The double-digit million-euro investment in an advanced technical infrastructure will expand the facility and position Sappi as a long-term leader in the label industry
Sappi Europe has announced an investment to add wet-strength label papers production capacity at its Gratkorn, Austria mill. (Credit: Sappi)
Packaging and speciality paper maker Sappi Europe has announced an investment to add wet-strength label papers production capacity at its mill in Gratkorn, Austria.
The double-digit million-euro investment in an advanced technical infrastructure will expand the facility and position Sappi as a long-term leader in the label industry.
As part of the firm’s plan to strengthen its label paper business, the investment was announced recently and the firm intends to complete the expansion of label papers at the Gratkorn mill by 2023.
Sappi will invest in technological innovations like a new embossing calendar to enable the modern paper mill to produce high-quality wet-strength wet-glue label paper.
Sappi Europe CEO Marco Eikelenboom said: “Our investment at Gratkorn underscores our strategy to establish Sappi as the leader within the label sector, adding to the supply of value-adding products across our entire business.”
The firm has recently made investments in new technological machinery like paper machines and formatting equipment to convert the manufacturing facility into a modern paper mill.
With the expanded infrastructure, the production of label papers will be increased in addition to all current graphic papers, and product innovations will be advanced, said the company.
Sappi is also planning to make technical advancements to the paper machine’s water and material cycles, essential for generating the wet-strength, wet-glue label paper used in the beverage sector.
The company is aiming to guarantee 100% uninterrupted availability and quick delivery of its premium label papers to its partners.
According to the firm, Gratkorn paper mills will support mills in Somerset (US), Alfeld (Germany), and Carmignano (Italy) to meet the market’s increasing need for larger capacity and supply reliability.
Transport distances are modest at the Gratkorn production facility because of its strategic position, saving energy and lowering environmental effects.
In addition, quicker, more efficient manufacturing cycles guarantee prompt delivery and even greater adaptability to client demands, said the company.
Sappi expanded its line of non-wet-strength, wet-glue label papers by introducing the new Parade Label Pro in mid-2021.