Under the wave of digital transformation and the guidance of China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the paper industry is undergoing a historic leap from “scale expansion” to “value reshaping.” Recently, Nantong Tenglong Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Tenglong Chemical”) actively responded to this trend. With the support of Carbon Newture, the company completed the carbon footprint calculation of Carboxy styrene-butadiene latex, a key upstream chemical additive for papermaking, and obtained a product carbon footprint verification statement from the authoritative third-party organization SGS.
Leading upstream supplier of key chemical additives for papermaking
Founded in 2011, Tenglong Chemical is a subsidiary of Guangdong Chengming Chemicals Co., Ltd. and the Group’s first operational production base. The company covers a total area of 103 mu and focuses on the production and service of papermaking chemicals, with a total capacity of 280,000 tons per year. Its main products include: AKD neutral sizing agent (50,000 tons/year), surface sizing agent (30,000 tons/year), dry strength agent (50,000 tons/year), Carboxy styrene-butadiene latex (150,000 tons/year). Tenglong Chemical serves downstream clients such as Nine Dragons Paper, UPM, and APP Group, positioning itself as an indispensable supplier of chemical additives in the global premium paper production value chain.
The Carboxy styrene-butadiene latex, for which the carbon footprint was assessed, is one of Tenglong’s core offerings. It significantly improves the performance and quality of paper and paperboard, contributing to high whiteness, printing gloss, and smoothness. It is widely used in premium coated paper, whiteboard, and paperboard.
From quantity to green growth: The paper industry’s low-carbon transformation
As a resource-dependent, capital- and technology-intensive industry, papermaking has a long value chain that intersects with forestry, agriculture, chemicals, machinery, thermal power, logistics, and environmental protection. As such, the production and consumption levels of paper are key indicators of a nation’s modernization and civilization. However, the industry’s high pollution and high energy consumption also make it a critical focus of China’s “dual carbon” policy and the rise of green consumption.
China’s paper industry has already deeply integrated into the circular economy:
Raw materials: About 77% of feedstock comes from solid waste, with 65% of pulp from recycled paper.
Energy: About 20% of energy consumption comes from solid waste.
Policy: The "14th Five-Year and Long-Term High-Quality Development Plan for the Papermaking Industry" clearly states the expansion phase has ended; the industry must pivot to structural upgrades and green low-carbon development.
Industry consensus: Zhao Wei, President of the China Paper Association, stated at the "2025 China Paper Industry Sustainability Forum" that the industry is shifting from quantity-driven growth to green-driven transformation.
Paper and paper products can partially replace non-renewable resources such as plastics, steel, and non-ferrous metals, making papermaking a vital sector with sustainable development potential in China’s economy.
According to the 2024 Annual Report of China’s Paper Industry, the total production of pulp, paper, and paper products reached 295.93 million tons in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 1.56%. Data from CIRI show that demand for corrugated paper, driven by e-commerce logistics, accounts for over 50%, with 2024 growth at 4.2%. Specialty paper segments such as food-grade and medical paper are growing rapidly, with rates up to 12%.
A report by CIConsulting predicts that under the constraints of dual carbon goals, the industry’s carbon emission intensity must drop by 18% by 2025. The EU’s Packaging Waste Regulation requires a 75% recycling rate for paper by 2025, pushing companies to build closed-loop recycling systems. Policy and market dynamics together are accelerating the green transition of papermaking brands. Some leading companies are now beginning to manage upstream carbon reduction after implementing internal measures.
Carbon disclosure: The new “green passport” for the paper supply chain
In recent years, carbon data visibility has become a "green passport" for collaboration within the paper supply chain. Lead enterprises no longer base procurement solely on price and quality — carbon footprint data, scientific emission reduction targets, and disclosure mechanisms are now written into contracts.
UPM
UPM is the only forest industry company globally certified by the UN Climate Leadership Compact. It calculates and discloses third-party verified environmental product declarations (EPDs) and carbon footprint reports annually.
