Question
A facility’s sulphate (SO₄²⁻) load-based wastewater value is reported below the range of 200–300 kg/tonne specified in Table 15 of the ZDHC MMCF Guidelines V3.0.
Does the facility still meet the requirements?
Answer
Yes.
If the facility’s calculated sulphate (SO₄²⁻) load-based value is below 200 kg/tonne of fibre or filament, this is considered acceptable and indicates lower sulphate emissions and improved environmental performance.
The sulphate load-based parameter in Table 15 of the ZDHC MMCF Guidelines V3.0 should not be interpreted as a minimum required value. Rather, it represents the reporting reference range for sulphate load-based wastewater parameters. Lower reported values demonstrate lower pollutant load discharged per tonne of fibre or filament produced.
As stated in Section 3.1.3 of the ZDHC MMCF Guidelines V3.0:
“The lower the load, the more progressive the facility is.”
Therefore:
- A sulphate load-based value below 200 kg/tonne is acceptable.
- Facilities may report values below the reference range where operational efficiency, recovery systems, or wastewater generation rates result in lower sulphate discharge loads.
- These values should be reported by the MMCF facility directly in the MMCF Module on the ZDHC Supplier Platform. The required template for reporting load-based parameters is available under the MMCF module on the Supplier Platform.
- Laboratories should not evaluate or classify these values as a part of ClearStream Report conformance issue.
Lower load-based sulphate values may result from:
- Improved sodium sulphate recovery efficiency
- Reduced wastewater generation
- Process optimisation
- Enhanced chemical recovery systems
Important Note for Laboratories
Laboratories generating ClearStream Reports should:
- Report the analytical sulphate concentration result as per the applicable testing requirements.
- Avoid interpreting sulphate load-based values below 200 kg/tonne as non-conformities.