COMBINED LOCKS, Wis. (News release) -- Doug Osterberg, president and CEO of Appleton Coated LLC, and Guy Spinelli, president and CEO of Spectra Jet Inc., announce that they have entered into an agreement for Appleton Coated to acquire the principal business of Spectra Jet Inc., a developer and distributor of sublimation transfer papers headquartered in Woodstock, Ill.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2017. However, beginning immediately, Appleton Coated and Spectra Jet will both promote Spectra Jet's Silverback3 brand of sublimation papers and associated products through a coordinated sales and marketing program.

Spectra Jet BusinessSpectra Jet Inc. was founded in 2006 by its current owners, Guy Spinelli and Paul DeWyngaert. Since 2015, Appleton Coated has been the exclusive producer, for Spectra Jet, of Silverback3 paper, a product that utilizes Spectra Jet's proprietary technology. The paper is produced at Appleton Coated's manufacturing facility in Combined Locks, Wisconsin.

Sublimation transfer paper, such as Silverback3, is used to produce images on textiles or other treated materials. In this process, an image is printed, often utilizing inkjet technology, onto the paper, and then a heat press is used to sublimate the image to the fabric or other material. "The combination of our technology and experience in this business with Appleton Coated's manufacturing expertise is working well, and we agreed it was time to take our partnership to the next level," commented Guy Spinelli, Spectra Jet's president. "This provides our customers with a consistent source of supply coupled with the reliability and service platform that a high quality North American paper mill can provide," he continued.

"We are excited to integrate Spectra Jet's high performance sublimation transfer products into our diverse product portfolio," commented John Mazuroski, Appleton Coated's Vice President of Uncoated and Specialty Products. "Appleton Coated's unique manufacturing capabilities combined with our sales and service network will allow us to reach and serve more customers effectively," he added. Spinelli and DeWyngaert have agreements with Appleton Coated to remain with the business after the transaction closes.