Mondi has taken major steps towards energy self-sufficiency and climate resilience at its Merebank paper mill in Durban, South Africa, following the installation of a new turbine and completion of two flood-proofing projects.
The Mondi Merebank turbine generator
The new condensing steam turbine enables the mill to generate around 60% of its own electricity by using excess steam from its boiler, significantly reducing reliance on grid-supplied power and cutting operational costs. Once an ongoing cooling tower upgrade is complete, the site is expected to produce more electricity than it consumes, marking a milestone in Mondi’s move towards full energy independence.
“This project is a game-changer for the mill,” said Donovan Naidoo, operations director at Mondi Merebank. “By generating power onsite, we reduce our dependency on external electricity supply, reduce costs, and take a step towards energy independence, climate resilience and long-term operational stability.”
The turbine installation is also expected to lower the mill’s carbon footprint as part of Mondi’s wider climate-action strategy.
Alongside the energy investment, two flood-proofing projects have been completed to protect the site from extreme weather events. These include the installation of flood gates and inflatable flood barriers that can be rapidly deployed to create water-catchment dams, helping safeguard both operations and surrounding communities.
Both the energy and flood-proofing initiatives support Mondi’s Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) sustainability commitments, which aim to enhance resource efficiency, reduce emissions, and strengthen business continuity across its operations.
