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Enzyme supplier wins Cascades’ Sustainable Supplier Award

Enzymatic Deinking Technologies has received a Sustainable Supplier Award from Cascades, a distinction that aims to recognize best business practices among suppliers who have made a commitment to sustainable development. This award enables…

Enzymatic Deinking Technologies has received a Sustainable Supplier Award from Cascades, a distinction that aims to recognize best business practices among suppliers who have made a commitment to sustainable development. This award enables Cascades to publicly underline the efforts of suppliers who have a positive impact on its products, processes and manufacturing methods.

EDT and Cascades began working together last year when the Norampac containerboard mill in Kingsey Falls was testing the use of enzymes at the same time that the product was introduced at the tissue papers mill in Oregon. The results were positive, and the enzymatic modification program using the Refinase® product line was launched in a dozen other paperboard and tissue-producing Cascades units in 2013.

Enzymes are highly specific proteins that occur naturally and act as catalysts to drive biological or chemical processes. EDT’s business focuses on its knowledge of these macromolecules and how they can benefit the paper industry. By using a tailored enzyme blend paper mills can modify fibres and, as a result, their manufacturing process, yielding several positive enhancements. According to EDT, possible results include lower paper weight for the same physical strength, a reduction in drying energy and electricity consumption, better paper machine efficiency, higher fibre yield, reduced use of petroleum-based chemicals and improved water quality.

James Tausche, co-founder and CEO of EDT, thanked Cascades for the honour: “The Sustainable Supplier Award is an excellent incentive for companies to work harder and aim higher for a client. The sense of accomplishment itself feels good, but receiving a public award from this company in particular is even more rewarding.”

Cascades CEO Mario Plourde commented: “Innovative products and manufacturing processes are often the result of concrete solutions proposed by suppliers. Taking the time to recognize these suppliers’ efforts and commitment is only fair.”

The prize was awarded at the annual meeting of the hundred or so Cascades plant managers in North America.