The Finnish Forest Industries Federation reports that it has accepted the Finnish National Conciliator's settlement proposal to create a collective labor agreement for salaried paper industry employees. The solution includes a 1.5% general increase and a 1% item, which is subject to company-specific negotiations. The new collective agreement is valid for the period of May 19, 2011 to March 31, 2012.

As part of the accepted conciliation proposal, the parties will also commence a functionality assessment of company-specific pay systems with the aim of developing them further. Industrial action at companies has ceased as a result of this agreement and all striking salaried employees returned to work May 19.

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The Gores Group, a Beverly Hills, Calif., USA--based private equity firm, this week officially opened its Cosmo Specialty Fibers (CSF) mill in Cosmopolis, Wash., as a high purity specialty cellulose (dissolving pulp) operation. The mill is the former Grays Harbor County Weyerhaeuser facility in Cosmopolis that was shutdown in October 2005. The company anticipates producing 140,000 tpy of high-purity cellulose for acetate tow, viscose filament, and viscose staple fiber.

With the closure of the Weyerhaeuser mill, the City of Cosmopolis lost 40% of its revenue and more than 200 jobs. The Gores Group's investment in the mill will add back those jobs—many of them filled by former Weyerhaeuser staff and more than 95% employed from Washington State—while funneling more than $110 million annually into the economy.

"This investment is the definition of marketplace diversity with a pulp feedstock that can be used for clothing, cosmetics, filters, LED screens, cellophane wrap, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and many other products," Alec Gores, founder and chairman of the Gores Group, noted. "The mill can run on biomass and recycled liquors pulled out of the digesting process with very little use of fossil fuel. And it uses Hemlock – not only the best fiber in the world for dissolving pulp, but also a fully renewable resource itself."

Cosmo Specialty Fibers CEO Mike Entz added that "we are very excited to reopen the mill. The Gores Group is proving that we can create and keep manufacturing jobs in America—where they are needed—and with its operational and financial support, we'll produce outstanding product, bolster the economy, and continue to build on America's great manufacturing legacy."

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Sappi Southern Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, reports that it has decided to go ahead with the expansion and modernization of its Ngodwana mill in South Africa, including the introduction of 210,000 metric tpy of chemical cellulose (dissolving pulp) production at the mill. Sappi's total production of chemical cellulose will increase to more than 1 million metric tpy.

Commenting on the decision, the CEO of Sappi Southern Africa, Alex Thiel, said that "this is a significant development for Sappi Southern Africa and confirms the confidence that the company has in this region. The project will see various enhancements and changes to the mill, all aimed at further improving its prospects as well as improving its environmental footprint. The current bleached hardwood paper pulp capacity will be converted to produce chemical cellulose. Of special significance will be the replacement of the current bleach plant with a new process that will be chemically more efficient and will generate less effluent."

S.W. Engelbrecht, GM of the Ngodwana mill, noted that "we are all very excited by the faith shown in the mill and its people to help grow Sappi's business and of course the project, for which planning and consultation originally started in 2003, is a major boost for the local economy. As regards the environmental footprint of the mill, the project will further reduce mill odor, and improved efficiencies from new equipment will mean burning 61,000 metric tons less coal per year, which equates to 120,000 metric tons fewer carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, total mill effluent will significantly reduce and the revised project will require 200,000 metric tons less timber per year and 18,400 fewer trucks on the road compared with what was anticipated in the original project ."

Sappi is the world's largest manufacturer of chemical cellulose. Currently its Chemical Cellulose Division supplies customers around the world from the Sappi Saiccor Mill in Umkomaas, KwaZulu Natal but, in response to growing customer needs, it will also in the future supply customers from the Ngodwana Mill after being modified to also produce chemical cellulose.

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The program for the 2011 Progress in Paper Physics Seminar in Graz, Austria, September 5-8, sponsored by Graz University of Technology and TAPPI, Norcross, Ga., USA, has now been finalized. The program committee has selected 41 presentations and 31 poster papers for the program.

More information about the event and programs is available online. Also, online registration for the conference has now been opened. Reduced conference registration fees are available before July 7. Also, reduced rates are available at hotels near to the venue—the new chemistry building at Graz University of Technology, Lecture Hall H (Hörsaal H)—before June 30.

