AbitibiBowater, Montreal, Que., Canada, is considering reopening a second shuttered Quebec paper mill after unionized workers in Dolbeau-Mistassini unanimously agreed to change their contracts, according to a report this week in the Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The next step would be for AbitibiBowater to secure a government supply of fiber for at least five years and then address energy issues at the mill. .

Some 240 workers were employed at the Quebec mill, which has two specialty grade printing paper machines, when production ceased in June 2009. The mill was permanently closed a year later, along with a newsprint mill in Gatineau, Que. Each may reopen operating with just one paper machine.

"This is in the possibility of restarting the mill as it is in Gatineau, but we're not there yet. It's a first step," AbitibiBowater spokesman Pierre Choquette said in the newspaper article. As was the case in Gatineau, the report continues, workers agreed to some sub-contracting of mechanics and workshop functions and other changes that don't affect wages, pensions, or vacations.

AbitibiBowater also would have to resolve energy issues in the mill where Boralex has operated a cogeneration power plant. This would involve installing its own steam-generating operations.

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Below is the latest listing of job openings in the TAPPI Career Center. The listing includes a variety of positions, from sales and service to senior development engineer, mechanical maintenance manager, sale manager, mill process engineer, and research associate. Current, specific job openings at companies and locations in the TAPPI Career Center include:

Employer	Title	Location
Ace Chemical Products	Sales and Service	Wisconsin
GL&V USA Inc.	Pulp and Paper Internship	Nashua, N.H.
Unifrax	Sr. Development Engineer	Northeast U.S.
Unifrax	Sr. Development Engineer - Paper	Northeast U.S.
Ponderay Newsprint	Mechanical Maintenance Manager	Spokane, Wash.
Confidential	Regional Sales Manager	Ala., La, Texas, Ark. Also available: Northeast/Southeast U.S.
Kimberly-Clark	Mill Process Engineer III	Huntsville, Ont., Canada
BASF	Research Associate Sr. II - Paper Binder Technology, Charlotte, N.C.	Charlotte, N.C.

More information about these jobs is available online.

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Why is ozone bleaching scarce in North America and widely used elsewhere? Does partial replacement of chlorine dioxide with ozone cut costs without affecting pulp properties? How should oxygen delignification systems be designed to achieve 75% delignification?

These are a few examples of the technical questions that will be addressed by industry knowledge leaders at the 2011 International Pulp Bleaching Conference

The International Pulp Bleaching Conference to be held October 5-7 in Portland, Ore., USA, will focus on the newest developments and research advances in the pulp bleaching field, including the latest mill experiences, current practices, low-cost conversion solutions, performance, environmental concerns, networking opportunities, and other relevant issues shaping the industry.

The complete list of technical sessions is available online.

This conference is held every three years and will comprise a single track program, featuring nine technical sessions (including a poster session), mill tour, dinner cruise, and a special plenary session. More information and registration are available online.

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The Dissolving Pulp Forum at this year's TAPPI PEERS Conference, October 2 -5, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore., USA, examines the still-evolving specialty cellulose "gold rush" from three basic perspectives. Following a Sunday afternoon (October 2) opening presentation by global consultants, The dp Group, on latest process developments and technologies worldwide, suppliers including Andritz and Metso, will explore systems approaches being used in several major conversion and expansion projects underway around the world. Jacobs Engineering then examines options, directions, and considerations for companies evaluating dissolving pulp production. The Sunday sessions are capped by a special panel session with seven experts in the arena, including speakers from the earlier sessions. This discussion session responds to specific, submitted questions and comments from the attendee audience.

On Monday morning (October 3), the Forum shifts focus with a special bridge session into the main PEERS program that looks at current market developments around the world and the developing outlook for dissolving pulp production and demand for the next two to three years. During this session, RISI and Poyry International will examine the dissolving pulp "path" into the foreseeable future and explore forces likely to control progress as well as setbacks along the way, including recent successes as well as failures of global cotton crops.

More information, including registration, is available online for the Dissolving Pulp Forum and 2011 PEERS, as well at the 2011 International Pulp Bleaching Conference being held at the Oregon Convention Center immediately following PEERS, on October 5-7.

