WestRock Virginia — Covington mill
Large load · 104 EAST RIVERSIDE ST, Covington, VA
The Covington mill, at 104 East Riverside Street in Covington, Virginia, makes coated solid bleached sulfate paperboard for folding cartons, ovenable containers and high-quality printing. It is operated by WestRock Virginia, LLC, part of Smurfit Westrock plc, and employs 900 people. The mill produces about 950,000 tons of paperboard annually and has onsite generation connected to the Virginia Electric and Power Company system in PJM.
Overview
The mill produces one-side or two-side coated solid bleached sulfate board, and annual output is about 950,000 tons of paperboard. Smurfit Westrock's 2026 facility profile describes the mill as operating, with 900 employees. Proposed 2026 permit revisions would reduce SO2 emission limits and facilitate exclusive use of natural gas in Power Boiler PWR006.
Profile
- Electricity and grid
- Virginia Electric and Power Company is the interconnected transmission owner for the mill, within PJM Interconnection. PJM queue project X2-060 was studied as a 30 MW injection at the East Mill 138 kV substation, and Y1-068 added 20 MW. The 2012 study began with a request to interconnect an 80 MW biomass generator, with 50 MW to be exported and the remaining generation consumed behind the meter. FERC and EIA records list generator GEN7 at 82.4 MW nameplate, and a 2011 project announcement described a new boiler and a 75 megawatt steam turbine generator system replacing two older units.
- Ownership and permits
- WestRock Virginia, LLC is listed as both owner and operator in EPA RCRAInfo affiliations. Its parent, Smurfit Westrock plc, was formed when the Smurfit Kappa and WestRock combination completed on July 5, 2024. The mill is registered with Virginia as WestRock Virginia LLC - Covington, registration number 20328.
Facility
- Activity
- One-side or two-side coated solid bleached sulfate paperboard for folding cartons, ovenable containers and high-quality printing
- Industry
- Manufacturing
- Site type
- Facility
- Operating status
- Operating