4 INDUSTRY NEWS


Florida’s Palatka mill to get $400 million upgrade


U


S tissue maker Georgia-Pacific’s previously- announced


investment of more than $400 million in its consumer towel and tissue business will be at its Palatka mill in Florida. Upgrades to the Palatka mill include the construction of a new paper machine using through- air-dried (TAD) technology, along with associated converting equipment and infrastructure. Engineering and related work has begun, and startup of the upgraded operation is scheduled for 2019. “This upgrade to our operations in Florida underscores our long history of investment in the state by Georgia-Pacific and Koch


grow their premium private label towel brands, as well as expand the company’s Brawny premium paper towel brand. “This significant investment


companies,” said Christian Fischer, chief executive of Georgia-Pacific. “We appreciate the ongoing support of the local community, Putnam County and state officials in our efforts to continue making our Palatka mill more competitive for the long-term.” The Palatka mill currently


operates two kraft paper machines, three machines manufacturing paper for bath tissue and paper towels, and a number of converting operations producing finished paper products. The improvements will enable Georgia-Pacific’s customers to


One million tonne paperboard target for Grupo Gondi


Grupo Gondi is planning to invest US$300 million in a containerboard mill in Mexico. The mill will have the capacity


to produce more than 350,000 metric tons per year of lightweight containerboard made from recycled materials and will provide reliable, high-quality medium and linerboard for Gondi’s converting operations and third parties. The location of the mill was not specified. “We are pleased to invest in this new manufacturing facility, which will help us enhance our service and position in


July/August 2017


the growing packaging market in Mexico. After completion, Grupo Gondi will produce over one million metric tons of paperboard per year,” said Eduardo Posada, chief executive of Grupo Gondi. Alejandro González Cimadevilla,


president of Grupo Gondi, added: “This new investment shows our continued commitment to better serve our customers through innovation and productivity.” Grupo Gondi estimates that the


project will be completed by the end of 2019. Part of the WestRock group, Grupo Gondi offers integral


packing and packaging solutions, specialising in the production of paper, corrugated cardboard boxes, pre-printed corrugated boxes and solid fibre containers, folding containers, boxes of micro-corrugated cardboard boxes and labels as well as services that support the manufacture of these products. With a 550,000-tonne total


capacity for its six paper mills, Grupo Gondi produces white liner, semi-kraft liner and medium paper in weights from 100 to 800 g/sqm, and Gondikote coated paperboard, in weights from 200 to 480 g/sqm.


demonstrates our commitment to GP’s consumer business, our hard-working teams and our current and potential customers,” said Kathy Walters, president of Georgia-Pacific’s consumer products group. “It also allows us to further leverage the many advantages we have, including our breadth of offerings, excellence in manufacturing operations and research and development to create products that consumers value.” Georgia-Pacific operates 200


facilities, three of which are in Florida.


Fire hits IP’s mill in Iowa


International Paper’s mill at Cedar Rapids in Iowa was damaged by a fire at the beginning of July that took a day to get under control by fire fighters. Six engines were required from neighbouring towns. Firefighters worked for more than two days with employees to remove and extinguish bales of recycled cardboard. Many of the bales concealed


fires that were deeply seated which required them to be removed from the warehouse with skid loaders, excavators, and forklifts. The bales needed to be disassembled and then have the cardboard extinguished.


Pulp Paper & Logistics


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