This week 21 member companies of the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and nine leading environmental organizations unveiled the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement that applies to 72 million hectares of public forests licensed to FPAC members. The Agreement will conserve significant areas of Canada's vast Boreal Forest, protect threatened woodland caribou, and provide a competitive market edge for participating companies.

Under the Agreement, FPAC members, who manage two-thirds of all certified forest land in Canada, commit to the highest environmental standards of forest management within an area twice the size of Germany. Conservation groups commit to global recognition and support for FPAC member efforts. The Agreement calls for the suspension of new logging on nearly 29 million hectares of Boreal Forest to develop conservation plans for endangered caribou, while maintaining essential fiber supplies for uninterrupted mill operations. "Do Not Buy" campaigns by Canopy, ForestEthics, and Greenpeace will be suspended while the Agreement is being implemented.

"The importance of this Agreement cannot be overstated," said Avrim Lazar, president and CEO of FPAC. "FPAC member companies and their ENGO counterparts have turned the old paradigm on its head. Together we have identified a more intelligent, productive way to manage economic and environmental challenges in the Boreal that will reassure global buyers of our products' sustainability. It's gratifying to see nearly a decade of industry transformation and hard work greening our operations is culminating in a process that will set a forestry standard that will be the envy of the world."

Environmental groups, including the three organizations that have been mobilizing large customers towards green products, say the coming together of two traditional adversaries reflects a new commitment to a common goal. Also vital to the agreement have been the efforts of the Pew Environment Group and Ivey Foundation, which worked to support the two sides coming together and to facilitate the negotiations. The Agreement identifies explicit commitments for both sides and sets out a plan that includes:

• Development and implementation of world-leading forest management and harvesting practices
• Completion of joint proposals for networks of protected areas and recovery of species at risk including woodland caribou
• A full life cycle approach to forest carbon management
• Support for the economic future of forest communities and for recognition of conservation achievements in the global marketplace.

Signatory environmental organizations, FPAC, and the Association's companies have begun meetings with provincial governments, First Nations, and local communities across the country to seek their leadership and full participation in advancing the goals of the Agreement. Participants recognize that governments, including First Nation governments, are decision makers within their jurisdictions. The Agreement recognizes that aboriginal peoples have constitutionally protected aboriginal and treaty rights that must be respected and engaged in order for the Agreement to fulfill its objectives.

Forestry companies participating in the Agreement are: AbitibiBowater, Alberta Pacific Forest Industries, AV Group, Canfor, Cariboo Pulp & Paper Co., Cascades Inc., DMI, F.F. Soucy Inc., Howe Sound Pulp and Paper, Kruger Inc., LP Canada, Mercer International, Mill & Timber Products Ltd, NewPage Port Hawkesbury Ltd, Papier Masson Ltee, SFK Pulp, Tembec Inc., Tolko Industries, West Fraser Timber Co., and Weyerhaeuser Co, Limited.

Environmental organizations participating in the Agreement are: Canadian Boreal Initiative, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Canopy (formerly Markets Initiative), the David Suzuki Foundation, ForestEthics, Greenpeace, Ivey Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Pew Environment Group's International Boreal Conservation Campaign. The Hewlett Foundation's support for boreal forest conservation has been critical to the collective efforts of this group, FPAC notes.

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Clearwater Paper Corp., Spokane, Wash., USA, today announced that its board of directors has approved plans to build a Through-Air-Dried (TAD) paper machine and seven converting lines capable of producing ultra grades of private label tissue products. Final site selection for the Southeastern U.S. facility is underway.

"After a thorough analysis of the anticipated costs and returns from a new paper machine, the company is moving forward with construction of a 200-inch TAD tissue machine, together with a total of seven converting lines," said Gordon Jones, chairman, president, and CEO. "Our estimates, which include strong incentive packages offered by competing states, put the projected returns for this project at approximately twice our cost of capital, which we expect to result in long-term value for the company."

As part of its stated growth strategy, Clearwater Paper says it is pursuing investment in its consumer products tissue business, specifically to expand the company's geographic reach to best serve existing and new customers on the East Coast. The total cost for the new facility is expected to be approximately $260 to $280 million, which includes the two new converting lines previously announced in February. The total cost figure includes the paper machine, seven converting lines, buildings to house the paper machine and converting lines and land. The company expects to fund the project primarily with existing cash on the balance sheet and future cash flow from operations. It is expected that capital will be deployed over the next five years, with approximately 80% to be split evenly between 2011 and 2012.

"The new facility is expected to employ up to 250 full-time employees and will increase our ultra quality tissue offering to include TAD bathroom tissue," said Bob DeVleming, VP, consumer products division. "By adding additional TAD technology, we can drive growth in this segment while effectively competing with ultra quality branded products in the tissue and towel segments of the market. We believe that strengthening our product offering will provide us a significant advantage in the marketplace."

The company intends to break ground during the third quarter of this year. Build-out and startup for the converting lines will come in phases, with the first two lines expected to begin production during the second half of 2011. The paper machine is expected to take two years to build from completion of engineering, and the company anticipates beginning production on the machine in the second half of 2012. At full production capacity the facility will produce approximately 10 million cases or 70,000 tons of bathroom tissue and household towels annually.

