In commemoration of the startup of its new containerboard mill in Shreveport, La., the first U.S. greenfield non-tissue mill this century, TAPPI recently presented a special plaque to Pratt Industries CEO Brian McPheely, at the company's USA headquarters in Conyers, Ga. The plaque features an article from TAPPI's October 2009 Paper360° magazine that details the achievement by Pratt's global team in bringing this outstanding project from vision to reality in just 15 months.

In presenting the plaque, Eric Fletty, TAPPI Vice President of Operations, noted that the $160 million Shreveport mill is significant in at least two other ways. First, it is part of the company's 2007 commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative to invest $1 billion during the next 10 years on recycling and clean energy technology. This includes three new mills in the U.S. (Shreveport being the first), four waste-to-energy plants (including the $50 million gasifier unit recently started up at Conyers), and 30 new Material Recycling Facilities (MFRs) and packaging plants (including the new MFR at Shreveport and recent ones in New York and Atlanta).

Second, Pratt's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this country and globally through expanded recycling and new energy technologies also represents a vital trust in the future of the U.S. and the pulp and paper industry here. "Pratt Industries' outlook and expansion plans are critical to both the health and survival of our industry in North America," Fletty said, "and on behalf of TAPPI members and the industry as a whole, we express our appreciation and support for Pratt's past, present, and future endeavors here and around the world."

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NewPage Corp., Miamisburg, Ohio, USA, this week announced its environmental strategic partnership with Rodale Inc. and the Rodale Institute, Kutztown, Pa., "on two ground-breaking initiatives to put trees and agriculture to work to improve the health of the planet." The first initiative, Tree as a Crop, is designed to educate farmers and small forest landowners about the environmental, social, and economic rewards of properly growing and harvesting trees. It will encourage the natural cycle of planting, harvesting, and replanting trees to be as routine a practice as is the production of other crops, and one that achieves bio-diversity, economic returns, and positive environmental change.

The second initiative involves a fourth partner, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and is titled Eco4 the planet, a demonstration project through which approximately 3,000 trees will be planted and organically grown at The Kellogg Conservation Center (Berkshire County, Mass.), a working farm adjacent to the world-renowned Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Additionally, 20 acres of soil will become healthier by being transitioned to organic methods, and local farmers with a vibrant Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program will farm the land, utilizing the proven techniques of the Rodale Institute.

"The Tree as a Crop and Eco4 the planet initiatives will act as a catalyst for change in regional and global agriculture and wood management practices. Our goal is for the Tree as a Crop program to be echoed in towns and farms across the country, and Eco4 the planet is our first step in making this happen," said Anita Patterson, VP, Green Culture Services at Rodale. "Together, the partners are taking our message of organic practices from the Rodale Institute to a community along the Appalachian Trail that is already committed to agriculture, much of it organic. It's a model we hope spreads across the country, and across the world." More information is available online.

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With a sharp, in-depth focus on the paper machine, TAPPI's PaperCon 2010 program explores wet end innovations from a unique perspective, bringing the world's top machinery and clothing manufacturers together in a first-ever collaborative effort to set the best technology paths forward in a post-recession global paper industry. Four key sessions examine the latest thinking and approaches in the headbox/forming and press section areas of the paper machine wet end.

A shoe press panel discussion on Tuesday, May 4, combines the collective insights of panelist experts from Voith Paper, Paperchine, and Metso. This is followed by a Press Section Innovations technical session that features presentations by teams from Xeirum Technologies, AstenJohnson, and Wells Enterprises. A session on Headbox and Forming Innovations for Packaging Grades on Wednesday, May 5, features papers by Voith Paper, Metso, GL&V, and Paperchine. The Paper Grades counterpart to this session occurs later that day, bringing together the expertise and viewpoints of speakers from Paperchine, Metso, International Paper, and the University of Maine. This carefully balanced, cooperative lineup provides a full-view perspective of where the world paper industry currently is technologically and its best-bet routes to survival entering the second decade of this new century.

PaperCon 2010 will take place May 2-5 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga., USA. More information about the program, events, and the trade fair are available online. Contact information about sponsorship/exhibit opportunities is also available on the event website, as well as the Twenty-Third Process Industry Reliability & Maintenance Conference being co-located with PaperCon 2010.

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China will generate the majority of the growth in recovered paper demand over the next five years, and while governments and papermakers attempt to boost domestic recovery of paper in China, this will not meet forecast demand as much is used for packaging goods which then leave the country. The fifth edition of Outlook for Global Recovered Paper Markets published this past week by RISI, Brussels, Belgium, provides the current and forecast developments in recovered paper markets around the world.

