Chapter 1: Introduction

Question 1

What general paper grades/markets do you know? Please give at least 3 examples and mention if this is a growing or declining market.

Answer 1

1. Packaging Papers & Boards - includes materials such as cartonboard, testliners, folding boxboard, white top testliner. This is an increasing market, increasing from ~25m tonnes in 1991 to ~50m tonnes in 2021, with market shares increasing from 40% to 60%.
2. Newsprint & Graphic Papers - manufacturing papers mainly for newspapers, magazines, stationary etc. and include papers such as Super Calendared, Light Weight Coated, Machine Finished Coated. Market is on the decline, decreasing from ~30m tonnes in 1991 to ~25m tonnes in 2021, with market shares decreasing from ~50% to ~30%.
3. Hygiene Papers - mainly tissues made from bleached virgin pulp. This market has remained stable, with a slight increase in production with ~5m tonnes in 1991 compared with ~10m tonnes in 2021. The market share increased slightly from 6% to 8%.

Question 2

What is the difference between SC and LWC papers? How does the quality of these two grades compare to standard newsprint paper?

Answer 2

Super calendared papers use calendaring to make the paper dense, smooth and glossy.
Light Weight Coated papers use a low coat weight to achieve smoothness and glossiness.
SC and LWC papers typically have higher brightness over newsprint. This is because they tend to have a high filler content. Newsprint however is usually cheaper and easier to manufacture.

Question 3

What is a specialty paper and how can it be defined? What are the main differences to general commodity paper grades?

Answer 3

A specialty paper is paper with special characteristics required for specific uses. It can be defined as a paper or board manufactured or converted for a specific, added value end use. These uses include:
- Specific strength properties
- Special structure
- Absorption

Question 4

Please name at least 5 different specialty paper grades.

Answer 4

Decor
Release liners
Thermal paper
Filtration papers
Security papers

Question 5

EXTRA: What are the 9 subdivisions of paper categories?

Answer 5

Banknotes & security papers
Decor paper
Labels & release papers
Filter paper & wet laid nonwovens
Imagine papers
Thermal papers
Cigarette papers
Carbonless copy paper
Flexible packaging