FiberMark has converted the manufacturing operations at its Vermont headquarters to be able to run up to 100 percent used vegetable oil. With this conversion, the company says it has become the first manufacturer in the state and in the paper industry to generate part of its process energy from waste biofuel.

The “green steam” produced by the vegetable oil not only powers FiberMark’s Brattleboro paper machine turbine and dries its papers, but also provides heat for the plant. 

Switching to used vegetable oil allows the company to reduce its use of number-six fuel oil and to significantly eliminate toxic sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, the leading causes of acid rain and common side effects of burning fuel oil.

Among the ancillary benefits of the conversion to vegetable oil has been a cleaner working environment for FiberMark plant employees.

For more on their environmental initiatives, go to www.fibermark.com.

04/09/2008