LITE4U - a new efficient and fit-for-purpose cartonboard concept from M-real

04/06/2008
Press release 4.6.2008

In order to answer the increasing challenges in the market, M-real Consumer
Packaging has introduced a new efficient and fit-for-purpose cartonboard
concept at Drupa 2008. 

Being a responsible player in the market, M-real created a new cartonboard
concept to respond to the challenges of its customer as well as those of forest
industry. Therefore M-real created LITE4U, which notably improves the
efficiency in the whole value chain. 

“Our customers, brand-owners, cartonmakers and merchants are streamlining their
operations and optimizing their efficiency”, says Mika Joukio, EVP M-real
Consumer Packaging. Brand owners want to reduce the amount of packaging
material without compromising performance. They also have to respond the
increasing consciousness and regulations regarding sustainability and safety. 

But board suppliers are facing a lot of challenges also. “We strive for fast
and secure availability as well as for high quality and consistency of our
board not to forget sustainability issues”, Joukio continues. “And at the same
time we are struggling with severe cost inflation caused by rising raw material
and energy prices.“ This combined with the decade long declining trend in
market prices is making the situation even more challenging. 

Considering these aspects, the LITE4U concept comprises “Lightweighting” for
more economy, “Innovative” development, “Time” saving, “Environment” concerns,
the “4 mills” at the client´s service and a “Unique” offer to their benefit. 

Lightweighting of products has been one of the areas of main emphasis during
the past years in M-real. Lighter weight boards offer the same properties as
heavier conventional grades in lower substances. They offer cost savings and
benefit the environment thanks to lighter transport weights and less waste at
the end of their lifecycle. One cornerstone in lightweighting has been the use
of BCTMP pulp (bleached chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp), the area where M-real
has been a forerunner in the industry. M-real has also tightened its tolerances
to be the tightest ones in the trade in order to ensure even better consistency
in the product quality. Like lightweighting, consistency effects clear savings
and improves sustainability. 

Innovative development in M-real is continued with a clear portfolio of
fit-for-purpose cartonboards which emphasises both visual appearance as well as
performance of the boards. The new cartonboard range includes now five grades -
Carta Integra, Carta Elega, Carta Solida, Avanta Prima and Simcote which are
made to meet the needs of various end-use areas. To ensure efficiency the
production of overlapping grades will be discontinued. M-real developed also a
totally new grade, Carta Elega, which combines the best properties of previous
Avanta Ultra and Simwhite. It is designed especially for high-quality packaging
such as for beautycare products and other products demanding fine graphics. 

Time is saved by the new cartonboard portfolio. Not only selecting the grade is
easier, but also production cycles at mills are shorter thanks to smaller
number of grades. This accelerates delivery, improves the availability, and
makes stock management more efficient. On top of that Express Board service in
Europe will be enhanced. 

Environment concerns everybody in today's world. As a sustainable board
producer M-real pays special attention to energy efficiency as well as to
forest resources. The mills have implemented energy saving programmes, and the
reduction of CO2 emission has a high priority. M-real uses wood only from
sustainably managed forests in its production units. 

4 modern mills: Simpele, Äänekoski, Kyro and Tako serve M-real's cartonboard
customers. They are managed as one entity and they are self-sufficient in
fibres. Since the beginning of 2007 M-real's Joutseno BCTMP (bleached
chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp) mill has been dedicated to produce pulp which is
tailored for M-real's cartonboard mills. 

M-real's unique cartonboard offering makes it easy to choose the right board
for each end-use using the clearly positioned fit-for-purpose products. The new
offering improves availability, provides lighter weights and consistent
quality. It increases efficiency throughout the value chain and supports
sustainable development 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The full range of M-real's virgin-fibre based cartonboards, available globally
through M-real's sales and logistics network, includes: 

Carta Integra   Fully coated bleached paperboard (BCTMP) with coated back.
Recommended for graphics and high-quality packaging. Available in 170-330 gsm. 
Carta Elega Fully coated folding boxboard (GC1). Recommended for beautycare and
other high-quality packaging and graphics. Available in 200-380 gsm. 
Carta Solida  Fully coated bleached paperboard (BCTMP) with white back.
Recommended for graphics and high-quality packaging. Available in 185-320 gsm. 
Avanta Prima  Fully coated folding boxboard (GC2). Recommended for healthcare,
toiletries and consumer durables. Available in 200-360 gsm. 
Simcote Fully coated folding boxboard (GC2). Recommended for foods, healthcare
and consumer durables. A perfect house sheet. Available in 205-340 gsm. 


Link to photos:
http://databank.metsaliitto.com/metsaliitto/mreal.jsp?x=6050912&i=13210172181231
321891538321416213724847144179 

For further information, please contact M-real Consumer Packaging:

Ritva Mönkäre
Marketing Manager
Mobile +358 (0)50 598 7012
E-mail: ritva.monkare(at)m-real.com 
www.m-real.com