The project is of strategic importance for the future development of paper making in Zarnesti
Zarnesti, Romania, August 1st, 2022: DS Smith, a leading sustainable packaging manufacturer, hosted the reception of the works carried out – according to the Building Permit issued in 2021 – for the upgrade of the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) at Zarnesti Paper Mill. The investment is evaluated at 8.7 million Euro and will improve environmental performance whilst increasing the water treatment capacity at the mill.
In attendance at the reception were Zarnesti City Hall and the State Inspectorate for Constructions, representatives of the companies which delivered the civil construction and installation works and a technical commission appointed by DS Smith Paper Zarnesti. The event marks the completion of a major milestone of the company’s investment plan in sustainable development.
Over the coming months, DS Smith Zarnesti Mill will continue working with the appropriate authorities to complete the required permitting process, ensuring the new WWTP can begin operation at the earliest opportunity.
Marius Juncanariu, General Manager, DS Smith Zarnesti:
“This investment into the mill in Zarnesti is further evidence of our commitment to the area both economically and environmentally. The construction of the new WWTP and will enable us to maximize the efficiency and environmental performance of our operations, increase the paper making capacity and, in the long run, create new job prospect opportunities.”
Last May, DS Smith announced an extensive investment plan to replace the mill’s sewerage system and upgrade the WWTP, with the aim to decrease gas consumption and reduce carbon footprint, with projected CO2 savings of up to 4,500 tons per year. The equipment also provides a 20% decrease in fresh water consumption and a 60% decrease in technical waste quantity through a more efficient recovery process. Timescale for full implementation will be defined depending on the time needed for the relevant authorities to issue permits.
DS Smith Zarnesti is the largest paper manufacturer in Romania, accounting for almost half of the domestic demand for papers for packaging.
DS Smith’s operations in Romania comprises of a recycling head office in Bucharest, two recycling depots in Otopeni and Cluj Napoca, a paper mill in Zarnesti, two packaging production units in Ghimbav and Timișoara and three service centers in Pitești, Timișoara and Otopeni, employing in total over 650 people.
Media contact:
Petruța Petcu – BDR Associates
+40 722 996 307
Petruta.petcu@bdr.ro
About DS Smith:
DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging worldwide, which is supported by recycling and papermaking operations. It plays a central role in the value chain across sectors including e-commerce, fast moving consumer goods and industrials. Through its purpose of ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’ and its Now and Next sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading the transition to the circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for its customers and wider society – replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains and providing innovative recycling solutions. Its bespoke box-to-box in 14 days model, design capabilities and innovation strategy sits at the heart of this response. Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith operates in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people and is a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Its history can be traced back to the box-making businesses started in the 1940s by the Smith family.