Evonik and Steinbeis Papier join forces to reduce CO₂ emissions in recycled paper

Hanau and Glückstadt, Germany. Evonik and Steinbeis Papier have signed an agreement for the supply of Evonik’s carbon-neutral hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) for recycled paper production. The use of this “Way to GO₂”-certified H₂O₂ will enable Steinbeis Papier to further reduce emissions along its value chain, in accordance with the company’s ambitious sustainability strategy. In return, Evonik’s Active Oxygens business line will use the proceeds of the sale to further invest in ongoing measures to drastically cut carbon emissions from its production footprint.

Steinbeis Papier GmbH is the European market leader in recycled graphical papers made from 100% recovered paper. The company’s focus on environmental responsibility throughout the entire production process - from local procurement to efficient, closed-system production – is captured in its “ReThinking Paper” strategy. One element of the strategy involves limiting carbon emissions along the company’s value chain. Using Evonik’s new carbon-neutral hydrogen peroxide supports this endeavor.

“This partnership with Steinbeis Papier demonstrates that sustainability and business go hand-in-hand,” said Christoph Batz-Sohn, Director of Sustainable Transformation at Evonik Active Oxygens. “The market wants more environmentally friendly solutions, and we can provide them. And because the Way to GO₂ certification is based on carbon-reducing measures within our own production processes, customers can lower their Scope 3 emissions without changing anything else about logistics or formulation: It is the same high-quality H₂O₂ and commitment to service that has earned us top supplier scores from Steinbeis Papier in the past.”

“Companies generally have more direct influence on their own Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions, but reducing Scope 3 emissions can be challenging. It depends on finding the right supplier,” said Steinbeis Papier Sustainability Manager Andreas Steenbock. “Evonik’s commitment to sustainability is what makes them a strategic partner for us. With carbon-neutral hydrogen peroxide, we can meet growing customer demand for bright, clean recycled paper while shrinking our total environmental footprint.”

“It’s a milestone for us,” added Christoph Batz-Sohn. “Since their launch, we have had customer interest in the Way to GO₂ certificates up to now. But the sheer volume of hydrogen peroxide needed to produce recycled paper makes Steinbeis Papier our biggest purchaser yet.”

Hydrogen peroxide is essential in the production of recycled paper. A powerful bleaching agent, it prevents discoloration and boosts brightness. Because it breaks down into only oxygen and water, it represents a greener alternative to other bleaching chemistries. In fact, the use of hydrogen peroxide fulfills the high environmental standards of the German “Blue Angel” ecolabel. All Steinbeis papers have been awarded the Blue Angel.

Evonik’s Way to GO₂ certification is based on a lifecycle analysis of the Active Oxygens business line’s total production network in Europe. As Active Oxygens continues to implement emissions-slashing measures, like the switch to renewable electricity, across its production sites, a portion of its output can already be considered carbon-neutral. This portion is assigned a certain number of Way to GO₂ certificates. The sale of these certificates is then invested back into the business line’s ongoing efforts to achieve full carbon neutrality in its global production network by 2040. The approach and calculation have been externally evaluated and certified by TÜV Rheinland, and are revalidated on a yearly basis.

Learn more about how Evonik’s Way to GO₂-certified hydrogen peroxide and Steinbeis Papier’s ReThinking Paper strategy go hand-in-hand: Full-Circle Sustainability

“Way to GO₂” refers to Active Oxygens’ roadmap toward carbon neutrality by 2040. Find out more at: evonik.com/way2go2