Kruger Inc., Montréal, Que., Canada, reports that the No. 10 paper machine (PM10) rebuild project at its Trois-Rivières, Que., mill is proceeding on time and on budget. The company offered a behind-the-scenes look at the construction site of this large-scale project that represents 500,000 person-hours of work over 20 months. Once the project is completed in May 2017, the mill will start producing 100% recycled lightweight and high-strength linerboard for which demand is increasing in North America and around the world.

Announced jointly by Kruger and the Government of Québec in September 2015, the project is already generating major benefits for the Mauricie region and for Québec, as it involves no less than 80 local businesses. Approximately $135 million of the overall $250-million budget has been committed to date, including $40 million for Trois-Rivières suppliers and $60 million for suppliers elsewhere in Québec.

Some 200 workers are currently completing the pulp mill, which will supply the new production line with recycled fiber, while the company makes the most of each PM10 maintenance shutdown to work on the paper machine. During the project’s final phase, from February 26 to May 7, 2017, PM10 will cease all newsprint production and more than 350 workers will work in rotating shifts for 20 hours a day to complete the rebuild.

"We are very satisfied with the progress of the work. Not only is the project on time and on budget, but it also boasts a very positive health and safety record, which is a testimony to the know-how and professionalism of everyone involved—employees, suppliers, and partners alike," said Daniel Archambault, EVP, Kruger.

Kruger has invested $250 million in the project to ensure optimal results, as PM10 will be completely rebuilt and as efficient as a new machine, the company emphasizes. Well before work got under way, Kruger’s engineers toured numerous manufacturing plants in North America and Europe to find the best technology for manufacturing 100% recycled lightweight and high-strength linerboard of the best possible quality.

Commercialized as XTR, the new linerboard grades to be manufactured at the Trois-Rivières mill will meet increasing demand for ultra-light packaging without compromising strength, performance, or the environmental footprint.

PM10’s annual production will total 360,000 metric tons of XTR linerboard, an exclusive product that Kruger will be the first to manufacture in North America. A portion of the production will be used by Kruger’s packaging plants in LaSalle, Que., and Brampton, Ont., while the remainder will be sold to packaging manufacturers across Canada and the U.S.

Kruger Packaging L.P. specializes in the manufacture of containerboard products and corrugated packaging solutions made from 100% recycled fiber. The Montréal-based company was created in partnership with 

Kruger Inc. and Investissement Québec, which has a 25% stake in its assets. Kruger Packaging L.P. employs some 800 people, including more than 600 in Québec, and operates three production sites, namely the Place Turcot Containerboard Mill (Montréal), and the LaSalle and Brampton packaging plants. In May 2015, the company will begin manufacturing 100% recycled lightweight and high-strength linerboard at a fourth site, the Kruger Trois-Rivières mill.