South Africa

BRUSSELS, Dez. 13, 2010 (RISI) - In part 1 of a two part series, Graeme Rodden, Executive Editor of Pulp & Paper International, examines why Mondi is at WWF's top of the tree when it comes to evironmental practice in pulp and paper.

BRUSSELS, Dez. 6, 2010 (RISI) - An important technical discovery from researchers connected with Stellenbosch University in South Africa has helped eliminate a critical step in the production of ethanol from ligno-cellulose.

The Gilboa nature reserve is the first 
forestry property to be proclaimed a private nature reserve in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) under the biodiversity steward-
ship mechanism.

Paper and packaging group Mondi has concluded its ninth land restitution settlement, transferring 258 ha of its forestry land to members of the Mkhwanazi community, in Port Durnford, in KwaZulu-Natal.

The members of the community will gain ownership of the land through the Phalane Trust and plan to derive a sustainable income from the land, while simultaneously progressively developing their own businesses to operate along the forestry value chain.

A strong performance for its Europe & International division and improving conditions in its South Africa division have led to paper and packaging group Mondi reporting interim headline earnings a share of €0,24 a share.

This compared to a headline loss a share of €0,01 a share in the six months ended June 30, 2009.

Profit from continuing operations rose to €135-million in the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with a loss of €24-million the year before.