Cascades Inc., Kingsey Falls, Que., Canada, has announced the closure of its Norampac containerboard mill in Trenton, Ont., Canada. Following rejection of the final offer made to employees regarding the new collective agreement, closure of the mill will be effective no later than June 1,

Difficult negotiations for the renewal of the collective agreement took place from May 2011 to March 2012 between Norampac's management and the CEP union, following which the two parties were unable to come to an agreement. Marc-André Dépin, president and CEO at Norampac, said that "we are deeply disappointed that the Norampac-Trenton employees have turned down a positive and reasonable offer.

"Despite substantial investments made by Cascades/Norampac to help increase its profitability, the Trenton mill has incurred significant losses over the years. These losses, combined with unacceptable labor relations, have left us with no other choice but to close the mill," Dépin added.

Nearly 130 employees will be affected by the closure. The Norampac-Trenton facility produces corrugating medium and has an annual production capacity of 150,000 metric tons. Its closure will inevitably generate financial losses for the local forest industry, losses that are estimated to $9.5 Million, the Trenton mill being an important customer of local wood suppliers, Cascades noted.

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The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), Ottawa, Ont., Canada, in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations, is opening nominations for the new Skills Award for Aboriginal Youth. It will reward a First Nations, Metis, or Inuit individual with strong academic standing who is committed to his or her field of study and to a career in the revitalized forest sector. The $2,500 award is targeted at youth from 18 to 25 who are now enrolled in an apprenticeship program, in college or in a university.

"We are delighted to offer this award as part of our desire to attract more Aboriginal youth to the revitalized forest products industry," says Catherine Cobden, the interim president and CEO of FPAC. "There are now huge career opportunities for those with the skills, knowledge, and the desire to work in the sector. The forest products industry will need tens of thousands of new workers in the next decade and it is vitally important to us that we recruit our neighbors and natural partners in these rural communities—aboriginal youth."

National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo said that "education is an important element of unlocking the full potential of First Nations citizens and Nations. We encourage First Nations youth to pursue further education and skills training so they can demonstrate strong leadership and support the success of their Nations. This type of award helps support First Nations young people so they can lead the way to a better future for all."

Nominations for the first annual Skills Award for Aboriginal Youth will be open until June 30. Information on how to apply is available online. About 17,000 Aboriginal people now work in the forest products industry, making the sector the largest employer of aboriginal workers.

FPAC provides a voice for Canada's wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $57-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 2% of Canada's GDP and is one of Canada's largest employers, operating in hundreds of communities and providing 240,000 direct jobs across the country.

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Finpro, a Finland-based, global organization focused on helping Finnish companies grow and succeed in international markets, reports that it is cooperating with the Federation of Finnish Technology Industries on a project "to bring Finnish pulp and paper expertise together and take it to the Chinese market."

Finpro notes that China is renewing its pulp and paper manufacturing and will increase production by 30% over the next five years.

"The Chinese Paper Association has proposed that we bring Finnish pulp and paper technology expertise together into a single entity. Investments of up to EUR 40 billion will be made to acquire an estimated 30 - 50 new paper machines and modernize dozens more," says Hannu Kivelä, Finpro's head of industry, Forest Industry and Bioenergy.

China will be renewing its paper manufacturing over the next five years and will increase paper production capacity by approximately 20 - 30 million metric tons, according to Finpro. Total paper production in China, it adds, was about 93 million metric tons in 2011, compared with Finland's annual production of 12 – 15 million metric tons.

"Investments have been accelerated by stricter requirements concerning energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and water consumption combined with quality and efficiency targets. Rather than building new factories, China is modernizing old production lines and building new ones in conjunction with existing factories," Kivelä explains.

"Large Finnish forest industry companies already have a presence in China, but now we're opening the door for small and medium-sized companies to enter the Chinese market. Although paper and pulp production is growing primarily in Asia and South America, technology export is a chance for Finnish companies to turn the market change to their advantage," Kivelä.further explained.

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The Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) at Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Ga., USA, held its 2012 Meeting of Members, "Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Advance Forest Biomaterials Business," April 10 - 11 in the Tricentennial Building. Twenty-two member company representatives and four affiliate organizations attended the meeting.

