Papyrus Australia signs marketing agreement with DaiEi Australasia

Paper technology company Papyrus Australia Limited (ASX:PPY) has signed a landmark agreement with leading international paper group DaiEi Australasia.

The agreement formalises DaiEi Australasia's involvement with Papyrus over the past seven years, and will see DaiEi's paper industry experts work closely with Papyrus on product development and global marketing for raw banana ply paper.

DaiEi Australasia is a subsidiary of the global DaiEi network, founded in Japan over 80 years ago, and has built a reputation for expertise and reliability in paper markets all over the world, including Japan, China, India, South East Asia, USA, South America and Africa.

Papyrus Australia Managing Director Ramy Azer said that DaiEi is well positioned to provide the communication lines and markets for a very wide range of paper based materials.

"The paper product and market development partnership with DaiEi is an important step in the Papyrus commercialisation plan," Mr Azer said.

"Our design will be driven by our customers' requirements. There is no one who knows what the paper customer wants better than DaiEi."

DaiEi Australasia Managing Director Anthony Wood, a senior member of the International DaiEi Management Team, said that his company had observed the progress Papyrus Australia had made in the development of its unique technology.

"Papyrus has used a high degree of engineering innovation to transform this renewable resource, with the aim to produce paper of reliable quality in commercial quantities," Mr Wood said.

"We believe the raw banana ply paper will create its own market for a niche, high value, environmentally friendly product that will appeal to many of our customers."

"Our company's philosophy is to establish long-term alliances with suppliers and, in turn, to develop enduring partnerships with clients. Papyrus Australia is now part of the DaiEi family."

Papyrus is in the third stage of a six-stage program that will culminate in the commissioning of a commercial trial production line for banana ply paper in North Queensland in mid-late 2006.

About Papyrus
Papyrus Australia Limited listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in April 2005 to develop and commercialise proprietary technology that will convert banana trunk fibre waste into banana ply paper (BPP). This new form of paper is fire retardant and water repellent with natural resilience and a unique texture. It will complement existing paper manufacture and marketing operations by providing the raw material for the development of niche products based on these properties. The company is building a prototype production facility capable of producing 20,000 tonnes of banana ply paper from banana waste. The process is cost effective and environmentally friendly, with low energy and water requirements. Bananas are grown in more than 160 countries, making the raw material a readily available and renewable resource. Released on behalf of Papyrus Australia by Times8 Pty Ltd, PO Box, Highgate SA 5063.

About DaiEi Australasia
Initially established as an export partner for Japanese Paper Mills, DaiEi Australasia Pty Ltd has built on that success to establish relationships with more than 40 paper mills and manufacturers around the world. The company enjoys the benefits of the strength and resources of the global DaiEi network, providing clients with financing, warehousing, technical support and converting services. With the independence to source the right product for the right job, the company creates innovative solutions for the marketing and distribution of paper and paper products. DaiEi Australasia services the Australian, New Zealand and South African markets, and has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland and Johannesburg, to cater for both client needs and supplier expectations.
http://www.daieiaust.com.au/
http://www.daieipapers.com/Global_Network.htm

Contact:

Mr Ramy Azer, Managing Director
Papyrus Australia Ltd
Phone +61 8 8223 5133 or +61 414 507 169

This release was published on openPR.