The New-Indy Catawba mill site originally opened in 1959 and became a New-Indy subsidiary in 2019. It is a world-class paper manufacturing mill located on the Catawba River that makes lightweight linerboard that is important for packaging.

New-Indy Online

New-Indy Unveils Animation About Its New Steam Stripper

During the paper-making process, wood chips are broken down using a high-temperature chemical solution. As a byproduct, water-containing chemicals are left behind. That material is run through a steam stripper to destroy the chemicals or reuse them as fuel. New-Indy Catawba’s new steam stripper system will remove virtually all sulfur compounds and methanol.

The new steam stripper also will be highly efficient. Reusing hot water and recapturing methanol reduces the water and energy needed for the stripping process and other mill functions. The steam stripper will increase chemical removal. The new steam stripper also will increase time in service. The existing steam stripper will remain as a backup system, further improving reliability. To its knowledge, New-Indy Catawba will be the first facility in the industry to use two steam strippers. Plans for the new system have been finalized and construction is on pace to be completed in 2025.

Visit New-Indy Catawba’s YouTube channel to watch an animated video that explains how the new steam stripper will work.

Employee Spotlight

Caymen, Chanda, Carlos, and Cardan Williams at The Citadel Ring Ceremony

New-Indy Production Supervisor Carlos Williams Elected Mayor of Chester

Carlos Williams has served the public his entire adult life. After graduating from Chester High School, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended Barstow Community College in California. Carlos continued his education in Okinawa, Japan, at the University of Maryland’s Asian Division and accepted an entry level position at the Catawba mill. But the attacks of September 11, 2001, changed his plans. Carlos did a three-and-a-half-year tour of duty serving his country before returning home to his wife, Chanda, and twin sons, Cardan and Caymen.

Carlos began working at the Catawba mill in 2005. He rose through the ranks at work and remained active at home. He gave back to the city of Chester by mentoring young people and trying to revitalize his hometown. Chester had fallen on hard times after many of the area’s textile mills closed in the 1990s. Carlos persuaded nonprofit organizations to invest in local businesses and to renovate homes. He also served on the Chester City Council beginning in 2015 and was recently elected Chester’s mayor. His goal: to assist the underserved and invigorate his community. “I always had a passion for my community and helping others in need. It’s second nature to me,” Carlos said. “I want to be that leader who will continue to spark change for our residents.”

Carlos is a production supervisor at the mill in charge of the mill’s No. 3 paper machine, pulp dryer, and shipping and receiving. His twin boys are standout athletes who enlisted in the army and attended The Citadel. Cardan is in graduate school at Clemson on a track scholarship. Caymen is a graduate student at The Citadel where he works in the admissions office.

Carlos likes to spend time with his family and renovate properties he owns in the Chester area, which has experienced noticeable growth in the past five years. Carlos says he’s also noticed a change in culture at the Catawba mill since New-Indy took ownership in 2019. “New-Indy changed the culture at the mill,” Carlos said. “Different people bring different ideas, different expertise to the table. They told me change was coming and they stood by their word, and I appreciate the company’s commitment to change. It’s a new day in Chester and a new day for New-Indy!”

Giving Back

New-Indy Donates $5,000 to the Lesslie Volunteer Fire Department

New-Indy Catawba’s Contributions Committee recently gave $5,000 to the Lesslie Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD), the closest fire department to the mill. New-Indy Catawba maintains a close relationship with LVFD, including periodic joint training exercises.

Mill manager Chris Loach (right) recently presented a $5,000 check to Lesslie Volunteer Fire Department Chief and New-Indy mechanical master craftsman Doug Morris.

Monitor Report

Hydrogen Sulfide Monitors Continue to Show Low Readings

Hydrogen sulfide readings at New-Indy and in the surrounding community have been zero or negligible for well over a year.

The 24-hour averages for hydrogen sulfide recorded in parts per billion (ppb) in April and for the year to date are minimal – more than 70 times below the 14-day exposure limit (70 ppb) set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

New-Indy Catawba has been monitoring hydrogen sulfide at the mill and in the community since May 2021. Daily reports are generated by monitors and are posted on www.newindycatawba.com.

Station ID	April Daily Average (ppb)	2023 Daily Average (ppb)
#1	0.68	0.75
#2	0.48	0.60
#3	0.69	0.98
Catawba HS	0.00	0.02
Tree Tops	0.00	0.02
Liberty	0.00	0.00
Riverchase	0.00	0.01
Millstone	0.00	0.00

NEW-INDY NUGGET

As part of New-Indy Catawba’s sponsorship of Rock Hill’s Come-See-Me Festival, the company invited its employees to attend the Moonlight Jazz event. The festival’s mascot, Glen the Frog, made the group very “hoppy” when he stopped by to say hello.

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