Feb 26, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. Swedish paper manufacturer Billerud AB is looking for Asian locations to set up new plants, according to The Nation. Company is predicting that the business potential of the emerging Asian markets will grow faster than in Europe and the United States. Thailand, Indonesia and China are top-priority countries under the company's investment plan, says Markus Syaifudin, regional sales manager for the Asia-Pacific. Although paper consumption per head in Asia is small at 25-40 kg, compared with Europe's 250 kg per head, that shows a large potential for growth. Mr. Syaifudin has responsibility for 10 Asian countries, including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, whose total sales account for only 5% of Billerud's global sales of 1.4 million tonnes worth $1 billion. However, the region shows significant growth potential of 5-6%, based on average growth in gross domestic product. Currently, the company has four production plants: three in Sweden and one in the United Kingdom. Establishing paper plants in Asia would reduce operational costs in term of freight costs and tariffs. Two reasons to invest in Thailand, Indonesia and China in particular are their vast natural resources and their cheap labour costs. Another reason is their membership in the Asean Free-Trade Agreement and other free-trade deals. The company cannot as yet provide specific details on plant sizes, investment figures or locations, because these are all still being studied. Billerud was established in 2001 and entered Thailand late that year. Its four product lines are sacks for cement packaging, paper for medical use, technical paper for industrial use and fluting and liner for boxes.