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Kruger modernizes LaSalle and Place Turcot plants for $20 million

July 30, 2018 – Kruger Inc. has allocated $20 million to its LaSalle and Place Turcot facilities for modernization projects that are set to be completed later this year.

The LaSalle packaging plant recently dedicated a new converting line after a $10-million investment. The integrated, high-speed production line, which prints, folds and glues corrugated packaging, produces 24,000 boxes per hour, or 400 per minute, making it one of the fastest currently on the market and responsible for more than one-third of the plant’s production capacity. The European-made, fully automated machine operates 24/7 and also features a twin-head strapping machine.

In addition, Kruger is modernizing the corrugator at LaSalle–a project of almost $3 million–and replacing a palletizer to increase the plant’s efficiency.

At Place Turcot Containerboard Mill, which has been manufacturing 100 per cent recycled containerboard since 1961, $9 million in modernization projects are underway. The improvements will see a 15 per cent reduction in GHC emissions and a reduction in water use.

The projects are part of Kruger’s continued conversion and maintenance program to increase productivity and reduce its carbon footprint. In 2016-17, Kruger invested another $250 million to convert a newsprint machine in Trois-Rivières for the production of 100 per cent reycled lightweight and high-strength linerboard.