The Legacy Paper Group has announced the restart of Paper Machine #8 (PM8) at its Port Huron, Michigan facility, reactivating 30,000 tons of annual production capacity after a four-year hiatus.
The move comes in response to growing demand for sustainable, lightweight specialty papers, especially in the food packaging sector.
A subsidiary of BMI Group US, Legacy Paper is reactivating PM8 to produce high-performance paper grades used in quick-service restaurant packaging, candy wrappers, medical table covers, and tissue overwraps—applications that require both functional strength and sustainability.
“The fundamentals driving specialty paper demand have never been stronger,” said Mark Bessette, Managing Director of The Legacy Paper Group. “The shift in consumer behavior during the pandemic and the growing focus on packaging sustainability have created a supply-demand gap PM8 is well suited to address.”
The decision to restart the machine is closely tied to shifts in dining habits, particularly the lasting surge in food delivery and takeout via services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. These changes have fueled sustained demand for functional, food-safe packaging.
At the same time, social and regulatory pressures around plastic waste have increased interest in paper-based alternatives that are renewable, biodegradable, and compostable. PM8 will produce grades that meet the performance needs of food service providers while supporting environmental goals.
“Our customers are demanding sustainable solutions that don’t compromise on performance,” added Bessette. “The grades coming off PM8 offer both environmental value and technical reliability.”
PM8’s restart is not just a production decision but part of a long-term investment strategy. Port Huron’s location offers efficient access to Midwest and Northeast markets, while existing supply chains and experienced staff enable a rapid production ramp-up.
“Legacy Port Huron Paper represents the rebirth of our community’s rich history of papermaking,” said James Freed, Port Huron City Manager. “These good-paying jobs will strengthen our economic foundation.”
Operating continuously since 1888, the Port Huron mill has passed through many hands—including Domtar Specialty Papers and EB Eddy Paper. With this restart, The Legacy Paper Group is building on more than a century of papermaking tradition while pushing forward with modern sustainability goals.
The Legacy Paper Group, part of BMI Group US, produces high-quality specialty papers for packaging and industrial use. The Port Huron mill specializes in sustainable, lightweight paper solutions for food service, medical, and consumer markets.