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For the sixth straight month, containerboard production in the U.S. has risen sharply compared with last year, according to the April 2010 U. S. Containerboard Statistics Report released this week by AF&PA, Washington, D.C., USA. Current total production increased 351,500 tons or 14.6% over April 2009. Although total production amounts decreased compared with March 2010, average daily production was up 1.6% due to the number of days in April. Year-to-date 2010 production has increased 13.5% over 2009. The containerboard operating rate for April 2010 rose 16.2 points over April 2009 to 95.0%.

As with total containerboard, linerboard production has seen six months of large increases over last year. April's production level was 17.6% higher than in April 2009. Again, due to the number of days in April, average daily production rose despite the 1.5% decrease in monthly production compared with March 2010. Production for exports increased 20.5% over this time last year but was down 3.4% compared with March 2010. The April linerboard operating rate mirrors the rise, increasing 17.4 points over April 2009 to 94.3%.

April corrugating medium production was up 56,900 tons or 7.8% from April 2009. April's production fell 2.3% but the average daily production showed a 0.9% increase over March 2010. Exports experienced a sizable increase, posting an 82.4% rise over the same month last year and 14.2% over March. The April corrugating medium operating rate of 96.6% is an increase of 13.0 points over April 2009.

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Total U.S. kraft paper shipments were 128,000 tons last month, a 20.6% increase over April 2009, but 9,700 tons less than March 2010. Total inventory was 6,700 tons more than March 2010, according to AF&PA's (Washington, D.C., USA) April 2010 Kraft Paper Sector Report released this week.

Total unbleached kraft paper shipments were up 18.9% compared with the same month last year. Total bleached kraft shipments increased by 33.1% compared with April 2009, the report notes.

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According to the AF&PA's (Washington, D.C., USA) April 2010 U.S. Paperboard Report released this week, total boxboard production was 846,500 tons, an increase of 8.3% over April 2009, and 1.1% from last month. Additional key findings from the report include:

• Unbleached kraft folding increased over the same month last year
• Solid bleached folding production increased compared with April 2009
• Recycled folding increased over last year
• Solid bleached kraft paperboard inventory decreased.

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Ahlstrom Corp., Finland, a developer and manufacturer of specialty papers and nonwovens, is revising its organization and operating model, effective July 1. The company will organize itself into five business areas based on value added and operational excellence business clusters. The new Business Areas are: 

• Building and Energy, covering the current Glass & Industrial Nonwovens business area and wallpaper products
• Label and Processing, including most of the current Technical Papers and Release & Label Papers business areas
• Home and Personal, the current Home & Personal Nonwovens business area
• Food and Medical, the current Advanced Nonwovens business area, crepe papers, and vegetable parchment products
• Filtration, the current Filtration business area.

In financial reporting, the five business areas will form new reporting segments. Thus, reporting on the current Fiber Composites and Specialty Papers segments will be discontinued. Ahlstrom will provide comparative data on the new segments for the financial year 2009 and for the first two quarters of 2010 by the end of the third quarter of this year. The current product structure with 18 product lines within the business areas will be discontinued, and the organization within the new business areas will be integrated to strengthen customer orientation and the supply chain process, the company explains.

In conjunction with these revisions, some changes will be made in Ahlstrom's Executive Management Team. Patrick Jeambar is appointed executive VP, Label & Processing. Daniele Borlatto assumes a new role as VP, Release & Label business, reporting to Jeambar. Gustav Adlercreutz is appointed VP, Legal Affairs, general counsel, reporting to CFO Seppo Parvi. To enhance the development of its global supply chain, Ahlstrom will establish a new position of executive VP, Supply Chain, and will later announce the appointment for this position.

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Fraser Papers Inc., Toronto, Ont., Canada, this week announced the appointment of Glen McMillan as chief restructuring officer of the company. McMillan will report to the board of directors and will oversee the completion of the restructuring of Fraser Papers and its subsidiaries under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) and Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Peter Gordon, the company's CEO, resigned effective May 14, but will remain on the board of directors of Fraser Papers to assist in the remaining steps of the restructuring process.

On June 18, 2009, citing continued operating losses, weak markets for pulp and lumber, impending debt repayments and significant pension funding obligations, Fraser filed for creditor protection under the CCAA in Canada and Chapter 15 in the U.S. On April 28, 2010, the company sold its specialty papers business to Twin Rivers Paper Co., a newly incorporated company owned by its creditors. On April 30, it sold its hardwood pulp mill in Thurso, Qué., Canada, to Fortress Specialty Cellulose Inc. The company is currently in the process of selling its remaining assets, including the Gorham, N.H, USA, paper mill and its two lumber mills in northern Maine. Once the remaining assets are sold, the company intends to file a Plan of Arrangement for consideration by its creditors.

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International Paper Co., Memphis, Tenn., USA, this past week launched Printer's Playbook at PrintersPlaybook.com and on various social media platforms. Printer's Playbook is a series that features videos and content geared toward educating commercial printers, designers, paper merchants, and other key stakeholders on a wide array of printing topics. The series will provide expert solutions and advice pertaining to common issues that printers and others in the industry encounter.

