By Jim Thompson

 

On 8 Aug 19, Graphic Packaging announced that their Board of Directors has approved a new CRB machine project in the amount of $600 million.

I think makers of CRB (Coated Recycled Board, sometimes called Clay Coated Box Board) should be worried, very worried.  From what little information is available, it looks like this machine will be a cost efficiency leader on every measurable front.  Further, it looks like it will produce a superior product, competitively knocking the old standard multiply cylinder board product out of the market.  

This may be the death knell of cylinder board machines, at least in the CRB grades.  We'll see if Graphic Packaging can execute their plans.  

Others should be worried, notably Greif, as well as a few others.

Have a comment?  Email me at jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com