Investment project at Sappi Gratkorn is well on schedule

To further strengthen its position as a leading provider in the label paper sector, packaging and speciality paper manufacturer Sappi is investing significantly in its production site in Gratkorn, Austria. Investments in the expansion of the state-of-the-art technical infrastructure – announced a year and a half ago – are being carried out and are proceeding on schedule. The first batches of the new wet-strength and alkali-resistant Parade Label WS paper have been produced and delivered to selected customers as part of a long-term validation programme. The results are very positive and confirm expectations. The validation phase is scheduled to proceed until summer 2024, with product samples available to all interested parties from now. The new Parade Label WS is a wet-strength and alkali-resistant label paper. It is double-coated and features a functional coating on its reverse side. The outstanding surface enables users to achieve impressive printing and finishing results. After the validation phase, Parade Label WS is available in basis weights ranging from 65 to 80 g/m2 – in embossed and non-embossed versions. It can be converted using all standard printing processes and is suitable for creating high-quality labels, e.g. for returnable containers in the food and beverage sector. The paper also boasts excellent lay-flat properties and supports all common printing and finishing techniques. Revised brand name provides clarity Robert Gabriel-Jürgens, Head of Sales Label Papers at Sappi Europe, confirms: “The test phase for Parade Label WS is going extremely well. We have already received very positive feedback from the market on the product’s outstanding properties, and especially on the paper’s superb surface and performance. Customers and other interested parties who would like to familiarise themselves with Parade Label WS are welcome to request product samples from us. We will be happy to provide these either as hand samples, pallets or rolls.” As part of the brand strategy, the wet-strength and alkali-resistant paper, which was initially marketed under the name “Parade Label Pro WS”, has been renamed “Parade Label WS. This clearly differentiates it from the Parade Label Pro non-wet-strength labelling paper.”