The videos and educational information will be easily accessible at and on Facebook.com (Printer's Playbook), Twitter.com (PPlaybook), and through a YouTube Channel (PrintersPlaybook). The videos will feature tips and advice from industry expert and retired International Paper Graphic Arts & Printing Scientist Jim Kohler. Kohler is currently an adjunct professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the School of Printing Management & Sciences. Approximately 60% - 70% of all pre-press files have issues that can cause press delays. The first episode in the series, titled "Creative to Pre-press," covers 10 short tips that will help designers efficiently send files to commercial printers with speed and success. These tips are compatible with Apple's Macintosh and other personal computers.

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Kruger Inc, Montréal, Qué., Canada, and its subsidiaries this week announced that they will cease coated and supercalendered paper production at the Trois-Rivières, Qué., mill and extend the interruption of directory paper production at the Wayagamack Mill for an indefinite period of time. At the Trois-Rivières Mill, the No. 1 (coated paper) and No. 6 (supercalendered paper) paper machines, and the No. 8 coating machine will be shutdown indefinitely, effective June 11. This measure will affect approximately 320 employees in production, maintenance, and administration. The mill, however, will continue to produce newsprint with close to 300 jobs maintained.

The No. 3 Machine at the Kruger Wayagamack Mill, which had stopped making directory paper on December 31 and was to resume operations in June, will be idled indefinitely. The extended shutdown will affect approximately 120 employees. However, the mill will maintain coated paper production, which means continued employment for more than 350 employees. Kruger says it came to these decisions due to persistently unfavorable market conditions and the strong Canadian dollar. The company operates facilities in Québec, Ontario, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the U.S.

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Lenzing AG, Lenzing, Austria, reports that its subsidiary PT. South Pacific Viscose (SPV) has officially started up its fourth production line at Purwakarta, Indonesia. At a cost of about $150 million, the new production line is the Group's biggest individual investment project in recent years. Its nominal production capacity of 60,000 metric tpy of viscose fibers for textile and nonwovens applications raises SPV's total annual capacity to 220,000 metric tpy and makes it Asia's biggest viscose fiber production site and the world's second-biggest producer, after the parent plant at Lenzing with 255,000 metric tpy of capacity.

Peter Untersperger, chairman of the Lenzing management board, notes that "Indonesia and the whole of Asia are Lenzing's single most important sales market. The extension of PT. South Pacific Viscose is another milestone for the Lenzing Group. It again marks our commitment to our customers in this part of the world. And it is, moreover, an essential part of our corporate strategy. With the completion of all current investment projects in 2012, about half of the Group's fiber production capacity of then 378,000 metric tons will be located in Asia. It is our goal to reach the million-ton production mark by successive expansion steps and more than half of our total cellulose fiber production will then be generated in Asia."

The new jumbo line took two years to complete and required the extension of existing industrial infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art 21 MW power station with multi-fuel fluidized boiler and attached steam turbine, a sulfuric acid plant with a daily capacity of 300 metric tons, a CS2 recovery plant, as well as process and waste water facilities. SPV consequently conforms to the latest environmental standards.

All in all, a total of about $500 million was invested in SPV. A debottlenecking program will be started along with the regular operation of line four to raise total production capacity by another 18,000 metric tons to 238,000 metric tpy.

Lenzing has been involved in SPV since 1983 and has been holding the industrial management since the start of production. The company raised its initial minority interest in successive steps to currently 90.56%. The remainder is being held by Indonesian shareholders.

Production capacity has been increased more than tenfold in successive stages from initially 20,000 metric tpy. SPV is an important supplier to the Indonesian textile industry, one of the biggest industrial segment of Indonesia. The site's staff of 1,656 makes the company one of the biggest employers in the region and a major contributor to its rise over the past 30 years.

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Metsä-Botnia, Finland, has placed an order with Metso, Finland, for a recausticizing plant to be erected at its Kemi mill in the city of Kemi, Finland. The new plant will replace an existing recausticizing line and is scheduled to startup during autumn 2011. The value of the order will not be disclosed. Metso's scope of supply covers a complete recausticizing plant comprised of a clarifier, a decanter centrifuge, a green liquor cooler, a slaker, causticizers, a pressure disc filter for white liquor, and storage tanks. The new recausticizing plant is designed for 7,000 m³ of white liquor per day. The delivery also includes basic and detail engineering for piping, erection, and startup.

The new recausticizing plant will lower the maintenance costs and improve the efficiency and environmental performance at the Metsä-Botnia Kemi mill and will be the first recausticizing plant to be delivered by Metso to Finland.

Oy Metsä-Botnia Ab is part of the Metsäliitto Group. UPM-Kymmene Corp. owns 17 % of Metsä-Botnia. Metsä-Botnia operates four mills in Finland and is one of Europe's top producers of chemical pulps. The production capacity of the Kemi mill is approximately 590,000 metric tpy of kraft pulp. The total production of Metsä-Botnia is some 2.4 million metric tpy.

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The City of Terre Haute, Ind., USA, this week reported that it has acquired the site of International Paper Co.'s containerboard mill there, which was permanently shutdown by IP in the fourth quarter of 2007. The City said it plans to use the mill's sewage treatment plant and lagoons to help solve some of its combined sewer overflow problems.

The City wants to store excess water from heavy rains in the site's lagoons until it can be treated at the municipal sewage treatment plant. All of the City's sewage runs through the former IP property. The lagoons are also adjacent to the City's main lift station.