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Forisk Consulting, Athens, Ga., USA, forecasts sawtimber prices for the U.S. South weakening 2.7% in 2012 and then strengthening 2.9% into 2013. Key factors include weak expectations for housing starts and low utilization rates at sawmills. While sawtimber prices can increase temporarily from artificial shortages related to weather and logging capacity, long-term strengthening of sawtimber prices requires sawmill utilization to exceed 76%.

For 2012, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas are the only states with forecasted sawtimber stumpage prices exceeding $27/ton. Alternately, delivered prices for Douglas-fir and hemlock in Oregon and Washington look to increase 6% and 4.9% in 2012, thanks to continued exports to China.

Forisk's research emphasizes the critical importance of assessing timber prices locally. "Our team tracks 3,191 wood-using facilities in the U.S. This includes every open, closed, and idled forest industry mill, as well as every operating and announced wood bioenergy project," notes Dr. Tim Sydor, Forisk's director of economic analysis and forecasting.

In 2010, Forisk's pine sawtimber forecast was within 4% of actual prices, and within $1.00 per ton at the state level. "The key is understanding the localized relationship – the elasticity – between wood demand and prices. We consistently track and re-estimate the price-demand relationships as they change at the market level," Dr. Sydor says.

The ForiskFORECAST predicts pine sawtimber and pulpwood stumpage prices by state in the South and delivered log prices in the Pacific Northwest through 2020. In addition, Forisk provides U.S.-wide mill databases and GIS shapefiles for internal analysis and map-making. More information is available online (click Stumpage Price Forecasts).

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The U.S. NBSK (northern bleached softwood kraft) list price fell $20/metric ton to $970/metric ton in September, according to Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank. Spot prices are weak and far below these reported list prices, Wilde notes, adding that falling prices are beginning to trigger supply responses, and several producers have announced downtime for the fourth quarter. "We're watching FX closely. If the U.S. dollar appreciates against the euro and Canadian dollar, it will aid margins for high-cost producers and could produce lower-than-expected ‘trough' prices. We're also watching recent declines in the Brazil Real," he says.

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Uncoated Free Sheet (UFS) prices are easing n the U.S., Wilde reports. Estimated offset prices, he notes, fell $5/ton to $930 - $950/ton in September. Cut-size estimated prices fell $10/ton to $1,075 -$1,125/ton in September. Preliminary August shipments fell 2.6% y/y. "Even with the recent closures, there appears to be excess UFS supply in the domestic market," Wilde says, adding that "we suspect some CFS (coated free sheet) mills are running UFS. We're watching FX closely as a rise in the U.S. dollar could pull more imports from Brazil or Europe."

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August box data was in line with Deutsche Bank's expectations—down 0.4% y/y on an average week basis, Wilde continues. Inventories remain at their second lowest level in 20 years and operating rates remain strong, he notes, adding that exports were +8.9% y/y. "We have become more concerned about the prospect of price slippage as we move toward year-end. In the past couple of weeks, we have begun receiving fresh reports of some pricing cuts on boxes," he notes.

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Cascades Tissue Group, Canada, has purchased a new rewinder from Fabio Perini, Italy, to be installed at its tissue plant in Pittston, Pa., USA. The new rewinder is a "Mile 5.1" model.

Suzanne Blanchet, president and CEO at Cascades Tissue Group, noted that "Cascades has been manufacturing paper tissue in the U.S. for more than 20 years. To face the growing demand from retailers for our private labels, which are made almost entirely of recycled fiber, we decided to modernize our plant by investing $8 million towards the acquisition of a new rewinder,"

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DS Smith Plc, U.K., reports that its DS Smith paper business has agreed to sell its Higher Kings Mill paper mill in the U.K. to Asia File Corporation Berhad, for an enterprise value of £4.6 million payable in cash on completion. As at April 30, the net assets of the Higher Kings Mill business (on a cash and debt free basis) was £3.8 million and gross assets were £8.0 million. The sale is expected to be completed on September 30. The mill produces some 34,000 metric tpy of filing and educational papers.

