KALAMAZOO, Mich. (News release) -- Valmet will supply a coated board machine for Graphic Packaging International's (GPI) mill in Kalamazoo, Michigan. With this investment in the latest coated board technology, GPI is committing to sustainable packaging with exceptional product quality and cost competitiveness for producing coated recycled board (CRB) grades. The start-up of the machine is scheduled for the first half of 2022.

The order is included in Valmet's orders received of the third quarter 2019. The value of the order is not disclosed.

"Valmet has offered us innovative yet proven technology to reach our high product quality targets. We have had a long and good cooperation with Valmet. Our relationship is based on mutual trust, which is very important in large projects like this one," says Rusty Miller, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Technology, GPI.

"Valmet has a very good relationship with Graphic Packaging International, and we have had successful projects with them. We are happy to be involved in this important project to provide a new coated board machine in the United States," says Dave King, Area President, North America, Valmet.

The board machine will produce coated recycled board (CRB) grades (white line chip board, WLC grades) with an annual capacity of approximately 500,000 short tons which corresponds to 454,000 metric tons.