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The latest listing of job openings in the TAPPI Career Center show an increasing need for engineers, technical, and operating personnel in all areas of production as well as sales and customer service. Current job openings in the TAPPI Career Center include:

Company	Title
CorPak	Corrugator Operator / Single Facer Operator
Econotech Services	Pulping and Bleaching Manager
James Ross Limited - IBS Paper Performance Group	Sales Manager
Synagro Technologies	National Director of Industrial Sales
Glatfelter	Project Engineer - Electrical
Confidential	Quality Control & Technical Services Manager
Dart Container Corp.	Senior Materials Engineer
Midland Packaging and Display	Customer Service Manager
Midland Packaging and Display	Customer Service Representative
Port Townsend Paper Corp.	Power and Recovery Assistant Superintendant/Maintenance Coordinator
Sonoco Products Co.	Manager - Primary Materials Technology
Rayonier	Manager, Chemical Byproducts

More information about these jobs is available online.

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Sappi Fine Paper North America (SFPNA), Boston, Mass., USA, has been named International Investor of the Year for 2011 by the Maine International Trade Center. The award honors foreign owned companies that have made a strategic decision to invest in Maine, either by opening a plant or enhancing their existing operations.

Sappi, based in South Africa, has invested nearly $90 million in its two Maine mills during the past three years, including a strategic rebuild of its Somerset pulp mill to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon imprint. In fiscal year 2010, the company spent approximately $168 million in the state and provided 1,362 jobs in Maine. Sappi's specialty release paper business, located in Westbrook, Maine, exports 90% of its production outside of North America to more than 50 countries worldwide.

"We're honored to receive recognition for our investment in Maine's economy and value the ongoing support of the Maine International Trade Center," said Mark Gardner, president and CEO of SFPNA. "We care about the communities where we operate, and we have roots in Maine, so it is wonderful to receive this award for our contributions. Sappi Fine Paper North America is proud to have an incredibly skilled and talented workforce in Maine, providing our company with the ability to deliver excellent products and services to our customers."

SFPNA has a substantial presence in Maine with four facilities, including the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, a Shared Services Center in South Portland, and the Westbrook Mill and Technology Center, both located in Westbrook. In 2011, the company was awarded an Efficiency Maine grant from the state of approximately $300,000 for a capital project to improve the energy efficiency at its Somerset Mill in Skowhegan.

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The world's largest log exporter, Russia, increased its shipments of logs in the first quarter of this year after having declined for four years, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ), Seattle, Wash., USA. Russian exports of softwood lumber have also gone up substantially, especially to China, Uzbekistan, Japan, and Egypt, according to WRQ.

Russia has for many years been, by far, the largest exporter of logs in the world. When the country announced a log export tax of 25% in 2007 and thebintention to increase this tax to 80% in 2009, many forest companies in Asia and Europe decided to reduce their reliance on Russian logs. As a result, total log exports from Russia fell from 51 million cubic meters in 2006 to about 22 million cubic meters in 2009 and 2010.

This downward trend, however, appears to have been broken in 2011. During the first few months, total softwood and hardwood log exports have been up by almost 40% compared with the same period last year, WRQ notes. Much of this increase in shipments has been to China, Finland, and Japan. This recent upward trend can be expected to continue during 2011 and 2012, albeit less dramatically, as Russian log export taxes are reduced.

During discussions between Russian and EU representatives in December last year, it became clear that Russia has been pressured to reduced log export taxes if the country wants to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), WRQ says. It is still not clear, it adds, exactly what the new log export taxes may be and when they will be implemented. Softwood log taxes may fall to somewhere between 5% and 10%, and hardwood log taxes will probably be lower than those for softwood. The lower tax rates are not likely to be instigated until Russia has been recognized as a full member in the WTO, which may not be until early 2012.

Russia has not only increased its exports of logs but also of softwood lumber. From 2008 to 2010, WRQ reports, exports were up 18%, reaching an all-time high of 17.5 million cubic meters last year. So far this year, exports have been more than 50% higher than the same period last year; 2011 may very well be a record-year. China is the largest market for Russian logs, followed by Uzbekistan, Japan, and Egypt.