"It's going to save the ratepayers and taxpayers quite a bit of money because it's the perfect place to put this," says Mayor Duke Bennett. According to the City, purchase of the IP land saved it $9 million. The City also plans to build within five years a trail and park south of where the lagoon will sit.

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Thiele Kaolin Co., Sandersville, GA., USA, recently received the Award of Excellence in recognition of exceptional workplace safety from the Georgia Department of Labor. The annual awards program is sponsored by the Safety Engineering Division of the Georgia Department of Labor and seeks to promote safe, healthy work environments in Georgia.

The Award of Excellence is given to an employer that has experienced at least 250 workdays during the previous calendar year without a lost time injury. A lost time injury is defined as an injury that is so severe that the employee cannot return to work on the next regularly scheduled shift. As of May 12, Thiele employees have worked 619 days without a lost time accident.

Thiele Kaolin mines, processes, blends, and delivers the full spectrum of kaolin coating and filler pigments.

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Private equity firm Apollo Global Management, Chicago, Ill., USA, reportedly is in talks to buy U.S. packaging company Pactiv Corp., Lake Forest, Ill., in a leveraged deal, according to media reports. As reported by Reuters this week, Pactiv has about $1.5 billion in debt and the Apollo deal would be among the largest leveraged buyouts in the past two years, according to the Wall Street Journal. The WSJ said any deal is a few weeks away and faces several hurdles. Subsequently, the WSJ reported that Georgia-Pacific, Atlanta, Ga., and New Zealand's Rank Group are also bidding for Pactiv.

Demand for Pactiv's products waned during the recession as consumers ate out less but there has been some improvement in recent months, Reuters reports.

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Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), Springfield, Mass., USA, recently presented seventeen safety awards to member companies for hours worked without employee injuries. These Safety Boxscore Awards, presented during PPC's Outlook and Strategies Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, were based on the cumulative number of hours worked without an OSHA recordable injury. Companies are eligible for multiple awards throughout the year.

"The top award, the Chairman's Safety Award, for finishing the year with the most hours worked without an OSHA recordable injury, was presented to Warneke Paper Box Co. of Denver, Colo. Warneke finished 2009 having accumulated, since July 2005, 381,903 hours worked without incurring an OSHA injury.

The 125,000-Hour Milestone Award Winners were Bert-Co (Pulaski, Tenn.), CardPak Inc. (Solon, Ohio), Diamond Packaging (Rochester, N.Y.), Menasha Packaging (Neena, Wis.), Thoro Packaging (Corona, Calif.), and Zumbiel Packaging - Beverage and Consumer Divisions (Cincinnati, Ohio). The 250,000-Hour Milestone Award Winners were CardPak Inc. and Southern Champion Tray (Mansfield, Texas). The 375,000-Hour Milestone Award Winners were Southern Champion Tray and Warneke Paper Box Co. Bert-Co, CardPak Inc., Southern Champion Tray, Warneke Paper Box Co., and Winston Packaging (Winston Salem, N.C.) were Twelve Month Award winners.

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SupplyOne Inc., Reading, Pa., USA, this week acquired Specialty Container Corp., Dallas, Texas, Serving the Dallas-Ft. Worth area for the past 59 years, Specialty Container produces corrugated packaging. The oldest operating independent corrugated sheet plant in the Southwest, its services include design, manufacturing, printing, storage, distribution, and fulfillment.

SupplyOne has extensive manufacturing and design capabilities, including custom corrugated, foam fabrication, plastic thermoforming, and pressure sensitive labels. The company also has a Packaging Management Program (PMP), on-site managed services, and e-commerce offerings. Founded in 1998, the company has acquired a number of packaging companies that are well established in their markets and focused on the full spectrum of packaging, from the outer package, including pressure-sensitive labels and marking systems, to interior packaging, packaging supplies, and equipment.

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Tetra Pak, Lausanne, Switzerland, said this week that it will introduce aseptic cartons bearing the label of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in China starting this July. The company plans to produce 14 billion FSC-labeled cartons in 2011, available in three carton formats: Tetra Fino Aseptic, Tetra Prisma Aseptic, and Tetra Brik Aseptic. It is expected that Tetra Pak cartons with FSC labels will reach two billion in 2010 in China alone, with a goal of reaching 14 billion FSC-labeled packages sold in China in 2011.

Since the introduction of the world's first FSC-labeled liquid food cartons in the UK in 2007, Tetra Pak has introduced FSC-labeled cartons in several markets around the globe, with the total number exceeding 2.3 billion in 2009. Since 2006, the company has been working with the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), the China Green Foundation (CGF), and the forestry authority to promote responsible forest management, to provide support for China's forests to get certified and to provide support for the local sustainable forest management system in the country. In July 2008, with support from Tetra Pak, more than 100,000 hectares of forests of Yongan Forestry in Fujian obtained FSC certification, bringing the total area of FSC-certified forests in China to more than 700,000 hectares and making China a leader in this area in Asia. This year, Tetra Pak is providing support for responsible forest management and certification work in the Tengchong forest, in Yunnan Province.

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The same Texas Tech-created nonwoven cotton technology that keeps soldiers safe from chemical and biological warfare agents may also serve as the perfect sponge for sopping up oil that has polluted the Gulf of Mexico. As oil continues to gush from the exploded Deepwater Horizon oil rig, a Texas Tech expert in nonwoven cotton technology says the "fabric of our lives" may do a better job to absorb the oil spill than the booms made of synthetic material.

