Leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions further diversifies its premier product packaging line with entrance into the paperboard market

Boston, Mass. – Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced the end of a year-long rebuild of Paper Machine 1 at Sappi's Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Maine.

In February 2017, Sappi Limited announced a major investment at the Somerset Mill to establish a strong platform for growth in paperboard packaging, while maintaining Sappi's leadership position in the graphic paper market, increasing annual production capacity at this mill to almost one million tons per year. These new paperboard grades provide luxury packaging and folding carton applications and complement our existing specialty packaging products, which represent an important asset in the food packaging and labeling industries.

"We are excited to bring Paper Machine 1 back online after a successful rebuild over the last year. Thanks to an extraordinary amount of work and effort by everyone involved throughout the year, we now look forward to bringing new, innovative paper-based packaging solutions to the market," said Mark Gardner, President and CEO, Sappi North America. "Somerset is a world-class mill, and this rebuild will allow us to continue providing high-quality packaging and graphics solutions to the market at the standard Sappi is known for."

Sappi was the first company to set the standard for graphics paper, with roots extending back to 1854. Now, it is setting the new standard in paperboard packaging. It is the first provider that checks all the boxes for converters: high-quality, wholly independent, based in the Northeast, financially stable and continuously investing in new technologies and sustainability.

All of the new product lines will have global availability and provide convertors with superior color consistency, printability and downstream performance.

"This is an exciting time for Sappi North America," said Deece Hannigan, Vice President of Packaging and Specialties Business, Sappi North America. "We are committed to bringing high-quality, innovative and sustainable products to the market that meet a variety of packaging needs. This diversification of our packaging line brings us closer to meeting the goals set in our 2020Vision, while continuing to meet customer needs around the globe."

To learn more about Sappi, please visit www.sappi.com.