BillerudKorsnäs is simplifying its name to Billerud to cater to its international customers. As a leading supplier of virgin fiber-based paper and packaging materials, the name change is fully in line with the company's strategy to expand into North America and continue driving sustainable growth in global markets. It is simply easier to say Billerud.

Aquapak, which has successfully developed and commercialised HydropolTM, an innovative polymer based on Polyvinylalcohol (PVOH), has published a whitepaper which demonstrates how thermally-processible PVOH can be extrusion coated onto paper to achieve gas and oil/grease barrier and sealability, whilst retaining 100% end of life recyclability of the paper.

By Rayonier

Commercial forests are critical to the paper products industry, and likewise paper products play an important role in keeping the forestry industry strong.

Wood fiber prices continued their two-year upward trend in the 2Q/22, with hardwood increasing faster than softwood. These trends are reflected in Wood Resource International's (WRI) two global wood fiber price indices (denominated in US dollars), which reached their highest levels since 2014 despite the strengthening of the US dollar against most other currencies.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its September 2022 Printing-Writing Monthly report. 

Canfor Pulp Products Inc. is announcing a temporary curtailment of its Intercontinental Pulp Mill due to the lack of available economic fibre. Following its annual turnaround maintenance that began on September 24, 2022 and lasted for two weeks, the facility has implemented a two-week curtailment. Regular operations are expected to resume on October 24, 2022.

MP hygiène has selected Toscotec for the supply of its second tissue line at Annonay mill in France. Scheduled for start-up in 2024, the new AHEAD 2.2 (PM2) will be supplied on a turnkey basis. This is Toscotec’s second turnkey supply to MP hygiène, following PM1 that came online in 2012.

Austrian recycling technology leader REDWAVE has supplied the waste-to-energy processing plant for Norske Skog. Residues from recyclable material sorting are burned as substitute fuel in the new power plant.

Atlas Holdings announced that it has completed the acquisition of Crown Paper Group (“Crown”), including Port Townsend Paper Corporation and Crown Corrugated Company, an integrated mill and containerboard operation with a strategic presence in the growing markets of the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Governor Laura Kelly on Oct. 4 joined officials from Pratt Industries as they opened their new state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing corrugated box plant in Park City. The plant represents a $200 million investment that will create 58 new high-paying, quality jobs in Sedgwick County over the next five years.

In Krakow, members of both industry associations CEPI Cartonboard and Pro Carton have expressed their intention to explore the possibility to join into one strong association under the name Pro Carton. The main objective is to move closer together for more effectiveness, efficiency and voice of representation through new specific work streams, Marketing & Communications and Public Affairs. The consultation process with the responsible resource, the Director General, has already started and should be completed in 2023.

Heineken UK is launching an update of its Green Grip, a cardboard holder for multipacks of cans.

Emerson, a global software and engineering leader, has released DeltaV™ IO.CONNECT, a new subscription software service designed to help plants simplify modernization with an open architecture pathway that makes it possible to transition to more efficient control schemes without the need to completely overhaul existing infrastructure.

Smurfit Kappa, world leader in paper-based packaging, is investing almost USD100 million in a sustainable biomass boiler which will reduce its global Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO2 emissions by approximately 6%.

UPM said that its commitment to wind power in Finland will significantly decrease emissions resulting from the company's production of paper thanks to a new wind park in Pyhäjoki, Finland that is expected to reach full capacity in generating power in early 2023.

Valmet and Mercer Stendal have signed an agreement to modernize valves at Mercer’s pulp mill in Arneburg, Germany. The project will bring significant energy savings and reduce CO2 emissions. The delivery includes 800 intelligent Neles™ NDX valve controllers and 500 Neles™ B1 pneumatic actuators.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in celebration of the 62nd anniversary of National Forest Products Week (October 16-22). 

“During National Forest Products Week, we celebrate the 950,000 people across America who make a difference for our industry, local communities and the planet. Join us as we celebrate all who contribute toward making sustainable products, for a sustainable future.

Xeikon has announced the appointment of Jens Henrik Osmundsen as Head of Corrugated Sales for the EMEA region, a new role that has been created to help accelerate the digital transformation of the corrugated sector with Xeikon IDERA.

The National Association of Manufacturers announced that Aimee Gregg, Vice President, Containerboard, International Paper, has been named to the NAM Board of Directors. Gregg will join the NAM Board to bolster the association's leadership in policy advocacy, legal action, workforce solutions, operational excellence and news and insights.

Håvard Busklein (38) has been appointed Managing Director at Norske Skog Skogn AS. He has extensive operational knowledge from a number of positions and areas of responsibility at Norske Skog Skogn.

Join one or more of the 14 roundtable discussions focused on the latest technical developments and operational problems affecting your mill and enjoy breakfast, too!

Only a few days left until the Insight into Lignin-Based Materials free webinar held Tuesday, October 25th 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (ET). Remember to register today!

Register today for the Data-Driven Decision Making with Process Analytics - Making sense of big data in the pulp and paper industry webinar held Thursday, October 27th 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (ET).

Register today for the Transducer Basics - Proximity Probes and other Sensors webinar held Thursday, November 3rd 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (ET).

Early-bird discounts can help save $1000 or more!