The shareholders and boards of AstenJohnson and Heimbach are in advanced negotiations to merge the Paper Machine Clothing and Advanced Fabric businesses of both companies. Together they employ over 3,400 employees globally, with manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. The merger is subject to further due diligence and approval by competition law authorities and is expected to close in the second half of 2019. The Heimbach Technical Textiles and Filtration businesses and the AstenJohnson Eagle Nonwovens and Foss Performance Materials businesses will not be part of the transaction.

 

International technology Group ANDRITZ has successfully started up the latest innovation in dewatering— the Vertical Screw Thickener (VST)—at Zellstoff Pöls AG, Austria. The VST has been operating successfully since the beginning of December 2018 and supplying the existing MG paper production line PM2 with the maximum capacity of 360 t/d.

 

Valmet will supply a containerboard making line (PM 5) with extensive packages of mill-wide automation and services for Papierfabrik Palm's (Palm) Aalen-Neukochen mill in Germany.The new high-capacity board machine will replace three existing smaller machines and will be designed to produce lightweight and high-quality recycled fluting and testliner grades. The start-up is scheduled for 2021. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

 

In a move it says is meant to throttle down on waste, litter and pollution, the New York City Council has adopted legislation that would place a five-cent fee on paper carryout bags distributed at supermarkets and other retail outlets in the nation’s largest city.

 

(from Nanowerk News) A spray- or brush-applied fire retardant coating made from nanocellulose is well suited for improving the fire properties of wood-based materials. It reduces the access of oxygen to the surface, thus significantly inhibiting combustion.

 

The Nanocellulose Forum’s (NCF) Nanocellulose Exhibition will be co-located with the TAPPI Nano Division’s 2019 International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials in Chiba, Japan, June 3-7, 2019. This is the only conference dedicated specifically to the production and use of cellulose nanomaterials.

 

Appleton's new entry-level SA60 semi-automatic core cutter is a rugged, economical, fixed-knife core cutter. The smooth, burnished edges and accurate cuts give every core the Appleton Advantage. Ideal for low to medium volume in-house core cutting, the SA60 Core Cutter quickly cuts cores on demand, which increases production speeds while saving valuable floor space otherwise lost to pre-cut core storage.

 

Ahlstrom-Munksjö launches CelluStraw^TM,a new fiber-based solution for drinking paper straws, enabling the food industry to provide consumers an alternative to single-use plastic straws. The launch of CelluStraw is a good example of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s capabilities in sustainable fiber-based solutions.

 

WestRock’s director of supplier diversity, Keya Grant,was one of 30 Emerging Women recognized by the Manufacturing Institute at the STEP Ahead Awards during a reception in Washington, D.C. on April 11. The STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Awards honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the C suite.

 

Teaser: Hosted by the Alliance for Pulp & Paper Technology Innovation in collaboration with the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and National Nanotechnology Coordinating Office, Registration for the Advancing Commercialization of Nanocellulose: Critical Challenges Workshop – Drying and Compatibilization will close April 30, 2019.

 

Subheading: Industry recognized experts help you discover what the papermachine is capable of doing and how pushing those buttons impact the entire process.

Through TAPPI Academy training, you can learn how to identify design and operation features, and discover methods to improve papermachine efficiency and product quality with this three-day course!

 

The May 1 deadline is approaching to apply for the William L. Cullison Scholarship awarded in increments up to $4,000 per academic year for the last two years of a student's undergraduate program.

 

Explore innovations in enzymes, biological control, injection systems and more at TAPPI’s Introduction to Wet End Chemistry Course!

Instructors for TAPPI’s Introduction to Wet End Chemistry training are finalizing the program for this important training that will focus on troubleshooting and optimization in this important sector of papermaking.

 

Emerging leaders represent WestRock, Packaging Corporation of America, FP Innovations, Domtar, Procter & Gamble, and Sonoco

TAPPI is pleased to announce six recipients of this year’s Young Professionals of the Year awards. The annual contest identifies aspiring young leaders in the global forest products, pulp, paper, tissue, packaging, and associated industries. Eligible nominees are age 35 or younger with less than 10 years of industry experience.

 

Finding experienced experts with industry-specific knowledge to train your employees (new hires, technical and non-technical people, new and experienced operators) can be challenging, which is why we’re proud to offer customized training courses that are delivered right to your company’s doorstep.