Sylvamo has announced a major $145 million investment to modernize its facilities in South Carolina.
This ambitious project aims to reduce costs and enhance the competitiveness of its Eastover mill, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
The company will allocate approximately $100 million to accelerate and modernize one of its paper machines by the end of 2026. This upgrade will increase the production of uncoated freesheet paper by 60,000 short tons annually, bringing the machine to the same performance level as the existing one.
Additionally, a $45 million investment will be dedicated to replacing a sheeter at the Sumter conversion facility. This state-of-the-art equipment will lower costs and improve service flexibility for customers, with operations expected to begin 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 will continue to play a key role in our future," said Jean-Michel Ribiéras, chairman and CEO of Sylvamo.
At the same time, the company has signed a 20-year partnership to outsource its Eastover woodyard operations. This modernization will optimize wood processing while allowing Sylvamo to avoid approximately $75 million in capital spending over the next five years.
A celebratory event for these investments is planned in the coming months, bringing together employees, community partners, and elected officials.
A Strategic and High-Performance Mill
The Eastover mill is recognized as one of the most technologically advanced in North America. Employing over 800 people and generating more than 5,000 indirect jobs, it produces 90% of its energy in-house. Located about 30 miles from Columbia, South Carolina, it is a key player in the regional paper industry.
As for the Sumter conversion facility, it employs more than 100 people and plays a crucial role in converting paper into finished products such as Hammermill®, HP Home & Office, and Williamsburg printer paper, as well as envelopes and notepads.
With these strategic investments, Sylvamo reaffirms its commitment to strengthening its presence in the paper market while ensuring increasingly efficient and sustainable production.
