Appvion's Original Building

Our History

Our history is critical to who we are today. If you look at the values established over 100 years ago, they are still woven within the fabric of Appvion. Entrepreneurial spirit, high-performance coatings, and customer focus were just as critical in the early years as they are today. 

A Strong Beginning


Appvion was incorporated in May 1907 as The Appleton Coated Paper Company. Our founder, Charles S. Boyd, believed he could add value to paper by applying a coating to make it more printable. At the time, paper machines could not make and coat paper in a single operation, creating a market niche for independent paper converters. 

Boyd chose Appleton, Wisconsin as the site for his plant, not because it was his hometown but because of the paper mills dotting the shores of the Fox River that could feed base stock to his new enterprise.

Charles Boyd

1907

The Beginning

Appvion was founded by Charles Boyd, originally known as the Appleton Coated Paper Company.
Invention of microencapsulation

1954

A Breakthrough Innovation

NCR chemists Barry Green and Lowell Schleicher invent microencapsulation. The new technology was referred to as “carbonless paper” and was made practicable by Appleton Coated.
Appleton Plant in 1963

1963

Introduction of Thermal Paper

Appleton was essential in developing direct thermal paper with NCR in 1962, and thermal paper manufacturing was introduced in 1963.
Research and development

1967

Research and Development

The company christened a new research and marketing center to assist its continuing experimentation with microencapsulated emulsions and other paper coatings.
Appleton Papers Logo

1970-1971

Diversification

NCR acquired Appleton Coated and formed the Appleton Papers division by merging it with Combined Paper Mills, Inc.
Appleton's Quality Guarantee

1985-1986

Commitment to Quality

Appleton introduces an unconditional guarantee in conjunction with its commitment to quality improvement– “Think Quality: Do it Right the First Time.”
DocuCheck Security Papers

1994

Security in Paper

Appleton introduces DocuCheck Security Papers with security features that effectively protect against fraud.
Appleton goes BPA-Free

2006

The BPA-Free Era Begins

Appleton removed bisphenol-A (BPA) from its thermal paper formulation out of growing concerns about the safety of the chemical.
Appleton Truck

2007

A Major Milestone

Appleton celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Encapsys technology

2007

Product Expansion

Appleton completes manufacturing expansion to introduce Encapsys® technology and launches fragrance capsules.
Appvion Building Exterior

2013

Appvion is Born

The company changed its name to Appvion to reflect its heritage of innovation in applying chemistry to paper and microencapsulation to create value for its customers.
Alpha Free Receipt Paper

2014

A Phenol-Free Approach

Appvion invents the first direct thermal material formulated with vitamin C instead of phenols or urea-based compounds, offering customers a natural POS receipt paper choice.
Packaging and Specialty Coating

2019

Continued Growth

Appvion launches new business division – Packaging and Specialty Coatings.
Appvion CleanSlate

2019

Introducing CleanSlate™

Appvion invents new direct thermal technology, CleanSlate™, free of reactive chemical developers, phenols, and leuco dye.
Appvion Exterior Building

2020

A Certified Food Packaging Partner

Appvion is certified compliant with 21 CFR FDA cGMP regulatory standards for the manufacture of food packaging.
Appvion and Phenol-Free Direct Thermal Chemistry Platform

2021

A Direct Thermal Film Pioneer

Appvion invents an industry-leading phenol-free direct thermal chemistry platform that allows the company to lead the market to completely phenol-free direct thermal solutions.
Two coffee cups in a tray

2021

Mission Zero™ Changes the Game

Appvion is certified compliant with 21 CFR FDA cGMP regulatory standards for the manufacture of food packaging.
Charles Boyd

1907

The Beginning

Appvion was founded by Charles Boyd, originally known as the Appleton Coated Paper Company.
Innovation and Microencapsulation

1954

A breakthrough Innovation

NCR chemists Barry Green and Lowell Schleicher invent microencapsulation. The new technology was referred to as “carbonless paper” and was made practicable by Appleton Coated.
Appleton Paper in 1963

1963

Introduction of Thermal Paper

Appleton was essential in developing direct thermal paper with NCR in 1962, and thermal paper manufacturing was introduced in 1963.
Appvion's Research and Development in 1967

1967

Research and Development

The company christened a new research and marketing center to assist its continuing experimentation with microencapsulated emulsions and other paper coatings.
Appleton Papers Logo

1970-1971

Diversification

NCR acquired Appleton Coated and formed the Appleton Papers division by merging it with Combined Paper Mills, Inc.
Quality Guarantee

1985-1986

Commitment to Quality

Appleton introduces an unconditional guarantee in conjunction with its commitment to quality improvement– “Think Quality: Do it Right the First Time.”
DocuCheck Security Papers is created

1994

Security in Paper

Appleton introduces DocuCheck Security Papers with security features that effectively protect against fraud.
Appleton Papers goes BPA-Free

2006

The BPA-Free Era Begins

Appleton removed bisphenol-A (BPA) from its thermal paper formulation out of growing concerns about the safety of the chemical.
Appleton truck

2007

A Major Milestone

Appleton celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Product Expansion with Encapsys

2007

Product Expansion

Appleton completes manufacturing expansion to introduce Encapsys® technology and launches fragrance capsules.
Appleton building exterior

2013

Appvion is Born

The company changed its name to Appvion to reflect its heritage of innovation in applying chemistry to paper and microencapsulation to create value for its customers.
Alpha Free Therman receipt paper

2014

A Phenol-Free Approach

Appvion invents the first direct thermal material formulated with vitamin C instead of phenols or urea-based compounds, offering customers a natural POS receipt paper choice.
Appvion launches new packaging and specialty coatings

2019

Continued Growth

Appvion launches new business division – Packaging and Specialty Coatings.
CleanSlate technology invented

2019

Introducing CleanSlate™

Appvion invents new direct thermal technology, CleanSlate™, free of reactive chemical developers, phenols, and leuco dye.
Appvion Exterior building

2020

A Certified Food Packaging Partner

Appvion is certified compliant with 21 CFR FDA cGMP regulatory standards for the manufacture of food packaging.
Appvion invents a Phenol-Free Chemistry Platform

2021

A Direct Thermal Film Pioneer

Appvion invents an industry-leading phenol-free direct thermal chemistry platform that allows the company to lead the market to completely phenol-free direct thermal solutions.
Mission Zero food packaging

2021

Mission Zero™ Changes the Game

Appvion is certified compliant with 21 CFR FDA cGMP regulatory standards for the manufacture of food packaging.