International Paper to Invest $300 Million in Selma Mill

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September 26, 2017

International Paper mill, Courtland, Ala.

International Paper has announced plans to invest $300 million in its mill in Dallas County. The company hopes to expand its industrial packaging business, adding to the momentum of the state’s already flourishing forest products industry.

According to Made in Alabama, the Memphis-based company said that it plans to convert its number 15 paper machine in Selma to produce high quality whitetop liner board and containerboard by mid-2019. Currently, the machine produces uncoated freesheet, a type of paper commonly used in offices.

International Paper’s senior vice president of of Industrial Packaging the Americas commented on the investment, noting a focus on the customer’s needs.

“Our customers expect us to support their growth and this machine conversion will meet their needs. Our Industrial Packaging business continues to focus on our customers in strategic channels including our box business, domestic and export containerboard, and specialty grades.”

The investment will add 450,000 tons of capacity at the Selma mill, giving the mill the flexibility to shift production between several containerboard products. The mill will also remain a significant supplier of freesheet. This shift will allow the company to grow its industrial packaging business and solidify jobs at the Dallas County mill.

International Paper has been a leader in the surging growth of Alabama’s forest products industry. Last year, the industry recorded $1.2 billion of new investment and 1,000 anticipated new jobs. The investment made forest products the top accelerating industry in the state, toppling the astronomically growing automotive and aerospace industries.

International Paper’s investment proves that the industry is continuing that same trend of accelerated growth in to 2017. Paired with other industry developments, such as the announcement of a new Georgia-Pacific lumber facility in Talladega, Alabama’s forest products industry continues to bring significant economic and job growth to the Yellowhammer state.

“Alabama’s forest products industry is in the midst of a prolonged upswing that has brought a significant amount of new capital investment and jobs to the state, solidifying the industry’s status as a key economic driver,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.