Shipments to China tripled between 2007 and 2010; during the first quarter this year, exports were 150% higher than the same quarter in 2010. The trade of logs and lumber between Russia and China can be expected to expand in the coming years because of the continued increase in demand for wood products in China and the country's relatively close proximity to Russian forests and sawmills, according to WRQ.

More information is available online.

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April U.S. box shipments were lackluster, Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank, reports. Average weekly shipments rose 2.8%, while actual shipments were down 2.1%, slightly below Deutsche Bank's estimates. "Inventories fell 79,000 tons, inline with our expectations. Meanwhile, late Friday afternoon of last week, Official Board Markets reduced its estimate of U.S. containerboard prices by $30 - $50/ton. Financial fallout is unclear," Wilde says.

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U.S. 20-lb repro bond estimated prices were down $15/ton in May to $1,045 - $1,095, Wilde notes, adding that all of the major producers have announced a $60/ton cut-size price hike for early-June. "Our discussions with trade contacts suggest that this price increase announcement may be more of an attempt to clean-up low-end pricing deals. The combination of a weak U.S. dollar and rising market pulp costs are helping to create a healthy pricing floor," he says.

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All of the major U.S. producers of SBS have announced $40- $50/ton price hikes, effective late-May/early-June, according to Wilde. If implemented, this will be the first hike since last October's $40/ton increase.

Demand is healthy, but not as strong as last-year, Wilde says. Unmade orders, he adds, eased to ˜437,000 tons for the week of May 4 from the ˜464,000 tons level seen for April 6. During the same period, operating rates eased from 102.6% to 84.9%. For the week of May 4, U.S. SBS production was +2.3% y/y. In May, SBS estimated prices were flat at $1,130 - $1,180/ton, +8.5% y/y and +26% - 28% versus May 2008.

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North American pulp producers have joined their European counterparts in announcing a June price hike, Wilde reports. Last week, North American producers announced a $20/metric ton price hike on northern bleached softwood kraft pulp (NBSK). If implemented, Wilde explains, this will take North American NBSK to a record level of $1,040/metric ton. Low inventory levels, second quarter maintenance downtime, and a weak U.S. dollar are key drivers. In Europe, producers have set NBSK at $1,040/metric ton, +$30/metric ton m/m. However, a strong euro has limited margin gains for euro-based mills.

Meanwhile, Asian prices are under pressure. In China, trade contacts suggest that local NBSK prices have fallen ˜$70 - $80/metric ton from May's $920 - $930/metric ton list price level in recent weeks, Wilde says. The key driver is a $500/metric ton plunge in spot dissolving pulp (DP) prices in China, he adds.

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Ilim Group, St. Petersburg, Russia, reported this week that it has manufactured 635,000 metric tons of market pulp and paper products during the past three months. This is 5% above the performance over the similar period in 2010, and includes 399,000 metric tons of market pulp, which is a 5% increase from the first three months of the previous year. Market containerboard production has also gained 5%, reaching 185,000 tons.

The company's paper output totaled 51,000 metric tons, which is 8% more than in January – March 2010. A total of 16,000 metric tons of sack paper, 25,000 metric tons of offset paper, and 10,000 metric tons of paper for wallpaper manufacturing applications were produced. The company's overall pulping grew by 5%, totaling 679,000 tons.

The total production output of OAO Ilim Gofra (corrugated board and boxes) in the first three months of 2011 has reached 28.2 million square meters, which is 54% more than in the same period of the past year, the company reported. .

International Paper, Memphis, Tenn., USA, is a strategic partner of Ilim Group and the owner of 50% of its shares. Ilim's business assets, located 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. The total annual pulp and paper production volume of the company is more than 2.3 million tons. Ilim Group employs some 20,000 people.

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Metsä Tissue, Finland, reports that it is finalizing the full rebuild of PM 5 and related facilities in Düren, Germany. The machine will produce baking and cooking papers marketed under the SAGA brand. The company acquired the paper machine, related real estate, and infrastructure assets from M-Real of Finland late last year.

"The re-engineering project has been successful and the first batches of paper have been produced. During the spring, five converting lines have been installed, too, and production is expected to reach full speed by July this year," said Michael Päckner, VP, Regional Operations. Despite the transfer of converting to Düren, the company will also continue producing baking and cooking base paper at the current location in Mänttä, Finland.

