The History of Alabama River Pulp Company
and The Claiborne Mill Complex

 

Alabama River Pulp:  29-Plus Years of Operating Success

CLAIBORNE, ALABAMA—Since November of 1978, ARP has been producing southern softwood and hardwood kraft pulps for paper producers serving markets around the globe. Before the construction of ARP was announced for Monroe County in 1976, the tiny river community of Claiborne sat dormant, untouched by most of the modernizations associated with the twentieth century. However, during the past 28 years the mill complex has steadily grown and generated economic prosperity that has reached far beyond the clay banks of the Alabama River where the mills are located.
 

Water, wood and people are key ingredients for producing pulp, a base for the papermaking process. Hardwood and pine species flourish in the abundant forests of the Alabama River basin and surrounding region, and the river's proximity and available water supply at Claiborne provide an ideal setting for a pulp mill.

Recognizing the site's advantages, Parsons & Whittemore, an organization specializing in international pulp and paper projects, acquired 1,378 acres from the Monroe County Industrial Development Board. Alabama River Pulp (ARP) began production of unbleached kraft market pulp in November 1978 and began producing unbleached pulp in March of 1979. Operating at its current production capacity of over 1,300 metric tons per day, ARP has achieved recognition for its high quality pulp and reliable service performance.


Due to the success of Alabama River Pulp, three additional projects were later added to the Claiborne Mill Complex. A $400 million newsprint mill, Alabama River Newsprint, started up in July 1990; a new $700 million pulp line began production in December 1991, and a $36 million deinking plant was added in August 1993.


ARP's pulping operation, combined with the woodlands operation and its two chipping facilities, create about 550 jobs with an annual payroll of approximately $53 million. These direct jobs generate an additional 1,000 jobs in forestry and some 1,500 service-related jobs. The Alabama River Companies complex pays around $230 million a year for goods and services. The two pulp lines have a combined capacity of over 2,600 tons per day.

Throughout its history, Parsons & Whittemore's engineering and construction divisions have built 60 mills in some 28 different countries. While wood fiber provides a more traditional source for pulp, Parsons & Whittemore has made a significant contribution to the wider and more efficient use of assorted non-traditional raw materials through extensive research in the utilization of other agricultural fibers. Over 21 different cellulose fiber sources have been used in mills built by Parsons & Whittemore, including rice straw residues, sisal, bamboo, esparto grass, eucalyptus, and reeds. This innovative use of non-traditional fibers has made it possible for many nations to establish their first pulp and paper industries, creating much needed economic improvements.

Our Company Mission, Vision and Values guide and support our focus on safety, environmental responsibility and quality. In May 2004, our employees surpassed a United States pulp mill industry record by working over two million safe hours without a lost time accident. In recent years, our company has received recognition by the Pulp and Paper Safety Association for safe hours worked and our company-wide safety program.

Both Alabama River hardwood and softwood facilities are registered under the ISO-9002 international quality standards. ARP is the recipient of two U.S. Senate Productivity Awards and a National Environmental and Energy Achievement Award. The mill’s advanced bleaching technology was studied by the Environmental Protection Agency in preparation for its proposal for "Best Available Technology."

Alabama River's wood procurement program uses an Environmental Management System certified under ISO-14001, The American Forest & Paper Association's Sustainable Forestry Initiatives (SFI) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC). Both hardwood and softwood timber species are purchased from private landowners, wood dealers, and sawmills.

Alabama River's active involvement and community support is led by Chairman George Landegger, who places special emphasis on education and community relations. Mr. Landegger donated IBM's Writing to Read computer labs to kindergarten classes in all schools serving Monroe, Clarke and Conecuh counties. The company sponsors the Monroe County Adult Literacy Program and supports local schools by offering annual Educational Partner Grants. Our employees typically donate about one-third of the total annual budget of the Monroe County United Way.



The Alabama River Companies are proud of our civic involvement and active efforts to be a good neighbor in the communities of southwest Alabama. Our company is committed to responsible use and protection of natural resources. The good jobs we provide and the many materials and services we purchase stimulate the economy and enhance the overall quality of life for many families.