Sappi to rebuild PM2 at Alfeld Mill

This project will see PM2 converted from the production of coated wood-free graphic arts grade papers to the production of a wide range of speciality papers.

Founded in 1706, Sappi’s Alfeld Mill has five papermaking machines and an integrated pulp plant that uses locally harvested wood. Its current combined capacity of coated wood-free, coated and uncoated specialty paper is 330,000 tons annually.

The PM2 rebuild will transform the Alfeld Mill to the production of 100 percent specialty packaging paper production, and adds the capacity to produce higher volumes of a wide range of paper and packaging products, including coated and uncoated papers for flexible packaging, premium SBS board for luxury boxes, topliner for high-quality corrugated packaging, label papers for wet-glue applications such as can and jar labels, banderols and wrappers, and silicone-based papers for carriers for self-adhesive products such as plotter films and stickers.

‘This is the biggest investment that has been made at this 300-year-old mill in the past 20 years,’ said Rosemarie Asquino, Sappi Europe’s sales and marketing director for specialities. ‘Not only will it expand our capacity for producing high-demand speciality packaging materials, but it will reduce our environmental footprint and increase standards compliance.

Asquino added: ‘The rebuild of PM2 is essential to the long-term success of the Alfeld Mill and to Sappi’s ability to maintain a market-leading position as an innovative partner to the world’s best-known brands.

‘Crucial to the success of this project is the research Sappi has undertaken on an ongoing basis to develop a good understanding of the targeted applications and their individual requirement profiles. We can’t run these types of projects without market involvement, and we have been very pleased with the participation of a variety of stakeholders in our research and development efforts.’