"With enhanced production facilities located in close proximity to our customers, we will be able to offer our clientele improved service as well as look into new avenues of innovation for SAGA," said Raija Mörö, SVP, Baking and Cooking.

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Nippon Paper Industries, Japan, reported this week that it has been restoring its Ishinomaki Mill (Ishinomaki, Miyagi) that was damaged in the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake, and announced that its reopening is imminent. After restoring the privately owned electrical power facility, which provides power to the mill, by August, Nippon will restart production of printing and publication paper by the end of September.

The company says it is planning to fully restore the major paper machines this year. "Moreover, while determining the supply and demand balance going forward, we will be studying the production system to maximize profits. The associated plan will be announced as soon as it takes concrete form," the company noted.

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Sappi Fine Paper Europe, Brussels, Belgium, announced this week that it will cease production of coated graphic paper at its Biberist paper mill in Switzerland. The company noted that it made the definitive decision "after due and thorough consideration during the consultation process with local employees ending on May 16." Production is expected to cease by the end of July.

Sappi added that it is continuing to investigate possibilities for the sale and alternative industrial use of the site. "Promising leads are being followed up, with a clear emphasis on those that generate maximum employment opportunities. To give potential acquirers interested in converting the mill to alternative products the opportunity to complete a transaction, a decision regarding the future of PM 6 and PM 9 as well as associated support departments has been postponed. However, those employees working on PM 8 and associated people in finishing and supporting departments will be served notice of redundancy by the end of May," the company explained. In consultation with and supported by the Cantonal government of Solothurn, a decision concerning the remaining employees will be made by the end of July. The Biberist Mill employs around 550 employees in total.

"We recognize this is a very difficult and unfortunate outcome for those employees concerned, their families, and the communities surrounding the mill," Berry Wiersum, CEO of Sappi Fine Paper Europe, said. "Unfortunately this action was unavoidable and essential given the continued overcapacity and sustained increases in input costs."

Volumes produced at the mill will be transferred to other Sappi sites. Production of the uncoated Cento brand will continue unless a suitable new owner for the mill is not found by the end of July. There will be no supply interruption of coated paper to customers during the transfer of production.

With the cessation of coated graphic paper production at Biberist mill, Sappi will reduce its coated graphic paper capacity by 500,000 metric tpy.

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Sappi Southern Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, this week initiated a consultation process with staff and union representatives to cease operations at its Adamas fine papers mill in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in response to difficult market conditions and sustained input cost increases. The move is inline with Sappi Southern Africa's strategy to improve the competitiveness of its fine paper business by aligning its production capacity to market demand. 

Removal of production capacity at Adamas would address the high manufacturing overheads associated with a small mill (Adamas produces about 40,000 metric tpy of a total regional capacity in excess of 1 million metric tpy). Variable costs will be improved by shifting production closer to Sappi's main South African markets and raw material sources.

Sappi Southern Africa acquired the Adamas mill in 1964. It originally produced board for the motor industry and subsequently uncoated printing and writing papers with a significant percentage of recycled fiber.

Commenting on the decision, Alex Thiel, CEO of Sappi Southern Africa said that "we fully recognize and commend the enormous past and ongoing efforts that employees and mill management have undertaken to reduce costs and improve profitability. However, the mill's size, technical age, and high costs of energy and fiber have made it necessary to initiate a review. A final decision will only be made once the consultation process is completed towards the end of July."

Potential closure of the Adamas mill would have no impact on customers as production would be moved to Sappi's Enstra and Tugela Mills.

Sappi will maintain its presence in the Eastern Cape in regard to marketing and sales as well as the collection and purchase of collected fiber (used in recycled paper grades) through Sappi ReFibre.

Sappi also announced that, in partnership with AsgiSA-EC, it have developed a joint proposal with a strategic goal of accelerating the establishment and management of 30,000 hectares of commercial tree plantations by 2020 in the Eastern Cape. This development is expected to create a number of permanent skilled and unskilled jobs. Sappi and AsgiSA-EC have already developed close to 150 hectares in conjunction with the Mkambathi and Sinawo communities.

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Södra Cell, Sweden, reports that it will begin producing and selling the biodegradable composite material DuraPulp at its Värö mill in Sweden. Production is scheduled to commence after this summer.

