Standard & Poor's Equity Research, New York, N.Y., USA, expects paper demand this year to be generally positive, as it expects the economy to continue to expand modestly this year. It notes that producers have taken aggressive steps to optimize output on both a temporary and permanent basis, and it thinks these moves will allow prices to remain at elevated levels.

In a sign that company managements are feeling better about the financial situation, dividend payouts have risen and, in some cases, significantly, S&P Equity Research says. In fact, it adds, two companies that had eliminated their dividends (Wausau Paper and Domtar) reinstated their payouts, and Buckeye Technologies instituted a dividend for the first time in its history. International Paper increased its payout twice in the past year.

"We expect the price for market pulp to remain near current levels, or decline somewhat in 2011, after a significant advance over the past couple of years," said Stuart Benway, Paper and Forest Products Equity Analyst at S&P Equity Research. "Pulp is used in all grades of paper and paperboard, and its price can be quite volatile. Inventories remain in balance by historical standards, which we believe will prevent a collapse in prices. We expect prices for fluff pulp, which is used in towels and tissues, to remain fairly steady as demand growth in the worldwide economy and continued expansion in developing markets are matched by capacity increases."

Benway's other predictions for 2011 in the paper and forest products sectors include:

• For newsprint, we expect domestic demand to continue to decline. With the increasing use of alternative news sources, this category has been in a long-term downtrend. Producers of this grade have been acutely aware of the declining demand trends and have either shutdown capacity permanently or shifted capacity to other grades. One positive factor for the newsprint sector is that demand is increasing in certain emerging markets where newspapers are still a primary source of information.
• Although we think the long-term outlook for printing papers is not promising given the secular impact of technology on demand, we think conditions will be generally favorable for higher profits in 2011. Prices remain at high levels and no new capacity is expected to be added to the sector. In coated papers, the shutdown of about 6% of North American capacity should lead to much higher prices in this category this year.
• We expect conditions in the containerboard market to remain fairly strong in 2011. Because boxes are used to ship a wide variety of consumer and industrial goods, this segment is one of the most economically sensitive. However, unlike some other paper grades, demand for containerboard has not been affected by secular changes in print communications. We expect linerboard prices in 2011 to hold onto their gains due to balanced inventories, capacity closures, and a gradually recovering economy.
• Most of the risk for paper producers in 2011 involves rising raw materials prices, in our view. Higher pulp prices are good for those producers that sell market pulp, such as Domtar, but it can hurt margins for those that do not, such as Wausau Paper. Costs for old corrugated containers have also surged in recent months, as demand from China for the raw material has been very strong, as China has added significant papermaking capacity over the past couple of years.
• In the forest products sector, we think demand this year will be largely dependent on the pace of recovery in the housing sector. A composite price of framing lumber peaked at $367 per thousand board feet in late April 2010, versus $210 in the prior year's period. Then, the price fell to $240 per thousand board feet last August, but it then rebounded to $305 as of the middle of January 2011. S&P economists expect a gradual recovery in housing this year, with a forecast of a 14% increase in starts to 670,000 units. We believe this will support the recent rise in wood products prices.

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Economic activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in January for the 18th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 20th consecutive month, according to the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report on Business, Tempe, Ariz., USA. The report was issued this week by Norbert J. Ore, chair of the Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

"The manufacturing sector grew at a faster rate in January as the PMI registered 60.8%, which is its highest level since May 2004 when the index registered 61.4%. The continuing strong performance is highlighted as January is also the sixth consecutive month of month-over-month growth in the sector. New orders and production continue to be strong, and employment rose above 60% for the first time since May 2004. Global demand is driving commodity prices higher, particularly for energy, metals, and chemicals," Ore reported.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 14 are reporting growth in January, in the following order: Petroleum and Coal Products; Primary Metals; Apparel, Leather and Allied Products; Wood Products; Computer and Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Furniture and Related Products; Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances, and Components.

The four industries reporting contraction in January are: Textile Mills; Printing and Related Support Activities; Plastics and Rubber Products; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products.

The full text version of the Manufacturing ISM Report On Business is posted on ISM's web site on the first business day of every month after 10:10 a.m. (ET).

MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE - JANUARY 2011
Index	Series Index January	Series Index December	Percentage Point Change	Direction	Rate of Change	Trend(a) (Months)
PMI	60.8	58.5	+2.3	Growing	Faster	18
New Orders	67.8	62.0	+5.8	Growing	Faster	19
Production	63.5	63.0	+0.5	Growing	Faster	20
Employment	61.7	58.9	+2.8	Growing	Faster	16
Supplier Deliveries	58.6	56.7	+1.9	Slowing	Faster	20
Inventories	52.4	51.8	+0.6	Growing	Faster	7
Customers' Inventories	45.5	40.0	+5.5	Too Low	Slower	22
Prices	81.5	72.5	+9.0	Increasing	Faster	19
Backlog of Orders	58.0	47.0	+11.0	Growing	From Contracting	1
Exports	62.0	54.5	+7.5	Growing	Faster	19
Imports	55.0	50.5	+4.5	Growing	Faster	17
OVERALL ECONOMY				Growing	Faster	20
Manufacturing Sector				Growing	Faster	18

(a) Number of months moving in current direction

Indexes reflect newly released seasonal adjustment factors.

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Norman F. Marsolan, Ph.D., director, IPST, and chemical engineering professor of the practice, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Ga., USA, will serve as TAPPI chair for a two-year term beginning March 1. Marsolan was previously director of Research & Development at International Paper Co. after having held leadership and management assignments in process control, technology, and operations.

Thomas J. Garland, president and CEO, PaperWorks Industries Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., will serve a two-year term as TAPPI vice chair beginning March 1. PaperWorks operates 19 locations in the U.S. and Canada, employing more than 1,850 people. Garland was most recently EVP and GM of Paperboard Operations at RockTenn in Norcross, Ga.

Three new directors have been elected: Markku Karlsson, SVP of Technology, UPM-Kymmene Corp.; Sandra L. LeBarron, director of Environmental, Health and Safety, Finch Papers; and Bob Snyder, president and CEO, Orchids Paper Products Co. The new directors will begin their three-year terms in March.

