APPLETON, Wis., June 19 - Appleton Papers has introduced a new digital linerboard product for the packaging industry designed to utilize the speed, flexibility and high quality of a new inkjet printing technology. Appleton manufactures the product by applying an Aprion proprietary coating to linerboard substrates to create a printing surface that significantly enhances the quality of inkjet printing when used with the new Bel2000 six-color flatbed inkjet press. Linerboard is typically used as the top face of a corrugated board combined with a central fluted sheet and bottom liner. Currently producers of corrugated packaging materials must precoat individual sheets through an off-line process to achieve the better inkjet print quality offered through the use of the proprietary coating. Customers can laminate Appleton's uniformly coated digital linerboard to corrugated materials as part of the manufacturing process. The linerboard enables manufacturers and printers to use the high quality, low cost, short run capabilities of digital inkjet printing to produce point-of-purchase displays, corrugated containers and other kinds of promotional items. Appleton Papers produces this new product through the use of a proprietary coating owned by Aprion Digital. Aprion Digital is based in Netanya, Israel, and develops, manufactures and markets leading-edge digital printing presses and specialized water-based inks for industrial applications. Belcom North America LLC, headquartered in Bellwood, Ill., is the exclusive distributor of Aprion products sold into the corrugated packaging and display markets in North America. Last year, Belcom installed a Bel2000 flatbed inkjet press at a test site at Menasha Display in Mequon, Wis. Menasha Display is part of Menasha Corporation, which is headquartered in Menasha, Wis. In September 2001, Appleton Papers began development of a digital linerboard product that transforms paperboard grades into graphic products that deliver high inkjet print resolution and superior ink holdout. Appleton Papers completed the first sale of the new product to Menasha Display in May. Dean Dalebroux, Appleton Papers' senior business development manager, said the company's strengths in coating chemistry and application processes helped accelerate the product development cycle. "The cooperative efforts between Appleton Papers, Aprion, Belcom and Menasha Display enabled us to meet all the products requirements and deadlines established," said Dalebroux. "The use of digital printing is a growing segment of the packaging market and we are excited to be a part of it." Appleton Papers introduced its first digital inkjet paper product in April 2000. The company launched Avario Digital Color Paper for use on the VersaMark Business Color Press manufactured by Scitex Digital Printing two years ago. The introduction of Appleton's digital linerboard product follows February's introduction of the second generation of the company's Avario Digital Color Paper and helps to expand Appleton Papers' portfolio of digital printing papers.