UPM-Kymmene Corp., Helsinki, Finland, has agreed to acquire Myllykoski Corp. of Finland and its subsidiary Rhein Papier GmbH of Germany. The approximate enterprise value of the businesses acquired is EUR 900 million.

Myllykoski and Rhein Papier consist of seven publication paper mills in Germany, Finland, and the U.S. The total annual paper production capacity is 2.8 million metric tons. In addition, Myllykoski owns 0.8% of the Finnish energy company Pohjolan Voima Oy, with an estimated value of EUR 70 million. Following the transaction, UPM Group's balance sheet assets will increase by approximately EUR 1.6 billion.

The transaction will be financed through a directed share issue of 5 million UPM shares, with current market value of approximately EUR 60 million, and long-term debt arrangements amounting to EUR 800 million.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including, among others, the approval of the regulatory authorities. Myllykoski will continue to operate independently until the transaction is closed, which is scheduled for the second quarter of 2011.

The transaction is estimated to create annual synergy benefits exceeding EUR 100 million, mainly from 2012 onwards. Synergy benefits will be reached for the most part by rationalizing production, logistics, and sourcing as well as reducing overlapping activities. The related restructuring and investment costs of the combined operations are estimated to be approximately EUR 100-150 million.

The transaction is estimated to have an immediate positive impact on UPM's cash flow starting from the second half of 2011 and on earnings per share in 2012.

After the completion of the transaction, UPM's gearing ratio is estimated to rise by 8 percentage points. At the end of September 2010, the gearing ratio was 51%. UPM will report from the transaction a one-off gain of approximately EUR 300 million.

UPM's President and CEO Jussi Pesonen noted that UPM is focused on improving the cost efficiency and profitability of its European paper operations. "With this transaction, we create the conditions needed for improving UPM's cash flow and mid-term profitability."

Pesonen draws attention to the challenging operating environment of print customers. "Electronic media is posing a growing challenge for the print media. Print media has to be able to respond not only with good content but also with excellent cost competitiveness. UPM has confidence in the potential of the graphic industry. Our target is to be a competitive player that is able to meet customers' expectations.

"Myllykoski is without doubt one of the leading publication paper suppliers. The company has broad-mindedly taken advantage of new business concepts and technologies. We recognize today's Myllykoski people as solid professionals, who have a strongly customer oriented approach. This attitude and know-how fit very well with UPM.

"Combining forces and rationalizing production is necessary for the future of the whole industry in Europe. This means both closing unprofitable production capacity and investments in order to increase cost efficiency," Pesonen said.

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Smart Papers, Hamilton, Ohio, has been certified as an eligible renewable energy resource generating facility by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Smart Papers operates a 37.8 MW co-generation power plant at its headquarters northwest of Cincinnati. The certification allows the company to cut its coal use by more than 50,000 tpy, a 50% reduction, and provides a new source of renewable energy to Ohio and the U.S. Midwest power grid by late next year.

Cellulosic fuel pellets will replace coal used by the Hamilton coated paper mill's co-generation plant. The pellets are manufactured from non-recyclable paper and biomass materials that traditionally have gone to landfill. Excess power from the co-gen plant is sold to the U.S. Power Transmission Grid and subsequently distributed across Ohio and the central U.S. via the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (Midwest ISO).

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Total U.S. printing and writing (P&W) paper shipments decreased 2% in November compared with November 2009, according to the AF&PA, Washington, D.C., USA, November 2010 Printing-Writing Paper Report issued this week. Two of the four major P&W grades posted increases compared with last November, while one remained essentially flat. U.S. purchases (shipments + imports – exports) of P&W papers decreased, down 3% in November. Total P&W paper inventory levels increased 3% compared with October 2010.

