Top 10 Companies in the Super Calendared Paper Industry (2026): Market Leaders Powering Global Print Media

In Business Insights
March 28, 2026

The Global Super Calendared Paper Market was valued at USD 523 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 929.64 Million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.6% during the forecast period (2024–2032). This growth is primarily driven by sustained demand in niche print media segments, the cost-effective nature of SC paper as an alternative to coated grades, and robust advertising expenditure in catalogs and direct mail.

As the publishing and commercial printing industries adapt to digital shifts while maintaining demand for high-quality physical media, the spotlight is on the key manufacturers driving innovation, sustainability, and operational efficiency. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Super Calendared Paper Industry—a mix of established forest product giants and specialty paper producers shaping the future of this vital market.


🔟 1. UPM-Kymmene Corporation

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: SC-A, SC-A+, SC-B grades for magazines and catalogs

UPM is a global leader in forest-based bioindustries and a major producer of super calendered paper, particularly in Europe. The company’s SC paper is renowned for its high gloss and excellent printability, serving premium magazine publishers and catalog producers worldwide. UPM leverages integrated forestry operations for a sustainable fiber supply.

Strategic Initiatives:

  • Continuous investment in paper machine efficiency and product quality
  • Strong focus on renewable and recyclable fiber-based solutions
  • Commitment to the UN’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C and net-zero by 2040

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Super Calendared Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Resolute Forest Products Inc.

Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
Key Offering: Kruger SC paper, Recycled Content SC grades

Resolute is a key North American producer, operating one of the world’s largest SC paper machines at its Saint-Félicien mill in Quebec. The company supplies significant volumes to the North American magazine, catalog, and retail insert markets. Resolute is known for its high-brightness, lightweight SC papers that offer exceptional value.

Strategic Initiatives:

  • Leadership in producing lightweight, high-opacity SC paper
  • Expansion of recycled fiber content in product lines
  • Operational focus on cost-competitive manufacturing

8️⃣ 3. Stora Enso Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: SC paper for magazines, flyers, and directories

Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, and paper. While strategically pivoting towards packaging, the company remains a significant supplier of high-quality SC paper from its integrated mills, serving European publishers with products that balance performance and environmental sustainability.

Strategic Initiatives:

  • Integration of SC paper production with sustainable forestry practices
  • Research into next-generation fiber-based materials
  • Commitment to 100% traceable, certified wood fiber

7️⃣ 4. Norske Skog ASA

Headquarters: Oslo, Norway
Key Offering: Norske Skog SC (NSC) paper grades

Norske Skog is a pure-play paper producer with a strategic focus on the publication paper segment, including SC paper. The company operates several mills across Europe and Australasia, making it a crucial supplier to publishers in those regions. Norske Skog is actively diversifying into recycled packaging and bioenergy alongside its paper business.

Strategic Initiatives:

  • Strategic asset optimization in European SC paper production
  • Investment in green energy projects at mill sites
  • Development of value-added, niche paper products

6️⃣ 5. Sappi Limited

Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
Key Offering: Magno SC, Galerie SC paper grades

Sappi is a global leader in dissolving pulp and high-quality coated woodfree papers, with a notable presence in specialty papers. While renowned for its coated products, Sappi’s expertise extends to high-performance SC papers that demand superior print fidelity. The company serves a global customer base from its mills in Europe and North America.

Strategic Initiatives:

  • Innovation in paper surface properties for enhanced print results
  • Leadership in sustainable forestry and chain of custody certifications
  • Focus on profitability in resilient paper segments

Download FREE Sample Report:
Super Calendared Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report


5️⃣ 6. Holmen Paper (Division of Holmen AB)

Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
Key Offering: Holmen SC, Holmen TRND magazine paper

Holmen Paper is a leading Swedish producer of magazine paper, including high-quality SC grades from its Hallsta paper mill. The company is recognized for its environmental performance, with paper produced using virtually 100% renewable energy. Holmen’s SC paper is a preferred choice for publishers seeking a sustainable, high-gloss product.

Strategic Initiatives:

  • Pioneering low-carbon footprint paper production
  • Strong customer partnerships in European publishing
  • Investment in energy-efficient and water-saving technologies

4️⃣ 7. Heinzel Group (Through its subsidiary, Zellstoff Pöls AG)

Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
Key Offering: SC paper from the Steyrermühl mill (formerly owned by UPM)

The Heinzel Group is a major central European pulp and paper trader and producer. Through its ownership of the Steyrermühl mill in Austria, the group is a significant manufacturer of SC paper, supplying the European market. The company focuses on efficient production and a strong regional supply chain.

Strategic Initiatives:

  • Strategic acquisition and optimization of paper mill assets
  • Focus on integrated pulp and paper production for cost control
  • Strengthening distribution networks across Europe

3️⃣ 8. Papierfabrik Palm GmbH & Co. KG

Headquarters: Aalen, Germany
Key Offering: SC paper from 100% recycled fiber (RC-SC)

Palm is a leading German producer of paper and board based on recycled fiber. The company is a key player in the recycled-content SC paper segment, offering an environmentally focused alternative for publishers and printers. Their RC-SC paper combines the print quality of traditional SC paper with a strong sustainability profile.

Strategic Initiatives:

  • Specialization in 100% recycled fiber-based paper production
  • Closed-loop recycling systems and waste management leadership
  • Meeting growing demand for sustainable print media solutions

2️⃣ 9. Lecta Group

Headquarters: Luxembourg
Key Offering: Coated and SC paper grades for specialty applications

Lecta is a leading European producer of coated woodfree and specialty papers. While primarily known for its coated papers, Lecta’s product portfolio includes high-value SC papers designed for specific commercial printing applications, such as high-end catalogs and promotional materials, where a balance of gloss and cost is critical.

Strategic Initiatives:

  • Focus on differentiation and value-added paper products
  • Customer-centric innovation and technical support
  • Strategic footprint with mills in Spain, France, and Italy

1️⃣ 10. Arctic Paper S.A.

Headquarters: Poznań, Poland
Key Offering: Amber, Munken, and other graphic paper brands, including SC-related grades

Arctic Paper is a leading European producer of high-quality graphic papers from its mills in Poland, Sweden, and Germany. While its strength lies in bulky, uncoated papers, the company serves overlapping markets with SC paper producers and offers complementary product solutions for publishers, making it an important player in the broader publication paper ecosystem.

Strategic Initiatives:

  • Expansion of value-added graphic paper portfolio
  • Strong sustainability credentials with FSC/PEFC certification
  • Strategic growth through acquisitions and market penetration

Get Full Report Here:
Super Calendared Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Super Calendared Paper Is Sustainable and Specialized

The Super Calendared Paper market is navigating a period of strategic consolidation. While overall demand in traditional print media is stable or declining in some regions, the market is finding resilience in specific applications and through a strong push towards sustainable and recycled fiber content. The industry’s future hinges on operational excellence, product differentiation, and environmental stewardship.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Growing demand for paper with high recycled content (RC-SC)
  • Continued preference for cost-effective, high-gloss media in direct mail and catalogs
  • Consolidation of production among fewer, larger, and more efficient mills
  • Innovation in lightweighting to reduce postage costs and environmental impact

Get Full Report Here:
Super Calendared Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying the global print industry—they are steering it towards a more innovative and responsible future, proving that physical media retains a vital and evolving role in the modern communications landscape.