The transaction is part of DS Smith's strategic focus on recycled packaging for consumer goods and the reduction of paper capacity that does not directly support the packaging business. The decision to sell Higher Kings Mill follows the company's announcement this past June that it will close its Hollins paper mill, which produces 95,000 metric tpy.

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Rayonier, Jacksonville, Fla., USA, has signed an agreement to acquire approximately 250,000 acres of timberlands from Joshua Timberlands LLC and Oklahoma Timber LLC for $330 million. The acquisition, expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year, will initially be funded using cash, Rayonier's revolving credit facility, and the assumption of existing debt of the sellers. Closing is subject to customary timberland transaction conditions.

"The quality and location of these timberlands make them an excellent strategic fit for Rayonier," said Lee M. Thomas, chairman and CEO of Rayonier. "This transaction is a major step forward in our strategy to grow and diversify Rayonier's timberland ownership while allowing for further expansion of our rural land sales program."

The timberlands are located in Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Alabama. Upon completion of the acquisition, Rayonier will own, lease, or manage some 2.7 million acres in 10 states in the U.S., and New Zealand.

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A builders worker strike that began last Friday is reportedly interfering with construction of the new Montes del Plata pulp mill project in Punta Pereira, Uruguay, a joint venture of Finland-based Stora Enso and Arauco of Chile. According to an article in the Helsingin Sanomat (Helsinki, Finland) this week, Stora Enso so far has been unable to estimate how much longer the building site may remain at a standstill.

The builders are asking for a EUR 10 raise to their daily salary. The pay increase would go towards the workers' travel and meal expenses. The employees justify their demands with the fact that they live far from the construction site, according to the newspaper article. The builders have besieged the construction site, making it impossible for other professionals to cross the picket lines and enter the area to continue their work.

The workers' negotiation leverage is enhanced by the fact that several large capital investment undertakings are currently taking place in Uruguay and there is an acute shortage of construction labor, the Helsingin Sanomat reports, adding that "representatives of Montes del Plata were surprised by the industrial action, for the employer had been negotiating over the salary issue for several weeks with a local labor union." The employer noted that "the workers have become radicalized."

The construction project employs an average of 3,200 people, peaking at up to 6,000 individuals. The new, EUR 1.4 billion mill is scheduled to startup in less than two yearsIt will produce some 1.3 million metric tpy of pulp from eucalyptus trees. Stora Enso calculates that the mill will bring a 2% increase to Uruguay's annual domestic product.

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Competition authorities in Spain, Germany, and the U.S. have approved Suominen Corp.'s (Brazil) acquisition of Ahlstrom Corp.'s (Finland) Home and Personal wipes fabrics business area. The transaction is estimated to be completed by October 31 at the latest. Authority approval of the transaction in Brazil is estimated to take place during the first quarter of 2012, and it is not a prerequisite of the completion of the transaction outside of Brazil.

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UPM, Helsinki, Finland, has completed the acquisition of M-real Corp.'s (Finland) 35% holding in Myllykoski Paper Oy (Finland) and the capital loan M-real has granted to Myllykoski Paper Oy for a total of EUR 10.5 million. All relevant regulatory authorities have approved the transaction.

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UPM, Helsinki, Finland, reports that it is the first Finnish company to be awarded a certificate for complying with the new FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standard. The FSC certificate covers some half of UPM's forests in Finland. UPM's forests have previously been awarded a PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) certificate.

"FSC certification of Finnish forests further expands UPM's portfolio of eco-labeled products. We already have the markets' most extensive selection of paper products with the EU Ecolabel. Forest certificates, such as FSC and PEFC are a guarantee to our customers that our wood fiber comes from sustainably managed forests," says Thomas Ehrnrooth, VP, Marketing, Paper.

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A&R Carton, Sweden, this week said that as part of an effort to optimize its production in the Nordic region, it will close its folding carton plant at Norrköping, Sweden. The plan would affect around 80 employees. An additional 12 people were given notice earlier in the year.

Competition on the European folding carton market is tough and it is not possible to make the products we make today in a competitive manner with the cost structure in the plant in Norrköping," said Per Lundeen, Group CEO of A&R Carton AB.

