Omya and NewPage Corporation kicked off operations at the precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) plant located at the NewPage Escanaba paper mill site. The Omya plant brings seven new jobs to the community. PCC is an essential raw material used in the papermaking process.

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Omya and Newpage start operations at the precipitated calcium carbonate plant at Escanaba paper mill site

Aug 20, 2014. /Lesprom Network/. Omya and NewPage Corporation kicked off operations at the precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) plant located at the NewPage Escanaba paper mill site. The Omya plant brings seven new jobs to the community, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.

PCC is an essential raw material used in the papermaking process. It lends to key properties such as bulk, opacity, brightness and whiteness. PCC is manufactured using lime and carbon dioxide (CO2).

The Escanaba mill previously purchased PCC from another supplier. With the PCC plant on-site, the mill saves on transportation costs. The lime needed for the PCC manufacturing process is purchased from the Upper Peninsula.

The environment also benefits from the on-site plant. Before the PCC plant was in operation, the CO2 produced by the mill was emitted into the air and considered waste. The on-site plant uses CO2 generated by the Escanaba mill in the process, reducing the environmental impact.

“We're very pleased to see this PCC plant in operation at the Escanaba mill,” said NewPage CEO George Martin. “This plant is a step toward helping us achieve our long-term vision. The creation of this plant deepens our relationship with our strategic partner, Omya.”

Escanaba Mill Manager Roger Rouleau said, “By locating the plant here at the Escanaba mill, it's not only mutually beneficial for Omya and NewPage, the improved economics and job creation help support the local economy.”

Tony Colak, CEO for Omya Region Americas said, “We are pleased to be a strategic supplier and partner with NewPage. The close collaboration between Omya and NewPage has resulted in this long-term commitment.”

Omya is a leading global producer of industrial minerals, mainly fillers and pigments derived from calcium carbonate and dolomite, and worldwide distributor of chemical products.