"DuraPulp is a material making a very timely appearance. It can replace plastics in many applications but has the distinct advantage of being biodegradable. The time is right to begin producing and selling this material," said Henrik Wettergren, business area manager for Printing Paper and Specialities.

Initially, sales of DuraPulp will focus on the business areas of speciality paper, design, and board. "We believe that our customers will come from these three business areas. We will begin with small-scale production but we're prepared to increase production to match demand," Wettergren added.

DuraPulp, the company explains, is the result of years of research and was produced by Södra together with the research and development company Innventia. The starting point for the research included the idea of creating a new fibre-based material that would be renewable and biodegradable. DuraPulp is a composite material made of specially selected pulp from Södra Cell combined with a renewable biopolymer. Following additional processing, these two components take on special properties such as humidity resistance, tensile strength, and rigidity.

The use of DuraPulp was first demonstrated at the Milan Furniture Fair in 2009 through the children's chair, Parupu, which was developed by the Stockholm design firm, Claesson Koivisto Rune. The firm has also created the lamp w101 made of DuraPulp that is now being sold by the lighting company, Wästberg.

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Tak Investments Inc., Thatcher, Ariz., USA, has announced a proposal to operate a recycled tissue plant in Franklin, Va., and has entered into a Letter of Intent to complete the evaluation, including due diligence and feasibility analysis of this project. The proposed project would include operating an existing recycled fiber plant in Franklin and processing post-consumer recycled fiber into tissue, towel, and napkin products for converters.

The project calls for the modification of a paper machine into a tissue machine that would produce up to 70,000 tpy of recycled tissue and the creation of approximately 80 permanent jobs initially. The facility is targeted to be operational in the third quarter of 2012.

Regarding the project, Tak Investments said that "we think the regional market is in need of a cost-competitive, world class recycled tissue machine and Franklin offers a great location for this facility. We are looking forward to being a part of economic development and job growth in the Franklin community."

Tak Investments currently owns and operates a 70,000 tpy recycled tissue mill (ST Paper) in Oconto Falls, Wis.

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UPM, Finland, this week reported that it will begin production of coated fine paper sheets at its Kymi Mill at Kouvola, Finland, in the fall of 2012. The expansion of the Kymi Mill finishing room will begin this autumn.

The expansion will cost approximately EUR 15 million. The project includes a new sheeting, ream wrapping, and pallet packaging line. Technical changes related to the handling of the reels of PM 8 will also be made. The aim of the new sheeting line is to serve customers in close-by markets more efficiently and flexibly, and to support the production efficiency of the integrated mill site. The coated UPM Finesse fine paper sheets are used for various graphic printing purposes, such as printed advertising material.

"The new sheeting line for the manufacturing of coated sheets will enable us to serve our customers better and faster than before. Thanks to the more extensive product range, we can ensure efficient use of the integrated mill site. The employment effect of the project is also positive, although it is still too early to estimate the number of jobs that will be created. We will especially need multi-skilled persons for these jobs," said Timo Suutarla, GM for the Kymi Mill.

The Kymi Mill produces approximately 830,000 metric tpy of coated and uncoated fine paper per year. Currently, the mill's sheet production includes A4 size printer and copy paper made of uncoated fine paper. UPM also produces coated sheets in Germany at its Nordland Papier Mill.

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ITC, India, reports that its Paperboards, Paper, and Packaging segment recorded another year of steady growth in revenues and profits. Segment revenues grew by 13% over the previous year with segment results reflecting a growth of 20%. ITC notes that in the overall Indian paperboards segment, it currently holds a value market share of about 26% and a significantly higher share of the fast-growing value-added paperboards segment.

The company adds that its Packaging and Printing business continues to invest in "best- in-class" technology and skills to provide the highest value delivery in paper, paperboard, and flexible packaging. The company continues to be a key supplier of value-added packaging to the consumer electronics and FMCG segments.

ITC is one of India's top private sector companies with a market capitalization of more than $30 billion.

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Kolicevo Karton, Slovenia, will rebuild its KM 3 wet section (wire and press section). The aim of the rebuild, to be conducted by Andritz, Austria, is to improve the quality and extend the grade range with GC-qualities (chromo board). Startup is scheduled for this December.