The factory has been unprofitable for many years. Despite numerous efficiency enhancements and investments in operations, it has not been possible to reverse the trend. The volumes that are currently produced in the factory will gradually be transferred primarily to A&R Carton's plants in Lund and Finland in 2012. Deliveries to customers will continue without interruption.

"We regret that we are forced to make employees redundant, but it is necessary to maintain our competitiveness. By concentrating production in specialized factories, we will create a number of competence centers that will make us more efficient and give us better opportunities to develop new products. This will benefit our customers, which will also protect the jobs in our other plants," Per Lundeen added.

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KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp., Northbrook, Ill., USA, has agreed to acquire the stock of U.S. Corrugated, Inc. (USC), Newark, N.J., for $330 million in cash and subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Closing of the acquisition is subject to a number of customary conditions, including regulatory review and receipt of financing. The transaction is expected to close late next month.

USC operates a 240,000-tpy recycled containerboard mill in Cowpens, S.C., and 20 converting facilities in the eastern and mid-western U.S. Six of such operating facilities will be disposed of by USC prior to the closing. Those facilities will remain under the management and control of Dennis Mehiel, chairman of the board and current majority stockholder of U.S. Corrugated. In 2010, the operations to be acquired from USC generated $423 million in net sales.

KapStone Chairman and CEO, Roger W. Stone, said that "acquiring USC is an outstanding opportunity for numerous reasons. The acquisition immediately adds value for our shareholders by increasing earnings, generating very strong free cash flow, and reducing risk. The deal is accretive to our bottom line from day one. Our balance sheet, which was very strong going into this transaction, remains very strong after the acquisition, maintaining a leverage ratio of debt to EBITDA of less than two times. The combined company is expected to deliver substantial free cash flow in the first year, allowing KapStone to quickly de-lever."

Stone further noted that the "acquisition will increase our exposure to the highly desirable containerboard segment. Also, we believe that because USC is a net purchaser of 195,000 tons of containerboard that the risk of costly economic downtime will be mitigated throughout the economic cycle. KapStone is well-positioned to integrate USC's operations and anticipates approximately $8 million of day one and first year redundancy expense eliminations. Additionally, operating synergies are expected to result in at least an additional $8 million in profit improvement annually within the first 18 months."

KapStone has committed financing from Bank of America N.A. and Barclays Capital for a $525 million senior secured credit facility. The new credit facility is expected to consist of a $150 million revolving credit facility and a $375 million term loan maturing over five years. At closing, a portion of the proceeds will be used to pay off KapStone's existing $101 million term loan.

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MeadWestvaco Corp. will host qualified investors and analysts at its global headquarters in Richmond, Va., USA, on Wednesday, December 14, to feature the company's packaging strategy. The session is expected to begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m.

Senior leaders from across MWV's Packaging businesses will review the company's strategies for profitable growth in its targeted global packaging end-markets. The company also will feature an array of its packaging solutions and demonstrate the capabilities of its Center for Packaging Innovation.

To register for the event, contact Loretta Carter-Getter at (804) 444-7762. An agenda and lodging details will be provided to registrants. Other interested parties will be able to access the presentation slides and listen live to the event by visiting the Investors page of MeadWestvaco's website. A replay of the event will be available on the website for 30 days.

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Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), Lake Forest, Ill., USA, reports that it will expand its corrugated products capacity in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by opening a new manufacturing facility in Muhlenberg Township next month. The leased facility is expected to create 50 new, full-time jobs within three years of opening.

Thomas A. Hassfurther, EVP, noted that "our decision to expand in Southeastern Pennsylvania is a testament to the dedicated employees of the region. Our investment in additional corrugated products capacity was driven by customer demand. Expanding our network of plants in this region reinforces our commitment to continue providing outstanding quality and superior service to our customers."

PCA is the fifth largest producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the U.S. with sales of $2.44 billion in 2010. The company operates four paper mills and 68 corrugated product plants in 26 states across the country.

