International Paper to Further Improve Water Footprint at French Saillat Mill

International Paper Co., Memphis, Tenn., USA, says it will begin implementation this summer of a project to reduce water emissions at its Saillat Mill in the French Limousin region and offer customers an even more environmentally friendly product portfolio. IP had announced the project earlier this year, which involves an investment of some EUR 20 Million. The project is expected to be completed in 2015.

 

At its core, the investment involves advanced technology to extract an improved quality of fiber from wood by using a smoother process. The new process leaves fibers more intact, resulting in even higher quality paper, and at the same time further reduces water emissions by another 30% from the already very good levels the Saillat mill is achieving today. 

 

"We’re well known as a leading manufacturer of entirely locally produced high quality value-added paper grades that meet the highest sustainability standards," says Eric Chartrain, VP and GM for IP’s European papers business. "Generating a reduction of another 30% of the Saillat mill’s water emissions and supporting local manufacturing of a product that customers want, this investment is another example of International Paper’s commitment to bringing the sustainable and circular economy to life."

 

The investment will allow IP to offer an even greater choice of top notch products to customers. It follows other investments into the company’s service capabilities and modernization of its paper machines at the Saillat facility in recent years. 

 

The project is supported by local and national French and European agencies, notably the European Union (through the Limousin Region) and the Loire-Brittany Water Agency.