"Already, several million feet of the oil-containment booms have been used to capture the oil spilling into the Gulf," said Seshadri Ramkumar, associate professor of Nonwoven materials at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH)at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. "They are made of synthetic materials, don't biodegrade, and absorb only a third of what raw cotton can do. The properties of raw cotton allow it to soak up 40 times its weight. With chemical modifications, it can soak up to as much as 70 times its weight. And it won't just stay in a landfill forever."

Ramkumar's research focuses on developing value-added materials using nonwoven materials and nanotechnology. He supervises the Nonwoven and Advanced Materials laboratory at TIEHH, and is the creator of several nonwoven cotton technologies including Fibertect, which is used in the U.S. military's decontamination kits. He and a small group of his graduate students are researching ways to use lower-quality cottons that don't make apparel grade for uses such as this.

"The nonwoven industry in the U.S. is well equipped with technologies that can develop oil-absorbent pads from natural fibers like cotton," Ramkumar said.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week announced a final rule to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the largest stationary sources, while shielding millions of small sources of GHGs from Clean Air Act permitting requirements. The phased-in, common-sense approach will address facilities such as power plants and oil refineries that are responsible for 70% of the greenhouse gases from stationary sources that threaten American's health and welfare.

EPA's phased-in approach will start in January 2011, when Clean Air Act permitting requirements for GHGs will kick in for large facilities that are already obtaining Clean Air Act permits for other pollutants. Those facilities will be required to include GHGs in their permit if they increase these emissions by at least 75,000 tpy.

In July 2011, Clean Air Act permitting requirements will expand to cover all new facilities with GHG emissions of at least 100,000 tpy and modifications at existing facilities that would increase GHG emissions by at least 75,000 tpy. These permits must demonstrate the use of best available control technologies to minimize GHG emission increases when facilities are constructed or significantly modified.

Under the new emissions thresholds for GHGs that begin in July 2011, EPA estimates approximately 900 additional permitting actions covering new sources and modifications to existing sources would be subject to review each year. In addition, 550 sources will need to obtain operating permits for the first time because of their GHG emissions.

In April 2010, EPA set the first national GHG tailpipe standards for passenger cars and light trucks. When GHG emissions limits for these vehicles go into effect in January 2011, EPA is also required to address GHG emissions from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act's permitting programs, which it is doing in the plan outlined this week. The final rule addresses a group of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆).

EPA issued a proposed rule in October 2009 and held a 60-day public comment period. The agency received about 450,000 comments, which were carefully reviewed and considered during the development of this final rule.

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Mohawk Fine Papers Inc., Cohoes, N.Y., USA, reported this week that its newly reconfigured Mohawk Solutions now combines the strengths of three respected paper grades: Solutions, Feltweave, and Nekoosa. Merging these long-standing lines has focused the core qualities of each in a concise menu of colors and textures, resulting in a palette ranging from whites and pastels to deep shades, with fibers and finishes suited to corporate communications, stationery, and brochures, Mohawk notes.

In revamping the line, Mohawk added several items that feature the exclusive i-Tone digital surface for enhanced performance on HP Indigo digital presses. This includes both White and Soft White in Super Smooth, Feltweave, Linen, and Premium Linen. A third-generation family-owned business and certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise, Mohawk is the first U.S. paper mill to match 100% of its electricity with windpower renewable energy credits and the first U.S. premium paper mill to shift toward carbon neutral production.

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The Paper Specialties Business Unit of Clariant, Muttenz, Switzerland, this week announced global price increases for its entire paper chemicals portfolio, depending on the specific product group, by up to 30%. Clariant notes that the price adjustments are necessary to address "strongly rising feedstock costs in all raw material segments during the first half of 2010, including increased transportation and energy costs."

During the past six months, Clariant says that its Paper Business has absorbed significant cost increases through production optimization measures, adding however, that "recent raw material cost developments leave no other alternative than to increase prices." Clariant customers will be contacted individually regarding the specifics of the price increases as they apply to their products and regions. The increases will become effective immediately or as contracts allow.

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Graphic Packaging International (GPI) Marietta, Ga., USA, has announced a European price increase on all grades of its solid unbleached sulfate (SUS) paperboard, effective with shipments on or after May 31. The price of all GPI SUS Paperboard will increase by 65 pounds Sterling per metric ton in the U.K. and EUR 65 per ton in the rest of Europe.

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Korsnäs, Sweden, has announced a price increase for white top kraftliner, effective beginning June 15. The company will increase prices for white top kraftliner by EUR 50 (60 pounds Sterling) per metric ton. The increase applies to the coated grades Korsnäs Design, Korsnäs Décor, and Korsnäs Supreme, as well as to the uncoated grade Korsnäs Classic.

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The Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, this past week launched its Supplier Environmental Sustainability Scorecard and rating process to measure and improve the environmental performance of its key suppliers. The new scorecard will assess P&G suppliers' environmental footprint and encourage continued improvement by measuring energy use, water use, waste disposal, and greenhouse gas emissions on a year-to-year basis.

