperWhite are also used in BLI’s Public and Custom testing, and they have always delivered outstanding quality and reliability,” confirms Dr. Simon Plumtree, BLI European Managing Editor.

“Having purchased NAUTILUS® recycled paper from Mondi for several years now, I have to say that the consistent quality performance of the brand is excellent. We’re satisfied and more importantly, our customers are satisfied. Can’t ask for more,” says Hanspeter Albrecht, Head of Marketing, Berberich Papier, sharing a customer perspective.

“We were thrilled to receive the external verification of our high quality recycled NAUTILUS® papers. It is one thing if we say we produce excellent recycled papers, but another thing entirely if an independent body and customers confirm it,” says Johannes Klumpp, Marketing & Sales Director, Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper. “The clear benefits for users – less machine wear and reduced maintenance costs – are combined with an excellent eco-profile and externally verified. So there are no compromises between quality and environmental benefits. It doesn’t get any better than that,” concludes Klumpp.

More information about Mondi’s recycled paper portfolio is available at: www.mondigroup.com/nautilus

The post Mondi’s recycled NAUTILUS® Papers Awarded Buyers Lab Performance Certification first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

The new PM7 – on the leading edge of technology

Located in the heart of Europe, just north of Prague with an annual paper capacity of 155,000 tonnes, the PM7, which will produce white kraft paper, took just thirteen months to build. Construction involved no fewer than 550 truckloads of machinery parts and 2,000 cubic metres of concrete, as the machine weighs 6,000 tonnes. The €70 million investment has created around 60 new jobs in Štětí.

The paper produced by PM7 will be used for the following applications: Industrial Bags, Shopping Bags, Consumer Bags, Protective Packaging, Coating & Lamination, Ream Wrap and other high quality wrapping.

Outstanding product features: Stronger. Smoother. Perfect printability

The top former allows a higher ratio of soft wood pulp to be used for excellent strength and it ensures even formation and profiles. The shoe calender ensures enhanced printability at high gloss, and delivers bulk, stiffness and caliper. The combination of top former and shoe calendar is a unique set-up which ensures low roughness values.

The technical capabilities of PM7 offer clear advantages for the converting industry and end users. Thanks to excellent printability and surface properties there are more branding options. For example, the smooth surface results create an outstanding gloss and print appearance. The paper grades produced on PM7 also have a low breakage rate, optimised strength, high tear resistance, impressive bulk, caliper and porosity properties.

In addition to offering outstanding product features, the new PM7 meets high environmental standards. It will have a positive environmental impact due to the integration of the pulp to paper production process without the intermediate steps of drying and transporting of the pulp. Consumption and emissions will be significantly reduced as a consequence. Sustainability is a key element of PM7, as reflected in pulp production with an ECF bleaching process, the use of PEFCTM-certified wood, non-toxic chemicals and the recycling of all waste products. ˮAt Mondi, sustainability goes hand in hand with quality and efficiency throughout the development and production processes. Creating sustainable added value for all stakeholders is one of Mondi’s core principles and is a key element of its overall strategic and responsible approach to good business practice” says Clemens Willée, CEO Mondi Packaging Paper.

For more information see: www.mondigroup.com

The post Next-generation Paper Machine PM7 Goes Live first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).