EBB details significant improvements at Umka mill

The Elliott Baxter Group (EBB), a leading paper and board supplier for print, has announced significant improvements at a supplier mill which will increase its output capacity and overall efficiency.

The Umka Cardboard Mill, located in Serbia, is a producer of recycled white lined chipboard for EBB-stocked products such as Umka Color and Umka Liner.

The mill has invested heavily in new manufacturing equipment and technology with the aim of increasing overall production volumes. Daily production capacity will now reportedly be around 620 tonnes, up from a pre-investment level of 320 tonnes.

The mill will also carry out a complete reconstruction of its coating dryer section. The existing air dryers and infrared radiation (IR) dryers will be replaced with brand-new OptiDry Coat air dryers. This is predicted to increase production capacity from 190,000 tonnes to 220,000 tonnes per year.

A wider investment programme in the Umka mill has seen further improvements in the last four years that include a better system for biological water treatment, the rebuilding of the steam-condensation system, and the installation of a new reel packing line.

EBB recently announced a range of initiatives which aim to increase sustainability and reduce the company’s environmental footprint. These include transitioning all of its facilities to energy-efficient LED lighting as well as setting targets to ensure all facilities are fully powered by renewable energy sources by 2025.

EBB sees investment in paper and cardboard as important for its sustainability goals. Speaking about the Umka development, EBB says: “EBB has invested in a huge stock range in two of the Umka grades, ensuring consistency of supply for our customers across the UK and Ireland.

“In a world where packaging is increasingly moving away from plastic, we are committed to providing high quality alternatives that meet our customers’ demands.”