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World & THE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW FOR THE PULP AND PAPER WORLD PULP & PAPER 2013

2013 SUSTAINABILITY

Quantifying the contribution of the chemical supplier in sustainability By Simon Rogers, Corporate Account Manager, Buckman

Papermaking in its simplest form is a sustainable process. It uses , a Despite significant advancement in renewable resource, and produces a product that is 100% recyclable and practices, the paper biodegradable. Indeed, the paper industry has become significantly better at industry itself is still under increasing communicating and promoting the sustainable nature of its product. pressure to improve its profile in terms The sustainable qualities of paper, a key differentiator when compared to the of sustainable metrics. The scope available alternatives (e.g. plastics, non-wovens and electronics), have been a of measurements has increased to driver for increased demand. A good example is the packaging industry where, include things like Life Cycle Analysis although linked to the global economy, continue to increase because the well- (LCA), and corporations can be held informed consumer balances the factors of cost and the best ecological alternative accountable for the practice and in the environment. ethics of the suppliers selected by the Sustainability is not a new requirement to the industry. It is, and always has business. The result is that provenance been, good business practice to ensure the continuing source of raw materials, to and transparency throughout the maintain positive media relations and to avoid regulatory fines by adhering to local entire supply chain is now high on the environmental legislation. But sustainability is much more; it is a commitment, a agenda. noble goal that encompasses all of these factors and more under one umbrella Sustainable reporting and term. accreditations through non-profit organisations like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), UN Global Compact and indices like the WWF and world stock markets sustainability index (to name but a few), although voluntary, have seen a very high level of adoption by papermaking organisations, and there are many other sector specific accreditations which address different areas of the business, such as Sustainability , carbon emissions, is not a new management and supply chain requirement management. to the Sustainability is not only a industry. differentiator in the global marketplace, It is, and it is also a business driver and a fundamental requirement which must always has be measured, reported, assessed and been good improved upon. Corporations that do business not embrace the continuous drive for practice to more sustainable practices are not ensure the only targets for NGOs and poor media continuing publicity, but according to widely held source of opinion, they are unlikely to be in Figure 1. Drivers of sustainability raw materials business long term.

46 WORLD PULP&PAPER There is a strong financial case for sustainability as the cost of energy increases and, in some parts of the world, water resources are scarce. Similarly, the financial penalties for emissions (e.g. Carbon tax / land fill costs, etc.) indicate a more sustainable business should enjoy lower operational costs. Market share is key as retailers bow to the pressure of consumer choice and take the most recognised or highly accredited sustainable option. As a chemical supplier to the paper industry, Buckman have always held sustainable values at their core. The company was founded in 1945 based on the development of an organic biocide which gave the industry a much needed alternative to existing mercury- based . Today Buckman continues in their commitment to creating more environmentally friendly products from renewable sources. With a full Figure 2. Globally Buckman employ a set of 8 Business Management Standards at our larger customer catalogue of products for the pulp and sites as part of our Account Management Programs paper industry we endeavour to ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT in greenhouse gas emissions) treatment programs for our customers PROGRAMS • Improve productivity (reduction in that yield a greater financial return The purpose of these 8 Business sustainable metrics per tonne of with lower environmental impact whilst keeping safety at the forefront. Some Management Standards is to production) examples include: maintain customer satisfaction by • Improve bleaching response (reduced • Market leading position in the delivering agreed-upon, measurable contribution to AOX levels in waste development and application of improvements in efficiency, safety, and water) enzyme technology performance. • Reduce cationic additives that can • 2 EPA Presidential Green Chemistry The chemistries used in pulp affect aquatic species Challenge Awards for enzyme and papermaking operations are • Natural products with very low carbon , the most recent predominately valued for problem footprints awarded in June 2012 solving, improving efficiencies and • Development of naturally-based reducing operational costs. But these There is Bufloc®/Bubond® - Polymers for products from soy, , and treatments often deliver a measurable a strong retention/drainage/dry strength citrus sources sustainable benefit such as reduced financial • Improve utilisation rates • Organic coagulants energy consumption, reduced water case for (yield/lower basis weight for strength • Phosphate-free scale inhibitors requirements) use, decreased emissions, or higher sustainability • Process application equipment for yields. Buckman are able to define and • Improve discharge water quality as the cost water reuse record the sustainable contribution – (chemical oxygen demand/total Buckman are a customer-intimate some examples of which include: of energy suspended solids) organisation, and like the pulp and increases • Decrease energy needs and demands through drainage and paper industry, we were faced with the Maximyze® - Enzymes for strength and in some similar challenge of getting the message moisture improvements (reduction in development parts of the out to our customers and aligning our • Allow for higher usage of recycled greenhouse gas emissions) approach to sustainability with the waste paper content (lower usage of world water •  Improve productivity of existing approaches our customers had already - virgin fibre) resources are facilities (reduction in sustainable developed independently. • Reduce energy in refining (reduction scarce metrics per tonne of production

