Elmo Leather to invest in new treatment plant
The Swedish automotive and furniture leather specialist, the Elmo Leather Group, has announced it is to invest SEK40 million ($4.9 million) in a new treatment plant in Svenljunga.
Elmo said that the facilities at the site will enable it to become the first leather manufacturer to reduce its nitrogen emissions by 80%, compared with the usual 30% associated with traditional treatment methods.
Using new technology, the plant will filter waste water through an advanced form of biological treatment involving the nitrification/de-nitrification process.
The company must receive authorisation for the expansion of Svenljunga’s production limit from 3.5 million to 4.5 million square metres before work can begin on the plant. If given the go-ahead, it will be up and running from autumn 2004.
Elmo says it hopes investing in the treatment plant will benefit the company by spotlighting its environmental profile. President and CEO of Elmo Leather, Nalle Johansson, said: “In the short term our profitability will not benefit, but over the longer term we believe that the project will strengthen our competitive edge and position in the market place by emphasising Elmo as a more environmentally aware company.”
The project is to benefit from a SEK9 million ($1 million) grant funded by the European Union environmental fund, LIFE.
