MM Group awarded a Triple A score from CDP for transparency on Climate Change, Forests and Water Security
22.02.2024 - Innovations / Investments, Sustainability, Company / Mills
Companies have a crucial role to play in driving transformative action on climate and nature. But we can’t manage what we don’t measure. We are delighted that the MM Group has been recognised as a global leader in corporate transparency and performance on climate change, forests and water security by global non-profit Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.
Transparency: We can’t manage what we don’t measure
Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Climate Change, Forests and Water Security questionnaires, the MM Group is one of only 10 companies awarded a Triple A of over 21,000 companies assessed in 2023.
A detailed and independent methodology is used by CDP to assess these companies, allocating a score of A to D- based on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks. In addition, the demonstration of best practice associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets, is included in the assessment.
Taking Action: Investing in the sustainable future success of production site
The Triple A score demonstrates that sustainability is at the core of our corporate strategy and is a long-term focus. Everything starts with high commitment, building up a data base and setting targets. On this basis, projects and measures are developed and implemented to reduce our environmental footprint. When it comes to the MM Board & Paper mills, we have taken the following initiatives:
- MM Frohnleiten & MM Kolicevo – Board machine rebuilds and installation of solar power plants: In 2023, the rebuild of our board machines in Frohnleiten and Kolicevo improved their energy efficiency by reducing CO2 emissions and minimising the mills’ ecological footprint. Both mills have also increased their share of CO2 neutral electricity. The installed photovoltaics panels consist in total of around 2,900 solar modules, covering overall 10.500 square meters. The new photovoltaic systems are an important step towards more sustainability and renewable energy.
- MM FollaCell – Modernisation of wastewater treatment: Our MM FollaCell pulp mill is actually modernising its wastewater treatment plant. This will reduce energy consumption and the external wastewater sludge treatment, and allow us to substitute fossil energy with generated biogas.
- MM Gernsbach – Valuable biogas from wastewater: An aerobic stage is currently being added to the wastewater treatment plant in Gernsbach to generate biogas that can be fed into the company´s own power plant, partly substituting for fossil natural gas.
- MM Kotkamills – New press section and sheeting centre investment: MM Kotkamills’ new press section investment in Q4/2022 in an Absorbex® Saturating Kraft Paper machine increased paper web dryness for drying and thereby decreased energy consumption and CO2 emissions. MM Kotkamills’ sheeting centre investment for converting cartonboard is in start-up phase, and when in full operation it will enable increased flexibility, streamlined logistics and reduction of carbon footprint. MM Kotkamills will be able to utilize cutting side streams on site and thus increases the raw material efficiency.
- MM Kwidzyn – Energy Efficiency Roadmap: By 2022, 69% of MM Kwidzyn´s self-generated energy came from renewable sources. MM is constantly evaluating investment projects that will not only significantly increase the share of green energy in Kwidzyn, but also reduce scope 1 emissions. These projects form part of the energy roadmap. They range from boosting energy efficiency in production to reducing energy losses in the whole process of pulp and paper production.
- MM Neuss – Decarbonization strategy with state-of-the-art power plant: A new, highly efficient power plant with the option to substitute natural gas with “green hydrogen” in the mid-term is currently being installed at the MM Neuss mill. After the start up in Q2 / 2024 it will use AI to control the power output and increase energy efficiency. The 2023 machine rebuild has also reduced specific energy consumption. Overall, the project results in an annual reduction of CO2 emissions by 22,000 tons.
Every reduction counts. In addition to these large-scale investment projects, MM has initiated numerous other energy efficiency projects across all locations. Every office and production site is committed to continuously evaluating further options for more energy savings. Energy audits carried out across all MMBP locations form the basis for deciding on the next energy efficiency projects. They all demonstrate our commitment to a better future.
About CDP
CDP is a global non-profit charity that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions. CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests.
