UPM reaches phase II of Sappi venture
Material manufacturers, UPM and Sappi, have reached the next stage of their Joint Venture which was first announced in December last year
James Cropper has announced a desire to keep its production in the UK and evolve with industry demands, as part of a revamp of its coloured paper shades
UK paper manufacturer, James Cropper, has announced that it will bring its range of more than 50 coloured paper shades under a single brand, announcing plans to “own the future of colour in paper.”
The new colour portfolio, which will be designed, formulated, and crafted entirely in the UK at the company’s Lake District mill, will be available directly from James Cropper as well as from selected merchant partners.
In his announcement about the new portfolio, Paul Barber, managing director of Paper and Packaging at James Cropper, stresses that "this is not a refresh – this is a declaration.”
Barber says: "We were the first to produce coloured paper, and we’re proud of that legacy, but we’re not here to look backwards – we’re here to own the future of colour in paper. What we’re planning has been refined over 50 years of proprietary fibre and colour formulations. This is the latest step on our industry-defining journey.”
James Cropper has produced colour paper since at least 1856, when it was the first company in the world to produce coloured paper using synthetic dyes.
James Cropper describes itself as UK’s sole remaining manufacturer of speciality-coloured papers. In its statement about the new range, the company highlights what it feels is an industry trend of paper suppliers cutting back on colour options and moving production overseas.
In contrast, James Cropper says that it is “doubling down on its UK roots”, reimagining colours that have already been in continuous UK production for decades while also aiming to “meet the future demands of brands, designers, and converters.”
The range will be produced entirely on-site at James Cropper’s 180-year-old Burneside mill in Cumbria, which is located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each sheet will be made using the company’s own ‘dyed-in-the-fibre’ process, designed to provide high depth, vibrancy, and longevity.
The full brand identity and colour portfolio will be unveiled in an exclusive showcase event, with details to be announced in due course.