Some additional key findings include:

• Uncoated free sheet shipments decline year-over-year for the sixth consecutive month
  
• Coated free sheet shipments increase year-over-year for the thirteenth consecutive month
  
• Coated mechanical year-to-date shipments lead 2009 for the eleventh consecutive month while inventories are 22% lower than year end 2009
  
• Uncoated mechanical shipments increased year-over-year for the tenth time in 2010.
  

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Total U.S. kraft paper shipments were 126,600 tons, an increase of 1.6% compared with November 2009, and 1.7% compared with October 2010, according to the AF&PA, Washington, D.C., USA, November 2010 Kraft Paper Sector Report.Total year-to-date shipments rose 11.0% over last year. Total inventory was 75,700 tons. Additional key findings from the report include:

• Total unbleached kraft shipments
• Total bleached kraft shipments.

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Domestic market pulp prices fell $5 - $10/metric ton in December and the bias remains downward, says Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank. The exception is NBSK in China, he adds. Dissolving pulp customers in the rayon market are reportedly adding NBSK to their mix. Domestic NBSK prices on the West Coast are being aided by robust Chinese demand. Overall, North American NBSK prices are down $10/metric ton to $960/metric ton in December.

In China, NBSK prices are up $10 - $30/metric ton and could rise further by $10 - $20/metric ton in January, according to Wilde. Last week, Millar Western and Winstone Pulp announced a $30/metric ton price increase on BCTPM to China. West Fraser and Tembec have also announced similar price increases, Wilde notes.

Hardwood fundamentals are weaker and prices are declining in all the major regions, Wilde continues. Brazilian producers cut BEK prices by $50/metric ton in Asia and by $20/metric ton in Europe in December. In North America, BEK prices fell $10/metric ton to $890/metric ton. North American fluff pulp was down $10/metric ton to $1,030 - $1,050/metric ton. In Europe, pulp prices were down $5 - $25/metric ton depending on the grade, Wilde reports.

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U.S. December UFS list prices were mostly flat, but preliminary November shipments data suggest that prices could come under additional pressure, according to Wilde. November UFS volumes were down 7.2% y/y and 6.5% m/m; YTD shipments are down 2.5% y/y. Pricing signals are mixed. "Our discussions with trade contacts suggest that while premium brand prices are relatively stable, mid-tier mills, private label suppliers, and importers are offering more discounts," Wilde said. MOCR prices fell $10/ton this month. In November, list prices were down $10 - $25/ton.

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The board of directors of Domsjö Fabriker, Sweden, has announced further investments in its Domsjö 2012 program, which aims at increasing specialty cellulose capacity to 255 000 metric tpy. The company also said that it plans further investments in its biorefinery operations in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. Additionally Domsjö is investigating other opportunities such as business acquisitions, according to CEO Ola Hildingsson. During 2011, some SEK 280 million will be invested in these projects.

The new investments come on the heels of investment decisions earlier this year totaling SEK 300 million. These included a new lignin dryer and a new debarking facility.

As a result of the development program, Domsjö 's cellulose capacity will increase from approximately 200 000 metric tpy to 255 000 metric tpy. Hildingsson noted tht this expansion "allows us to grow with our customers in the expanding textile market, and we wish to expand as soon as possible."

Domsjö specialty cellulose is mainly used for viscose textiles, which the companay emphasizes is currently experiencing strong growth.The growth, it adds, is due to a decline in cotton production. Hildingsson explains that one option would be to convert an existing sulfate pulp mill in Scandinavia. "However, this is complicated and expensive. Another option we are evaluating is to start producing specialty cellulose in South America. Nothing is decided yet," he concludes.

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Domtar Corp., Montreal, Que., Canada, this past week sold its 48,070,712 common shares of EACOM Timber Corp. by way of a block trade through Canaccord Genuity Corp. for C$0.51 per common share, for a net proceed of C$24,035,356. The sale includes all of Domtar's 11.74% ownership interest in EACOM common shares. Domtar acquired these shares from EACOM on July 1, 2010, as partial consideration for the sale of its Forest Products Business, by Domtar Inc. and Domtar Pulp and Paper Products Inc., both 100% owned subsidiaries of Domtar Corp.

