AFRY to support GBP's Arkansas paper mill modernisation project
The scope of work includes multidisciplinary design engineering, procurement support, and commissioning support for the balance of plant. This multiyear project is expected to boost the mill's operational efficiency and infrastructure.
The modernisation effort will involve crucial updates to essential process elements such as the site's recovery boiler and biomass boiler systems.
Moreover, GBP plans to implement an electric turbine generator, a key component of its decarbonisation initiative, which is expected to significantly cut scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions.
GBP Arkansas Kraft Division vice-president and general manager Brad Harville said: "We recognise that investing in future technologies is crucial for maintaining our leadership in innovation and excellence.
"Given AFRY's established leadership in the pulp and paper sector and their impressive track record in large-scale projects, we are confident that this partnership will contribute significantly to the success of this strategically important initiative.'
Additionally, the project encompasses the procurement of approximately 300 acres of land to facilitate future investments and growth, preparing the mill for long-term operations.
AFRY's engagement with the project dates back to its early phases, contributing to conceptual studies and basic engineering. The anticipated result is a modernised, sustainable, and efficient paper mill that upholds industry leadership.
AFRY process industries USA head John Boettcher said: 'We are extremely proud to be part of this modernisation project driving the transition towards a sustainable society.
"Our global leading position and network of international experts in the pulp and paper sector, combined with our local presence, allows us to provide best-in-class expertise to our customers. AFRY's commitment to sustainability and circular solutions makes us the perfect partner for this project.'
In December 2024, GBP commenced a multiyear project for the modernisation of its Arkansas Kraft Paper Mill to improve the mill's infrastructure.
"AFRY to support GBP's Arkansas paper mill modernisation project" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.
The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Los Angeles Times
9 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Pacific Retail Capital Partners, Lyon Living and Silverpeak Announce Acquisition and Redevelopment of Lakewood Center
Venture to Transform Southern California Property into a Vibrant Mixed-Use Destination Pacific Retail Capital Partners (PRCP), Lyon Living and Silverpeak have announced the acquisition of the two-million-square-foot Lakewood Center. This joint venture unites three industry leaders in retail, residential and investment expertise to reposition the iconic property into an innovative, mixed-use community hub. Located in the heart of Lakewood – a diverse, family-oriented community – the center will be reimagined through the development of a comprehensive master plan, transforming the property into a walkable destination that blends legacy retail with new residential, wellness, entertainment and green spaces. 'Lakewood Center is more than a shopping destination. It's a landmark of postwar American development, a cornerstone of the Lakewood community and a symbol of how retail can evolve alongside the people it serves,' said Steve Plenge, CEO of Pacific Retail Capital Partners. 'Since opening in 1950, the property has adapted to the cultural, economic and demographic shifts of Southeast Los Angeles, emerging as one of the most highly trafficked malls in the country and consistently generating over $1 billion in annual sales. Its legacy is woven into the daily lives of generations of families, workers and entrepreneurs. As we look ahead, our vision is to honor that heritage while transforming Lakewood Center into a next-generation mixed-use destination, one that meets the needs of a thriving, diverse community and continues to anchor regional vitality for decades to come.' The partners will be commencing the master planning process and will prioritize collaboration with local stakeholders and city officials to ensure the project reflects community values and aspirations. Known for its expertise in creating vibrant living environments, Lyon Living will lead the integration of modern residential and lifestyle components into the redevelopment. 'We're excited to join PRCP and Silverpeak in delivering a destination that will thrive in Lakewood for generations to come,' said Frank T. Suryan Jr., chairman & CEO of Lyon Living. Silverpeak, a leading real estate investment firm, will provide strategic vision and capital to ensure the project's long-term success. At nearly 150 acres, Lakewood Center is the second-largest, single-level enclosed mall in Los Angeles County. It draws over 22 million annual visitors, ranking third in California and sixth nationwide for traffic. Anchored by retailers including Costco, Target, Macy's and Best Buy, the center serves as the region's leading sales tax generator and a major local employer. 'The Lakewood Center has been at the heart of our community since before the city's incorporation in 1954, and the City and the Center have both evolved and weathered the many twists and turns of time together,' read a statement from the city of Lakewood. 'As we work with the new owners on a master planning process for the Center, this is undeniably an exciting new chapter in Lakewood history. We have great confidence the partners will re-establish Lakewood Center as a cornerstone of retail, dining and community connections and look forward to fresh ideas and amenities that will serve residents and visitors for generations to come.' The redevelopment will introduce elevated retail and dining, integrated residential living, wellness amenities, dynamic green spaces and unique entertainment – all thoughtfully woven into a pedestrian-friendly environment. Further details on the Lakewood Center master plan, including timeline and design features, will be shared as development progresses. Information sourced from Businesswire. To learn more, contact prcp@


Boston Globe
39 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
American businesses in ‘survival mode' as Trump tariffs pile up
