Kruger Packaging announced investments of over $30 million to modernize its Place Turcot Containerboard Mill in Montreal, Canada.
According to Kruger, with this important transformation to be completed in 2025, the Place Turcot facility will be the first in North America to manufacture 100% recycled saturating kraft board, a product that is used to make high-pressure laminates for furniture, countertops and decorative paneling.
"With this transformation project, our aim is to secure the future of our Place Turcot Mill and to consolidate its position as a key player in the circular economy," said Maxime Cossette, Corporate Vice President, Fibre, Biomaterials and Sustainability at Kruger.
In support of this innovative project, the government of Canada is contributing $10 million through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program, while the Quebec government is providing a combined sum of more than $3 million through the Innovation Bois Program, as well as the EcoPerformance program, which stems from the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy.
"We're especially proud to take part in the efforts of the governments of Canada and Quebec to strengthen our industry by investing in technology, energy efficiency and cutting-edge AI capabilities," Cossette said.
In addition to saturating kraft board, Place Turcot will make other specialty products from 100% recycled fibres, including gypsum board paper, customized board for residential construction, folding box board for FDA-compliant food packaging, and white top linerboard.
A key aspect of the Place Turcot Mill's transformation is the implementation of state-of-the-art machine learning and artificial intelligence technology. Together with upgrades to manufacturing equipment, these new capabilities will enable the plant to increase its productivity, reduce waste, and diversify its product lines to meet growing market demand for saturating kraft and other specialty paper grades, Kruger said.
The mill is also expected to reduce its GHG emissions by more than 2,200 tonnes per year once the modernization is completed.
Strategically located next to Kruger Recycling's Sorting and Recovery Centre, near downtown Montreal, Kruger Packaging's Place Turcot Mill has been making 100% recycled linerboard for over sixty years.
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