Minerals Technologies Inc., New York, N.Y., USA, has entered into a commercial agreement with another leading paper company in China to provide Fulfill® E-325 higher filler technology, which allows papermakers to produce quality paper at lower cost by replacing higher-cost fiber with precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC).

"Our FulFill portfolio of high-filler products continues to gain acceptance by papermakers around the world, and we are extremely pleased that this prominent papermaker in China, who wishes to remain unnamed for competitive reasons, is adopting the cost-saving technology," said Joseph C. Muscari, chairman and CEO.

Minerals Technologies now has 25 agreements with paper mills that have adopted the FulFill technology introduced in late 2010. The company now has 10 agreements with paper companies in Asia; eight in North America; six in Europe; and one in South America. The Fulfill E-325 series allows papermakers to increase PCC loading levels by three to five points, replacing higher cost pulp and increasing PCC usage between 20% and 30%.

"The commercial validation of our Fulfill high-filler portfolio of products by major papermakers worldwide confirms the continued acceptance of the Fulfill technology," said W. Rand Mendez, SVP and managing director, Paper PCC. "In addition to the 25 commercial agreements we now have, MTI is also actively engaged with 19 additional paper mills that are interested in FulFill."

PCC is a specialty pigment for filling and coating high-quality paper. By substituting PCC for more expensive wood fiber, papermakers are able to produce brighter, higher quality paper at lower cost. Minerals Technologies originated the satellite concept for making and delivering PCC on-site at paper mills, and the concept was a major factor in revolutionizing North American papermaking from an acid to an alkaline-based technology. Minerals Technologies constructed its first PCC satellite plant in 1986. Today, the company has 62 satellite plants in operation or under construction around the world and continues to lead the industry with consistent quality and technical innovation.