Economic activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in March for the 32nd consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 34th consecutive month, according to the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®. The report was issued this week by Bradley J. Holcomb, CPSM, CPSD, chair of the Institute for Supply Management™ Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, Tempe, Ariz., USA.

The PMI registered 53.4%, an increase of 1 percentage point from February's 52.4%, indicating expansion in the manufacturing sector for the 32nd consecutive month. The Production Index increased 3 percentage points from February's 55.3% to 58.3%, and the Employment Index increased 2.9 percentage points to 56.1%. Of the 18 industries included in the survey, 15 are experiencing overall growth. Comments from the panel remain positive, with several respondents citing increased sales and demand for the next few months.

The 15 manufacturing industries reporting growth in March, in the following order, are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Petroleum and Coal Products; Paper Products; Machinery; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Wood Products; Furniture and Related Products; Transportation Equipment; Plastics and Rubber Products; Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products; Printing and Related Support Activities; Fabricated Metal Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances, and Components. The two industries reporting contraction in March were Computer and Electronic Products and Chemical Products.

ISM's New Orders Index registered 54.5% in March, a decrease of 0.4 percentage point compared with the February reading of 54.9%. This represents a continuation of growth for the 35th consecutive month, but at a slightly slower rate. A New Orders Index above 52.3%, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau's series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).

The 15 industries reporting growth in new orders in March (listed in order) are: Apparel, Leather, and Allied Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Plastics and Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Wood Products; Printing and Related Support Activities; Transportation Equipment; Furniture, and Related Products; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products; Machinery; Petroleum, and Coal Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Chemical Products. The two industries reporting decreases in new orders in March are Computer and Electronic Products and Electrical Equipment, Appliances, and Components.

ISM's Production Index registered 58.3% in March, an increase of 3 percentage points compared with the 55.3% reported in February. This indicates growth for the 34th consecutive month. An index above 51.2%, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board's Industrial Production figures.

The 15 industries reporting growth in production during the month of March (listed in order) are: Apparel, Leather, and Allied Products; Primary Metals; Petroleum and Coal Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture and Related Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Paper Products; Plastics and Rubber Products; Machinery; Printing and Related Support Activities; Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Chemical Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances, and Components. The only industry reporting a decrease in production in March is Computer and Electronic Products.

ISM's Employment Index registered 56.1% in March, 2.9 percentage points higher than the 53.2% reported in February. This is the 30th consecutive month of growth in the Employment Index. An Employment Index above 50.5%, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 12 reported growth in employment in March in the following order: Apparel, Leather, and Allied Products; Paper Products; Wood Products; Petroleum and Coal Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Machinery; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances and Components; and Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products. The three industries reporting a decrease in employment in March are Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; and Plastics and Rubber Products.

The Inventories Index registered 50% in March, 0.5 percentage point higher than the 49.5% reported in February. This month's reading, at 50%, indicates that respondents are reporting inventories unchanged from last month. An Inventories Index greater than 42.8%, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis' (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).

The seven industries reporting higher inventories in March (listed in order) are: Machinery; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment, Appliances, and Components; Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products; Computer and Electronic Products; and Petroleum and Coal Products. The six industries reporting decreases in inventories (listed in order) are: Primary Metals; Chemical Products; Paper Products; Transportation Equipment; Plastics and Rubber Products; and Apparel, Leather, and Allied Products.

The full text version of the Manufacturing ISM Report On Business is available online.

Back To Top

---

 

CelluForce's (Montreal, Qué., Canada) Dr. Richard Berry, a leader in the development of NanoCrystalline Cellulose (NCC) was honored this past week with the 2012 Purvis Memorial award by the Society of Chemical Industry at the SCI Canada Awards Dinner at the Hyatt Regency in Toronto. Dr. Berry is recognized for his contribution in the industrial development of NanoCrystalline Cellulose, a recyclable, non-toxic, and renewable material extracted from trees.

‘'It is an honor to receive this recognition for work that has been done by remarkable teams at FPInnovations, Domtar, and now CelluForce," Dr. Berry said. While at FPInnovations, he developed significant pulping technology in the elimination of dioxins, high-temperature peroxide bleaching, aldehyde-enhanced bleaching, and more recently neutral bleaching.

Dr. Berry's initiatives in the past four years helped to convince industrial and government stakeholders of the huge industrial potential of NCC and have allowed Canada to take NCC research in university and industry laboratories to industrial and commercial reality. He now has moved to CelluForce, the joint venture of Domtar and FPInnovations, where he is working to ensure the technical and business success of the demonstration plant that has a capacity of 1 metric tpd.

