Papier Masson Ltd

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Press Box

National Environment Week

Papier Masson commits to sustainable development

Le Droit, June 2, 2001

The construction of the new thermo-mechanical pulping (TMP) plant at Masson-Angers has propelled Papier Masson into the forefront of technology in the pulp and paper sector. But the new plant, operational since July 2000, has also made it possible to improve the company’s already gleaming performance as regards environmental protection.

“The new mechanical process is much cleaner than the former chemical process. And it reduces the discharges into the environment to almost nothing,” noted Daniel Lemire, Environment Engineer at Papier Masson Ltée.

This effectiveness is observed especially in the area of water consumption. “With the former process, the plant consumed 78 cubic metres of water per tonne of paper produced. With the TMP process, it consumes only 47 cubic metres of water per tonne,” indicated Mr. Lemire. This means that the plant—even with its increased production—takes 40% less water from the Lièvre River.

The thermo-mechanical pulping process also makes it possible to improve the purity of the effluents discharged back into the river. “In 1995, when a secondary treatment system for wastewater was implemented, the plant eliminated 98% of the organic matter that would otherwise have been discharged into the river,” explained Yves Arseneault, Health, Safety and Environment Manager. “With the new process we have cut the last two percent by more than two thirds.”

As for atmospheric emissions, upgrading to the TMP process helps to reduce acid rain by eliminating the emission of sulphur dioxide (SO2). The greenhouse gases have also bee reduced by halving the amount of fossil fuels being burned, such as fuel oil and natural gas. In addition, the electrical energy used in the new process is converted to heat. “We have a heat recovery unit that generates steam, which is then re-used,” clarified Mr. Lemire.

“About 90% of the electrical energy that we use for producing pulp is recovered in the form of steam, and this steam is used in the paper manufacturing process,” added Mr. Arseneault.

Residue and biosolids

It may also be noted that Papier Masson runs a host of programs for salvaging, recycling, re-using or reclaiming 98% of the plant’s residue. Even sawdust and cardboard are no longer wasted.

The residue from the pulping and papermaking processes, called biosolids, is recovered after secondary treatment and is converted to compost or agricultural-use fertilizer. These biosolids are comprised of small wood fibres and organic material found in wood residue.

“These biosolids are a wonderful fertilizer and they give off little odour because of the mechanical process,” clarified Mr. Arseneault. “It’s our way of returning to the earth part of what we have taken from the forest.”

All these improvements tie in with sustainable development. “One of the plant’s key priorities is to ensure that our industrial operations have no adverse effect on the environment,” stated Mr. Arseneault. “And although we are still doing much better than the minimum standards imposed by the laws and regulations, we are always on the lookout for practical ways to improve even more,” he said.

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