Pratt Industries to construct $260m recycled paper mill in Valpariaso, Indiana
Corrugated packaging company Pratt Industries is ready to construct a $260m 100% recycled paper mill, its fourth in Valpariaso, Indiana.
Corrugated packaging company Pratt Industries is ready to construct a $260m 100% recycled paper mill, its fourth in Valpariaso, Indiana.
To be built adjacent to the company's existing box-making plant, the new mill is expected to bring the company's overall containerboard capacity to 1.5 million tonnes.
Pratt Industries chairman and owner Anthony Pratt said that construction of the mill would begin in March 2014, with completion slated for July 2015.
"This new facility will allow us to better service the needs of our expanding customer base not only in the Midwest, but throughout the United States," Pratt added.
The mill occupies a new 250,000ft² building on the 50-acre site owned by the company. Upon reaching full capacity, the facility is expected to produce 360,000t of recycled paper annually.
Valparaiso mayor Jonathon Costas said that Pratt's green recycling technology will help protect forests and landfills in the US.
"It has been a real pleasure working alongside Pratt executives to pave the way for this expansion and it is clear to us why they have become the world's largest privately-held 100% recycled paper and packaging company," Costas added.
Pratt employs more than 300 at the box plant currently and expects the new mill to employ more than 100 people.
Image: From left: Pratt Holdings president Gary Byrd; Pratt CEO Brian McPheely; Anthony Pratt; Mayor Costas; Indiana Economic Development Corporation president Eric Doden. Photo: courtesy of Pratt Industries, Inc.