CHH’s Whakatane paperboard mill is the only mill in New Zealand that produces folding carton board, and some of the equipment at the mill is now over 30 years old. The upgrade will increase the mill’s current production by 23 per cent, from 86,000 tonnes to 106,000 tonnes per annum.

CHH Pulp and Paper chief operating officer Rhys Jones says that the upgrade recognises customer’s needs for superior quality, lower weight and higher strength folding carton board.

“The folding carton board that we will produce will have improved print quality and greater strength which is demanded by carton manufacturers and end use customers,” says Jones.

“We operate in challenging markets and our continuous focus is to get all of our operations to a world class standard. We’ve made changes at Kinleith and we are also making some at Tasman in Kawerau. Efficiencies gained through the productivity review at our Whakatane mill combined with benefits this upgrade will bring, make this a very exciting investment decision,” Jones says.

A key component of the upgrade at the Whakatane business, which employs approximately 250 people and services the packaging needs of the fast food, frozen food and beverage markets, is the installation of a new ’wet end’ to the paper machine. As a result, the print surface, strength properties and ability to produce lighter weight boards will be significantly improved.

The first folding carton board products are expected to roll off the production line within the first month after the upgrade project is complete. The upgrade is scheduled for completion by mid next year.

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