8 INDUSTRY NEWS
Wisconsin paper maker to build ‘state-of-the-art’ mill
its 71-year-old paper mill with a ‘state-of-the-art’ facility in the same location. Costing $500 million, the project
G
will be the largest investment in the paper maker’s history and the first mill to be constructed in the state for 30 years.
The mill is being constructed in
response to demand for boxes and corrugated paper for online shipping. Green Bay has ordered an XcelLine testliner line from Voith which will be 7.62 metres wide and have a design speed of 1,200 metres per minute and a VariFlex winder. The package also includes paper machine clothing, a seven- year Total Roll Management contract for several machines, and Papermaking 4.0 products. “Partnering with a family-owned
company whose North American headquarters is in Appleton, Wisconsin, Green Bay Packaging is advancing its commitment to positively impacting the local economy and becoming a
reen Bay Packaging, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has confirmed that it will be replacing
more sustainable producer. We appreciate Voith’s ability to get this advanced paper machine fully operational on a condensed timeline to help meet our customer demands,” said Will Kress, chief executive of Green Bay Packaging.” “Voith is proud of this historic
project, and we are eager to continue our strong partnership with Green Bay Packaging,” said Martin Jauch, president of business line projects at Voith Paper North America. Green Bay Packaging says the mill will feature a number of environmental upgrades. The coal boiler will be replaced with two natural gas boilers to reduce fuel emissions. The plant will also use a recirculating water system that will not put wastewater into the Fox River or the Bay. Green Bay Packaging was started
by George Kress in Green Bay in 1926 and began producing corrugated boxes in 1933. Since then, the company has grown to house 30 different divisions in 14 states and employs more than 3,500 people across the US, but remains based in Green Bay
clients throughout the US. “Wisconsin Packaging is proud to
Green Bay Packaging’s new mill will be ‘state-of-the-art’ when it starts up in 2021
and privately owned by the Kress Family. Wisconsin is the leading producer of paper products in the United States, which means that a large portion of the Wisconsin economy is reliant on the paper industry. Since 1994, however, 15 mills have closed and 20,000 jobs have been lost. Since its peak around the year 2000, the paper industry in Wisconsin has felt the impact of changes in technology, which created a lower demand for books, newspapers, and magazines, but an increased demand for boxes and corrugated paper for shipping. In May, Green Bay Packaging acquired Wisconsin Packaging Corp, in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, which specialises in the design and manufacture of corrugated packaging and retail displays for
become a member of Green Bay Packaging,” said Fred Negus jnr, president Wisconsin Packaging. “Our family has grown our business in Fort Atkinson, our goal always being to provide for the ever- changing needs of our customers. We are especially grateful to our employees and our community who have supported us. To stay competitive, we emphasize continuous improvement in technology, efficiency and design. This new bond with Green Bay Packaging strengthens our abilities to meet these goals.” Will Kress of Green Bay added:
“The acquisition of Wisconsin Packaging Corp. provides an exciting opportunity for Green Bay Packaging. It allows us to grow our company with an organization that aligns with a similar business philosophy of excellent quality, service and dedicated employees. Wisconsin Packaging Corp is geographically and strategically a great fit for our company but most important is the alignment of its leadership and cultural approach to business.”
Strong performance for pulp and paper industries in Europe
The pulp and paper industry performed well in Europe last year, with production and investment both up compared with 2016, according to CEPI, the association representing the pulp and paper industry in Europe. Despite a ‘challenging’ global
environment, consumption of paper was up by 0.5 per cent, and production at mills was up by 1.5
July/August 2018
per cent. Exports were particularly strong with a 5.2 per cent increase from 2016. The CEPI said latest investment
figures also bode well for the industry’s ambitious investment agenda. Investment in 2017 grew by 7.5 per cent at more than €5 billion, which is aligned with the transformation outlined in the industry’s 2050
‘Investment Roadmap’. “The 2017 figures demonstrate
that the European pulp and paper industry is achieving a phenomenal turn around. Whether it is production, added value or exports, all key indicators are positive. The current level of investment, not seen since 2005, is indicative of industry’s self- confidence and the acceleration
of its transformation,” said Sylvain Lhôte, CEPI director general. Paper recycling improved despite the introduction in 2017 of the Chinese waste import restrictions. The paper and board recycling rate in Europe increased to 72.3 per cent, while at the same time there was a 1.4 per cent increase in the use of recycled paper in the industry.
Pulp Paper & Logistics
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
