International Paper (IP) has unveiled plans to invest around $300m to convert its No. 15 paper machine at the Riverdale Mill in Selma, Alabama, US.
The company will convert the paper machine from uncoated freesheet to whitetop linerboard and containerboard.
Expected to complete by mid-year 2019, the conversion offers flexibility to shift between containerboard products.
The investment will allow the company to expand its industrial packaging business, as well as adding 450,000 tons of annual capacity.
International Paper can reduce its annual uncoated freesheet capacity by 235,000 tons due to the conversion of machine.
According to the company, the remaining machine at the Riverdale Mill will continue to manufacture uncoated imaging paper products.
IP Americas industrial packaging senior vice president Tim Nicholls said: "Our customers expect us to support their growth and this machine conversion will meet their needs.
"Our Industrial Packaging business continues to focus on our customers in strategic channels including our box business, domestic and export containerboard and specialty grades."
With manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa and Russia, International Paper produces renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products.
In June this year, the North American container business of International Paper and the Peanuts Gang have partnered to offer a bulk packaging concept for the produce industry.
Snoopy, Charlie Brown and other Peanuts characters will now have international paper packaging.
The product displays that will be available exclusively to growers and shippers from International Paper’s five bulk facilities include corrugated bulk bins.