The meeting format reflected the urging from members to provide more interaction with IPST's graduate students. Accordingly, each section of the meeting featured student speakers reporting on their industry research. A total of 24 students presented posters at a reception in the Tricentennial lobby, in which there was significant member and faculty interest.

Sessions on IPST's three strategic thrust areas—biorefining, new products from forest biomaterials, and operational excellence—featured student presentations of their research and faculty experts on developments and opportunities in the fields.

Presentations and abstracts of the posters will be posted on the IPST web site in a few days.

Georgia Tech's EVP for Research, Steve Cross, called IPST a clear example of the kind of industry-centric research that Tech is promoting to drive advancements in industry and manufacturing. IPST has been designated one of 12 strategic research centers on the Georgia Tech campus.

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CRIBE (Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy), Thunder Bay, Ont., Canada, is providing up to $6 million in funding to leverage a total project value of up to $14 million for a partnership between Domtar (Montreal, Que.) and Battelle (Columbus, Ohio, USA) to develop a new approach to converting underutilized wood to fuel. Pulp and paper producer Domtar and Battelle, the world's largest private research and development institute, have teamed up to develop a unique, cost-effective system that, if successful, will increase operational efficiencies and create a fossil fuel alternative for transportation fuels.

This system uses "fast pyrolysis" technology, a process that rapidly converts biomass using heat without oxygen to produce crude biooil and gas. The key to Battelle's approach is in the treatment and processing of this crude biooil to a "drop-in fuel" that can be blended directly with gasoline or diesel fuel.

Domtar Dryden will use wood waste that is currently burned for low value as the biomass feedstock for the process. If successful, the biooil will be used to blend into the fuel for Domtar's vehicle fleet or it could be used internally to offset the use of natural gas.

One of the big advantages to Battelle's system is that its unique design requires far less energy to produce the same fuel product as existing "fuel from wood" technology. As well, because it simply adds to an existing operation, it reduces capital and operating costs, making it more economically viable.

In this two-phase project, phase 1 will utilize wood waste from Domtar's Dryden mill to produce the higher value biooil. Once the process is optimized and results are demonstrated, phase two involves the construction of a 100 tpd pilot plant, to be integrated into Domtar Dryden's facility.

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The Pulp & Paper Safety Assn. (PPSA), Perry, Fla., USA, reports that members of its board of directors are busy working up final changes for the association's 69th Annual Safety and Health Conference to be held June 10 - 13 in Orlando, Fla., at the Caribe Royale. The theme of this year's conference is "People Make the Difference" and topics include making sustaining safety minded organizations, engaging employees in safety, the latest from OSHA and legislative experts on what is coming, and information on current issues and results by safety organizations. PPSA's vendor sponsors will also be on hand to share their products and services.

Registration is available online, as is more information about the conference and the PPSA. Room reservations at the Caribe can be made several ways. Attendees can call the Caribe at 407-238-8000 or 800-823-8300 or 888-258-7501, or use the hotel's PassKey System on the Internet. Vendors will receive an email outlining their room reservations process.

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Below is the latest listing of job openings in the TAPPI Career Center. The current listing includes a variety of mill engineering, production, and technical positions, as well as process development and academic recruiting 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	Location
BASF Technical Spec.	(Paper Coatings)	Charlotte, N.C.
Buckeye Technologies	Process Development Manager	Perry, Fla.
Catalyst Paper	Mechanical Maintenance Eng.	Pt. Alberni/Powell River
Domtar Paper Co.	Energy Contract Manager	Ft. Mill, S.C. (Reg. Charlotte, N.C.)
Longview Fibre	Pulp Mill Superintendent I	Longview, Wash.
NCSU	Prog Dir. of Recruiting/Ind. Rel.	Raleigh, N.C.
RockTenn	Environmental Engineer	West Point, Va.
SCA Americas	Electrical Eng. - Controls Spec.	South Glens Falls, N.Y.

More information about these jobs is available online.

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U.S. containerboard production in March gained 2.5% over the same month last year, according to the AF&PA's (Washington, D.C., USA) March 2012 U. S. Containerboard Statistics Report released this week. Production was up, gaining 7.7% compared with February 2012. However, the month-over-month average daily production increased just 0.7%. The containerboard operating rate for March 2012 gained 0.7 points over February 2012, increasing from 95.0% to 95.7%.

