Ahlstrom to expand release base papers capacity

Ahlstrom, a global supplier of specialty label and packaging papers, has announced a 30 million Euro plan to expand the production capacity of supercalendered release base papers at its La Gre plant in France.

Scheduled for early 2007, the investment will include modification of several components of the La Gre PM 6 paper machine and of related off-line finishing equipment. The resulting speed-up of the machine will increase current annual production capacity by approximately 25,000 tons, and will significantly improve product quality. The investment recognizes the high requirements of producers of silicone coated release liners for two-side adhesive tapes and other specialty applications, who represent the plant’s main customer base, in addition to major producers of self-adhesive laminates for the labeling business.

The investment follows a similar capacity increase that is planned for the Turin, Italy, plant in January 2006. Both are in line with Ahlstrom’s strategy to continuously increase the production capacity and the product quality of its release base papers.

Average growth in worldwide demand for release base papers, used for the manufacturing of self-adhesive laminates and silicone coated release liners, is estimated at 5-7 per cent a year. This growth is mainly driven by the increasing use of pressure sensitive adhesive labeling for product identification, decoration and tracking.

Ahlstrom’s target is to exceed the average market growth in this business and to strengthen its global leading position. The company is also assessing opportunities to expand the production of release base papers outside Europe.