Specialty Paper Manufacturing
For more than a century, the Shawano mill has been a cornerstone of American papermaking — a place where craftsmanship, consistency, and innovation converge. Today, as part of Rapids Paper + Packaging, that legacy becomes the foundation for our next century of growth.
We develop and manufacture specialty papers engineered for performance in demanding markets, including medical, food packaging, beverage filtration, personal care, and industrial applications. Every roll reflects our core belief: quality is earned, not claimed.
At Rapids, customer commitment is more than a value, it’s an everyday practice. We partner closely with converters, brand owners, and OEMs to deliver paper solutions that run better, convert better, and perform better.
Flexible. Customized. Built for your process.
Our specialty mill offers precise control of fiber, formation, basis weight, porosity, and functional properties enabling tailored, cost-effective solutions that meet the most exacting requirements.
Our Capabilities
A Specialty Mill With Precision Control
Our mill is designed for flexibility, from custom basis weights to proprietary creping profiles, targeted technical attributes, and multi-ply bonding. Whether you require a proven grade or a new engineered solution, our team partners closely with yours to design papers that run and perform better.
In-House Expertise
- Fiber selection and pulp optimization
- Wet strength and functional performance additives
- Scrim-reinforced lamination
- Multi-ply adhesive bonding
- Wet and dry creping
- MG papers
- In-house quality lab and technical service team
Custom Development
We collaborate deeply with converters, OEMs, and brands to co-develop grades that meet unique requirements. Heritage craft meets modern engineering.
Our Products
Wet Crepe Papers
High-performance, sustainable wet-crepe papers serving medical, food & beverage, filtration, and disposable product markets. Available in a wide range of basis weights (13 lb up to 120 lb).
Machine Glazed (MG) Papers
Bright, smooth, and strong light-weight papers — ideal for printing, wrapping, and food service (FDA compliant). Available in a wide range of basis weights (10lb to 30lb) using the full spectrum of fibers, including recycled fiber up to 100%.
Dry Crepe Tissue
High-stretch, high-absorbency tissue for medical, industrial and consumer markets. Available in basis weights from 9 lb to 28 lb, and in a variety of colors. Options include single to 3-ply and bonded structures.
Markets We Serve
Coffee Filter Papers
We have been a major supplier of basket and cone coffee filter products for over 30 years. Our process delivers precise control of strength, flow rate, and stitch-ability, ensuring reliable converting and exceptional brewing performance.
Available in bleached and natural and a wide range of weights.
Exam Table Papers
Engineered for strength, brightness, and runnability. Available in wet crepe and machine glazed, designed to perform flawlessly on high-speed rewinding, printing, or perforation equipment.
Hot Oil Filtration
Cellulose-based filtration papers designed to withstand extreme temperatures while removing up to 90% of contaminants, extending oil life and improving product quality.
Wipes & Moist Towelettes
Wet-laid, pulp-based substrates that offer unique advantages over traditional nonwovens, including low lint for glass wipes and cost-effective performance for towelettes.
Surgical Glove Wrap
Low-lint, high-efficiency wrap materials developed in partnership with leading medical device manufacturers. Available in wet crepe and MG finishes.
Overwrap Packaging
Our MG papers are optimized for print quality, converting speed, and package appearance. Superior tuck memory, wrapping consistency and ink holdout resulting in excellent print clarity. Coatability and holdout also enable other performance enhancement through coating applications. Lightweight capability and improved waste and downtime deliver true sustainability benefits.
Food Packaging
From waxing base to confectionery wraps, our MG papers are crafted for controlled porosity, excellent dry/wet strength, and superior printability. Lightweight capability in combination with recycled fiber content drive real sustainability in direct food contact applications.
UltraBond™ Bonded Tissue
A patented, adhesively bonded tissue engineered for high-speed flexographic napkin printing. Our unique bonding method eliminates adhesive buildup, reduces dusting, enhances print surfaces, and improves converting productivity, delivering a premium napkin look and feel.
Medical Disposables
High-quality, bright, strong tissues designed for gowns, drapes, towels, and other medical disposables. Engineered for dependable performance on demanding converting equipment.
Carrier Tissue
Lightweight, high-strength carrier sheets for feminine hygiene and incontinence products. Both high and low porosity options allow for optimized products for multiple parts of the converting process delivering airflow, transfer, and adhesive application even in high-tension environments.
Scrim Reinforced Tissue (SRT)
Engineered durability for medical and industrial applications. Two and four ply products with multiple scrim counts and colors. Unique products designed to serve medical and industrial applications using thermal lamination with exceptional absorbency, strength and low-lint benefits.
Sustainability
Sustainability has always been built into how we operate — from our use of recycled fiber to our Wisconsin-based manufacturing footprint that supports shorter supply chains and lower transportation impacts.
As Rapids Paper + Packaging, we are accelerating that commitment through:
- Increased use of recycled and renewable fibers
- Continuous improvement of energy and water efficiency
- Waste reduction and responsible raw material sourcing
- Product innovations that enable lighter-weight or more sustainable end-use formats
Let’s build what’s next together.
Request more information or connect with our technical team today
