‘Our intention is to add value for our customers and to assist them in responding to shifts in demand from retailers and brand owners as sustainability and recyclability issues become more prevalent,’ explains division head, Dave Greenslade. ‘We have seen a drive for recyclable structures on the filmic side, which has resulted in collaborative projects between raw material suppliers, machinery manufacturers and converters. Additionally, there has been a shift in some sectors from plastic to paper packaging and there has been a significant growth in demand for some specific paper grades. Our suppliers have reacted by installing extra capacity to meet the increasing demand and this trend seems set to continue.’
Bordic represents Austrian-based Starkraft, which specialises in producing long fibre MGBK, typically used for sugar, grain and flour bags. Starkraft is in the process of expanding its presence in the long fibre bleached and unbleached kraft segments. It is adding capacity of 80 000 tons/annum of brown and white MF paper, which is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2023.
Spanish-based Iberpapel specialises in the production of uncoated papers with a variety of end uses. Its commodity papers are targeted for usage in medical package insert printing, envelope manufacturing, offset paper, scholar books and office paper. Of special interest is Vellum, a highly-glazed uncoated paper, which can be used as a cost-effective alternative for labelling applications. Iberpapel has also upgraded its plant to produce SCK, which is ideally suited for offline coating with adhesives, silicone or other barrier coatings.
For heavier speciality papers, Bordic sources from Papelera del Oria, a smaller Spanish mill. Oria specialises in papers for books, diaries and drawing paper. These typically require thicker quality paper in white, ivory, cream or natural colours. In addition, the company supplies wet strength and grease proof papers. Coloured papers are also produced to customers’ needs.
Multilayer foil/paper laminates also fall within Bordic’s Paper Division’s ambit. These are produced from various grades of paper extrusion laminated to aluminium foil, and supplied with an optional outer polyethylene layer to provide additional barrier or heat sealability. These laminates are supplied unprinted to local converters for various applications, including sachets for powdered soups and sauces, wrapping of margarine bricks and packaging of medical powders.
Herma distribution partnership
Bordic has been appointed as the exclusive distributor in southern Africa for Herma’s extensive range of pressure-sensitive labelling (PSL) products. Herma’s range includes PSL substrates from coated and uncoated papers and filmic grades to thermal papers and wine labels.
‘Our intention is to start growing the Herma brand according to Bordic’s successful model of holding stock and supplying a service to our customers, slitting the PSL products according to their requirements,’ Dave notes. ‘We’ll ramp up for growth during 2023 and are confident that the Herma range will become sought after as a result of Herma’s patented injection extrusion coating technology, which enables the application of up to three layers of acrylic adhesives, each with specific properties, onto the PSL substrates. This enables Herma to tailor-make the pressure-sensitive label stock for its specific end use and also ensures a tighter control of the tolerances.’
Label stock consists of a label facing material, an adhesive layer and a release liner. With Herma’s multi-layer adhesive system, an adhesive coating consisting of up to three layers is applied between the label material and the liner. ‘The major advantage of this technology lies in the ability of the individual adhesive layers to influence different parameters separately. For example, the temperature range within which a label can be dispensed and used can be extended. Another potential benefit is the reduction of adhesive bleeding and improvement of die-cutting behaviour,’ he remarks.
In September, Dave and sales director Craig Lloyd visited Herma’s subsidiary in Newbury, UK to ensure SA operations align with Herma standards as well as to build systems knowledge for application locally within Bordic.
‘Additionally, as an official Herma distributor our intention is to implement standards within Bordic operations in the same way as other Herma sites ensuring that product supplied will be identical to that from Germany and the UK,’ Dave concludes.
