Sonoco Invests $40M to Modernize Richmond Paperboard Mill

Paper Recycling  |  2026-11-04 06:00:41   |   By

The investment reinforces Sonoco's efforts to enhance its North American recycled paperboard, to meet evolving customer requirements.

Summary

  • Sonoco Announces $40 Million Richmond Mill Investment

    Sonoco Products Company has committed $40 million to modernize and expand its uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) manufacturing facility in Richmond, Virginia. The two-year project is expected to improve production efficiency, enhance product quality and increase annual manufacturing capacity by approximately 9,000 tons.

  • Modernization to Cover Production and Infrastructure Upgrades

    The first phase, scheduled to begin in early 2027, will focus on sheet formation, profile control, board density, cleanliness and manufacturing capabilities. The second phase will cover pulping operations, water management, automation and workplace improvements, with completion targeted by the end of 2028.

  • Mill Production to Continue During Expansion

    Sonoco plans to undertake the modernization without significant production disruptions. The Richmond facility will maintain its existing annual output of approximately 120,000 tons throughout the construction period. The investment will strengthen the company's recycled fibre-based packaging operations and support its paper-based can manufacturing business.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Sonoco Products Company (NYSE: SON) has committed $40 million to upgrade and expand its uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) manufacturing operations in Richmond, Virginia, over the next two years. The project is expected to strengthen production efficiency, improve product quality and add approximately 9,000 tons to the mill's annual capacity.

The investment reinforces Sonoco's efforts to enhance its North American recycled paperboard, to meet evolving customer requirements. The Richmond facility plays an important role in supplying materials for the company's paper-based can packaging business. In addition, it also produces lightweight Tan Bending Chip (TBC) grades used across various industrial applications.

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Work on the modernization programme is scheduled to begin in early 2027. The initial phase of the programme will focus mainly on sheet formation, profile control, board density and cleanliness, alongside upgrades to manufacturing capabilities. A second phase, expected to conclude by the end of 2028, will cover pulping operations, water management systems, automation and workplace improvements.

Sonoco plans to carry out the work without significant production interruptions. The mill's existing annual output of approximately 120,000 tons will be maintained throughout the construction period, it said.

The Richmond expansion represents another strategic investment by the company in recycled fibre-based packaging production and manufacturing.