Karlsson has been SVP of Technology for UPM-Kymmene Corp., Finland, since 2005. He is a member of the TAPPI International Research Management Committee and a member of the Agenda 2020 CTO Committee. LeBarron joined Finch Paper LLC in March 2008 as the environmental control manager and has since been promoted to director of Environmental, Health and Safety. She is also currently vice chair of the Empire State TAPPI/NY Canadian PIMA. Snyder has worked in the pulp and paper industry since 1970 and currently serves aspresident and CEO of Orchids Paper Product Co., Pryor, Okla.

Karlsson, LeBarron and Snyder will join the following directors, who will continue to serve on the TAPPI Board:

• Davide R. Friedman, president, Fibre Tech Packaging Solutions
• Robert J. Gallo, president, Voith Paper North America
• Jeff Hamilton, director of Manufacturing Services, Sappi Fine Paper N.A.
• Chris Luettgen, senior R&E manager/business support/capability leader, Kimberly-Clark Professional Research and Engineering
• Larry N. Montague, president and CEO, TAPPI
• Thomas E. Rodencal, principle consultant, Water and Process Services, Nalco Co.
• Gary M. Scott, professor and chair, SUNY-ESF.

Former TAPPI Board Chair Mark R. McCollister of Paperchine Inc. served as chair of the 2011 Nominating Committee. Other committee members included Kathy Buckman Gibson of Buckman, Scott Frasca with Omnova, Charlie Hodges with Port Townsend Paper, Asko Hyttinen with Strategy First, Larry N. Montague with TAPPI, Jeff Pallini with Fosber, Gerry Ring with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Barbara Russell with Sonoco, and non-voting member Norman F. Marsolan with IPST @ Georgia Tech.

Special thanks go to TAPPI Board members Dr. Vince F. Newberry with Mondi Akrosil LLC and Nicki S. Slusser with International Paper as they complete their terms in March 2011.

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Investors continued to buy forest products stocks in 2010, according to the Forestweb U.S. Forest Products Stock Index issued this week. Although the index did not outpace any major indices last year, it did manage a decent gain, Forestweb notes. The Index rose 7.8% for the year, closing December 31 at 88.45. In comparison, the S&P 500 Index closed up 12.8% to 1,258 and the Dow Jones Industrial Index gained 10.9% to close at 11,573.

The Forestweb U.S. index is a three-year-old index of 30 publicly traded forest products companies with headquarters in the U.S. It is a market cap-weighted index that continuously measures stock trading activity of major sector participants who manufacture wood, paper, pulp, and packaging.

Two small-cap pulp companies were the biggest gainers in 2010, with stocks that more than doubled thanks to higher prices for their products. Mercer International Inc. rose 170.0% to close the year at $7.75. Buckeye Technologies Inc. was up 125.2% to $21.01.

Among the six stocks that lost value last year, Orchids Paper Co. was the biggest, down 39.1%, closing at $12.24/share. Another papermaker, Wausau Paper Corp., fell 26.8%, closing at $8.61.

The story behind the winners and losers was pulp, Forestweb says. Both Mercer and Buckeye (whose stock was about $2 a share 18 months ago) sell market pulp, including specialty, high-priced types. Wausau and Orchids, however, are pulp buyers. Orchids makes tissue and tissue makers were squeezed because of the higher pulp costs.

Integrated pulp and paper companies such as Domtar Inc.—up 30.9%—and Boise Inc.—up 57.3%—benefited because their costs for making uncoated freesheet were lower. Clearwater Paper Corp. benefited from the acquisition of Cellu Tissue Holdings and the fact it also makes pulp and paperboard, rising 32.3%. Its giant competitor, Kimberly-Clark Inc., fell 2.6% in 2010.

Forestweb points out that it is important to note that while mathematically the biggest loser appeared to be Weyerhaeuser Co., the Index did not account for a "megadividend" the company paid to shareholders September 1 when it converted to a real estate investment trust (REIT). Analysts said the $26.46/share dividend should be added back into the stock price to measure true performance since the company was a regularly traded stock at the beginning of the year. Weyerhaeuser's stock price was $44.28 on January 4, 2010. On paper, it ended at $18.93 on December 31, but with the special dividend added back in, the adjusted close would have been $45.39, a gain of 2.5%.

The performance of other REITs in the Index was mixed. Rayonier Inc., which makes pulp and sells timber, was up 25.1% for the year while Plum Creek Timber Co., which sells wood, fell 0.2%.

Packaging companies generally did well. KapStone Paper and Packaging Co., which makes unbleached kraft and paperboard, rose 85.0% for the year. Graphic Packaging Holding Co. was up 30.5%.

The Forestweb U.S. Forest Products Stock Index is available free of charge by signing up on the Internet.

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A new report by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, New York, N.Y., USA, titled Compass 2011: Global forest, paper, and packaging sector outlook, reveals that the emergence of China as a consumer and producer of wood and paper products has begun to have a tangible impact on the structure of that global industry. Where historically the sector was regionalized, the increasing influence of new players in emerging markets—due to their need for both raw materials and products to meet booming domestic demand—will likely alter the way the industry operates on a global basis and present unique opportunities for 2011.

According to the report, capital continues to migrate to emerging markets because of the high-growth potential and increase in returns on investments.

"While emerging markets are helping to boost the overall forest, paper, and packaging (FP&P) industry, key markets, which include North America and Europe, are challenged with modest increases in demand," says John Dixon, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Global FP&P industry group leader. "Companies in North America and Europe will need to learn how to compete with the deep-pocketed, state-backed companies in emerging markets. As these companies become more global and buy overseas assets, they will present a different competitive profile to traditional players.

"The bright side in North America is that the discipline exhibited during the recession was different than in past downturns, where prices would plummet due to extremely volatile movement. This has not happened in the current recovery and it points to solid, pragmatic, and reasonably consolidated segments that appear ready for any improvement in market conditions," Dixon esplains.

In Europe, the FP&P industry experienced a 9% production increase in 2010 in the paper/paperboard segment. This growth is attributed to the strong third-quarter results in 2010. The housing market in Europe is expected to grow modestly in 2011, offering the FP&P sector future growth potential.

According to the report, there are still challenges that companies face in the industry worldwide, such as talent and overcapacity. In the West, the challenge will be demonstrating that a career in FP&P has a future, in order to attract a highly skilled, innovative, and internationally mobile workforce. For companies in the East, the talent challenge lies in finding ways to advance individual skills and sharpen industry experience.