Additional key findings from the report include: 

• Linerboard production was up 2.3% over last year
• Corrugating medium production also saw an increase.

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Chinese hardwood chip imports will double from 6.3 million bone dry metric tons (bdmt) in 2011, to 12.7 million bdmt in 2016. Japan's imports of hardwood chips will drop from 9.9 million bdmt to 8.6 million bdmt in the same period, the lowest volume of imports since 1993, according to the 2012 International Pulpwood Trade Review, released this week by RISI, Brussels, Belgium.

China's imports of hardwood chips have increased six-fold over the past four years (2008 to 2011), from 1 to 6.2 million bdmt. This surge in volume was the result of large new pulp mills being built in China near port facilities. The expected construction of a series of new pulp mills over the next several years will drive China's demand for hardwood chips even higher. While China's demand grows, Japan's projected decrease in domestic production of bleached hardwood kraft pulp (BHKP) will continue to diminish its demand for imported hardwood chips, the RISI report notes.

More information about the 2012 International Pulpwood Trade Review is available online.

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"Is the party over in pulp?" Mark Wilde, senior analyst for Deutsche Bank, asks. Trade reports out of China, he says, suggest an easing in pulp prices. "With inventories up markedly in recent months, traders and resellers have reportedly begun to unload pulp at discounted prices," he adds.

In the U.S., pulp prices have been better-than-expected. "We're raising our FY12 U.S. NBSK (northern bleached softwood kraft) price estimate by $30/metric ton to $865/metric ton. However, we're making no change to our FY13 estimate of $850/metric ton. Cost pressure has been more benign than we expected during Q1.

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U.S. domestic containerboard pricing has been relatively stable, according to Wilde. "We now expect containerboard prices to remain flat for the rest of the fiscal year against our earlier estimates of a $11/ton y/y decline. For 2013, we're estimating a modest increase of ˜$20/ton y/y."

The increase in OCC (old corrugated container) prices has been subdued and natural gas prices are at record low, Wilde notes. However, he adds, freight and fuel costs remain high. Resin costs are also on an upswing

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Ahlstrom, Finland, reports that it will extend the range of release papers produced at its Jacareì mill in Brazil with the introduction of Calendered Silca Soft grades. The pressure sensitive-adhesive (PSA) labeling market is estimated to grow some 5% to 7% per year in Brazil and South America. By extending its release papers product range in Brazil, Ahlstrom says it aims at better serving the growing market needs and offering further local supply alternatives to imported glassine or supercalendered kraft release papers.

Equipment modifications at the Jacarei mill that will allow higher production volumes are planned to begin in August of this year. The Jacareì mill is already well known for its clay-coated release papers and facestock label papers. With the addition of Calendered Silca Soft to the range, the company notes that it will offer the most complete portfolio of release and label papers to the PSA industry in South America.

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As part of a strategy to secure its future position by concentrating on producing and marketing paper, Spanish producer of recycled paper Alier S.A. has contracted Voith Paper of Germany to take over the complete maintenance of its stock preparation, paper machines, finishing, and water treatment facilities at its Rosselló site in Spain, for a minimum of five years.

The performance-based resident maintenance contract includes, in addition to daily maintenance operations, implementation of a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) that continuously provides necessary information for preventive maintenance, shutdown management, and material functions.

With this cooperative contract, Alier S.A. benefits from Voith Paper's process and technology know-how and the pool of worldwide available process and service specialists for recycled fibers and papermaking. From this collaboration, Alier S.A. expects increased machine availability and an improvement in the efficiency of its enrtire papermaking process.

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Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, this week announced that meetings of its secured and unsecured creditors to consider the plan of arrangement under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act of Canada have been changed from April 23 to May 2. The rescheduled meetings will be held at the same location (Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel, 3500 Cessna Dr., Richmond, B.C.) at 10:00 a.m. EDT for unsecured creditors and 11:00 a.m. EDT for the First Lien noteholders.

The court date to sanction and approve the plan of arrangement has also been rescheduled from April 25 to May 7.

