Postal Remedy: New, Lighter Papers

In Bowater’s case, the vendor in July launched a freesheet hybrid paper called BowHybrid to address high postal costs. By blending bleached kraft pulp with bleached mechanical pulp, it provides strength, bulk and high opacity at light basis weights. A light coating helps with printability and reduces ink-dot gain. With a 42.5 lb basis weight, BowHybrid feels like a 50 lb, uncoated freesheet, but uses 42 percent wood fiber.