AF&PA Welcomes New Proposed WOTUS Rule

Earlier this year, BillerudKorsnäs combined with Verso Corporation to create Billerud, a world leading paper and packaging materials company based in Sweden with roots in the forest and paper industry that go beyond 150 years. “One year ago, we developed a strategic plan with a clear goal of achieving profitable and sustainable growth long term by expanding our cartonboard business in North America,” says Billerud President and CEO Christoph Michalski. “We were pleased to find Verso, a leading paper manufacturer in the US, with assets that can be turned into paperboard”. “By converting some of legacy Verso’s assets into premium cartonboard machines, Billerud will increase its supply of high-quality and low carbon-footprint cartonboard for end uses such as cosmetics, pharma and healthcare, luxury drinks and confectionary products, among others, to meet the increasing need for more sustainable packaging materials in North America and beyond,” says President of Billerud North America Rob Kreizenbeck. Sustainable packaging is no longer optional. It’s a must for any brand that wants to future-proof its business.

Metsä Board has achieved A- rating in Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s latest Circulytics® circular economy assessment. The Circulytics® assessment comprehensively measures the extent to which Metsä Board as a company has achieved circularity across its operations. The company scored the highest scores in the ‘Enablers’ category, which highlights a strong strategic priority to transition to a circular business model. The category encompasses strategy and planning, innovation, people and skills, operations supporting the circular economy, and external engagement. This year’s A- score is an improvement from last year’s score of B, and is an encouraging acknowledgement of Metsä Board’s ongoing work of supporting the circular economy in its operations.

The investments of recent years have had a positive effect on both the levels of energy use and CO2 emissions at the Laakirchen paper mill. This improvement is demonstrated clearly by the Paper and Carbon Profiles, which represent the established method within the industry of showing environmental impact and provide an overview of the relevant parameters. Moreover, Laakirchen Papier AG voluntarily commissioned Quality Austria to undertake an examination of these calculations. During 2017, Laakirchen Papier completed a variety of reconstruction and extension measures, in the course of which the raw material used was switched from primary to secondary fibres. This change has contributed greatly to a reduction in the electricity requirement and CO2 emissions during the production of SC paper (product name “Grapho”) to levels that are considerably lower than those prior to the reconstruction and expansion work. Click read more below for additional detail.