The Sappi paper mill in Cloquet would more than double production of coated paper without producing more pulp or cutting more trees under a proposal made public today.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said Sappi is proposing expanding the Cloquet plant with a new paper-processing machine and natural gas-fired boiler.
The project would increase production to more than 1 million tons annually from the current 340,000 tons per year.
The project also would include production and shipping changes at the mill and would convert the mill's former tree nursery into a wood-storage yard and require the rerouting of Avenue B in Cloquet.
The proposed project does not require an increase in pulp production or timber harvesting, the PCA said. But it still is subject to environmental review because of an increase in air emissions and other changes.
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Kevin Kain, PCA project manager, said Sappi will use pulp they sell on the open market to feed the production increase at their mill.
"They would stop selling pulp and sell more paper," Kain said.
Sappi Fine Paper North America officials declined to offer details on the project, which hasn't yet been approved by corporate leaders.
The company "continually assesses strategic options for profitable growth," Amy Olson, Sappi director of communications, said in a prepared statement to the News Tribune. "Our air permit amendment application under review by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency pertains to one such option -- a new paper machine that would enhance the Cloquet mill's production capacity for high-quality and affordable coated paper products for the North American market."
It's not clear increased paper production would require additional workers at the mill. Current paper machines would continue operating with the new machine, according to PCA documents.
The paper industry has seen a general slowdown during the ongoing global recession. But Kain said Sappi officials are moving to obtain environmental permits "for when the economy improves and they decide to go ahead."
Comments on the environmental assessment can be sent by June 3 to Kain at MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 or by fax to (651) 297-2343. The public notice, draft permit, and supporting documentation will be available beginning Friday at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/data/index.cfm?PN=1 . Questions on the plan can be made to Kain at (651) 757-2482.
