P.M. BRIEFING : Paper Firm to Buy Graphics Line

International Paper Co. said today that it has agreed to buy the graphics business of Cookson Group PLC of Britain for about $215 million.

International Paper, based in suburban Purchase, N.Y., said it is buying Cookson Graphics, a global supplier of lithographic printing plates, press-room chemicals and plate-processing equipment to the commercial printing industry.

Cookson Graphics employs about 1,600 people and has manufacturing facilities in Britain, Germany and the United States. Its 1990 sales are expected to amount to $300 million.

International Paper, a leading producer of paper and forest products, said Cookson Graphics’ product lines will complement the photosensitive papers and films made and sold by its Anitec division and boost the company’s sales in imaging products to more than $900 million a year.