Introduction

Question 1

What (commodity) general paper grades / markets do you know? Please give at least 3 examples and mention if this a growing or declining market in the future!

Answer 1

Printing and writing papers – includes newsprint, declining market, digitalisation
Paperboard grades – although number of mills declined production trend has increased. Amazon online shopping etc
Tissues – growing market
Specialty paper

Question 2

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

Answer 2

SC = super calendared
LWC = light weight coated
The difference between these 2 is that LWC has a light coating applied and is then calendared, both have a dense glossy finish which is often used for magazines and advertisement. Newsprint is not calendared and therefore has a much rougher surface, it also isn’t as bright and not as good for printing (due to rough surface) but it is cheaper and faster to produce.

Question 3

 What is a specialty paper and how can it be defined? What are the main differences to general (commidity) paper grades?

Answer 3

Paper with special characteristics needed for special uses. Usually specialty papers cannot be used for something other than their intended use. Production capacity often much smaller. Some special features could be:
- Wet strength
- Cleanliness
- Special structure, eg very uniform, attention to pore size distribution

Question 4

 Please name at least 5 different specialty paper grades!

Answer 4

• Security paper
• Décor paper
• Labels and release papers
• Filter papers and non-wovens
• Imaging papers
• Thermal paper
• Cigarette papers
• Flexible packaging
• Carbonless copy paper