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Cascades and partners build containerboard mill in New York state

Cascades Inc. has announced that its Norampac division, along with three other partners, will build and operate a containerboard mill adjacent to an existing Norampac facility in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Cascades Inc. has announced that its Norampac division, along with three other partners, will build and operate a containerboard mill adjacent to an existing Norampac facility in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Cascades will invest in Greenpac Mill LLC, a corporation created with the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Jamestown Container and one other industry partner to build and operate a state-of-the-art containerboard mill.

The estimated cost to build the Greenpac mill is US$430 million. Greenpac will manufacture a light weight linerboard, made with 100% recycled fibres, on a single machine with an annual production capacity of 540,000 short tons. At a width of 8.33 m (328 in.), this machine will be one of the largest of its kind in North America.

“The Greenpac mill will include numerous technological advances, making it a unique project of its kind in North America,” explained Marc-André Dépin, president and CEO of Norampac. “In particular, the linerboard that will be produced on the new machine will be able to achieve optimal strength while maintaining a low basis weight thereby allowing our customers to better respond to the growing trend towards lightweight packaging.”

Dépin also said the building and the machinery will be designed for optimal energy efficiency and many operations will be automated.

The paper machine will be manufactured by Metso, Voith will provide the stock preparation equipment and anaerobic effluent treatment plant, and Siemens will provide the power and control technology.

Fibre supply will be carried out by Cascades and its recovery operations. According to the company, sources of old corrugated containers in the region are numerous and significant.

With regards to sales, customers have already been secured for more than 80% of production, Norampac converting operations will purchase 170,000 short tons (39%) of this production.

Norampac will assume responsibility for managing day-to-day operations of Greenpac. Construction of the mill will begin in July. Start-up is scheduled for the summer of 2013.