Environmental Protection
A sustainably responsible production of environmentally friendly cartonboard products and folding carton solutions by using resources in an ecologically compatible manner has always been the focus of our business activities. The major part of the cartonboard we produce is made from renewable and recyclable raw materials. Cartonboard is used to produce folding carton products to protect and sell consumer goods, which are almost fully recyclable after use. The usage of cartonboard as packaging material offers product-related technical and economic advantages and is an ecological solution featuring utmost sustainability.
Our orientation is a long-term one, focusing on our core business. Our goal of establishing the best possible standards throughout the Group as market, cost and technology leader is comprehensive. Consequently we use state-of-the-art technology and continual improvement processes in order to guarantee the best possible quality and efficiency in the production of our products as well as a high degree of competitiveness on our markets. A Groupwide benchmarking between the individual sites is aimed to make sure that best practice is implemented in all plants. This is also beneficial for the protection of the environment, which we are optimizing in the course of a comprehensive approach.
Although we have been ranking among the top performers in Europe for several years now regarding a number of specific consumption and emission values, it is our approach to continually use new potentials. Thus, further improvements are often hardly possible and are subject to technical innovations.
Therefore we continuously monitor the impacts of our activities on the environment and review and evaluate the potential effects new products and processes may have. Hence we comply with the required environmental provisions and create the potential for new improvements. Our activities include the entire supply chain and therefore encompass production downstream and upstream areas, such as purchasing, transport/logistics and consumption.
Our current optimization work is part of the long-term environmental strategy which focuses on pursuing a continuous reduction in specific raw materials and energy consumption. The implementation thereof is systematically supported in division-wide campaigns and environmental management systems which are in place at many sites.
For three cartonboard mills and seven folding carton production sites environmental management systems were certified according to ISO 14001 as of the end of 2011. The Company’s quality management and related improvements are regularly audited in accordance with ISO 9001 throughout the entire Group. In addition, all cartonboard mills and folding carton production sites serving the food industry are certified in accordance with the hygiene management standard HACCP and at the same time comply with the European standard EN 15593.
For several years now, we have been documenting the transparent use of virgin fibers from sustainably managed forest through the certification of all MM cartonboard mills in accordance with FSC and PEFC. In line with the Chain-of-Custody certification (traceability within the entire value added chain), twelve MM Packaging production sites are also FSC and/or PEFC certified.
Periodic recertifications documented continuity on a high level also in 2011.
The mills within the EU received the carbon dioxide emission certificates with regard to the use of fossil energy valid until 2012. Like in the previous years, there was no shortage as of December 31, 2011.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURES IN 2011
MM KARTON
Energy
Similar to previous years, in 2011 we initiated a number of projects in which the energy efficiency of the individual systems and processes could be improved even further. Here, the main focus was on the employment of new, more efficient power units, in particular in coating equipment, and on the implementation of new concepts such as machine drives.
Water
The development of our new cartonboard grades was realized with a minimization of total water consumption. The mills Gernsbach and Hirschwang were particularly affected by the innovations in the purification systems.
Waste
By considerably reducing rejects and getters, the Hirschwang mill was able to significantly
improve its fiber utilization. Furthermore, we looked into the possible application of sludge
treatment in the fertilizer sector.
Radiation protection
In the rather sensitive field of radiation protection, we have appointed radiation protection officers.
MM PACKAGING
In 2011 again, the optimization measures of MM Packaging centered above all on increases in productivity and improvements in material efficiency. Improvements from an environmental protection point of view focused on reduced consumption of raw materials and energy as well as the prevention, reduction and recycling of residues. Special attention was paid to the utilization of odorless, tasteless and low migration inks.
Detailed information regarding environmental protection is provided in the environmental statements of Frohnleiten and Hirschwang can be obtained via e-mail from investor.relations@mm-karton.com or by calling +43/ 1 50136 91180.
