No need to stock up on tissue, or paper

Pulp, paper, packaging, recycling and tissue value chains will continue to operate as a “critical business continuity service” supporting the manufacturing, processing and distribution of essential goods and services during the lockdown, says the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA).

The sector provides wood and recycled paper fibre for the production of essential goods, such as tissue, toilet paper, paper packaging, hospital gowns and masks, and personal hygiene products.

There is no scarcity of toilet paper.

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The outbreak of Covid-19 has caused a global phenomenon in recent weeks: the stockpiling and panic-buying of items such as toilet paper.

“Never before has toilet paper enjoyed such publicity,” says Jane Molony, PAMSA executive director.

“Any perceived shortage of toilet paper in the shops is more a consumer behavioural issue than it is a production issue.”

Molony explains that South African tissue mills produce toilet paper continuously and the risk of shortage is minimal.

“There is availability of product further up the supply chain – the challenge is getting it to the consumer amid tissue manufacturers also trying to limit Covid-19 exposure for their own workers.

“Buying more than you need only fuels the panic-buying cycle and disrupts supply chains.”

South African tissue manufacturers make almost all of the toilet tissue consumed in the country and they have ramped up production to meet increased demand, with many operating at full capacity.

Tissue produced locally contains approximately 76 per cent recycled fibre content, with the balance comprising virgin wood pulp from sustainably grown trees and to a smaller degree, bagasse (sugar cane waste).

Smaller tissue mills that rely on recovered office paper – a common ingredient in tissue products – may be faced with a shortage as offices and businesses shut down.

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Most packaging plants in South Africa are working at full capacity in order to ensure paper-based packaging gets to their customers in essential sectors.

“Our sector is falling in line with government’s regulations, while also adapting its operations according to the local and global recommendations to minimise risk for suppliers, employees and customers,” notes Molony.

On the local front, Mpact Springs Mills as well as the other two paper mills which are located in Felixton and Piet Retief continue to operate as they produce the paper that is utilised by the packaging industry to make packaging for essential services (food, medical supplies, etc.).

According to Donna-Mari Noble, communications manager at Mpact, each of the mills manufactures different grades of paper and manufactures to order as per their customers’ requirements.

“At this point in time, the mills have sufficient stock and will continue to produce as they have adequate orders from their customers. All mills have enough raw material stocks to keep producing during this lockdown.”

Their recycling business has 16 operations countrywide which continue to operate as part of the essential services in the country.

“With the lockdown, we expect to see reduced collections due to limited business activity taking place – with many businesses shut and people staying at home.

“There is also a decrease in waste being delivered to our operations from various sources, including the buy-back centres (who buy from the hawkers) and the collectors themselves who deliver to our operations.

“We will continue to buy from and support recycling dealers from around the country.

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“With the schools and a number of community collection centres being shut, we are not emptying any paperbanks at this time.

“The situation will be re-assessed as we go along.”

Noble says Mpact fully supports our government’s decisive action to contain the spread of Covid-19 with a 21-day national lockdown.

We service numerous clients that require us to move their materials from their back of house to be recycled, and with our teams still on the ground we will continue to do so.

“Your health and safety, as well as that of our employees, contractors and their families, remain our primary concerns at all times.

“We can assure you that stringent hygiene protocols have been implemented at all Mpact workstations nationwide.

“Though all our branches are open, we will be monitoring developments in this unprecedented situation constantly and update accordingly.”

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