EVOLVE Closing The Loop

M-real have developed an environmentally responsible approach (era) to papermaking at their New Thames mill in Kent. The era concept is a genuine commitment to minimise the impact on the environment at every stage of production. Central to era is the production of EVOLVE, a range of 100% recycled papers. EVOLVE offers a unique opportunity to consumers who wish to close the paper loop within the UK.

Explore the era papermaking process by rolling your cursor over the images below.
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Where does the recovered paper come from?

Up to 180,000 tonnes of waste paper is diverted from landfill every year. The proximity of the mill to major sources of waste paper minimises emissions and fuel use from unnecessary transportation. The recovered paper is sorted to ensure the quality is not contaminated by low grade waste such as newspaper and cardboard. This guarantees the quality of the recycled paper produced.

Is all the recovered paper turned in
recycled fibre?

No. Paper is made from about 70% fibre and 30% non-fibre ingredients added to improve opacity, smoothness, whiteness and print quality. The state-of-the-art RCF plant breaks down recovered paper, separating the fibre for de-inking. Fibres can only be recycled 5 . 7 times before becoming too short for recycling. These by-products are called sludge.

Where does the recycled fibre go?

The remaining 105,000 tonnes of recycled fibre is pumped directly to the paper mill, eliminating the need for any road transport. The fibre is used to produce EVOLVE - 100% recycled papers in A4, A3, folio and reels.

How does the paper mill minimise its environmental impact?

Papermaking uses a lot of water. The mill reduces the amount of water it takes from the environment by re-using and recycling at every stage. Water is used twice in the mill and then piped to the RCF plant for further use.

What is EVOLVE paper suitable for?

EVOLVE papers are white, clean and smooth, delivering results comparable to virgin fibre papers. EVOLVE Office is ideal for volume copying and printing, internal use and draft documents. EVOLVE Business is ideal for high profile communications, corporate stationery and external use.

Where does the sludge go?

Each week over 1000 tonnes of sludge from the RCF plant is treated. It is then either distributed to local farmers as a rich agricultural spread or used in the on-site Waste to Energy Burner to generate additional power for the RCF & paper mill.

What about the waste water?

Once water has been re-used as much as possible in the mill and RCF plant it is treated at the on-site Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). After the cleaning and oxygenation process, micro organisms and enzymes are added. On its release it is more life sustaining than the existing river water.

What about the local environment?

Water released into the River Swale is now cleaner than before the WWTP plant opened and has encouraged an abundance of wildlife to return to the area.

Where does all the energy come from?

The Combined Heat and Power plant (CHP) uses gas, the cleanest fossil fuel, thereby minimising emissions. The CHP is highly efficient in its use of gas, a limited natural resource, and provides energy for the entire site.