Tha Toom Starts up Second Minerals Technologies Satellite PCC Plant in Thailand

Minerals Technologies Inc., Bethlehem, Pa., USA, reports that a satellite precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) plant announced in October 2011 at a Double A paper mill in Tha Toom, Thailand, is now operating. The joint venture is Minerals Technologies' second satellite PCC plant with Double A at the Tha Toom mill. The new PCC facility, which will be operated by Double A Specialty Minerals Co., will eventually produce some 80,000 metric tpy of PCC after it ramps up production.

The Tha Toom mill also has signed a commercial agreement for Minerals Technologies' FulFill E-325 technology. The adoption of this technology by Double A had been announced previously as an agreement with an unnamed Asian papermaker.

"Our relationship with this premier papermaker, which goes back to 1996, is further strengthened by the startup of this satellite PCC plant and the use of our FulFilltechnology," said D.J. Monagle, SVP and managing director, Paper PCC. "We are very pleased to further our long-time partnership with this environmentally focused brand leader."

Double A exports its premium copy paper to more than 100 countries and is a leader in environmentally friendly pulp and paper production based on its Farmed Trees concept. Up to one million Thai farm families plant fast-growing eucalyptus trees in previously unused space between rice patties and tapioca fields to increase their income and provide a sustainable fiber source for Double A.

Minerals Technologies constructed its first PCC satellite plant in 1986. Today, the company has 57 satellite plants in operation or under construction around the world.

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