GERMANY – Progroup, a leading German packaging manufacturer, has entered into an agreement with Sappi, to build a new containerboard machine at Sappi’s Stockstadt mill site in Germany.
Under the agreement, Progroup will acquire the Stockstadt mill site from Sappi and redevelop it for the production of corrugated case materials.
According to Progroup, the Stockstadt paper mill site offers an opportunity to establish a new facility for producing corrugated case materials. The takeover of the Stockstadt pulp and paper mill site is scheduled for April 2024.
Following the acquisition, Progroup announced that the planning and execution of dismantling the old facilities would take place.
This step was necessary to make room for the implementation of the future site concept and will be completed by the end of 2025, the company added.
Sappi can produce up to 145,000 tons per year (tpy) of pulp and 230,000 tpy of woodfree coated and uncoated paper at the Stockstadt mill.
In 2022, the mill had an output of 126,000 tons of pulp and 213,000 tons of paper, of which 180,000 tons were woodfree uncoated paper.
In early October, Sappi announced that consultations with authorities and employee representatives regarding the closure of the Stockstadt mill had been completed. It was confirmed that the mill would be definitively closed in the first quarter of 2024.
At that occasion, the company had already explained that the mill’s site would be sold, and a corresponding agreement had been signed.
Sappi’s Cloquet mill scores high in environmental management audit
Meanwhile, Sappi has successfully completed a Higg Facility Environmental Management (FEM) verification audit at its Cloquet mill in northern Minnesota, USA.
The mill achieved a final score of 91.5%, which reinforces and demonstrates the sound environmental practices employed by the company, according to the company’s statement.
Further, in support of the push for increased transparency in the textile and apparel industry, a comprehensive performance report will be provided to all relevant stakeholders upon request, according to the statement.
“As a leading global manufacturer of dissolving pulp, we are excited that the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) Higg FEM results confirm our dedication to sustainable manufacturing of our Sappi Verve product,” says Tom Radovich, Managing Director of Sappi North America’s Cloquet mill.
“We are placing a greater emphasis on chemicals management practices as we transition towards a more circular economy. This involves addressing evolving needs while effectively managing our environmental impact.
“The Cloquet mill has always played a crucial role in our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. We will continue to provide effective solutions and, in doing so, explore innovative approaches to further enhance our position.”
The Higg FEM is a component of a comprehensive set of tools that enables manufacturing facilities, regardless of their size, to assess and evaluate their environmental performance based on a standardized set of criteria. This allows for meaningful and reliable benchmarking of performance in the apparel and textile industry.
Cloquet received a verified score of 100% in energy, water, and wastewater management, highlighting the mill as an exemplary model of resource efficiency and emissions control.
Through a structured focus, the facility plans to increase its scoring in the area of chemical management in upcoming assessments, according to Radovich.
