Green Bay Packaging Inc. confirmed plans to replace its 71-year-old Green Bay Paper Mill with a new, state-of-the-art facility. The over $500 million investment will be the largest business development project in both Brown County and Green Bay Packaging company history. The new Green Bay Mill will be the first new paper mill in the State of Wisconsin in over 30 years.

"Paper making has long been a staple in Wisconsin’s economic success, but it’s no secret that many paper mills across the state have closed down or moved out in recent years. Like our Green Bay Mill, they grow old, become inefficient, and too expensive to reinvest, but we decided to move forward with building a new paper mill right here in Green Bay because we are committed to our hardworking employees, our loyal customers, and this community," said Will Kress, President and CEO of Green Bay Packaging.

Green Bay Packaging’s new mill will have an estimated annual capacity of 685,000 tons, over double that of the current operation. The company expects the new mill to be operational in Q1 2021.

"The decision to build the new 300", 100% recycled paper machine in Green Bay will more than double Green Bay Packaging’s paper production capabilities in Wisconsin, supporting the company’s commitment to service it’s Midwest customer base with cutting-edge quality." Bryan Hollenbach, EVP of Green Bay Packaging added.

Green Bay Packaging will also partner with NEW Water, Green Bay’s local metropolitan water treatment facility, to construct a reclaimed water system that utilizes treated wastewater for production and does not discharge any wastewater back into the Fox River or Bay of Green Bay. The Green Bay Packaging mill will be a 100% recycled mill utilizing both old corrugated containers (OCC) and mixed waste as their fiber supply. "We believe it will be one of the most environmentally friendly mills in the country," added Matt Szymanski, VP of Mill Operations.

Started in 1933, Green Bay Packaging Inc. is a family-owned, vertically integrated company consisting of corrugated container plants, folding cartons, recycled and virgin linerboard mills, pressure-sensitive label rollstock, specialty converting operations, timberlands, and a sawmill facility. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., Green Bay Packaging Inc. is dedicated to innovative development of its products and forestry resources, with a focus on quality, sustainability and continuous improvement throughout all of its manufacturing facilities in 14 states.

 

More information about Green Bay Packaging is available online.