Minerals Technologies Inc. announced today that it has signed an agreement with UPM-Kymmene Corporation to build a satellite precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) plant on site at UPM's paper mill in Changshu, China, located in Jiangsu province. The satellite plant will provide PCC for paper filling and will have an initial capacity of 100,000 short tons. The plant is scheduled to begin operation early in 2015.
"We are extremely pleased that UPM, a premier global papermaker, has chosen Minerals Technologies' PCC for their paper-filling needs at their mill in Changshu," said Robert S. Wetherbee, chief executive officer. "This is our fourth satellite agreement in China within approximately one year, bringing our total to seven in that country. This contract confirms the momentum of our geographic expansion strategy, and demonstrates the value of developing an organization well positioned to successfully operate the growing network of satellite plants in China."
UPM is Finland-based multinational company, headquartered in Helsinki. As the frontrunner of the new forest industry, UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. UPM has production plants in 15 countries and employs approximately 22,000 people worldwide. In 2012, UPM's sales exceeded $13 billion. UPM is the world's leading producer of graphic papers, totaling 22 paper mills in Europe, China, and the United States. The Changshu paper mill operates two modern paper machines and produces one million tons of coated and uncoated woodfree papers.
PCC is a specialty pigment for filling and coating high-quality paper. In 1986, 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 papermaking in North America. Today, the company has more than 55 satellite plants in operation or under construction around the world and continues to lead the industry with consistent quality and technical innovation.
Minerals Technologies Inc. is a resource- and technology-based growth company that develops, produces and markets worldwide a broad range of specialty mineral, mineral-based and synthetic mineral products and related systems and services. The company recorded sales of $1.01 billion in 2012.
Source: http://www.mineralstech.com/