Sonoco Launches New Uncoated Recycled Paperboard Machine - Papermart
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Sonoco Launches New Uncoated Recycled Paperboard Machine

Sonoco’s Project Horizon was launched with the aim to ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of its Hartsville Mill Complex.

October 10, 2022

Sonoco

Sonoco, one of the largest sustainable global packaging companies, has announced that the new uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) #10 machine is now in operation. This move is a part of its previously announced Project Horizon, which is the USD 125 million investment, to revolutionise its former corrugated medium machine in Hartsville, S.C to a state-of-the-art URB operation.

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Mr. Rodger Fuller, Sonoco’s Chief Operating Officer, comments, “We are excited to share the successful launch of our updated #10 machine. This machine was designed to be one of the largest and lowest cost producers of URB in the world—paving the way for the future of our Hartsville paper mill complex and our global position as a high quality URB provider. With these state-of-the-art capabilities, Sonoco is able to produce a wider range of high-value paper grades to serve our Industrial and Consumer converted products businesses and external trade customers.”

Project Horizon was launched with the aim to ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of its 100-year-old Hartsville Mill Complex, at which the Company produces almost one-third of its U.S. and Canadian URB. The new unit is projected to drive USD 30 million in annual cost savings by 2024 and will ensure the global competitiveness of the mill.

Sonoco has also shifted towards 100 percent recycled fibers in the Hartsville Mill Complex, which eliminated the manufacturing complex’s virgin pulp processing and chemical recovery operation. This conversion to 100 percent recycled fiber is expected to reduce electricity consumption, driving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and total water use—advancing Sonoco’s long-term sustainability commitment.

As previously announced and planned, with the introduction of the high-capacity #10 URB machine, the less efficient #1 and # 9 cylinder machines will be permanently shut down by the end of October 2022.

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Fuller concluded, “The start-up of the #10 machine is an important milestone for Sonoco to demonstrate our ability to update and improve long-standing machines to meet changing market conditions and better serve our customers. We congratulate and thank the entire Sonoco team and our valuable suppliers for their efforts to execute this successful project.”