Tuesday, 23 January 2018 09:06

Sappi to invest in Gratkorn Mill’s future paper production with a further modernization project

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Sappi, a leading global producer of dissolving wood pulp, speciality and packaging papers, graphic (printing and writing) paper and biomaterials is investing in its mill in Gratkorn.

sappi logoAfter finishing the upgrade of paper machine 11 in November 2014, PM 9 will be upgraded in 2019 to the current state of the art. The aim of the project is, in addition to the exchange of technical components, to operate the papermaking process with a reduced energy demand and thus to sustainably reduce the environmental impact. Another effect of the upgrade is the optimisation of raw materials to reduce production costs. The project has a total investment of approximately € 30 million and is scheduled to be realised in the first half of 2019. The project will be carried out in cooperation with Valmet, who also carried out the upgrade of PM 11.

Max Oberhumer, Mill Director of Sappi Gratkorn is pleased about the approval of this project: “In addition to the renewal of important components on the paper machine, the significant improvement in energy efficiency is another milestone in our efforts to achieve sustainable business.”

Steffen Wurdinger, VP Manufacturing, R&D and Technology of Sappi Europe points out the importance of the project: “The approved investment consolidates Sappi Europe's position in this product segment. The reliability of the product quality as well as the machine’s  competitiveness will be strengthened through this project.”

About Sappi’s Gratkorn Mill
Sappi Gratkorn mill is part of Sappi Europe. Annually it produces 990,000 tons of high quality double and triple coated papers which are used for premium quality publications all over the world. Gratkorn mill also produces 250,000 tons of totally chlorine free (TCF) chemical pulp. The mill employs 1240 paper industry professionals from production to R&D. About 95 % of the mill’s production is exported.

The mill operates under management systems consisting of certified Environmental Management System (ISO 14001), Energy Management System (ISO 50001), Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSAS 18001), Quality Management System (ISO 9001) and Chain Of Custody Verification from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™) scheme and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®).

About Sappi
Sappi Europe SA is the leading European producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, Sappi Europe is recognised for innovation and quality. Its graphic paper brands include Magno™, Quatro™, Vantage™, Royal, Galerie™ and GalerieArt™ ranges. Algro®, Leine®, Parade®,  Fusion® and atelier™ are the brands for innovative solutions of speciality papers and boards.

Sappi papers are produced in mills accredited with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification and EMAS registration for all our mills in the EU. Sappi European mills hold chain-of-custody certification under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and/or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™) schemes.

Sappi Europe SA is a division of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with 12,800 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries, sales offices in 50 countries, and customers in over 100 countries around the world. Learn more about Sappi at www.sappi.com.

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