Brussels, Belgium – International Paper announced today that its exciting investment project at the Polish Kwidzyn mill is progressing well on time. The company disclosed earlier this year its plans for a substantial investment in the mill to further enhance its product quality and service platform for the coated board market in EMEA. The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter 2014. 

More specifically, the investment will see International Paper rebuild its coated board machine at Kwidzyn to enable the production of lighter-weight grades, along with adding two new sheeters to eliminate current limitations in finishing capacity. While the sheeter installation is already well underway, the machine rebuild will take place in March 2014 for up to 20 days.

“This investment will enable us to create even greater value for customers and offer more options”, said Michael Krueger, International Paper’s Commercial Director for Coated Paperboard & Recycled Specialties. “The ability to produce lighter-weight board grades responds directly to the growing demand for economically attractive and environmentally sustainable packaging solutions. The additional sheeting capacity will allow for even greater flexibility and shorter lead times.” 

Krueger added: “Naturally, we are working extremely closely with our customers and are taking all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted supply and service during the rebuild.”  

The Arktika and Alaska ranges will continue to be available with unchanged technical specifications both during and after the rebuild. Enabled through the rebuild and consistent with customer demands, International Paper intends to develop and progressively introduce additional differentiated light-weight grades from the second quarter of 2014 onwards.