The Dissolved Pulp Module serves as the dedicated ZDHC tool to assess and certify suppliers in the implementation of the latest ZDHC Dissolved Pulp Guidelines chemical management requirements.
This module enables Dissolved Pulp suppliers to demonstrate advanced sustainable chemical management knowledge. Its objective is to establish responsible feedstock sourcing practices, improve chemical recovery and reduce pollution through wastewater and air emissions originated in the dissolved pulp production process.
The module marks the entry point to take full ownership of your ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme implementation efforts. Facilities are expected to assess what is needed to report against Input, Process and Output Management and plan accordingly by completing the Module questions. The questionnaire is based on the ZDHC Dissolved Pulp Guidelines V1.0 framework. By answering these questions, facilities demonstrate their awareness of sustainable chemical management in achieving the limits for input feedstock and chemical management, chemical recovery, wastewater discharge and air emissions during pulp production.
The Dissolved Pulp Module can be accessed on the ZDHC Supplier Platform.
To do so, the facility should:
- Have access to the ZDHC Gateway*
- Use their ZDHC Gateway credentials to access the Supplier Platform
- Request access to the Dissolved Pulp Module via email to supplierplatform@zdhc.org and provide the following information:
- Facility name (as provided on Gateway)
- Facility’s account ID (AID as provided on Gateway)
*If your facility does not have a Gateway account yet, please go to the following article for instructions on how to create one: Getting a ZDHC Gateway account (Supplier).
- ZDHC Dissolved Pulp Guidelines V1.0
- ZDHC Dissolved Pulp Guidelines Industry Standard Implementation Approach V1.1
It is not mandatory to use the Dissolved Pulp Module. However, starting in 2026 it is a requirement for MMCF suppliers implementing the ZDHC MMCF Guidelines V3.0 to source dissolved pulp used in fibre production from mills implementing the ZDHC Dissolved Pulp Guidelines. The Dissolved Pulp Module is the only ZDHC tool to assess and certify the implementation of these guidelines.
Chapter 1: Input Management
- Invoices for feedstock
- Canopy Audit Report
- FSC or PEFC certification
- Block chain traceability document
- Documentary evidence of alternative fibre feedstock
- Documents indicating circularity initiatives
- Process Flow Diagrams & Process description in permits
- Raw material consumption datasheet
Chapter 2: Process Management
- Process Flow Diagrams
- Chemical Analysis Reports / Plant operating data
- Internal recovery data & Inventory data
- Internal recovery calculation
- Inventory records
- Process description in permits
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Chapter 3: Output Management
- ETP flow diagram
- Environmental permit / Discharge permit
- Wastewater test report from ZDHC Approved Wastewater Lab or ISO 17025 certified lab
- Waste management plan or Waste disposal plan
- Internal record showing load-based wastewater parameter calculations
- Waste disposal plan & duly signed declaration (for ZLD facilities)
- Images of air emission monitoring system or ambient air emission monitoring system
- Load-based air emission calculation data
- Test report / Air dispersion modelling data
Transition Phase (Year 1) - Self-assessment
€199 Supplier Platform submission fee
Verified Assessment (Year 2 onwards)
€199 Supplier Platform submission fee + Third-party reviewer fee (tbd)
By completing the Dissolved Pulp Module suppliers can advance in their sustainable chemical management journey, achieving high standards of chemical recovery, wastewater and air emission management, among other indicators.
When participating in the module, pulp suppliers will receive a Dissolved Pulp Module certificate (a Certificate of Completion in year 1 –2025– and a Certificate of Achievement in year 2 –2026–) which they can use to position themselves by setting high standards for sustainable practices and promoting transparency in the supply chain.
Lastly, sourcing from dissolved pulp suppliers with a Dissolved Pulp Module certificate is one of the requirements to be implemented by MMCF suppliers committing to the MMCF Guidelines V3.0 (from 2026 onwards), which represents around 70% of the industry. For this reason, gaining a Dissolved Pulp Module certificate might lead to strengthening already existing partnerships or to create new opportunities in the sector.
The scope of the Dissolved Pulp Module follows the ZDHC Dissolved Pulp Guidelines V1.0.
In scope are facilities using the following processes for dissolved pulp production:
- Pulping processes: (1) Kraft (sulphate) pulping process (2) Sulphite pulping process
- Bleaching process: (1) Total chlorine-free (2) Elemental chlorine-free
Reclaimed textile waste as feedstock for dissolved pulp manufacturing and elemental chlorine-based bleaching of pulp (no longer used in the industry) are out of scope.
Input Management
- Responsible feedstock sourcing
- Best practices for input chemical management
Process Management
- Chemical recovery rates in Kraft and Sulphite (MgO- and NaOH-based) processes
Output Management
- Wastewater discharge
- Testing and reporting
- Load-based parameters
- Sludge management
- Air emissions
- Limit values
- Monitoring and reporting
Dissolved Pulp Module updates are launched along with each update of the ZDHC Dissolved Pulp Guidelines, aligning the module as assessment tool, to the updated requirements.
Currently, only one version of the Dissolved Pulp Module has been launched (as per December 2025).
If earlier updates are to be launched, the dissolved pulp community will get notified.
The ZDHC Dissolved Pulp Guidelines V1.0 and further ZDHC framework focus on continuous improvement. Therefore, the Dissolved Pulp Module certificates have limited validity of one year.
The submission cycle for each reporting year takes place between 1st January and 31st March of the following year to the calendar year to be reported.
For example: the data gathered during calendar year 2025 should be reported on the Dissolved Pulp Module between January and March 2026
Year 1 (self-assessment)
- Certificate of Completion (without score) - to be downloaded from the Supplier Platform
- Assessment Report - detailed breakdown of the supplier’s performance against each criteria point of the module assessment. It will get sent to the supplier by the ZDHC via E-mail.
Year 2 onwards (verified assessment)
- Certificate of Achievement (with achieved score) - to be downloaded from the Supplier Platform
- Assessment Report - detailed breakdown of the supplier’s performance against each criteria point of the module assessment. It will get sent to the supplier by the ZDHC via E-mail.
Each document is meant to promote transparency, compliance and open communication along the supply chain, showcasing achievements and identifying possible areas of improvement.