Atlantic Packaging to Convert Idled Whitby Newsprint Machine to Containerboard

Atlantic Packaging Products, Scarborough, Ont., Canada, plans to re-open its Whitby Ont., Canada, mill in March 2013, upgraded with technology that will allow it to produce 100% recycled lightweight containerboard used to manufacture high performance corrugated packaging products. Atlantic Packaging had closed the unprofitable recycled newsprint mill at Whitby, the first recycled newsprint mill in Canada (started up in 1991), in March of this year.

The converted newsprint machine at Whitby reportedly will to produce 300,000 metric tpy of containerboard.

The company notes that recycled lightweight paper has been around in Europe for many years, adding that it is made using less fiber and is enhanced for strength. The result is a much lighter, stronger, and more sustainable product.

President of Atlantic Packaging, Dave Boles pointed out that "in North America, the term lightweight has been primarily used in reference to the basis weight of the paper, with little or no emphasis on strength. What we're talking about is a disruptive technology that is capable of producing low basis weights (lighter paper) with sustainability and strength characteristics unlike anything in corrugated packaging today. Sustainability objectives from large retailers are driving the industry forward, and soon Atlantic will be in a position to provide our customers with the most sustainable corrugated packaging option available in North America."

The Whitby Mill is Atlantic's second paper mill to open in the past six years. In 2006, the company opened the New Forest Mill as part of a joint venture with Mitchel-Lincoln, a leading corrugated packaging company in the province of Quebec.

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