Environmental Protection
In addition to product-related technical and economic advantages, the use of cartonboard as a packaging product also offers an ecological packaging solution marked by utmost sustainability. It is based on the use of renewable resources and shows the
highest recycling rate as well as low carbon dioxide emissions.
The Mayr-Melnhof Group’s business operations have been concentrated on the environmentally friendly production of cartonboard and packaging solutions for decades now. Cartonboard is made from recycled fibers which are complemented by virgin fibers. This cartonboard is processed to high-quality folding carton packaging for consumer goods which can be recycled almost completely. Thus, the principles of recyclability have always been an integral part of our business model.
In a competitive environment, the economical use of resources is decisive. This is why we always apply the best technologies available for all our production processes. This helps us to ensure the greatest possible efficiency and quality for the manufacture of our products. The environmental protection measures we take usually also cover any upstream and downstream areas. An internal benchmarking process ensures that best
practice models are speedily implemented within the Group.
Due to the ongoing optimization in the Mayr-Melnhof cartonboard mills, we have been achieving optimal values on an European level for many specific consumption and emission figures for a long time now. Thus, further improvements are hardly possible or are subject to technological innovations.
The current optimizations in the area of environmental protection mainly concentrate on further savings in the consumption of raw materials, energy and in the logistics area. Environmental management systems, which are implemented in an increasing number of sites, systematically support this process. Roughly half of the cartonboard production as well as four folding carton sites were certified according to ISO 14001 as of December 31, 2008. In addition, all MM Karton mills are certified in accordance with the internationally recognized forest certification system FSC “Forest Stewardship Council“ (MM Karton, Frohnleiten COC- 100129A, MM Karton Hirschwang COC-100129B, MM Gernsbach COC-100129C, FS Karton Neuss COC-100129D, Karton Deisswil COC-100129E, Kolicevo Karton COC-100129F, Baiersbronn COC-003964 and Eerbeek COC-807021) and according to PEFC “Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes“. Group-wide audits according to ISO 9001 are taking place in order to continuously improve quality management. Furthermore all cartonboard mills and folding carton facilities that serve the foods industry are certified in accordance with the HACCP hygiene management system. Since 2008, GMP, “good manufacturing practice” has also been co-certified in cartonboard production. The importance of workplace safety was accounted for by the certification of further mills in accordance with OHSAS in 2008.
The mills within the EU received the carbon dioxide emission certificates in connection with the use of fossil fuels. As in the years before, there were no shortfalls as of December 31, 2008.
In 2008, a general focus of the Group was on the continuation of the REACH regulation “Safe use of chemicals” and the Traceability Directive “Traceability of raw materials” as well as on the realization of environmental and food-law-related requirements for packaging.
Carbon Footprint
The Mayr-Melnhof Group complies with the framework of CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industry), which developed a uniform approach for the calculation of the carbon footprint, which amounts to roughly a ton of fossil carbon dioxide emission per produced and processed ton of carton. The information shown is to help consumers to assess the effects of the production process and of the product on the environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURES IN 2008
MM KARTON
Energy
The division-wide initiative “e.fficiency” to reduce the specific energy consumption, which started already in 2007, was continued with priority. The installation of low energy units, use of waste heat and insulation measures are just a few examples of the various individual projects.
Water
In the mills Frohnleiten and Deisswil, the water quality was further improved (e. g. reduction of the amount of phosphate). In Gernsbach, the water treatment was optimized by using sand filters. In Baiersbronn, an essential decrease in the residues of
wastewater treatment was achieved.
Chemicals
The main emphasis was on quantity savings by optimizing the formulations as well as on storage safety.
Noise
Noise reductions were reached by using covered drive systems as well as by sound insulations for roof ventilators.
CO2
With the combined transport from Frohnleiten to North Germany, the carbon dioxide emissions were reduced.
MM PACKAGING
In connection with the ongoing measures taken to increase the efficiency of materials and productivity, environment-related optimizations were in particular made in the areas of energy, water and solvents. The energy projects mainly focused on climate control, waste heat recovery, insulations as well as compressor and vacuum systems. Improvements in relation to the use of water mainly concentrated on the installation of osmosis systems. For solvents, the focus was mainly on procedures for the optimization of consumption and recovery.
Detailed information regarding environmental protection is provided in the environmental statements of Frohnleiten, Hirschwang and Deisswil can be obtained via e-mail from investor.relations@mm-karton.com or by calling +43/ 1 50136 91180.
