Ahlstrom increases

Ahlstrom increases
base paper production
The complex European release liner market shows annual growth levels of around 5-6 percent, much as in the US, but well below the 10 percent levels experienced in many Asian markets. Ahlstrom LabelPack takes a positive view. It has invested in a new supercalender facility for its La Gère plant in France. It claims that the advanced technology employed at the plant will deliver extremely dense, smooth papers with consistent caliper characteristics.
The company produces two types of siliconized base papers for self-adhesive labels: Silca, a supercalendered paper, and Silco, a one-side coated paper. In addition to the plant at La Gère, Ahlstrom LabelPack produces base papers at its Mathi plant near Turin in Italy. Ahlstrom’s current production capacity of the former is 180,000 tons, while with Silco it is nearly 50,000 tons.
The new super calender at La Gère has initially increased production capacity by 17,000 tons to 65,000 tons. The objective is to increase production capacity further at La Gère to around 125,000 tons in the years to come.