Sappi Europe, a leading producer of graphic papers, announces the expansion of 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 world-leading Kirkniemi Mill in 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 Sappi’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 the book paper market
“Book publishers have been seeking greater supply chain resilience and more options in the book paper segment,” says Joonas Järvinen, Sappi Head of Sales, Galerie Book. “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 Sappi’s Kirkniemi Mill in Finland, 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.
From trials to delivery: A 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.
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.
Galerie Book offers publishers and printers a range of options to meet their specific requirements:
- Galerie Book, Creamy: Available in 52, 55, and 60 g/m2 with bulk specifications of 1.8, 2.0, and 2.2
- Galerie Book, Creamy Bulk: Specialised high-bulk variant offering 55 g/m2 at 2.3 bulk for enhanced opacity and improved feel
- Galerie Book, White: Planned for future release
