Sonoco-Alcore Upgrading Board Mills in Italy, Greece

Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l. has announced plans to invest around $4 million at its uncoated recycled paperboard mills in Italy and Greece. The investments are expected to improve product range, energy efficiency and overall cost competitiveness. The projects are expected to be completed by the third quarter of this year.

At the company’s Italian mill, the company will rebuild a dryer section, as well as install a new hood and advanced steam system. Additionally, an automated slitting system will be installed on the mill's rewinder, says Dino Kiriakopoulos, director of Sonoco-Alcore's Paper and Recycling division. "As a result of this investment, we will see improved product output, especially on our high-strength coreboard. We will also reduce our energy costs and improve machine runability.

“Further investment in energy reduction and environmental control projects are anticipated at this mill later in 2010," Kiriakopoulos adds.

For the company’s recycled board mill in Kilkis, Greece, the company will replace a pulper and rebuild a dryer section. “We have been sold out at Kilkis since the mill started up nine years ago, and these investments will allow us to serve the southeast Mediterranean region with the required supply of mid- and high-grade coreboard," Kiriakopoulos notes.

Sonoco-Alcore says that the Kilkis facility is the only mill in the region capable of producing high-grade coreboard for the high-end industrial carrier markets. "This upgrade will provide our integrated customers with a secure supply of high-grade coreboard in this growing region of Europe as well as the Middle East," Kiriakopoulos says.