ST Tissue Announces $35 Million Capacity Expansion Project at Franklin, VA Mill
(Franklin, Virginia, USA, Sept. 29, 2016) Tak Investments, owner of tissue mills in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin and Franklin, Virginia, on Sept. 27 announced a $40 million expansion project at its Franklin facility — ST Tissue.
The expansion project includes the addition of a 50,000 ton per year dry crepe tissue (DCT) machine, alongside its existing 70,000-ton-per-year wet crepe machine.
A crepe tissue (DCT) machine (courtesy Valmet / representational purpose only)
The company also is adding some downstream equipment that will allow it to provide its customers with outsourced toweling finished goods.
“When we first announced our acquisition of the site in Franklin, we envisioned a world class AFH tissue facility, with state-of-the-art recycling capability, the ability to provide a broad range of sustainable products, an experienced staff, and many customers within a logical freight radius that were experiencing high growth,” said Sahil Tak, Vice President of ST Tissue.
The ST Tissue Franklin mill produces 100% recycled, high post-consumer content napkin and towel for the Away From Home (AFH) market. Its products have received a number of third party environmental certifications for its responsible and sustainable manufacturing processes. While the mill currently produces kraft napkin and towel exclusively, the plant expansion will enable it to also produce recycled bleached, along with virgin, napkin and towel for its customers.
ST Tissue said that the “new” machine will be reconstructed from an existing uncoated free sheet machine, which was shut down by its previous owner in 2010, into a dry crepe tissue machine. The machine will be focused on making napkin product for ST Tissue’s customers and will draw its fiber from its recycled fiber plant.
Speaking at an announcement ceremony, Gov. Terry McAuliffe said, “In 2013, ST Tissue resurrected a former paper mill and converted it into a leading paper products manufacturing facility that continues to grow and thrive in Isle of Wight County,” said McAuliffe, speaking at the event. “We are proud that this important corporate partner put citizens back to work and has made the decision to further invest in its operation and workforce.”
ST Tissue’s facility expansion will also include upgrading the existing recycled fiber plant and the addition of towel converting capacity.
The new project will be supported by local and state of Virginia incentives.
ST Tissue anticipates the project will be completed in phases during the next 18 months. The existing tissue machine will continue to run normally.
ST Tissue produces a wide range of products, including bleached and kraft paper, and napkin, paper towels, and kitchen roll towels for the Away-from-Home tissue market.
To learn more, please visit: www.stpaperllc.com (Source: ST Tissue)
Pictured Above: Franklin facility — ST Tissue
