Australian Paper has announced a detailed Feasibility Study into the development of a major recycling plant at its Maryvale Mill, and increased access to plantation wood as an update to its 2011 Future Fibre Strategy.
CEO Mr Jim Henneberry said as Australia’s only manufacturer of recycled office and printing paper, Australian Paper had a commitment to employing local workers and using local resources to sustainably produce paper at world’s best standards.
“Currently our recycled fibre is sourced from a Victorian supplier, but due to the pending closure of that plant we are conducting a Feasibility Study for a large recycled pulp facility at our Maryvale Mill,” Mr Henneberry said.
Australian Paper’s Maryvale mill is the largest private employer in the Latrobe Valley. The proposed plant would be an important investment in sustainable Victorian manufacturing, generating employment opportunities during construction and through on-going operations.
Mr Henneberry said if the company proceeded, this investment would significantly increase the volume of premium recycled paper made in Australia.
“By value-adding locally, we would save large volumes of waste paper being sent to local landfills or shipped overseas,” he said.
“Our study will look at all aspects of demand and production and will be completed by August.”
This Feasibility Study is part of the company’s Future Fibre Strategy, announced last year after extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.
Australian Paper’s Future Fibre Strategy includes increasing the amount of plantation and recycled fibre used by the company as well as sourcing wood from sustainable, certified sources including VicForests.
Mr Henneberry said the company has also made significant progress in its plans to increase the use of plantation fibre. Currently almost two thirds of Australian Paper’s needs are met from plantations and recycled waste.
“After extensive trials, we have been able to increase our plantation supply yields and have already begun to take significant additional volumes from a new Victorian supplier. We are also looking carefully at the creation of new plantations close to our Maryvale Mill,”
Australian Paper manufactures Reflex, Australia’s leading brand of office copy paper as well as a wide range of recycled and carbon neutral office, envelope, printing and packaging papers. The company directly employs almost 1,400 people across its operations.
For further information on Australian Paper’s Future Fibre Strategy and local paper manufacturing go to www.onpaper.com.au