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Stora Enso, Finland, has ordered from POM Technology, Finland, a compact approach flow system for the new testliner machine at its Ostroleka Mill in Poland. Startup is scheduled for the first quarter of 2013.

At a wire width of 8,600 mm and a design speed of 1,800 m/min, the new Narew PM 5 project will produce 455,000 metric tpy of testliner. The new machine is designed to produce lightweight testliner and recycled fluting in a basis weight range of 65-140 gsm.

The POM compact approach system delivery includes: two POMix Stock Processors for efficient stock mixing, three POMp Degassers for white water dearation, two POMlock suction leg sealing units, as well as compact process solutions and engineering for the whole approach flow system. Stora Enso's focus of this investment was on operational savings from improved drainage, cleanliness, and quality, as well as on space and especially energy cost savings, which all are met by POM System applications and principles.

POM Technology previously delivered several POM Degassing solutions to Stora Enso Varkaus and Imatra Mills in Finland. At the beginning of this year, the company will become part of Aikawa Fiber Technologies (AFT), which has manufacturing centers in Canada, China, Finland, Japan, and South Korea.

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Metso, Finland, has launched a new, modular paper and board making line called OptiConcept M. A member of the company's OptiConcept production line family, the new OptiConcept M optimizes machine investment in line with each mill's capacity needs. OptiConcept M paper and board making lines are specifically designed for mills in growing markets to ensure optimized productivity at minimal operating costs.

According to Metso, savings in operating costs are achieved through precise dimensioning of processes, proven technological solutions, optimal running parameters, effective maintenance operations, and fully integrated automation solutions. These OptiConcept M features result in minimized cost per ton produced and shorter investment payback periods, the company adds.

The proven technology utilized in OptiConcept M and the integrated processes enable high-quality production with lower-quality raw materials and lighter basis weights, yet with equal strength properties and high raw material efficiency.

OptiConcept M has been designed both visually and physically with the requirements of its users in mind, Metso continues. For example, it points out, the design of the machinery allows for easy and safe changing of rolls and wear parts, thus reducing the total duration and cost of maintenance shutdowns.

Optimized processes, innovations, smart controls and accurate dimensioning decrease the use of steam, gas, electricity, water, chemicals, and other raw materials, and reduce emission levels, Metso further explains, noting that the new OptiConcept M production line meets and exceeds environmental regulations.

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UV measurement is now a standard part of Metso's (Finland) inline brightness sensors to optimize chemical costs at DIP/RCF plants. The previous two inline brightness sensor models, Cormec5 and Cormec5 X, with different measurement capabilities will merge and become one. The new inline sensor with an enhanced measurement capability will carry the name Metso UV Brightness Measurement, Metso Cormec5 X. In addition to brightness and UV+ brightness, it also measures other important optical pulp properties, such as residual ink and color.

Metso Cormec5 X with its UV measurement has been well received by European DIP/RCF plants. Fluorescence and UV+ brightness values are typically used for measuring the quantity of the optical brightening agent (OBA) in the incoming raw material and for OBA dosage control in stock preparation. As OBAs are fairly expensive and can be harmful to health, mills have been able to optimize their chemical costs with continuous inline measurement information while achieving set quality targets. In addition, the mills have been able to ensure that specific grades, such as tissue and hygienic papers, do not hold any chemical residues.

The UV-based measurement can be used together with the industry standard brightness, effective residual ink content (ERIC), and CIELAB color measurements to achieve full benefit from a single-point inline measurement.

Based on experiences at paper mills, Metso Cormec5 X has also proven its capabilities in paper machine approach systems when controlling OBA and color dosage during web breaks and process startups when measurement results from a scanner are not available. During a normal run, it provides fast feedback for paper machine quality controls together with traditional scanner measurements

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SMART Papers, Hamilton, Ohio, USA, has re-engineered and expanded its premium high-gloss, cast-coated Kromekote Label papers brand and is now introducing the product line to label printers and converters across North America and Europe. All papers are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

The Kromekote Cut and Stack label line has been reformulated for improved dimensional stability in wet-glue applied label applications. The line now features nine products, including new lightweight offerings, new papers guaranteed for digital presses, new wet-strength papers, and a 30% post-consumer waste (PCW) label paper. Cut-and-stack labels, used in wine, spirits, and consumer packaged goods, are sold to label printers and paper/packaging distributors.