The new dates were set to accommodate court scheduling issues with the original dates. The revised schedule will also provide court monitor, PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., and Catalyst additional time to complete the accounting review and verification requirements associated with the creditor claims process. Claims must still be filed with the monitor by 5 p.m. April 18.

Catalyst Paper produces specialty mechanical printing papers, newsprint, and pulp, with a combined annual production capacity of 1.8 million metric tons.

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The Confederation of Paper Industries, U.K., has launched its PaperWorks, a revision of industry-based education material for schools. PaperWorks provides teachers with a range of curriculum-linked learning resources that fit with modern classroom teaching techniques and facilities, and supports the industry's aim to counter some of the common misconceptions of what has become one of the most sustainable and forward-thinking industries in the U.K., CPI notes.

The PaperWorks website features downloadable whiteboard presentations, teaching notes, and worksheets. The Study Area also includes paper production and recycling projects, interesting facts and figures on the industry, and some useful background information. Through the use of videos, PaperWorks helps students connect curriculum theory to the real world.

PaperWorks consists of four packs: 

• Art and Design—5 to 7 years 
• Science and Technology—7 to 11 years 
• Geography Studies—11 to 18 years 
• Business Studies—14 to18 years.

Through Art and Design and Science and Technology at the primary level, PaperWorks is designed to engage pupils in a fun exploration of paper. It helps pupils learn all about paper; its versatility, how it is used every day, and introduces the importance of recycling. At the secondary level, PaperWorks supports elements of the curriculum for GCSE and A Level for business studies and at KS3 and GCSE for geography. In particular, it helps students understand how the U.K. Paper Industry is a modern and sustainable industry with strong environmental credentials.

The new resource including presentations, worksheets, and supporting teaching notes, is available online.

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Highland Capital Management LP, Dallas, Texas, USA, reportedly is closing in on a deal to sell Marcal Paper Mills, Elmwood Park, N.J., to Atlas Holdings LLC, a Greenwich, Conn.-based private equity fund. In 2008, Highland Capital bought the struggling tissue producer from the founding Marcalus family, which had run the mill since its beginnings in 1932.

In an article this week in North Jersey.com, Fred Smagorinsky, CEO of Marcal, said that his company was in "serious discussions" with Atlas Holdings, but did not comment further. In 2008, Marcal hired Tim Spring, a veteran turnaround specialist, as CEO. Spring rebranded Marcal's product line as "Small Steps" as part of a $30 million marking campaign built around the company's use of recycled paper. But Spring left after 21 months, and Smagorinsky replaced him in November 2010, shortly after the company sold its Chicago specialty packaging operation.

The sale would be the latest step in Marcal's effort to rebuild itself after filing for bankruptcy in November 2006, blaming high energy costs. The company reported liabilities of $156 million and assets of $100 million, according to the North Jersey.com article.

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Mohawk, Cohoes, N.Y., USA, following its announcement last week of plans to transform the fourth-generation, family-owned, premium paper business to thrive in today's digital world, this week introduced a new web site, new brand, new streamlined product offering, new tools for customers, and a new promotion campaign.

Mohawk's new web site integrates e-commerce into all dimensions of Mohawk's online activities, and offers a personalized experience for customers and trading partners. "This is the beginning of a revolution in the way we do business and who we do business with. As we get closer to all of our customers, we are rapidly evolving the kind of experience we have with them both online and off," Chairman and CEO Thomas D. O'Connor Jr. said.

Mohawk's new technology and operations initiative, the Unified Service Delivery Platform, allows each customer to choose how and when they want to do business with Mohawk and provides them with a frictionless path to do so, fully transforming the delivery of all consumer and business applications to any place and device.

Launch of the new web site is the customer's first introduction to Mohawk's new brand. The company's brand agency for more than two decades, Pentagram noted that Mohawk's new logo is a monogram for the name Mohawk. It's based on the letter M, but it's also constructed to evoke the papermaking process and the printing process, both of which involve paper going around cylinders.

O'Connor announced last week that Mohawk would streamline its product offering and consolidate its core paper lines. In fact, the number of SKUs have been reduced by more than 50% to "eliminate redundancies that were primarily the result of previous acquisitions over the last five years, To aid current customers through the transition, Project Streamline is supported by a web-based guide.

