Tranlin's $2b paper mill in US advances

A Chinese company's planned $2 billion, 344-hectare paper mill in the US state of Virginia took a significant step forward when a major engineering and development contract was signed on Wednesday.

The contract, signed with Jacobs Engineering Group Inc, is for developing the overall site. It will include work on the design of the new plant's pulping facilities and units for tissue-making and fertilizer production using the proprietary technology of Vastly, also known as Tranlin Inc, which is the US subsidiary of Shandong Tranlin Paper Co Ltd.

"It's a complex project and, as Jacobs lays out the design for the site, a major part of the work will involve all the environmental permits that will be required," said John Stacey, senior vice-president of marketing and product development at Vastly.