P&G says it hopes this "breakthrough work will lay the foundation for an industry standard and the scorecard will be 'open code' for use by any organization to help promote a working discussion and determine common supply chain evaluation processes across all industries."

The new supplier scorecard is the result of 18 months of work and close collaboration with the company's Supplier Sustainability Board, which includes more than 20 supplier representatives from P&G's global supply chain. The scorecard relies on accepted worldwide measurement standards and sound science, including protocols from the World Resources Institute, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and the Carbon Disclosure Project, so as to minimize redundant efforts and build on existing best practices. P&G's goal in deploying the scorecard is to enhance supply chain collaboration, measure and improve key environmental sustainability indicators, and encourage the sharing of ideas and capabilities to deliver more sustainable products and services for its consumers.

The scorecard is specifically designed to focus on, and encourage, year-on-year improvement, regardless of a supplier's total size or the current stage of its sustainability program. Roll-out beyond P&G's key suppliers will be determined once learnings from the first phase of deployment are incorporated. Suppliers will have a full year to prepare to report their data before the rating can adversely impact their supplier rating with P&G. In the future, P&G will use the scorecard to determine each supplier's sustainability rating as part of its annual supplier performance measurement process. The scorecard can be viewed online.

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Cascades Inc., Kingsey Falls, Que., Canada, has appointed Allan Hogg VP and CFO. Over the years, Hogg has held various positions at Cascades, including director of finance and treasurer of the company and, more recently, VP, finance. In becoming VP and CFO, he succeeds Christian Dube, thus enabling him to fully assume his responsibilities as president of Cascades SAS in Europe as well as chairman of the board of Reno de Medici in Italy and his responsibility for information technology with Cascades. Moreover, as of May 14, Dube will also hold the position of VP, business development, and will continue to assume a key role on Cascades Inc.'s Management Committee. Back To Top

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As I am writing this I am looking over something that I am very proud to have in my possession.
It reads: The Ohio Local Section of TAPPI presents to Larry Montague this certificate of recognition for your contribution to the 2010 spring meeting of Ohio TAPPI. April 9, 2010 Miami University, Oxford, OH.(Printed on paper made by the students of the Paper and Chemical Engineering Department of Miami University using their pilot paper machine.)

What a great place to spend a couple of days in April. My first trip to Oxford, Ohio allowed me to visit one of the most impressive campuses that I have seen in some time. I am told that George Washington played a large role in MUOH being where it is today. His foresight to state that a great nation must have institutions of higher learning strategically located throughout the country, and not just on the coasts, was instrumental in the genesis of a land grant that preserved the land that MUOH now occupies.

My first afternoon and evening was spent getting to know the faculty and students who are tied in with the paper and chemical engineering departments of MUOH.

Two of those students are Elise Ryan TAPPI Student Chapter President, and Ryan Long, also a TAPPI student chapter member. By the way Elise has already lined up a job with IP and Ryan has one with Verso waiting for him after graduation.

As a side note many of those who graduate in this program have jobs waiting for them prior to graduation. Some of their reflections on "why TAPPI, why PAPER" are as follows: "Both my sister and her fiancé told me that I needed to consider Paper Science as a career path. Those suggestions, along with TAPPI and our foundation scholarships, made it happen for me. I stayed involved with the TAPPI Student Chapter because of the knowledge and networking opportunities. The student summit is a great way to meet our peers, learn about the industry, find co-ops and internships opportunities, as well as to interview for a job. I had an informal job offer after a summer internship 9-10 months before graduation."

"This allowed me to be a worry-free person going into my senior year. This was extremely important to me especially during this economy. It is a lot harder for those who are not TAPPI members, or associated with paper, to find internships. Some of my friends who majored in other areas are still looking for jobs a month before graduation. At MUOH we are very blessed to have such an active Paper Science & Engineering Foundation. They stepped in and told us about scholarships.  We are also very fortunate to have such a caring faculty. Dr. Keller and Dr. Coffin have been a major force in helping us. After freshman or sophomore year, people are intimidated to do an internship with a paper company, but our faculty and foundation will help you out. You learn more in the first month in the mill than you do in a research role simply due to the scale of the mill versus the lab."

"There are so many negative impressions of the paper industry to the uninformed. It is not a dying industry. Sure newsprint and magazines are challenged by the electronic media sources but look at tissue & towel or boxes and other packaging made from paper. People need to be educated that the water that comes out of mills is usually cleaner than when it entered a mill. We also need to tell them that we are not destroying the environment by harvesting trees. We are actually planting 3-4 trees in managed forest for each one that is harvested. Younger trees actually take on more carbon dioxide than older trees, so in fact our industry is actually good for the environment." Elise & Ryan, you just told them.

My next opportunity allowed me to spend some time with Professors Steve Keller, Doug Coffin,  and Shashi B. Lalvani (Dept. Chair), Todd W. Downey Executive Director, PS&E Foundation and Candace Crist, Business Coordinator PS&E Foundation.

What a wonderful group of people! They all have a very strong passion for their university, their foundation and for this industry. In 2006-2010 the student population in the department was as follows: 75, 116, 135, 164, and 200, in that order. Not a bad track record. And the payoff, an average starting salary of $64,000 for the 11 of the 12 graduates who walked out with jobs last December 2008 and May 2009.  Some more recent stats: December, 2009, -three graduates, two walked out with jobs, one is seeking employment.