The Purvis Memorial Awards honors Canadians in academia or an industry, based on chemistry, who have significantly strengthened their sector or an institution that industry relies upon. The chemical industry embraces traditional chemical companies focusing on chemical manufacture and distribution, but also industries such as coatings, crop protection, environmental services, food, pharmaceuticals, plastics, synthetic fibers, and pulp and paper.

Dr. Berry also recently received the 2009 Nano-industry award from NanoQuébec for his contribution to the development of NanoCrystalline Cellulose. He has taught numerous courses for TAPPI, PAPTAC, and FPInnovations and chaired the 2000 International Pulp Bleaching Conference. He holds 13 patents and his work has been published in more than 80 articles and in two monographs.

Back To Top

---

 

Kruger Products, Mississauga, Ont., Canada, and Earth Day Canada have united to work with the "Prosumer," the well-informed consumer concerned with how purchasing choices affect the environment and health, to protect surrounding communities and bring about meaningful change. Prosumers are part of an evolving social awakening. They are concerned about making responsible decisions and actively look for ways to do so. Prosumers want to be educated so they can take practical steps to help protect the environment for their families' and communities' future, Kruger Products explains.

While most consumers are overwhelmed with what constitutes a green product or what sustainable actions are easy to integrate into their everyday life, Prosumers are proactively taking action with practical, everyday solutions. These solutions include now ubiquitous activities like recycling and turning off lights when leaving a room, as well as the less obvious decisions, such as considering the source of the fiber in paper products or animal welfare conditions of meat products. The Prosumer opts for practical solutions, such as purchasing 100% recycled paper products because they know that they are doing something good for the environment without compromising product quality or performance, Kruger continues.

"Dedicated and passionate partners like Kruger Products allow us to reach a huge number of Canadians with these important messages," said Jed Goldberg, president, Earth Day Canada. "At its essence, we want Canadians to be well-informed about the products they purchase and how those purchasing decisions impact the environment and the health of their families and communities. We are proud to work with Kruger Products in sharing this message with all Canadians."

"We believe that Canadians want to do their part to protect the environment, but there is a lot of confusion out there," said Steven Sage, corporate director, Sustainabilityand Innovation, Kruger Products. "Our partnership with EDC is another step forward along our sustainability journey and represents a great opportunity to cut through the clutter of ‘green' messages and to provide value and insight."

Back To Top

---

 

This year's PaperCon event, April 22 - 25 in New Orleans, La., USA, features a highly diverse program that focuses on operating floor results—both success and failure case studies—and the experiences and lessons learned from both perspectives. On Wednesday morning at 10:30 - 12:00, Philip Wells of Wells Enterprises is chairing a session on "Mill Success Stories," with two representatives from paper mills and two from the supplier side. Bruce Warrick of Longview Fibre will discuss results from his company's recent operations training program, including some unexpected benefits.

Doug Sweet of Doug Sweet and Associates will present "Making it with Less," detailing six mill optimization projects where removal of redundant equipment and processes saved energy and improved production and efficiency. Fred Lundy of RockTenn will share photos and flow charts describing the process of successfully rebuilding the wet end of Solvay No. 3 corrugating medium machine from start to finish. Fred's experience should be of particular interest and value to any mill undertaking a large project with strict time restraints.

Rick Phillips of AstenJohnson will share success stories of containerboard machines that optimized press fabrics to improve production. This session by veteran presenters should be of great interest and is a "must attend" for anyone involved with the wet end of paper machines.

More details about the PaperCon 2012 program, exhibition, workshops and seminars, special events, and registration, are available online, along with information about travel and accommodations.

Back To Top

---

 

At the TAPPI two-day (April 23 - 24) OpEx Reliability Seminar being co-located with PaperCon 2012, April 22 - 25, in New Orleans, one key session by Dave Staples of SKF looks at The Difference between Success and Survival: How Many Focus on Machinery Reliability. As Staples notes, "no matter what grade you're producing, the operational challenges in North America can feel insurmountable. The consequences of failure to compete can be brutal—from curtailment to shutdown, and you're left with career options that could result in relocation. Many paper companies have overcome their obstacles by having ‘all hands on deck' for machinery reliability. Best performing companies utilize their operations team as their front-line defense, or maybe more appropriately stated, front-line offense."

In his presentation, Staples, who has more than 20 years of industrial experience specializing in asset reliability technologies and asset management services, discusses how first quartile paper companies depend on a reliability focused operations team. "You'll be amazed at the activities their operators are doing," he says.

More details about the OpEx (Operating Excellence) and PaperCon 2012 program, exhibition, workshops, seminars, special events, and registration, are available online, along with information about travel and accommodations.

