As one of the world’s leading producers of fiber-based packaging and pulp, International Paper is dedicated to improving people’s lives by transforming renewable resources into products we use daily. The company is committed to sustainability and serving people and communities.
The Rome location is a containerboard mill that produces the paper used in much of the packaging we come into contact with daily. According to mill general manager Kevin Walls, “Corrugated packaging plays an integral role in countless supply chains around the world. It brings fresh fruit and other foods to faraway places, protects priceless objects, and safeguards goods that enhance the lives of consumers around the globe. We make a clean, recyclable product that is essential to our supply chain, and Rome is a part of that story.” The paper manufactured at the Mays Bridge Road mill is a mid-line grade brown paper. Each day approximately 2500 tons are sent out to box plants throughout the country. Remarkably, one out of three boxes in the U.S. is made by International Paper.
The success and longevity of IP are directly related to the sustainability of forests. They work with land owners to ensure the practices utilized result in healthy ecosystems and high-yield crops. The industry is also moving to a certified fiber process encouraging responsible forest management
practices. As a result, the number of trees in the United States has increased by approximately 20%.
The average crop cycle for the Southern Pine used at the Rome mill is 10-12 years. Privately owned working forests supplies the fiber used at the Rome mill. Most of these forests are located within a 10 to 100-mile radius.
Stewardship is one of the company’s core values, including caring for the environment. “At International Paper, we work to make the most of every tree and the byproducts of the manufacturing process to create value and eliminate waste. We use biomass residuals from the manufacturing process to supply nearly 75% of the energy used in our mills. This helps us shrink our carbon footprint by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Walls. The remaining energy needs are supplied by natural gas.
Stewardship is one of the company’s core values, including caring for the environment. “At International Paper, we work to make the most of every tree and the byproducts of the manufacturing process to create value and eliminate waste. We use biomass residuals from the manufacturing process to supply nearly 75% of the energy used in our mills. This helps us shrink our carbon footprint by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Walls. The remaining energy needs are supplied by natural gas.
The communities where IP has its businesses are very important to the company. The jobs they provide are usually above average pay levels, improving its employees’ quality of life and impacting the surrounding area. The mill in Rome has been a key part of the community for over 70 years. Wall says, “I’ve worked in a lot of towns, and it is rare to see such a level of community and teamwork as we all work to better Rome and Floyd County. We’re honored to be a part of that story through our economic impact and through the creation of our product.”
Founded in 1898, International Paper has approximately 38K employees nationwide in 34 states. The Rome plant provides approximately 550 jobs.
For more information regarding International Paper, visit internationalpaper.com.
