PULASKI, N.Y. (From news reports) -- Felix Schoeller North America is using a new silicone-coating operation at its Pulaski facility, having publicly introduced it for the first time on Nov. 15.

Felix Schoeller North America -- a subsidiary of the German-based Felix Schoeller Group -- manufactures specialty papers and engineered products for various industries.

In the fall of 2021, the company announced plans to build coater line 7, its "most advanced" silicone-coating operation at the Central New York manufacturing facility. Two years later, the $20 million project is complete and ready to service the company's North American customers, Operation Oswego County said in a news release.

The new operation expands Felix Schoeller's global manufacturing footprint for so-called release liners. They're described as products mainly for the adhesive-coating industries, such as self-adhesive graphics, tapes or health-care products.

The assistance provided by the County of Oswego IDA and Empire State Development will help to support the creation of 30 new jobs and retaining 145 existing jobs at Felix Schoeller over the next five years, per Operation Oswego County.

Felix Schoeller launched the new production operation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and facility tour with employees, business partners, and local dignitaries attending.

"This expansion in a very competitive environment would not have been possible without the support of Oswego County and the State of New York" Michael Szidat, CEO of Felix Schoeller North America, said in the news release. "But most of all, thanks go to our great team at Felix Schoeller. From the commitment of our Group CEO Chris Gallenkamp to the local management and engineering teams that have worked tirelessly for two years and sacrificed so much to make it happen. The dedication and passion of our employees is really what made this project a success."

For the Pulaski facility, this represents a "new strategic orientation" since its founding 60 years ago. It originally started as a papermill that produced photographic papers, but in the 2000s, the site transitioned to become the largest converting and distribution hub for the digital printing market in North America, per the news release.

The now-added manufacturing of silicone coated papers and films is a "strategic" expansion into this growth market and "represents a new direction for the company, outside of imaging products."

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