Thilmany Papers Nicolet Mill - Pulp and Paper Facility in De Pere, Wisconsin

Thilmany Papers Nicolet Mill is a pulp and paper facility located in De Pere, Wisconsin, United States. The facility operates under NAICS codes 322120 (Paper Mills) and 322121 (Paperboard Mills), indicating it produces paper and paperboard products. As an operational plant in Brown County, it contributes to the regional industrial landscape. The facility operates within the U.S. regulatory framework, including the Clean Air Act (CAA) for air emissions, the Clean Water Act (CWA) for wastewater discharges, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for hazardous waste management. Pulp and paper mills are subject to EPA's Effluent Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards, which govern pollutant discharges. The plant's specific processes likely involve pulping, bleaching, and papermaking, with typical emissions of volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. Thilmany Papers Nicolet Mill plays a role in the local economy and industrial base of De Pere. The pulp and paper sector is water-intensive and generates significant wastewater, requiring robust treatment systems. The facility's environmental performance is subject to TRI reporting under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, which tracks releases of toxic chemicals. Its location in Wisconsin, a state with a strong paper industry, places it within a network of similar facilities.

The pulp and paper sector is associated with high water usage and potential releases of pollutants such as chlorinated compounds, dioxins, and suspended solids. In Wisconsin, the industry is concentrated along the Fox River and Lake Michigan, where water availability supports operations. The facility's proximity to the Fox River (approximately 1 mile east) and Green Bay (about 10 miles north) means its wastewater discharges are subject to strict CWA permits to protect aquatic ecosystems. Community proximity in De Pere (population ~25,000) requires attention to odor and air quality concerns from pulping processes.