At Fabrika kartona Umka, sustainability is not just a trend but a fundamental aspect of our business philosophy.
We are committed to sustainable development, enhancing resource efficiency, and reducing our environmental footprint throughout all stages of production. By employing innovative technologies, responsibly managing resources, and dedicating ourselves to a circular economy, we aim to produce items that not only meet the highest quality standards but also contribute to preserving our planet for future generations.
Our objective is to continually advance sustainable practices that benefit both the economy and the community, creating products with minimal environmental impact while delivering quality to our partners and customers. We believe that responsible business operations are key to sustainable success, and through daily actions, we strive to provide eco-friendly and long-term solutions.
Fabrika kartona Umka was among the first factories to successfully complete the Cleaner Production Program under the UNIDO organization. Our dedication to quality and sustainable development is further validated by our certification to the ISO 14001:2004 standard, demonstrating that the principles of cleaner production and sustainability are core values of our operations.
Air Protection
At Fabrika kartona Umka, air protection is a fundamental aspect of our commitment to sustainable development. By upgrading our boiler systems to utilize natural gas, we have significantly reduced harmful gas emissions, thereby contributing to improved air quality. These investments, coupled with enhanced energy consumption optimization, have minimized our environmental impact. Our air protection strategy also includes continuous emission monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental standards and address community needs.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a cornerstone of our business policy. To decrease energy consumption and harmful gas emissions, we consistently invest in improving our systems and production processes. In 2023, we enhanced our facilities by installing heat exchangers, leading to reduced energy consumption and increased capacity of our paper machine, especially during winter months. Repairing sand filter systems and implementing recuperators for heating production halls and process water have further contributed to energy savings, reduced freshwater usage, and more efficient resource utilization. These initiatives significantly enhance the energy efficiency and sustainability of our production processes.
Water Protection
At Fabrika kartona Umka, we continually strive to reduce freshwater consumption and improve wastewater quality. The majority of water used in our production process is recycled, utilizing treated water from internal circulation. Freshwater from the Sava River is used for specific needs after mechanical treatment. Since 2007, we have implemented significant measures to reduce freshwater usage, including installing flotation units and filtration systems that enable water reuse and the return of paper fibers to the production process. These measures have reduced specific consumption nearly tenfold. Wastewater is collected, treated, and returned to production, while excess water undergoes treatment before being discharged into the Sava River. Substantial investments in water treatment systems, including a nearly one million euro investment in 2010, have enhanced our water recycling and treatment capabilities. Regular water quality analyses are conducted in collaboration with accredited laboratories to monitor and maintain environmental standards. In 2026, we plan to launch a modern wastewater treatment plant to produce biogas and reduce natural gas usage.
Waste Management
Fabrika kartona Umka is dedicated to sustainable operations and environmental protection, reflected in our waste management principles. We exclusively use recycled paper as raw material for cardboard production, significantly reducing waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. In 2023, we processed approximately 156,000 tons of recycled paper, conserving resources and reducing our ecological footprint. As a licensed recycler of waste paper and cardboard, the quantities of waste packaging we process contribute to achieving national recycling goals.
Our waste management approach includes source separation, ensuring efficient handling of various waste types such as technological waste, chemical packaging, metal waste, IT equipment, and other production-related waste. In line with sustainable development principles, we continually invest in reducing raw material and energy consumption, as well as replacing raw materials with more environmentally friendly alternatives when possible. We utilize appropriate forms and reports to monitor waste data, ensuring transparency and accuracy in waste quantities and movement records. Additionally, we collaborate with authorized operator Ekostar pak for managing packaging waste, including paper, metal, glass, wood, and plastics, further enhancing our comprehensive waste management strategy.
Our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship is demonstrated through continuous investments and improvements across all aspects of our operations, ensuring that we meet the highest standards of sustainability and contribute positively to our community and the planet.