Back To Top

---

 

Walmart/Sam's Club Packaging SVN has announced the 7th Annual Sustainable Packaging Expo on May 8 - 9 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, Ark., USA. Merchants, marketers, and other Walmart associates are invited to join product vendors and packaging suppliers to review opportunities for cost savings and sustainability improvements within their supply chains.

More information, as well as registration, is available online (attendance is on a first-come basis, so sign up now). Summarized details of the Expo include:

WHAT

• Cost savings and sustainability improvements in product packaging
• Exhibition of packaging products and services from hundreds of packaging suppliers
• Information sessions to share successes and provide key information and solutions
• Recognition of outstanding packaging innovations in FY 2012.

WHY

• To drive EDLC through packaging savings
• To identify new opportunities for more sustainable packaging
• To connect buyers, product suppliers, and packaging suppliers in a collaborative effort.

WHEN

• May 8--Info Sessions 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• May 8--Exposition floor 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• May 9--Exposition floor 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHO

• Wal-Mart and Sam's Club associates (merchants, marketing, indirect sourcing, logistics, and anyone who deals with packaged goods)
• Product Suppliers are invited to visit the Expo and see the innovations in packaging cost and sustainability, as should all associates in their companies who work with packaging and could benefit from information that will be shared at the event (note: product suppliers are not required to be escorted by their respective buyers, but visiting the expo together has proved to maximize the value of the expo to both merchants and suppliers).

Back To Top

---

 

Below is the latest listing of job openings in the TAPPI Career Center. The current listing includes a variety of production and technical positions as well as engineering, production and sales management opportunities in the U.S. pulp and paper industry. Current, specific job openings at companies and locations in the TAPPI Career Center include:

Employer	Title	City
NCR Corp.	Creative Chemist	Duluth, Ga.
Action Box Co.	Sales Manager	Houston, Texas
Doris Engineering	Technician
BASF, The Chemical Co.	Technical Specialist (Paper Coatings)	Charlotte, N.C.
RockTenn	Environmental Engineer	West Point, Va.
Longview Fibre	Pulp Mill Superintendent I	Longview, Wash.

More information about these jobs is available online.

Back To Top

---

 

China is expected to lead the global forest, paper, and packaging sector in growth for 2012 due to increasing demand in the Asia Pacific region, according to the 2012 Global Forest, Paper, and Packaging Sector Outlook released this week by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd's (DTTL) Global Manufacturing Industry group, U.K. However, Chinese companies are facing profitability challenges because of raw material cost and producer fragmentation, the report notes.

Europe is facing a potential economic recession due to declining demand and overcapacity for paper products, the report continues. Meanwhile, growth in South America is slowing, with only an incremental increase in pulp and paper demand expected for 2012. Modest growth is anticipated in North America overall, but several subsectors will still face difficulties ahead.

"A handful of well-managed paper and packaging producers will continue to focus on operational efficiencies and cost containment strategies while building strong cash reserves on their balance sheets," said John Dixon, Global Forest, Paper, and Packaging sector leader, DTTL. "These companies are in a good position to make bold moves into adjacent products, enter new emerging markets, or further their market share through acquisitions. They are also able to better address the growing challenge of securing limited natural resources and manage the uncertainties of government regulation. The widening gap between the haves and have-nots could have a material impact on the global dynamics of the industry."

For the pulp and paper subsector, forecasts are positive, according to the DTTL report. Pulp plants are under construction in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. Lower production costs, availability of raw material, and shorter growing time for trees are key drivers for the increase in pulp production in South America.

"Pulp producers are nearing the bottom of the roller coaster ride that they have been on for the past year and a half. Pulp prices have tumbled from their recent highs thanks to an 18% increase in inventories compared with last year when there was a scarcity of pulp throughout the world," said Dixon. "At the end of the first quarter in 2012, prices are beginning to recover, led by South American producers. The global forest, paper, and packaging companies that have made the necessary adjustments to strengthen their position through liquidity, operational efficiencies, and opportunistic growth will likely have a strong performance year in 2012 and will continue to influence the on-going evolution of the industry."

Back To Top

---

 

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, D.C., USA, this week released the 52nd Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard, and Pulp Capacity, reporting that U.S. paper and paperboard capacity decline slowed to 1.4% in 2011, to a level of 89.7 million short tons. Last year's decrease was smaller than the 3.1% reduction recorded in 2010. Total paper and paperboard capacity is expected to decline 1.0% in 2012 and then register increases of 0.6% and 0.5% in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Containerboard and tissue paper capacity expanded in 2011, while the packaging and industrial converting and boxboard categories held approximately stable. Newsprint and printing and writing papers registered the largest 2011 capacity declines.