SBTi Target: By 2030, reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 65% from 2015 levels.
“-30 by 30” Plan: Reduce Scope 3 emissions (especially from purchased goods and services, and transport) by 30% from 2018 levels by 2030.
Supplier Requirements: Suppliers must provide carbon footprint data, including Scope 3 upstream emissions.
Disclosure: Publishes third-party verified PCF and EPDs and established a Supplier Decarbonization Platform to support carbon accounting and disclosure.
APP Group
Target: Peak carbon by 2030 (baseline: 2021), reduce carbon intensity per product by 30%, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Supply Chain Management: Enforces strict supplier access and environmental compliance (e.g., Forest Conservation Policy) with traceability requirements and third-party certification.
Disclosure: Separately reports environmental performance by site.
Hengfeng Paper
SBTi Target: First Chinese specialty paper enterprise with SBTi targets — reduce Scope 1+2 emissions by 42% and Scope 3 by 25% by 2030 (baseline: 2023).
Supply Chain: Implements green procurement and requires key suppliers to provide carbon footprints.
Nine Dragons Paper
Target: Reduce GHG intensity to <9300 tCO₂e/million tons by 2025 (baseline: 2020).
Supplier Audits: Applies IKEA’s IWAY system including GHG, energy, and pollution indicators.
Disclosure: Publishes energy consumption data and PCF for main products.
Tenglong Chemical’s green transformation practices
Meeting the green standards of top customers like Nine Dragons, UPM, and APP — and broader decarbonization trends — has become Tenglong Chemical’s litmus test for carbon management capabilities.
Carbon Footprint Certification: Partnered with Carbon Newture to collect and trace full lifecycle carbon emissions for XSBR and obtained a third-party carbon footprint certificate.
Carbon Label and Traceability: The certified product is listed on the “China Carbon Disclosure Platform for Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts” and carries a “China Carbon Label for Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts” Users can scan the QR code to access carbon footprint data for the product.
Blockchain Secured: The disclosure platform uses Carbon Newture’s blockchain technology to ensure tamper-proof emissions data.
Image: China Carbon Information Disclosure Platform for Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts
Tenglong Chemical also advocates for safety and environmental protection by adopting international production standards and advanced technology. From high-standard management to efficient operations, it is building a green brand image through a global perspective and industry-leading practices.
Conclusion
Paper industry leaders are setting science-based emission targets and using procurement policies to drive decarbonization across upstream suppliers, reshaping the entire value chain. Through its partnership with Carbon Newture, Tenglong Chemical not only meets these “hard requirements” but also enhances the transparency of its core product’s carbon information. In the future, Carbon Newture will continue to support more papermaking companies in conducting carbon audits and disclosures, helping establish a new model for decarbonization across China’s paper supply chain.
References：
[1] https://www.chinairn.com/hyzx/20250318/094957858.shtml 2025年纸浆行业现状与发展趋势分析
[2] https://www.gdpaper.cn/uploadfiles/2025/05/202505070935533553.pdf 中国造纸工业2024年度报告
[3] https://www.upm.com/siteassets/documents/responsibility/1-fundamentals/emas-reports/global-reports/upm_corp_emas_2023_cn.pdf UPM企业环境与社会责任声明 2023年度
[4] https://www.upm.com/siteassets/about-us/for-suppliers/documents/ch-upm-supplier-assessment-criteria.pdf 芬欧汇川材料与服务供应商评估标准
[5] https://www.app.com.cn/upload/develop/1723577992140950866.pdf APP（中国）2023 可持续发展暨ESG报告
[6] https://www.hengfengpaper.com/filespath/files/20250430132402.pdf 牡丹江恒丰纸业股份有限公司2024可持续发展报告
[7] http://www.ndpaper.com/tc/esg/esg/esr2024.pdf 玖龍紙業（控股）有限公司 2023/2024年環境、社會及管治報告
