31 October 2022
Volga paper plant, a leading manufacturer of packaging paper and printing paper from 100% thermomechanical mass in Russia, has approved a long-term environmental program along with a large-scale investment program. Svetlana Lomash, Volga JSC Ecology Director, talks about its main principles and activities.
"How do the current agenda and the transformation of the economy in the country affect the implementation of environmental projects of the company? Are they relevant? What tasks are being set now?"
"Certainly, the current situation affects the realization of projects. First of all, this is due to the fact that paper production refers to technologies with a high share of equipment and consumables of European production, this also applies to technological equipment with an environmental effect. Surely, on the example of Volga JSC, the current situation has not stopped the implementation of development projects, but the change in the technological scheme (primarily equipment), even partial, leads to the need for at least adjustment, and sometimes the development of project documentation again, the need for repeated expert assessments and examinations. The organization of new logistics chains also affects the timing and amount of financing for development projects: the introduction of modern and best available technologies in general."
"What environmental protection projects are the priority for Volga today?"
"The company aims to preserve the ecology in the regions of its presence; this is one of the key principles of the policy of Volga JSC as a whole, as well as the long-term program of strategic development of the enterprise.
Increasing the output of environmentally friendly products, improving their quality with a constant trend to reduce the negative impact on the environment, preserving biological diversity and ecosystems in the region of presence are the priority of technical re-equipment of the plant.
With the decision on the strategic development of the plant, a long-term environmental program was also formed. In the process of its development, the current, as well as prospective, assessment of the company's environmental impact took place. As a result, the set of environmental projects of the program covers all areas of potential environmental impact, determines ways to reduce the current environmental burden and mitigates the risks associated with an increase in the capacity of the plant."
"Please tell us about the key activities of the environmental program."
"Volga JSC produces paper from 100% thermomechanical mass. The main raw material for the company's products is wood. In this regard, the implementation of a large-scale program of reforestation and rational use of renewable natural resources is the main trend of the development strategy.
Supporting the industry's advanced technologies, Volga JSC uses wood-based materials as biological fuels as an alternative to other energy sources, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2021, also as part of the implementation of the environmental program, we completed an investment project to modernize the sludge dewatering section of the steam turbine department.
Two modern dewatering lines were purchased and installed. Investments in the project amounted to more than 100 million rubles. This also allowed the return of wood residues to the thermal energy production cycle, while reducing the load on the treatment facilities.
The constant development and maintenance of the principles of "green" technology allows creating the necessary margin of safety, thanks to which the company manages to comply with all the social obligations assumed. Volga JSC makes every effort to overcome the challenges of the present time and successfully implement both the strategic project for the development of the enterprise and the projects of the environmental program."
"What state support, in your opinion, could strengthen the trend to increase the environmental friendliness of Russian industries?"
"Responsible business welcomes any measures to support the development of production facilities, the creation of new modern types of products, technologies, including those aimed at environmental protection. I believe that open dialogue with business and flexibility in decision-making, along with reducing administrative barriers, excluding subjective assessments and excessive reporting, are the most important aspects of the development of state support mechanisms."