With a newly simplified product line, Mohawk said that it has begun the process of creating paradigm-shifting specification tools. Following considerable research among a new generation of print customers who have notably different needs and expectations than their studio-based predecessors, Mohawk has released The New Mohawk product selector. Physical components of the new product selector have online counterparts at MohawkConnects.com to support the design, specification, and purchase process. "For customers who already know Mohawk, the product line is a simpler and clearer presentation," said O'Connor. "For customers who are new to Mohawk, the system makes the process of choosing papers effortless and engaging."

Also launched is the first video in Mohawk's new multimedia promotion campaign titled "What will you make today?" The Pentagram series of short videos debuted on the homepage of MohawkConnects.com earlier this week.

"The tangible work released today evolves directly from our vision of a 'New Mohawk,'" said O'Connor. "The design of the entire platform provides a sturdy base and a flexible structure from which to lead change in the paper industry. While it is impossible for me, or anyone, to predict the future, there is no shortage of ideas, energy, or commitment at Mohawk. We bring a disciplined focus to the quality of our execution at every customer touchpoint," he said.

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Neenah Paper, Alpharetta, Ga., USA, has released the Neenah Cabinet™ for iPad application (app) in Apple's App Store. This free app, optimized specifically for iPad, is designed to provide a way for Neenah customers to visually interact with all of the company's paper brands, making paper and envelope specification more convenient and creative.

With the Neenah Cabinet for iPad app, iPad users can search paper and envelope options by brand color or envelope style. The app features all of Neenah Paper's brands, "We are committed to using today's technology to provide designers and printers with cutting-edge tools that make the designer's job of specifying paper easier, even when they are sitting right in front of their customers. This tool is simple to use and guides any user through the paper selection process," said Thomas Wright, director of advertising and design for Neenah Paper. "The Neenah Cabinet for iPad app is the ultimate virtual swatchbook for our customers, allowing them to directly interact with our brands anywhere they might be on the mobile platform they prefer the most. They can see first-hand all of the color palettes, paper weights, sheet sizes, and envelope sizes available. Also, they can find their local paper merchant/distributor to request samples. It's pretty slick."

The Neenah Cabinet for iPad app is an off-shoot of Neenah Babinet™ for Desktop, a robust and much more inclusive, technology-driven solution to view papers through Neenah's new eSwatchbook platform with intuitive waterfalls. With the Cabinet for Desktop, designers can order Personal Proofs™, sample papers, organize projects, use tools like environmental calculators, and download ASE Files, die-line files, and much more right from their office desktops.

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SCA, Stockholm, Sweden, reports that it is acquiring the remaining 50% of the Chilean hygiene company PISA (Papeles Industriales S.A.), and after the transaction will own 100% of the company. The purchase price is approximately 520 MSEK.

PISA's 2011 turnover was approximately 780 MSEK. The company is primarily operating within tissue for at-home (AH) consumers and away-from-home (AFH) markets, which represents almost 70% and almost 30% of the turnover, respectively. In addition, incontinence care products under SCA's global brand TENA have been introduced in Chile through PISA.

SCA entered PISA with a 50% ownership during 2003. After the acquisition announced this week, which is expected to be closed by the end of April, PISA will be a fully-owned subsidiary of SCA.

"The time is ready for us to take the next step in our expansion in Latin America, where the PISA acquisition further strengthens our presence on this important growth market," said Jan Johansson, CEO and president of SCA.

PISA holds a position as number two in consumer tissue with the brand Favorita. Within AFH tissue, PISA also holds a number two position in Chile. The company has more than 400 employees and a production facility in the capital Santiago.

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Employees at Finland-based UPM's Stracel mill in France began a 24-hr strike Monday of this week as a protest connected with the company's plans to sell the Stracel mill. UPM originally announced plans to sell the mill in August 2011.

The Stracel mill, located near Strassbourg in northeastern France, has approximately 280 employees and a capacity of some 270,000 metric tpy of printing and writing paper. The mill, established in the 1930s by the Swiss Thiel Group, was acquired by UPM in 1988.

