Aus Paper conducting waste feasibility study

The Australian and Victorian governments have given Australian Paper $5m for a full scale feasibility study into base load energy from waste plant at its Maryvale paper mill.

Australian Paper will be contributing $2.5 million to the feasibility study which will cost a total of $7.5 million and is expected to take 12 months to complete.

The company says if the project proceeds to construction it could divert approximately 650,000 tonnes of waste from landfill in SE Melbourne and Gippsland, converting it into base load energy.

[Related: Paper prices rising by 5 per cent]

Peter Williams, COO at Australian Paper says, “Australian Paper is committed to creating sustainable growth for the next generation. As one of the largest employers in the Latrobe Valley, we need to continually innovate for a sustainable future. Building on our significant renewable energy platform would be a natural step for our regional operations, reducing our reliance on imported energy and expanding our existing manufacturing footprint.

“Australian Paper greatly appreciates the support of the Federal and Victorian Governments for this major study. Generating energy from municipal waste at Maryvale would help address SE Melbourne’s long term landfill issues, and also create valuable new construction and manufacturing jobs in the Latrobe Valley,”

Williams says this project would support up to 800 jobs during construction and then 40 jobs ongoing.

A major energy from waste facility at Maryvale could be expected to save 500,000 tonnes of CO2e per annum. Broad engagement with the Latrobe Valley will be a key part of the feasibility study and Australian Paper has committed to keeping the local community informed of its progress.

Last week Australian Paper increased the prices of a number selected uncoated woodfree copy and printing papers.

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