Bolloré Thin Papers
PDL (formerly Bolloré Thin Papers) is a French specialty paper manufacturer producing 10-60 g/m² lightweight eco-papers from hemp, flax, and bamboo fibers for food packaging, printing, smoking, and luxury markets, serving 400 B2B clients globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1921
- HeadquartersPublier, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Bolloré Thin Papers does
PDL (Papeteries du Léman), formerly known as Bolloré Thin Papers and before that Bolloré Thin Print Papers, is a French specialty paper manufacturer headquartered in Publier, between Lake Léman and the French Alps. The company has produced lightweight paper continuously since 1921 and operates under the PVL holding company alongside sister entity Pdv. PDL runs four paper machines with an annual production capacity of 85,000 metric tons and serves roughly 400 clients globally with a workforce of about 360 employees at the PVL level. Its specialty is the production of papers in the 10-60 g/m² weight range, manufactured from renewable natural fibers including hemp, flax, bamboo, and agricultural by-products, with PFAS-free, recyclable, and compostable formulations.
PDL sells six product lines to B2B customers across three primary verticals. Baking and cooking papers plus packaging papers address the food-service and food-packaging industry with food-contact-compliant, compostable substrates. Thin print papers serve publishers of books, religious editions, and catalogs with lightweight substrates that reduce material costs per page. PrimaRoll rolling and cone papers and PrimaSilk silk papers target the smoking-articles and luxury packaging markets respectively, with PrimaSilk positioned for high-end presentation applications. The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001 (achieved November 2025), FSC, PEFC, and REACH certifications and manufactures using renewable energy under its LIFE (Less Impact For Earth) initiative. Sub-brands PrimaSilk and PrimaRoll carry independent positioning.
Revenue is generated through direct B2B sales on a quote basis, with multi-year supply contracts typical and pricing not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is sales-led, executed through a website contact channel and supported by content marketing, a resource center, and LinkedIn presence. Distribution is direct to enterprise customers globally from the single French manufacturing site. The company executed a rebrand to PDL and a new website launch in early 2025 to reposition around lightweight eco-papers and pursue diversification beyond the legacy thin-print franchise.
Bolloré Thin Papers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bolloré Thin Papers
- Legal name
- PDL Specialty Papers
- Website
- https://bollorethinpapers.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1921
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- PDL (formerly Bolloré Thin Papers) is a French specialty paper manufacturer producing 10-60 g/m² lightweight eco-papers from hemp, flax, and bamboo fibers for food packaging, printing, smoking, and luxury markets, serving 400 B2B clients globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bolloré Thin Papers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Paper Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Paper Manufacturing (322), Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills (3221), Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing (32222)
- SIC
- Paper Mills (2621), Papers & Allied Products (2600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cigarette & Thin Paper Manufacturing (IMAMAEAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty Paper Manufacturing (Coated, Release, Thermal, Filter, Security) (IMAMAEAC), Specialty Household Paper (Recycled, Bamboo, Premium/Ultra-soft) (CRAJAFAJ)
Keywords
Where Bolloré Thin Papers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Publier
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Bolloré Thin Papers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Specialty Papers Manufacturing: PDL generates revenue through manufacturing and selling specialty lightweight papers including baking papers, thin print papers, packaging papers, rolling papers, silk papers, and specialty pulp papers to B2B customers in packaging, printing, and smoking industries.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B enterprise pricing - custom quotes based on specifications |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Bolloré Thin Papers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bolloré Thin Papers (operating as PDL Specialty Papers / Papeteries du Léman) manufactures and sells custom-designed lightweight eco-papers in the 10-60 g/m² range, made from natural fibers including hemp, flax, bamboo, and botanical by-products. The company supplies PFAS-free, recyclable, and compostable papers across six product lines (baking & cooking, thin print, packaging, rolling, silk, and specialty pulp) to B2B customers in the packaging, printing, and smoking industries.
Product overview
PDL is a global leader in lightweight eco-papers, specializing in sustainable, custom-designed products for food packaging and niche markets. The company offers a portfolio of paper products ranging from 10-60 g/m², including Baking & Cooking Papers, Thin Print Papers (formerly Bolloré Thin Print Papers), Packaging Papers, PrimaRoll Rolling Papers, PrimaSilk Silk Papers, and Specialty Pulp & Papers. These products serve the packaging, printing, and smoking industries, with a focus on eco-friendly solutions free from harmful PFAS that are recyclable and compostable.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PrimaSilk: The PrimaSilk range sets the standard in the luxury market with its exceptional brightness and smooth texture.