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The global containers and packaging market shrank by 1% in 2009 to reach a value of $420,302.6 million, according to a new report by Market Research, Rockville, Md., USA, titled Containers & Packaging: Global Industry Guide. In 2014, the global containers and packaging market is forecast to have a value of $493,479.5 million, an increase of 17.4% since 2009.

The global containers and packaging market grew by 0.3% in 2009 to reach a volume of 266.2 thousand tons, the report notes. In 2014, it adds, the global containers and packaging market is forecast to have a volume of 307.1 thousand tons, an increase of 15.4% since 2009.

Paper is the largest segment of the global containers and packaging market, accounting for 40.8% of the market's total value.

The Americas account for 38.8% of the global containers and packaging market value. Tetra Lavel is the leading player in the global containers and packaging market, generating a 3.3% share of the market's value.

More information is available online.

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MeadWestvaco Corp. (MWV), Richmond, Va., USA, has set a date of April 24 for the proposed spin-off of its Consumer and Office Products business. Under terms of the spin-off, MWV will distribute all of its shares of the Consumer & Office Products business to its stockholders by means of a stock dividend.

As previously announced, immediately following the spin-off, the Consumer & Office Products business will merge with ACCO Brands Corp., such that MWV stockholders are expected to receive approximately 0.33 share of ACCO Brands for each share of MWV they own. No fractional shares of ACCO Brands will be issued and MWV stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares.

MWV also announced that it received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that, based on certain facts, assumptions, representations, and undertakings set forth in the ruling, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the distribution of the shares of the Consumer & Office Products business will generally qualify as a tax-free distribution to stockholders of MWV. The ruling also concludes that the $460 million in cash MWV expects to receive in connection with the transaction, subject to certain post-closing adjustments, will be received on a tax-free basis. Receipt of the private letter ruling, which constituted a closing condition of the transaction, is an important step in the completion of the transaction with ACCO Brands.

The spin-off and merger are expected to close on April 30 and become effective May 1.

Upon completion of the merger, MWV stockholders will collectively own 50.5% of the shares of ACCO Brands common stock on a fully-diluted basis, and ACCO Brands stockholders will collectively own 49.5%. The exact exchange ratio will be determined at the time of the distribution.

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Peterson Packaging, Sarpsborg, Norway, reports that it will take control of the Ranheim testliner and board mill near Trondheim, Norway. The decision comes in the wake of the bankruptcy filing by Peterson's paper division, which owns the mill, on April 11. The Ranheim mill has a production capacity of 115,000 metric tpy and some 115 employees. It will now become an integral part of Peterson Packaging.

Peterson Packaging is a leading supplier of corrugated and solid board packaging in Scandinavia. It has 10 production facilities across Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.

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Lorentzen & Wettre, Sweden, has announced a new forming section drainage (FSD) sensor for paper and board machines. The new sensor measures the amount of water at any desired position in the forming section. Measurement results make it possible to gain control of drainage and ply bonding. With the new sensor, it is possible to optimize the wet end chemistry of the stock, enabling better runnability and increasing paper quality.

As L&W explains, normal use is in single point measurements between step foils or vacuum boxes. It is common to measure before or after the couch roll, to be able to estimate moisture content in the paper, before it leaves the wire. In multi-layer fourdrinier machines, all layers are easily monitored, providing a better overall picture to improve multiple ply bonding. The instrument provides for control of foils adjustments, vacuum, refining, and the use of retention chemicals.

The main advantages of controlling drainage is reduced energy consumption, reduced number of web breaks, reduced emissions, reduced usage of chemicals, and reduced maintenance.

"With this new sensor in combination with our other portable instruments, it is possible to monitor the drainage profile all the way from headbox to couch," says Lars Kånge, product manager, Lorentzen & Wettre.

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NewPage Corp., Miamisburg, Ohio, USA, has been awarded U.S. and Canadian patents for its PointTrac™ TT, a new paper-based substrate for printed Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) labels. PointTrac TT offers RFID label manufacturers the ability to combine thermal transfer printed variable analog information with advanced RFID chip technology. This technology facilitates low-cost production of printed paper RFID labels when compared with traditional multi-layer plastic film substrates, according to NewPage.

