Smurfit Kappa has confirmed a significant investment at its Hoya paper mill and board plant in northwest Germany. It is the latest phase of an investment programme, which commenced in 2011 and this last phase will see production output increase by 70,000 tonnes to 450,000 tonnes per annum.
The investment will replace the complete press section of PM2 with new state-of-the-art technology, increasing the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process. PM2 is a 7.5m wide machine, producing both testliner and fluting. Production speed will increase to 1,250 m/min and upon completion, will further strengthen the efficiency of Smurfit Kappa Group’s containerboard system. It is expected to be operational from the first quarter of 2023.
Saverio Mayer, CEO, Smurfit Kappa Europe said, “This investment will be the final and significant phase of a programme of sustained investment at our Hoya Mill which commenced over a decade ago. This announcement underlines Smurfit Kappa’s continued commitment to developments in leading edge technology and our operations in Germany.”
Also commenting on the investment, Andreas Noss, Managing Director of the Smurfit Kappa Hoya Mill, said, “This investment will make the PM2 a state-of-the-art light weight paper machine that enables us to meet the changing needs of our customers. It will increase production speed and produce light weight paper in the most efficient and sustainable way possible.”
The investment means that CO2 emissions will be reduced by 5,500 tons per annum. The Hoya site in Germany has been in operation for over 50 years and is a major regional employer, with over 300 people working at the facility.