- PrimaRoll
Products and services
- Baking & Cooking Papers
Quantifiable outcome
- 100+ years of continuous operation in specialty paper manufacturing
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Bolloré Thin Papers
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Bolloré Thin Papers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Bolloré Thin Papers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Toques en ChablaisminorPDL is a proud partner of Toques en Chablais 2024, a culinary event celebrating craftsmanship in the Chablais region. The partnership demonstrates PDL's connection to the culinary and food service industry, supporting professional chefs and showcasing the company's food packaging paper products in a prestigious gastronomic context.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Bolloré Thin Papers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Stora Enso: European forest-products major producing packaging boards, biomaterials and specialty papers. Overlaps with PDL in food-safe and lightweight paper grades and benefits from similar sustainability certifications.
- Mondi Group: Large integrated paper and packaging group with significant specialty and kraft paper capacity. Serves the same packaging and printing end-markets as PDL but at far greater scale; a broad incumbent that increasingly overlaps in sustainable food-contact papers.
- Nippon Paper Industries: Japanese integrated paper manufacturer with a specialty papers portfolio (including thin and printing papers) and global sales reach. Comparable in specialty/thin-paper capability but operates at much greater scale and geographic breadth.
- UPM-Kymmene: Finnish paper and biomaterials group with specialty, label and packaging paper operations. Competes broadly with PDL in specialty printing and packaging papers and is investing in bio-based, PFAS-free packaging substrates.
Others
- Smurfit Kappa: Global paper-based packaging leader focused on corrugated and consumer packaging rather than thin specialty papers. Relevant as a competing sustainable-packaging incumbent and potential acquirer/partner for PDL's packaging paper line.
Direct peers
- Ahlstrom: Finnish specialty paper and fiber-based materials producer focused on sustainable, technical and food-packaging papers. Highly comparable on PFAS-free and eco-positioning, fiber-based technology and B2B food/industrial customer base.
- Delfort Group: Austrian-based specialist paper manufacturer of thin printing papers, cigarette papers and functional specialty papers. Closely comparable to PDL on product range (thin print + rolling paper), European footprint and customer base.
- SWM International (Schweitzer-Mauduit): Leading global supplier of cellulose-based papers for the smoking industry, including rolling papers and reconstituted tobacco substrates. Directly overlaps PDL's PrimaRoll rolling paper business and serves the same global tobacco OEMs and converters.
- Glatfelter (now Berry Global Specialty Papers): Historically a direct competitor in specialty and cigarette papers; Glatfelter's Composite Fibers and Specialty Papers segments produced lightweight, non-woven and rolling-paper substrates serving similar tobacco and packaging customers. Now part of Berry Global's specialty papers platform following the 2024 merger, but remains the closest like-for-like peer in thin/specialty paper.
- Heinzel Group: Austrian paper and pulp group producing specialty and packaging papers, including lightweight and recycled grades. Competes with PDL in uncoated specialty papers and serves overlapping European printing and packaging customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bolloré Thin Papers social profiles
Digital presenceBolloré Thin Papers compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Bolloré Thin Papers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bolloré Thin Papers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Bolloré Thin Papers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bolloré Thin Papers M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bolloré Thin Papers
What does Bolloré Thin Papers do?
Bolloré Thin Papers (operating as PDL Specialty Papers / Papeteries du Léman) manufactures and sells custom-designed lightweight eco-papers in the 10-60 g/m² range, made from natural fibers including hemp, flax, bamboo, and botanical by-products. The company supplies PFAS-free, recyclable, and compostable papers across six product lines (baking & cooking, thin print, packaging, rolling, silk, and specialty pulp) to B2B customers in the packaging, printing, and smoking industries.
Is Bolloré Thin Papers a public or private company?
Bolloré Thin Papers is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Bolloré Thin Papers founded?
Bolloré Thin Papers was founded in 1921. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Bolloré Thin Papers based?
Bolloré Thin Papers is headquartered in Publier, France, in the Europe region.
How does Bolloré Thin Papers make money?
One revenue line is on record: specialty Papers Manufacturing.
Who are Bolloré Thin Papers's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Stora Enso, Mondi Group, Nippon Paper Industries and UPM-Kymmene. Smurfit Kappa is listed as an others. Direct peers are Ahlstrom, Delfort Group, SWM International (Schweitzer-Mauduit), Glatfelter (now Berry Global Specialty Papers) and Heinzel Group.
Does Bolloré Thin Papers have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bolloré Thin Papers.
What industry is Bolloré Thin Papers in?
Bolloré Thin Papers's product category is Specialty Paper Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMAEAF, Cigarette & Thin Paper Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMAMAEAC, Specialty Paper Manufacturing (Coated, Release, Thermal, Filter, Security). Its NAICS code is 322 and its SIC code is 2621.