Fluff pulp expansion planned.

Bowater Incorporated will invest $17 million in its Coosa Pines, AL mill to improve the quality of its fluff pulp through a new headbox, a former extension and process de-bottlenecking. Following a 16-day rebuild scheduled for September 2007, the site will produce world-class fluff pulp with superior fiberization and excellent formation that will result in customers using less energy in their process, according to the company. In addition, basis weight variability will be significantly reduced. Bowater's fluff pulp capacity will also increase by 20,000 air dried metric tons (ADMT) to approximately 290,000 ADMT/year.

"We are excited that these product improvements will better serve the needs of the fluff pulp marketplace. This investment completes the transformation of Coosa Pines to a truly world-class fluff pulp mill," said Peter Benjung, Bowater's vice president of pulp sales. "Demand trends in both developing and developed countries are very favorable for fluff pulp and Bowater's investment shows our commitment to grow with this market."