(UPM, Helsinki, 11 October 2006) – UPM has successfully completed its push for quality in the woodfree uncoated paper segment (WFU). As announced in February 2005, the company has invested over EUR 100 million in the modernisation of two of its paper machines at the fine paper mills Nordland Paper in Germany and Papeteries de Docelles in France. Since September, the modernised machines have been using new technology to produce the improved grades and new products, which will be launched gradually until the first quarter of 2007.
“This WFU quality push is an example of our long-term commitment to one of UPM’s core business areas,” says Ruud van den Berg, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Fine Papers. “Since the start-up of a new fine paper machine in our Chinese mill in Changshu in May 2005, we have been focusing on the optimisation of our European fine paper mills.”
Improved quality, broader range – UPM’s investments strengthen the company’s position in the high-end quality segment of woodfree uncoated papers. The optimisation of key quality criteria, including formation, bulk, stiffness, roughness and whiteness, leads to improved printability and runability in uncoated papers, such as cut-size, preprint and envelope papers.
Cut-size papers gaining momentum
The multipurpose papers UPM Office multifunction, Future multitech and Yes Silver multifunction have received a major facelift. The upgraded versions will be gradually introduced to the market during the fourth quarter of 2006. With their higher whiteness, improved surface smoothness and more consistent formation, they offer sharper colour contrasts and an optimised printing result. And what is more, they come with an ecological plus: all three papers are available in 75 g/m² as lightweight versions. “This saves resources during production and reduces the amount of waste in the office,” explains Martina Schürmann, Marketing Manager, Graphic & Office Papers.
UPM Office multifunction plus, Future multitech plus and Yes Silver star are particularly interesting new products for demanding colour applications. These multipurpose high-bulk papers stand out with their highly attractive CIE-whiteness of 168, giving excellent colour contrasts. Their excellent formation offers superior print uniformity, high bulk and stiffness, and their smooth surface ensures reliability in the printing process while giving the papers a particularly pleasant feel. The new grades are available in basis weights of 75 to 100 g/m² (Yes Silver star in 75 & 80 g/m²) as of the first quarter of 2007.
Efficiency boost in postal papers
Significant product enhancements have been introduced to UPM Mail product family, covering now all envelope end use areas from stock and bespoke envelopes to high quality printed direct mail envelopes, and special laminated qualities for protective mailers. UPM Poste with wide range of applications and basis weight options, UPM Print with superior print quality and UPM Prestige for top quality envelopes have clearly improved printing and converting properties ensuring maximal efficiency in all steps of mailing chain process.
UPM Preprint, a wide variety of papers for preprinting of transactional documents, letterheads and direct marketing material, also has experienced major quality upgrades: UPM PrePersonal has a higher CIE whiteness of 164 and a smoother surface. UPM PrePremium, the top-quality paper for demanding business communication, excels in printability. For efficient use of raw materials, a light-weight paper, UPM PreLight, has been added to the range. Next year, UPM plans to extend the range to folio sheets.
This refreshed range will be officially presented to international professional audiences at Paperworld 2007 in Frankfurt.
For further information please contact:
Martina Schürmann, Marketing Manager Graphic & Office Papers, martina.schurmann@upm-kymmene.com
Press Contact:
Doris Lübbers, Marketing Communications Manager, doris.lubbers@upm-kymmene.com
Notes for editors:
UPM is one of the world’s leading forest products groups. The Group's sales in 2005 were EUR 9.3 billion, and it has over 31,000 employees. UPM's main products include printing papers, converting materials and wood products. The company has production plants in 15 countries and its main market areas are Europe and North America. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki and New York stock exchanges. Further information is available on the company's web site at www.upm-kymmene.com