Domtar is the largest integrated manufacturer and marketer of uncoated free sheet paper in North America and the second largest in the world based on production capacity, and is also a manufacturer of paper grade, fluff, and specialty pulp. The company employs approximately 8,500 people.

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Western European demand for coated papers has matured and the post recession rebound in demand is over. According to RISI's new European Coated Papers Risk of Closure Study, overcapacity of both coated wood free and coated mechanical papers has reached 1.2 million metric tons, lowering prices and affecting producer profitability in Europe. With coated wood free capacity in China forecast to exceed domestic demand by the end of 2011 and new capacity in Russia, export prospects of Western European coated paper producers are threatened and capacity closures of 2.7 - 3.5 million metric tpy are expected by 2015.

"Coated paper mills are currently operating at a loss in Europe. To maintain profitability, prices will have to rise and capacity needs to be balanced, through closures," said Sampo Timonen, director of European Graphic Papers at RISI, and author of the study.

Timonen analyzed 90 paper machines and 20 producers for this study and created a methodology that compares company and machine risk against the industry average using a range of criteria—financials, long-term cost position, and the strategies of coated wood free and coated mechanical producers in Europe—to evaluate the machines most likely to close on a permanent basis. The study analyzes machine risk of closure by company, indicating machines likely to face proactive closure, potential divestments, and closures due to bankruptcy. More information is available online.

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Fraser Papers, Toronto, Ont., USA, together with its subsidiaries, announced that it completed the sale of its paper mill in Gorham, N.H., USA, on December 16 to a subsidiary of Counsel RB Capital, LLC. Fraser Papers remains under creditor protection pursuant to the provisions of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) of Canada, with its stay of proceedings having been extended by the court to Feb. 28, 2011.

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Metso, Finland, and Howe Sound Pulp & Paper, Canada, have announced an agreement to retrofit the existing Babcock and Wilcox biomass power boiler at Howe Sound's pulp and paper mill at Port Mellon, B.C. Metso will convert the existing hydrograte stoker boiler to a bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) boiler. To be conducted in June 2011, the retrofit will increase the boiler's steaming rate on biomass, improve the overall reliability and operability of the boiler, reduce maintenance costs, and increase the mill's ability to produce power for the BC Hydro grid.

The retrofit includes pressure parts, fuel and ash handling, and installation. Complete automation of the boiler island includes the process automation system, emission monitoring and reporting, instrumentation, and electrification retrofit.

Funding for the project is part of the Green Transformation Program provided by the Canadian government.

"As a result of this investment in our boiler, we will become one of the largest independent producers of wood-fuelled renewable electricity in British Columbia," said Mac Palmiere, president and CEO of Howe Sound Pulp & Paper.

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Nanning Phoenix Pulp & Paper Co., based in Nanning City, Guangxi province, China, reports that it has ordered a new TT WIND-M tissue rewinder from the Italian company Toscotec. Guangxi Nanning Phoenix, established in 1992, is now one of the largest pulp and tissue paper mills in Guangxi. It has a current production capacity of 150, 000 metric tpy of kraft bleached wood pulp and 60,000 metric tpy of tissue paper. Next year the tissue production capacity will be increased by 50%.

The TT WIND-M features three unwind stands and a calendar capable of handling parent rolls 3,650 mm wide. It has a maximum speed of 1,500 m/min. The rewinder is equipped with an automatic slitting unit and an automatic shaft handling system.

The project, defined on a turn key basis, includes all of the necessary rewinder auxiliaries as well as the electrification and control system, dust removal system, erection supervision, commissioning, and startup service. It will startup in the third quarter of 2011.

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LuoHe YinGe Tissue Paper Industry Co., based in Luohe City China, also has signed a contract with Toscotec for the supply of a TT WIND-L Tissue rewinder. The rewinder will be installed in the new production line being installed in the company‘s mill at Luohe City.

