SCA Tissue Investing at WI Paper Mill

SCA Tissue announced plans to invest $23 million at its Menasha mill during the next 18 months as part of a project aimed at meeting competition from China for recovered fiber head on.

The company said the improvements will enhance deinking capabilities of its recycling operations, allowing greater use of lower-grade wastepaper in its material mix.

"It’s an important step to solidify the long-term viability of our operations," said Ronald Thiry, vice president of manufacturing for SCA.

Each year, the Menasha facility processes more than 300,000 tons of recovered paper into 225,000 tons of napkins, towels and bathroom tissue used in away-from-home places like restaurants, hotels and schools.

The newly announced plan will build on a $7 million investment last year at the plant, that increased the recycling operation’s deinking capabilities, the company said.

The venture will raise the firm’s total investment to $53 million at its area facilities since 2006.

The project, involving new technology and changes to processes, will not require an expansion of the plant nor is it expected to add jobs.

Thiry said the new equipment will be made in Europe, principally in Austria, but the skilled labor needed to install it will be drawn from the Fox Valley. The Appleton (Wisconsin) Post-Crescent