Landau, Germany 10 August 2018 -- Saxony-Anhalt is one of the world's most modern paper mills with an annual capacity of 750,000 tonnes. For this reason, the first ground-breaking ceremony was held on Friday at the Sandersdorf-Brehna site. The contractor and operator of the facility is Progroup AG from Landau, which will use it to build its third paper mill and increase the annual production of corrugated base paper to a total of 1.85 million tonnes. The investment for the new project is 375 million euros. The plant will create 140 direct jobs and up to 350 indirect jobs.

The Prime Minister of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, Dr. med. Reiner Haseloff, welcomed the industrial settlement as an important flagship project for the re-industrialization of East Germany: "We can be proud of the fact that the world's most modern paper mill is being built in our home country. If a Europe-wide location search leads to a surcharge for Saxony-Anhalt, then we can not have done much wrong. Obviously, we have once again benefited from the fact that an investor has already gained good experience in Saxony-Anhalt. I thank the Progroup for the trust it places in our country and its communities. "

Progroup AG had started a Europe-wide site search for its third paper mill in Burg near Magdeburg and in Eisenhüttenstadt in the federal state of Brandenburg. "In addition to the geographical proximity to the previous locations, the good traffic connections and the high industrial competence of the region were the deciding factors for our choice of location," says Jürgen Heindl, CEO and CEO of Progroup AG. At the same time, he emphasizes: "For each project, we pursue a greenfield strategy and therefore invest environmentally consciously in state-of-the-art plants - ie plants that not only comply with state-of-the-art technology, but set new standards themselves."

The new paper machine will be realized by Voith Paper, a globally active, well-known mechanical engineering company based in Heidenheim. The machine with a working width of 9.2 meters will produce corrugating medium and testliner within the grammage range of 80 to 150 grams per square meter. Drum disintegration, stock preparation, former, press and dryer section, surface application as well as reel and winder come from one source to ensure a consistently high paper quality. Thus, the Progroup brands of Next Generation Products can be produced efficiently and environmentally friendly in accordance with the Green high-tech philosophy, which stands for less energy and raw material input as well as lower CO ₂ emissions while increasing performance.

The new paper mill will be erected on a building plot of 450,000 square meters near Bitterfeld. In addition to the paper machine, which processes 100 percent waste paper, the entire project also includes the construction of an EBS power plant that supplies the new high-performance machine with energy and energy with steam and electricity. In this power plant, the impurities contained in the waste paper can be thermally recycled integrated. In addition, a substantial independence of the paper mill from fossil fuels is achieved.

Finally, the paper mill will be equipped with an optimized water cycle and invested in state-of-the-art wastewater treatment technologies. The water supply is provided by groundwater and surface water, which is extensively available through decommissioning measures in lignite mining.

Andy Grabner, mayor of the town of Sandersdorf-Brehna, adds: "The location of this innovative high-tech company fits in with the structural change in our region and suggests that the combination of location strength, industrial tradition and competence will continue to pay off in the future. Such a'Lighthouse Project' will entail follow-on investments; Attractive jobs and apprenticeships are created and lead to more young people setting up their center of life here. Not only Sandersdorf-Brehna, but the entire region will benefit from the settlement. "With the new paper mill in Sandersdorf-Brehna, Progroup AG is underlining its position as the fastest growing organic corrugated base paper and corrugated board manufacturer in Europe. 85 percent of the corrugated base paper produced at the company's own factories is processed in its current 10 corrugated board factories in Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Poland, the United Kingdom and Italy. To reduce the ecological footprint, only waste paper is used. Jürgen Heindl: "The new project joins our one-mill strategy, which consistently follows the green high-tech philosophy. In other words, not one tree is felled to supply our state-of-the-art plants. In times of climate change that is lived and conscious environmental protection. " "The new project joins our one-mill strategy, which consistently follows the green high-tech philosophy. In other words, not one tree is felled to supply our state-of-the-art plants. In times of climate change that is lived and conscious environmental protection. " "The new project joins our one-mill strategy, which consistently follows the green high-tech philosophy. In other words, not one tree is felled to supply our state-of-the-art plants. In times of climate change that is lived and conscious environmental protection. "

****

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

* We are looking for a Production Shift Team Leader to maintain high standards, plus ensure safety policies and regulations for a company located close to Chicago's Midway Airport. If you are experienced team leader who has a four-year degree in an engineering/technical field (paper science degree preferred, and experience in recycled linerboard or corrugating medium paper mills is a plus), we are looking for someone like you! If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

* A family owned and operated corrugated packaging solutions company in Illinois is looking for an experienced Maintenance Technician to maintain production and quality by ensuring operation of machinery and mechanical equipment. Relocation and other perks are available to the right candidate who is committed to working third shift. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

* Are you an experienced Maintenance Mechanic and would like to work for a family owned and operated corrugated packaging solutions company that invests in the best equipment and technology? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

* A leading company in the corrugated solutions packaging business is looking for a experienced Electrician. The right candidate will possess the following skills: electrical; hydraulic; automatic drives (basic component machines 122 to 440 bolts). If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

* An expanding company is looking for a Corporate Industrial Electro-Mechanical Engineer near Allentown, PA. Relocation is available. Do you have a storied list of unique electrical and mechanical engineering skills you're ready to take to the next level? Do you envision yourself in a corporate-level leadership role that your experience finally merits? And do you relish any opportunity to troubleshoot and solve real-time problems, all while designing and installing new services and systems that will not only ensure safety, but also turn a potentially hazardous work environment into a continuously thriving one? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

* An expanding company is looking for hands-on Electro Mechanical Maintenance Techs in Conyers, Georgia. Preference will be given to candidates with higher education and additional certificates or training. You must be able to work any shift. Pay is negotiable with excellent perks and benefits. Relocation assistance is available to the right candidate. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.

****

Jim Thompson is back again...with a new book on a taboo subject: the personalities in the pulp & paper industry. Jim has written in the past on many subjects based on his four plus decades in the worldwide pulp and paper industry. This new book is packed full of information valuable to the senior member of the industry as well as the recent entrant. A must for every pulp and paper library.