Pulaski, NY—The Felix Schoeller Group is implementing its growth program for North America. Starting in 2023, the specialty paper manufacturer will significantly expand the capacities of its sites in the USA and Canada in three steps.
“With the significant expansion of our product capabilities and capacities in North America, we are following the plan of consistently expanding our local supply strategy. We are and always want to be present with our own productions in the markets where our customers are at home,” said Hans-Christoph Gallenkamp, CEO of the Felix Schoeller Group.
Felix Schoeller North American Expansion
In the first step, the company is installing a new silicone coater at its Pulaski, New York, site in mid-2023. This will enable the Felix Schoeller Group to supply the North American market with domestically produced siliconized papers as well as films.
In doing so, the company is relying not only on solvent-free silicone technology but adding solvent-based silicone technology to their portfolio. They will do so while utilizing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technological solutions.
The second step is the expansion of the paper machine capacity in Drummondville, Canada. It will increase from the current 32,000 tons to more than 40,000 tons per year. Moreover, the company plans to complete this increase by 4Q 2023.
Finally, the company plans to invest in the construction of a second paper machine for the North American market. In fact, Felix Schoeller will add up to 50,000 tons of capacity for the décor and release liner markets. Furthermore, the total investment for the production of high-quality décor papers and release liners in the North American sites should exceed 100 million U.S. dollars.
“With the project for a new paper machine, we are opening a new chapter for Felix Schoeller in North America. In the future, we can offer reliable supply with local service not only to our customers for high-quality décor papers, but in addition to our key market for release liners,” added Michael Szidat, CEO of Felix Schoeller North America. “The Covid crisis has proven the importance of domestic manufacturing for the flexibility and reliability we promise our customers.”
Felix Schoeller Group
The Felix Schoeller Group develops, manufactures and markets specialty papers for a range of applications and market segments. Its product portfolio includes photographic and digital printing papers; décor papers; release papers for medical and industrial applications; wallpaper nonwovens; sublimation papers for fashion, sportswear and home furnishings; and flexible paper composites for packaging.
In addition, the company was among the world market leaders for photographic and décor papers produced in 2021. Sales rose for the first time in the company’s more than 125-year history to in excess of $1,048.6 million. 
Since 1895, the company has used a combination of ecological action and economic principles for sustainable business. The Felix Schoeller Group is certified for quality, safety and the ecological use of resources for climate-neutral paper production.
Hans-Christoph Gallenkamp, who took the helm in 2018, represents the fifth generation to head the family-owned company. Headquartered in Osnabrück, Germany, it currently operates 19 sites in 11 countries, including Pulaski and Anaheim in the United States, and Drummondville, Canada. Those sites are the central photo and décor locations for the important North American market.
