Barbara Griffin

American Eagle Paper Mills

Nestled in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania's eastern Allegheny Mountains, American Eagle Paper Mills serves as the lifeblood of the town of Tyrone and its surrounding community. Built in the 1880's, the mill operated contiguously, until 2001, when its former owner, MeadWestvaco, unexpectedly ceased operations at the facility. Jobs were lost. Families were devastated. The mill whistle fell silent. In 2003, a group of local investors, past mill managers, and business leaders came together with a plan to revive the paper mill, under the name of American Eagle Paper Mills. With a vision of sustainability, the team set out to rebuild a paper mill that could sustain the families of Tyrone by producing papers sustainably with recycled fiber. Using integrated deinking technology, the mill would convert paper waste into premium uncoated printing and writing papers. American Eagle Paper Mills produces 300 tons of recycled paper products daily. That is the equivalent of converting 15 truckloads of paper waste into premium printing, writing and specialty papers. The mill employs 250 people, up over 40% from the startup in 2003. In 2016, the company further strengthened its commitment to sustainability with an $8 million investment replacing its 1957 coal fired boiler with a highly efficient natural gas boiler. The new energy source, combined with an upgraded power distribution system in the mill, dramatically reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lowered water intake by 82 %, and positioned AEPM for future sustainable growth into new paper markets. As we look to the future, American Eagle Paper Mills will continue to bring recycled papers into new markets and to new customers. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to Soar to a New Dimension of Green.