The pulp and paper sector carries a major environmental footprint, including in some of the most threatened and fragile ecosystems in the world. This is why in 2011, WWF evaluated the ecological footprint of some product lines of the biggest pulp and paper companies, to drive the industry towards a sustainable future.
Scoring paper producers
Read the press release
Why a paper company index?
Transparency on the ecological footprint of paper production is an important signal that companies take environmental and social responsibility seriously. This is also of increasing interest to buyers of paper, shareholders and investors.By providing WWF with data to evaluate their company processes and global supply chains, these producers have shown laudable transparency on what they do to reduce the ecological footprint of their paper production.
What are the key findings?
- 16 producers reached over 50% of achievable points overall
- 13 producers reached over 60% of achievable points overall
- 3 producers scored over 70% of achievable points (SCA Containerboard 85.55% and Mondi 75.45% in the Packaging Category and Arjowiggins Graphic 73.86 % in the Fine Paper Category)
50 globally significant producers were invited
the following 19 were transparent about their environmental footprint:
- Fine paper: Arjowiggins Graphic, Burgo, Cascades, Domtar, Fedrigoni, Mondi, M-real, Stora Enso, Suzano, UPM
- Packaging: Cascades, Korsnäs, Mondi, SCA Containerboard
- Tissue paper: Arjowiggins Graphic, Metsä Tissue, Renova, SCA Tissue, Sofidel
The best overall scores
Above 60% of total achievable points:
 |
Arjowiggins Graphic Suzano Mondi Fedrigoni M-Real Stora Enso |
73.86% 69.17% 67.60% 64.48% 62.60% 60.03% |
|---|---|---|
 |
SCA Tissue Metsä Tissue Sofidel |
65.13% 64.45% 64.36% |
 |
SCA Containerboard Mondi Cascades Korsnäs (food and beverage packaging) |
85.55% 75.45% 69.18% 64.99% |
There are some limitations to recycled fibre use in food and beverage packaging relative to other forms of packaging. This makes the scores of Korsnäs, who predominantly supply food-contact packaging, only partially comparable. WWF will consider a separate category for the next EPI.
How did companies perform on:
What are the strengths & weaknesses of assessed companies?
All companies participating in the EPI 2011 have shown corporate leadership on transparency. Furthermore, many of the participating companies show good environmental performance in the areas of sourcing, clean production and environmental management systems.However, WWF sees scope for improvement with all companies. The variation between company scores shows that higher scores are not unrealistic.
How do 2011 company scores compare with WWF's 2010 assessment of fine paper companies?
Five companies in the fine paper category (Domtar, Mondi, M-real, Stora Enso and UPM) had already participated in the 2010 iteration of the WWF Environmental Paper Company Index.In the responsible sourcing section, 2 of the 5 companies, UPM and Mondi, have increased their score significantly.
In the Environmental Management System (EMS) and public reporting section, M-real was able to increase their score notably. Otherwise the companies scored similarly to last time.
Please note: The clean production section scores are not comparable between the EPI 2011 and the EPI 2010 as some aspects of the scoring method were changed.
At SCA Containerboard we are extremely proud to be named among the best scoring companies in the Environmental Paper Index of WWF International! For a long time we have devoted relentless energies to offering environmentally-sound products. This achievement will generate additional enthusiasm to fuel our environmental performance.
The willingness of companies to participate in WWF’s Environmental Paper Company Index is a positive reflection on our industry and Mondi is delighted to once again be recognised as one of the top performing paper and packaging companies. Our approach to product responsibility incorporates transparent disclosure of our environmental footprint and allows responsible buyers to choose our products.
Top manufacturers NOT disclosing data
The producers below were invited to join the EPI 2011 in various categories but chose not to provide data on their environmental footprint:
Amcor, CMPC, DS Smithz, Hansol Paper, Holmen, IlimPulp, Klabin, Lee&Man, Mayr-Melnhof Karton, Nine Dragons, Papierfabrik Palm, Prinzhorn Holding, SmurfitKappa; Hansol Paper, Lecta Europe, Lenzing, Portucel Soporcel, Sappi, Shandong Chenming, Georgia Pacific, Lucart Group, Sharma, SHP Group, WEPA
WWF will invite these again together with more companies for the next Environmental Paper Company Index, including from more regions.
► If you are interested to be invited for the next rating, please email us.
WWF will invite these again together with more companies for the next Environmental Paper Company Index, including from more regions.
► If you are interested to be invited for the next rating, please email us.
For the EPI 2011 WWF has not invited producers from North America due to capacity constraints. Domtar and Cascades are currently the only North American companies voluntarily disclosing data and are particularly applauded for their transparency in the expansion phase of the Index. WWF will invite major producers from other regions for the EPI 2013.
