Paper and packaging products supplier Sappi North America has invested $5.94m to upgrade Paper Machine 12 (PM12) at Cloquet mill in Minnesota, US.
The investment was used to replace the headbox on PM12. It has added an advanced and dilution profiled headbox, which produces improved basis weight profiles.
A headbox is an integral part of the paper machine that will spread the pulp fibers evenly to form the sheet.
Sappi has completed the upgrading of the machine in October.
In 2011, the company had also invested a $170m at the mill’s kraft pulp operations to expand the production of chemical cellulose, which is used in textile and consumer goods markets.
Based in Boston, Sappi North America operates four diversified businesses, including coated printing papers, specialised cellulose, release papers and specialty packaging.
The company produces specialty packaging products such as LusterPrint and LusterCote, which can be used in the food packaging and labeling applications.
Sappi North America president and CEO Mark Gardner said: “The new headbox will ensure that we're fulfilling orders to the highest quality standards that Sappi's customers have come to expect.
“This project will not only improve upon our longstanding history with the graphic papers market, but also support our growing paper-based packaging business."
Sappi North America is a subsidiary of South Africa-based Sappi, which carries out operations in around 150 countries across the globe.
In July, Sappi agreed to acquire the barrier film technology of Rockwell Solutions to strengthen its packaging and speciality papers business.
