JSE-listed dissolving wood pulp and paper-based solutions company Sappi has completed a Higg Facility Environmental Management (FEM) verification audit at its Cloquet mill, in northern Minnesota, in the US.

The mill achieved a final score of 91.5%, which reinforces and demonstrates the sound environmental practices employed by the mill, the company says.

Further, supporting the call to accelerate transparency in the textile and apparel sector, a detailed performance report will be made available to all key stakeholders on request, it notes.

“As a global leader in dissolving pulp manufacturing, we are excited that our commitment to the sustainable manufacture of our Sappi Verve product is confirmed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) Higg FEM results,” says Sappi North America Cloquet mill MD Tom Radovich.

“We have an increased focus on chemicals management practices as we move towards a more circular economy, and addressing changing needs while managing our environmental footprint. The Cloquet mill has always been a key part of our environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives and we will continue to deliver relevant solutions and, in the process, look for innovative ways to strengthen our position,” he adds.

The Higg FEM is part of a suite of tools that enables manufacturing facilities of all sizes to measure and score their environmental performance against a standard set of criteria, allowing for meaningful and credible performance benchmarking in the apparel and textile sector.

Cloquet received a verified score of 100% across energy, water and wastewater management, which highlights the mill as a pocket of excellence in terms of resource efficiency and emissions control.

Through structured focus, the facility plans on increasing scoring in the area of chemicals management in upcoming assessments, says Radovich.

“Performance in this industry benchmarking programme provides additional assurance to our customers and value chain that Verve is indeed a fibre of choice,” he states.

“The Cloquet Higg FEM audit results once again confirm our vision to provide a sustainable fibre of choice in our Verve dissolving pulp. This aligns with our ethos of a commitment to people, planet and prosperity,” comments Sappi Pulp executive VP Mohamed Mansoor.