Australia in the mid nineties introduced the grade definitions of 1st Whites, a combination of sorted CBS and SOP. Also 2nd Whites being unsorted and or mobile shredded papers. Amcor segregated these two qualities in the case of 1st Whites for deinking into tissue and fine paper manufacturing. With the 2nd White quality for multi-ply display packaging board which would be coated for printing. This has worked well for them for their domestic consumption, however when it comes to export, heavy colour and coating increases bleaching costs and deinking difficulties with some single cell deinking processes especially tissue.

It is true that these grades on their own have been exported for almost three decades. Although international definitions have not changed over the same period the pulp content and printing technology has. Few recovered paper processors have the knowledge or time to correctly separate these grades. Not forgetting the high manual cost to do so in Australia if processors service both printers and business houses.

The dilemma Australia faces is that there are few countries and even fewer mills who will accept a Combo grade, especially if these contain heavily coloured papers and or mechanical content pulp to deink back into a higher value finished paper products.

One solution for high volume plants is optical sorting to add maximum value. The other is to add back those sorters who have been eliminated since domestic board mills commenced deinking for packaging board. Better and cheaper is to educate suppliers and provide receptacles to source separate and to remove contaminates.

As the closure of the Fairfield mill nears there is limited time to correct a second quality. Yes there is always a buyer if you want to absorb quality claims or just sell as Mixed. Our website www.papertopaper.com.au under Education/waste grades can be of assistance and we are happy to visit your plant to lend support.