The Kromekote Converting line now offers eight products for high-gloss, pressure-sensitive label face stock, including new lightweights, new digital press-guaranteed papers, and new wet-strength papers. This product line is sold exclusively to pressure-sensitive label converters.

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KaMin, LLC, Macon, Ga., USA, has named Harlan Archer, the company's VP of Operations since 2008, its new president. Archer, will provide overall direction for KaMin and will be charged with the execution of KaMin's business plan. "As he has done throughout his career, Harlan will bring out the best in KaMin's people" says Rankin Hobbs, CEO.

Prior to KaMin, Archer served as director of operations, plant manager, and production manager for J.M. Huber Corp. Prior to J.M. Huber, he served as production manager, quality manager, productivity improvement team member, and quality engineer for ECC International. Before ECC, he worked at Grumman Aerospace.

Archer received a BS degree in Mathematics and an MBA from Georgia College and State University, where he earned the MBA Graduate of the Year award. In addition, he completed Emory's Goizueta Business School Mini-MBA program and earned his Quality Engineer certification from the American Society for Quality Control.

Archer also has served roles in the community including president of Georgia Mining Foundation and executive director of the China Clay Producers Association, Twin City Country Club, and Washington County Chamber of Commerce. He was selected as the 2010 Georgia Miner of the Year by the Georgia Mining Association and is currently an executive director for the Georgia Mining Foundation.

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International Forest Products Corp. (IFP), Foxborough, Mass., USA, has promoted Terry MacEachen to SVP, Pulp Sales, effective immediately. In his new role, MacEachen will manage IFP's pulp division, including strategic planning, marketing, and sales. He has served as IFP's VP, Pulp Sales since he joined the company in 2006 after a lengthy career at Pope and Talbot, Noranda Forest, and Stora Forest Industries.

"I am thrilled that Terry has accepted this new position," said Daniel A. Kraft, IFP's president and CEO. "Since he joined us more than five years ago, Terry has done a tremendous job in expanding both our supply base and our sales to new markets. I look forward to the continued growth of our pulp division under Terry's leadership."

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Upcoming Courses That Make Training Maintenance Teams as Easy as 1-2-3!

Three upcoming courses in December will help to train your Maintenance Teams on processes that help to sustain equipment, minimize production downtime, and increase safety procedures.

In partnership with TAPPI, IDCON will be holding these courses in Raleigh, NC. The three courses include:

• Planning & Scheduling
  December 5-7, 2011
• Reliability-Based Spare Parts & Materials Management Training
  December 8, 2011
• Practical Root Cause Problem Elimination
  December 13-14, 2011

Learn more about these courses at the TAPPI website.

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Still time to attend TAPPI PEERS Conference, October 2-5, 2011 in Portland, Oregon.

There's still time to attend the TAPPI PEERS Conference, where you'll discover and explore mill-proven routes to higher efficiency, attend training workshops, network and share solutions, and see the latest products and services available to the marketplace – and gain a better understanding how of the entire mill process works together. Program highlights include: Keynote Speaker Miles P. Drake from Weyerhaeuser; Dissolving Pulp Forum; Pumped Systems Assessment Workshop; Sustainability Sessions and more.

Learn more about the TAPPI PEERS Conference.

 

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IPBC Conference Brings Pulp Bleaching Industry Together To Address Developments and Research Advances

Why is ozone bleaching scarce in North America and widely used elsewhere? Does partial replacement of ClO2 with ozone cut costs without affecting pulp properties? How should oxygen delignification systems be designed to achieve 75% delignification?

These are a few examples of the technical questions that will be addressed by industry knowledge leaders at the 2011 Pulp Bleaching Conference.

The International Pulp Bleaching Conference, to be held Oct 5-7, 2011 in Portland, Oregon will focus on the newest developments and research advances in the pulp bleaching field: latest mill experiences, current practices, low-cost conversion solutions, performance, environmental concerns, networking opportunities and other relevant issues shaping the industry.

