K-C outlines $30M heat and power generation project at Millicent tissue mill in Australia

MILSONS POINT, Australia , July 7, 2011 (Press Release) - Kimberly-Clark Australia announced its Millicent Tissue Mill will reduce its carbon footprint by around 90,000 tonnes a year when a new $30 million investment in a combined heat and power generation project comes on line in 2013.

In a strong vote of confidence in its Australian manufacturing, the investment is one of three investments totalling $65 million announced today by Kimberly-Clark Australia and New Zealand's Managing Director, Glen Watts. Other investments include a $28 million investment at the company's Ingleburn Mill in Sydney, the site of manufacturing of HUGGIES® nappies, for a new production line to enable local manufacture of disposable pants and a $6.5 million investment at its Albury nonwoven mill expanding its capability to make innovative products as well as reduce carbon emissions.

According to Watts, ‘These investments demonstrate Kimberly-Clark's commitment to maintaining an effective Australian manufacturing presence. We have been encouraged by recent Government announcements regarding ethically sourced paper products and effective anti-dumping regimes and we continue to look to the Australian Government to play its part to maintain an effective economic environment for Australian manufacturing'.

Commenting on the announcement, Millicent Mill Manager, Scott Whicker said ‘The project we are announcing today is for the installation of a gas turbine and heat recovery process at the Millicent site. This will provide steam, electricity and drying capability for the Mill's operations resulting in state of the art energy efficiencies.

‘It's great news for both the region and the Mill which welcomes this as a real shot in the arm following one of its toughest years,' said Whicker.