Improving Air Quality

The above graphs report Glatfelter’s NO_x and SO₂ emissions by business unit for the calendar years 2007 through 2009.

At Glatfelter, we use a variety of monitoring methods to insure that we are complying with our air quality permits. These methods range from relatively complicated continuous emission monitoring systems that sample the quality of air emissions 24/7 to periodic stack testing for specific pollutants.

We are committed to minimizing air pollution from steam and pulp production and papermaking as well as ancillary operations such as transportation and water and waste water treatment.

• Using lignin and wood residuals to make “green” energy during the papermaking process.
• Making full use of raw materials.
• Incorporating more environmentally-responsible chemicals.
• Using less fossil fuels.
• Implementing cleaner production processes.
• Utilizing post-consumer recycled fiber content in paper and paper products to meet customer requirements.
• Increasing the use of other recovered materials.
• Practicing responsible fiber sourcing.

New process equipment, installed at both North American mills over the past two decades, help to reduce our environmental impact.

At the mill in Spring Grove, PA, the Pulp Mill Modernization Project was completed between 1990 and 1995, and included the following pieces of equipment and process changes:

• New low-odor recovery boiler.
• New woodyard.
• New chlorine dioxide generator.
• Substituting chlorine dioxide for elemental chlorine in the bleaching process.
• Substituting hydrogen peroxide for sodium hypochlorite in the bleaching process.
• Using oxygen delignification in the softwood pulping process to reduce the need for bleaching chemicals.

The New Century Project (2000 – 2004) included the following equipment and process changes:

• Completely eliminated the use of all elemental chlorine in the manufacturing process.
• Using oxygen delignification in the hardwood pulping process to reduce the need for bleaching chemicals.
• Installing system to capture and destroy hazardous and odorous emissions from the pulping and bleaching processes.

At our facility in Chillicothe, OH, we also made significant improvements, including:

• Substituting chlorine dioxide for elemental chlorine in the bleaching process.
• Installation of Wet Electrostatic Precipitator on the wood-fired boiler.
• Installing system to capture and destroy hazardous and odorous emissions from the pulping and recovery processes.
• Installing boiler controls to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from two boilers.

As a member of National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, we support NCASI’s scientific research and information gathering activities. Through payment of annual dues we are able to access a wealth of environmental information, including research reports, current awareness letters on emerging environmental issues, newsletters, handbooks, workshops, and technical meetings.

NCASI also responds to requests for technical assistance in areas such as permitting, environmental reporting, interpretation of regulations, application of environmental control technology, sustainable forestry, analytical methods and related areas.