Several mills and machines were removed from the survey base during the 2011-2014 period because they have closed, plan to close, or have been idled for some time with few indications they will be restarted in the near future. However, several new tissue paper machines either started operating or will start operating by 2014, and a new recycled linerboard mill is scheduled to come online in mid-2013.

The survey reports U.S. industry capacity data for 2011 through 2014 for all major grades of paper, paperboard, and pulp, based on a comprehensive survey of all U.S. pulp and paper mills. Survey respondents represent about 90% of the U.S industry capacity.

For more information about the complete survey with detailed tables, contact Dina Menton at dina_menton@afandpa.org or 202-463-2710.

Back To Top

---

 

Ahlstrom Corp, Finland, estimates that the transfer of the Brazilian operation of its former wipes fabrics business, Home and Personal, to Suominen Corp. of Finland will take place in the second quarter this year. Ahlstrom had previously anticipated that the transfer would have taken place in the first quarter. The transfer is subject to the acquirer receiving all necessary Brazilian regulatory permits for its operations.

The Home and Personal business area, excluding the Brazilian part of the operation, was transferred on Oct. 31, 2011, to Suominen Corp. Receiving approval from the competition authorities in Brazil is not a prerequisite for completing the transaction.

Back To Top

---

 

Jujo Thermal, Kauttua, Finland, reports that it will redeem shares of its minority shareholder Mitsui & Co. As a result, Jujo Thermal's remaining shareholders, Nippon Paper Group of Japan and Ahlstrom Corp. of Finland, each will own 50% of the company. Ahlstrom will continue to include Jujo Thermal's financial figures in its consolidated financial statements as an associated company.

Jujo Thermal is a global supplier of durable direct thermal papers for label, tickets, and tags and point-of-sales use.

Back To Top

---

 

Norske Skog, Lysaker, Norway, has agreed to sell its Bio Bio newsprint mill in Chile to Group BO, a consortium of Chilean investors, for $56 million. Group BO plans to continue producing newsprint at the mill.

The divestment is a part of Norke Skog's strategy to improve its cash flow and financial position. "We are very pleased to be able to sell the Chilean operations to an industrial player with long-term plans for the mill," noted Sven Ombudstvedt, president and CEO of Norske Skog.

The Bio Bio mill has a total newsprint production capacity of approximately 125 000 metric tpy. It is one of only four newsprint mills in South America.

The investors participating in Group BO are already partners in BO Packaging, one of the leading companies in the Chilean and Peruvian packaging business. The investor consortium is headed by the Pathfinder Group, former owners of Masisa, and has interests in packaging, glass products, building products, agribusiness, and real estate.

Closing of the transaction is expected to take place in the second quarter of this year.

Back To Top

---

 

Sappi's eQ Journal 004: "Taking the Guilt Out of Paper" Sappi Fine Paper North America (SFPNA), Boston, Mass., USA, this week released its latest edition of eQ Journal, a "myth-busting" look at sustainable forestry. SFPNA notes that, grounded in facts and science, eQ Journal 004 focuses on how sustainable forestry protects air and water quality, supports biodiversity of plants and wildlife, and results in healthier forests.

This edition also challenges the assumption that the best thing for a forest is to leave it in its natural state. It illustrates that, in fact, sustainable forest management creates biodiversity in age classes, which helps support a wide variety of bird and animal species as well as long-term vitality of the forest. To examine the true benefits of a well-managed forest, eQ Journal 004 draws on thought-provoking expertise from Sappi foresters, an academician, a conservatist, and a third-generation logger. This edition also shares insights from Hans Wegner, chief sustainability officer of National Geographic Society, regarding how his organization is supporting sustainable forestry.

"As a global leader in the forest products industry, we want consumers to understand the environmental, social, and economic benefits of working forests," said Dr. Laura Thompson, director of technical marketing and sustainable development, SFPNA. "Sustainable forest management practices are utilized to help deliver on society's demands for wood products while preserving forest health and biodiversity," she added.

eQ Journal 004 also reveals details about Sappi's best practices at its mills in Cloquet, Minn., and Skowhegan, Maine, including routine visits to harvest sites to ensure plans comply with Best Management Practices—criteria essential to securing chain of custody certification for the company's products. To learn more about sustainable forestry initiatives at Sappi's Cloquet Mill, watch the "Taking Guilt out of Paper" video online.

Current and past editions of eQ Journal are available online. A printed copy of eQ Journal 004 can be requested via email.

Back To Top

---

 

UPM, Helsinki, Finland, reports that its Tervasaari mill's PM 8, producing label release base papers, has started up after major renovation. Modifications were made throughout the paper machine line to increase speed and further improve paper quality. The renewal will increase the capacity of the paper machine by 30,000 metric tpy.

