Svetogorsk PPM plans to commission a $150mln plant for bleached pulp production in mid 2007.

The news came from the press-service of the Leningrad region government. “The plant is expected to produce paper and cardboard, the rated output will be 200,000 tons of pulp per year,” – said Serguey Pondar, director general of OAO “Svetogorsk”. This will lead to the increase of annual timber processing capacity from 1.4mln m³ to 2.1mln m³, and, consequently, to the output increase. We will be able to increase processing aspen which is a hardwood species, said Serguey Pondar. This kind of raw material is widely used in Leningrad region, but still significantly underestimated by the timber processing industry.

Note: Svetogorsk PPM specializes in production and sale of printing paper and wood-based products. OAO “Svetogorsk” is among top ten Russian timber processing enterprises. 100% of its shares belong to International Paper Company. International Paper is the world leading manufacturer of paper and wood-based products. The company’s scope covers paper, package and wood-based products. International Paper headquarters is located in USA, its enterprises operate in more than 40 countries, and the products are sold to more than 120 countries. European division of International Paper focuses on production and sale of office paper and paper-based package.

(After Prime-Tass Information Agency)