Cross-border activity is increasing, and overseas investments in China and South America are likely to occur as domestic sales increase. North America and Europe are still recovering and face challenges as emerging markets continue to consume an increased portion of the industry market share.

"As the global recovery continues, companies in the FP&P sector will need to look for new opportunities and customers to help advance the future of the industry," says Dixon.

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WWF, Switzerland, this week launched a global benchmarking tool for pulp and paper products. Check Your Paper is an online database to help paper buyers find products with the lowest environmental impact, according to WWF.

The tool purportedly rates the environmental quality of the papermaking process for a given product, including how well forests supplying fiber are managed, use of recycled fiber, fossil carbon dioxide emissions, waste going to landfills, and water pollution from mills. The fiber in all papers featured on the audited list on the website must come from known, legal sources. Paper products posted on the official list have been audited by third-party certification bodies to ensure high credibility, WWF notes.

Check Your Paper at the same time allows pulp and paper manufacturers to voluntarily rate and post their products' environmental impacts online. Currently, the benchmark listing includes some 100 paper products with "good" or "excellent" environmental scores listed in the coated and uncoated categories, such as copy papers and printing and writing papers. Paper companies including Arjo Wiggins, ITC Limited Paper Boards and Specialty Papers Division, Mondi, M-real, Lenzing Papier, SCA, Steinbeis Papier, Tullis Russell, and UPM are the first to disclose their selected papers' environmental profile on Check your Paper.

Check Your Paper includes all of the main pulp and paper categories, including coated and uncoated papers, newsprint, tissue, packaging and board papers, specialty papers, and several types of pulp.

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December global pulp data were encouraging, reports Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank. Inventories fell three days m/m (mostly in hardwood) and shipments rose 15% y/y and m/m. The key driver was Chinese shipments, up 61% y/y and 38% m/m. Deutsche Bank's trade contacts suggest that part of the strength owed to large spot deals into Asia. Botnia, Canfor, and Mercer have announced a $20/metric ton (Arauco = +$10/metric ton) price increase on BSK in China. There are two implications of the December data, Wilde says: (1) the five-day drop-in hardwood inventories could likely stem the rapid price erosion on hardwood grades, and (2) continued strength in Chinese demand and a further drop in softwood inventories could boost spot NBSK prices in February.

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The January list price range on North American coated groundwood grades trimmed to the upside--+$30/ton m/m, according to Wilde of Deutsche Bank. In September 2010, he explains, prices rose only $30/ton of the $60 - $75/ton hike announced, as some of the large North American customers enjoyed contractual price protections in the third and fourth quarters. As these protections ended, producers implemented price increase in January, leading to an increase in the low-end of the price range. Preliminary December shipments were -2.2% y/y, but +5.2% m/m. With operating rates already healthy, NewPage's pending closure of its 250,000-tpy LWC mill in Whiting, Wis., could help drive prices upward later in the year, Wilde notes.

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The January list price range on No.3 60-lb rolls of coated freesheet (CFS) have been boosted by $25/ton m/m, according to Wilde. As with coated groundwood papers (see item above), in September 2010, the CFS price rose only $25/ton of the $40 - $60/ton hike announced, as some of the large North American customers also enjoyed price protections in the third and fourth quarters. As these protections ended, producers implemented price increase in January, leading to an increase in the low-end of the price range.

Demand for CFS is "just OK," Wilde says, not as strong as coated groundwood (LWC). Preliminary December shipments were +3.0% y/y, but -2.0% m/m. CFS is becoming the center of a global trade war. The U.S. has imposed anti-dumping duties on imports from China (excluding APP). Brazilian producers are making similar claims as well. All of this suggests the oversupply situation for Chinese producers will get even uglier, Wilde warns.

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January newsprint prices were flat m/m, Wilde reports. November industry numbers were weak, he adds—North American shipments were off 9.7% y/y (-5.9% ytd) and exports were +9.9% y/y, much lower than the ytd growth of ˜50% y/y. "Thanks to widespread capacity shuts, operating rates are healthy. Inventories are falling and advertising ‘trends' are improving. Newsprint consumption by U.S. daily newspapers was down just 1.3% y/y in Nov (-8.2% ytd). In a recent conference call, AbitibiBowater said that more newsprint capacity cuts and consolidation will be required to offset declining North American demand," Wilde notes.

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The Government of Canada this past week announced a $1.05-million investment at the Alberta Newsprint Co. mill in Whitecourt, Alberta, Canada. The mill will receive funding under Canada's Transformative Technologies Pilot Scale Demonstration Program to implement state-of-the-art technology that will result in substantial reductions in energy and fresh water consumption at the mill.

"The Government of Canada is investing in the evolution of our forest industry by encouraging the development and adoption of state-of-the-art Canadian technology," said Rob Merrifield, minister of state (Transport). "Innovative projects such as this one are essential to expanding and diversifying market opportunities both at home and abroad and to securing high-quality jobs in forest-dependent communities."

Other funding for the project includes a contribution of more than $1 million from the Alberta Newsprint Co. and an $80,000 investment by Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions.

"This technology will enable Alberta Newsprint to consume larger sawmill residual chip volumes of beetle-attacked pine and threatened green pine while simultaneously reducing our fresh water consumption from the Athabasca River," said Gary Smith, technical director, Alberta Newsprint. "The technology holds great promise for many pulp and paper producers. It provides for concentrating pitch-laden dark pulp fibers, enabling reductions in water usage, chemical usage, and energy savings. We expect to startup the equipment in early March."

As part of the strategic investments under the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Transformative Technologies Pilot Scale Demonstration Program is administered by FPInnovations and supports the development of new and emerging, highly transformative Canadian forest products and technologies.

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Arctic Paper, Sweden, reports that as part of its profit improvement plan, and following a net loss of nearly PLN 6.2 million after three quarters of 2010, the company will reduce staff by some 45 employees at its Munkedals mill in Sweden. Negotiations with trade unions at the mill have already been initiated.

"We expect that Arctic Paper Munkedals will meet its financial targets this year. The mill offers unique high quality products, we are developing new product offers, and the Munken brand is well recognized," said Michał Jarczyński, CEO of Arctic Paper.

