Leading graphic paper producer Sappi Europe has expanded its Galerie portfolio with the launch of Galerie Book, a mechanical uncoated paper, tailored to the specific needs of the book publishing market. Produced at Sappi’s Kirkniemi Mill in Lohja, Finland, this strategic product expansion builds on Sappi’s strengths and addresses the growing need for reliable, sustainable, and versatile book paper options.
The new offering leverages the Brussels-headquartered company’s established European sales network and decades of experience serving the publishing industry with both coated and uncoated papers. This deep market knowledge, combined with Sappi’s renowned technical expertise and customer service capabilities, positions Galerie Book as a natural evolution of Sappi’s commitment to the graphic papers sector.
Breaking New Ground in Book Paper Market
“Book publishers have been seeking greater supply chain resilience and more options in the book paper segment,” says Joonas Järvinen, Sappi’s Head of Sales – Thinprint. “With the development of Galerie Book as part of our Galerie brand family, we’re providing publishers with a credible alternative that matches the technical specifications demanded by the market while delivering the sustainability performance they require.”
Designed to match market standards, Galerie Book allows publishers and printers to seamlessly adopt a new supplier whilst maintaining their existing workflows and quality expectations.
Sustainability at the Core
Galerie Book is produced at Kirkniemi Mill – a world-leading coated publication paper mill – where sustainability is built into every aspect of production. Sappi sources woodfibre from responsibly managed forests within a 300-kilometre radius from the mill, ensuring local sourcing and reduced transportation impact. The mill’s advanced water management system reuses water up to 18 times before purification, further demonstrating Sappi’s commitment to resource efficiency.
Significant investments at Kirkniemi, including a €80 million multi-fuel boiler, have enabled zero waste operations and transformative carbon reduction. The use of renewable biomass energy and clean purchased electricity have contributed to a 70% reduction in product carbon footprint, aligning with the growing sustainability requirements of major publishers.
Complete Book Paper Solution
Galerie Book has been specifically engineered to perform consistently across multiple printing technologies, including heatset, coldset, and digital printing. The product has already proven its capabilities through successful trials with multiple leading customers across Europe, with commercial orders now being delivered.
Galerie Book offers publishers and printers a range of options to meet their specific requirements. The Creamy range is available in 52, 55, and 60gsm with bulk specifications of 1.8, 2.0, and 2.2. The specialised high-bulk variant, Creamy Bulk, offers 55gsm at a bulk value of 2.3 for enhanced opacity and improved feel. A third variant, Galerie Book White, is planned for future release.
Publishers and printers have responded enthusiastically to having a credible new option that combines consistent quality with strong environmental credentials, demonstrating strong market demand for expanded choice in book papers.
