Responsible Water and Energy management

Responsible Water and Energy Management

As a company that prioritizes sustainability, VPK Group is committed to using water and energy responsibly. Our approach is built on three key pillars: Reduce - Optimise - Reuse

Efficient energy management

Sustainable production starts with responsible energy use. VPK Group has long been dedicated to reducing energy consumption and accelerating the transition to clean energy. Our energy policy in practice means:

Using less energy
We invest in technologies such as LED lighting, insulation, high-efficiency motors, and energy-efficient process innovations to minimize unnecessary energy consumption. Our commitment to the Flemish Energy Policy Agreement, ISO certifications, and other energy initiatives highlights our dedication to efficiency.
Maximizing energy utilization
We strive for optimal efficiency in converting primary energy into steam and electricity. This is achieved through the best possible configuration of our facilities, combined heat and power (CHP) technology, and various forms of energy recovery.
Utilizing renewable energy sources
We integrate alternative and renewable energy sources such as solar power, biomass, and biogas. Our central and local energy managers work closely together to further increase the share of renewable energy.
Goal: CO₂ neutral by 2050
VPK Group aims to achieve at least 50% renewable energy by 2030, surpassing EU targets. Our ultimate goal: carbonfree production by 2050.

Practical examples

Oudegem Paper Mill, Belgium: Our largest paper mill is energy self-sufficient, producing 120 tons of steam per hour and 25 MW of electricity for its own use — primarily through CHP.
Solar Panels in Belgium (Aalst, Oudegem, Courcelles, Deerlijk, and Meer from mid-2025): Photovoltaic panels generate up to 4,000 MWh of green electricity annually, equivalent to the average energy consumption of nearly 1,600 households. About 75% of this energy is used internally; the rest is fed back into the grid.
Waste-to-Energy Plant in Strasbourg: Since 2019, our facility has been converting both internal and external pulp production residues into thermal energy for packaging paper production.
Residual Heat Recovery for the City of Strasbourg: Our biomass plant’s residual heat feeds into Strasbourg’s district heating network, warming 12,000 households and saving 9,300 tons of CO₂ annually by reducing natural gas consumption.

Water management: Every drop counts

Our production processes require significant amounts of water, and as a sustainable company, we ensure that our water consumption does not negatively impact other stakeholders. Our goal is to keep our water footprint as low as possible through:

1. Saving and reusing water
Our environmental managers and process technologists apply a water-saving strategy tailored to regional water stress levels and the water intensity of our operations. Not every application requires high-quality water, so VPK Paper prioritizes the use of lower-quality recycled water where feasible. Water is used according to this hierarchy: Rainwater > Surface water > Groundwater > Municipal water (if technically possible)

2. Water purification
With in-house water treatment facilities, we recycle rainwater and industrial wastewater to minimize reliance on surface water. We actively reduce the use of municipal and groundwater to lower our environmental impact, ensuring that discharged water from our activities has minimal ecological impact.

3. Water protection
VPK Group is committed to protecting and sustainably managing water resources through three key initiatives:

Preserving existing water bodies: We follow the “stand-still” principle to prevent long-term deterioration and maintain water quality.
Restoring impacted water sources: We strive to positively influence neighboring water bodies affected by historical overconsumption.
Collaborating with stakeholders: We encourage our suppliers, customers, and partners across the value chain to adopt responsible water management practices.

And in practice?

Innovative water treatment in Oudegem, Belgium

At our Oudegem paper mill, we have implemented groundbreaking solutions for sustainable water use. Through the ambitious Watergate project, we extract and treat water from the Dender River to reduce reliance on groundwater and municipal water.

Project phases:

Phase 1: Installation of a sedimentation tank and sand filters to ensure consistent water quality.
Phase 2: Addition of ultrafiltration to remove the last impurities.
Phase 3: Implementation of a reverse osmosis system, replacing up to 150,000 m³ of groundwater and municipal water with surface water.

With just 4 m³ of water consumption per ton of paper, VPK ranks among the industry’s best, where the average is 7 m³. Our water management efforts continue to set new standards for innovation and sustainability.

Discover more about our sustainability journey

At VPK Group, responsible water and energy management is just one part of our commitment to a greener future. Explore how we’re making a real impact through innovation, circularity, and sustainable solutions across our entire value chain.

Explore our sustainability initiatives

Responsible Water and Energy management