Top 10 Companies in the High Bright Newsprint Industry (2025): Premium Paper Innovators Elevating Print Media

In Business Insights
July 01, 2025

The Global High Bright Newsprint Market was valued at USD 4,496 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5,268 Million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.3% during the forecast period (2024–2032). This steady expansion reflects the publishing industry’s strategic shift toward enhanced print quality despite digital competition, with premium newsprint maintaining its position as the backbone of high-impact advertising inserts and Sunday editions.

High bright newsprint’s superior opacity (60-85 ISO brightness) enables sharper text and more vibrant color reproduction than standard grades – critical advantages as publishers compete for advertiser dollars. Below we analyze the 10 largest manufacturers driving innovation across this $4.5 billion niche, from Nordic sustainability leaders to Asia-Pacific cost innovators.


🔟 1. Stora Enso

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: 68-83 ISO brightness newsprint, FSC-certified virgin fiber

This Nordic pulp and paper giant dominates European supply with integrated forestry operations. Their high bright grades feature exceptionally uniform formation for premium magazine inserts.

Sustainability Edge:

  • 100% renewable energy at production facilities
  • Closed-loop water systems reduce consumption by 25% since 2018

Download FREE Sample Report: High Bright Newsprint Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Nippon Paper Group

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: 75-82 ISO brightness grades, Asia-focused distribution

Japan’s paper leader serves publishers across 18 countries with specialized products optimized for high-speed web offset printing.

Sustainability Edge:

  • 60% biomass energy utilization
  • Advanced deinking processes for recycled content

8️⃣ 3. Kruger Inc.

Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
Key Offering: Chlorine-free high bright newsprint (TCF)

Kruger’s Canadian mills output 1.4 million metric tons annually of consistent-quality newsprint for North American publishing giants.

Sustainability Edge:

  • Process water recycled up to 10 times
  • 32% GHG reduction since 2010

7️⃣ 4. Norske Skog

Headquarters: Oslo, Norway
Key Offering: Lightweight high bright grades (42-45gsm)

Pioneers of “featherweight” newsprint that reduces shipping costs by 15% while maintaining print performance standards.

Download FREE Sample Report: High Bright Newsprint Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Palm Group

Headquarters: Selangor, Malaysia
Key Offering: Tropical hardwood-based 70-78 ISO newsprint

Southeast Asia’s largest producer uses fast-growing Acacia mangium plantations to supply humidity-stable paper across ASEAN markets.

Sustainability Edge:

  • Zero waste landfill initiatives
  • PEFC-certified plantation fiber

5️⃣ 6. North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC)

Headquarters: Longview, Washington, USA
Key Offering: 68-85 ISO brightness with specialty coatings

NORPAC’s “ColorLok” technology accelerates ink drying while enhancing gamut – critical for weekly advertising inserts.

Sustainability Edge:

  • Bark-fueled biomass energy
  • 83% byproduct recycling rate

4️⃣ 7. Alberta Newsprint Company

Headquarters: Edmonton, Canada
Key Offering: Cold climate-optimized newsprint

Produces dimensionally stable paper that withstands temperature fluctuations during North American distribution.

Sustainability Edge:

  • 100% renewable electricity
  • Elephant-sized biomass boilers

3️⃣ 8. Chenming Group

Headquarters: Shandong, China
Key Offering: Cost-effective 70-80 ISO brightness newsprint

China’s second-largest manufacturer leverages scale to supply Asia’s booming print advertising market.

Sustainability Edge:

  • Advanced effluent treatment systems
  • Agricultural residue fiber trials

2️⃣ 9. Huatai Paper

Headquarters: Dongying, China
Key Offering: Enhanced formation newsprint

Their “Diamond” series minimizes show-through for high ink coverage applications like magazine supplements.

Download FREE Sample Report: High Bright Newsprint Market – View in Detailed Research Report


1️⃣ 10. White Birch Paper

Headquarters: Stamford, Connecticut, USA
Key Offering: Ultra-opaque newsprint

Industry-leading 93% opacity allows basis weight reduction without sacrificing print quality – saving distribution costs.

Sustainability Edge:

  • 100% certified fiber sourcing
  • Zero-process water discharge

Read Full Report: High Bright Newsprint Market – View in Detailed Research Report


📈 Market Outlook: Resilience Through Premiumization

While standard newsprint faces structural decline, high bright varieties show enduring demand drivers:

Key Growth Factors:

  • Sunday edition page counts increasing 3% annually
  • Retail circulars shifting from standard to premium newsprint
  • Sustainable fiber becoming a price differentiator
  • Lightweighting saving 12-18% in distribution costs

Read Full Report: High Bright Newsprint Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The manufacturers profiled above aren’t just making paper – they’re enabling print media’s value resurgence in a digital age.