SMART Papers breaks ground for US$ 30 million energy project.

SMART Papers has begun construction on a new US$ 30 million high-efficiency energy co-generation facility at its manufacturing centre in Ohio. By early 2009, SMART Papers plans to produce all of its own power and begin a transition to 100% cellulosic biomass fuel.

SMART Papers, said its products will be carbon-neutral because its manufacturing center will be powered by 100% biomass, primarily yard waste as well as industrial wood and fiber waste. Biomass emits no net  carbon dioxide because the carbon in the biomass originates from carbon dioxide that was recently in the atmosphere.

The project’s full scope will enable SMART Papers to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its Hamilton manufacturing facility, located 25 miles northwest of Cincinnati. No food crops will be used, no farmland will be displaced and no timber will be harvested to provide fuel, the company said.

“SMART Papers is the first North American premium papermaker to begin the process of becoming truly 100% carbon neutral and fossil fuel free in its papermaking production,” said SMART Papers Chairman Tim Needham. “This is a major environmental advance in papermaking — we have set a new standard for environmentally responsible printing papers.