The company attributes the financial result mainly to "very high prices of pulp and to unfavorable foreign exchange rates." Last year Arctic Paper implemented additional revenue stimulating initiatives, including product price increases.

Arctic Paper is a producer of bulky book paper and graphic fine papers, Its products include coated and uncoated woodfree and uncoated wood-containing papers. Total production capacity of the Group's four paper mills is 810,000 metric tpy. The company currently employs 1,650 people across Europe.

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Fraser Papers, Toronto, Ont., Canada, this past week filed an amended consolidated plan of compromise and arrangement with the Ontario Court overseeing its restructuring proceedings under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) of Canada. These materials will also be filed with the U.S. Court in Delaware, which oversees the company's ancillary proceedings under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Earlier this week (February 1), Fraser sought an order authorizing it to hold a meeting of creditors on February 8, at which time the creditors of the company will vote on the amended plan. If the amended plan is approved by creditors, the company intends to appear before the Ontario Court on February 10 and the U.S. Court on February 11 to seek the necessary court approvals to implement it.

On January 10, creditors rejected a plan of arrangement that had been proposed by the company despite 98.4% of all creditors voting in support of it. After the meeting on January 10, the company commenced discussions with various stakeholders in an effort to obtain support for an amended plan.

The amended plan includes a commitment from Brookfield Asset Management to serve as sponsor by purchasing the company's remaining operating assets (consisting of two lumber mills in Northern Maine) through the acquisition of Fraser Papers' U.S. subsidiaries for cash proceeds of approximately $12.4 million, subject to an adjustment for closing working capital.

Subject to sufficient cash being available to make payments, the amended plan provides for a cash distribution for each unsecured claim that has been accepted by the court-appointed monitor, up to the lesser of: a) the amount of each unsecured claim, and b) $500.00.

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Grasim Industries, India, has ordered from Metso, Finland, a new recovery boiler to replace two existing recovery boilers at its Hartihar Polyfibers rayon grade pulp mill located in Kumarapatnam, Karnataka state, India. Startup of the boiler is scheduled for the third quarter of 2012. The value of the order was not disclosed.

Metso's delivery includes the main equipment and piping and standard equipment for the recovery boiler as well as field instruments. The new recovery boiler will improve steam generation and help lower operating and maintenance costs over the mill's two present bidrum recovery boilers.

"We entered into a contract with Metso for a new recovery boiler as a replacement for existing boilers for ensuring safe and reliable operation and enhanced environmental performance. This recovery boiler project is prestigious for the Harihar plant", says Rajendra Jain, executive president, Harihar Polyfibers.

Grasim Industries, part of Aditya Birla Group, is the largest exporter of Viscose Rayon Fiber (VSF) in India, with an aggregate capacity of 333,975 metric tpy. The Harihar Polyfibers unit has facilities for the manufacture of both VSF and rayon grade pulp, the basic raw material for VSF.

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Cenveo Inc., Stamford, Conn., USA, this week completed its acquisition of the Envelope Products Group of MeadWestvaco. The Envelope Products Group manufactures and distributes envelope products for the billing, financial, and direct mail markets and has approximately 900 employees. The combined companies will form the largest, most innovative envelope company in the world.

"Today marks an important milestone in achieving our goal of significantly enhancing and solidifying our industry leading envelope platform," Robert G. Burton Sr., chairman and CEO of Cenveo, said. "This acquisition brings together two industry leaders, both of which have much to offer one another and creates a platform that will truly be the envy of the industry. We are impressed by the degree of synergy that is available and are working to ensure that we combine the best of both organizations. I want to personally welcome the employees of the Envelope Products Group to the Cenveo family. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings in 2011 and will be deleveraging to our balance sheet."

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Eldorado Celulose e Papel S.A. has ordered from Metso a new recovery boiler and evaporation plant for its greenfield pulp mill in Três Lagoas, Brazil. The value of the order was not disclosed. Startup of the new plant is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2012.

The recovery boiler will be the largest on the American continent, with a capacity of 6.800 metric tons of dry solids per day (tDS/day) and steam generation of 308 kg/s. The evaporation plant will be the largest single line evaporation plant in the world, with six thermal stages and a capacity of 1,600 metric tons per hour.

"The definition and dimension of the equipment supplied by Metso shows a concern not only with the return on investment, but also with the search for solutions that add high technology to sustainable industrial processes. An example is the recovery boiler supplied by Metso, it is part of the process generating clean energy, obtained from the renewable raw material, in this case, the biomass residue of eucalyptus," said Carlos Monteiro, industrial director, Eldorado Celulose e Papel S.A.

Eldorado Celulose e Papel S.A. is a newly established pulp company and a newcomer in the pulp and paper industry. However, it already has plans to build three parallel pulp lines to produce a total of 5 million metric tpy when the project is complete. The company is owned by J&F Holding and MCL Enterprises, most notably known for business in the food segment.

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Holmen Paper, Stockholm, Sweden, reported this week that it will shutdown production of printing paper on the smaller paper machine at its Madrid, Spain, mill. This equates to almost 10% of the business area's production capacity. Approximately 170 employees will be affected.

"We've been working to make PM 61 profitable for a long time now, both through cost savings and the development of new products. Our employees have done an excellent job, but we've been forced to concede that it's not enough," said Magnus Hall, president and CEO of Holmen. "The machine is not sufficiently competitive to justify continued operation either in the short or long term. The decision is part of a strategy to focus our business on printing paper segments where Holmen Paper has high competitiveness."

PM 61 has a capacity of 170 000 metric tpy and produces coated magazine paper (LWC) as well as improved newsprint to a lesser extent. In recent years, the machine has seen low capacity utilization, the company notes.

Holmen acquired the mill in Madrid in 2000, at which time PM 61 had been operating for two years. In 2005 the mill expanded with the addition of PM 62, a new paper machine for large-scale production of newsprint. Paper at the Madrid mill is produced with 100% recovered fiber and the mill has its own energy supply in the form of a gas-fired CHP. After the closure, PM 62 will give the mill a capacity of 330 000 metric tpy.

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Ilim Group, St. Petersburg, Russia, reported this week that its mills manufactured 2,470,000 metric tons of pulp and paper products in 2010. This is 6% above the 2009 performance.