International trade in recovered paper will continue to boom and Asian papermakers will search worldwide for new supplies as recovery rates are tested in the developed world, RISI notes. The report reveals India's growing demand for imported recovered paper, and new to this edition of this report are pulp and recovered paper demand and trade for more than one hundred countries. The report details usage, recovery rates, trade balances, and price forecasts until 2014.

The study team leader, Rod Young, who has been analyzing fiber and paper markets for more than 30 years, predicts "that the supply side of the recovered paper market will see a lot of activity in the upcoming five years. Rising prices for recovered paper, along with huge increases in demand, would imply that larger companies will both be needed and interested in the supply side of this market. Mergers and acquisitions should be an active field in this industry." More information about this study is available by contacting Sara Girtz (North America) at 770.373.3001, sgirtz@risi.com; or Natalie Rotondi at 781.734.8963, nrotondi@risi.com.

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Offered for the first time in years, TAPPI is "unrolling" the Tissue Runnability Course April 19-21 at the association's Atlanta, Ga., USA, headquarters. This course offers a comprehensive understanding of the tissue making process at many levels that can be applied immediately on the job. Instructional topics are focused on helping attendees improve the quality of their products, diminish waste and poor output, and reduce frustrating downtime. Course material is designed with the objective of helping participants thrust production into high gear.

The Tissue Runnability Course is designed expressly for engineers, machine supervisors, technical resources, lead operators, and technical personnel in tissue and towel mills. The three-day event covers the impact of recycled furnishes on paper characteristics, the principles of wet-end chemistry with machine operation, cleaning and conditioning of felts and wires, causes of tissue runnability problems in the press/yankee/hood drying systems, identifying improvement opportunities on the dry end of the paper machine, and pinpointing problems with the yankee dryer steam, coating, and hood systems to increase machine productivity. The course schedule is led by industry-recognized instructors.

Tissue Runnability is limited to 30 participants, so prompt registration is encouraged for this course. Early bird registration ends March 19.

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Wood fiber costs for pulp mills worldwide increased for the fourth consecutive quarter in the 4Q/09. During 2009, the Hardwood Wood Fiber Price Index (HFPI) moved up 15.4%, while the Softwood Wood Fiber Price Index (SFPI) was up 10.5%, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ), Seattle, Wash., USA.

Pulp markets have been remarkably strong during 2009, despite the global financial crisis. From April through December, the softwood market pulp price (NBSK) jumped 45%. Strong pulp markets and a tight wood fiber supply pushed wood fiber costs upward last year. The WRQ Global Wood Fiber Price Indices (both softwood and hardwood) have gone up for four consecutive quarters.

The HFPI reached $106.19/odmt in the 4Q, which was up 7% from the previous quarter. It increased 15.4% during 2009, which was the third highest level since the launching of the Index in 1988. The biggest price increases in U.S. dollar terms during the 4Q occurred in Germany, Finland, Spain, and Australia. Those four countries also had the highest delivered wood costs of all countries tracked by WRQ. Prices in both Spain and Australia were close to their all-time highs.

The SFPI also went up last quarter, increasing 5.6% to $98.34/odmt, mainly as a result of higher wood fiber costs in Sweden, Finland, the U.S., Spain, and Chile. The SFPI is now $7.85/odmt lower than the HFPI, which is the biggest difference ever recorded. Just three years ago the circumstances were reversed, the SFPI being more than $10/odmt higher than the HFPI. Historically, softwood fiber costs have always been higher than hardwood fiber costs, but 2009 was a trend breaker, WRQ says.

Higher costs for Eucalyptus logs, reduced fiber consumption in regions with high softwood fiber costs, and exchange rate adjustments were all factors that transformed the global wood fiber market in 2009. More information is available online.

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Most uncoated free sheet producers announced $40/ton increases for late February or early March, Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank, reports. "This was no real surprise as our conversations with merchants, importers and other players in the trade pointed to a healthier tone in the business. Major players are now extending the price hike to include offset rolls," Wilde adds. Domtar and NewPage announced $40/ton price hike on their offset grades, effective on February 22. Others, including IP, Glatfelter, Finch, Flambeau, and Grays Harbor have already announced similar price hikes on offset grades. G-P, Boise, Suzano, and Soporcel have limited their efforts to cut-size grades. Offshore, price moves are being announced in Europe and Latin America. The rally in pulp prices is pressuring margins at nonintegrated mills. Preliminary January shipment figures show modest signs of improvement, +1.6% y/y (up for the second consecutive month).Inventories remain lean, Wilde notes. Back To Top