May 2010, five graduates, three with jobs, one will attend graduate school and one is seeking employment. Please let me know if you would like to see any of these students' résumés.
Dr. Keller informed me that their students are very well rounded with the curriculum that MUOH offers, with emphasis on Chemical, Paper Science, Environmental and Bio Chemical Engineering. Their students learn more than just pulping; they also learn topics from harvesting and the fiber line, through papermaking, and on down the line including coatings and converting.

And last but not least, I was asked to give the Key Note address at the rebirth of the Ohio TAPPI Location Section's spring meeting. Talk about a great meeting. There were approximately 135 attendees which included 30 vendor companies who participated with tabletops. They had five technical sessions which included: Upgrades and Modernization of Stock Prep Systems, Doctor Blade Setting, Paper Machine Water Management for the Fourdrinier, Automation for Color Control, Air Systems: Air Dryers, Heat Recovery, How CD Moisture Actuators Can Save Energy,  and a vendor showcase. My hat goes off to the Ohio TAPPI officers and members for pulling off such a great event and to Doug Coffin and Steve Keller for such a great job in communicating with the group prior to the meeting.

For more information please see below:
PSE Foundation
Miami University
TAPPI

There are two types of people in this industry, TAPPI Members and those who should be.
Until next time............Larry

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Paperboard Packaging 2010 will bring the paperboard packaging community to Budapest, Hungary 23 - 24 June 2010.
 
Chaired by leading paper and packaging industry experts from Pira International and TAPPI, Paperboard Packaging 2010 will bring together leading minds in paperboard and associated industries - creating the leading forum where the current challenges and opportunities facing converters, mills and end users will be discussed and real solutions proposed. Learn more about the Conference.

A limited number of rooms have been reserved for conference delegates wishing to stay at the Ramada Budapest Hotel at a special rate. To take advantage of the special rates, go to www.paperboardpack.com and click on the Visitor Information tab. Delegates must reserve their room no later than 22 May 2010.

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Abstracts for 2010 NETInc. (Innovative Nonwovens Conference) are due May 31, 2010.

Organized by the Nonwovens Engineers and Technologists (NET) Division of TAPPI in collaboration with the Nonwovens Institute at North Carolina State University, NETInc. is scheduled for November 10-12, 2010 in Raleigh, NC USA. NETInc. is the perfect forum for a new constituency of industry and academic researchers, the professionals from the nonwovens and affiliated industries and the academic community to enable connections and synergies that support capability development and innovation for industry growth. 

Organizers are looking for papers covering the following topics: Health & Well-Being, Safety & Security, Sustainability & the Environment, Energy & Infrastructure, and Emerging Technologies/Market Trends. View the Call for Papers.
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It's a must-have resource:  the TAPPI Industry Outlook Report is the most comprehensive strategic industry report of its kind! Order now and get the follow-up report free in the fall.

Available NOW with up-to-date industry data you can't get anywhere else in a single report!

•          Global economic information in easy-to-understand terms
•          Real-time data for projecting sales and company stability
•          Historic information for forecasting growth
•          Two-year projections of global economic conditions

Newly released, the TAPPI Industry Outlook Report is a critical tool for forward-thinking companies who want to lead the accelerating rebound in paper and forest products.

Preview the Table of Contents and a sample company profile from the report.

Order by May 31, 2010, to receive the introductory price:

List Price: $670

Member Price: $445

List price after May 31 is $745 and $495 for members.

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Darmstadt/Frankfurt – About 243 exhibitors from 17 countries will present their products and services at ZELLCHEMING General Meeting and Expo taking place from June 29 to July 1, 2010 in the Rhein-Main-Halls in Wiesbaden. A comprehensive lectures and supporting program underline the status as Europe's most important annual event of the pulp and paper industry.
The lectures of the 105th ZELLCHEMING General Meeting comprise the following topics:

• Competitive edge by energy savings
• Environment, energy efficiency and efficient use of resources in paper making and paper converting
• Special Papers
• Cellulose-Symposium
• Energy Efficient Paper Making
• Nano-Fibers and Nano-Cellulose
• Biorefinery of Paper Making Residues

as well as a series of exhibitors' presentations for technique and management.

More information about the program is available on www.zellcheming.com.
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Registration is now open for the 2010 TAPPI Extrusion Coating Course, August 24-26, 2010 in Kennesaw, Georgia USA. This three-day course will help you gain a better understanding of materials and the extrusion processes to enable you to improve your existing extrusion coating operation. Emphasis will be placed on enhancing your troubleshooting skills.

This course is ideal for Extrusion engineers, supervisors and operators; technical directors and superintendents; Technical assistants and R&D personnel.

To learn more or to register, visit www.tappi.org/10extru.
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Lean Principles are made up of a number of tools.  But "Lean" is also an art.  High-performing companies that do well as the result of using Lean Principles have them ingrained it into the corporate culture.  These companies succeed by focusing on lean culture and lean leadership. 

Attend this one-day workshop and gain a working knowledge of the values and principles of Lean Methods and how to apply them with results. 

Seats are limited to 30 participants, so register now to assure your spot!

What will you learn?

