Crossroads Paper has plans to construct a recycled-paper mill in Utah, expected to open in early 2022. The announcement of the paper mill drew support from recycling organizations and government officials, Lt. Governor Spencer Cox, and Val Hale, executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “For the past several years, our recycling ecosystem has undergone a series of challenges,” said Crossroads Paper CEO John Sasine. “We are here to share with you a different and hopeful view.
Once completed, it will be the only operating paper mill in the state. Currently, the closest paper mills to Utah are in New Mexico, Oregon and California. During the planning phase, Crossroads Paper project developer Ron Sasine said the company had looked at other states to place the paper mill. “Salt Lake and the Intermountain West is a unique place, because of the rapid economic growth, the environmentally focused population, and the expansion of manufacturing,” he said. “When those three things combine, the industrial footprint of a paper producing operation starts to get the critical mass that it needs.”
The $320 million paper mill will provide more than 110 direct jobs to Utahns and is expected to earn over $1 billion in revenue over 10 years, according to the company. The price tag includes infrastructure improvements, civil construction and water treatment facilities. The project is being financed by private investment capital.
The 80-acre plant is expected to produce 1,000 tons of packing paper a day, and the treeless operation will depend solely on 100% recycled fiber like cardboard boxes and existing waste paper. The output from the plant will be used to make new boxes for manufacturers, farmers and e-commerce companies.