RFID uses a wireless non-contact radio system for the transfer of data for automatic identification and tracking. PointTrac TT has special dual functionality built in so that printed barcodes on the label face can be read with a line of sight optical device or by using an out of sight electronic device.

"The NewPage PointTrac TT technology will allow RFID chips to become more widely used in shipping, tracking, and transactions by making conversion to this technology more affordable," said Jim Sheibley, director of Specialty Business and Product Development.

PointTrac TT is available with third-party chain-of-custody certifications, providing customers with high performance RFID products, while maintaining a level of both sustainable and renewable attributes, NewPage points out.

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UPM, Helsinki, Finland, has launched a new ecological UPM SwanBarrier paper range for dry and greasy food wrappings. Barrier properties of SwanBarrier, such as water vapor barrier and medium grease resistance, have been achieved without any PE-coating or fluorochemicals, the company reports. The papers are thus fully recyclable and biodegradable.

UPM SwanBarrier papers are developed for dry and greasy foodstuffs, e.g., for bread bags, biscuits, and greasy food wrappers. Because of the water vapor barrier, SwanBarrier light keeps bread fresh for at least two to three days. Unlike plastic, the paper ‘breathes" and thus prevents bread from becoming soggy. SwanBarrier with medium level greaseproof keeps greasy food wrapping tidy and the grease does not leak through.

UPM SwanBarrier light is available in 45 and 55 gsm and UPM SwanBarrier is available in 60 and 65 gsm. Both are suitable for flexo printing. The papers are approved for direct contact with dry food and have BfR a food certificate and an FDA Food Certificate. The papers are also available with FSC Chain-of-custody or PEFC Chain-of-custody certification.

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Europapier, Vienna, Austria, has increased prices for its woodfree, uncoated paper by 6% - 8%, depending on specific paper grade. The new prices become effective April 16. Europapier attributes the increases to significantly higher costs for raw materials, energy, and transport.

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Nalco, an Ecolab company, St. Paul, Minn., USA, has increased prices for all of its water and process services industry segments. Pricing for most Nalco Water and Process Services division programs will increase globally between 5% and 15%, varying by country and product. The price increase is effective immediately or as existing contracts allow.

Nalco notes that the price adjustments are driven by the significant increase in key raw materials costs, combined with other global inflationary factors such as rising energy and transportation costs. Nalco sales engineers are contacting customers directly to discuss the impact of these increases.

"We continue to take actions to minimize the impact of increasing raw material costs, but it is necessary to appropriately increase prices to help offset these ongoing cost hikes," said David Flitman, EVP and president, Water and Process Services.

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PaperlinX Ltd., Australia, reports that its CFO Tony Kennedy has given notice that he will retire from his position with PaperlinX on June 30. Kennedy has been with the company for 22 years. PaperlinX noted that a search for his successor is currently underway.

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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.

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Members who would like to nominate a candidate for TAPPI's 2013 Board of Directors election should submit a nomination datasheet available online. The candidates must be TAPPI members.

Nominations should be submitted no later than May 15, 2012, by email to mcornell@tappi.org or by mail to Mary Beth Cornell, TAPPI, 15 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, GA 30092 USA +1 770 209-7210.

Thank you,

Jeffrey Siegel, TAPPI Nominating Committee Chair

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To celebrate Earth Day (April 22), Professor Arthur Ragauskas, The Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) at Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Ga., USA, plans to hold the third global earth day poster session on his web site. The poster session will deal with the education and science/technology of converting bioresources to biofuels, biopower, bio-based materials, and chemicals. It will open Earth Day and be available to the general public.

If you are interested in participating or would like to view the posters, please visit Professor Regauskas' web site.

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Dr. Kari Ebeling a TAPPI Fellow since 1999, started his career as a research assistant at KCL, the Finnish Pulp and Paper Research Institute, serving from 1963 - 1965, following his graduation from the Helsinki University of Technology in 1963. Dr. Ebeling journeyed to the U.S. to become a student at the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton, Wis., where he earned his PhD. His thesis on structural behavior of paper in straining was judged best in his class. He earned The Westbrooke Steel Medal for his work, and his thesis formed the basis for future research in the industry.