Yinge Group, established in 2004, is a multi-trade and multi-area enterprise that includes more than 10 companies. The Group is a top-500 Chinese company and a top-10 paper company in China. In recent years the Group has invested more than RMB 500,000,000 in environment treatment and recycling technology. Its main products are household paper, packing paper, specialty paper, and culture paper.

The TT WIND-L Shaftless features three unwind stands and is capable of handling parent rolls 5,600 mm wide and 3,000 mm in dia at a maximum working speed of 900 m/min. The rewinder is equipped with a slitting unit complete with 32 knives, able to reach a minimum slitting width of 150 mm.

The project includes all of the necessary rewinder auxiliaries as well as control system, dust removal system service, and a spare package. Rewinder startup is expected to be in the third quarter of 2011.

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Rottneros AB, Stockholm, Sweden, reports that it will close bleach plant water loops at its Vallvik Mill in Sweden, at a cost of SEK 90 million. The project is the final part of a series of measures previously announced. Closure of the bleach plant will significantly reduce water usage, the company notes, and will also allow the biological external water purification plant currently being built to be kept significantly smaller. The mill additionally will see a slight reduction in the cost of power and chemicals.

The investments will help the Vallvik Mill meet extended requirements for water purification that will apply beginning in 2012. These investments will lead to a 20% increase in capacity at the factory, from 200,000 to 240,000 metric tpy of sulfate pulp. The current production permit is limited to 220,000 metric tpy and a request for a temporary extended permit for 242,000 metric tpy has already been submitted to the relevant environmental authorities.

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Sappi Fine Paper North America, (SFPNA) Boston, Mass., USA, reports that it has successfully completed capital projects totaling $49 million at the company's Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Me. The investment included a major upgrade of recovery cycle equipment at the Somerset pulp mill, as well as 17 other related projects that improved manufacturing processes, all of which were completed on time with no interruptions to the mill's paper production.

The recovery boiler and evaporator system upgrades enable the mill to process more black liquor, a renewable carbon neutral fuel generated as a byproduct of the pulping process. As a result, the Somerset Mill benefits from increased pulp production while improving energy efficiency and further reducing its carbon footprint.

With this investment, SFPNA notes that the Somerset Mill continues to be globally competitive, reliable, and environmentally sound. The company adds that the project also reflects its commitment to the sustainability of the Somerset Mill and the 80-plus jobs it provides in the community.

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Södra Cell, Sweden, this week reported that it has been invited to participate in a feasibility study regarding a pulp mill project in Russia. Södra, the Russian bank VEB, and Angara Paper have signed a Letter of Intent. Södra's role in the project will be industrial partner and responsible for sales and marketing of future pulp production.

The feasibility study is focused on constructing a pulp mill with a capacity of 1.1 million metric tpy of softwood pulp. The project has cutting rights to 6 million cubic meters of softwood per year in the Krasnojarsk area.

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Total U.S. boxboard production decreased by 0.6% compared with November 2009, but increased 2.3% from last month, according to the AF&PA, Washington, D.C., USA, November 2010 U.S. Paperboard Report. Year-to-date production was up 3.3% over 2009. Additional key findings in this report:

• Unbleached kraft folding
• Solid bleached folding
• The production of recycled folding
• Inventory of solid bleached kraft paperboard increased.

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November U.S. containerboard and box volumes showed signs of easing, reports Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank. Shipments were up 4.6% on an "actual" basis, but were flat on an average week basis. Inventories were +1.7% m/m, but remain at low levels. Domestic linerboard prices were flat at $640. With a slowing demand trajectory, and seasonally weaker shipments, the current focus for box producers should be defense as they attempt to maintain existing price levels.

