Double A and VPK Group to convert the Alizay paper mill into a recycled paper based production site
Double A Holdings and VPK Group, in association with Inova Pulp and Paper, launch a project to convert the DA Alizay industrial site into a Hub for sustainable development in circular economy.
Project description and implementation
Double A Holdings: Divestment of DA Alizay paper production, while retaining the recently implemented 50MW green energy from biomass plant, in line with the Group’s energy strategy (See BEA). Double A Holdings will ensure smooth European market supply transition of the brands to other Double A industrial site production units.
VPK Paper: Transformation of the industrial site of DA ALIZAY to a recycled paper mill. Conversion and modernization of the existing paper machine to produce recycled light weight containerboard.
VPK Packaging: Installation of an innovative corrugated packaging production unit that will operate in conjunction with VPK’s nearby packaging plants. The corrugator will manufacture sustainable, fit to size protective packaging to supply e-commerce fulfilment sites and logistics players. ‘Fanfold’, a continuous accordion-folded corrugated cardboard, avoids excessive material consumption and reduces logistical burdens.
Inova Pulp and Paper (IPP): Implementation of a recycling plant for waste paper for the production of deinked pulp on the DA Alizay site.
Bioenergie Alizay (BEA): Produces green electricity from biomass since January 2021 and will for a long term supply the decarbonated steam to IPP deinked pulp plant and to VPK converted paper mill. Third largest electricity production unit from biomass in France with a capacity of 50MW.
Industrial concept
The Alizay Sustainable Development Hub is at the heart of the circular economy and contributes to the economic and industrial development of the Normandy region in the context of its sustainability transition. Double A and VPK are combining forces to transform the Alizay production site into a model of circular economy with the project of upgrading and converting the Alizay paper machine into packaging production and enhancing the mill’s environmental performances. The investment project includes the implementation of a recycled pulp plant and the conversion of the existing paper machine to produce light weight recycled containerboard.
VPK has proven competence in running large conversion projects successfully with its Blue Paper mill transformation in Strasbourg. Driven by the dynamism of the packaging board market, the group is continuing to anchor itself in France through the conversion of the Alizay paper mill. The mill’s output will primarily supply its own packaging converting plants in France and in the UK. VPK’s continuous growth in packaging production turned it into one of the main containerboard purchasers in Western part of Europe.
These investments enhance the circular and industrial ecosystems on the Alizay site by ensuring long term valorisation of locally recovered paper and biomass.
