More than a year after announcing 145 million dollars in investments in South Carolina, Sylvamo says key modernization projects at Eastover and Sumter are progressing on schedule.
According to the company, the initiatives are designed to strengthen the long‑term competitiveness of the Eastover mill, which Sylvamo describes as one of the most efficient papermaking sites in North America.
The flagship project is a 100‑million‑dollar investment aimed at optimizing the performance of Paper Machine No. 2 and increasing its operating speed. Most of the work will be carried out during an extended maintenance outage planned for the fourth quarter of 2026. Once completed, Sylvamo expects the project to add approximately 60,000 metric tonnes of annual uncoated freesheet capacity.
The optimization is also expected to enhance operational flexibility, reduce costs and broaden the range of products that can be manufactured on the site’s two paper machines, the company said.
At the Sumter sheeting plant, Sylvamo is installing a new 13‑pocket cutsize sheeter, representing a 45‑million‑dollar investment. The equipment is currently undergoing testing at the manufacturer’s site and is scheduled for installation in parallel with the Eastover upgrades.
The new sheeter will handle larger rolls, improving the efficiency of converting parent rolls into sheets while lowering costs and increasing production flexibility, according to Sylvamo.
Sylvamo is also modernizing the Eastover woodyard as part of a 20‑year agreement to outsource wood handling and preparation operations. The hardwood line entered service on May 1 and is already delivering improvements in chip quality and yield. The softwood line is scheduled to come online in the first quarter of 2027.
Chief Executive Officer John Sims said these projects are expected to strengthen Eastover’s competitive position in the North American uncoated freesheet market.
Sylvamo plans to complete the entire investment program in 2027.
Sylvamo produces uncoated freesheet in North America, Europe and Latin America. The fully integrated Eastover mill employs more than 800 people and manufactures brands such as Hammermill, HP Home & Office and Williamsburg.
