Demand For Paper Mills Decline While Market For Tissue, Sanitary Paper Is Expected To Rise
Wisconsin has lost about one-third of its paper mills in the last two decades. More companies are nearly bankrupt or are exploring the possibility of selling their mills. This fall, Industrial Assets Corp., a Los Angeles-based used machinery dealer, bought the Appleton Coated paper mill in Combined Locks, Wisconsin. In addition, Verso Corp. formed a committee to explore the potential sale of some of its mills. The company operates mills in both Duluth and Stevens Point. Jeff Landin, president of the Wisconsin Paper Council, said Wisconsin’s paper industry is doing well overall, but some mills are struggling. "You’ve seen some of that in the Appleton Coated issue where they’ve gone through receivership, but it’s really a byproduct of what they produce. It’s the coated paper market that’s challenged," he said. But, Landin said tissue, packaging and specialty papers make up more than 90 percent of products in Wisconsin’s paper industry. Click Read More below for additional information.