November 13, 2007 -- Today Sappi launched into its key markets in Europe a revolutionary new product - Tempo which provides printers with a solution to a problem previously thought impossible to solve. Printers now finally have a silk paper that significantly reduces the ink-drying times and therefore the time required to complete printing and converting jobs. Furthermore, Tempo also reduces or eliminates the additional costs required to prevent scuffing and rubbing. Tempo provides the market with a silk product with the ease of use similar to traditional gloss products.  It is an innovative coated woodfree paper invented by Sappi to offer printers increased productivity and faster job turnarounds.  This means improved profitability.
Says Ralph Boëttger, chief executive officer of Sappi Limited: "Sappi, the global leader in coated fine paper, had an enviable track record for innovation and for bringing new products to the market. Tempo is a new chapter in re-establishing this proud heritage. Through unique product design and quality customer service, our Tempo customers will enjoy a clear advantage in the market, which is not only good for their business, but good for Sappi's business and good for print-based marketing and communication.  We are launching Tempo first into our European markets and will follow with a global launch of the product in the first calendar quarter of 2008, starting in North America, where it will be available in both a gloss and matt finish, thereby further entrenching Sappi as the fine paper company of choice for printers in over 100 countries around the world."
Berry Wiersum, chief executive officer of Sappi Fine Paper Europe said: "Silk and matt products previously required additional care, attention and expense, compared to traditional gloss products. With market demand in Europe showing a clear preference for silk and matt products, this was the obvious area into which to launch a radically different product. Silk and matt products make up some two-thirds of the 5 million tonnes of coated woodfree sheet paper market in Europe.  The unique combination of Tempo's attributes addresses the printer's top concerns, namely to save time and money and to increase machine efficiency.  Tempo also helps the printer meet the 25% increase in customer demand for projects to be turned around in a single day."
The culmination of extensive trials over the past 12 months resulted in Tempo, using a new coating design, (Sappi patents pending) providing a super smooth silk surface that delivers excellent print results and fast ink setting and drying, as well as superior scuff resistance and without the need for a protective varnish. Thus printers can reduce their use of anti set-off powder by typically 50 to 75%, and sometimes even up to 100%, with both environmental and health benefits.