The new CRB machine to be supplied by Valmet will be similar to the K2 machine (pictured above) that Valmet supplied to Graphic Packaging's Kalamazoo, Michigan, mill. K2 successfully started-up in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Valmet to Supply CRB Machine to Graphic Packaging's Planned Mill in Waco, Texas

Feb. 23, 2023 - Valmet will supply a coated board machine for Graphic Packaging International in the United States. Valmet delivered a similar coated board machine (K2) to Graphic Packaging's Kalamazoo, Michigan, mill in 2022.

The new machine will be supplied to Graphic Packaging's greenfield mill in Waco, Texas. The new CRB (coated recycled board) mill was announced earlier this month by Graphic Packaging's president and CEO, Mike Doss.

"We will be leveraging our unique expertise in CRB production from the recent K2 investment and our leading North American mill system to build a new CRB mill in Waco, Texas," Doss said.

The new CRB machine will produce coated recycled board grades, namely, white line chip board (WLC) grades, with an annual capacity of approximately 500,000 short tons which corresponds to 456,000 metric tons.

Valmet said the specific value of the new machine will not be disclosed, but an order of this type and scope is typically valued between EUR 140 and 180 million (approx. USD 150 - 190 million).

Rusty Miller, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Technology, for Graphic Packaging, said, "Valmet has offered us innovative yet proven technology to reach our high product quality targets. We have had a long and good cooperation with Valmet. Our relationship is based on mutual trust, which is very important in large projects like this one."

Michael Gray, Vice President, Capital business, North America, Valmet, added, "Valmet has a very good relationship with Graphic Packaging International, and we have had successful projects with them. We are happy to be involved in this important project to provide a state-of-the-art coated board machine for their optimized mill network in the United States."

Valmet's delivery for the new coated board machine will include equipment for stock preparation, approach flow systems, board machine with extensive process ventilation scope, a wide Valmet DNA automation package and a winder.

The delivery will also include Valmet Industrial Internet services.

The start-up of the machine is scheduled for early 2026.

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With its automation systems and flow control solutions, Valmet serves an even wider base of process industries.

SOURCE: Valmet

Go to a related article: Graphic Packaging CEO Announces Plans to Build $1 Billion Greenfield CRB Mill in Waco, Texas - Feb. 9, 2023.