Ilim Group Begins Production of Russia's First Coated Free Sheet

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Following an announcement last week that it was launching its first cut-size paper production in Russia, Ilim Group, St. Petersburg, Russia, this week reports that it has launched production of the country's first coated free sheet. After the ramp-up, Ilim Group will produce up to 90,000 metric tpy of high-quality matte and gloss double-coated paper, with basis weight ranging from 80 to 150 gsm.

Coated paper will be available under "Omela" brand in rolls and sheets in sizes that are most popular in the domestic market. Paper samples were presented for the largest Russian paper products distributors, customers, and large publishing houses at Polygraphinter-2013 exhibition held in Moscow this week.

Coated paper is produced at the new line built by Ilim Group at its mill in Koryazhma, Arkhangelsk Oblast, within the framework of its large-scale "Big Koryazhma" investment project worth more than $270 million. Upon completion of this project, Ilim Group has installed Russia's most advanced state-of-the-art paper machine and an off-machine coater that together will produce more than 220,000 metric tpy of offset, cut-size, and coated paper.

Coated paper production is focused on the growing local market in line with Ilim's strategy to produce more value-added marketable products in Russia, to replace imports.

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