Neenah Honored for Environmental Stewardship

Neenah Paper's emphasis on environmental stewardship earned it one of eight Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year awards. The maker of premium paper garnered a special award at the event, sponsored by the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.

"It is incredible to be recognized by other manufacturers and is a testament to the innovative environment at Neenah," said Gregg Aiken, mill manager at Neenah Paper.

For more than a year, Neenah Paper's six flagship brands have been manufactured as so-called carbon neutral products, meaning they achieve net zero carbon emissions through the manufacturing process, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The firm performed the feat by use of renewable energy and energy saving upgrades, such as the re-engineering of the process water treatment system at the Neenah mill.

Using a patented process, the WMC said, 5,000 tons of sludge from production is converted to steam to dry paper and heat the mill, and thereby reducing natural gas consumption. The mill has decreased its carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent a year.