Paper has been manufactured in Laakirchen for the past 150 years and now with its entry into the packaging paper market, Laakirchen Papier AG has ushered in a new era. Indeed, the decision to break into the containerboard field will secure the long-term success of the company, as with a volume of 26.4 million t/y and annual growth of between two and three per cent, the strong, European corrugated board market segment offers considerable future potential for the paper industry. Accordingly, the production of lightweight containerboard made entirely from recycled fibres on PM10 started in Laakirchen mid of October. The paper machine meanwhile runs stable and produces paper on A quality level.
Mark Lunabba, the CEO of Laakirchen Papier AG, sums up the positive market outlook as follows: “Above all, the combination of rising online retailing volumes and the current economic upturn with its related increase in consumer spending has triggered sizeable expansion in the packaging paper market.”
Quality and efficiency as the key to a position amongst the top producers
The PM10 will now manufacture up to 450,000 t/y of containerboard based on recycled paper with working widths of 7.5 m at a speed of 1,600 m/min. This production switch also required additional investments at the company location. These included new plant for the treatment of wastepaper fibres and anaerobic used water cleaning, storage areas for recycling paper, and the completion of a warehouse with an automated crane system for the new products.
100 per cent sustainable manufactured: starboard Liner and starboard Wave
“Containerboard serves as the basis for corrugated board packaging and we offer our customers the products starboard Liner and starboard Wave with substances of between 70 and 140 gsm”, says Thomas Krawinkler, Head Sales and Marketing at Laakirchen Papier AG.. Owing to these low grammages, lightweight containerboard is ideal for mail order purposes, while in addition its high strength and stability make it equally suitable for industrial packaging (e.g.in the automotive, furniture and consumer goods sectors), as well as for agricultural products and electronic devices. Furthermore, Laakirchen Papier has a certified hygiene management system in accordance with DIN EN 15593, which makes it possible to use the containerboard for corrugated packaging in the food industry
As far as sales are concerned, Laakirchen Papier relies upon the expertise and market reach of Heinzel Sales. This trading house already sells the starboard selection from Raubling Papier GmbH, which is also part of the Heinzel Group, and now the lightweight containerboard from Laakirchen will expand the existing starboard range still further.
Apart from Austria and Germany, Poland, Italy and the states of central Europe also number among the large target markets for starboard Liner and starboard Wave from Laakirchen. Starboard Liner and starboard Wave are manufactured entirely from recycling fibres. Therefore, the sourcing of wastepaper is a key issue for the Upper Austrian paper producer. Fortunately, the major wastepaper trader, Bunzl & Biach, which is also a member of the Heinzel Group, secures the supply of the necessary quantities of wastepaper.
http://www.heinzel.com/en/news/the-start-of-containerboard-production-at-laakirchen-papier-heralds-a-new-era/