U.S.Mini-Mills: the activity is in recycled containerboard

摘要

Mini-mills for recycled containerboard have mushroomed in the United States since 1992 when the first such mill started up at Somerset fiber in Cowpens, South Carolina. Eleven other new mini-mills are currently in operation or under construction for making linerboard and corrugating medium mostly from old corrugated containers (OCC). The paper will define a typical mini-mill concept using the Solvay Paperboard case as an example. The mini-mill concept offers several advantages over large-scale mills, making it possible for boxmakers and entrepreneurs to enter the papermaking business, and for major producers to increase capacity economically. Even as the availability and price fluctuations of OCC are a concern, mini-mills are adapting by using mixed waste to supplement OCC.