The wide world of recycling

A large paper manufacturer expands its presence in India, a recycling company in southern Africa gets a loan and a paper mill is slated for construction just outside of Cairo, Egypt.

In an effort to gain a better foothold in India's burgeoning paper and packaging market, International Paper has announced plans to buy a majority of shares in Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills Limited for about $257 million in cash and has agreed to a $62 million non-compete payment to the sellers. APPM has two mills with a combined capacity of about 276,000 tons and 2,500 employees.

International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, is investing $10 million in equity and a loan of $15.5 million to complete the construction of a paper mill outside of Cairo, Egypt. The plant is owned by Motaheda S.A.E. and will use recycled fiber as its raw material to produce duplex board, often used to make packaging. The construction of the plant is expected to create 300 direct manufacturing jobs and 550 indirect jobs. The company hopes that the mill will better serve the domestic demand for paper products and become a regional hub for the industry.

Wilco Recycling of the southern African country of Namibia has received a loan from the Development Bank of Namibia allowing it to significantly enhance its operations, according to The Namibia Economist. The paper reports that the company's owner, Willem Coetzee, used the money hire vehicles to haul the crushed bottles and cans his company collects, as well as 50 casual workers, mostly women, and six permanent staff. So far, Wilco Recycling has increased profits by almost 50 percent and cut operational costs.

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