International Paper has confirmed it is to make major investments totalling more than €20m to increase both capacity and capabilities of its box plants located in Bellusco, Catania and Pomezia, Italy.
The investment is consistent with the company’s strategy to create advantaged positions in attractive markets.
“We are pleased to announce these significant investments in our plants in Italy. This will strengthen our overall position and add to our already robust portfolio of sustainable packaging solutions facilitating the circular economy, while allowing us to serve existing and new customers even better,” said John Berry, General Manager European Packaging, International Paper.
With a focus on installing new equipment and technology to increase capacity and efficiency, IP says this investment will ensure that it can offer an even wider choice of sustainable packaging solutions.
The Bellusco plant will leverage a new four colour Celmacch High Tech 2100, placed inline with a BOBST Mastercut 2.1 flat-bed die cutter to advance the production of corrugated punnets for the fruit and vegetable sector; the line will also feature a Pentatech CWB pre-feeder and complete breaker and palletiser from Bobst.
At the Pomezia plant, a new state-of-the-art 2.8m Fosber S/Line 370 corrugator will increase the plant’s production capacity while also allowing a higher level of service for customers, running B, C, E and F flute board. Emmepi materials handling will also be installed.
The Catania plant will utilise a new Dong Fang HGL 924 six colours casemaker, complete with pre-feeder and palletiser, with integrated Signode strapping machine and materials handling from Emmepi, to produce more high-quality printed boxes designed for the industrial sector. Also at Catania, the investment into modern wastewater treatment facilities from Depurpadana Ecobloc Biox-Mbr will reduce water consumption at the plant and thus make an important contribution to water management in a region where water is a scarce resource.
“By increasing capacity, improving efficiency and flexibility, these investments further enhance our ability to provide customers with the top quality, innovative and sustainable packaging solutions they demand, while facilitating our entry into new segments,” said Giovanni Colocci, Regional General Manager Italy.
The investments also advance International Paper’s Vision 2030 sustainability goals by reducing waste, limiting energy and water consumption, and improving production efficiency. Kicked off in the fourth quarter of 2022, the investments are expected to be completed during the first half of 2023.