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Newsprint (30-lb), Wilde reports, rose $15/metric ton in the U.S. East ($545/mton) and $25/mton in the West ($525) during January. Reports suggest that prices vary depending on the buyer size, location, and the sector. The debate now is whether the rally has further go, having brought prices up $100/metric ton from their late summer lows at $435/metric ton. Advertising and circulation continue to remain under pressure. With domestic demand still depressed, North American producers are now looking at emerging markets such as Latin America and India. Back To Top

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Canadian-based Cascades has won the "Top Green Supplier," "Intellichoix" and "'Energia" awards in the field of technological innovation. To support its green image, Cascades says it decided to preferably work with suppliers that adopt the same philosophy and pay special importance to sustainability. As part of this initiative, Alain Lemaire, president of Cascades, recently presented Voith Paper, Germany, the company's first "Sustainable Development Supplier Award 2009."

To evaluate suppliers, the Global Reporting Initiative, an international network for establishing sustainability standards in companies and organizations, was used for the supplier award. Questions covered the categories of product characteristics, environment, social and working conditions, economy, and transparency and reporting. Louise Fillion, Cascades purchasing manager, noted that Voith Paper's technology is "a key element that helps us lower our operating costs by extending the life of fabrics and related equipment."

(l-r) Cornelius Weitzmann (Voith Paper), Alain Lemaire (Cascades), Kevin Frank (Voith Paper), and Jean-Luc Bellemare (Cascades)

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Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, said this week that it will contest an application to the Labour Relations Board of British Columbia regarding certain post-retirement benefits for some retirees formerly employed by MacMillan Bloedel Ltd., now doing business as Weyerhaeuser Company Ltd.

The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada Locals 1, 76, 592, and 686, representing hourly employees at Powell River and Port Alberni mills, have applied to the Labour Relations Board for a declaration that Catalyst is responsible for certain post-retirement medical and extended health benefits for some retired employees represented by the Locals and who retired from MacMillan Bloedel Ltd.

Pacifica Papers Inc. acquired the Powell River and Port Alberni mills from MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. in 1998. At the time of that transaction, MacMillan Bloedel reportedly agreed to retain responsibility for any benefits for eligible employees who retired prior to the acquisition by Pacifica of the mills. Catalyst subsequently amalgamated with Pacifica in 2001.

The Locals claim the contractual relationships between Catalyst, Pacifica, and MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. do not absolve Catalyst from successorship provisions of the Labour Relations Code imposed on Pacifica at the time Pacifica acquired the mills. If the Locals' application is successful, Catalyst could incur additional costs of up to $4 million annually.

Catalyst says that it does not agree with the Locals' position and has been advised that a number of defenses are available that are expected to eliminate or significantly reduce any financial exposure, including seeking indemnification from Weyerhaeuser. Proceedings are at a very early stage and a date for a hearing has not been set.

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Nanning Phoenix Pulp & Paper Co., Guangxi, China, this week ordered a new tissue machine from Andritz, Graz, Austria. The PrimeLine high-speed tissue machine will startup in mid-2011. Andritz's scope of supply includes a complete stock preparation plant that is also designed for bagasse pulp and the PrimeLine machine, which has a design speed of 2,100 m/min and a width of 3.65 m. The machine will feature a two-layer PrimeFlow headbox, an EquiDry hood, and a PrimeDry Steel Yankee.

Part of the machine and equipment will be manufactured in Europe and part in China by Andritz Technologies Ltd., Foshan. This will be Andritz's eleventh high-speed tissue machine delivered to China.

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NewPage Corp., Miamisburg, Ohio, USA, this week released a new On Paper podcast featuring Robert Bernard, chief environmental strategist for Microsoft. The episode is the first On Paper podcast to launch on Zune, Microsoft's entertainment platform for podcasts, videos, and music. Designed to bring about positive change in the area of sustainability, this biweekly broadcast is now in its third season and continues to grow in listenership, reaching over one million downloads, making its launch on Zune an appropriate next step for the series, NewPage notes.

In this episode of On Paper, Bernard discusses how technology and software can be leveraged to drive real change in the global environment. Bernard outlines three areas of focus where Microsoft can make a positive impact regarding sustainability by enabling significant energy efficiency in and through the use of IT, accelerating scientific breakthroughs in research on environmental based issues, and becoming responsible environmental leaders on a daily basis through the way they do business.

Working as a founder and board member of the organization Green Grid, Microsoft recognizes the importance of collaborating with other industries to solve the challenge and problem of energy efficiency. According to Bernard, the organization is on track to meet its 2012 goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 30%. A free download of this podcast is available online.

