Metsä Fibre reports that the unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 has had negative impacts on various industries, including the paper industry in China

Stora Enso has decided to permanently close its US-based Virdia operations during 2021. Virdia was acquired in 2014 and has focused on conversion of cellulosic biomass from sugar cane bagasse into refined sugars.

A unique technology for the production of paper from fallen leaves has been recently presented in Ukraine by some local inventors, according to recent statements, made by some local media.

SCA will invest approximately $54.7 million in Tunadal port, Sweden, between 2021 and 2024. The investment will encompass a new container port and new cargo handling areas.

How do you get a 142,000-pound machine from its assembly plant to its permanent home 51 miles away? The answer is with careful planning, plenty of patience and just the right tools.

Sonoco announced it is implementing a $50 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in the United States and Canada.

Bloomberg reports that Suzano SA, the world's biggest wood pulp maker, expects a sharp recovery in prices to benefit earnings and speed up de-leveraging this quarter.

SCA has awarded AFRY a piping engineering assignment for the Chemical Thermomechanical Pulp (CTMP) production project in Ortviken, Sweden. The assignment includes piping design of the CTMP processes, dewatering, drying and baling. The value of SCA’s investment is SEK 1.45 billion and production is expected to start at the beginning of 2023.

Mainstream Pine Products, LLC, today announced plans for an estimated $90 million crude tall oil (CTO) biorefinery at the Charleston International Manufacturing Center (CIMC) in Berkeley County. The biorefinery will be a highly advanced recycling facility with capacity to process 110,000 tons of CTO for use in a wide range of industrial applications.

BIC Magazine reports that Bernie Chascin, plant manager at International Paper in Bogalusa, announced last week that the company plans to invest up to $52.2 million to increase the plant’s efficiency.

At the end of 2020, the Optima Group entered a development partnership with the technology group Voith. The objective of this alliance is to develop sustainable paper packaging solutions.

Greif, Inc. announced that it is implementing price increases on certain paperboard and containerboard products.

The global nanocellulose market has accelerated over the last few years as producers in Japan and to a lesser extent North America and Europe bring products to market. The development of these remarkable materials has compelled major paper and pulp producers to gravitate their traditional business towards advanced biorefineries, which have met with initial success and resulted in production capacity increases.

Valmet launches a redesigned Valmet Blade Consistency Measurement (Valmet SP) for pulp and paper producers. With the latest technology, new user interface, and patented internal detection principle, the transmitter continues to offer reliable, accurate, and cost-efficient consistency measurement for all applications.

For the past two years, Emballator has been focusing on developing a new plastic material and has now created a product that matches their customer’s high expectations. The new material, called rPP Soft Grey, is 100 % recyclable.

Smurfit Kappa has announced ambitious new sustainability targets in a number of different areas. The new targets focus on a further reduction of its environmental footprint, increased support for the communities in which it operates and further enhancement to the lives of its employees.

Sappi Limited, a global forest products leader, is proud to announce that its South African division has been awarded the first ever Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) forest management certificate in South Africa.

Verso Corporation announced the appointment of Randy J. Nebel as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Nebel has served as interim President and Chief Executive Officer since October 2020 and has been a member of Verso's Board of Directors since November 2019.

Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC)—a division of Barry-Wehmiller and a leading supplier of high-performance converting machinery for the tissue, nonwovens, package-printing and bagconverting industries worldwide—is pleased to announce that Andy Piotter has accepted the position of Business Development Manager, Packaging Systems.

Stay abreast of the latest technologies, processes and advancements throughout the year. Attend TAPPICon VIRTUAL in the spring and TAPPICon LIVE! in the fall.

Watch live as technical experts Walker, Jones and Roisum answer questions on web handling; wrinkling, winding, and troubleshooting.

Taking place March 1-5.  Perfect for non-technical staff, sales force and new employees. 

From suppliers to converters to brand owners, this event offers critical sustainability information.

TAPPI-PIMA Student Summit 2021 has more than 300 students attending the virtual event. Please help support them by sponsoring TAPPI Student Memberships for these eager learners.