Minerals Technologies Inc. announced that it has signed agreements with JK Paper Ltd and West Coast Paper Mills Ltd to construct satellite precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) facility for them at Rayagada, Orissa and Dandeli, Karnataka respectively.
“Minerals Technologies is very excited about this project with JK Paper & West Coast Paper Mills and the growth we see in the Indian paper market,” said Joseph C. Muscari, chairman and chief executive officer of Minerals Technologies. “We are confident that our existing and new PCC-enabling technologies will create significant value for our new customers and partners. JK Paper satellite will be our fourth in India in a relatively short period of time, and once on line it will bring our total in the Asia region to 12.”
The Specialty Minerals plant at JK Paper is expected to produce more than 46,000 metric tons per year of PCC. The satellite facility will be owned and operated as a joint venture and will be operational prior to JK Paper’s new paper machine coming on stream.
The West Coast Paper’s satellite plant will initially produce about 35,000 tons of PCC and is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2011.
PCC is a specialty pigment for filling and coating high-quality paper. By substituting PCC for more expensive wood fiber, customers are able to produce brighter, higher quality paper at lower cost. Minerals Technologies originated the satellite concept for making and delivering PCC on-site at paper mills and the concept was a major factor in revolutionizing North American papermaking from an acid to an alkaline-based technology. Minerals Technologies constructed its first PCC satellite plant in 1986. Today, the company has 57 PCC manufacturing facilities in operation or under construction around the world and continues to lead the industry with consistent quality and technical innovation.