PM 3 at Boise Paper's Wallula mill will offer an annual capacity of 360,000 t of kraftliner as of the end of 2018.
Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) has announced its decision to convert the fine paper machine PM 3 at the Wallula, Washington, paper mill to kraftliner production. According to PCA, PM 3 will produce 360,000 t (400,000 sh.t) of "Virgin kraft linerboard" as of the end of next year. The company puts the capital cost of the project at approximately $150m.
The conversion of the PM 3 is planned for the second quarter of 2018 with an initial production rate of approximately 60 percent of capacity, PCA explained. Production will increase to 1,040 t (1,150 sh. t) per day once a new headbox, forming section, and shoe press are added in the fourth quarter of 2018, the company added.
PM 3 is part of PCA's paper division which trades under the name of Boise Paper and has an installed capacity of 180,000 t (200,000 sh.t) of commodity and specialty fine paper. PM 3 is producing woodfree uncoated paper, such as cut-size office papers or offset printing paper, and one side paper for label and release applications.
The conversion of PM 3 to kraftliner production would provide the company with "much needed linerboard capacity" and enable further optimisation and enhancement of PCA's mill capacity and corrugated box plant operations, said Mark Kowlzan, PCA Chairman and CEO.
Find the entire article and any associated background information in EUWID Pulp and Paper issue 35/2017.
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