The existing cylinder mold formers will be replaced by a multilayer fourdrinier wire for top, back, and filler. Andritz's Pulp & Paper business area will supply three headboxes (PrimeFlow SW), the fourdrinier wire section (PrimeForm SW) for three layers, and the hybrid former (PrimeForm HB) for the filler dewatering. The existing press section will be complemented by a pick-up-roll for closed web run to the Kombi-press.

Kolicevo Karton is a member of Austrian Mayr-Melnhof Group, the largest producer of cartonboard in Europe and the leading manufacturer of coated recovered cartonboard worldwide.

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Bob Mullen has reigned as CEO, president, and chairman of the Newark Group, Cranford, N.J., USA, effective immediately. He is being replaced as CEO and president on an interim basis by Philip B. Jones, the company's SVP of Converting, who will function in this role until a permanent CEO and president is selected, which the company says will take place within the next three months. James R. Keller, vice chairman of the board, has been elected chairman of the board.

Mullen came with The Newark Group in 1984 as assistant paper machine superintendent at the company's Haverhill, Mass., paperboard mill, which was shuttered in 2008. The Newark Group operates three business units. The Paperboard Unit recovers some 3 million tons of corrugated containers, newspaper, and mixed paper annually. A Converted Products unit makes laminated papers, graphic board, tubes, and solid board packaging. Its European facilities make up the International Unit, producing similar converted products.

In North America, the company has 11 recovered paper plants, 8 paperboard mills, and 22 converting plants. In Europe, it has three paperboard mills and six converting plants. Additionally, the company has investments in three paper recovery businesses and two tube and core manufacturers. The Newark Group went through a brief Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010.

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Eriez, Erie, Pa., USA, reports that it has developed an eco-certification designation for a variety of its magnetic separation and recycling equipment as well as its line of small feeders. The self-certified program will expand into other product categories after an internal analysis.

Equipment identified by Eriez for the Eco-Certified designation has met several criteria:

• The products have a positive impact on recycling processes and the recycling industry
• They are manufactured with energy-savings features, including the use of energy-free permanent magnets
• All equipment is built in an Eriez facility that focuses on recycling consumables, driving down energy usage and drastically reducing solid landfill waste
• An electronic, paperless format is used when promoting the selected equipment; when marketed using hard copy, promotional material is printed on recycled paper.

The Eco-Certified equipment comprises magnetic separation products, including the entire line of plate and grate magnets and liquid line traps. The designation also applies to the company's line of ProGrade® Magnetic Separators.

The certification also extends to the company's high-end recycling equipment, including the ProSort, ProSort II, and FinesSort metals recovery systems and eddy current separators. Additionally, Eriez' line of Hi-Vi electromagnetic feeders are Eco-Certified.

More information is available online.

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Tetra Pak, Sweden, has launched the Tetra Evero Aseptic 1 liter, the first aseptic carton bottle for milk. The Tetra Evero Aseptic for white milk combines the easy handling and pouring of a bottle with the environmental and cost advantages of a carton. It is recyclable and made from FSC-certified renewable paperboard.

"Tetra Evero Aseptic is a new carton shape that delivers ease of use, high impact branding and cost effectiveness," said Charles Brand, Tetra Pak VP of Marketing and Product Management. "This is a unique packaging concept that brings benefits to producers, retailers, and consumers. It is initially aimed at the ambient white milk market, including non-oxygen sensitive milk enriched with calcium, proteins, fibers (inulin), vitamins A and D, and some minerals. This will soon expand to cover a wide range of beverages, including flavored milk, cream, and oxygen sensitive milk, such as omega 3, iron, zinc, and vitamin C."

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Caraustar Industries, Atlanta, Ga., USA, will increase its tube and core prices by 3% to 5% effective with shipments on or after June 27. Caraustar notes that the increase is due to higher raw material and adhesive costs, along with significant escalation in transportation costs.

Caraustar serves the four principal recycled boxboard product end-use markets: tubes and cores, folding cartons, gypsum facing paper, and specialty paperboard products.

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DuPont Titanium Technologies, Wilmington, Del., USA, has announced a net price increase of $500 per metric ton for all DuPont Ti-Pure® titanium dioxide grades sold in Asia Pacific, with the exception of grades specific to plastics and laminates applications whose net price will increase by $800 per metric ton. The increase becomes effective July 1.

