Sappi is reinforcing the performance capabilities and benefits of its release liner portfolio with several investments and activities.
Algro Sol silicone base papers from Sappi have had an outstanding reputation for quality during the past four decades.
Today, the paper enjoys a market-leading position in Europe. Sappi is now reinforcing the performance capabilities and benefits of its release liner portfolio with several investments and activities. Together with the increased production capacities, a long-term and sustainable supply is ensured to meet the demands of a dynamically changing marketplace.
Central to this is Sappi's strategy of strengthening and expanding the Packaging and Speciality Paper business. It follows a large investment in the rebuild of PM2 at Alfeld Mill and a number of subsequent projects and activities to develop new release liner products, as well as improve the quality, logistics and service. Sappi is also enhancing its leading position in silicone base papers in the European pressure sensitive adhesive market while growing its presence in the Americas and Asia.
Knowledge Expertise
Silicone base papers must have good properties both for siliconisation and subsequent processing. Extensive expertise and comprehensive applications knowledge are essential. Sappi has acquired both over four decades, and this expertise has been applied during the development of Algro Sol papers.
"It will continue to be the case in the future as this is a large part of our business. We continue to invest in the release liner business to develop new products together with our customers and strengthen our market position in long term", says Gunnar Sieber, Manager Product Group Release Liner at Sappi. He continues: "We hold a leading position in Europe, and thanks to the rebuild of our PM2, we have acquired additional market shares in countries outside Europe. The Americas and Asia are our focus."
Among the recent developments are lower grammages for Algro Sol SNC with 82, 85 and 98 g/m2. Produced on the PM 2 they are ideal suitable for office applications. These papers offer high volume, good mechanical strength, consistent thickness and they are very good for reverse side scoring (crack back). Like all Algro Sol products, these new papers have outstanding siliconisation properties. They offer minimum silicone consumption and excellent hold-out.
Logistical concepts
Optimisation of logistics and the subsequent impact on environmental consideration is also a crucial ingredient in Sappi's customer oriented strategy. "It pays to look at the best logistical choice for shipping our paper to our customers. It speeds up delivery and enhances availability," says Sieber. "Together with our customers we are analyzing their current situation and we are developing specific logistical concepts. In one particular project when we optimized transportation customers benefitted from shorter delivery times and in addition we also reduced the distance travelled by half and CO2 emissions by 112 tons yearly", adds Sieber.