Sonoco closes recycled paperboard mill

Sonoco announced that it is permanently closing its Rockton, Illinois, uncoated recycled paperboard mill, according to James Harrell, division vice president and general manager, Paper North America.

The mill has the capacity to produce approximately 38,000 tons of paperboard annually. It is used primarily to supply coreboard and edgeboard markets. The plant closure will impact 44 employees. The Company will offer severance pay, benefits continuation and outplacement assistance to employees.

“We have continued to experience a decline in market demand for uncoated recycled paperboard which has led us to make the tough decision to permanently cease production at the Rockton mill,” said Harrell.

Following the closure, Sonoco will operate 22 uncoated recycled paperboard mills and 32 paper machines globally. Earlier this year, Sonoco closed its Montreal, Canada mill and a smaller specialty paperboard machine at its Holyoke, Massachusetts mill.