Smurfit Kappa Announces Major Investment to Boost Facture Paper Mill Capacity

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Smurfit Kappa- the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of paper-based packaging products has announced further investment aimed to boost the production capacity at its Facture Paper Mill in France. The company had recently announced successful completion of upgrade activities at the mill including installation of a new pulp washing line and a complete overhaul of the recovery boiler.

According to company press release, the next upgrade to the mill facility involves a series of improvements to the paper machine No. 5. The works are expected to commence as early as 2019. Upon completion of works, the mill’s production capacity of white top kraftliner is expected to surge higher by more than one-fourth from 174,000 tpy to 220,000 tpy. The upgrades will also result in significant improvement in the quality of product.

Laurent Sellier, Chief Operating Officer of Smurfit Kappa Paper & Board Europe noted that the company is committed to implementing innovations and improvements at the mill, mainly due to its strategic location that helps to largely serve Southern European customers. The planned major upgrade programme will significantly increase the output volumes and quality of the premium kraftliner products, produced by the mill. He also recalled that the Facture mill has been producing kraft paper since 1928.

The proposed upgrades at the paper mill are expected to reinforce Smurfit Kappa as the industry leader in production of kraftliner containerboard in Europe.