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UPM, Finland, reports that its Kaukas mill in Lappeenranta and Kymi mill in Kouvola, Finland, will reduce employment by some 100 people each as part of an ongoing efficiency improvement program. After the planned restructuring, the number of employees at the Kaukas mill will be about 700 and at the Kymi mill about 600 by the end of 2010.

"The business environment of the pulp and paper industry continues to be challenging. The purpose of the planned restructuring is significant improvement in cost competitiveness and productivity also in the long term. UPM's target is to be the cost leader in the highly competitive paper markets," says Arto Lampinen, senior VP from the Paper Business Group, Manufacturing.

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Wausau Paper, Mosinee, Wis., USA, this week announced that its board of directors approved a $27 million capital investment to provide tape-backing paper production capabilities at its mill in Brainerd, Minn. Scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2011, the rebuilt machine will utilize state-of-the-art technology to produce a wide range of unsaturated tape-backing paper, the base stock used to produce masking tape, while retaining the flexibility to produce premium printing and writing products.

Thomas J. Howatt, president and CEO, noted that "this investment solidifies our leadership position in the global tape market and reaffirms our commitment to support growth of domestic and international customers. Once complete, the rebuild will equip us with one of the most advanced and cost-effective unsaturated tape-backing machines in the world, enabling us to further penetrate this highly specialized market. While extending its production capabilities, the Brainerd mill will continue to have the capability to produce premium printing and writing products including our flagship Astrobrights line of brightly colored paper. We remain committed to the success of both our printing and writing and tape customers and this investment ensures the flexibility to effectively serve both market categories."

The Paper segment was formed by the January 1, 2010, combination of Wausau Paper's Specialty Products and Printing & Writing businesses into a single operating unit focused on profitable growth in five strategic markets: food, tape, print & color, liner, and industrial.

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Wepa Lucca, Italy, this week reported that it has completed and started up a major rebuild of the wet end section of its No.1 Tissue Machine (TM 1) in Cassino, Italy. The rebuild, done by Toscotec, was conducted in a compacted time frame, from Christmas to New Year's Eve of last year.

The original TM 1 configuration in Cassino was a Tisco Former from Esher Wyss, dated 1987, with a grooved 18 ft dia. yankee dryer. The machine has a paper trim at the reel of 5,300 mm with a maximum running speed before the rebuild of 1,700 m/min with a limitation on production of low basis weights. The project goal was to rebuild the machine into a crescent former configuration to improve speed and paper quality as well as runnability and maintenance.

A few days after startup, a sustained operating speed of 1,800 m/min was reached on low basis weight with improved paper quality. With this machine upgrading, the Cassino Mill says it can now optimize the production cycle both in terms of maintenance and flexibility.

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Zhanjiang Chenming Pulp & Paper Co., one of the largest paper manufacturers in China, has decided on two cut-size sheeting and packaging lines from E.C.H. Will and Pemco. The two companies of the Körber PaperLink Group, Germany, will deliver a 16-pocket and a 6-pocket line to Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province by the end of 2010. Production of both converting lines is expected to start in the first half of 2011. The investment will enable Zhanjiang Chenming to process an additional 200,000 tons of wood-free, uncoated fine paper to cut-size papers each year.

The 16-pocket line delivers the highest possible tonnage. It includes a 3,480 mm wide SLK cut-size sheeter with five single unwinds, two Pemco high-speed packaging lines, as well as palletizers, pallet packaging, and pallet strapping. The second line, providing a high degree of flexibility, consists of a 1,350 mm wide SLK 6-pocket cut-size sheeter and a packaging line from Pemco. The packaging line is designed for converting a wide range of sizes, mainly special sizes, and is equipped with a case packer/lidder that can process five and ten reams per case.

The total scope of supply includes a module of the Manufacturing Execution System from E.C.H. Will, which individually labels the finished and packaged pallets with the corresponding customer data.

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The seventh annual Golden Label Award competition for outstanding technical achievement and creative design in label production, has been announced by Brigl & Bergmeister GmbH, Niklasdorf, Austria. Entries are invited from all those involved in the paper label production process, including printers, label designers, marketing experts, and branded goods manufacturers. Entries can be submitted in three categories: (1) beer/shandy; (2) mineral water/soft drinks/non-alcoholic; (3) wine/spirits/confectionery/cans, etc. The Golden Label Award for technical excellence and innovation as well as the Golden Label Award for the best marketing idea (design, creativity), also will be presented. Finally, there will again be a special prize based on e-voting. This prize was so popular in 2007 that the Internet site where all the labels were displayed actually received 100,000 hits.

