Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, inaugurated its new parchmentizer, PMZ5, today, May 21st, at its Saint-Séverin plant in France.
A parchmentizer is an industrial machine used in the parchmentization process, which treats cellulose-based paper to transform it into durable, grease- and water-resistant vegetable parchment. This process gives the paper a unique set of characteristics that make it suitable for demanding applications, especially in the food packaging market.
This latest EUR 15 million investment in Saint-Séverin underscores Ahlstrom’s enduring commitment to sustainable innovation, customer collaboration, and to the local community that has supported Ahlstrom for generations.
“For our Saint-Séverin colleagues, this is a major milestone: Ahlstrom’s next step in growing our portfolio of solutions that are safe and sustainable by design. This is a great plant, with great people to match. We believe in you wholeheartedly, and that is why we are investing in Saint-Séverin’s growth”, said Helen Mets, Ahlstrom’s President and CEO at the inauguration.
The new parchmentizer, PMZ5, reflects a deep, ongoing collaboration between Ahlstrom and its global customer base. The new machine allows for improved capacity, and flexibility in parchment production, supporting the diverse and evolving needs of customers across the food packaging sectors.
Ahlstrom’s investment in PMZ5 strengthens not only the plant but the broader economic and social fabric of the region. This project reinforces Ahlstrom’s role as a major employer and economic driver in the Charente and Dordogne regions. This commitment to local well-being is deeply rooted in Ahlstrom’s history. For over 150 years, the company has worked to ensure that its growth contributes to the health and vitality of the communities where it operates.