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up May, 78, said he went into 'survival mode.' He laid off staff and cut expenses drastically. His team worked 12 hours a day trying to find new customers. He made it through the shock, but the business is facing big challenges. Advertisement 'We're hanging on by a thread,' he said. 'We've been doing everything possible. We're working harder just to stay in business.' Just over six months into Trump's campaign to rebalance global trade, some American small businesses are already on the brink. Others have chosen to throw in the towel. Last week, the United States and China agreed to extend, by another 90 days, a pause on tariffs that would have soared to a catastrophic 145%, averting a worst-case scenario -- a complete halt of trade between the world's two largest economies. Advertisement But the pause has done nothing for many American small-business owners paying the tariffs it left in place, such as a minimum 30% duty for goods from China or a 50% import tax on products made from foreign steel and aluminum. The average effective U.S. tariff rate soared to 18.6% in early August, the highest level in more than 90 years, from 2.5% when Trump took office in January, according to the Budget Lab at Yale, a research center. Many businesses stockpiled key supplies and components before the tariffs took effect, but the full effect of the import taxes is becoming more apparent as those reserves dwindle, dealing a final blow to some companies already struggling with other challenges. Howard Miller, a family-owned manufacturer of handcrafted clocks and home furniture based in Zeeland, Michigan, said last month that it planned to shut down operations next year after 99 years in business. The company, which employs nearly 200 people at factories in Michigan and North Carolina, said in a statement that it was already grappling with a soft housing market when tariffs hit supply chains and 'sparked recession fears.' 'Our business has been directly impacted by tariffs that have increased the cost of essential components unavailable domestically and driven specialty suppliers out of business, making it unsustainable for us to continue our operations,' said Howard J. Miller, the company's CEO and grandson of its founder. In July, Jennifer Bergman, 58, closed West Side Kids, a toy store in New York City founded by her mother 44 years ago. She said that operating a toy shop in the age of Amazon was already difficult, but that the tariffs made it impossible to go on. The prices for everything from her bestselling scooters to inexpensive knickknacks went up, and she spent most of her days dealing with price increases. She also said she found that people were more hesitant to spend because they feared the effect of tariffs on the economy. Advertisement As Bergman looked at her finances in June, she realized that she would struggle to make rent in July. She said sales representatives from toy brands had told her that other shops were struggling, too. 'They think I'm the first to fall, but that others are going to follow,' Bergman said. Sari Wiaz, owner of Baby Paper, which makes paper-like toys, said the tariffs on her products imported from China had been 'devastating.' Her costs are up 25%, and the uncertainty is making it hard to plan for the future. Wiaz, 67, noted a stark contrast to the support that communities and the government had provided to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that also caused local business to collapse. In a networking group for small manufacturers, she said, she noticed that many otherwise scrappy business owners were 'starting to give up.' This article originally appeared in
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Trump set to bar college graduates from debt relief program if employers undermine ‘American values'
Donald Trump's administration is considering introducing a new rule that would block college graduates with outstanding loans from having their debt forgiven if their employers are found to be 'undermining national security and American values through illegal means.' The proposal, announced this week by the Linda McMahon-led Department for Education, would bar people from being considered for the federal Public Student Loan Forgiveness program if the businesses they work for engage in 'activities with a substantial illegal purpose.' The examples given by the DOE of what offenses might qualify include 'supporting terrorism, aiding or abetting discrimination or violations of immigration laws, or child abuse.' Announcing the draft rule change proposal, Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said: 'President Trump has given the department a historic mandate to restore the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to its original purpose – supporting public servants who strengthen their communities and serve the public good, not benefiting businesses engaged in illegal activity that harm Americans. 'The federal government has a vital interest in deterring unlawful conduct, and we're moving quickly to ensure employers don't benefit while breaking the law.' The PSLF was first introduced in 2007 under George W Bush with the intention of rewarding graduates who enter public service professions like teaching or law enforcement by relieving them of the burden of student debt at the outset of their careers. The DOE insists the rule change it is pitching is necessary to preserve the original spirit of the taxpayer-funded program while penalizing companies found to be operating outside of the law. It is now soliciting public comments on its proposal until September 17. According to CBS News, critics of the revision have already warned that it would open the door to DOE officials moving to 'improperly exclude' public servants from the scheme on ideological grounds. In advance of the draft proposal being published, the Student Borrower Protection Center campaign group slammed it last month as 'harmful, horrific, and illegal,' warning it could empower the Trump administration to persecute agencies and firms whose work or ethos conflicts with its own goals. 'To be clear, if implemented this proposal would allow the secretary to disqualify from PSLF any employees of school systems that accurately teach the U.S.'s history of slavery, of healthcare providers who offer gender-affirming care and of legal aid organizations that represent individuals against unlawful deportations,' said the SBPC's legal director Winston Berkman-Breen in late June. The Independent has reached out to the DOE for further comment. Earlier this month, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem offered student loan forgiveness as an incentive to encourage graduates to apply to join ICE as part of a massive recruitment drive to boost the administration's crackdown on undocumented migrants.