{"id":8501,"date":"2025-07-30T03:53:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T07:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=8501"},"modified":"2025-07-30T03:53:02","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T07:53:02","slug":"sappi-concludes-500m-expansion-project-at-somerset-mill-in-maine-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=8501","title":{"rendered":"Sappi concludes $500m expansion project at Somerset Mill in Maine, US"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The investment is set to yield an annual capacity of approximately 470,000t of SBS paperboard. Credit: Matveev Aleksandr\/Shutterstock.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Sappi North America has announced the completion of Project Elevate, which involved a $500m investment to convert and expand Paper Machine No. 2 (PM2) at its Somerset Mill located in Maine, US.<\/p>\n

This development comes as a response to the growing demand for quality, fibre-based sustainable packaging solutions.<\/p>\n

The company is now poised to deliver commercial products to customers, with qualification processes underway and full production volumes expected by 2026.<\/p>\n

The expansion doubles the production capacity of PM2 and transforms Somerset into an advanced site for producing solid bleached sulfate (SBS) paperboard.<\/p>\n

Sappi North America president and CEO Michael Haws said: \u201cWith PM2, we have delivered the largest rebuild in our company\u2019s history, doubling the machine\u2019s capacity and positioning Somerset as a leader in sustainably manufactured paperboard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis investment goes beyond machinery; it\u2019s about laying the foundation for long-term innovation, sustainable growth, and lasting impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Sappi North America gears up for full-scale production, the investment is expected to yield an annual capacity of approximately 470,000 tonnes (t) of SBS paperboard.<\/p>\n

This includes a range of high-performance grades suitable for folding cartons, cups, and foodservice boards.<\/p>\n

The company will now be able to support both domestic and international packaging customers with the latest technology.<\/p>\n

Sappi North America manufacturing vice-president Kirk Ross said: \u201cProduct from the new machine is now commercially available, delivering the same high standards of quality and performance our customers expect, while expanding our range of applications.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith increased capacity and a focus on improved service, we\u2019re able to meet growing demand with greater speed, consistency, and responsiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n

The PM2 conversion began in 2022, after the PM1 rebuild in 2018. <\/p>\n

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