Minerals Technologies Inc., (NYSE: MTX) announced todaythat it has signed an agreement with Double A (1991) Public Company Ltd., formerly Advance Agro Public Company Ltd., to expand production capacity of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) at its paper mill in Tha Toom, Thailand.
The expansion, which will increase capacity at Minerals Technologies' existing satellite PCC plant from 50,000 metric tons to 70,000 metric tons, is expected to be operational early in the second quarter of 2011. Double A, the largest papermaker in Thailand, produces uncoated freesheet paper at the Tha Toom paper mill.
"This agreement builds on our long-term relationship with this well-respected paper company, which exports its premium quality office paper to over 100 countries worldwide," said Joseph C. Muscari, chairman and chief executive officer. "The expansion is also part of the realization of Minerals Technologies' growth initiative to increase use of our PCC across the Asia region."
"We welcome the continuation of our more than 15-year relationship with Double A, which is well-known for the sustainable production of its own plantation pulp," said D.J. Monagle, senior vice president and managing director, Paper PCC.
PCC is a specialty pigment for filling and coating high-quality paper. By substituting PCC for more expensive wood fiber, customers like Double A 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 52 satellite plants in operation or under construction around the world and continues to lead the industry with consistent quality and technical innovation.
Source: http://www.mineralstech.com/