Consumables

Omya And NewPage Escanaba Enter Into Agreement To Build PCC Plant

Tuesday 16. July 2013 - NewPage Corporation (NewPage) and Omya have entered into a long-term supply agreement to build a Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) plant, located at the NewPage Escanaba paper mill site. The plant will create seven new jobs.

PCC is an essential raw material used in the papermaking process. It lends to key properties such as bulk, opacity, brightness and whiteness. PCC is manufactured using lime and carbon dioxide (CO2).
The Escanaba mill currently purchases PCC from another supplier. With the PCC plant on-site, the mill will save on transportation costs. Lime needed for the PCC manufacturing process will be purchased from the Upper Peninsula.
The environment also benefits from the on-site plant. Currently, the CO2 produced by the mill is emitted into the air and considered waste. The on-site plant will use CO2 generated by the Escanaba mill in the process, reducing the environmental impact.
“We’re very pleased to announce the creation of this PCC plant at the Escanaba mill,” said NewPage Senior Vice President of Operations Mark Lukacs. “This plant is a step toward helping us achieve our long-term vision. The creation of this plant deepens our relationship with our strategic partner, Omya.”
Escanaba Mill Manager Roger Rouleau said, “By locating the plant here at the Escanaba mill, it’s not only mutually beneficial for Omya and NewPage, the improved economics and job creation help support the local economy.”
Tony Colak, CEO for Omya Region Americas said, “We are very excited to build and operate this new PCC plant for NewPage Escanaba. Most importantly, we are pleased to be a strategic supplier and partner with NewPage. The close collaboration between Omya and NewPage has resulted in this long-term commitment.”