The increase in actual containerboard and box shipments was mostly due to +1 shipping day this year compared with November 2009. "On an average week basis, this is the weakest comp we've seen since January 2010. On a ‘blended' average of 2.8% (mix of actual and average week), the result compares to an YTD volume gain of 3.2%. Looking ahead, we think December is likely to show further deceleration in the numbers," Wilde explained. Combined mill and box plant inventories increased 38,000 tons m/m to 2.274 million tons.

"Looking over the past 10 years, there is no clear directional trend in inventory shifts from October to November. On average, inventories have risen 5,000 tons m/m in November, with a standard deviation of 49,000. Inventories have now increased 342,000 since May trough levels. Normally, this would be a highly disturbing trend, but even after this rapid increase, inventories remain lean by historical standards," Wilde said.

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China Green Material Technologies Inc., Harbin, China, a manufacturer of starch-based biodegradable containers, tableware, and packaging materials, has appointed Johnson Lau as independent director for the company. Lau will replace Yi (Jenny) Liu, who has resigned due to personal reasons. Liu served as independent director since June 2010.

Lau has more than 14 years of financial experience in public companies and Big Four accounting firms, and is currently director of finance for AutoChina International, and serves on the board of directors for Lizhan Environmental Corp. Previously he was CFO and a director at Haike Chemical Group. Lau has also worked at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and has been a certified public accountant since 1999

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Stora Enso's Fors Mill in Sweden, one of the world's largest producers of cartonboard for consumer packaging and for printing purposes, has ordered an upgrade of its BM 2 coating section from UMV Coating Systems in Sweden. UMV Coating Systems is a business unit within the Swedish Mattssongruppen.

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Graphic Packaging International, Marietta, Ga., USA, a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Co., has approved a plan to expand utilization of biomass energy in its Macon, Ga., paperboard mill with an estimated cost of up to $80 million. The project, which will include a high-efficiency biomass boiler and a 40 MW turbine generator, will begin immediately.

The objectives of the biomass project are to further the company's sustainability strategy, reduce energy costs, and improve profitability of the Macon mill in advance of expected increases in electricity costs. The mill currently produces approximately 1,600 tons of paperboard per day.

The company intends to complete the project and begin operations by mid-year 2013. The new biomass system is expected to make the Macon mill self-sufficient from an electrical power and steam generation standpoint, thereby stabilizing and reducing energy costs and dependency on fossil-fuel based alternatives. The mill expects to become a net producer of electricity.

Expected biomass system benefits:

• Will provide energy from biomass – a carbon neutral, renewable energy source.
• Will generate approximately 40 MW of power per hour from a renewable energy source – or enough electrical power to support approximately 27,400 homes per year.
• Will reduce the Macon mill's fossil-fuel based greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 200,000 tpy through the substitution of biomass--the emissions equivalent of approximately 35,000 passenger cars.
• Will generate power from approximately 400,000 tpy of logging residuals (tops and branches of trees). An estimated 3.3 million tpy of residuals are currently available in the Macon area.

"Graphic Packaging is committed to engaging in more sustainable manufacturing processes," said President and CEO David Scheible. "This biomass project will not only make use of untapped renewable resources, but it will also add value to the Macon, Ga., community as a whole."

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Södra Cell, Sweden, has confirmed that it is maintaining its price for softwood pulp in Europe at $950 per metric ton, from January 1. "The market for softwood pulp is balanced," said Ulf Edman, president of Södra Cell International.

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Washington, D.C., USA, announced this week that it is accepting applications—for up to $30 million in total funding—for small-scale process integration projects that support the development of advanced biofuels. The biofuels could replace gasoline or diesel without requiring special upgrades or changes to the vehicle or fueling infrastructure. The funding opportunity announcement (FOA) provides up to $30 million over the next three to four years to support as many as five projects.

The projects will focus on optimizing and integrating process steps that convert biomass into biofuels and bioproducts that will eventually be used to support hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals. These process improvements could include pretreatment methods that alter the biomass to improve the yield of sugars in subsequent process steps, less costly and more efficient enzymes that produce sugars, and fermentation organisms and catalysts that convert the sugars into fuel and chemical intermediates. Successful applicants will demonstrate the research potential to improve the economics and efficiency of their proposed process.

