Sonoco Products Company plans to invest US$40 million over the next two years to modernize and expand its uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) facility in Richmond, Virginia, US. The Sonoco paperboard investment project is expected to increase the mill’s annual production capacity by approximately 9,000 tons while improving manufacturing capabilities, product quality and operating efficiency.
Sonoco, which describes itself as the largest producer of URB in North America, said the investment supports its focus on “operational excellence, product innovation, and long-term growth.”
The Richmond mill is a strategic part of Sonoco’s integrated URB system. It supplies paperboard for the company’s paper can packaging and its lightweight Tan Bending Chip (TBC) grades.
“Richmond has long played an important role in supporting our consumer and industrial packaging businesses with quality paperboard that delivers value to our customers,” comments Howard Coker, Sonoco’s president and CEO.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to strengthening Sonoco’s paperboard system through targeted, high-return projects that enhance efficiency, improve product performance, and position us to meet growing customer demand.”
“By adding state-of-the-art capabilities, we will further improve the quality and consistency of our products while increasing capacity that supports long-term growth.”
Modernization Work to Begin in 2027
Construction at the Richmond facility is scheduled to begin in early 2027. The first phase will focus on improvements to sheet formation, profile control, density and cleanliness, alongside expanded production capabilities.
The second phase is targeted for completion by the end of 2028. Planned work will cover pulping operations, water systems, automation and employee experience improvements.
Sonoco said it intends to carry out the project with “minimal production disruption”. The mill is expected to maintain its current annual output of approximately 120,000 tons throughout the construction period.
Richmond Mill Supports Sonoco’s Paperboard Operations
Sonoco’s Industrial Paper Packaging segment operates 10 mills and 16 paper machines across the US and Canada. Together, these facilities produce approximately 1.2 million tons of heavyweight and lightweight TBC paperboard annually for a range of packaging applications and end markets.
The Richmond facility supplies paperboard for both consumer and industrial packaging applications within this operating system. The planned Sonoco paperboard investment is intended to improve the mill’s production capabilities while adding approximately 9,000 tons to its annual capacity.
The project forms part of the company’s investment in its existing paperboard manufacturing operations. Its two phases will address production processes, supporting systems and automation, with the expansion scheduled to reach completion by the end of 2028.