Market pulp production added up to 1,571,000 metric tons, with a 9% increase over the previous year. Board production gained 5%, amounting to 701,000 metric tons. Paper output decreased by 3%, equaling 198,000 metric tons. Overall pulp "cooking" grew by 5% from the amounts cooked in 2009 and reached 2,636,000 tons.

Paul Herbert, CEO of Ilim Group, noted that "2010 was definitely an outstanding year for Ilim Group. The Koryazhma Branch has made its millionth ton of product, setting an all-time record in the history of the Russian and European pulp and paper industry. Moreover, our company has started to implement two major investment projects involving installation of the world's largest and most up-to-date softwood fiber line in Bratsk and a new paper machine in Koryazhma. Completion of these projects will mark a new chapter in our company's success."

International Paper, Memphis, Tenn., USA, is a strategic partner of Ilim Group with 50% of its shares. The company's business assets in the Leningrad, Arkhangelsk, and Irkutsk Oblasts are the largest mills in the Russian forest products industry, accounting for more than 65% of the total pulp production in Russia and more than 25% of the Russian board production. Ilim Group employs more than 20,000 people.

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International Paper Co., Memphis, Tenn., USA, will take "a bit longer" than "early 2011" to determine the fate of its Franklin, Va., mill, according to a report this weekend in the local Virginian-Pilot newspaper. IP shutdown the Franklin mill in April 2010 and said at that time that it would announce in early 2011 what will happen to the property. That deadline has now been extended to ("maybe") the end of June, the newspaper reports.

"We are engaging in more in-depth engineering evaluations, cost analysis, and understanding of environmental permit implications before determining the viability of any of the options," spokeswoman Donna Wadsworth wrote in an e-mail to the Virginian-Pilot last Friday. "We anticipate the studies and decisions regarding the future of the Franklin site assets could be completed by mid-year." She also said IP has narrowed the field to a handful of proposals from bidders.

Reportedly, some of the proposals include producing biodiesel and ethanol on the site. So "it's going to take some time to get the right agreements in place," John Smolak, president and CEO of Franklin Southampton Economic Development, said in the article.

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Mondi's Richards Bay mill in South Africa has ordered a new wash press from Metso, Finland. The mill, commissioned in 1984, produces more than 720,000 metric tpy of bleached pulp, using mainly eucalyptus from its own plantations as raw material. Startup of the new wash press is scheduled for the end of this year. The value of the order was not disclosed.

Metso's delivery will include a TwinRoll Evolution wash press, basic and detail engineering, and site services. The new wash press will allow Mondi to improve the existing brown stock washing process at the mill.

With production operations in 31 countries, Mondi had revenues of EUR 5.3 billion in 2009. The Group's key operations are located in central Europe, Russia, and South Africa. It had some 31,000 employees in 2009.

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Australia-based PaperlinX reportedly will move its CEO to company operating headquarters in the U.K. and close its office in Amsterdam to cut costs and simplify its corporate structure. The closure of the Amsterdam office, which was the European headquarters, together with recent staff reductions at its Melbourne, Australia, corporate head office will save PaperlinX some $15 million per year, the company said in a statement this week.

The company's two European regions will report directly to the CEO and CFO, who also will move to the UK, PaperlinX said in the statement. PaperlinX's added that it does not plan to move out of Australia.

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Sappi Fine Paper North America (SFPNA), Boston, Mass., USA, this week released the Flo Channel: Off Register, its online comedy video series developed with VSA Partners, aimed at the print community. The new video series features stories told by Second City Improv that demonstrate the trials and tribulations of what printers encounter daily, as they aim to please their demanding, edgy-black-glasses-wearing clients.

The first kick-off video of the Off Register series is "Luscious," which tells the story of designer, Kat, trying to get Sully, the printer, to understand and produce for her a color that is not just pink but "luscious." Each video ends with an invitation: "Share your own outrageous printing story for a future episode of Off Register."

"Through our new Off Register video series, we are striving to illustrate to audiences how print can be integrated with digital to make a communications campaign have a more powerful impact," said Patti Groh, marketing director, SFPNA. "True, the campaign lives online, but its heart and soul reside on the pressroom floor," said Jonathan Turitz, VSA creative director.

The videos are pushed out to the primary audience of printers and press operators as part of an ongoing dialogue with Sappi and the promotion of its top-selling economy paper, Flo. Most paper company promo efforts utilize only print collateral, but Sappi believed it was necessary to break through the clutter with marketing that is multi-media based and engaging on many levels.

To demonstrate the potent digital/print relationship, SFPNA's Off Register campaign also utilizes e-blasts to printers to link them to the videos and QR codes that appear on printed collateral for Flo paper, which take smartphone users directly to the videos -- providing new ways for the target audience to interact with the series, as well as demonstrating how print is still a vital and dynamic medium when combined with digital media today.

The next video in the Off Register series, "Designer Disaster," will tell the story of a designer whose precious original art gets inadvertently destroyed. Both stories for the videos are based on submissions of actual events from printers and press operators.

Another campaign element of the Off Register marketing campaign is a commemorative series "Press Kit" (to be released late March). The Press Kit will further showcase the qualities of Sappi Flo paper and invites printers to continue the conversation, by submitting stories of their own for future episodes of the Off Register series to be released throughout the year.

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Shandong Huatai Paper Co. has successfully brought its new Metso-supplied PM 8 fine paper line on-stream at the company's mill at Dong Ying City, Shandong Province, China. The 8.1-m-wide PM 8 has an annual dimensional production capacity of close to 700,000 metric tons of coated and uncoated fine papers within the basis weight range of 80 to 200 gsm. The paper machine design speed is 1,800 m/min and the coater design speed is 2,000 m/min.

Metso's delivery included a complete Metso OptiConcept paper machine from headbox to reel. The paper machine line also includes a re-reeler and an off-machine coater with coating stations, off-machine OptiLoad multinip calenders, winders, a parent reel handling system, and a Metso automation system package. The production line was started up January 18 with a Metso wet end machine clothing package.

Shandong Huatai Paper Co. is a member of the Huatai Group, which has five production bases—Huatai Green Industry Park, Huatai Qinghe Green Ecology Industry Park, Rizhao Huatai Pulp & Paper Industry Park, as well as Guangdong Huatai and Anhui Huatai Industrial Parks, with an annual capacity of around 3 million metric tons.