A complete description of the FOA solicitation, eligibility requirements, and application instructions can be found on the FedConnect Web site that lists public opportunities. Applications must be submitted by no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on Feb. 7, 2011.

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Energy Quest Inc. (EQI), Henderson, Nev., USA, this past week announced that it will begin preliminary work on a modular biomass (agricultural waste) to power energy plant producing 6.4 MW (6 net MW), to be located in Lee County, Ga. The plant will consist of four 1.6 MW (1.5 net MW) modular power systems.

The modular gasification bio-energy plant will consume 10 to 12 tons per hour of agricultural waste biomass that will be provided from the surrounding area. The plant will produce approximately 6 MW of electrical power which will be sold to the area utility or Co-Op.

The gasification system used to produce gas for the power plant generator engines will also produce 16,000 to 18,000 tons per year of a high quality Biochar that will be sold as a soil enhancement product. The plant will operate 24 hr a day and, when completed, will provide 20 full time jobs. EQI would be an owner and operate the facility.

Energy Quest's modular gasification design will result in lower set up costs and increased efficiencies. The gasifiers will provide clean syngas fuel for the power generators.

Estimated cost of the bio-energy project is $12 million. A rudimentary pay out time (POT) calculation based on conditions of 2010 using gross revenues of $6,500,000 with net revenues after tax of $3,200,000 annually will be less than four years. It is felt that the project is economically more attractive than this figure may initially indicate as various government grants, recyclables, and incentives (not taken in consideration in the POT calculations) are available for projects of this nature.

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To help minimize forest fires, the U.S. Forest Service Wood Education Resource Center (WERC), Washington, D.C., USA, and the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence (OEI), Madison, Wis., USA, have joined forces to offer a grant opportunity to turn a fire hazard into a valuable bioenergy commodity for facilities with old boilers.

"We have been exploring ways to repower old boilers with bioenergy," said Judy Ziewacz, director of the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence. "By making use of the smaller diameter forest materials for boiler fuel the project will provide jobs in our state, build a market for fire reduction efforts, and assist businesses to become energy independent."

OEI and WERC are seeking applicants for the bioenergy grant program. Public and private facilities can apply. The ideal candidate, from an economic standpoint, would have an older coal, heating oil, or propane boiler. Six applicants will be chosen for feasibility studies and up to three applicants will be chosen for project construction. Projects must be located in one of the 42 Wisconsin counties identified by the U.S. Forest Service as within a fire hazard reduction zone. This boundary is roughly counties north of State Highway 60.

More information, a map of the eligible area, and application materials are available on the Office of Energy Independence web site.

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Boise Inc., Boise, Idaho, USA, this week named Samuel K. Cotterell SVP and CFO, effective January 1. Cotterell replaces Robert M. McNutt who is resigning December 31 to pursue another employment opportunity (see Greif item below).

Cotterell has been Boise's VP and controller since February 2008. From October 2004 to February 2008, he was VP and controller of Boise Cascade LLC. Before that, he served as director of financial reporting for Boise Cascade Corp. (now OfficeMax).

"We thank Rob for the many strong contributions he made to the company," said Alexander Toeldte, CEO for Boise Inc., "notably in helping the company pay down debt and preparing its finances for growing our businesses. We wish Rob the best in his new role.

"I am confident that Sam will provide strong leadership as we continue pursuing our goals of creating shareholder value through well-performing operations, disciplined capital allocation, and targeted growth," Toeldte noted.

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Greif Inc., Delaware, Ohio, USA, has appointed Robert M. McNutt SVP and CFO. McNutt replaces Donald S. Huml, who will fully retire after assisting through a brief transition period. 

