Smurfit Kappa Launched Modern Water Treatment Facility at Colombian Mill

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Smurfit Kappa Barranquilla Paper Mill in Colombia has completed the previously announced two-phase upgrade of its facilities, comprising launch of a new, modern Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). The plant employs latest anaerobic technology, which ensures reduced intake of water from Magdalena River and improved quality of water returned to it.

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The $7.5 million investment clearly demonstrates the company’s commitment to good water stewardship. The upgraded facilities will help the site to contribute towards Smurfit Kappa’s ambitious sustainability targets, which includes reduction of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the water by 60% by 2025 and to reduce water intensity by 1% per annum. The COD at the Baranquilla plant is expected to be reduced by 80%, as a result of this investment, the company press release said.

Alvaro Jose Henao Ramos, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Colombia stated that the investment will take the company to a higher level of efficiency and excellence on how it processes water. The company’s operations have been based on a circular economy model, which is based on maximising resource efficiency and minimising waste, he said.