Dr. Ebeling went on to serve as manager, R&D for Nokia Forest Industries from 1970 - 1978. In 1978 he began working as a professor of Paper Technology at the Helsinki University of Technology. During his years of teaching, Dr. Ebeling continued to work as a scientific advisor and consultant to various companies, many of which were heavily involved in the pulp and paper industry. From 1987 - 1989, he worked as director, Corporate R&D, for James River Corp. He began serving as Kymmene (later UPM-Kymmene Corp.) director, Corporate R&D while also serving as its senior scientific advisor from 1987 until his retirement in 2004.

Dr. Ebling's career achievements include nomination to the TAPPI Fellowship in 1999. He received the SLR I medal from the Republic of Finland and the Keller Award from the German Papier Technische Stiftung, and is an invited member of The Royal Swedish Engineering Academy. The Finnish Paper Engineers' association awarded him the Stenback medal. The Finnish Foundation for the Advancement of Technology (TES) gave Dr. Ebeling the 2007 Technology Prize for his contributions towards educating skilled paper engineers for the needs of the industry, for a career of successful R&D, and for promoting a R&D positive atmosphere for Finland's paper industry.

Dr. Ebeling married his wife, Tuula, in 1963. They had two children together – Petro and Nina. His retirement allowed him to spend time with his seven grandchildren.

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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.

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Tension Control

Kee-Huyn Shinn, Ph.D.

This volume provides a thorough study of the longitudinal dynamics and tension control of web handling systems. Critical web handling problems that can be related to improper tension control include wrinkle, slack, breakage, lateral movement, and poor roll quality. This valuable text is the only reference currently available devoted entirely to tension control.

Tension Control

View the Table of Contents

 Product code: 0101R275

Member Price: $50.00

Non-Member Price: $75.00

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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.

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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.

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Howard DeGroot, a TAPPI member since 1968 and a TAPPI Fellow beginning in 1980, had a profound influence on the paper industry's use of new coating and graphic arts technology. He attended his first TAPPI Coating Conference in 1958 and 20 years later found himself chairing that event in Denver, Colo. Just two years later, in 1980, he became chairman of the Coating and Graphic Arts (C&GA) Division, which awarded him its Leadership and Service award in 1988.

A key to DeGroot's career in the paper industry was a degree in chemistry from Aurora College, in Illinois. His first job was a wallpaper chemist where his experience with air knives and coatings created a subsequent path into paper coating and graphic arts. He then worked with Oxford Paper R&D, helping develop modern blade coating technology. During the 1970s, he directed Oxford's efforts to develop and commercialize the use of new resins, co-polymers, and continuous adhesive preparatory methods. He also worked for Boise Cascade in the 1980s, overseeing the implementation of new coating machines and other associated improvements.

DeGroot has been internationally recognized for his pioneering research and development work in coating technology, and he gained great distinction as a volunteer TAPPI leader. His active participation in conferences and seminars, as speaker, panelist, or program/conference chairman, provided invaluable inspiration to others. His tireless efforts to attract young technical men and women to the division's committees and programs ensured the continued, dynamic growth of the C&GA Division up to today, and into the future.

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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.

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Cost Saving Strategies in Papermaking Chemistry

Martin A. Hubbe and Kasy King

This handbook provides cost-saving strategies associated with the use of chemical additives during the manufacture of paper. Topics include:

• Loss of materials (i.e. "yield" of the papermaking process)
• Production rate issues
• Downtime
• Inefficient use of functional additives
• Process-enhancing additives and their control
• Strategies to reduce the amount of fibers required to make a paper product
• Strategies to reduce the amount of energy to make paper.

A glossary of terms and a brief introduction to selected principles of capital budgeting are provided as appendices.

This book is ideal for paper machine process engineers/scientists, paper machine superintendents, paper mill management, chemical supplier technical staff, product development engineers, paper mill consultants, and technical staff from allied industries, e.g. process control equipment, papermaking machinery, and environmental services.

Cost Saving Strategies in Papermaking Chemistry

View the Forward and Table of Contents

Product code: 0101R325

Member Price: $150.00

Non-Member Price: $215.00

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