International Paper, Memphis, Tenn., USA, this week announced plans to invest approximately $300 million to convert its No. 15 paper machine at the Riverdale Mill in Selma, Ala., from uncoated freesheet to high quality whitetop linerboard and containerboard. The conversion is targeted to be completed by mid-year 2019. The investment will add 450,000 tons of annual capacity, with flexibility to shift between containerboard products. 

Converting Riverdale No. 15 will position International Paper to grow its Industrial Packaging business, continue to provide attractive jobs to Riverdale team members, and remain a significant supplier of uncoated freesheet in North America.

"Our customers expect us to support their growth, and this machine conversion will meet their needs," said Tim Nicholls, IP's SVP, Industrial Packaging the Americas. "Our Industrial Packaging business continues to focus on our customers in strategic channels including our box business, domestic and export containerboard, and specialty grades."

 

Nicholls added that its Industrial Packaging mill system allows the business to optimize product mix, increase service, and reduce costs. "Our system runs most effectively when there is flexibility, and this conversion will also help us define a more streamlined and balanced system overall."

As a result of the machine conversion, the company will reduce its annual uncoated freesheet capacity by 235,000 tons. The remaining machine at the Riverdale Mill will continue to produce uncoated imaging paper products.  

"International Paper's uncoated freesheet business remains a strategic part of the company and we are well positioned to support current and future customer demand," said Mike Amick Jr., IP's SVP, Paper the Americas & India. "This investment proactively repositions Riverdale No. 15 to serve our growing packaging business, while enabling us to optimize our North American Papers business."