ITC pioneers chlorine-free technology to kake eco-friendly paper news

lTC has introduced the environment friendly paper, "Paperkraft Premium Business Paper," which has been crafted by ITC using a pioneering technology, the first of its kind in India called "ozone treated elemental chlorine-free technology".

ITC says Paperkraft is a superior and environmentally-friendly, multipurpose paper for offices and homes, and helps consumers "go green".

Better known for its luxury hotels and top of the line cigarettes - ITC is India's largest tobacco company - the company says the paper has been launched in line with its triple-bottom line commitment to building economic, environmental and social capital for the nation.

It said development of the eco-friendly paper is an integral part of its initiatives to augment natural and resources.

The Paperkraft premium business paper is being marketed by the education and stationery products business of ITC, which has a widespread distribution network across the country, through which it delivers its student stationery products branded as "Classmate".

In terms of quality, Paperkraft is said to be the whitest and brightest 75 grams per square inch (GSM) business paper manufactured in India. A proprietory chemical treatment has enabled it to become an eco- friendly paper with a higher archival life.

Conventional paper production involves the use of elemental chlorine in the bleaching process during manufacture. The byproducts of this process include large number of organo-chlorine chemicals, which are toxic and adversely impact the environment.

ITC's ECF technology virtually eliminates the production of such toxins by substituting elemental chlorine with chlorine dioxide. This "ozone treatment", is an advance over ECF, resulting in even lower chemical usage and reduced water pollution.

These efforts encompass all critical elements of environmental sustainability and have led ITC to be the only company in the world, of its size and diversity, to achieve the milestones of being carbon positive, water positive and achieving close to 100 per cent solid waste recycling. Furthermore, ITC sources the raw material from its social and farm forestry project, which covers over 85,000 hectares and has created over 35 million mandays of employment.