Buckman Wins EPA's Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award
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During recent ceremonies in Washington D.C., USA, Buckman, Memphis, Tenn., was presented the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the EPA for its Maximyze® enzymes comprised of natural catalysts to reduce energy and decrease the amount of wood fiber needed to manufacture high quality paper and paperboard. The award, the second for Buckman, is in the Designing Greener Chemicals Award category. This is the 17th year of the EPA awards program that recognizes the design of safer and more sustainable chemicals, processes, and products.
Buckman's Maximyze technology consists of new enzymes and combinations of enzymes that allow for more sustainable production of paper and paperboard with improved strength and quality. These enzymes are derived from renewable resources and produced by fermentations rather than typical chemical reaction methods. As Buckman notes, Maximyze enzymes provide a completely new way to increase paper strength. Previously, the papermaker was limited to the costly process of adding different pulps, increasing mechanical fiber treatment that requires significant energy expenditure, or using various chemical additives of which many are derived from non-renewable resources.
"We are proud to be recognized by the EPA for our work on Maximyze with this prestigious award," said Buckman Chairman Kathy Buckman Gibson. "Buckman is dedicated to serving our customers by providing innovative product and process solutions, while at the same time maintaining a culture committed to a sustainable future. We strive to use our knowledge to help make the world a better place for all. This award is particularly rewarding to us because it reflects success in both sustainability practices and product innovation."
The name Maximyze refers to a group of products developed and sold by Buckman that are comprised of carefully selected and designed enzymes, derived from natural sources, that modify cellulose fibers. This technology is now being applied successfully in many paper mills around the world.
"We congratulate Buckman on receiving this prestigious and well-deserved award," said Suhas Apte, VP, Global Sustainability for Kimberly-Clark. "As Kimberly-Clark continues to pursue innovation to help us deliver against our challenging sustainability goals, we are encouraged to see our valued supplier partner recognized for its development of Maximyze enzymes, which offer Kimberly-Clark the potential for fiber choice flexibility and reduced energy usage."
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