The photo below shows the first parent roll and operating crew for the Metso-supplied coated fine paper production line PM 8 of Shandong Huatai Paper.

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In regard to containerboard markets, Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank, says that "we think the domestic (North American) market is balanced, but not ‘tight.' December mill figures suggest that producers are throttling back production and pushing more tons into the export markets. This should avoid inventory building during a seasonally slower period." However, the push is pressuring export prices – down as much as $50 - $80/ton in Latin America and Southern Europe markets from last summer's peak, he adds. Even larger drops have been seen in the Middle East.

Most European producers have recently announced a EUR 60/metric ton price increase on recycled containerboard, effective February 1, Wilde reports.

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Domestic OCC was down $2/ton in January, to $164/ton, the first decline since July, according to Wilde. The decline was $10/ton in export OCC to China in January. Looking ahead to February, he adds, Nine Dragons (No. 2 producer) will take around 15 days of downtime (˜350,000 metric tons) during the Chinese New Year. This could put downward pressure on OCC prices. However, demand in Mexico and winter could limit generation/collection, putting upward pressure on OCC prices.

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Leighton Contractors, Australia, reports that it has been awarded a $110 million contract by Amcor Packaging for the design and construction of civil and building infrastructure at the Botany B9 Paper Mill in Sydney, Australia. Under the contract, Leighton Contractors will design and construct the paper machine building, stock preparation building, product store waste paper yard, mill offices, control room, and other ancillary works.

The B9 mill with a single machine will replace two existing 1960s vintage machines (No. 7 and No. 8) at the Botany site, increasing capacity from the current 250,000 metric tpy to around 345,000 metric tpy. The new machine will use 100% recovered fiber. Compared with the old machine and facility, the new mill (approximately a $400 million project) will reduce energy and water use per unit of paper production and will improve overall environmental performance of the facility. It will be designed specifically to minimize environmental impacts such as noise, odor, and water discharges.

The new machine will produce lighter-weight, higher-strength packaging grades, not previously available in Australia, which in turn, will allow for a wider range of corrugated box constructions, along with opportunities for innovation, according to Amcor.

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MOD-PAC Corp., Buffalo, N.Y., USA, a producer of paperboard packaging and folding cartons and a provider of print products, reported this week that it has earned chain of-custody (CoC) certification from both the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) for its Buffalo paperboard packaging facility.

Additionally, MOD-PAC's Buffalo facility has been certified to the SFI fiber sourcing procurement requirements that require program participants to show that the raw material in their supply chain comes from legal and responsible sources, whether the forests are certified or not.

"This combination of certifications provides our customers with the highest degree of confidence and flexibility for them to provide chain-of-custody or fiber sourcing claims while demonstrating our corporate commitment to the sustainability of our planet," said Daniel G. Keane, president and CEO of MOD-PAC CORP

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SAICA, Spain, and Metso, Finland, have completed a multi-year agreement whereby Metso will assume full responsibility for establishment of the maintenance operations, mill maintenance, and management of improvement projects for the power stations, stock and paper production facilities, and water treatment equipment at the Saica Containerboard UK paper mill in Partington, U.K. The value of the agreement, which became effective January 11, was not disclosed.

The containerboard production line of the Partington mill will also be supplied by Metso. The order for the production line was received from SAICA in March 2010. The line is scheduled to startup in the first quarter of 2012.

SAICA and Metso have a history of maintenance cooperation. Since 2005, the companies have operated a joint venture for the maintenance of the SAICA mills in Zaragoza, Spain. Since 2007, Metso also has a mill maintenance unit serving the SAICA Venizel mill in France. Based on this cooperation and Metso's other maintenance references, SAICA and Metso have together developed a maintenance outsourcing model for SAICA's Partington mill. The model optimizes the use of proactive, condition based, predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance and is based on Metso's streamlined reliability centered maintenance (RCM). The model ensures the highest possible equipment efficiency and cost optimization.

SAICA, a family owned company, is a global producer of high performance lightweight corrugated papers from recovered paper and cardboard. The company currently employs more than 8,000 people in Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, and the UK. The company has an annual turnover of EUR 1.9 billion.

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Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., USA, reports that it has agreed to make its radial crush tester for spiral-wound paperboard tubes and cores for the Composite Can and Tube Institute (CCTI), Alexandria, Va. Sonoco developed the radial crush tester more than 15 years ago. It is manufactured exclusively by Sonoco and used throughout its global tube and core operations.

According to David E. Rhodes, Sonoco's director of global industrial technology and engineering, "the radial crush tester measures the radial strength of a tube or core, which is a critical factor for a customer whose product applies a radial load such as plastic film and extensible textiles. The tester is able to simulate the loading condition that a customer's products apply to a core. The failure mode created by the tester is the same as the radial crush failure that occurs in a customer's winding operations."

Kristine Garland, EVP of CCTI, said that "CCTI's Technical Committee will develop and publish a standardized industry-wide testing procedure for measuring radial crush with the Sonoco radial crush tester. The radial crush tester will be demonstrated at CCTI's Spring Operations Meeting, March 16-17, in Myrtle Beach, S.C."

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A paper by Texas Tech University Associate Professor Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar received the best technical paper award at the 66th annual conference of the Textile Association (India) this past weekend. Titled "Technical Textiles: Opportunities," Dr. Ramkumar's invited paper was judged the best by a set of juries. Dr. Seshadri is associate professor in The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.

The Textile Association is the largest in the field of textiles with more than 22,000 members. This conference attracted about 500 participants and was held in Bangalore, India.

The award was presented to Dr. Ramkumar at the valedictory ceremony of the event in the presence of the president and the vice-president of the association. Participants from India, the U.S., China, Switzerland, and Germany attended the two-day conference.

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UPM, Helsinki, Finland, has launched three new products in its cutsize paper range. The three new products—a paper made from 100% recycled fibers, a high performance color print paper with improved whiteness, and a light and bulky 70 gsm paper—are manufactured according to existing social and ecological principles. They all have the EU Ecolabel, as well as PEFC or FSC forest certifications.

