In terms of total consumption of energy, pulp and paper is third among industrial sectors; only the refi ning and chemical industries consume more. However, environmental impact is affected not just by the amount of energy consumed, but also by the type of energy. On average, US pulp and paper mills derive nearly two-thirds of their energy needs from renewable sources that are considered carbon neutral. Sappi’s mills derive nearly 80 percent of their energy from renewable resources.

Every year, the SFI Implementation Committees pool and distribute resources, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to various organizations in support of conservation, research and education. Since 1995, SFI participants have collectively contributed over $1.6 billion to conservation efforts.

Our wood procurement group for the Cloquet Mill supports numerous conservation projects through direct funding and in-kind resources, as well as through the collaborative efforts of the SFI Implementation Committees in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

In 2016, Sappi Limited established a new global business, Sappi Biotech, to accelerate our response to consumer demand for renewable products with a low carbon footprint.

Sappi took a major step forward in September 2017 toward efforts to expand its biorefi ning expertise with the acquisition of Xylex® and Versalac® technologies, owned by Plaxica Limited.

Through this transaction, Sappi has acquired the sugar clean-up technologies, patents, know-how, equipment and key technical staff of Plaxica Limited.

Significant upgrades were recently made to the headbox on the No. 12 Paper Machine at the Cloquet Mill, including improved dilution control.

The modifications will result in improved sheet flatness and roll quality. The previous headbox controlled basis weight through slice lip profi ling, where the shape of the discharge nozzle is defl ected slightly to spread the fiber evenly across the machine.