Project is part of the company’s Future Fibre Strategy program.
Victoria, Australia-based Australian Paper
, a manufacturer of office paper grades, has announced plans to perform a detailed feasibility study over the possibility of developing a recycling plant at its Maryvale, Australia, mill, as well as increasing the paper company’s access to plantation wood.
The Maryvale mill produces more than 500,000 metric tons of paper per year. The mill has three pulp mills, five paper-making machines, an ECF bleach plant, pulp lapping machine, finishing facility and a scrap paper processing plant, according to the company.
In a statement, Jim Henneberry, Australian Paper CEO, says the company also has committed to using local workers and local resources to sustainably produce paper.
“Currently, our recycled fiber is sourced from a Victorian (Australia) supplier, but due to the pending closure of that plant we are conducting a feasibility study for a large recycled pulp facility at our Maryvale Mill,” Henneberry says.
He adds that if the company proceeds with the project, it would significantly increase the volume of premium recycled paper made in Australia.
“By value-adding locally, we would save large volumes of waste paper being sent to local landfills or shipped overseas,” Henneberry adds. “Our study will look at all aspects of demand and production and will be completed by August.”
The company’s feasibility study is part of Australian Paper’s Future Fibre Strategy, which was announced in 2011. The strategy includes increasing the amount of plantation and recycled fiber used by the company as well as sourcing wood from sustainable, certified sources.