Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
provided by 
8.19.2008 - 02:00pm ET
News from:
Neenah Paper
Neenah Paper Turns Up the Heat with Biomass Fuel System for Whiting Mill
Facility Will Convert Wood and Fiber Waste into Steam Energy
(CSRwire) ALPHARETTA, GA. - August 19, 2008 - In one of its boldest green initiatives
yet, Neenah Paper has contracted to convert wood and fiber waste into steam
energy to power its largest fine paper mill. The Neenah Green: Change Comes
from Within environmental campaign gave impetus to the development of
broader mill-based solutions such as this state-of-the-art facility.
Located at the company’s Whiting Mill, the fossil fuel-free steam energy
system will be built by Vision Power, a Florida-based independent energy
services company, and is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of
2009.
Biomass is a green, sustainable resource consisting mainly of wood and
fiber waste. Unlike fossil fuel combustion, which takes carbon that was
underground and puts it in the atmosphere, the use of biomass as an energy
source recycles carbon, so the net effect is that no new carbon dioxide is
added to the atmosphere. The biomass energy project creates a closed loop
system where the source of the steam energy is waste originally identified
for landfill disposal as well as waste from the mill’s own production
processes and, as a result, the expectation is to emit zero net direct
carbon dioxide at the Whiting Mill.
"We are the leading premium paper company in North America, and with that
comes a level of accountability that we have not only chosen to meet, but
to exceed. Our Whiting Mill was an obvious choice for this project because
it represents over half of Neenah's fine paper production, including the
company's CLASSIC CREST(R) and CLASSIC(R) Linen flagship brands," said
John O'Donnell, President, Fine Paper.
"Our commitment to the environment is based on real internal change such
as investing in innovative, energy-efficient upgrades and manufacturing
processes versus simply buying carbon credits. This project supports that
strategy and complements existing initiatives already in place at our
other manufacturing sites where we burn biomass and utilize local hydro,
solar and wind power."
With the project, virtually all of the direct energy produced at the
Whiting Mill will be from fossil fuel-free, renewable sources. The project
will reduce Neenah Paper's carbon footprint by approximately 42,000 tons
annually—the equivalent of taking 8,408 average-sized cars off the road
for one full year,* while also reducing energy costs at the Whiting Mill
as a result of shutting down its current gas-fired boilers.
"We fully recognize our responsibility in managing the natural resources
that are used in manufacturing our premium papers, and we will continue to
lead the way in our industry in managing those resources in a sustainable
and productive manner," concludes O'Donnell.
Third party certifications also play an important role in validating
Neenah Paper's Neenah Green initiatives. Many of Neenah's heritage and
flagship brands are FSC Certified (SW-COC-000885), Green Seal Certified,
and made Carbon Neutral. Neenah Paper is also a member of the Chicago
Climate Exchange, a legally binding system in which participation is a
testament to Neenah's willingness to be held accountable to ongoing
reductions in carbon emissions that are certified by an unbiased and
credible third party.
For more information visit www.neenahpaper.com, call
1-800-558-5061, or contact your local authorized Neenah Paper
merchant.
About Neenah Paper
Neenah Paper manufactures and distributes a wide range of premium and
specialty paper grades, with leading positions in many of its markets and
well-known brands such as CLASSIC(R), ENVIRONMENT(R), STARWHITE(R),
NEENAH(R), ESSE(R) and other fine brand names. Neenah Paper is a proud
consumer of Green Energy and is a U.S. EPA Green Power Partner. Neenah
also manufactures many brands carrying the Green-e, Green Seal and Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC) certifications (SW-COC-000885).
* Source: Environmental Defense Fund Paper
Calculator
For more information please contact:
Jamie Saunders, Fine Paper Marketing
Neenah Paper Inc.
www.neenahpaper.com
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