President Trump Visits Pratt Industries’ New Mill

President Trump Visits Pratt Industries’ New 100% Recycled Paper Mill

Recognizing the important role paper recycling plays in U.S. manufacturing, President Donald Trump on Sept. 22 toured Pratt Industries’ containerboard mill in Wapakoneta, Ohio. The event was broadcast live on at least one national cable channel. Pratt Industries is a member of ISRI and the PSI Chapter.

Accompanying the President during the tour and press conference were Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (far right in photo) and company owner Anthony Pratt (center in photo). The President explicitly stated that not one tree is used in the manufacture of Pratt’s paper at the company’s 100% recycled paper mills.

The Ohio facility, Pratt Industries’ fifth 100% recycled paper mill in the United States, is scheduled to open in October and will consume 425,000 tons of mixed paper and old corrugated containers as feedstock. It represents the largest factory pledged and built during President Trump’s first term.

In 2017, Anthony Pratt vowed to invest $2 billion in the United States over the next decade and create 5,000 high-paying jobs. In addition to the plant in Wapakoneta, Pratt also has built factories in Valparaiso, Ind.; Lewisburg, Ohio; and Beloit, Wis. Combined, these investments have totaled over $1 billion and are an example of the continued growth of paper recycling in the United States. Overall, Pratt Industries employs 9,000 Americans.

“Over the past 18 months the paper recycling markets in North America have been quite challenging due to the tumultuous export markets,” stated ISRI President Robin Wiener. “Due to investments by ISRI members such as Pratt’s, in this new paper mill, there will be a new domestic market in the Midwest for nearly 1 billion pounds of recycled paper each year.”

 The U.S. paper recycling industry as a whole provides a nearly $34 billion economic impact in the United States. It is directly and indirectly responsible for 154,000 American jobs.

 For another look at this story, click HERE to watch a video clip from Fox Business.