Answering the call to help the Québec government in its efforts to vaccinate the population, Kruger is proud to have partnered with the Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre (CIUSSS) for the Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec regions, and with the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), for the dedication of the very first mobile vaccination clinic to hit the road in Québec.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), (the "Company" or "Graphic Packaging") announced the conclusion of its successful partnership with International Paper Company. The final tranche of the membership interests held by International Paper in Graphic Packaging International Partners, LLC (the "Partnership") were exchanged for an equivalent number of shares of Graphic Packaging common stock. As a result, Graphic Packaging now owns 100% of the Partnership.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö has completed an investment in one of its filtration material production lines  in Binzhou, China. The machine rebuild adds production capacity and new capabilities that will further enhance the product portfolio.

Kemira adds capacity in Asia-Pacific and announces the start-up of a new dry polymer production plant in Ulsan, South Korea and the initiation of planning for increased production capacity of sizing agents in Nanjing, China. These investments are part of Kemira’s growth strategy implementation and underline Kemira’s strong commitment to the paper and board customer base and support Kemira’s water treatment growth initiatives in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

ABB’s NEMA motor division is pleased to announce its support of Peak Innovation Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Their $1 million investment will be dedicated to the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment for the Advanced Manufacturing program and its Automation/Robotics, Electronics Technology, and Computer Integrated Machining pathways.

By Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University

Being nimble and technology adoption are timely needs for the global textile industry.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the 61st Paper Industry Capacity and Fiber Consumption Report, indicating overall U.S. paper and paperboard capacity declined 1.6 percent in 2020, compared to the average decline of 1.1 percent per year since 2011.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its April 2021 Printing-Writing Monthly report. 

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its April 2021 Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Monthly report.

Global trade of wood chips, which are mainly used by pulp mills, grew from about 21 million tons in 2009 to an all-time high of 35 million tons in 2018, according to Wood Resource Quarterly.

Kemira has opened a new dry polymer production plant in Ulsan, South Korea in May 2021. The plant produces high quality dry polyacrylamide (DPAM) products primarily for retention and drainage applications which are critical in modern, fast paper and board production. The investment is a joint venture between Kemira and Yongsan Chemicals. 

As part of a large-scale energy-saving project, supported by the French Government, the Descartes-based company is now relying on patented steam application technology from the IBS Paper Performance Group. With the SUPER STEAM VAC®, production will become even more energy efficient in the future.

Nine Dragons Paper, the biggest manufacturer of packaging paper in China, has commissioned Voith to build and deliver three XcelLine paper machines for the production of high performance testliner and white top testliner. The three lines will further strengthen the paper manufacturer’s leading position in the packaging paper segment.

ANDRITZ has received an order to supply a sulfuric acid plant for Klabin’s Ortigueira mill in Brazil. The plant will be the first of its kind worldwide and is designed to produce 150 tons of commercial-grade (>98%) sulfuric acid per day from concentrated odorous gases and elemental sulfur.

Stora Enso arranged a virtual inauguration ceremony to celebrate the successful conversion of the Oulu Mill, which was transformed from paper production into high-quality kraftliner production. The Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, inaugurated the mill.

The Times News reports that Domtar officially entered the containerboard market on Friday with a groundbreaking ceremony for its $300 million renovation and expansion of the Kingsport mill.

Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC)—a division of Barry-Wehmiller and a global supplier of high-performance converting machinery for the tissue, nonwovens, package-printing and bag-converting industries— is proud to present its new Paragon rewinder during an online launch event.

Avetta® (www.avetta.com) analysis of tens of thousands of suppliers in numerous industries worldwide shows companies that use the Avetta Connect™ Platform in these sectors reduce the number of safety incidents and lost workdays by 40% to 70% compared to industry averages. Industries where suppliers saw the most improvement include telecommunications, environmental/waste services, utilities, industrial services, construction, chemicals, and oil and gas.

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States, is expanding its popular Envi Card Stock portfolio with the introduction of Envi PC 100 Card 28 pt., crafted from 100% post-consumer waste fibers.

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, announced the release of its Sustainability Report for its fiscal year 2020.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced that 65.7 percent of paper consumed in the United States was recycled in 2020, maintaining a recycling rate that has been consistently high for over a decade. Since 2009, paper recycling has met or exceeded 63 percent — nearly double the rate the U.S. paper industry achieved in 1990.

Sappi Europe has appointed Flavio Froehli as Vice President, Marketing & Sales, with immediate effect, for the entire Sappi Europe portfolio. He reports to Marco Eikelenboom, Chief Executive Officer, Sappi Europe.

Stora Enso announced that Ulrika Lilja, Executive Vice President, Communications and Marketing, has decided to leave her position at the company. After eight years with Stora Enso, she will assume the role as Head of Group Marketing and Communications at SEB, a leading northern European bank, where she will also be a member of the company’s Group Executive Committee.

Registration is now open to the industry’s most anticipated event of this year.

Registration is going on now for this expert-led, virtual training in June.

Latest Paper360° Podcast shares insights from four Valmet PMs on the skills and talents that promote flexibility, adaptability and readiness to innovate.

Summer Member Deals: Your TAPPI membership gives you access to discounts on everything from exercise apps to travel.

Two additional doctoral instructors join Dr. Kocurek to deliver an essential overview of major processes in papermaking.

 The preeminent event: Gathering experience and skill combined into workshops, technical sessions and social opportunities for anyone & everyone involved with Lime Kilns & Recaust.

Please view the list of Upcoming June Webinars and Events.