DuPont Titanium Technologies operates plants at DeLisle, Miss.; New Johnsonville, Tenn.; Edge Moor, Del.; Altamira, Mexico; and Kuan Yin, Taiwan, all of which use the chloride manufacturing process. The company also operates a mine in Starke, Fla.

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PaperWorks Industries (PWI), Philadelphia, Pa., USA, has announced a $50/ton price increase on all of its uncoated recycled paperboard for North American customers, effective June 6. This increase includes all MasterWorks uncoated recycled grades.

PWI notes that it will minimize this increase with ongoing cost savings initiatives, as well as provide leading quality, excellent availability, and service for all of its paperboard products. Customers are encouraged to contact their customer service representative, account manager, or Mark P. Roy, SVP of Sales and Marketing, with any questions regarding this increase.

Founded in 2008, PaperWorks Industries is a North American, integrated, full-service packaging provider. The company's Packaging Group produces specialized folding cartons, serving clients of all sizes across North America from a dozen facilities. Its Paperboard Group manufactures some 300,000 tpy of 100% recycled paperboard for a variety of end uses, and further specializes in the cutting and distribution of all paper types according to specific customer needs. The company has more than 1,850 employees across 19 North American locations with annual sales in excess of $620 million.

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Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., USA, is increasing the price for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard by $50 per ton and by 5% to 8% for tubes and cores, effective with shipments beginning June 6. The company noted that the price changes are necessary due to higher base raw materials, chemicals, repair materials, and freight costs.

Sonoco, founded in 1899, is a $4.1 billion global manufacturer of consumer and industrial packaging products and a provider of packaging services, with more than 300 operations in 34 countries serving customers in some 85 nations.

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The Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI), U.K., CPI this week announced that it has elected Will Oldham VP/president elect, in advance of assuming the role of president later this year. Oldham has worked for paper manufacturer UPM UK since his appointment as GM UK, in June 2008. He joined the CPI Council in September 2008, taking over from Kevin Lyden OBE, former managing director at UPM UK.

Oldham brings considerable industry knowledge and experience to CPI, having previously held the positions of business GM and sales and marketing director at International Paper's European Division. Prior to that, he was managing director for Scholastic Book Fairs UK, and held senior roles with the Robert Horne Group.

The current president of CPI, Bob McLellan, is set to retire at the end of 2011. McLellan joined CPI Council in June 2003 and became CPI president in October 2008, taking over from Kevin Lyden.

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Tembec, Montreal, Que., Canada, has appointed Linda Coates as corporate VP, Communications and Public Affairs. Coates has a long-standing career of more than 25 years in the field of communications and public relations, having held various executive positions in Canada as well as in Europe with global, diversified companies involved in the sectors of mining and metallurgy, cement and related products, and high technology manufacturing.

Coates graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in linguistics and communications and a Master Degree in business administration. She will play a pivotal role in the corporation as the principal accountable for corporate communications, public relations, and government relations.

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You can better understand how chemicals and additives affect your paper products. The TAPPI Introduction to Wet End Chemistry course takes place June 1-3, 2011 at the TAPPI Training Room in Norcross, Ga. USA.

This course is designed to help you understand the principles of papermaking chemistry. You will learn to improve the quality of your products and how to troubleshoot problems.
Understand the effects that chemicals and other additives have on the papermaking process
- Address wet end issues with suppliers
- Make better judgments on selection and use of papermaking chemicals
- Determine viable approaches to problems or opportunities
- Contribute to troubleshooting projects on paper machines

View the Course Schedule to see all that's offered.

There is still time to register!

This introductory- to intermediate-level course is designed for mill superintendents, development engineers, chemical and process engineers, chemists, process and quality control technicians, and sales and technical service representatives. Participants should have one to five years of paper industry experience and college-level chemistry and math courses are helpful.

TAPPI will award 1.7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for completion of the curriculum.

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This is the course that can change the way you run your corrugated operations for the better.
The TAPPI Lean Maintenance for the Corrugated Industry Course  - June 7-8, 2011 – is designed to provide you with the information and knowledge required to create a smoothly functioning, effective and efficient maintenance team in your corrugated plant. And, the best part? Only two days of your time. Now, that's efficiency already.