WORLD PULP&PAPER 47 SUSTAINABILITY

Busperse® - Cleaners Other factors will affect the prioritisation including risk involved and external • Enzymatic or biodiesel cleaners influences such as regulation. that pose no environmental impact (replacing solvents, caustics and acid based cleaners) • Improve efficiency and lower environmental footprint • Lower Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to discharge These are just a few examples, but there are many more which illustrate how chemicals can impact Figure 3. Buckman have established a way to assess process and water systems sustainability. The value definition can and implement improvements that will help make the operation greener. The be varied for different industry sectors. process consists of four distinct steps that revolve around the concepts of Reduce, Tissue mills, for example, may Reuse and Recycle. place greater value on lower drying temperatures and reduced refining One of the key differentiators of this approach by Buckman is that we have also

energy which impact CO2 emissions. developed tools to identify, monitor and report the sustainable benefits in terms of And packaging mills may value strength Return on Environment (ROE). properties at lower basis weight to Buckman’s sustainability guide is an interactive reference manual which helps achieve lower raw material usage and our associates to identify and develop programs for sustainable benefits. This reduced CO2 emissions throughout the supply chain to the retailer. means that before we start a chemical trial on a machine, we have identified a Buckman believes so strongly in number of potential financial and environmental benefits of the program. These the value of sustainability that we can be baseline monitored pre-trial so that improvements in sustainable metrics have invested in our people, with can be recorded and quantified. sustainability training for every field One of the key issues for translating trial information is to convert the data associate around the world. This means into a meaningful sustainability number. Energy converted to CO emissions, our associates can discuss the desired 2 for example, will vary considerably and is entirely dependent on the source of goals of a corporation specifically with each customer on-site, and how energy and the type of fuel. Buckman have developed a proprietary sustainability Buckman can contribute to achieving: calculator which allows us to input the variables and make accurate conversions of • Reductions in water, energy or raw trial information. material usage • Reductions in emissions to air, land The sustainability calculator converts all of the data collected to meaningful or water sustainability metrics in five key categories; • Improvements in process efficiency • Carbon emissions (CO e) which lead to lower sustainable 2 metrics per tonne of paper produced. • Water savings Tissue mills, The 7th Business Management • Environmental water quality (e.g., COD / AOX) Standard, holding regular business may place • Reduction of waste material reviews with our pulp and paper greater • Reduction in the use of natural resources customers, gives us the format to value on The sustainability calculator tracks data over the short and long term and actively determine and record the lower drying generates a monthly report of sustainable values which our applications have customer’s continuous improvement temperatures delivered in the pulp and papermaking process. At Buckman, Green is our colour, and our commitment. Buckman’s global objectives. and reduced Once projects are identified, they sustainability initiative is a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship, refining are prioritised through consultation social leadership and financial responsibility. Our goal is to find the sustainable according to the financial Return on energy which path, not only for ourselves but also for our customers. Through Buckman Investment (ROI) and the sustainable impact CO2 Green we are committed to helping our customers make the most of greener Return on Environment (ROE). emissions technologies and solutions.

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