"The investment is UPM's way of meeting the increasing demand for label papers. The company wants to secure its market leader position in label papers and support customer growth," said Pentti Putkinen, GM of the Tervasaari Mill.

Antti Heimola, product manager of UPM Label Paper, noted that "the new technology enables us to produce even thinner high quality papers. The better efficiency of the paper production and material usage also improves the competitiveness of label papers. This strengthens the position of paper based label stock in competition with other materials and alternative product decoration techniques in the market."

The UPM Tervasaari Mill produces approximately 385,000 metric tpy of specialty papers using three paper machines. UPM signed a preliminary contract in February 2012 and will sell its packaging paper production to the Swedish company Billerud. The transaction includes two packaging paper machines: PM 7 in Tervasaari that produces kraft papers, i.e. envelope, bag and technical papers, and PM 1 in Pietarsaari that produces kraft paper and sack kraft paper. The aim is to finalize the transaction during the second quarter of 2012.

Back To Top

---

 

Vinda, a branded seller and manufacturer of tissue paper products in China and Hong Kong, has awarded an order to Toscotec, Italy, for eight new tissue machines. Toscotec's scope for each of the new lines, includes a MODULO Plus ES crescent former tissue machine with single-layer headbox, double press configuration, Steel Yankee Dryer (TT SYD 12FT), steam and condensate system, control, and machine drives systems. Mills services are also included in the scope of supply.

Machine speed will be up to 1,300 m/min, with a net trim width of 2,700 mm. All of the machines will come on stream between the third quarter of 2012 and first half of 2013. Toscotec notes that the new-concept energy saving lines will maximize the contribution of the Steel Yankee Dryer to the drying process and guarantees the highest evaporation at the lowest energy consumption and carbon footprint. Part of the supply for the Vinda machines will come from Toscotec Asia & Pacific, a new manufacturing plant based in the Zibo-Zhangdian District, Shandong.

The Vinda Group's principal products include toilet roll, pocket tissue paper, facial tissue paper, table napkins, and wet wipes, etc. At the end of 2011, the company had seven production facilities in the PRC, with a total annual production capacity of 470,000 metric tons.

Back To Top

---

 

Huhtamaki, Oyj, Espoo, Finland, this week completed the acquisition of Josco (Holdings), a manufacturer and distributor of paper and plastic disposable packaging products headquartered in Hong Kong and with manufacturing in China. Huhtamaki had just last week announced the acquisition, which significantly strengthens its position as a global provider of high quality foodservice packaging products.

Josco's net sales in 2011 were approximately EUR 70 million and it employs approximately 1,350 people in China and Hong Kong. The acquired business was consolidated into Huhtamaki's Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania segment as of April 1.

Back To Top

---

 

Mayr-Melnhof Packaging, Vienna, Austria, this week announced that it will close its packaging plant in Liverpool, England. The company notes that "in recent years, the team in Liverpool has worked hard to improve the plant's competitiveness, to keep production at the site. However, the economic situation, latest market developments and the demands of MM-Packaging's customers have finally led to this difficult decision."

The factory in Liverpool has most recently employed a total of 109 employees.

Customers are not affected by this measure, MM Packaging says, as they are now being supplied by other parts of the European MMP production network.

Mayr-Melnhof Packaging, the packaging division of MM Group, is the European market leader in folding cartons. As of Dec. 31, 2011, the Mayr-Melnhof Group employed about 8,900 people.

Back To Top

---

 

UPM, Helsinki, Finland, reports that the sale of its RFID business to SMARTRAC N.V., the Netherlands, was completed on March 31, following clearance by all competent authorities. The RFID business, consisting of three companies in Finland, the U.S., and China, has been transferred to the new owner.

UPM will become an indirect shareholder of SMARTRAC with a 10.6% economic interest through the company OEP Technologie B.V., a holding company controlled by One Equity Partners and one of the major shareholders of SMARTRAC.

"We are pleased that our pioneering RFID team and their excellence have a new home at SMARTRAC, making it the undisputable leader in the RFID industry. I want to thank the RFID team for the great work and wish all the best for the future. As a shareholder of SMARTRAC, UPM keeps a keen interest on the rapidly developing RFID market," said Jussi Vanhanen, president Engineered Materials Group, UPM.

Back To Top

---

 

NewPage Corp., Miamisburg, Ohio, USA, has introduced 40 lb. (65 gsm) EcoPoint™, a new wet strength label paper offering environmental and performance advantages for the bottled water, juice, and soft drink industries. EcoPoint 40 lb. provides a notable source reduction advantage to beverage producers, with up to a 7% reduction in label paper usage compared with traditional 43 lb. (70 gsm) bottle label papers, and is designed for optimal performance in continuous roll fed labeling operations as well as cut-and-stack labeling machines.

