A new grade of paper, Triple White, in three layers and with low grammage, is the response of Swedish manufacturer Stora Gruvön to the demand for lighter-weight packaging from such critics as consumers, manufacturers, politicians and environmentalists. "We have succeeded in combining low grammage with optimal characteristics in respect of runnability, strength and printability," explains Peter Malmqvist, Product Manager. At 70-120 gsm, this paper is just as suitable for prepacking food products as for carrier bags, envelopes, ream-wrapping and other flexible packaging. At present, Stora Gruvön is the only producer of this type of three-layer packaging solution in the world.

Reductions in costs and the environmental burden are the cornerstones of MicroLiners, Stora Gruvön's new raw material for the packaging industry. Amongother things, this means the product has low grammage, reducing packaging weight,and is optimised. Characteristics suchas printability and strength are important overall cost factors. "We have achieved this by combiningour own competence and close co-operation with our clients, machinerymanufacturers and others," says Johan Seevers, Sales Director. Suitable application areas for the new product include for example food productand gift packaging, and display stands.

"The amount of packaging used all over the world cannot be reduced by bringing in generalised regulations. Politicians, bureaucrats and environmental organisations within the EU would like to believe it can be done this way, but they are completely wrong. Rules like this may instead lead to increased environmental loading." This is the blunt warning from Anders Sörås, Managing Director of the Packforsk research institute, at the recent Stora Gruvön "Sugar and Flour Days".

The Stora Group has just decided to install a new recovery boiler in their Stora Gruvön paper and pulp mill. This new boiler, at an estimated cost of £46-58 million, will considerably improve the company's environmental standing in respect of pulp production, while also permitting production capacity to be increased as required.