UPM Office Recycled premium is a high white paper made from 100% recycled fiber. It is suitable for laser printers, inkjet printers, and copiers as well as fax machines. Improved UPM DIGI Color laser now has a whiteness level of CIE 172, a significant improvement for this grade. It is available in an expanded range from 80-300 gsm, and features high smoothness and good formation. In addition to the standard sizes A4, A3, SRA3, and A3+, the new DIGI grade is available in size 364 x 660 mm for the new Xerox Igen4 EXP format.

UPM's new 70 gsm copy paper provides several key advantages. From an economical perspective, a higher yield can be achieved, meaning that more paper for the money is gained. In addition, savings in fiber consumption and other raw materials are possible. For the same transportation cost, the company emphasizes, more papers are gained. From an environmental point of view, a 10% smaller environmental load per sheet has been calculated compared with the same paper in 80 gsm. By decreasing the substance of a copy paper to 70 g/m², the effluent load decreases by 10%., UPM adds, pointing out that there is a remarkable decrease in waste water, air emissions, and solid waste. Touch-wise, this bulky paper resembles the 80 gsm paper and also performs equally when it comes to runnability and printability. The 70 gsm paper is available as Yes Light and Future Multitech Eco.

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Xerium Technologies, Raleigh, N.C., USA, this week announced full global availability of EnerStar, a paper machine clothing (PMC) technology designed to both reduce energy consumption and extend the economic life of paper machine forming fabrics.

"This latest technological advancement in PMC further supports our strategy of innovation in the marketplace," said Stephen R. Light, president, CEO, and chairman. "We are especially pleased with the excellent results already reported by our launch customers applying EnerStar on their machines, who have documented with energy savings of up to 15%. We continue to partner with our customers to help enhance their operating efficiencies and quality, while significantly lowering their cost of operation and inventories."

The company notes that EnerStar is technology produced with the highest-grade, modified polymers and is available as an optional feature for selected fabric designs from Xerium's Huyck.Wangner and Weavexx PMC companies.

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BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany, reports that, effective immediately, it will increase European prices for resins and additives used by the coatings, printing, and packaging industries by 5% to 12%, as existing contracts allow. The price increase affects, but is not limited to, the following product ranges: Laromer, Joncryl, Basonat, Luwipal, Luhydran, and Acronal.

BASF notes that the price adjustments are necessary mainly due to continuing, significant increased costs of key raw materials.

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Eka Chemicals, Marietta, Ga., USA, a business unit within AkzoNobel, reported this week that it is increasing prices across its entire North American paper chemicals product range by up to 20%, effective immediately.

"During the second half of 2010 cost increases of basic materials have impacted Eka Chemicals' cost structure." says Greg Bengtson, VP, Sales and Marketing, Eka Chemicals North America. "Our on-going efforts to optimize operating costs have been outpaced by these increases. It is therefore necessary for prices to be increased to maintain a sustainable business."

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M-real Corp., Espoo, Finland, reports that it will increase prices across its uncoated fine paper portfolio by 6% - 8%, effective March 1. The company attributes the price hikes to further cost increases within the paper industry.

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The European Commission has approved financial support of SEK 500 million (EUR 54.6 million) that Sweden plans to grant to the Domsjö research and development (R&D) project. Domsjö Fabriker AB, a Swedish pulp producer, will develop a demonstration plant for the production of bio-methanol and other biofuels from pulp mill residue material. The Commission concluded that the project is compatible with the EU Framework on State aid for research, development, and innovation.

Last summer, Sweden reported that it would aid the Domsjö project, based on a support scheme pre-approved by the Commission in 2008. The project involves the development of an industrial-scale demonstration plant for the production of second generation biofuels (bio-methanol and bio-DME) from pulp mill residue material (thick black liquor). The R&D project will be carried out during a period of 10 years.

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Laidlaw Energy Group, New York, N.Y., USA, reported this week that it intends to acquire a 14 MW biomass-energy power plant from California-based Renegy Holdings Inc. and certain other affiliated shareholders. Laidlaw noted that the acquisition is part of a larger growth and diversification strategy it has been working on for some time. The company does not anticipate any significant complexity with this transaction and anticipates closing on the acquisition within 45 – 60 days.

Laidlaw added that it shortly expects to announce another major acquisition. In addition, President and CEO Michael B. Bartoszek said that the company has "been working to add highly qualified project management personnel to our team so that we have the necessary resources in place to manage multiple projects across the U.S."

Bartoszek further stated that "we are very pleased to be moving forward with the expansion of our business model to the West Coast. We are very excited about the California market for alternative energy and the opportunities it presents. We are also excited about the prospect of a close working relationship with Bob Worsley and his team." Worsley is the president and CEO of Renegy as well as the founder and former president and CEO of Skymall Inc.

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BASF, Charlotte, N.C., USA, has named Brett Fenske technical manager for its Paper Coatings business in North America. In this role, Fenske will be responsible for leading a team of technical specialists that support customers with BASF's advanced paper coating solutions and application know-how. Before joining BASF, he was the product engineering manager with Appleton Coated in Combined Locks, Wis.

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Tembec, Temiscaming, Que., Canada, announced that John Valley, EVP, Business Development and Corporate Affairs, retired from the company effective January 31. An industry veteran, Valley joined Tembec in late 2005 when he was asked to take on this role.

"In early January, John indicated to me that he would like to retire. As a member of the company's executive team, he has been an important contributor to the transformation of Tembec into a leaner and more focused organization. On behalf of the company, I thank him for his service and wish both John and his wife Myra the very best as they enter this next phase of their lives," said James Lopez, president and CEO of Tembec.

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From his first meeting 23 years ago until now, TAPPI member Kerry Figiel says his active involvement in TAPPI activities – including Division, Committee and Common Interest Group Meetings – has enabled him to stay ahead of rapidly changing curves in the paper industry. And he credits his very first manager for giving him the sage advice to join.

Currently a Senior Staff Engineer with International Paper, he serves as Corporate Champion for Quality Control Systems. Now he too highly recommends membership to his fellow industry scientists and engineers. Find out the many reasons why by reading this month's Member Spotlight. 

Spotlight participants are recommended by fellow members and staff. If you would like to nominate a member (or even yourself!) just send their name (or names) to MemberSpotlight@tappi.org. We will forward a Spotlight Questionnaire to fill out and return.

We look forward to seeing you in the Spotlight!

