American Chung Nam BV (ACN Europe) celebrated the milestone at the ECT Euromax terminal in Rotterdam, Holland, earlier this month.
The firm, which was founded in 2000 by US-based ACN, exports paper and plastics from over 20 European countries with a ‘focus’ on supplying the Nine Dragons Paper mills in China.
The company has expanded in recent years and since 2006 has operated a subsidiary in Manchester to serve the UK and Irish market.
About two million tonnes of recovered paper are exported each year to Asia in around 85,000 40ft containers, the company claims. This means that since launching its Rotterdam operation, ACN Europe has exported roughly 23 million tonnes of recovered paper.
In the presence of suppliers, logistical partners and employees, the container was revealed by representatives of parties who have contributed to the achievement.
Pex Langenberg, Vice Mayor of the City of Rotterdam, said: “It is a major contribution to the volumes moved through our port. But maybe even more important is that it is a major contribution to the recycling of used materials, benefitting us all.”
ACN Europe directors Teun Huizinga and Wade Schuetzeberg also congratulated the team on behalf of the parent company’s owners Yan Cheung and Min Chung Liu.
Exports
Speaking to letsrecycle.com editor Steve Eminton at the RWM Show last week, Mr Schuetzeberg said there was still demand for exports of recovered paper to the Far East despite recent uncertainty surrounding the Chinese market.
He said: “There are eight million tonnes of recovered fibres that are collected here in the UK, approximately half are exported, so it’s extremely important for the sustainability and the viability of recycling programmes here in the UK and throughout the continent that we have a healthy export market.”
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