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VPK Packaging Group NV endeavours to conduct all its activities in a sustainable manner and, in doing so, always minimise the impact on the environment in compliance with the applicable environmental legislation, respecting the quality of life, the safety of the environment and the economic goals it has set itself.
This striving was put into practice by the start and implementation of our environmental management system. During the first half of 2008, this system was certified according to the ISO 14001 standard.
During 2009 the system was further optimised and improvements implemented.

VPK PACKAGING GROUP NV aims to continue to set the standard for sustainable enterprise. It intends, in operating and developing all its activities, to minimise its impact on the environment at all times, in compliance with applicable environmental legislation, continuing respect for quality of life, the safety of the environment and the economic goals it has set itself.

In 2009, OUDEGEM PAPIER NV, in consultation and agreement with local residents and the supervising authorities, took new action to further reduce possible odour and noise pollu-tion. By locating 2 new muffled steam outlets centrally in the site, it also reduced the noise pollution of the energy department for local residents. The removal of the cyclone and the installation of a system of conveyor belts for removing paper snippings in the corrugated board department at Dendermonde, has resulted in a further reduction of possible noise pollution and a significant saving of primary energy.

OUDEGEM PAPIER NV likewise undertook in 2009 to cover up other potential major sources of noise, and to clean and wash the air from these buildings.

Raw Materials

Recycled paper is a raw material that can be reused several times. Oudegem Papier N.V.(Dendermonde) processes approximately half of the paper collected in Flanders into paper for packaging material.

Water

Thanks to the implementation of the best available techniques, our water consumption per tonne of produced paper is the lowest in the world. The water purification system installed in Oudegem uses the most advanced processes, and is one of the most efficient in the sector.

The extension of the water purification facility with the installation of a second anaerobic reactor was further optimised during 2009. In this way, OUDEGEM PAPIER NV succeeded in reducing the concentrations of organic compounds in the process water recycling system. The possible odour pollution from internal water circuits is thereby largely remedied.

The biogas produced in these reactors is additionally used as fuel for the combined production of heat and electricity.

Production of biogas (green energy)

In Oudegem, Belgium, we burn the biogas that is produced during the wastewater purification process in our coal boiler. The steam produced is then expanded in a steam turbine. To obtain a higher electrical output, we installed a biogas engine in 2005. The heat generated by the engine’s combustion gasses is recovered and used in the production process.
In 2008, we extended the wastewater purification system with a second anaerobic reactor.
The biogas produced in this reactor is used as fuel for the combined production of heat and electricity (CHP).

At the end of 2009 an alliance was set up with the aim of locating a solar energy facility on the sites at Aalst and Deerlijk with a combined annual capacity of 1800 MWh. The solar panels will be installed on the factory roofs and the green energy will be used locally in the production process.

Energy and CO2 emissions

As an energy-intense company, VPK Packaging Group NV is committed to bringing or maintaining its energy efficiency up to or at the world’s highest level by 2012. According to the Kyoto Protocol, Belgium’s emissions of greenhouse gasses in 2008-2012 must be 7.5% less than in 1990.
Phase 2 of the energy-benchmark convenant commenced in 2008 was developed further in 2009. In the area of energy efficiency, the study was completed to determine how far away the company is from being among the worlds most energy efficient companies. The measures to equal these world top companies by the end of 2012 were set of, the new energy plan as established in consultation with the competent authority. After implementation of this energy plan, Oudegem Papier NV will be one of the world’s most efficient plants for the production of packaging paper.

Emission

The power station in Oudegem (B), originally a coal kettle, was adapted in 2007 in order to enable the combustion of recycling residues. The installation was also equipped with a flue gas purifier.
Through the further optimisation of the incineration facility for recycled residues (wood, textiles, plastic), OUDEGEM PAPIER NV succeeded in producing 5,000 tons less waste. The residues come from the old paper and cardboard that are used as raw materials for paper production.
The flue gas cleaning system, which has been brought into use together with the incinerator facility, has ensured a continuing reduction in the emission of pollutants into the air. emissions of SO2 have been reduced by 80%, NOx by 65% and there is 95% less dust. Using the recycling residues as a fuel in our energy generator furthermore results in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

OUDEGEM PAPIER NV has set itself the target of evaluating all remaining residues and eliminating deposits completely. All energy would then be used in the production process under the form of steam and electricity.

Waste Management

In our plant in Oudegem (B) only recycled paper and cardboard are used as raw material for the production of paper. Recycling residues coming from this preparation are divided into the combustible and the non-combustible. The combustible such as wood, textiles and plastics are burned in our power station. As a result, approximately 5,000 tonnes less waste was dumped.
All waste fractions in Oudegem are collected separately (iron, inox, construction waste, paper & cardboard, wood, …) and removed. Most of these fractions are used in recycling processes. Paper and cardboard waste from both our offices and our production & packaging departments are recycled in the production of new paper.
In the future, we endeavour to further valorise all remaining and not yet combustible residues and avoid rubbish dumping entirely.

Research and Development

In our plant in Oudegem (B) only recycled paper and cardboard are used as raw material for the production of paper. Recycling residues coming from this preparation are divided into the combustible and the non-combustible. The combustible such as wood, textiles and plastics are burned in our power station. As a result, approximately 8000 tonnes less waste was dumped in 2008.
All waste fractions in Oudegem are collected separately (iron, inox, construction waste, paper & cardboard, wood, …) and removed. Most of these fractions are used in recycling processes. Paper and cardboard waste from both our offices and our production & packaging departments are recycled in the production of new paper.
In the future, we endeavour to further valorise all remaining and not yet combustible residues and avoid rubbish dumping entirely.