Heinzel Group to Build Second Paper Machine in Pols


Vienna, Austria 03 July 2017 -- The Heinzel Group has now initiated its next strategic initiative in the packaging paper segment. This will see the installation of a second large paper machine for the production of bleached kraft papers at the Zellstoff Pöls AG location in Austria. So-called MG papers are employed for flexible packaging and demonstrate above-average market growth. Kurt Maier, the Heinzel Holding CEO: "Using the new machine, we will be able to manufacture 200,000 tonnes of MG papers annually at the Pöls location. With pulp production in Pöls being expanded at the same time, this has only marginal impact on our annual market pulp capacity of 400,000 tonnes. Following our recent investments at our Raubling and Laakirchen mills, the Pöls project represents another step forward on our packaging paper segment path."

Naturally enough, Andreas Vogel, the Zellstoff Pöls AG CEO, is also delighted at the prospect of spending in the three-digit million range at his mill: "The installation in 2013 of the first large machine for our Starkraft papers was already a success story and now our aim is to become the largest producer in this market segment." Building work for the new machine is to commence in Pöls during this summer and operation is scheduled to start in early 2019.

The additional capacity is not only intended for the enhanced service of Starkraft customers in Europe, but also makes Zellstoff Pöls AG consider itself well-equipped for the global market. Werner Hartmann, the Director of the Starkraft Business Unit in Pöls: "We will be able to offer all our customers attractive and highly specialised papers produced on a state of the art machine and possessing the same quality and reliability that has characterized Starkraft already for years."

THE HEINZEL GROUP

With its industrial companies Zellstoff Pöls, Laakirchen Papier (both Austria), Raubling Papier (Germany) and Estonian Cell (Estonia), the Heinzel Group, which is united under the Heinzel Holding umbrella, ranks among the largest producers of market pulp and magazine paper in Central and Eastern Europe. Containerboard has also been part of the group's range since the beginning of 2016. The group's Trading Business Area includes heinzelsales, a globally active pulp, paper and board trading company, and Europapier International, the top paper merchant in Central and Eastern Europe. In addition, Bunzl & Biach is the largest and most important recycled paper trading company in Austria and a leading wholesaler in Central and Eastern Europe. The Heinzel Group's successful growth is based on the fulfilment of the highest customer demands with regard to quality and efficiency.