From:Packaging News

International Paper is to update its paper offering with the launch of two basis weights of its Alaska Plus lightweight GC2 board.

The 190g/m² / 320 µm will replace the standard Alaska 200g/m², offering the same performance in packaging products with a 5% yield advantage. The paper giant said it is the only high-stiffness GC2 board product below 200g/m².

The 270g/m² / 500 µm is an additional grade that gives customers a tighter stacked caliper range of Alaska Plus.

“With these two new basis weights we are able to offer a more comprehensive range of products, making it easier for our customers to select the right quality for their specific packaging needs,” said Michael Krüger, commercial director coated paperboard & recycled specialties at International Paper.

The transition of all GC2 grades from the standard Alaska to the new lightweight Alaska Plus is expected to be complete by the end of June 2015. From July onwards, all GC2 board products made at the company’s Kwidzyn mill in Poland will be part of the new lightweight Alaska Plus range.