Leadership Perspective on Sustainability
From our CEO
Dr Jon Ryder
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Oji Fibre Solutions
The groundwork laid over the last two years by Oji Fibre Solutions has put the company in a good position to manage the tightened international pulp and paper market in 2019, and the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Over this period, more so than ever, our vertical integration is a core strength enabling the business to adapt and change in response to challenging external circumstances, while continuing to deliver for our customers. While there are many examples in this report of how we do this, I am particularly proud of the business’s response to the changing demands of the primary produce season. We strive to bring the skills and talents of our relationship managers and our integrated supply chain together to deliver on time, every time.
I am incredibly proud of the way in which my team of 1,835 employees has responded, dug deep and partnered with our customers to ensure continuity of supply.
In 2019, our stakeholders continued to be interested in the opportunities of the bio-circular economy to deliver renewable and recyclable alternatives to fossil fuel-based products. We continue to work with customers to find solutions manufactured from renewable and sustainably sourced wood Fibre.
As a further demonstration of our commitment to responsible sourcing, we extended PEFC™ and FSC® certification to all our mill operations in 2019 and over the course of 2020 will be certifying all our facilities.
We are proud to be part of the bio-circular economy delivering solutions by nature.
These certifications provide a third-party endorsement that the forests where our raw products come from and the supply chain to the customer is sustainably managed. As a result, our customers and in turn their consumers can take comfort from this additional layer of assurance.
In 2019, our ongoing focus on health and safety delivered good results. The Safety Case required under New Zealand legislation for Kinleith Mill was accepted with no conditions. Completing the transformation of Tasman Mill in the third quarter of 2019 reduced the amount of certain chemicals held on-site, resulting in the safety classification of the mill being significantly improved.
Transforming the Tasman Mill has also delivered environmental improvements. In 2019, we achieved a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emission intensity at the mill compared to 2018 results. By eliminating coal and increasing the use of geothermal steam, 89% of the mill’s energy requirements are now met by renewable sources. Another benefit was achieving our pristine river clarity target mid-way through 2019, sixteen years ahead of the regulatory schedule.
Our values, integrated supply chain and dedicated teams across the business continue to provide strong foundations on which we can deliver solutions by nature and to face the future with optimism.
From our Chairman
Hiroyuki Isono
Director and Chairman
Oji Fibre Solutions
Director of the Board
Oji Holdings Corporation
As a solutions focused company, the business is always seeking new ways to strengthen its position as a supply partner to its customer base.
With the backing of Oji Holdings Corporation, the parent company of Oji Fibre Solutions, we have invested in the business to uplift capacity across the network of facilities within New Zealand and Australia.
In 2019, Oji Fibre Solutions announced plans to develop a $100+ million greenfield packaging facility in Christchurch. This new site will be the business’s South Island hub delivering improved product quality, transport efficiencies and safety and environmental benefits. Once completed in 2021, the business will be even better positioned to partner the South Island primary sector.
This development adds to the significant capital investments in the business over the last five years. These include the transformation of Tasman Mill completed in 2019, and investments to grow Oji Fibre Solutions' presence in the Australian' market through our two new packaging facilities of Cardboard Carton Solutions and the 5 Green Star rated facility at Yatala. With the addition of the Yatala site, Oji Fibre Solutions is better able to service the Queensland primary sector. Recognising these opportunities, the business is continuing to invest in the facility and to recruit additional professional and production staff to the site.
This year, Oji Fibre Solutions has taken several strides forward on its sustainability journey.
These investments are coupled with equally important but smaller scale investments to modernise packaging operations across the business and to deliver safety, environmental and efficiency improvements. We continue to look for further opportunities to serve the Australian and New Zealand markets.
In 2019, in conjunction with various in-mill improvements to reduce water use at Kinleith Mill, the business started the process of planning for and consulting with the community about a new waste water treatment plant at the mill. When completed the project will allow for wastewater from the mill to be treated to a standard that meets international best practice.
As part of Oji Holdings’ global network, Oji Fibre Solutions can leverage its scale to better manage today, while focusing on the future and investing for long-term success.
Read our full OjiFS Sustainability Report (2019) here.
