News

PCA Honored for Energy Advancement

July 30, 2007

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) recognized Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) for outstanding industry performance in the 34th Annual Environmental & Energy Achievement Award. The Award recognizes companies that contribute significantly to advances in the practical application of new and improved environmental and energy technology.

PCA was declared the winner of the Award based on the entry "Closing the Loop: Pollutant to Product." The project resulted in a 14 percent reduction in annual fuel costs with a cumulative savings exceeding $4 million by displacing fossil fuel at one company facility.

The PCA mill in Tomahawk, Wisconsin implemented a biogas recovery project at their wastewater treatment system that fueled a gas package boiler. The wastewater treatment system is being used to biologically destroy hazardous air pollutants from pulp and paper process operations. Over the course of this project, fossil fuel-derived carbon dioxide emissions have decreased by 31%.

This year's panel of industry experts were joined by representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Resources for the Future, and the Amerian Chemistry Council.

Donna Harman, President and CEO of AF&PA, congratulated PCA on its energy-saving accomplishment.

"By developing a system that cuts greenhouse gas emissions while producing bio-based energy, PCA is reducing the demand on our limited fossil fuel resources and helping to improve air quality," Harman said. "We thank them for their work on behalf of the industry and for demonstrating so well how environmental performances and business success go hand-in-hand."