With the start-up of its new paper machine, Mondi becomes Europe's leading producer of kraft paper. The paper group listed on the London Stock Exchange has invested 67 million euros in its Czech plant at ?t?tí to convert a corrugated board machine into a 100% recyclable specialty kraft paper production line.
"The European market for speciality kraft papers is expected to grow strongly due to legislation to eliminate waste caused by plastic shopping bags and consumer preference to move away from single-use plastic" says Mondi. So with this equipment, he wants to "revolutionising the European market for paper shopping bags."
"We want to provide converters and brands with sustainable and 100% recyclable paper-based products for their retail and online packaging. The papers produced on this machine will offer recycled fibre-based products with a natural look, excellent printability and strength properties, all prerequisites for consumer shopping bags "says Kalle Taari, head of strategy and management of Mondi's krafts products.
The papermaker primarily targets the shopping bag markets for fashion stores, online grocery platforms and home delivery.
The new machine has an annual capacity of 130?000 tons of special kraft paper per year. It produces, using virgin or recycled fibres, kraft reels with a width of 4.4 m and a grammage of 70 to 135 g/m² 2 .
It is installed alongside another kraft paper machine (the PM7), with an annual capacity of 155?000 tonnes and will be commissioned in 2014.
