Paper and packaging company WestRock is building a new plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to meet the growing regional demand for corrugated packaging.
WestRock will invest more than $125m to build the facility, which is expected to improve the company’s cost structure and operating margins.
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Construction of the corrugated packaging plant began in 2017 and is expected to be completed in mid-2019.
The new facility will be capable of producing more than 400 million square metres of cardboard a year, once it starts operating at full capacity. It will serve all industry segments and markets in Sao Paulo and other areas in southeastern Brazil.
The facility will also expand WestRock’s capabilities and services, as well as consolidate the containerboard manufactured in Brazil.
WestRock corrugated box plant location
The new plant will be located in Porto Feliz, a metropolitan municipality in São Paulo, Brazil.
The site is located adjacent to the Castelo Branco Highway, which will provide logistical benefits for the plant.
The site was chosen due to the support provided by the São Paulo government, which conducted field studies and gathered strategic information about the potential sites in the state.
WestRock’s new packaging plant details
The new packaging facility will feature a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility equipped with new corrugators and printers managed by highly trained professionals.
The project will integrate WestRock’s paper and forestry production operations at the Três Barras plant and replace its existing corrugated operations in Valinhos. Integration with the Três Barras plant will enhance the consumption of the mill’s virgin fibre to produce the company’s high-performance paper line, HyPerform.
The Porto Feliz facility will also be able to process approximately one million tonnes of paper. It is designed with a focus on sustainability in all aspects, including the use of natural resources and energy consumption.
Details of WestRock’s product portfolio
WestRock’s portfolio includes folding cartons, point-of-purchase displays, paperboards, corrugated containers, containerboards, Kraft paper, protective packaging, recycling and pulp products.
Its corrugated products comprise customised corrugated materials and other environmentally friendly packaging products.
Products under the corrugated containers category include food service containers, corrugated pizza boxes, food service container lids, and bulk bins for poultry and beef. Customised corrugated packaging products of the company feature recycled and virgin linerboard.
The new plant will additionally provide high-quality printing resources to customers.
Marketing commentary on WestRock
Founded in 1953, WestRock is a provider of paper and packaging solutions for retail and corrugated markets. The company operates 300 facilities worldwide, with 95 of them located in North America.
The facilities include manufacturing plants, design facilities, research centres and sales offices. The company employs more than 45,000 team members across these locations.
WestRock has been operating in Brazil for 75 years employing more than 2,200 people. The new plant will further enhance the company’s position as the leading supplier of packaging products and solutions in the country.
