In a world increasingly focused on sustainable practices and environmental responsibility, Sappi Limited is making waves as a leading dissolving pulp producer. Their Cloquet mill, nestled in Northern Minnesota, has just achieved a remarkable 91.5% score in the Higg Facility Environmental Management (FEM) verification audit, a testament to their strong commitment to eco-friendly operations.
The Higg FEM audit, developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), serves as a crucial tool for measuring and scoring environmental performance in critical areas such as water use, carbon emissions, and waste management. Sappi Limited, known for their high-quality dissolving pulp sold under the brand name “Verve,” stands out by being one of the pioneering dissolving pulp facilities to undergo this external verification process.
This remarkable achievement underscores the dedication of the Cloquet mill to sound environmental practices. Tom Radovich, Managing Director of Sappi North America’s Cloquet mill, expresses his enthusiasm, stating, “As a global leader in dissolving pulp manufacturing, we are excited that our commitment to the sustainable manufacture of our Sappi Verve product is confirmed by the SAC Higg FEM results.” He further emphasizes their focus on chemicals management practices as part of their journey towards a more circular economy.
The significance of Sappi’s achievement goes beyond their individual success. The Higg Index, part of a broader suite of tools from SAC, allows for meaningful and credible performance benchmarking across the apparel and textile sector. Consumer goods brands, retailers, manufacturers, governments, NGOs, and consumers can utilize this data to inform their sustainability strategies and drive industry-wide transformation.
Cloquet Mill’s exceptional performance extends to specific areas, with verified scores of 100% in energy, water, and wastewater management. This recognition highlights the mill as a pocket of excellence in terms of resource efficiency and emission control. However, they remain committed to continuous improvement and plan to increase their scoring in chemicals management in upcoming assessments.
Mohamed Mansoor, Executive Vice President of Sappi Pulp, encapsulates the company’s ethos, saying, “The Cloquet Higg FEM audit results, once again, confirm our vision to provide a sustainable fiber of choice in our Verve dissolving pulp. This aligns with our commitment to people, planet, and prosperity.”
Sappi’s achievement at the Cloquet mill not only reinforces their dedication to environmental stewardship but also provides additional assurance to customers and the value chain that “Verve” is indeed a fiber of choice for those who prioritize sustainability. With their remarkable Higg FEM score, Sappi is setting a high bar for environmental responsibility in the industry, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps on the path to a more sustainable future.