Blue Paper's paper machine – the result of a successful conversion in 2013 – is one of the most impressive in Europe with a width of 8.60m. The machine produces over 1000 tonnes of packaging paper every day. Two years after the site opened, it has now been decided to provide additional storage capacity.

The new building has space for 12,000 tonnes of paper – almost double the original storage unit, which will continue to be used alongside the new high stack warehouse. The new building has been built adjacent to the original storage unit to ensure optimal logistics.


The new warehouse is fully automated. When the production process is complete, the paper rolls are transported along conveyor belts to the warehouse entrance, where they are stacked on top of each other up to 6 rolls high using vacuum technology. For shipping, the rolls are placed in one of the four loading docks by the vacuum grippers, ready for loading on to the truck with the customer as its destination. The total investment amounts to €6m.

Last year a new steam turbine was installed in Strasbourg, at an investment cost of €5m. These sustainable investments – a main objective within VPK’s company vision – combined with the expertise of local teams have resulted in the paper site reaching cruising speed very quickly since it started.  

Blue Paper: some key facts

> Second paper site within the VPK Group, after VPK Paper in Dendermonde (Belgium)
> Ambitious conversion project started in February 2013
> Total investment: €100m
> Converted paper machine started in November 2014
> Produces Testliner and Fluting from 80 to 120 gram/m²
> Current production capacity: 360,000 tonnes / year
> 140 employees