Consumables

Sonoco-Alcore Implementing Capital Improvements to Paperboard Mills in Italy, Greece

Wednesday 21. April 2010 - Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l. will invest approximately $4 million in its uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) mills in Italy and Greece to improve product range, energy efficiency and overall cost competitiveness. The projects will be completed in the third quarter of 2010.

“Our Cirie (TO), Italy, mill will have a dryer section rebuilt, and a new hood and advanced steam system installed this summer. In addition, an automated slitting system will be installed on the mill’s rewinder,” said Dino Kiriakopoulos, director of Sonoco-Alcore’s Paper and Recycling division. “As a result of this investment, we will see improved product output, especially on our high-strength coreboard. We will also reduce our energy costs and improve machine runability. Further investment in energy reduction and environmental control projects are anticipated at this mill later in 2010.”

Kiriakopoulos said that Sonoco-Alcore will be making additional investments at its Kilkis, Greece, paperboard mill later this summer. “At Kilkis, we will be replacing a pulper and rebuilding a dryer section. We have been sold out at Kilkis since the mill started up nine years ago, and these investments will allow us to serve the southeast Mediterranean region with the required supply of mid- and high-grade coreboard.”

Kilkis, located some 50km north of Thessaloniki, is the only mill in the region that can produce high-grade coreboard for the high-end industrial carrier markets. “This upgrade will provide our integrated customers with a secure supply of high-grade coreboard in this growing region of Europe as well as the Middle East,” he said.