Manufacturer of coated magazine paper,  Polestar’s new 96pp web presses have resulted in an investment dilemma for UPM Caledonian Paper.

    It has one paper machine and an annual capacity of 270,000 tonnes. But it cannot currently produce reels in the 2.86m width required for the 96pp press format.

     As well as the wider width, the 96pp reels also have a larger 150mm core than typical heatset web offset paper reels. The reels are also much heavier, which requires clamp trucks and handling equipment capable of handling the additional weight.

    At the same time, UPM is also in the process of a major restructure that involves taking out 800,000 tonnes of publication paper capacity across Europe.

   One paper industry expert said: “The problem is it’s a heatset press but the paper is more aligned to gravure, and that creates its own set of problems for paper suppliers and for Polestar.

    “For paper mills this is a huge issue. It can be hopelessly inefficient to make reels of that size.”

    There are also logistical issues, because the length of the reel means they cannot be transported upright “chimney style” on lorries in order to maximise the carrying capacity. UPM can make 96pp reels at other mills in Finland and Germany.