VPK Group Launches Paper Machine in Normandy
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The industrial site in Alizay, acquired in June 2022, has been converted by VPK into a sustainable development hub for circular economy. The group invested 200 million euros in the site to convert the existing paper machine into a recycled paper production unit based on carbon-free energy. The site strengthens VPK's position in the French and European markets through higher vertical integration.
The Alizay hub realises a sVPK Normandië papiermachinetrong circular concept. On an annual basis, the site will reuse 550,000 metric tons of recovered paper coming from a 250-km radius around the mill, minimising CO2 emissions from production and transport. In turn, a biomass boiler and a water treatment plant produce green energy used during the paper production process.
Meanwhile, the new paper machine is in start-up and creates an additional annual production capacity of 500,000 metric tons of recycled paper for corrugated board. Together with VPK's six other paper mills, this accounts for an annual production of 2,000,000 metric tons, of which 1,000,000 metric tons in France.
Thanks to VPK's integrated model, Alizay's additional paper production will mainly find outlets in VPK’s packaging processing sites in France and the UK. In this way, the group is strengthening its integration and reducing its dependence on external paper suppliers.
Meanwhile, the corrugator for the production of innovative "Z-fold" corrugated board was also launched in Alizay. A technology that makes it possible to produce tailored packaging, eliminating void fill and reducing logistics costs.
Moreover, a new digital printer was installed that can print packaging in high definition at an unparalleled high speed, the first machine of this type in France. The new line offers a wide variety of applications, such as printing the inside of e-commerce packaging, point-of-sale displays and other marketing activities, and opens up a new world of possibilities.
