BRUSSELS, Apr 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l. will invest approximately $4 million in its
uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) mills in Italy and Greece to improve
product range, energy efficiency and overall cost competitiveness. The
projects will be completed in the third quarter of 2010.
"Our Cirie (TO), Italy, mill will have a dryer section rebuilt, and a
new hood and advanced steam system installed this summer. In addition,
an automated slitting system will be installed on the mill's rewinder,"
said Dino Kiriakopoulos, director of Sonoco-Alcore's Paper and Recycling
division. "As a result of this investment, we will see improved product
output, especially on our high-strength coreboard. We will also reduce
our energy costs and improve machine runability. Further investment in
energy reduction and environmental control projects are anticipated at
this mill later in 2010."
Kiriakopoulos said that Sonoco-Alcore will be making additional
investments at its Kilkis, Greece, paperboard mill later this summer.
"At Kilkis, we will be replacing a pulper and rebuilding a dryer
section. We have been sold out at Kilkis since the mill started up nine
years ago, and these investments will allow us to serve the southeast
Mediterranean region with the required supply of mid- and high-grade
coreboard."
Kilkis, located some 50km north of Thessaloniki, is the only mill in the
region that can produce high-grade coreboard for the high-end industrial
carrier markets. "This upgrade will provide our integrated customers
with a secure supply of high-grade coreboard in this growing region of
Europe as well as the Middle East," he said.
About Sonoco-Alcore
Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l, a subsidiary of Hartsville, S.C., U.S.,-based
Sonoco (NYSE: SON), has the capacity to produce of approximately 400,000
tonnes of coreboard and other URB products from its six mills, serving
its 30 tube and core plants and independent converters throughout
Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
SOURCE: Sonoco
Sonoco
Roger Schrum, 843-339-6018
roger.schrum@sonoco.com