International Paper, Fiberight LLC Combine to Produce Ethanol from Recycle Board Mill

The program began in early May. The project shifts the paper company’s approach to disposing of its residual material. Previous to the arrangement with Fiberight, IP shipped the material to companies for use for land applications at a cost to International Paper.

"When Fiberight approached us in late 2008 with their idea for using our residual fiber to process renewable energy, we saw this as a potential win-win for both companies," says Tom Olstad, operations manager at IP's Cedar River mill. "As one of the largest recycled paper mills in the world, recycling and reusing raw materials is a big part of how we operate. Through Fiberight's new facility, we can now be assured that whatever recycled fiber can't be made into new packaging can be used to create green energy, while helping us offset our disposal costs."

In addition to producing the ethanol, Fiberight will be introducing organic pulps made from residential trash to the plant. The company has spent the last six years designing processes to separate this organic pulp from everyday waste, creating more recyclables and energy from other parts of the waste stream along the way.

Fiberight plans on spending about $25 million to convert the Blairstown, Iowa, plant. The company anticipates producing up to 6 million gallons a year of renewable cellulosic ethanol when the plant reaches capacity next year.