Pulp and paper company International Paper (IP) has announced plans to shutdown its No 2 paper machine and associated equipment permanently at the Augusta, Georgia mill in the US by the end of February 2013.
According to the company, the machine annually produces about 140,000t of coated paperboard, which is used to make folding carton and liner for packaging applications, as well as coated bristols that are used in commercial printing applications.
IP Coated Paperboard business vice president Greg Gibson said the projected growth of global coated paperboard supply, coupled with slower growth in the demand for its products, has prompted the company to reduce its manufacturing footprint.
"This decision will enable us to more efficiently balance our production with current and projected customer demand," Gibson said.
By shifting all grades produced on the No 2 machine to other machines at the Augusta Mill and within its North American system, IP will continue to meet customer needs.
