Sylvamo announces major investments at its two South Carolina facilities. The company plans to invest approximately $145 million in high-return projects to reduce costs and significantly enhance the capabilities at its mill in Eastover, South Carolina.
Sylvamo will invest approximately $100 million to speed up one of its paper machines by the end of 2026, modernizing it to the same world class level as the mill’s other machine. The investment will enable the machine to produce approximately 60,000 additional short tons of uncoated freesheet annually.
The company will also invest roughly $45 million for a new replacement sheeter at its Sumter, South Carolina, sheeting plant. The state-of-the-art cutsize sheeter, which converts large rolls of paper from the mill into sheets, will lower costs and add flexibility to service customers when it’s online by late 2026.
“We believe investing in our low-cost assets will strengthen our competitive advantage. Eastover is one of the most competitive paper mills in the world, and it will continue to be an important part of our story for years to come,” said Jean-Michel Ribiéras, chairman and chief executive officer.
Sylvamo is also entering a 20-year partnership to outsource its Eastover woodyard operations. Modernization will enable more efficient, reliable, cost-effective wood processing and additional flexibility. It will also allow the company to avoid approximately $75 million in capital spending over the next five years.
Sylvamo’s fully integrated Eastover mill is one of the most technologically advanced paper mills in the world and the largest, lowest cost producer of uncoated freesheet in North America. The mill produces over 90% of its energy in-house. It employs more than 800 people and is responsible for creating more than 5,000 related jobs locally. Eastover’s sheeting operation is located approximately 30 miles from the mill in Sumter, South Carolina, and employs more than 100 people. The facilities produce printer paper brands, as well as papers that are converted into envelopes, folders, forms and notepads.
