More containerboard capacities after rebuild at VPK mill in Belgium

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VPK Packaging's PM 6 at the Oudegem mill in Belgium can now produce 15,000 tpy more recycled containerboard. A rebuild of certain machine parts has led to this increase.

VPK Paper, a subsidiary of Belgian group VPK Packaging, has restarted its PM 6 at the mill in Oudegem, Belgium after a rebuild. Machine engineering company Valmet and a company spokeswoman reported that the rebuild also resulted in an increase in capacity. The machine, which was able to produce up to 185,000 tpy of recycled corrugated case material, now has a capacity of 200,000 tpy.

Valmet said modernisation work had been carried out at the machine's forming, drying and reeling sections. The target of the rebuild was to improve machine speed, safety and efficiency.

Referring to the new corrugated case material capacities which were recently added or are planned to be added to the European market, VPK explained that actual prospects did not justify additional investments in containerboard for several years. "We see upcoming challenging times with increased capacity and shortage of raw material resulting in squeezed margins for paper manufacturers," VPK said.

The Oudegem mill is located not far from Antwerp in Belgium. VPK Paper produces recycled corrugated case material as well as grey board which is used for the production of corrugated board, solid board and cores. The site has three paper machines with a combined capacity of 550,000 tpy and employs 285 people.

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