Oudegem Papier N.V. and Rigid Paper Ltd. produce paper for packaging purposes using recycled paper and cardboard as the raw material. The new paper is partly used for our own production of cardboard packaging and partly sold to other paper processing companies. In 2010, VPK Packaging Group N.V. produced 380,000 tons of paper.
In its production process, Oudegem Papier N.V. uses energy from combined heat and electricity and biogas. Using this energy sources, together with other renewable sources will be extended in the future in order to further reduce CO2 emission.
Competitive position
The rebuilding of a paper machine, which was started in October 2007 and involved an investment of 50 mio EUR, means that Oudegem Papier N.V. now has a capacity of
450,000 tonnes with effect from 2008.
This rebuild ensures our paper machines to be compatible in terms of both width and product range for the manufacture of paper products. As a result, Oudegem Papier N.V. can meet market demand for the supply of lighter paper products.
Our paper mill in Selby (UK) operated until the end of 2008 as a proximity mill, which reduced all inbound and outbound logistics to a minimum. It guaranteed supplies of raw materials to the other British corrugated board plants. Nevertheless, it was decided to close this plant because it had become unprofitable due to the unfavourable economic conditions. The machines were effectively stopped on 9 January 2009. The production capacity of 70,000 tonnes per year was taken over by the Oudegem site.
