IP reviewing its pressure sensitive business

International Paper has announced that it will evaluate strategic alternatives for its Industrial Specialty Papers business, which includes the pressure sensitive papers and lightweight packaging papers segments and related converting assets.

Included in the business segments to be evaluated are the DePere and Kaukauna Mills,WI; the Akrosil business with facilities in Menasha, WI, Lancaster, OH, and Heerlen, Netherlands; and Thilmany Packaging located at the Kaukauna Mill. The company intends to evaluate these facilities as one business and will continue to operate these facilities during the evaluation process to provide ongoing service to customers.

‘These are good business operations with a solid customer base and a dedicated team of employees,’ says Wayne Brafford, senior vice president, Industrial Packaging Group. ‘While this is a tough decision, this evaluation could help us to better focus our asset portfolio on growth areas.’

The lightweight packaging papers and pressure sensitive segments produce pressure sensitive labels, food and industrial packaging and consumer hygiene products. Annual production capacity of the assets is approximately 400,000 tons.