Nippon's Shoalhaven paper mill in New South Wales, Australia, assured by local official that it will retain federal contract to supply passport paper, but mill manager says a substantial increase in printing paper demand is needed to assure mill's future

Debra Garcia

LOS ANGELES , June 26, 2014 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) – Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd.’s Shoalhaven paper mill in New South Wales, Australia, was informed recently that it had retained the federal contract for passport paper, reported the South Coast Register on June 26.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop made assurances on June 24 that the federal government would continue to order its passport paper from the Shoalhaven mill, said Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis.

The minister further said that the mill would be crucial in developing a specialty paper used for the biographical details page in the newly released P Series passport, Sudmalis said.

However, the mill’s future is not assured solely by this contract, said Michael O’Connor, national secretary for the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, the South Coast Register reported.

While commending Sudmalis and the Commonwealth for its recognition of the mill’s importance, O’Connor urged the government to cut imports and commit to purchasing more paper made in Australia.

Paper produced solely for passports makes up a small part of the mill’s total production, said general manager of print Wayne Stanistreet, reported the South Coast Register.

Stanistreet welcomed the news about the government passport contract but acknowledged that more orders are needed from the printing industry. He said demand for high-end specialty and cover papers, as well as security papers, is declining.

However, demand for passport paper is expected to grow by nearly 7% over the next 12 months, according to the foreign minister, said Gilmore, the South Coast Register reported.

The primary source of this article is the South Coast Register, Shoalhaven, Australia, on June 26, 2014. Click here to view full version of primary source's original article.

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