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

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These trees are a renewable resource; planted trees will also be the source of a new generation of innovative forest products and derivatives that are essential to develop a low-carbon economy.

With investments in new technologies, many of these products which are already in the research and development phase will move from the Brazilian tree industry’s laboratories into new markets and different sectors, bringing additional benefits to society as a whole.

The importance of trees in supplying a number of products and services is the subject of the infographic “Planted trees and their multiple uses,” which illustrates the production processes of the forest chain, and the products and derivatives of planted trees.

The post Ibá launches infographic on the multiple uses of wood 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.

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Sappi Limited (JSE),

Feature-rich

The new www.sappi.com features full descriptions of products and services offered; comprehensive award-winning educational materials for customers; in-depth sustainability reporting; easy access to corporate social responsibility efforts like Ideas That Matter; dynamic portals for customers and investors and a prominent social media presence. The site will also feature user personalisation, ensuring that the most relevant information is provided first to frequent visitors.

“A dedicated team of Sappi employees across the world has been working tirelessly over the last year to create a website that not only encapsulates our global 2020Vision, but that serves each of our key stakeholders in a way that is both informative, actionable and personalised,” said André Oberholzer, Group Head Corporate Affairs of Sappi Limited. “Sappi.com is now an essential source of information for all our stakeholders. We’re proud and excited by this launch, but our work is far from done. We’ve laid a solid foundation and will remain dedicated to quality. The team at Sappi will be making continuous improvements for each of our unique stakeholders.”

Two new features: Sappi&You and Investor hub

While the entire website was redesigned, there are two features with increased functionality that offer additional benefits to users. First, the Sappi&You Online portal for European customers offers a personalised online experience for printers, publishers and brand owners. Supported by eCommerce, it provides increased functionality to support our customers. Information is tailored to the customers’ specific needs allowing fast access to transactional information, local specialists, detailed product information, sample ordering or benefit from Sappi’s in depth technical knowledge and support areas. It is not only customers who benefit from Sappi&You Online, companies who would like to learn more about how Sappi&You can support their businesses will find useful information about our co-development approach as well as putting them in touch with our local specialists.

Second, a new hub dedicated to investors will provide background information on Sappi and the industry, as well as regularly updated share pricing, financial results, upcoming financial events, financial presentations and information on the 2020Vision.

Resourceful investment

“We see this investment as a key resource that helps drive our company toward our goal of ‘One Sappi’ – a single global brand,” continued Oberholzer. “With more resources immediately available to our audiences than ever before, and our resulting increased transparency, we will continue our position as a thought leader in the industry. We are excited to enter the next phase of our business strategy, where we will continue to innovate and offer products and services that are of the highest quality to our customers.”

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For centuries, forests have enabled humans to make products to improve their lives and meet their needs. Forests are renewable.  Even in today’s rapidly changing world, forestry is part of the solution to meeting global needs for food, fuel, paper, wood, medicines and other necessary products that improve quality of life for this generation and for those to come. 

ICFPA members support sustainable forest management around the world and are committed to using forest management and manufacturing practices that meet environmental, social, and economic objectives.

“Sustainable forest management is a key strategy and development opportunity,” said ICFPA President Donna Harman. “It enables our industry to leverage the multiple benefits of forests and forest products while meeting the world’s growing demand for forest fiber.”

The global forest products industry also is committed to fighting illegal logging and associated international trade in illegally harvested wood around the world. ICFPA members work with governments, environmental organizations and community groups to implement policies and laws that aim to stop the import and trade of timber that is harvested in violation of respective country laws.

Finally, the ICFPA’s 4^th Sustainability Progress Report (2013) highlights the industry’s progress on a number of key sustainability indicators including the uptake in certified sustainably managed forests, reduction in greenhouse gas emission intensity, the significant share of carbon neutral biomass energy in the fuel mix and a high paper recycling rate.

The ICFPA represents more than 30 national forest and paper associations around the world. Together, ICFPA members represent nearly 90 percent of global paper production and 60 percent of global wood production.

