Minerals Technologies Inc. has announced that it has signed an agreement with Satia Industries Limited to build a 42,000 metric ton per year satellite precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) plant at its paper mill in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab District, India. The facility is scheduled to begin operation in the second quarter of 2021.

Dr. Ajay Satia, CMD, Satia Industries Limited, commented that "We are proud to associate with MTI for building the PCC plant which is a specialty pigment for filling and coating high-quality paper and by substituting PCC for lower performing ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and talc. This will provide our customers with high opacity, brighter quality printing paper at a very competitive cost."

He further added, "On the cost front we are looking to bring efficiency through no capex which will enhance the customers confidence in us. We are happy to share that we have secured our order book for the next two months in-spite of the current obstacles posed by Covid19. We look to further create value by getting a dedicated in-house source of supply of quality filler replacing indigenous abrasive soap stone powder and Ground Calcium Carbonate. This alliance will be commercially beneficial, will enhance quality of the final product and will increase the life of machinery and clothing in the times to come."

“We are very pleased that Satia Industries, a well-established papermaker in India, has selected Minerals Technologies to construct and operate a satellite PCC plant that will provide our technology for their paper machine,” said Douglas T. Dietrich, Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding partnership with Satia.”

D.J. Monagle III, Group President, Specialty Minerals and Refractories, commented further, “Satia Industries is an innovative paper company, and we are pleased that they have recognized the value of our PCC technology in their fine paper grades. Our PCC will be used as a paper filler to improve brightness, opacity and bulk, and to reduce costs for the papermaker. This represents our eighth satellite in India, one of the fastest growing regions for deploying our PCC technology, and continues our geographic growth in Asia.”

PCC is a specialty pigment for filling and coating high-quality paper. By substituting Minerals Technologies' PCC for lower performing ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and talc, customers can produce brighter, higher quality paper at a lower cost. In 1986, Minerals Technologies originated the satellite concept for making and delivering PCC on site at paper mills, and the concept was a major factor in revolutionizing papermaking. Today, MTI has 55 satellite plants in operation or under construction globally and continues to lead the industry with consistent quality and technical innovation.