As a new lighter weight label paper, EcoPoint 40 lb allows label printers to supply more labels per shipment to beverage bottling operations, effectively reducing both shipment frequency and storage of finished goods. Bottling line productivity also increases as more labels can be stocked in labeling equipment, resulting in longer continuous bottling runs with fewer changeovers.

EcoPoint 40 lb. joins the broader range of label papers from NewPage for beverage markets that includes DuraPoint™, ProPoint™ and LithoPoint™ product brands. In addition, NewPage manufactures specialty papers used in flexible packaging, technical, and pressure-sensitive labeling applications.

Back To Top

---

 

Södra, Sweden, has raised the price of its northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp. The new price of $870 per metric ton became effective with shipments beginning April 1, or as contracts permit.

Södra employs some 4,000 people. The company's four business areas produce sawn and planed timber goods, interior products, paper pulp, and biofuel.

Back To Top

---

 

Suzano Pulp and Paper, Brazil, has increased the price for its bleached eucalyptus pulp (BEK) sold in Asia by $30 per metric ton. The new BEK price increased to $670 per metric ton beginning with shipments on April 1, or as contracts allow.

Back To Top

---

 

Graeme Liebelt has been appointed a non-executive director of Amcor Ltd, Austalia, effective April 1. Liebelt was most recently managing director and CEO of Orica Ltd, a position he held for six and a half years. During his 22 years with the ICI Australia/Orica group, he held a number of senior positions including managing director of Dulux, chairman of Incitec Ltd, director of Incitec Pivot Ltd, and chief executive of Orica Mining Services. He was an executive director of the company from 1997 until March 2012.

Liebelt is on the boards of the Business Council of Australia, Melbourne Business School, and the Global Foundation. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological, Sciences and Engineering and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Back To Top

---

 

Fortress Paper, North Vancouver, B.C., Canada, this week announced that Alfonso Ciotola has resigned as president of the company and that Chadwick Wasilenkoff has consolidated the position with his role as CEO. Ciotola will remain with the company as CEO of Landqart AG and managing director of Dresden.

In addition, Erich Sulser, COO of the company and CFO of Landqart AG, is no longer with the company. His duties will be assumed by other officers at this time.

Fortress Paper operates internationally in three distinct business segments: dissolving pulp, specialty papers, and security paper products.

Back To Top

---

 

At its organization meeting this past week, UPM-Kymmene Corp, Finland, reports that its board of directors reelected Björn Wahlroos chairman and Berndt Brunow deputy chairman. Wahlroos was also elected chairman of the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee, and Matti Alahuhta and Karl Grotenfelt were elected members of that committee.

In addition, the board elected from among its members Karl Grotenfelt chairman of the Audit Committee, and Wendy E. Lane and Kim Wahl members of the committee. Berndt Brunow was elected chairman of the Human Resources Committee and Ursula Ranin and Veli-Matti Reinikkala were elected members of the committee.

Back To Top

---

 

Register now to lock in your best rates for this important industry event to be held April 22 - 25 in New Orleans, La., USA.  Papercon is a unique, global paper industry event where CEOs, mill managers, superintendents, scientists, process engineers, and suppliers gather to learn and network. Included in this year's program are full Papermakers, Coating and Graphic Arts, and PIMA Management tracks. This year's PaperCon program also features Inside and Outside the Box: Optimizing Paper Grades, the Sustainability Forum, an Executive Panel Discussion , a Young Professionals Program, and a Coating 101 Course. as well as other practical workshops and seminars.

This year's event will be the largest PaperCon exhibit ever. Bonus Sessions (open to all PaperCon registrants) include Control Systems 2012, the first U.S. appearance for this highly-rated biannual conference. There also will be an RPTA Production-Technical Seminar and the annual OpEx Reliability Seminar.

PaperCon 2012 features two keynote speakers. Jeffrey Hayzlett, a bestselling author, global business celebrity, and "sometime cowboy," will address the crowd on Monday, April 23 in the opening session. Lisa Bauer Lotto, M.S., director, Environmental and Sustainability Programs, Green Bay Packaging Inc., will kick-off the Coating Program during a special session to be held Sunday, April 22.

Learn more about PaperCon!

Back To Top

---

 

TAPPI's two-day (April 23 - 24) OpEx Reliability Seminar, being co-located with PaperCon 2012, April 22 - 25, in New Orleans, La., USA, features a total of seven full sessions on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday from 1:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., Tor Idhammar of IDCON and Ian McKinnon of Reliability Solutions take a close up look at progress that has been made in the reliability arena and what can be done to keep the ball rolling in that direction.

