M-Real to Upgrade Sheeting Operations at Äänekoski Mill

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M-real, Finland, reported this week that it will invest approximately EUR 6 million in sheeting operations at its Äänekoski paper mill in Finland. The investment will increase sheeting capacity as well as modernize the conversion process and improve package quality.

The investment project, to be completed during the first half of 2011, improves the Äänekoski mill's competitiveness as a coated fine paper production unit, according to Mikko Helander, CEO of M-real. M-real sold its Graphic Papers business area to Sappi at the end of 2008. However, the Äänekoski paper mill remained in M-real's ownership and continues to produce the Galerie Art papers for Sappi under a long-term contract. Berry Wiersum, CEO of Sappi Fine Paper Europe, notes that "this investment strengthens the high quality status of the Galerie Art brand in the market and clearly improves our customer service. Galerie Art has performed very well and plays a key role in Sappi's product portfolio. The Äänekoski paper mill is also very well located to supply the fast growing Eastern Europe markets."