FutureMark Launches North America’s First 100% Recycled Coated #3 Freesheet Option

WESTPORT, CT—APRIL 10, 2014—FutureMark Paper Group, a leading North American provider of responsibly made recycled printing papers, today announced the launch of Future Vantage, North America’s first 100 percent recycled coated #3 freesheet. Until now, there has not been a 100 percent recycled option for high-end corporate marketing materials and magazine, catalog, book, direct mail and retail applications. Previously, recycled content was only available if specified by the buyer and typically the maximum available was 30 percent.

Future Vantage brings brightness, print gloss and print fidelity to the coated #3 freesheet market, for the first time equipping corporations, merchants, printers and designers with the ability to differentiate their print products through environmental and paper performance. Future Vantage is ideally suited for a variety of print applications across a number of market sectors, including financial services, retail, fashion, travel, automotive and telecommunications.

“Following the recent introduction of our recycled paper innovations in the book, digital inkjet and label markets, we are proud to deliver another breakthrough product to the coated freesheet market,” stated Steve Silver, president and CEO of FutureMark Paper Group. “With Future Vantage, there are no compromises—it is the first coated #3 freesheet with both 100 percent recycled content and excellent paper qualities some might traditionally associate with non-recycled products.”

According to the Environmental Paper Network’s Paper Calculator v. 3.2, 100 percent recycled coated freesheet generates 30 percent less greenhouse gas emissions, consumes 46 percent less water and requires the harvest of 20,000 fewer trees (per 1,000 tons of coated freesheet paper produced) compared to non-recycled coated freesheet. These unmatched environmental benefits, combined with a unique coating design and enhancements made to the de-inking process, enables producers of print materials to feel good about their paper choices by selecting a 100 percent recycled option.

FutureMark involves customers and printing partners extensively in its product development process, and their feedback on Future Vantage was invaluable to honing the final product. Continental Web Press completed print runs with Future Vantage and were pleased with the quality and press performance, commenting that the bright sheet has very good print gloss with excellent press productivity and print reproduction.

Chris Kendziora, purchasing manager at Royle Printing added: “We are delighted to offer this high-quality sustainable paper product from FutureMark. Having worked closely with the development team on the creation of Future Vantage, we have the confidence to wholeheartedly recommend it to our clients, knowing that it will perform beautifully on press and deliver the eco-message our clients desire.”

Future Vantage paper boasts a 70 gloss finish, a high brightness rating of 88 and is comprised of 100 percent recycled content. Future Vantage is available in 50, 60, 70 and 80 pound basis weights and is immediately available through FutureMark’s sales force. FSC-, SFI- and PEFC-certified products available on request. For more information, the Future Vantage product data sheet can be found at www.futuremarkpaper.com/products.html.

About FutureMark Paper Group
FutureMark Paper Group is North America’s leading provider of responsibly made, high-recycled paper. Through continuous green innovation, the group produces high-quality, high-performance printing and packaging papers with recycled content. FutureMark’s recycled paper solutions help sustainability leaders uphold their environmental commitments while advancing their business goals. FutureMark Paper Group’s production centers are located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Source: FutureMark.