Phoenix Paper has revealed a $200m expansion plan to establish a paper recycling facility in Wickliffe, Kentucky, US.
The follow-on investment and expansion comes after the company acquired a pulp and paper mill from North American coated papers producer Verso a year ago.
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Phoenix Paper is in the process of finalising current design and equipment specifications for the new facility. Construction is expected to commence by the end of the year.
The new facility, which will be built on the existing site, is expected to be operational within 14 to 18 months and will have an estimated annual capacity of 700,000t.
Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin has noted that the new facility will create 150 new jobs.
Bevin said: “This new recycling facility will bring a tremendous amount of additional economic activity to the West Kentucky region for decades to come.
“The project will further support Phoenix Paper’s commitment to creating 500 good-paying jobs in Ballard County.
“The company’s ongoing investment in the Wickliffe region is truly proving transformative and it further demonstrates how Kentucky leads the way as a destination for international investment in engineering and manufacturing.”
Once operational, the paper mill will receive post-consumer cardboard and mixed paper, which will be cleaned and screened, from various regional locations.
The company will then form and dry the stock into industrial pulp and finished paper. The paper will then be delivered to China for use in packaging.
Furthermore, the papermaker is currently working with the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection to secure all required environmental permits before opening the facility.
