News

Packaging and paper manufacturers have been invited to take part in a pilot scheme to create a carbon emissions framework for the UK paper industry.

The Paper Industry Technical Association (PITA), which is leading the Carbon Circles initiative, is in discussions with paper mills to develop a foundation for the scheme, which seeks to measure a plant's "entire carbon footprint".

PITA is in talks with a number of paper and packaging mills across the UK, including Aylesford Newsprint and M-real in Sittingbourne.

It will also hold a packaging-related session at Bury College, Lancashire, on 21 November, with representatives from a number of mills, including Mondi's Holcombe plant and Smurfit Kappa SSK, it said.

According to PITA, the average UK paper mill consumes 4,000kWh of electricity per tonne of paper produced, leaving "considerable scope" for energy reduction.

Project manager Barry Read said: "Carbon will definitely go down the same path as quality and environmental standards, such as ISO 9000 and 14001.

"I would love to think this project would lead to a carbon management standard. It could be huge."

Read said there were also plans to develop the scheme into a Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) for paper industry workers.

Richard Bloxham, head of marketing communication at sector skills council Proskills, said: "The paper industry's occupational standards are not comprehensive or are running out of date."

The £32,800 initiative, which will run until April 2008, is part-funded by a £30,000 grant from the Carbon Trust.