The pulp and paper industry is a large industrial user of water, as it is used in nearly every step in the manufacturing process. While the industry is a large user of water it has low water consumption. Water consumption is the portion of water removed from a water source that is not directly returned to the water source. Consumptive water losses typically consist of evaporative losses from the process and export of water with product and solid residuals.
NCASI’s research program in this focus area has assisted our Member Companies in characterizing efficient use of water to help ensure their continued access to, and sustainability of, water resources. NCASI also assists by reviewing and/or developing water footprinting and accounting methodologies, along with water sustainability and risk frameworks.
NCASI has prepared forest products industry water profiles for three geographic regions: the United States, Canada, and European Countries represented by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI).
The NCASI Water Consumption Tool is an Excel-based Visual Basic program that simplifies the process of calculating consumptive water losses by using readily available, mill-specific, process operation inputs to yield water consumption outputs.