WestRock paper mill closure won’t impact CTO supply to Ingevity

Ingevity Corporation said that operations at the company’s North Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A., plant will continue as normal following the announced closure of WestRock Company’s paper mill in North Charleston.

The two companies will work together to transition limited shared services ahead of the August 31, 2023, closure of the WestRock facility. The companies share a common history. Ingevity was the specialty chemicals division of WestRock, formerly MeadWestvaco, and was spun off from WestRock Company in May 2016.

Headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, Ingevity operates from 31 countries around the world and employs approximately 2,050 people. 

“While we anticipate some cost with the transition of shared services, we expect minimal disruption to our operations,” said Ingevity President and CEO, John Fortson. “Our primary focus as WestRock exits their plant site is to ensure safe operations and continue to meet the needs of our customers.”

WestRock’s plant closure does not impact Ingevity’s recently announced long-term supply agreement for crude tall oil (CTO) with WestRock. Under the WestRock Supply Agreement, Ingevity no longer has the contractual right to purchase CTO or BLSS (black liquor soap skimmings) procured by WestRock from third parties.

Crude tall oil , specifically from the kraft process, is the key feedstock used by Ingevity to produce specialty chemicals. Ingevity products are used in a variety of demanding applications, including adhesives, agrochemicals, asphalt paving, bioplastics, coatings, elastomers, lubricants, pavement markings, publication inks, oil exploration and production and automotive components that reduce gasoline vapor emissions.