Tullis Russell Group Press Corner

Product Updates

HRH The Princess Royal pays visit to Tullis Russell to launch 200th Anniversary Celebrations

Fred Bowden introducing the Princess Royal to Chris Parr

Leading independent employee owned papermaker Tullis Russell today (Tuesday 17 February, 2009) welcomed Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, to its mill in Markinch to tour the site, meet employees and unveil a plaque to officially start celebrations marking the company’s 200th anniversary year.

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, was met by Chairman of the Tullis Russell Group Fred Bowden and Group Chief Executive Chris Parr before touring the plant which produces over 150,000 tonnes of high quality paper and boards each year for cards, covers and premium packaging markets around the world.

The visit comes as the company continues to make preparations for the construction of a new 45 MW biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility at the plant. This new CHP generator, to be built in partnership with RWE npower Cogen, will replace Tullis Russell’s existing coal fired plant and should be operational by 2012.

The Princess Royal was talked through plans for the CHP facility which will reduce Tullis Russell’s annual carbon emissions by 250,000 tonnes while also generating 6% of Scotland’s renewable generation targets. Despite the turbulent economic climate this development will reinforce the company’s position as one of the world’s leading environmentally focused papermakers.

Chris Parr, Group Chief Executive, commented; “It was a great honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to the mill today. Tullis Russell has been at the cornerstone of our local community for 200 years and it was a fitting way to start our bicentennial celebrations. It is an exciting time for the business as we carry out a plan to ensure the future prosperity of our company and we welcomed the opportunity to share our plans with The Princess Royal.”