You can see the complete list of technical sessions in the technical program.

This conference is held every three years and will comprise a single track program, featuring nine technical sessions (including a poster session), mill tour, dinner cruise, and a plenary session that you will not want to miss. Learn more and register at the event website.

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Make an impact by presenting at PaperCon 2012!

PaperCon 2012, to be held April 22-25 in New Orleans, offers the world's largest program for the pulp and paper industry. The deadlines for submissions to present are fast approaching for TAPPI's Papermakers Program,  TAPPI Coating and Graphic Arts Program, and Control Systems 2012 (being held in conjunction with PaperCon, Control Systems sessions will be open to PaperCon attendees). More information about all three programs, along with submission guidelines and deadlines can be found at www.papercon.org.

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Slate Announced for Election of 2012 TAPPI Board of Directors

TAPPI's 2011 Nominating Committee announced a slate of candidates for three director positions. The Candidates are: Michael Exner, Sr. VP-Containerboard Mills, RockTenn; Steven Shifman, President, Michelman Inc.; and Clayton Teague, Director (Recently Retired), National Nanotechnology Coordination Office.

Voting begins December 1, 2011. Per the TAPPI Bylaws members of the organization have until November 1, 2011 to review the slate.

Learn more about the slate and election process.

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The Northeast Division of the Paper Industry Management Association / Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry will hold its Annual Fall Meeting and Conference at Buchanan Alumni House, University of Maine on October 13, 2011. The Annual Meeting will feature an informative one-day conference entitled Bioproducts: Thinking Outside The Box. Topics to be discussed include nanotechnology, nanocellulose, biobased latices and biofuels.

The technical program will feature the following expert speakers: 

• Dr. Phil Jones, Imerys (GA)
• Mr. Michael Billeveau, Sustainable Bioplastics of Maine
• Mr. Michael Bilodeau, UMaine Process Development Center
• Dr. Clay Wheeler, UMaine Chemical & Biological Engineering
• Dr.Yvon Durant, Itaconix (NH)
• Mr. Sean Ireland, Verso Paper – Bucksport Mill
• Dr. Doug Gardner, UMaine Wood Science & Technology
• Mr. Kevin Forrest, Exxon-Mobil (ME)

Who should attend?

Anyone involved in the research and innovation sector of our industry will find this a beneficial conference; mill and technical managers; superintendents, engineers, and supervisors responsible for production, and technical operations; suppliers to the industry.

Registration Form and Agenda

For registration information or for conference questions, please contact Pros Bennett, Phone: 207-949-4176 or e-mail pbennett@maine.edu or Jennifer Barr, Phone 207-856-4645 or email jennifer.barr@sappi.com. Costs: $100 - Includes continental breakfast and lunch.

Proceeds from Northeast PIMA/TAPPI events go towards the scholarship fund.

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Empire StateTAPPI's Paper Mill Safety Conference (Work Safely, Accidents Happen in a Split Second) will be held October 27th at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls, New York. Featured speaker Eric Giguere from DiVal Safety will present a paper entitled "The Buried Truth Uncovered." Eric's speaking engagements have proven to be a valuable tool for companies with a need for safety awareness. A work-related accident changed his life, and his goal is to try and prevent your family from having to go through what his family went through. Eric will make an impact on you and inspire all of us to work safely.

Other presentations will discuss work place violence and electrical safety standards. In addition, speakers from the Adirondack Safety Council, OSHA, and the Preferred Mutual Association will present. Safety representatives from area mills will also be on a mill safety panel.

Registration cost for attendees not associated with a paper mill or corrugating facility is $125 per person and exhibitors space and registration is $150. Send to: Kathy Russell, AFTEK, Inc., 740 Driving Park,
Rochester, NY 14613 by October 27, 2011

Registration Form and Agenda

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The PPI Transport Symposium 19, October 11-14, 2011 in Amsterdam is the only biennial conference and exhibition exclusively dedicated to forest products logistics. This industry-leading program concentrates on the global trends, innovations and issues surrounding the transport, material handling, warehousing, and distribution of forest products. 

For Further Information 

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