The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa is one of the associations that supports the global effort to promote the sustainable management of forests and timber plantations.

For more information about the sustainability of the forest and paper industry, visit icfpa.org and www.thepaperstory.co.za.

March 20, 2014

CONTACT: Katharine Eaton

(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org

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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.

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The partnership between food processing and packaging Tetra Pak and recycling operation Gayatri Paper Mills ensures the complete, environmentally responsible and friendly lifecycle of the carton from cradle to grave, as 6 000 tons of used beverage cartons per annum are destined for local reuse.

“When the contents are gone, the carton lives on,” says Rodney Reynders, environment cluster leader, sub-Sahara Africa at Tetra Pak. “The unpretentious carton pack goes largely unnoticed in consumer homes worldwide more than 400 million times a day – appreciated for it’s low carbon, low cost simplicity but unrecognised for it’s engineering excellence.”

Tetra Pak’s cartons are made even more environmentally friendly with the introduction of the recycling facility as the impact of every element of the carton’s lifespan is now considered, from responsibly managed forests to use and reinvention as a recycled product.

In addition the multilayer engineering keeps product fresh inside for up to 12 months without needing energy-sapping refrigeration. Milk and juice processing machines from Tetra Pak use the latest technology to save energy and water,while technical processing support to customers focuses on reducing productwaste during the packaging of milk and juice.

The partnership is looking for rapid annual expansion in the volume of recycled material which will be sold backinto local industry. It creates wealth from waste and sustainable local revenues.

This partnership is part of Tetra Pak’s ongoing global programme to boost recycling rates. In 2010 Tetra Pak supplied 158 billion individual packages used by food and beverage companies around the world to deliver over 74 billion litres of milk, juice, fruits and other products to consumers. Thirty two billion used cartons were recycled globally that year which eliminates more than 473 kilo tonnes of waste and provides the base material for a host of new products.

The model is based on established carton recycling businesses in Brazil and seeks to include partners from local businesses to government and entrepreneurs.

Several direct jobs have already been created by the partnership with many more knock-on jobs for balers and collectors. Tetra Pak works closely with local recycling programmes to provide an extensive base for consumers to recycle their household carton waste, both as part of suburban home collection programmes and drop off sites at schools, key retailers and some industrial drop off areas.  Lists of recycling drop off points can be found at www.tetrapak.co.za and www.mywaste.co.za.

Tetra Pak’s aseptic cartons consist mainly of renewable paper board (75%) with the remaining layers of aluminium and polyethylene (PolyAlu) making up 25% of the carton.  Both portions of the used carton waste are 100% recyclable.

Recyclables are collected across the country by waste management and private collection companies who sort them into different materials streams. Carton waste is then baled and sold on to Gayatri Paper Mills for recycling.

Gayatri employs a modified hydro-pulper, not unlike a giant, domestic blender which separates the paper board from the PolyAlu through a cold water friction process.

The baled units are fed, caps and all via an elevator, into the hydro pulper. The hydro pulper blade agitates the cold water solution and within 20 minutes the paper board has become separated from the PolyAlu portions. The pulp is pumped off into the main paper mill where it is turned into cardboard. The cardboard is then converted into boxes that are used to ship milk and juice products into stores for people to buy – a complete, closed loop product story.

The PolyAlu portion that remains is baled and sent for aggromulation into small pelletsthat can then be used to manufacture a wide range of useful products, from cellphone covers, to park benches, school desks and chairs.

 ABOUT TETRA PAK

Tetra Pak is the world’s leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working closely with our customers and suppliers, we provide safe, innovative and environmentally sound products that each day meet the needs of hundreds of millions of people in more than 170 countries around the world.  With almost 22,000 employees based in over 85 countries, we believe in responsible industry leadership and a sustainable approach to business.  Our motto, “PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD,” reflects our vision to make food safe and available, everywhere.

More information about Tetra Pak is available at www.tetrapak.com

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