McNutt comes to Greif from Boise Inc., where he was SVP and CFO. He began his career as an auditor for Boise Cascade Corp., and served in several positions for the company, working in Treasury, International Business Development, and Building Products. He was named VP, Investor Relations & Public Policy for Boise Cascade in 2005, and subsequently appointed SVP and CFO of Boise Inc. when that company was formed in 2008. Boise reported $2 billion in sales in 2009.

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TAPPI has issued an Invitation to Present at the 2011 International Pulp Bleaching Conference, which will be held October 5-7, 2011, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore. USA. This conference is dedicated to all chemical and engineering aspects of pulp bleaching. Not held since 2008, it is the most important meeting on this subject and attracts a global audience to meet, learn and exchange ideas.

Authors interested in presenting a paper should upload their extended abstract to TAPPI's Speaker Management System by March 15, 2011. Abstracts should be 1-2 pages in length. Authors will be notified of acceptance by April 15, 2011 and must provide a full text manuscript by June 1, 2011.

For more details about the technical program please contact Craig McKinney at TAPPI; +1-770-209-7294.

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The National Center for Pulp and Paper Technology Training announced that Rainy River Community College (RRCC), International Falls, Minn., joined The National Network for Pulp and Paper Technology Training (NPT2). The Network is a national partnership of community colleges and industry representatives that arms students with the training and experience necessary to meet the increasing demand for advanced technology workers in the pulp and paper industry.

"We are very excited to add RRCC to our network of community colleges offering Pulp and Paper technology training across the country," said T.J. Murphy, executive director of The National Center for Pulp and Paper Technology Training. "RRCC is recognized by business, government, and community leaders for its outstanding workforce development and training programs."

Rainy River Community College was founded in 1967 by a group of dedicated individuals who wanted post-secondary education offered in International Falls at the heart of Minnesota's north woods. Rainy River fosters learning by surrounding its students with an environment rich in natural wonder. The 80-acre campus has an eight-building complex connected with heated walkways.

"Rainy River Community College's partnership with NPT2 and Itasca Community College will make available additional training and experience necessary to meet the increasing demand for advanced technology workers at local paper mill Boise Inc.," said Tammy Cook, director of Instructional Services at RRCC. "In addition, this partnership will enhance the value of the Industrial Technology program, already offered by RRCC.

The National Network for Pulp & Paper Technology Training (NPT2) was created to provide the pulp and paper sector of the US forest products industry with a Technologically Advanced Workforce (TAW) by offering exciting and effective education and training. The National Network is an alliance of community colleges, universities, industry partners and the National Science Foundation. It offers a proven program for recruiting, training, placing and retaining future pulp and paper workers by providing technical curriculum, continuing education, scholarships and internships. The National Network for Pulp & Paper Technology Training's scholarships-internships-jobs model succeeds because its partnerships address the complete cycle of worker training and development, from recruitment of new students to retention of existing workers.

The National Network is a part of the TAW platform supported as an important technology platform by the American Forest and Paper Association's special project group, Agenda 2020, and TAPPI.
For more information about the partnership, contact T.J. Murphy, executive director, NPT2, tmurphy@ascc.edu, (334) 637-3193 or Tammy Cook, Director of Instructional Services, RRCC, tcook@rrcc.mnscu.edu, (218) 285-2265.

Additional information can be found at www.npt2.net or www.npt2.org.

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Happy holidays! Now's the time to order your TAPPI and PIMA logo items for 2011 and show your pride as a TAPPI member or to support your PIMA division. Choose from unstructured brushed twill caps, knit polos and microfiber windshirts with either the TAPPI or the PIMA logo.

You'll want to wear your TAPPI and PIMA logo merchandise to:
• Show your pride in the industry
• Great to wear at TAPPI conferences and events
• Super gift idea to give a student in the industry or a co-worker

Wearing your TAPPI or PIMA logo merchandise makes a positive and lasting impression in the industry.