The deadline for entries is April 30. Internet voting will run from April 1 through April 30 (entry deadline for the public poll is April 10). The Golden Label Award ceremony will be held at the Platinum Vienna/Uniqua Tower on June 17. Entries should be submitted to: Brigl & Bergmeister GmbH, Proleber Strasse 10, 8712 Niklasdorf, Austria. Telephone: +43 3842-800-0. Fax : +43-3842-800-205 .

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The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), Naperville, Ill., USA, has elected Mary Slaga as VP-Chapters. In this capacity, Slaga will serve a two-year term on the organization's board of directors and will be responsible for maintaining ongoing communications between the IoPP board and the institute's chapters. She is a packaging consultant at St. Louis, Mo., USA-based TricorBraun's Chicago office. Back To Top

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Glatfelter, York, Pa., USA, announced this week that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Concert Industries Corp. from Brookfield Special Situations Management Ltd., an affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management, for C$246.5 million ($235 million), subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment.

Concert is a global supplier of absorbent cellulose-based airlaid non-woven materials used to manufacture a diverse range of consumer and industrial products for global end-use markets, including feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products, specialty wipes, and food pads. Approximately 80% of Concert's sales come from the feminine hygiene market, which is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of approximately 5% for the next four years.

Glatfelter will operate Concert as a third business unit along with its Specialty Papers and Composite Fibers business units. It financed the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand, proceeds from the 7 1/8% unsecured senior notes issued on February 5, and borrowings under its existing revolving credit agreement.

"We are thrilled to add to the Glatfelter family of products another industry-leading global business that sells highly specialized, engineered fiber-based products to niche markets," said George H. Glatfelter II, chairman and CEO. "This acquisition combines the strengths of two highly regarded specialty producers and will build upon our respective relationships with premier global consumer products companies."

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Epson America, Long Beach, Calif., USA, this week announced that it is shipping two new proofing and prototyping media for package design applications, further expanding the company's line of professional media. Epson's new Carolina Cover and Tango Blanks are thick 18-pt boards that allow graphic artists and commercial printers to instantly produce prototypes and mock-ups on thick folding carton substrate that mirror the look, weight, feel, and performance of a finished package. Carolina Cover C1S boards and Tango Blanks C1S are available in 17 in. x 24 in. and 24 in. x 36 in. (50 sheets each), semi-matte finish, 99.8% opacity, and 84 ISO brightness. All sizes of this media are currently available through authorized Epson resellers. Back To Top

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Wacker, Munich, Germany, reports that it is expanding its existing range of vinyl acetate/ethylene-based (VAE) dispersions for adhesives with a new product specifically developed for the requirements of the paper and packaging industry. The new product, Vinnapas XD 05, is a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to existing packaging adhesives based on polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). In adhesive formulation, a VAE-based product makes it possible to reduce the amount of extra additives. The product is also characterized by high setting speed and good machine processability, making it especially applicable for formulating packaging adhesives suitable for food applications due to the extremely low migration potential. Back To Top

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Ahlstrom, a producer of nonwovens and specialty papers, has announced price increases on all of its specialty paper grades, "as profitability has been driven to a very low level by continuous cost increases despite the strong market demand." Prices for all paper grades will increase by at least 10% depending on the nature of the products, regions, and invoicing currencies, the company notes. Effective dates and detailed actions will be discussed with customers by the appropriate business teams. Ahlstrom's Specialty Papers segment has production sites in Brazil (Jacareí), France (Bousbecque, La Gère, Pont-Audemer, Rottersac, Saint-Séverin and Stenay), Germany (Osnabrück and Altenkirchen), Finland (Kauttua), Italy (Turin), and the U.S. (West Carrollton, Ohio). Its products are used in a wide range of applications, such as abrasive papers, furniture foils, food & other packaging, release liners, self-adhesive labels, labels for metallization, engine gaskets, wall papers, posters, and other industrial applications. Back To Top

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Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Wilmington, Del., USA, reports that it is immediately increasing prices globally for all sizing agents (AKD, ASA, and rosin-based), all wet strength resins, and specialty resin additives as contract and indexed-based pricing allows. Price adjustments will range from 5% to15% and will be primarily based on regional raw material cost impact. Back To Top

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M-real, Metsä Finland, has announced that effective March 15, the prices of M-real Kemiart coated and uncoated white top kraftliner grades will be increased. The increase is EUR 50/metric ton in continental Europe and £50/ metric ton in the U.K. The company says that the price increase is necessary due to steadily rising raw material costs and also reflects good market demand. Back To Top

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Saica, Spain, increased prices on its recycled containerboard grades in Spain and Portugal, as well as in the rest of Europe. Effective on Tuesday of this week (February 16), prices for these grades in Spain and Portugal increased by EUR 60 per metric ton. Back To Top

