Greif Inc

Greif, Inc. announced it will exit the coated recycled paperboard market with the closure of its Sweetwater paperboard mill in Austell, Georgia, expected to cease operations by the end of the calendar year. The closure will remove approximately 120,000 tons of annual production capacity and affect approximately 90 colleagues, who will receive severance benefits, career transition resources, and other support. Sweetwater produces coated recycled paperboard, uncoated recycled paperboard, and gypsum facing and backing paper grades, and the company said the mill's operating configuration, limited integration within Greif's network, and cost position prevented it from establishing a sustainable competitive position. Greif is working directly with affected uncoated recycled paperboard customers to support an orderly transition and continue serving them through its broader North American URB mill network. President and CEO Ole Rosgaard called the decision difficult because of the impact on colleagues, their families, and the surrounding community, while Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sustainable Fiber Solutions Gaylord Benner said closing Sweetwater will strengthen the overall performance of the mill network.