The Swedish group Essity, specialized in hygiene and health, announced in early July an investment of 11 million euros on its industrial site in Hondouville (in the Eure). The aim is to allow the extraction of 98% of the paper fibers contained in food cartons in order to recycle them, explains the group.
Since 2008, Essity's Hondouville plant has been the leader in France in the recycling of paper fibers contained in documents, magazines, newspapers and food cartons. 63% of all food cartons sorted, collected and recycled in France are recycled in Hondouville (sources: Citeo and Alliance Carton Nature). The recycled fibers are used in the manufacture of toilet paper, hand towels or industrial wiping paper.
"The new recycling system being implemented at the Essity site in Hondouville will be fully operational by the first half of 2022. In addition to its sustainable aspect, this project also has other virtues. For example, it will improve on-site logistics flows and reduce the risk of accidents by clarifying vehicle and pedestrian traffic zones. This is an important element when aiming for zero injuries said Anne Conte, Director of the Essity plant in Hondouville.
The Essity site in Hondouville recycles around 100,000 tons of waste paper and food packaging per year to produce toilet paper and hand towels. It is the largest industrial site in France in this field.
