An agreement was signed in June 2008 with the water supplier and the local authorities in Madrid whereby the mill would use in its production municipal effluent that had been treated in several stages. As of 2010 the mill in Madrid will be the first in Europe to use 100 percent recovered paper and 100 percent “recovered water” in production.

Studies and pilot trials to evaluate the scope for reusing the mill’s own treated effluent after further treatment are underway.

The amount of hazardous waste increased in relation to 2007. This was mainly due to an oil change in connection with a shutdown for maintenance and to the cleaning of tanks.

Permits for the business 

The mill has had an environmental permit in accordance with IPPC since 2006. All environmental and technical requirements have been fulfilled and the mill submits regular reports to the environmental authorities.

The cogeneration (Cogen) plant has had an IPPC permit since the end of 2007. The permit covers both the existing plant as well as the new one that will come into operation at the end of 2009. The final measures to fulfil the requirements for the existing plants were completed in 2008.

For the Kyoto Protocol Phase 2 (2008-2012), the mill and the existing Cogen plant hold a joint permit for carbon emissions and have received emission rights.

Environmental and energy management certification 

The environmental management system at the mill has been certified in accordance with ISO 14001 since 2002.

Measures are underway to introduce a certified energy management system. A certification audit, in accordance with a national standard, is planned for the second half of 2009.

Measures are underway to obtain FSC certification for the mill’s products.

Investments and energy measures 

The heat recovery system for the PM61 paper machine was rebuilt during the year with the aim of reducing steam consumption by at least 15 per cent.

During the year with equipment to treat the mill’s effluent trials were performed with the object of being able to recycle this water in the paper production. An evaluation is being made of purification equipment from two suppliers.

A development project is underway to find new uses for sludge and rejects from the treatment of recovered paper (DIP sludge, DIP rejects). A study is being made to see if the waste can be used in the cement industry.

In 2008 all the iron containing metals from the DIP rejects were separated and sent to a metal recovery company.

Incidents and complaints 

No serious incidents occurred during the year. No complaints were received from either the authorities or the general public.

Follow-up of environmental and energy targets for 2008 

To reduce the quantity of DIP rejects sent to landfill by at least 500 tonnes per year. Other uses to be investigated.

The target was almost achieved; the reduction was 453 tonnes between 2007 and 2008. The reduction was due to the fact that metals are now separated from the DIP rejects and sent to a metal recovery company. Studies are underway into other uses for this waste.

To reduce steam consumption on the PM61 paper machine (MWh/tonne paper) by at least 15 per cent calculated for the fourth quarter of 2008 in relation to the corresponding quarter of 2007 (lower energy consumption and lower carbon dioxide emissions).

The target was achieved; the reduction was 17.7 per cent.

Planned environmental and energy measures for 2009 

To continue to study measures for the recycling of effluent.

To optimise the processes to reduce energy consumption.

To continue measures to reduce the volume of DIP sludge and to find new uses for both DIP sludge and DIP rejects.

Environmental and energy targets for 2009 

• To introduce a certified energy management system

• To reduce the quantity of DIP rejects sent to landfill by at least 3 000 tonnes per year. Other uses to be studied.

• To find new uses (other than the ceramic industry and agriculture) for at least 10 000 tonnes of DIP sludge per year.