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Papierfabrik Scheufelen, Lenningen, Germany, reported this week that it will raise the prices for delivery of its coated woodfree paper in reels and sheets by 10% to 12% in all countries, effective on March 1. In addition, the company says it will continue to adjust its production capacity to the current market situation. Hariolf Koeder, director Sales and Marketing at Scheufelen, noted that "this measure is long overdue and will bring our company's price level to just under what it was a year ago." Back To Top

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The University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, B.C., Canada, this week reports that it will install and demonstrate an on-site biomass-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) system developed by Vancouver-based Nexterra and GE Power & Water's gas engine division. The CHP system will be located at UBC's Vancouver campus, where it will provide clean, renewable heat and electricity for the campus, while offering a platform for bioenergy research.

The new CHP system, the first of its kind in North America, combines Nexterra gasification and syngas conditioning technologies with a GE high efficiency Jenbacher gas engine. Woody biomass will be gasified and converted into clean synthetic gas (or "syngas") that will be directly fired into a gas engine. It will be capable of providing very high net efficiencies, up to 65% in cogeneration mode. The system will produce renewable heat and power while surpassing Metro Vancouver's air quality standards.

The system will produce 2 MW of clean, cost-effective electricity that will offset UBC's existing power consumption. This is the equivalent electricity required to power about 1,500 homes. The system also will generate enough steam to displace up to 12% of the natural gas that UBC uses for campus heating, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 4,500 metric tpy. This is the equivalent of taking more than 1,100 cars off the road.

UBC is also collaborating with FPInnovations to house the CHP System in a building designed and constructed using cross-laminate timber (CLT). CLT is a new solid wood building material that can be used as a low carbon, renewable alternative to steel frame construction. This will be one of the first CLT buildings in North America and will demonstrate its market potential for the forest industry.

Funding support for the project is being provided by: the Government of Canada's Clean Energy Fund administered through Natural Resources Canada; Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a not-for-profit corporation created by the Government of Canada; the BC Bioenergy Network (BCBN); and FPInnovations.

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Billerud, Solna, Sweden, reported this week that, in line with it focus on business development, the company has made several senior management team changes, effective on April 1. Magnus Wikström, technical director, responsible for business development and investments since 2006, joins the team, along with Per Bjurbom, who will take on a new role as production director for the whole of Billerud and will be responsible for all mill and production matters in the senior management team. Stina Blombäck has at her own request asked to leave her role as mill manager, and therefore her place in the senior management team, to be responsible instead for a number of strategic, group-wide projects. Other positions in the senior management team remain unchanged. Back To Top

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EcoSynthetix Inc., Lansing, Mich., USA, reports that Raymond J. Carlson has joined the company as manager, technical sales support. He was formerly technical director of Sappi Fine Papers North America, Muskegon, Mich. After graduating from Western Michigan University with a BS degree in Pulp and Paper Engineering in 1985, Carlson started at the Muskegon mill and worked there 24 years in technical and production management positions. EcoSynthetix applies Green Chemistry to transform renewable resources into high-performance biobased products. EcoSphere biolatex coating binder is a cost effective alternative to petroleum-based synthetic emulsion latex for use in coating paper and paperboard. Back To Top

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International Paper Co., Memphis, Tenn., USA, announced this past week that David Kiser will join the company as VP, Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability (EHS&S), effective on March 1. Kiser formerly served as VP and director, Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability, for Eastman Kodak Co. in Rochester, N.Y.

"We are pleased to have David take on leadership responsibility for International Paper's global environment, health, safety, and sustainability programs," said Tommy Joseph, senior VP, Manufacturing, Technology and EHS&S. "His technical background in health and safety, combined with his experience leading Kodak's sustainability strategy and working with governmental and regulatory agencies, makes him an excellent choice for International Paper."

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Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., USA, has elected Robert Puechl, VP and GM, Global Plastics; and James Harrell, VP and GM, North America Industrial Carriers division, as corporate officers. Harrell is responsible for Sonoco's North American tubes and cores, wire, and cable reels and transport packaging operations, including 31 manufacturing operations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Puechl is responsible for Sonoco's 20 rigid plastic manufacturing operations, which includes thermoforming, injection stretch, and extruded blow molded containers and molded and extruded plastics in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, and the Netherlands. Harrell joined Sonoco in 1985 and has held a number of manufacturing and management positions in the company's industrial converting operations in North America and Europe. Prior to his most recent assignment, he was division VP and GM, Paper-North America. Puechl began his career with Sonoco in 1986 and has served in a variety of manufacturing and management positions in the company's consumer plastics business. Prior to his most recent assignment, he was division VP and GM, Molded Plastics.

