The investment project at International Paper's Polish Kwidzyn mill to further enhance its product quality and service platform for the coated board market in EMEA is on schedule to be completed in the first quarter 2014.
The investment will rebuild the mill's coated board machine to enable the production of lighter-weight grades, as well as adding two new sheeters to eliminate current limitations in finishing capacity. While the sheeter installation is already well underway, the machine rebuild will take place in March 2014 for up to 20 days.
Sheeting operations will continue un-interrupted during the time of the rebuild.
Michael Krueger, International Paper's commercial director for coated paperboard & recycled specialties, says: "The ability to produce lighter-weight board grades responds directly to the growing demand for economically attractive and environmentally sustainable packaging solutions. The additional sheeting capacity will allow for even greater flexibility and shorter lead times. We are working extremely closely with our customers and are taking all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted supply and service during the rebuild."
The Arktika and Alaska ranges will continue to be available with unchanged technical specifications both during and after the rebuild. International Paper intends to develop and progressively introduce additional differentiated lightweight grades from the second quarter of 2014 onwards.
