Seeking to shift production at its No. 15 paper machine at the Selma, AL Riverdale Mill from uncoated freesheet to high-quality whitetop linerboard and containerboard, International Paper is investing $300 million in a machine conversion project that will improve the firm’s position in the industrial packaging market.

“Our customers expect us to support their growth and this machine conversion will meet their needs,” Tim Nichols, senior vice president of International Paper’s Industrial Packaging business in the Americas, said in a company press release Wednesday announcing the move. “Our Industrial Packaging business continues to focus on customers in strategic channels including our box business, domestic and export containerboard, and specialty grades.”

The project will result in an additional 450,000 tn of annual capacity at the site, with the option to change the machine to suit production of different container board products. Leaving one freesheet production machine in place at the mill, the site’s freesheet capacity will be reduced by 235,000 tn when the project is completed.

“International Paper’s uncoated freesheet business remains a strategic part of the company and we are well positioned to support current and future customer demand,” said Mick Amick Jr., senior vice president of International Paper’s paper business in the Americas and India, in a statement. “This investment proactively repositions Riverdale No. 15 to serve our growing packaging business, while enabling us to optimize our North American Papers business.”

Conversion of the machine is expected to be completed by mid 2019.

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