The company’s total emissions are determined by fuel consumption, which in turn is determined by the level of production. Changes in production volumes over the past few years, measured in tonnes and m3, are shown in the tables that present Group emissions in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Emissions to air

Air emissions comprise emissions from all combustion units at SCA’s production sites, including fossil fuel and biofuel emissions and emissions from purchased thermal energy. When energy (primarily thermal energy and/or electricity) is supplied to an external facility, air emissions are reduced in relation to the energy amount delivered and the reduction is distributed among SCA’s main products.

Three chemical compounds are measured and reported in relation to air emissions: NOX, SO2 and fossil CO2.

The stated CO2 figures may differ somewhat from those reported to local authorities under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). This is because the countries participating in ETS use different limits and definitions for their calculations, while SCA calculates and presents RMS data according to a separate set of rules. A global company such as SCA, with operations on several continents, needs a single set of rules for calculating data to enable uniform reporting and monitoring of emission levels.

Carbon dioxide emissions from SCA’s fossil fuel consumption corresponded to 2,483 ktonnes and purchased electricity to 1,688 ktonnes during the year.

 

 

Air emissions from transport

A large portion of SCA’s air emissions is generated by transport, rather than the company’s production activities.

 

 

Emissions to water

SCA’s effluent water is divided into cooling water and process water. Cooling water has simply been heated and is not contaminated in any way. The total volume of discharged process water is 127 Mm3. This water is treated using methods similar to those employed at municipal wastewater treatment facilities. The figures for 2011 refer to process water emissions.

The emissions to water stated in the tables comprise COD, BOD, suspended solids, AOX, P and N. Methods of measuring differ in some respects. All SCA production of bleached chemical pulp employs Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) processes. The stated AOX data refers to treatment of incoming raw water.

 

 

Solid waste

The solid waste reported by SCA is waste that is sent to landfill, recycled waste and hazardous waste. Recycled waste refers to materials that can be used as raw materials in other industries, such as the cement, brick-making and construction industries. The main types of recycled waste are ash, sludge, organic waste and plastics. Hazardous waste is primarily waste oil as well as organic solvents, batteries and strip lights.

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