W. Jeffrey Hahn is the course instructor and brings more than 50 years experience to this course, which is a leadership and management program for maintenance leaders, assistants, production managers, and anyone who wants to learn more about implementing a first-class operation to improve up time, reduce costs and increase profits.

The Proposed Course Schedule provides detail of the content offered. We'll see you here at TAPPI in Norcross, Ga., USA in June!

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TAPPI member Scott Pantaleo has consistently established his credentials as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in headboxes, forming and approach flow systems throughout his career.

Since joining TAPPI in 1989, he has attended or taught at numerous conferences, courses and classes, and credits TAPPI's Standards and TIPs as being yet another "priceless on-the-job resource." One of the many benefits he has derived from his membership includes the opportunity to network with professionals both inside, and out, of his immediate area of expertise – leading to a new dimension of understanding beyond, but still aligned with his core competencies. For more than 15 years he has served as a course instructor for Wet End Operations, and is currently Chair of the Fluid Mechanics Committee and a member of the Papermakers Committee. He considers his relationship with TAPPI to be a major component in helping to build his SME reputation. Find out the reasons why by reading this month's Member Spotlight (http://www.tappi.org/Membership.aspx).

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 (http://www.tappi.org/content/membership/spotlightquestionnaire.pdf) to fill out and return. We look forward to seeing you in the Spotlight!

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The editorial board of TAPPI JOURNAL has selected "Calendering effects on coating pore structure and ink setting behavior" by Peter Resch, Wolfgang Bauer, and Ulrich Hirn as TAPPI JOURNAL's Best Research Paper for 2010. The paper appeared in the January 2010 issue and was one of eight nominated for the award. Editorial board members assessed the research based on innovation, creativity, scientific merit, and clear and concise presentation of ideas. The paper and its authors were honored at the Awards Gala Dinner held in early May during PaperCon 2011, held May 1-4 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center near Cincinnati, Ohio.

Primary author Resch, who is quality manager at Sappi Austria in Gratkorn, used research presented in the paper as basis for his Ph.D., and publication in TAPPI JOURNAL counted towards partial fulfillment of his doctoral requirements at Graz University. Bauer is a professor and Hirn is a research assistant with Graz University of Technology's Institute for Paper, Pulp and Fibre Technology in Graz, Austria.

 

 

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The 2011 Northeast PIMA Annual Scholarship Tournament is set for Friday, June 10, 2011. It features:

• Shot gun start: 8:00 AM sharp
• Entry Fee: $100.00 (golf, cart, BBQ, prizes, range, etc.)
• Registration deadline: When Full
• Event location: Fox Ridge Golf Club, 427 Harmons Corner Road, Auburn, ME 04210 

All proceeds from this tournament will go to the Northeast PIMA Scholarship Fund. This tournament supports a great cause. Try to register very soon as last year we filled up. On behalf of Northeast PIMA and its affiliates, your continued support is appreciated to the utmost. Note: Cancellations cannot be accepted after June 5th.

For more information please go to:

http://www.tappi.org/Groups/Local-Sections/MH/Announcements/PIMA-Annual-Scholarship-Tournament-2011.aspx

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Presenting a chemist's perspective on the papermaking process, The Chemistry of Modern Papermaking is an extensive collection of data that combines the organic chemistry of paper with its potential applications. Within each chapter, paper chemicals are organized based on their chemical structure.

After an introduction and brief history, the book explores the papermaking process, retention aids, temporary wet strength resins, wet strength resins, dry strength resins, internal sizing agents, creping adhesives and softeners, and chemicals for paper surface treatment.  Included are over 3000 references to facilitate further study. It's scheduled for a summer 2011 release.

Pre-order your copy now!

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The 2011 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials is scheduled for June 6-8, 2011 at the Sheraton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia USA. The comprehensive Technical Program includes over 60 papers and five keynote presentations.

The event's Poster Session will feature findings from the leading researchers from around the world as well as a Student Poster Competition! Abstracts that focus on new and novel uses are highly encouraged. Analysis of challenges and trends in emerging markets for renewable nanomaterials are sought to provide a foundation for new research and industrial activities. Prizes and certificates will be awarded to the first and second place winner.

Learn more about the event.

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