A first: new uncoated paper gradelines rival expensive coated papers on print quality AMHERST, Mass.- March 11, 2002-- For the first time, uncoated free sheet papers are now able to generate the high-end print quality of coated printing papers on digital laser printing equipment. The significant papermaking development opens up new business opportunities for the hard-hit North American commercial printing market. It also enables corporations and consumers to save money on printing papers since they can now substitute uncoated papers for more expensive coated papers. Eastern Paper, Amherst, Mass., produces recycled, uncoated papers for color and monochrome laser printers that feature the stiffness and brilliant printing of higher-cost coated papers. The company, which has U.S. patents pending on its new products and production technologies, is unique in offering at least 30% recycled content in all of its digital printing papers. Color laser printing is among the fastest-growing segments in printing today. The cost of color laser printers is rapidly falling, increasing market penetration and priming demand for digital printing. A recent study by CAP Ventures projects the total digital print market to reach $52 billion in just three years. "Now that uncoated paper can print as vibrantly and easily as coated paper, demand will rise because you have an entirely new quality-to-price standard in the market,'' said Eastern Paper CEO Joseph Torras, Sr. "The result is better looking print jobs and lower total print costs.'' Eastern Paper is working closely with Rochester Institute of Technology's Paper Manufacturing Test Center to ensure full qualification with all high-speed digital printing equipment, including "electric-ink'' toner systems used in so-called variable dataprinting. Eastern's unique pulp and papermaking processes meet U.S. Government guidelines for 30% recycled content in printing papers. Further, Eastern's papers are made from pulp using a patent-pending oxygen bleaching process that is elemental chlorine-free. In a time when nearly all digital papers lack recycled content, the environmental advantages of Eastern's digital gradelines are attractive to end-users. The price, quality and high-recycled content of the digital gradelines, for example, helped Eastern recently win a major contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Torras said the company is introducing the expanded gradelines this week in New York at the American Forest & Paper Association Paper Week. The company is currently in discussions with merchants, converters and OEMs about the products. Eastern Paper Co. is a privately held, fully-integrated manufacturer of pulp, premium tissues and fine printing papers with operations at two facilities in northern Maine. The company's products are distributed across North America. The website is www.easternpaper.com