Idhammar's presentation, titled "The Journey toward World Class Maintenance: Why Some Reach It and Most Do Not," examines persistent obstacles to progress in the maintenance and reliability function and how to possible overcome them and move forward. McKinnon explores success mills are having by combining reliability systems, processes, and precision skills to deliver exceptional results. Together, these two presentations serve as both an industry report card and a detailed analysis of potential paths toward improvement. .

More details about the PaperCon 2012 program, exhibition, workshops and seminars, including the OpEx (Operating Excellence) Seminar, special events, and registration, are available online, along with information about travel and accommodations.

Back To Top

---

 

Reintroduced in 2010, TAPPI is pleased to bring back this essential--and popular--program for paper professionals. Plan to attend this course being held in Appleton, Wis., May 15 - 17.

This course, designed for new as well as experienced personnel, helps attendees learn how to improve the quality of their product, diminish waste, and increase output. Machine supervisors, technical resources, lead operators and technical personnel, project engineers, and suppliers can all benefit from this course, which is being led by industry-recognized instructors.

To learn more about this course and register, go to the event website.

Back To Top

---

 

Nominations for the major TAPPI 2013 awards are due by August 1, 2012.

The awards that may be presented in the upcoming year are:

Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award - The Association's highest technical honor may be presented annually to recognize an individual or individuals for preeminent scientific and engineering achievements of proven commercial benefit to the world's pulp, paper, board, and forest products industries and the other industries that TAPPI serves.

Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award - The Association's highest award for service, may be presented annually to recognize leadership and service which have significantly and demonstrably contributed to the advancement of the Association.

Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award – The highest honor for Local Sections may be presented annually to recognize an individual for outstanding leadership and exceptional service to one or more Local Sections, which have resulted in significant and demonstrable benefits to the Local Section members.

TAPPI Fellow - TAPPI Fellows are Individuals who have been members of TAPPI for not less than 10 years prior to the nomination, and who have contributed meritorious service to the Association and/or the paper and related industries. Retiring members of the TAPPI Board of Directors become Fellows automatically at the end of their term.

The TAPPI Awards and Honors page has links to these awards which will show the qualifications required and links to the nomination forms that must be completed. You may submit all nomination forms by email to standards@tappi.org, or you may fax them to the attention of the awards department at +1-770-446-6947, or send by mail to TAPPI, Awards Department, 15 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, GA 30092, USA.

Back To Top

---

 

Engineers involved in papermaking wet end chemistry will want to mark June 4 - 6 on their calendars. The 2012 TAPPI Introduction to Wet-End Chemistry course takes place during these three days at TAPPI headquarters in Norcross, Ga., USA.

This course will help you get up to speed on the latest technology and terminology you need for optimum papermaking performance. Instructors for this course know that cost savings is ultimately your mark for a strong finish, so they focus the three-day interactive training on innovative wet end chemistry principals and the use of additives to change or create new paper products.

Through case studies, break-out sessions, and networking with others in the course, you'll learn how to:

• Implement new technology into your mill's wet-end process to reach higher efficiency and yield consistent, quality products
• Use chemicals and other additives to change or create new products and maximize machine capacity
• Put the brakes on machine downtime and off-specification products
• Make better judgments on selection and use of papermaking chemicals
• Better troubleshoot problems on paper machines
• Get up to speed on the challenges papermakers face due to changing fiber qualities, regulations, and competitive pressures.

View the Workshop Schedule to see specific topics covered.

This introductory- to intermediate-level course is designed for those in pulp and paper manufacturing facilities with job responsibilities, such as chemical and process engineers, mill superintendents, research and development engineers, technology and chief chemists, R&D VPs, process and quality control technicians, and suppliers involved with the wet end processes.

Back To Top

---

 

Registration is now underway for the TAPPI Hands-on Workshop for Pulp and Paper Basics June 4 - 8, 2012 at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., USA.

Register here to reserve your seat. The number of students in the course will be limited in size - to 32 - for maximum effectiveness, and registrations will be accepted in the order they are received.

If you're wondering whether this course is right for you, it probably is! It's an essential course that teaches the basic concepts in pulp and paper manufacturing and is designed for anyone wanting to improve their role in operations. Learn more.

This workshop is especially beneficial for:

• New process engineers, manufacturing operators, and technicians who want to understand more fully how raw materials are processed into products
• Individuals who wish to broaden their knowledge of the processes through basic laboratory and pilot paper machine experiences
• Sales and service personnel, machine operators, and maintenance personnel who need to better appreciate paper machine operations by conducting a pilot paper machine trial 
• Individuals who have completed TAPPI's Introduction to Pulp and Paper course and who want to benefit from the laboratory and pilot plant experiences.