Robert Puechl

James Harrell

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TAPPI offers congratulations to three new Board of Directors members: Robert J. Gallo (Voith), Jeff Hamilton (Sappi Fine Paper North America) and Chris Luettgen (Kimberly-Clark). Elected to begin their three year terms in March 2010, they will join Jeffrey J. Siegel (Mica Corporation) and Norman F. Marsolan (Institute of Paper Science & Technology-IPST @ GA Tech), who continue to serve as TAPPI Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.

A member of TAPPI since 1979, Gallo is president of Voith Paper North America based in both Appleton, Wisconsin and Wilson, North Carolina. Hamilton, who comes from a paper-making family, is Corporate Director of Manufacturing Services and deeply involved in Sappi's manufacturing, technical and R&D activity, driving the sharing of best practices and encouraging knowledge transfer with teams from Sappi sites around the world. An active member of TAPPI since 1986, Luettgen has worked in Research, Engineering and Operations with Scott Paper and with Kimberly-Clark Corporation. He currently serves as Senior R&E Manager, Business Support, K-C Professional Business.

Special thanks also go to the following TAPPI Board of Directors members: Carlos A. Aguiar (Fibria), Mark Watkins (MWV) and Jukka Tiitinen (Metso Paper USA Inc.), as they complete their terms in March of 2010.

A complete list of the TAPPI Board of Directors is available online.  

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Offered for the first time in years, TAPPI is pleased to unroll the Tissue Runnability Course, April 19-21, 2010 – an essential program for paper professionals at TAPPI's Atlanta headquarters. This course offers a comprehensive understanding of the tissue making process at many levels that can be applied immediately on the job. Instructional topics are focused on helping attendees improve the quality of their products, diminish waste and poor output and reduce frustrating down-time. The course material is designed with the objective of helping participants thrust production into high gear.

The Tissue Runnability Course is designed expressly for engineers, machine supervisors, technical resources, lead operators and technical personnel in tissue and towel mills. The three-day event covers the impact of recycled furnishes on paper characteristics, the principles of wet-end chemistry with machine operation, cleaning and conditioning of felts and wires, causes of tissue runnability problems in the press/Yankee/hood drying systems, identifying improvement opportunities on the dry-end of the paper machine, and pinpointing problems with the Yankee dryer steam, coating, and hood systems to increase machine productivity. The course schedule is led by industry-recognized instructors.

Tissue Runnability is limited to 30 participants, so prompt registration is encouraged for this course. Early bird registration ends March 19, 2010.

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Attendees at PaperCon 2010 (May 2-5, 2010, in Atlanta) will hear first-hand about Starbucks Coffee Company's long-term commitment to environmental stewardship and its goal to develop a comprehensive recyclable cup solution. Jim Hanna, Starbucks Director of Environmental Impact, will kick off the conference on Sunday, May 2, in Atlanta with his keynote address: "It Takes a Village – Starbucks Quest for the Recyclable Cup."

Hanna will provide an overview of Starbucks efforts to significantly reduce its environmental footprint through energy and water conservation, recycling and green construction. He will also discuss Starbucks aim to achieve recyclability or compostability.

TAPPI/PIMA's PaperCon is North America's largest pulp and paper conference, bringing together industry leaders and technical experts to explore market trends and the latest technologies for paper, board and tissue making, coating and printing. For the 2010 event, PaperCon will focus on the talent, technology and transformation needed to ensure long-term competitiveness. The May 2-5 gathering in Atlanta, Georgia, offers a unique opportunity to network with colleagues from all aspects of the industry. For more information, go to www.papercon.org.

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Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Location: Dreyfus University Center, Stevens Point, WI, USA

In this one-day program, twelve sessions will provide insight on innovative technologies in stock preparation and wet end chemistry. A special segment will be devoted to research and development at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. The overall focus of this meeting will be on new or emerging technologies to promote value added grade development, cost optimization, and quality improvements.

Who should attend? Product Development Engineers, Paper Machine, Stock Prep, Coating Prep, Operators, Process Engineers, Superintendents, Supervisors, Lab Personnel, Suppliers, and Students, as well as others interested in learning more about technology, and process troubleshooting.

Session Chairs include:

• Don Guay, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Kelly Klaas, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Danielle Mortag, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Nancy Ross Sutherland, USDA Forest Service

The pre-registration fee is $110.00; on-site registration is $135.00. Students and retirees qualify for reduced rate if pre-registered: $25.00 / $45.00 on-site. Send pre-registration fees by February 12, 2010, to Membership Services Administrator: Clark Schabo, W5562 Center Valley Rd., Black Creek, WI, 54106. Phone: 734-5073; Fax (credit cards only): 920-830-9610.

