Annual Report 2012 - Investor Relations

30Sustainability ReportEnvironmentThe judicious use of resources is a central component of our philosophyfor preserving an intact environment. Critical environmentalconsiderations in the production of paper are: first and foremostthe output of waste water and the consumption of energyand chemicals relevant for environmental pollution. In order tominimise these factors, we have invested substantially in the innovationand development of new products and in improving ourproduction processes. We intend to expand and fortify our innovativecapability in the future and in doing so additionally strengthenour environmental performance. In order to send a clear signalwith regard to climate protection and energy efficiency, we havedeveloped target agreements in concert with the Swiss EnergyAgency for Industry (EnAW) on reducing power consumption andCO2 emissions and in 2012 successfully had our environmentalmanagement system recertified to ISO 14001.Products that contribute to a smaller ecological footprintIn all product categories we work hand in glove with specialists andin our laboratories to constantly improve compliance with ecologicalrequirements. For example, where possible we use renewableraw materials for the BARnamic product line in order to producepapers with barrier properties that protect against the action of watervapour and/or oxygen. Replacing aluminium or using halogenfreepackaging materials (e.g. PVdC) enables additional energy savingsto be achieved and the environment to be protected. Cham’sflexible BARnamic packaging solution was the recipient of the ZugInnovation Prize in 2012. With LeafKraft we have also been able todevelop a new generation of flexible packaging material that is fullybiodegradable and compostable. In the area of sublimation papers,by changing over to FSC input stock in the Transjet product familywe are also able to make a contribution to forest management thatis more eco-friendly, socially acceptable and sustainable.Resource-efficient productionA key basic requirement for products that are truly sustainable isminimised material and resource consumption. We utilise our existingpotential and optimise our operational processes with thegoal of minimising our ecological footprint. In the production ofour products we recycle the resulting paper waste back into theproduction process. This makes sense from both an ecological andeconomic point of view and is very successfully practiced withinthe Cham Paper Group.The 2012 financial year at Cham was characterised by restructuringand redimensioning. The shutdown of the first production plantfor the manufacture of base paper took front and centre stage. Thisshutdown was instrumental in reducing our energy consumptionand green gas emissions. The following developments also had apositive impact on our environmental performance: the replacementof our air conditioning system with an adsorption coolingsystem powered by the heat given off in the production process,the installation of a roll transport system for shortening transportdistances, and the reduction of leakage in the compressed air network.On the whole, electrical energy consumption was successfullyreduced by 7,718 MWh and thermal energy consumption by69,352 MWh. CO2 emissions dropped by 5,747 tonnes.By virtue of downsizing operations at Cham, we will be forced tofurther optimise production so as to ensure continued efficient energyuse in the future. Our goals will remain ambitious and areaimed at an annual reduction of 1% of specific fuel (20 kWh/t) andpower consumption (9 kWh/t).Sustainable production and information policyAll of Cham’s products feature information on safety and acceptability.All the raw materials and process materials used in theConsumer Goods segment are carefully inspected and tested andverified as being food safe and suitable for direct contact withfoodstuffs and complying with the respective product requirements.The Cham Paper Group provides additional information toall those interested in the form of technical factsheets, which areavailable for all of Cham’s products. Specific responses to customerqueries about BfR 1 or FDA 2 approval can be backed up bythe relevant documents. Queries with regard to REACH 3 or theGerman Packaging Ordinance (transposition of the EU PackagingDirective) are responded to by us in writing. For special productswe provide information on request pertaining to the source of theindividual components. As for innerliners we abide by our contractualobligation to disclose the product composition. The FSC logoon our orders of materials, delivery slips, invoices and the productsthemselves point to our adherence to environmental aspects..1German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment2U.S. Food and Drug Administration3EU Chemicals Directive