Mondi Group
Mondi is a leading global packaging and paper group with a focus on being sustainable by design. We are contributing to a better world by making innovative solutions using paper where possible, plastic when useful.
We are determined to make a difference and recently launched Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030), which maps the actions we will take over the next decade to meet our ambitious 2030 sustainability goals by delivering circular driven solutions, created by empowered people taking action on climate. All areas are aligned to the UN sustainable development goals as part of Mondi’s focus.
Andrew King, Mondi Group CEO, commented, ‘Sustainability is at the heart of Mondi’s purpose, strategy and culture. We operate in diverse and complex geographies and as a business that is fully integrated throughout the supply chain, I’m excited by the potential to make a real difference with our new 2030 commitments touching every part of our business.
‘Delivering on these focus areas, working with our colleagues, customers, suppliers and partners to make a positive contribution to a better world, will be a top priority for Mondi.’
WWF-Mondi partnership
We believe that working collectively is a driver for change. We promote partnerships and engage openly and collaboratively to better understand and respond to sustainability challenges and opportunities, together seeking solutions that benefit our business, the environment and broader society.
Mondi and WWF
Mondi and WWF have worked together for over two decades in South Africa through what started as the WWF-Mondi Wetlands Programme. Over the past decade, this local partnership has grown into a global partnership.
Its work has expanded beyond the original boundaries of wetlands restoration within Mondi’s own plantations, to provide a wide, cross-functional, landscape-level focus that is establishing links between our pulp and paper mills, our forestry operations and sourcing areas, and the water catchments in which they are located.
WWF-Mondi Water Stewardship Partnership
Now known as the WWF-Mondi Water Stewardship Partnership, the partnership focuses on the management of freshwater resources in the agriculture and forestry sectors, building on the initial successes in the uMngeni catchment, and initiating work in the uMhlathuze catchment where Mondi’s Richards Bay mill is located.
The partnership brings key stakeholders together who have a shared interest in maintaining freshwater ecosystems and services at the landscape level – including farmers, local government and corporate land users (forestry and industry).
Applying social learning helps to engage key water users and stakeholders more effectively, and to ensure effective adaptive management in the rollout of these catchment partnerships. This is critical, as isolated good practice by a single player cannot address the complex challenges that face water resource management in these catchments.
The uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership (UWASP)
The uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership (UWASP) is a river basin collaboration of business, government and civil society, established to address water security challenges in the uMhlathuze region of South Africa. UWASP aims to play a transformative role in the region by unlocking the value of water for social, economic and environmental benefit.
The partnership arose in response to a severe drought in 2016, which brought into focus the significant water risks facing the catchment. As a result, the GIZ (The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, often shortened to simply GIZ, is a German development agency), National Business Initiative (NBI) and WWF South Africa came together with Tongaat Hulett and Mondi South Africa, as well as government stakeholders, including the Department of Water and Sanitation and Pongolo-uMzimkulu Proto- Catchment Management Agency, to form UWASP.
The partnership now also works closely with wider industry in the catchment, the City of uMhlathuze and a number of the farmers and landowners in the region.
Mondi South Africa
Mondi’s South African business sustainably manages some 254 000 hectares of plantation forests and manufactures and sells pulp, virgin container board and uncoated fine paper products. About 1 500 employees work in the forestry operations and the two mills located in Richards Bay and Merebank, Durban. Mondi South Africa is at the forefront of sustainable business practices.
Viv McMenamin, CEO Mondi South Africa, explains, ‘It is exciting to be playing a lead role in Mondi’s sustainability story. There are so many areas I am proud of, but three stand out for me. The work we are doing to reduce our water impact – right from growing trees that use less water, to protecting water catchment areas and wetlands through our work with partners, to using significantly less water in our operations.
‘Second is the progress we have made in becoming a diverse and inclusive workplace where people can grow to their full potential and contribute to our success. ‘And thirdly, of course, our globally competitive operations that produce high-quality, fully-recyclable products from sustainably sourced fibre.’
‘And thirdly, of course, our globally competitive operations that produce high-quality, fully-recyclable products from sustainably sourced fibre.’
Water management at Richards Bay mill
We recognise that we operate in a water stressed catchment and have been working tirelessly to reduce water consumption. Not only have we upgraded plant equipment with more water efficient technology, but we have also installed flow meters throughout the mill to create an accurate water balance. This helps us understand water usage and identify areas of improvement.
The plan builds on the progress of Mondi’s existing sustainability work, which saw the group move to science based targets for scope 1 and 2 emissions and supports the business strategy with sustainability at its heart.
Mondi has already reduced its CO2 emissions by 45% since 2004 and was recognised in 2020 by CDP as one of only 10 companies worldwide with a ‘Triple A’ score on its environmental performance related to climate, forests and water security. Between 2019 and 2020 the Richards Bay mill reduced specific water consumption by 7.2%.