Previous participants said:

"The information was detailed and easily understood by both engineers and non-engineers. I will definitely suggest the course to others."

"This is an excellent course, providing an intense overview of the entire papermaking process."

Workshop Materials: Participants will receive a course notebook and CD with approximately 400 pg. of reference materials.

Earn CEUs: You'll earn 3.7 continuing education credits at the completion of this June 4 - 8 course. It's a lovely time to be in North Carolina.

Back To Top

---

 

Pigments for Paper

Robert W. Hagemeyer, Editor
John E. O'Shea, Task Group Chairman

This comprehensive text covers all aspects of pigments for paper. This unique book can serve as an introductory text as well as a practical reference. Well-respected industry experts who are specialists in their area wrote each of the twelve chapters. This text provides the most current information on different ingredients, describing what they do and how they perform. It is a valuable reference tool for everyone involved in paper coating. Pigments for Paper

View the Table of Contents

Product code: 0102B062

Member Price: $103.00

Non-Member Price: $155.00

Back To Top

---

 

Join the World's Process Control Experts in New Orleans

The 15th Control Systems Conference will bring together the world's preeminent experts in pulp and paper process measurement, control and systems engineering. The exceptional program emphasizes both practical implementation and leading research.

Control Systems 2012 will be held April 22-25 in conjunction with TAPPI's PaperCon 2012, the largest pulp and paper technical program in the world and Control Systems 2012 attendees have access to the PaperCon Sessions and Trade Fair. Discounted registration is available through March 30.

Keynote Address: "What's Hidden in your Data? Sensor-Fusion and Signal Processing for Process and Performance Monitoring" - Sirish L. Shah, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta

Topics include: 

• Web Imaging and Inspections ·
• Millwide Applications 
• Paper Machine Optimization and Grade Change 
• Paper Machine CD Applications 
• Sheet Quality Measurement 
• Pulp Mill Sensors 
• Pulp Mill Controls 
• Diagnostics and Analysis 
• Process Control New Technology Showcase

Learn more about the Control Systems 2012 program.

Back To Top

---

 

This information-packed volume provides practical, industrially focused approaches to operational issues, and includes a first-ever, complete examination of the ongoing environmental and staging changes that occurred after the discontinuation of chlorine usage in 1996. Written to assist production engineers, supervisors and scientists find quick solutions to today's immediate problems, The Bleaching of Pulp (5th Edition) is designed to help both novice and seasoned professionals quickly understand a wide range of operational issues

Authors Alan W. Rudie, Ph.D., and Peter W. Hart, Ph.D., have delivered the industry's premier text on bleaching technologies. Pre-order your copy today and pay only $110, a savings of more than 50% off the May release list price of $232 (TAPPI members: $155). Or, contact TAPPI's Member Connection or call, +1 800 332-8686 (US), 1 800 446-9431(Canada), or +1 770 446-1400 (Worldwide).

But hurry, this offer ends April 30th!

Back To Top

---

 

2012 Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association Annual Meeting in May The Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association (PPMA) Annual Meeting and Conference will be held May 9-11, 2012 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. PPMA provides human resource information to the pulp, paper, converting and allied industries. The meeting includes a program of expert speakers covering topics such as labor law, training and health care, extensive networking opportunities and updates on key industry research including an annual salary survey.

"The 2012 Annual Meeting will provide attendees with helpful information that can be used to improve business performance, including results from our annual salary surveys and other human resource information," notes PPMA Executive Director, Dick Kendall. "In addition, we have a strong speaker line-up including David Scheible, CEO of Graphic Packaging, who will share his views and insights on how to sustain results in a tough economic and business climate."

The theme of this year's conference is "On the Anvil." Key topics that will be covered include: how to discuss and implement a labor/management committee to help efficiency; update on current health care discussions across the U.S.; current labor law developments; OSHA rules and their impact on union and non-union operations. In addition, a review of how to use the National Network for Pulp and Paper Technology Training (NPT2) training resource will be provided.

A wide range of key trends in the industry will be addressed by an outstanding program of speakers including: David Scheible, CEO, Graphic Packaging International; Dan Murphy, Labor Law Expert; Dennis Smith, Secretary of the Department of Health Services; Daniel Van Wychen, Commissioner, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS); T.J. Murphy, Executive Director, NPT2, Mike Lies, Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Professor Emeritus C.Y. Allen and Eric Hobbs, partner at Michael Best & Friedrich Law Firm.

Back To Top

---