Henry Coppens Technical Specialist, Energy, Climate Change and Footprinting Sappi South Africa

Transcription

1 Henry Coppens Technical Specialist, Energy, Climate Change and Footprinting Sappi South Africa

2 A thing, device, machine, giant factory? WOW factors 1. Makes own energy 2. Guzzles Carbon Dioxide 3. Can Re-use its product 4. Outputs (products, waste) biodegradable 5. Contributor to Life itself 6. Quarter mile times

3 Sappi Plantations!

4 1. Makes own energy use of renewables Sappi SA is the LARGEST producer of renewable fuel in SA. Has been so for the last 40 years. Sappi SA uses GJ renewable biomass energy/annum (audited information) This has replaced the use of tonnes coal/annum Equivalent to replacing tonnes of fossil CO 2 /a. 40% of all energy used in Sappi SA is derived from renewable biomass fuel. In the last 5 years we have increased this from 32%. We have projects to increase this to 65-70% in the next 5 years significantly reducing our dependence on Eskom.

5 2. GUZZLES GHGs and Locks up carbon BIOMASS - ONLY means for consuming GHGs Synthetic CO 2 storage/conversion processes expensive and inefficient Trees most efficient species for consuming GHGs X FAR Sappi plantations are one of the largest built and developed GHG clean-up devices in the world. A Super efficient greenhouse gas guzzling and life giving oxygen producing machine.

6 2. GUZZLES GHGs (cont.) Our paper mills draw wood from this huge machine! ha plantations This machine absorbs 13 million tonnes CO 2 annually This machine produces 8 million tonnes O 2 annually Sappi in the top 5 of the worlds greatest commercial OXYGEN producers. If it were not for the forestry industry world wide operating over 150 years the GHG level in the atmosphere would be 5% higher than it is at present. USA National Council for Air And Stream Improvement (NCASI)

7 2. GUZZLES GHGs (cont.) Forestry industry vs all other: ITS ABILITY TO TAKE UP CARBON FROM THE ATMOSPHERE Sugar nearest, short lock up - can t recycle sugar AND LOCK IT UP. Others (plastics) have a very high lock up carbon rate - far, far too high. This carbon comes from a limited resource. fossil carbon Carbon in paper comes from an infinite resource. renewable carbon THIS MEANS SAPPI IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW CARBON POSITIVE COMPANIES IN THE WORLD

8 2. GUZZLES GHGs (cont.) WHAT DOES CARBON POSITIVITY MEAN? Overall: Sappi absorbs more GHGs than it releases into the atmosphere! HOW DO WE PROVE ALL THIS? IN AN INDEPENDENT, AUDITED WAY?

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11 The Myth - The paper industry is a major net carbon emitter. The FACT - Taken as a whole industrial forestry has a positive carbon footprint Australian Print and Packaging Chairman Presentation, Jan 2011:

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13 3. Re-uses its input 80% of kraft (brown) packaging paper in SA recycled 3.5 million t of waste paper consumed in SA Recycling extends the Carbon Lock-up period for Paper 0 CF No segregation 6-7 times. Informal sector

14 4. Biodegradation (comparison with Plastics) Paper Products readily biodegradable Cause no harm Wild flowers The Star Feb 2007 Bruma Lake after heavy thunderstorm

15 4. Biodegradation Some examples of periods for Biodegradation Product Banana peel Paper Sisal Rope Sugar cane pulp products Wool socks Cigarette filters Tetra packs (paper with plastic lining) Plastic bags Nylon Styrofoam (packing, cups, punnets) Tin cans Time taken to biodegrade (aerobic/anaerobic) 2 / 10 days 1 / 5 months 3 / 14 months 1 / 2 months 1 / 5 years 1 /12 months 5-15 years Structure breakdown : 2-6 months, degrade 1000 / 2000 years years > 450 years 50 / 100 years

16 5. Contributor to Life itself Paper causes the production of oxygen = life Paper products: renewable, recyclable, naturally biodegradable Paper products: contribute to life on earth and clean up the atmosphere Plastic products: hinder life on earth and mess up the atmosphere and the environment. Which one do YOU want to be part of??

17 5. Contributor to Life - water and land Plantations: just like any other agricultural crop activity in SA 98% is all exotic little indigenous (Rooibos) 90% of SA crops requires expensive irrigation infrastructure in order to be viable. Sappi Plantations need no irrigation growth is entirely independently sustainable Only difference: Plantations take moisture as they receive it - local rainfall Rest of agriculture does this but ALSO takes it from somewhere else: Dams and rivers Boreholes (very slowly renewable)

18 5. Contributor to Life -Water and Land Use (cont.) Species, rain fed tonne rain required for growth / tonne CO2 absorbed Tonne CO2 absorbed/ha/ annum SA Eucalyptus fibre Cotton fibre Maize pits Wheat grains Sugar cane mollasses Source: calculated from Sappi Chemical Cellulose brochure (audited), Carbon content data sheet, PAPTAC.

19 6. Very Fast!!! PLANTATION GROWTH Growth rate NH, Tropical 100 years So, this means: Canadian Douglas Fir 210 mm 60 yrs. SG: Pinus Elliottii 210 mm 10 yrs. SG: The trees in our plantations are ready after 12 (gum) to years (pine). 6-8 X faster CO 2, O 2 All this at approx. 1/6 th the land area of Northern Hemisphere & Tropical forests.

20 Conclusion If You buy or use 1 ream (500 sheets) of SA duplicator paper : You will absorb 900 g CARBON DIOXIDE AND! Your will release 650 g OXYGEN If you use imported copier paper, the amounts of CO 2 absorbed and O 2 will be less by 80% (i.e. 4/5ths!)

21 Conclusion (cont.) CO2 storage/absorption systems Expensive, operational? THERE IS A BETTER WAY, A MUCH BETTER WAY Create a demand for paper products! PLANT MORE TREES! How? Commercial, demand. How?

22 Conclusion WHO CAN MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN? YOU GUYS! BE PART OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTION NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM

23 CHOOSE PAPER!

24 One more thing! Please consider the environment before printing this GO AHEAD - PRINT A MILLION OF THE DAMN THINGS!!! And do your bit for cleaning up the atmosphere and the environment. THANK YOU!!!! Any questions?