Sustainable Purpose
Circular economy
Unlocking renewable resources to support the transition to a biobased, circular economy
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Instead of an economy that sends material to waste in a landfill, the circular economy that Sappi supports keeps material in the loop through reuse, recycling and regeneration.
From reducing the water, energy and waste in our manufacturing processes, right through to innovating to ensure our bio-based paper and packaging products are ever-more recyclable, we’re making great strides in our journey towards circularity.
Woodfibre solutions for a circular economy
Renewable, bio-based origins
Our value chain begins in responsibly managed forests - living systems that store and cycle carbon, support biodiversity, and regenerate over time. For every tree harvested, new trees regenerate, making fibre-based products a vital material within the circular economy.
Eco-effective manufacturing
Many of our manufacturing processes are already circular, incorporating closed-loop systems. These efforts reflect our commitment to maximising resource efficiency and minimising environmental impact.
• Water use: Water is treated and reused multiple times in Sappi processes before being safely returned to the environment.
• Reducing waste: waste and byproducts from manufacturing are minimised, captured and reused - either reintroduced into production or repurposed into other products.
• Energy recovery: Waste materials are increasingly used to generate energy (e.g., biomass or steam recovery), reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Producing circular products
Ensuring our paper & packaging products are both recyclable and recycled is a top priority. Unlike many materials, paper benefits from high recycling rates and the fibres are known to be capable of recycling up to 20 times. This keeps valuable woodfibre in circulation and out of landfill. We’re continuously innovating to create new Sappi products and processes that can further improve the circularity of paper.
Our teams transform what were once considered waste streams into valuable resources, creating innovative bio-based products that fuel the circular economy.
A great example is our use of Lignin, traditionally an undervalued by-product of pulp production, which we are repurposing for a wide range of industrial and agricultural applications.
Fresh & recycled fibres work together
Paper can be made with two types of woodfibre. Fresh fibre, also known as virgin fibre, is made directly from harvested wood, while recycled fibre, true to its name, is recovered and re-used. Both types of fibre work together to keep paper flowing in a circular loop.
From use to reuse
At Sappi, we prioritise the recycling and reuse of materials to reduce waste and support a circular economy. Across our global operations, we find innovative ways to give waste and by-products a second life. Bark, for instance, is used to generate onsite energy globally and in South Africa, it also supports composting and landfill stabilisation. In Europe, dried sludge and ash often becomes a building material, while in North America, lime and boiler ash are repurposed as soil enhancers for agriculture.
Additionally, tall oil, a by-product of the kraft pulping process, is sold as a renewable chemical raw material for products like detergents, lubricants and paint additives. We also recover and reuse coarse pigments from internal broke and coating colour from effluent, reducing reliance on virgin materials.
There is still much work to be done, but the benefits of achieving a truly circular economy are clear – from reduced use of natural resources to less waste and pollution from a product’s end of life.
Misa Bursac, VP Manufacturing, R&D and Technology, Sappi Europe
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