Unipak Tissue Mill to Play Role in Scientific Approach to Eco-Friendly Industry in Lebanon

AJALTOUN, LEBANON, April 02, 2011 (Press-News.org) Over a 7-year period, Unipak Tissue Mill, a division of Unipak in Halat, Lebanon, has invested approximately $10 million US dollars to improve its environmental qualifications.

In a press conference, held on 31 March 2011 at the Lebanese Ministry of Environment in downtown Beirut, the tissue mill agreed to part of the launch of a scientific approach to eco-friendly industry in Lebanon.

The conference identified proactive steps Unipak Tissue Mill has taken, prior to an environmental audit, which will take place over the next three months. Working toward continued improvement, Unipak Tissue Mill committed to the audit by the ministry and to implementing any recommendations that might arise.

Unipak Tissue Mill produces 30,000 MT/ year of parent tissue rolls, which are then converted by consumer disposables companies in Lebanon and abroad into household and institutional products.

Investments over the past 7 years include:

Heat Recovery Boiler Improvement
Investment: $900,000 USD

In November 2010, Unipak Tissue Mill completed equipping a heat recovery boiler, allowing the use of temperature to heat water, reducing both pressure on the boiler and use of fuel.

Fuel Oil Processing
Investment: $125,000 USD

As of September 2009, the tissue mill began using a technique called 'Fuel Separation' to process and clean fuel used in the plant from adulterants. The poor quality of fuel available to industrialists in Lebanon generally shortens the service life of generators and causes combustion that leads to pollution.

This purifying technique separates adulterants, water and acid from the fuel. The mill uses two separators - not one, which is commonly used - to treat fuel and avoid dysfunction and pollution.

High-Tech Power Generators
Investment: $8,300,000 USD

In 2008, Unipak Tissue Mill modernized its electricity generation station by installing 3 high-tech generators that reduce emissions and noise. These generators help provide continuous energy required, which the government's power stations cannot ensure.

Effluent Water Treatment & Heavy Metal Disposal
Investment: $200,000 USD

In February 2008, Unipak Tissue Mill was equipped with an effluent water treatment plant. This plant includes basins which efficiently treat water and allow its reuse in manufacturing.

In September 2009, the plant was further equipped with a third 'Flotation Cell', in order to increase the efficiency of the water treatment.

Special containers have been installed to protect the treatment basins from heavy metal residues. These containers are then transported on special trucks outside the company.

Heat Recovery Boiler

In March 2004, the tissue mill completely changed its heat recovery boiler, in order to achieve thermal combustion compliant with environmental regulations.

COD & BOD Monitoring

As of November 2003, the plant uses the COD and BOD monitoring technique. This technique was recently updated at the plant and reduces and controls oxygen and biological component residues.

Emergency Incidents

Unipak Tissue Mill has developed a monitoring system to avoid emergency incidents. The mill's emergency incidents do not exceed 2%.

About Unipak Tissue Mill

Unipak Tissue Mill, located in Halat, Lebanon, manufactures virgin and recycled jumbo parent tissue reels for converters of household tissue, away-from-home tissue and personal care hygiene disposables in the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East and Africa (MENA).

Unipak Tissue Mill is a member company of INDEVCO Paper Making, a division of INDEVCO Group, a local multinational from the Middle East.

INDEVCO is an international manufacturing group that produces parent jumbo tissue rolls, paper and plastic flexible packaging, corrugated containers and displays, and consumer and institutional disposables. The group employs over 8500 people in Cyprus, Egypt, England, France, Greece, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Sudan, Ukraine, and the United States.