Start-Up of Loparex Investment in China

Following this investment, approximately 20 new persons have been employed at the Guangzhou plant to work in production, maintenance, quality control and production planning.

23/12/06 New Extrusion Line Expands Guangzhou Plant's Product Portofolio. Loparex has invested in a new extrusion line in its Guangzhou plant in China. This investment is part of Loparex's strategy to strenghten the company's operations in Asia and to expand Guangzhou mill's product range to polycoated release liners.

The new extruder started up at the beginning of December. "This is an important milestone for our business in Asia", says Mr Andie Ho, President, Loparex Asia Pacific. "It permits us to significantly extend our product range and to offer release liner solutions to new business areas, and also offer better service to our current customers and strenghten our market position in this area."

Loparex Guangzhou plant started its operations in June 2004 with production of 1- and 2-sided, solventfree direct siliconized release papers. "Building an extrusion line in Guangzhou was a strategic decision with many positive consequences. Our product range is now expanded to 1- and 2-sided LDPE, HDPE and PP-coated liners, that can be printed in-line with customers' designs", explains Tapani Laakso, Sales Director, Loparex Asia Pacific. "We have now excellent release liner solutions to offer especially to the Graphic Arts, Tape and Medical Industries. In Asia, there is a strong demand for polycoated products in these business areas."

"In addition, many of Loparex's global customers have started production in China and our new extrusion unit will give the Guangzhou plant new opportunities as their local supplier", Tapani Laakso continues.

Following this investment, approximately 20 new persons have been employed at the Guangzhou plant to work in production, maintenance, quality control and production planning. The total number of employees at the plant is approximately 120.