Renewable origins
Our paper begins in responsibly managed forests—living systems that store carbon, support biodiversity, and regenerate over time. For every tree harvested, new trees are planted, making paper a vital renewable resource for the circular economy.
Circularity defined
Instead of an economy that sends material to waste in a landfill, the circular economy we support keeps material in the loop through reuse, recycling and regeneration. Learn more about why circularity is good business with Sappi.
Made for recycling
Unlike many materials, paper can be recycled up to 20 times, keeping valuable fibre in use and out of landfill. It’s also one of the most widely recycled materials in the world, with a recovery rate in some regions at over 70%. We’re innovating with enthusiasm to create new Sappi products and processes that can further improve the circularity of paper.
“Turning yesterday’s paper into tomorrow’s products.”
Low-carbon loops
With bio-based inputs, energy-efficient manufacturing, and high rates of fibre reuse, paper has one of the lowest carbon footprints among packaging and communication materials. This makes paper an especially vital material to keep in the loop.
Circularity, by choice
Paper can be made with two types of wood fibre. Fresh fibre, also known as virgin fibre, is made from wood harvested for the first time, while recycled fibre, true to its name, is reused fresh fibre.
Watch as we show you how both types of fibre work together to keep paper flowing in a circular loop. Get all the facts about fresh fibre.
Circular by design with Sappi
At Sappi, oil is de-watered, chemically treated, refined and filtered for re-use in various grades of base oils.
At some mills, tall oil (a by-product of the kraft pulping process) is sold to converters as a renewable chemical raw material and used to make detergents, lubricants and paint additives.
Coarse pigments from repulping internal broke are recovered from paper machine effluent and reprocessed to substitute virgin material.
In addition, coating colour is also recovered from effluent and reprocessed.
Globally, bark is used as a fuel for onsite energy generation. In South Africa, it’s also used for composting and landfill stabilisation.
In Europe, dried sludge is used for animal bedding by farmers and as fertiliser.
In North America, lime and boiler ash is provided to farmers as a soil enhancer.
At Saiccor Mill and Lomati Sawmill in South Africa, we’re assessing the possibility of extruding sawdust and binding it with lignin to form fuel rods, which would be used for energy, replacing coal.
Many of our manufacturing processes are already circular, incorporating closed-loop systems.
Water use: Water is treated and reused multiple times in Sappi processes before being safely returned to the environment.
Waste management: Byproducts from manufacturing are captured and reused—either reintroduced into production or repurposed into other products.
Energy recovery: Waste materials are increasingly used to generate energy (e.g., biomass or steam recovery), reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
At Sappi, our teams transform what were once considered waste streams into valuable resources, creating innovative bio-based products that fuel the circular economy.
A great example is our use of Lignin, traditionally an undervalued byproduct of pulp production, which we are repurposing for a wide range of industrial and agricultural applications.
From acting as a natural, renewable dispersant in concrete admixtures to binders in feedstock that can improve animal health, Sappi has been one of the very first companies to market and sell lignin in these innovative applications.
Through in-house lean updates and internal brainstorming, Ehingen Mill in Germany reduced the amount of wrapping film used to cover pallets of paper for shipment.
By lowering film thickness and optimising the wrapping processes in the finishing department, the mill reduced the amount of film used to pack paper pallets reading for shipping.
The mill also introduced simple measures like cutting the protective wrapping film more precisely.
This has saved 35.4 tons of film per year and reduced the volume of eventual waste for customers, without compromising pallet protection.
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Forest Certifications
At Sappi, we are committed to responsible forestry practices that ensure the sustainability of our planet's vital resources.
Climate Action and Adaptation
At Sappi, we protect and enhance forests—nature’s powerful carbon capture system. Our actions ensure resilient forests while driving global decarbonization through nature-based solutions.