Sun Paper Mill in Arkansas Receives Air Quality Permit from ADEQ

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has given approval for air permit for a Chinese paper mill in Arkadelphia, Clarke County. The permit for the $1.8 billion Sun Paper pulp mill will now allow the company to begin construction on the much-awaited mill. The permit, approved on Monday, also sets emission limits for the facility.

ALSO READ: Nine Dragons Paper Restarts Shuttered Old Town Pulp Mill

Sun Paper consultant Ray Dillon, in response to obtaining the permit, stated that it intends to begin design engineering works at the earliest. However, he declined to comment on construction start date. Dillon expressed fears that the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China is likely to further delay the project. Meantime, Stephen Bell, the Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer stated that an official delegation from Clarke County will travel to China next month to hold negotiations with Sun Paper officials.

Sun Paper had originally planned to begin construction on the project in early-2017, further to its announcement in 2016. However, the date was pushed back on account of several factors including permitting issues. The Trump administration’s trade negotiations with China also slowed the pace of the project.