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Brian Duff, chief engineer and acting deployment team leader for the Office of the Biomass Program at the U.S. Department of Energy in Golden, Colo., will deliver a keynote address at the combined BioPro Expo & Marketplace™ and the International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference (IBBC). The event will take place in Atlanta on March 14-16, 2011, at the Atlanta Hilton.

Duff is Chief Engineer and Acting Deployment Team Leader for the Office of the Biomass Program at the U.S. Department of Energy. A biochemical process engineer with 30 years of experience in biotechnology and renewable energy from biomass, he holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from Lehigh University and a master of science degree in chemical engineering from Stanford University. His primary expertise is in microbial bioconversion processes and the production of fuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass.

During his career, he has worked for two Fortune 500 companies, Procter & Gamble and Pfizer, as well as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. At NREL, he was the Senior Pilot Plant Engineer responsible for the design, installation and startup of the lignocellulosic process development unit (PDU), as well as a 2-ton-per-day anaerobic digestion demonstration plant designed to recycle organic biomass into renewable energy. He is dedicated to improving the quality of life through biotechnology.

BioPro Expo is the largest conference and exhibition in the Southeastern United States, backed by 22 industry partners covering the full biomass processing spectrum for multiple industries, from supply through demand and utilization. In-depth educational sessions are coupled with a trade show focused on cutting-edge technology, products and services available today. This event examines practical methodologies for quickly transitioning products, residues and waste streams into energy and biofuels.

For information, visit www.bioproexpo.org.

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Connect directly with your prospects and customers in the polymers, laminations, adhesives, coating and extrusions industries by sponsoring or exhibiting at the 13th TAPPI European PLACE Conference,  30 May-1 June 2011 at the Festspielhaus on beautiful Lake Constance in Bregenz, Austria.

Get direct access to your prospects. Reach the top minds in these industries as they seek the latest introductions of technology and applications. European PLACE Conference attendees are decision makers or influencers who are directly involved with flexible packaging and converting, product development, research, package engineering and consulting.

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The preparations for the 15th edition of the SPCI World Pulp & Paper Week, held on May 17-19 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden, are now in full swing. The exhibition is almost fully booked and the conference programme will be announced shortly.

New for 2011 is that the conference is free to all visitors and is situated on three activity squares within the exhibition hall. The Magic Future Square in the middle highlights topics such as the World Market, Management and Innovations. The East and West squares will host more of a technical based type of presentations and seminars divided into five different subject areas; Pulp & Paper, Innovations, Energy, R&D and Raw Materials/Bioenergy.

SPCI 2011 provides you with first class business opportunities in an international environment and is a great source of inspiration for exhibitors and visitors alike. The online visitor registration is now open. To access the visitor registration form, please visit http://www.spcievent.com/en click on the Visitor Info Link and choose entrance card. To see the most up-to-date list of exhibitors, please click here. 

There is still some space available should you wish to sign up as an exhibitor or Event Partner. Event Partners are placed around the activity squares and have presentation slots already reserved. Please click here to see the latest exhibition floor plan.

For more information about this year's event, visit the website to find updated news and contact details.

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PaperCon 2011 will highlight this important and profitable industry segment during PaperCon's one-day Tissue Forum on May 3 to give you a perspective on business and market trends through peer-reviewed papers on the latest technical innovations, and safety and reliability best practices for yankee dryers.

Highlights include...

- Tissue Market Overview
- State of the Tissue Industry-2011 and Onwards with speakers from Poyry Management Consulting USA, Inc., Procter & Gamble, and Kimberly-Clark
- Modeling and Simulation of the Crepeing Process
- Paper Towel Absorptive Properties
- New Polymers for Wet Strength-An Academic Perspective
- Yankee Dryer Safety and Reliability-Panel Discussion
- TAPPI Subcommittees address steam and condensate systems, air systems, cast iron dryer maintenance and inspections, and reducing chatter.
- Tissue Forming Systems-Panel Discussion
- Consistency Measurement and Control in a Tissue Mill–The Often Neglected Parameter
- Modeling of Crescent Former Dewatering

Learn more about PaperCon, May 1-4, 2011 in Covington, Ky. (Greater Cincinnati area) and the one-day Tissue Forum.

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The 2011 TAPPI Best Practices on the Corrugator Course offers a unique opportunity to learn the operations of each component in the corrugator system and how to run each component with optimum settings for peak performance. This popular course is being held February 15-18 in Norcross, Ga.

By participating in this course you will develop an understanding of the critical properties of the raw materials that are vital to guarantee quality board. The industry veterans leading this course will teach you how the "Centerline Process" can be adopted in your plant and a how to achieve a product that is consistent every day and on all shifts.

Why You Should Attend

- Apply new know how to to increase productivity, improve quality, and minimize waste
- Share your specific problems and issues with the experts
- Find out how and where you can reduce excess waste
- Learn how you can maintain quality while reaching maximum corrugator speeds
- Find out how you can get the maximum yield of boxes from the paperboard consumed
- Take home new ideas and operational methods to improve production

After successfully completing this course, participants should be able to:

- Describe elements of the corrugating process.
- Troubleshoot most common operational problems.
- Recognize critical properties of paperboard, starch adhesive and how to control wrap.

Find out more about the skills and processes taught by leading industry experts.

Register now or download the registration form to secure your seat for this valuable training opportunity.

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The Gulf Coast Local Section of TAPPI invites you to attend its Annual Winter Meeting and Conference to be held at the RockTenn Demopolis, Ala., Training Center on February 17. The meeting will feature an informative conference entitled "Six Sigma Cost-Saving Projects Quality Management Systems."

Learn more about this event.

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TAPPI is pleased to announce the call for papers for the 2011 TAPPI PEERS conference (formerly the TAPPI EPE Conference). The TAPPI PEERS Conference is the perfect forum for paper industry professionals both to acquire practical operating insights and to network with industry peers in technical sessions, tutorials, round tables, new technology sessions and workshops. For a full list of topics please visit the full Call For Papers.

Authors interested in presenting a paper should upload their extended abstract to TAPPI's Speaker Management System by March 9, 2011. Abstracts should be 1-2 paragraphs in length. Authors will be notified of acceptance by April 15, 2011 and must provide a full text manuscript by July 15, 2011.

For more information please contact: Craig McKinney, TAPPI program manager, cmckinney@tappi.org or direct: 770-209-7294.

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