Metsä Board to restore fish migration routes

Diversey has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NatureLoop, a Kuala Lumpur-based organization dedicated to addressing the global plastic waste crisis. The partnership focuses on upcycling single-use plastic waste into new, useful products. Amrinder Sethi, country business director for the Philippines and Malaysia at Diversey, and Brandon Chong Chee Wing, Founder and CEO of NatureLoop, formalized the collaboration. The signing was witnessed by Sherif Fahmy, vice president for Southeast Asia at Diversey, and Siew Zhi Zhou, designer and production manager at NatureLoop. As the global plastic waste problem intensifies, this collaboration aims to transform used plastic containers from Diversey customers into sustainable products like coffee tables, stools, wall clocks, tissue boxes, sports medals, and decorative items. Under the MOU, NatureLoop will collect between 200 to 500 kg of empty plastic containers from Diversey customers each month, with support from Diversey Malaysia. These containers will be processed at NatureLoop's local facilities to create high-value upcycled products.

Stora Enso will invest EUR 94 million to grow in renewable materials and to increase competitiveness in consumer board and biomaterials. EUR 52 million will be invested to increase the dissolving pulp production capacity at Enocell Mill and EUR 42 million to enhance the availability of the chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP) at Imatra Mills. Both mills are located in Finland. Enocell Mill, part of the Biomaterials division, will be converted to focus entirely on production of dissolving pulp. The softwood pulp production will be gradually discontinued after the investment. The mill will have a total capacity of 430 000 tonnes dissolving pulp annually, whereof 185 000 tonnes hardwood and 245 000 tonnes softwood dissolving pulp. The investment is scheduled to be completed during the second half of 2019. It is expected to exceed the Biomaterials division’s profitability target, operational return on operating capital (ROOC) of 15%, and to have a positive impact on sales. The investment at Imatra Mills, part of the Consumer Board division, includes a new CTMP drying and re-pulping plant as well as extension of the pulp warehouse. This aims to enhance the availability of CTMP and to drive the commercialisation of micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC). Due to its high strength and 100% renewable raw materials, MFC is designed to outperform fossil-based materials, such as plastics, in a variety of applications. The project is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2019. The investment is expected to exceed the Consumer Board division’s profitability target, operational return on operating capital (ROOC) of 20%, and to have a marginal impact on sales. Click Read More below for additional information.

Two Sides have been actively challenging organisations which use greenwash to mislead consumers regarding the environmental benefits of alternative media. They have done this by requesting that organisations carefully consider their messages and the potentially misleading anti-print and paper statements that are being made such as: ‘go paper-free and do your bit for the environment’ or ‘e-billing is more environmentally friendly than the traditional paper bill’. It is important, when organisations promote products and services, that they do not damage the Print and Paper industry and jeopardise the livelihood of the many thousands of people employed therein with possibly misleading statements. Two Sides have been reacting to misleading statements whenever they arise and engaging with major corporations and organisations. 2 months into the campaign and Two Sides report very encouraging results. Of the 25 organisations identified and challenged in a campaign that started at the end of May, 20 have responded favourably and removed the misleading claims.