International Paper to expand fluff pulp production

At its Riegelwood Mill
Fluff pulp, which is projected to grow globally at an annual rate of 3 to 4 percent, is used in a variety of applications including baby diapers, feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products.

International Paper recently announced plans to invest $135 million to expand fluff pulp production at its Riegelwood North Carolina Mill.

The investment will convert the mill to 100 percent fluff and softwood pulp production, adding an incremental 400,000 tons of capacity, with ongoing flexibility to shift between the two products.

When the conversion is complete, the company will have the capability to produce up to 1.4 million tons annually of high-quality fluff.

The new fluff pulp capacity is expected to ramp up mid-year 2016.

"The investment at Riegelwood proactively repositions assets to serve our customers in the growing global fluff pulp market and best positions International Paper to increase shareholder value," said Mark Sutton, chairman and CEO, International Paper.

Fluff pulp, which is projected to grow globally at an annual rate of 3 to 4 percent, is used in a variety of applications including baby diapers, feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products.


PULPAPERnews - SUECIA - 1 abril 2015