• Experience – in small groups – how lean methods are superior to traditional methods and can bring quantifiable results. 
• Learn how an integrated system of continuous improvement can be applied to your manufacturing facility – and return back to work with new ideas and methods you can apply immediately. 
• Learn how to improve quality, value and speed – and understand how companies that have applied Lean Principles throughout their enterprise (holistically) have higher customer satisfaction, great customer loyalty and increased profits.

Learn more about this workshop and register to attend.
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The deadline to nominate a candidate for TAPPI's 2011 Board of Directors is May 31, 2010.
The candidate must be a TAPPI member. For more information or to submit a nomination contact Mary Beth Cornell +1 770 209-7210 or email  mcornell@tappi.org Back To Top

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The global operating environment of the paper industry continues to change rapidly. In this dynamic setting, innovative products and operating models are crucial in order to remain competitive.

Implementing the new rise – the theme of the PulPaper 2010 Conference – will cover topics that deal with improving results in the changing environment.

The conference organized in association with the PulPaper 2010 Exhibition is an event organized by Adforum in cooperation with the Paper Engineers' Association, AEL and The Finnish Fair Corporation.

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Join the TAPPI Consulting Council, or TCC, a premium service that connects qualified and competent TAPPI members who are subject matter experts with potential clients.

For consultants, TCC becomes a 24-hour business development rep. It also drives traffic to the consultant's site.  No site? No problem. It provides segment specific marketing of the consultant's company and service capability on the TAPPI website. More importantly, it allows the consultant to take advantage of low cost advertising that reaches decision makers needing expertise just like theirs.  In short, it's an excellent, cost-effective extension of the consultant's current marketing efforts.

Best of all, it allows consultants to negotiate fees and scope with the potential client who ultimately pays them directly. No middleman.

It delivers value that would cost them over $64,000 a year for just a fraction of that cost. Want more details? Contact Kristi Ledbetter at kledbetter@tappi.org. Back To Top

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With machines whirring and the demands of day-to-day operations keeping your technicians busy, where's the time for basic training that encompasses the big picture of pulp and paper manufacturing?  No worries!  Here's the answer.

The Hands-On Workshop for Pulp and Paper Basics -- June 6-11– delivers exactly what machine operators and technicians need to improve their skills and overall understanding of the industry's technology, operations and markets.  This workshop sponsored by TAPPI and North Carolina State University balances lectures and laboratories at NC State's beautiful, educational setting in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Learn More. This introductory-level workshop is ideal for technical and non-technical employees with a desire for lab-focused instruction that will help them understand and appreciate the basics of pulping, bleaching, recovery, recycling, papermaking and converting operations.

Stock up on CEUs and join others in Raleigh, NC next month (June 7-11). Back To Top

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TAPPI is inviting Corrugated Packaging Industry Suppliers to submit for consideration their ideas, technologies or services that should be featured at the Corrugated Week 2010 What's New Technology Showcase, called Innovations." The session this year allows for more presentations and categorizes them by interests.  TAPPI divided the three-hour sessions into three equal parts:
•    Innovations for the Corrugator
•    Innovations for the Converter
•    Innovations for Non-Machinery

This is your chance to speak directly to people who can understand, appreciate and apply your technology to help them increase profits.

Corrugated Week 2010 is scheduled October 4-8,at the Hyatt and Hilton hotels in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.  It's the must-attend event for everyone in the corrugated industry from packaging to printing because there's only one show like it this year.  TAPPI, the leading association for the worldwide pulp, paper, packaging and converting industries, and AICC, the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters are joining forces to deliver this powerful conference in ONE venue.

Submit your ideas by filling out the Innovations Session application found at www.corrugatedweek.org.  You must be an exhibitor at 2010 Corrugated Week to participate in the What's New Technology Showcase.  Application Deadline is July 16, 2010.  For more information, contact Ron Buckhold, ron_buckhold@cargill.com, or Raine Hyde at TAPPI, 770-209-7256 rhyde@tappi.org.

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TAPPI, in partnership again with Pira International, is pleased to announce the second annual Specialty Papers Conference. It is scheduled for November 10-11, 2010 at the Hotel Allegro Chicago, in Chicago, Illinois.
This year's program will focus on the current state of the market and the latest technology and application developments in the specialty papers arena.

Specialty Papers 2010 will tentatively feature 18 expert presentations. They will cover market trends, technical development and application related advances through presentations. Equally important, there will be question-and-answer sessions and panel discussions. Topics new to this year's agenda include:
• an update on the Chinese specialty papers market;
• choosing specific market pulps for various grades;
• in-depth views of the packaging paper markets and developments; and,
• life cycle assessment and regulations and certifications.

Throughout the conference, there will be a number of hosted luncheons as well as breaks and receptions. All of the previous activities will occur in and around the exhibit area located outside the main conference room. Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities will be available.

More information about Specialty Papers 2010 is available online at  www.specialtypaperconference.com.  Speaker recruitment is now underway. To submit a topic for consideration, or to request more details, please contact conference producer Barbara Rojas at +1 207 781 9608.
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"We fell morally ill because we became used to saying something different from what we thought."
Vaclev Havel - former President of the Czech Republic in a broadcast to the Czech people 1 January 1990 (Submitted byIan Dench, I D Dench & Associates Pty Ltd, Madalya, Victoria, Australia) Back To Top

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