Improving mill performance does not always require a new production line. Across the United States, pulp and paper mills have achieved significant savings and operational improvements by upgrading existing equipment, refining processes and making better use of production data.
Six projects documented between 2022 and 2026 show how these approaches have improved water management, energy efficiency, machine reliability, chemical recovery and waste handling. All six examples are drawn from publications issued directly by the companies operating the mills between 2024-2026.

• Smurfit Westrock: Modernizing Paper Machine Drives in Virginia
• Domtar: Cutting Freshwater Demand at Plymouth
• Sonoco: Reducing Wastewater Volumes and Treatment Costs
• Georgia-Pacific: Lowering Energy Intensity at Crossett
• Sappi: Improving Recovery Boiler Efficiency at Cloquet
• Smurfit Westrock: Turning Mill Residues Into Savings in Florida