Mill makes strides in R765-million upgrade

THE Mpact Felixton Mill is making haste to recycle KZN’s waste.

Since Phase 1 of the R765-million upgrade was commissioned in June last year, the company has already constructed a RCF mill to pulp recycled fibres, and improved manufacturing equipment to be more economical.

The entire upgrade, expected to be completed by the end of next year, will increase total capacity by 60 000 tons to 215 000 tons.

At the unveiling of the first phase on Tuesday, Mpact CEO Bruce Strong said the hefty capital investment is crucial for the group to take advantage of growth prospects in the market.

‘Notably, the significant investment in the latest paper machine technology and machinery will improve the quality of our paper products, enhance operational efficiencies and the mill’s overall competitiveness in line with global trends.

‘The mill will no longer utilise bagasse fibre in its products, moving towards fully recycled fibre usage.

‘Environmental benefits of the upgrade also include significant specific reductions in CO2, as well as the usage of energy, water and solid waste.

‘It would be the biggest recycler of plastic bottles on the African continent after the Gauteng plant.

‘We also expect that around 2 000 additional jobs will be created in the recycling industry, particularly in rural areas.

‘This is sustainable development,’ Strong said.

KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Michael Mabuyakhulu, said the upgrade augured well for the province’s plans of using infrastructure projects as a tool for skills transfer and job creation.

‘It is our view that whatever occurs in KZN needs to be connected to our strategy of shrinking inequality, poverty and unemployment, and we believe that this upgrade will create much needed job opportunities and contribute to a skills transfer to local communities.

‘We are also highly gratified that this encourages growth and investment while playing a vital role in the environmental space.

‘It shows that, despite the difficult economic conditions, there remains a glimmer of hope.

‘But we must all take an activist approach to effect positive change.

‘I can safely say, waste is big money and big investment – people should never let recycling opportunities go to waste’

Plastic gold

Mpact Felixton recycled 500 000 tons of used and discarded paper and plastic last year.

Products bought from businesses, schools, malls, churches and hawkers include bales of corrugated boxes, old newspapers and magazines, office papers and mixed papers.

Annually, the mill processes 29 000 tons of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) used in plastic bottles and packaging, creating approximately 1 000 downstream jobs in the recycling industry.