Environment

 Renewable Resources

It takes energy to make and deliver our products. For PCA, getting more and more of that energy from renewable sources is another important part of our sustainability strategy. It begins with using biofuel resources we already have, because they are obtained as byproducts of the manufacturing process.

At our mill in Filer City, Michigan, we have installed a biogas refinery that produces methane gas. It uses bacteria to convert spent cooking liquid into gas without the use of recovery boilers or evaporators, which themselves use considerable energy. The methane is burned as fuel in an existing boiler, replacing less sustainable fuels. The process uses new technology developed internally by PCA.

Currently, the portion of our energy for manufacturing that comes from byproducts is approximately 64 percent, but we're working to do even better. By using renewable energy, PCA is helping the pulp and paper industry conserve more than 200 million barrels of oil a year.* 

*Source: American Forest & Paper Association.