The directors of Boise Paper, of Boise, ID, USA, have approved a $72 million capital project to expand Boise’s production of pressure sensitive paper. The project involves adding new capability to the existing 250″ #3 paper machine at Boise’s mill in Wallula, WA, with equipment that will increase the company’s pressure sensitive capacity by 200,000 tons.

The company says that the goal of the investment is to meet growing customer demand. “Our objective is to be a global leader in the market for pressure sensitive papers,” says Boise CEO Tom Stephens. “This project is another step forward in executing the growth strategy we have established in the specialty and premium papers businesses.”

Boise started planning the project at the end of 2004. Construction is expected to begin in June of this year; start-up is targeted for the first quarter of 2007.

Kirk Allen, business leader of Boise’s Label, Release & Specialty Papers business, says, “Our technology provides us with the ability to produce coated one-side facestocks and release liners while continuing to produce a range of uncoated products. This flexibility is critical given the value of managing pressure sensitive production growth as supply and demand dictates.”