Updated: Saica exploring recycled paper mill project in Dayton, Ohio, report says

According to a report from the Dayton Daily News, Spain-based recycled paper and packaging producer Saica Group is exploring building a recycled paper mill in Dayton, Ohio, that would require amending the city’s zoning code.

Saica currently operates a corrugated packaging plant in Hamilton, Ohio—it’s first in the U.S.—and the Dayton Daily News reports the company is considering building and operating a recycled paper mill in northwest Dayton, a project Saica estimates will cost $600 million.

However, according to Dayton’s current zoning code, paper or pulp manufacturing operations are not permitted and at least one city official has voiced opposition to the project, citing potential odor and pollution that “hurt the quality of life of neighbors who live near the potential site.”

The Daily News report says Saica now is asking the city to approve a zoning code amendment that would separate paper recycling from its prohibition on all paper and pulp manufacturing. The company tells the Daily News that it makes sense for Dayton to prohibit pulp mills that process raw timber, but that recycled paper product manufacturing has difference processes that “have a much smaller environmental impact.”

But some residents and officials have voiced concerns over the proposed mill project.

According to a report from WOHIO-TV, Trotwood officials are concerned about "forever chemicals," or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and the proposed paper mill's impact on waterways, while the Trotwood Madison superintendent said in a statement, "We are concerned about the air quality and potential exposure to pollutants."

Trotwood officials also tells WOHIO-TV decreased property value is a concern.

Saica will host a public forum Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at the West Branch Dayton Metro Library at 300 Abbey Ave. in Dayton to hear comments on the potential project.

A company spokesperson tells the Daily News it is considering siting the project in Dayton because of its proximity to other U.S. properties and says “it’s a good location from a logistics standpoint.”

Saica Group is one of the largest European recycled paper producers with more than 10,000 employees across sites in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and the U.S. It operates four business units: Saica Paper, its recycled paper manufacturing operations; Saica Natur, its waste management and environmental services business; Saica Pack, its corrugated board packaging production operations; and Saica Flex, its flexible packaging business.

In February, Saica Group was approved by the Anderson Plan Commission to construct a $130 box plant in Anderson, Indiana, which would mark its second box plant in the U.S. along with its Hamilton site. The Hamilton box plant is 360,000 square feet, including manufacturing, converting and production areas.

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According to Saica, it has an annual capacity of 3.3 million tons of recovered paper for corrugated board production.

This story was updated Dec. 3 to include comments from residents and Dayton officials.