Memphis, Tennessee, USA 27 July 2012 -- International Paper has restarted production at its Italian San Felice corrugated packaging plant. The machines had been temporarily halted after the earthquake that hit the region in May.

International Paper announced that the company restarted corrugator operations at its Italian San Felice plant near Modena last week. Paolo Pratella, Managing Director of International Paper’s corrugated packaging business in Italy, said that in April this year the company made a significant investment to enhance its capabilities at its San Felice plant by installing a new state-of-the art corrugator. However, the devastating earthquakes that hit the Emilia region in May interrupted the ramp-up phase of this new equipment.

International Paper is currently serving its San Felice customers from its other facilities in Italy as well as Spain and France. Many of the plant’s workforce have temporarily transferred to other International Paper operations in Italy. Following the restart of the corrugator over 70% of the company’s San Felice employees are back at work, the company said.