For further details on this program, call Don Guay at 715-346-4746 or visit Lake States TAPPI website.

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TAPPI is pleased to announce the 2010 recipients of the Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award, Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award, and the Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award:

• Richard J. Kerekes, PhD., Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award.
• Willis J. Potts, Jr., retired from Temple Inland, Rome, GA, USA, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award.
• Empire State TAPPI/NY Canadian PIMA Local Section Member Scott Frasca, Senior Account Manager, RohmNova, Sidney, ME, USA, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award.

In addition, the following nine individuals have been named 2010 TAPPI Fellows:

• Gerald M. Dykstra, Retired Buckman, Bartlett, TN, USA
• Martin A. Hubbe, PhD., Associate Professor, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
• John C. Husband, PhD., Lead Scientist, IMERYS Minerals Ltd., Cornwall, United Kingdom
• Cheryl M. Lamb, Retired from Buckman, Ellenton, FL, USA
• Patrice J. Mangin, PhD., General Director, Centre Integre En Pates Et Papiere, Trois-Rivieres, Canada
• Frank J. Sutman, Global R&D Platform Lead, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Wilmington, DE, USA
• Jukka H. Tiitinen, President, Metso Paper North America, Atlanta, GA, USA
• Ronald L. Van Gilder, Research Fellow, Sappi Fine Paper N.A., Westbrook, ME, USA
• Mark T. Watkins, Senior Vice President, MWV(MeadWestvaco) Corporation, Glen Allen, VA, USA

The 2010 award winners will be honored at the Tuesday evening, May 4, 2010, awards dinner during the 2010 PaperCon Conference at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA, USA. The new TAPPI Fellows will be honored at the TAPPI Fellows Luncheon, Sunday, May 2, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA, USA in conjunction with the 2010 PaperCon meeting.

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Date(s):
Spring 2010 -- April 12-14
Fall 2010 -- October 4-6
Spring 2011 -- April 4-6
Fall 2011 -- October 3-5

Location:
Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

The Black Liquor Recovery Boiler Advisory Committee (BLRBAC) guides the safe installation and operation of recovery boilers at kraft paper mills. Their meetings draw attendees from all over the world, from the operating mills, the manufacturers of recovery boilers and associated equipment, to engineers from the insuring companies. Many members of BLRBAC are also TAPPI members that serve on the Steam and Power Committee.

Visit www.blrbac.org for registration information and additional details or contact David Parrish at david.parrish@fmglobal.com.

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Long-time TAPPI members may already know some of the many treasures available from the TAPPI bookstore. A new hard copy catalog for 2010 is coming out that will highlight some of our more popular offerings.

The 2010 TAPPI Catalog features:

• Over 8 new releases
• Best seller items categorized by industry segment
• Web and Computer based training
• Sale/ Discount items
• Complete index of all TAPPI PRESS products

The 2010 Catalog is included in the Jan./Feb. issue of Paper360° and can be pulled out as a stand-alone publication. If you want to get a sneak peek, it is also available online at www.tappi.org/bookstore.

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Date: March 15-19, 2010
Location: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

Need to know more about pulping, bleaching, chemical recovery, recycling, papermaking and converting to do your job better? Gain an excellent overall view of the basic concepts in pulp and paper manufacturing while increasing your understanding through hands-on laboratory exercises.

Using a combination of balanced lectures and laboratories, this workshop will provide you with an easy-to-learn and lasting introduction to pulp and paper technology, operations, and markets, including:

• Overview knowledge of the entire pulping and papermaking process
• How different processes affect paper properties
• Hands-on lab experiments to enhance your understanding of process
• Run a pilot plant paper machine
• Close interaction with Pulp and Paper Professors in small groups

Learn more about the course, and register to attend, here. You can also download the complete course brochure.

CEUs available. This course will also be held June 7-10, 2010; and October 4-8, 2010.

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A Call for Presentations/Posters has been issued for the 2010 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry, 27-29 September, 2010, in Espoo, Finland. This annual, internationally recognized event brings together leading researchers, industry experts, government representatives, and other stakeholders to share  advances and perspectives on nanotechnology-based products for the forest products and related industries.

To leverage research advances and offer participants new opportunities for knowledge sharing, the 2010 Technical Program Committee invites contributions from participants working with nano-enabled bio-materials, products, and their processing. Analysis of challenges and trends in emerging markets for forest products that are based on nanotechnology are sought to provide a foundation for new research and industrial activities. The organizers also  encourage submissions on other aspects of nanotech products including law, policy, economics and environmental health and safety. View the Call for Papers.

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