Progroup commissions a new high-tech PM3 paper mill in Sandersdorf-Brehna. The centrepiece of the mill is one of the most efficient paper machines for the production of environmentally friendly and high-quality corrugated base paper.
The plant has an annual capacity of 750,000 tonnes. It was completed in a construction and assembly time of just 18 months. Progroup is thus increasing its corrugated base paper production from 1.1 million tonnes to a total of around 1.85 million tonnes per year. The company has pursued a green high-tech strategy since its foundation. Progroup uses only waste paper as the raw material for paper production.
„As a family business, we have our sights firmly set on future generations. The new paper machine is designed to last for the next 50 to 60 years. Sustainable and energy-efficient production of corrugated base paper will be. We are therefore investing 100 million euros alone in sustainability measures. The new mill is therefore setting pioneering standards in the paper industry in terms of environmental protection and energy efficiency.“ Maximilian Heindl, Chief Development Officer and member of the Management Board of Progroup
PM3 for sustainable production
Round 860,000 tonnes of waste paper of PM3 per year is processed into corrugated base paper. The raw material is processed in a state-of-the-art pulping and sorting drum. Thanks to its special design, the drum is particularly resource-efficient.
To conserve the valuable resource of water, Progroup has developed a Innovative recirculating water treatment system integrated. It works like a biological kidney by treating the process water used and feeding it back into the closed-loop paper production system. In this way, Progroup reduces the use of fresh water by 80 per cent. This corresponds to 3,750,000 cubic metres of water per year.
Waste paper impurities are biodegraded during this process and converted into biogas. As a result, the entire plant consumes ten per cent fewer fossil resources. The paper mill was awarded the certificate for the consistent implementation of sustainability measures during the construction phase in January 2020. Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) of the European Union. With a total investment of 465 million euros, PM3 is currently the largest investment project in Saxony-Anhalt.
Progroup wants to grow further
As one of the company's current three paper mills, the new plant is an important part of its consistent growth strategy Two Twentyfive from Progroup. The aim is to Doubling the size of the company by 2025 compared to 2015.
In addition to the new PM3 paper mill, this includes eight further corrugated board plants and more than 500 new employees. The total investment volume for these growth projects amounts to around 1.35 billion euros. Progroup plans new corrugated cardboard plants and paper mills with a focus on sustainable management. This begins in the construction phase by commissioning regional companies in order to minimise travel distances and thus CO2 emissions.
Source: Progroup AG
