NEW YORK,
Feb. 1, 2012
(Press Release) -
Minerals Technologies Inc. announced today that it has signed a commercial agreement with a prominent papermaker to provide Fulfill E-325 High Filler Technology, an innovative process-enhancing solution that is part of the Fulfill technology platform, at a paper mill in Southeast Asia.
"Minerals Technologies has now signed agreements with five paper mills - all in Asia - to adopt the Fulfill(TM) E-325 technology that we introduced in late 2010," said Joseph C. Muscari, chairman and chief executive officer. "The commercialization of Fulfill(TM) E-325 at this paper mill, which does not want to be identified for competitive reasons, is additional substantiation of the efficacy of this cost-saving technology and the revitalization of our product development pipeline."
The Fulfill(TM) brand is a portfolio of high-filler technologies that offers papermakers a variety of efficient, flexible solutions that decrease dependency on natural fiber and reduce costs. The Fulfill(TM) E-325 series allows papermakers to increase filler loading levels of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), which replaces higher cost pulp, and increases PCC usage. Depending on paper grades, this PCC volume increase may range from 15 to 30 percent.
"In addition to the five agreements we have today, we are actively engaged with 19 other paper mill sites for further Fulfill(TM) deployment," said D.J. Monagle, senior vice president and managing director, Paper PCC. "The growing acceptance of this technology, which is tailored to the individual needs and operational parameters for different papermakers, confirms the value of our Fulfill(TM) technology."
PCC is a specialty pigment for filling and coating high-quality paper. By substituting Minerals Technologies' PCC for more expensive wood fiber, customers are able to produce brighter, higher quality paper at lower cost. 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 56 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 $1.0 billion in 2010.
