Page 16 - PWM2023_JULY-AUGUST

NEWS CONSUMABLES AND PAPER

UPM to close a
Smurfit Kappa inaugurates its paper mill

first plant in North Africa Papers today announced
UPM Communication
plans to permanently close
its Plattling mill in Bavaria,
Smurfit Kappa has inau- agricultural, FMCG, auto- Germany, reducing the
gurated its new integrated motive, pharma and ceram- uncoated and coated publica-
corrugated plant in Rabat, ics. tion paper capacity by
Morocco, which marks It also features the newest 595,000 tonnes in Europe.
Smurfit Kappa’s first opera- Experience Centres, part of UPM said, “These plans
tion in North Africa. a network of over 30 centres are a continuation of neces-
According to Smurfit worldwide, which showcase sary steps to proactively
Kappa, Morocco offers an the latest innovations in ensure competitiveness of
exciting opportunity, with packaging solutions. Nearly our operations and align
the OECD forecasting a 1,500 solar panels will graphic paper capacity to a
3.5% growth rate in 2023 Smurfit Kappa has invested over EUR 35 million in the new plant power the new plant making profitable customer demand.
and 3.7% in 2024. The coun- “We continue to innovate global footprint which is a it Morocco’s first packaging The planned closure of
try’s location enables and give our customers a competitive advantage.” facility which is supplied by UPM Plattling’s two paper
Smurfit Kappa to serve not great product in a sustaina- The Group has invested green energy ensuring the
only the local market but ble way. We’re combining over EUR 35 million in the process is as sustainable as machines would lead to a
wider regions in Africa. our global scale and exper- 25,000 m2 facility, which the product. This will save permanent reduction of
“Our first corrugated tise with our local team’s was completed in seven 55% of electricity and 900 380,000 tonnes of uncoated
operation in North Africa is best-in-class knowledge to months and will support tonnes of CO2 emissions per publication paper and
an exciting step for Smurfit provide the best service to 400 direct and indirect jobs. year. The innovative pack- 215,000 tonnes of coated
Kappa and we’re delighted our customers. Morocco’s It will serve domestic aging plant also has a purifi- publication paper. Both
to unveil our state-of-the-art geographical location com- Moroccan businesses and cation and water treatment paper machines are planned
Moroccan facility,” said plements our operations in global companies across dif- system that reduces con- to stop graphic paper produc-
Group CEO, Tony Smurfit. Europe and adds to our ferent sectors: industrial, sumption by 50%. tion by the end of 2023.
Gardner Systems joins Deublin DS Smith to invest in

Company packaging facilities

Deublin Company, a lead- DS Smith announced a
ing provider of steam joints significant investment plan
and siphons for the paper to be implemented in the
industry is pleased to next two years across its
announce that Gardner three packaging sites in
Systems is now a key part of Greece. The EUR 33.9 mil-
Deublin. This broadens lion investment is focused
Deublin’s capabilities in the on equipment upgrades
design, supply, and installa- including purchasing state- Its packaging plant in Greece
tion of steam and condensate of-the art machinery for the modernization of equip-
systems for paper machine innovative packaging to ment and minimize raw
dryer sections. boost productivity as part of
“We are excited to wel- Deublin Company is a provider of steam joints and siphons the company’s growth strat- material waste.
come Gardner Systems to the egy in the East European “Our people, continuous
Deublin family,” states quality steam and conden- nized leader in the steam market. innovation, and top technol-
Roland Rauch, interim CEO sate systems to the paper joints and siphon systems, Starting with upgrades at ogy in our three production
of Deublin Company. “This industry, and this will enable and we have been reliable Ierapetra’s Box Plant this facilities are the keys to pro-
alliance will allow us to offer Deublin to serve our custom- partners for 25 years. Joining summer, the investments viding the highest quality
our customers complete ers as a complete solution forces will increase the bene- will not only advance pack- and circular ready packag-
aging capabilities, but also
turnkey services for rebuild- provider.” fit for our customers. We are create a safer working envi- ing solutions,” said Antonis
ing or optimizing paper “We are proud to join the excited to work with Deublin ronment. Investment into Kantzelis, Managing
machine dryer sections. Deublin team,” said Steve to continue to provide them other sites located in Director DS Smith South-
Gardner Systems has been Letwin, President of Gardner with the best possible ser- Ancient Corinth and East Europe, Romania,
the leading supplier of high- Systems. “Deublin is a recog- vice.” Thessaloniki will also see Bulgaria, Greece.

14 PrintWeek MENA July-August 2023 www.printweekmena.com