Establishment and early years Although APPM was officially founded in 1936, planning for the mill dates back to the 1920s. Land for the operation was acquired in 1927, and by December 1938, the first
paper made from
eucalypt pulp was produced at the site. During its early years, APPM focused on reducing
Australia's dependence on imports. The outbreak of
World War II further strengthened the company's position, as demand for locally produced paper surged due to supply chain disruptions affecting imported products.
Post-war expansion and industrial dominance Following
World War II, APPM entered a period of ‘’rapid industrial growth’’, transforming from a regional manufacturer into one of Australia’s leading pulp and paper producers. The economic expansion of the 1950s and 1960s increased demand for
newsprint,
fine paper, packaging materials, and
hardboard, driving APPM to undertake major upgrades to its facilities in
Burnie and
Wesley Vale.
Expansion of Burnie and Wesley Vale Mills By the early 1950s, APPM’s Burnie mill had expanded into a ‘’large-scale industrial complex’’, covering an area of (). The main building measured in length, with a width varying between and , and an average height of at the eaves. To increase production capacity, APPM invested in high-speed
paper machines, capable of significantly higher output and efficiency than earlier models. The largest machine, installed in the 1950s, featured an wire and a production width of nearly . Operating at speeds of 800 feet per minute (), this machine alone could produce 75 tonnes of paper per day. A second, narrower machine, added later, had a capacity of 25 tonnes per day, increasing the total daily output to 100 tonnes.
Industrial output and product line expansion APPM's post-war growth saw the diversification of its product range, responding to increased demand from domestic and international markets. By the 1960s, its mills produced: •
Newsprint – Supplied to leading Australian newspapers. •
Fine writing and printing paper – Used for books, official documents, and high-end stationery. •
Hardboard – Manufactured at Wesley Vale as a cost-effective alternative to imported materials. •
Watermarked bonds, duplicating paper, and cartridge paper – Essential for business and government use. •
High-opacity coated paper – Developed for premium printing and packaging applications. By modernising production techniques, APPM was able to reduce costs, improve quality, and compete with international suppliers.
Technological advancements and industry leadership During the 1950s and 1960s, APPM was at the forefront of technological advancements, implementing innovations that enhanced efficiency, sustainability, and product quality. Key developments included: •
Adoption of the Soda Pulping Process – Unlike the
sulphite process, which generated large quantities of waste bleach liquor, APPM adopted the
soda process, which used
caustic soda to extract
cellulose fibres. This resulted in stronger, higher-quality pulp while reducing environmental impact. •
Automated Chemical Recovery Systems – APPM developed an advanced soda recovery system, allowing the mill to recycle caustic soda and generate
steam from spent pulping liquor, reducing waste and energy consumption. •
Supercalendering for High-Gloss Paper – The Burnie mill was one of the first in Australia to introduce high-speed
supercalendering, a friction-based finishing process that produced ultra-smooth, glossy paper for high-end printing applications. •
Precision Watermarking Technology – APPM pioneered custom
watermarking techniques, producing security-grade papers used by government agencies and banks. •
Hydro-Electric Power Integration – The company leveraged
Tasmania's hydro-electric resources, ensuring a reliable and sustainable power supply for continuous production. These advancements placed APPM among the most advanced
paper manufacturers in the Southern Hemisphere and aligned its production standards with major international mills in Europe and North America.
International comparisons and competitiveness By the mid-20th century, APPM had positioned itself as a major force in the global paper industry. While North America and Europe continued to dominate the market, APPM was one of the largest |paper manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region, rivalled only by mills in Japan and New Zealand. In contrast to many European mills, which relied on imported pulp, APPM benefited from Tasmania’s vast
eucalypt forests, securing a long-term, cost-effective fibre supply. The company's forestry management practices ensured access to timber resources for at least 60 years, while also initiating afforestation programs to maintain sustainability. The efficiency of APPM's Burnie mill was also comparable to leading
Scandinavian paper producers, with its high-speed machines and chemical recovery processes reducing waste and improving energy efficiency. By the late 1960s, APPM had become a critical part of Australia’s
manufacturing industry, with its products used nationwide and exported internationally. Its technical expertise, large-scale production, and adoption of modern papermaking techniques solidified its status as a leader in Australian industrial history.
Workplace culture and technological investment APPM was known for its strong commitment to employee welfare. Workers were provided with access to company-supported
doctors, dentists, and banking services, and workplace injuries were met with financial and medical support for employees and their families. For a period between the late 1950s and 1960s, acclaimed American scientist and artist
Bern Porter worked for APPM in Burnie. The company also prioritised technological advancements, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. Substantial investments were made to modernise papermaking machinery, ensuring that the mill remained competitive in an evolving industry. Even though APPM utilised
chlorine-based processes for paper production, its efficiency and quality standards were among the highest in the world at the time.
Economic pressures and decline By the 1960s, APPM faced increasing competition from cheaper imports, particularly from Asia-Pacific paper manufacturers. Despite government interventions such as the
Bounty (Paper) Act 1980, the company's market position weakened. Rising
energy prices,
inflation, and the increasing strength of the
Australian dollar compounded these challenges. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, ongoing industrial disputes between management and workers further strained APPM's financial position. In 1992, a major
union dispute led to a temporary mill shutdown, marking a turning point in the company's decline.
Closure and legacy APPM continued to operate under different corporate ownership structures until its eventual closure in 2010. By this time, the company had been acquired by
PaperlinX, which cited ongoing financial losses and an inability to find a viable buyer as reasons for shutting down operations. The closure resulted in the loss of over 220 jobs in Burnie alone, with a total of 421 positions eliminated when combined with the closure of the company's Wesley Vale mill. The announcement was met with disappointment and concern, as many employees had spent decades working at the mill. Kerry Saward, a former fitter and turner who worked at APPM for nearly 40 years, described the impact as devastating, stating that many long-term employees struggled to transition to new employment opportunities. Although the mill was completely demolished by 2013, efforts have been made to preserve its history. The site underwent redevelopment for new industrial ventures, while archival records and former employees' accounts have contributed to documenting its legacy. The site where the main mill once stood is now occupied by a
Bunnings warehouse. == Environmental concerns ==