Visit the website to order TAPPI merchandise or PIMA items.

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Which industry segments trend upward? How is your company doing compared with competitors? Need a one-stop benchmark for industry performance and forecasting?

Then you need the 2010 TAPPI Industry Outlook Report: Performance Improves But Caution Remains

Save 10 percent on the TAPPI Industry Outlook Report, the most comprehensive strategic industry report of its kind! 407 companies, 15 market segments, complete data covering five and a half years, plus two years of forecasting.

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

Filled with industry data, the TAPPI Industry Outlook Report is your key to a successful future in the paper and forest products industry. More than 400 publicly traded industry representatives participated in this comprehensive report that analyzes market segments, reviews growth trends and predicts how your company can be ahead of the curve as the market rebounds.

Commissioned by TAPPI, this 482-page report has been compiled using the latest data by FairValue Advisors LLC, a leading firm in analysis of performance measures including company size, growth projections, asset turnover, profitability, rates of return, investments and risk.

Just off the presses, the 2010 TAPPI Industry Outlook Report is a must-have for forward-thinking companies who want to lead the accelerating rebound in paper and forest products.

To order:

Save 10 percent off the price until January 15.

List Price: $670
Member Price: $445

Order online at www.tappi.org/bookstore or contact TAPPI's Member Connection Center at 1-800-332-8686 (US), 1-800-446-9431 (Canada) or +1 770-446-1400 (Worldwide) or by email at memberconnection@tappi.org.

List price after January 15 is $745 and $495 for members.

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Here's an impressive holiday gift idea to consider for several of your employees or yourself. The popular TAPPI Best Practices on the Corrugator course is a terrific opportunity to build upon skills and knowledge for anyone working within or alongside the corrugated industry.

The course takes place February 15-18, 2011 at TAPPI's new training facility in Norcross, Ga. You could present the Preliminary Course Schedule and confirmation of registration inside an envelope for a much-appreciated year-end gift.

Operators of corrugators, production managers, box plant supervisors, engineers – even those who provide products or services for corrugators -- can all benefit from the content offered during this short course.

Participants will:

- Learn how to increase productivity, improve quality and minimize waste;
- Take home new ideas and operational methods to improve production; and
- Share specific questions with the experts who'll be onsite to answer them.

This course offers 2.4 CEUs during the comprehensive 3.5-day session. Register by January 14 for an early-bird discount. Happy holidays from TAPPI!

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Every company, regardless of how large or small, struggles with the same HR dilemma – attracting qualified candidates. Hiring the wrong candidate can be an expensive venture with long-term repercussions. In the pulp, paper, and allied industries, there is finally a resource to make this process less cumbersome. The TAPPI Career Center provides employers direct access to qualified paper and packaging industry professionals. With its focus on the paper and packaging industry companies and professionals, the TAPPI Career Center, offers its members—and the industry at large—an easy-to-use and highly targeted resource for online employment connections.

High Visibility and Job Posting Management w/ a Niche Job Board

The truth is that the continued demand for online job boards show a better than 20 percent gain over last year. Job seekers are already using online services and want more visibility to top employers. Recently, the Wall Street Journal Online reported that employers are flocking to niche job boards and moving away from commercial job boards for a lack of qualified candidates. Unlike commercial job boards where hundreds of unqualified job seekers apply, the TAPPI Career Center directly connects qualified paper and packaging industry candidates to employers. On average, jobs posted on the TAPPI Career Center are viewed 240 times by industry job seekers. This means for every job posted, an average of 240 qualified job seekers have viewed the job posting!

Posting your job with a talent filled niche job board is one of many features to help employers save time and hiring cost. Using TAPPI's Career Center's Resume Agent feature, employers can:

• specify particular skills and search for the right candidate through the resume search
• have unlimited access to resumes
• activate features such as candidate notification
• save to favorites to help manage potential interviewees

For more information please contact David Bell at dbell@tappi.org.

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