The global paper industry experienced stable growth during the past five years and is expected to continue its growth momentum, reaching approximately $256 billion in 2017 with a CAGR of 5.9% over the next five years (2012-2017), according to a new report titled Global Paper Industry 2012-2017: Trends, Profits, and Forecast Analysis, available from Research and Markets, Dublin, Ireland.

The report indicates that in 2011, the industry witnessed good growth over 2010 due to an increase in the number of press publications, which increased usage of newsprint and non-newsprint papers such as newsletters, journals, etc. Paper demand has increased rapidly as China and other Asian markets have shown significant growth. APAC is now emerging as the best growth prospect in the coming years with increasing demand for paper from the pulp and paper manufacturing sector.

In APAC, population growth and increasing business activity is expected to have a direct influence on the consumption of specialty paper. Increasing market share of APAC in world trade and rapid industrialization in emerging economies will boost demand for paper in this region. Population growth, urbanization, increase in middle class population, and rises in standard of living will drive growth to new horizons.

Increasing literacy rate, recycling, population, and economic growth are anticipated to boost the industry. The industry is expected to face certain challenges posed by use of electronic media, enhanced environmental regulation, volatility in raw material prices, and energy inputs.

More information is available online.

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PaperlinX Ltd., Australia, this week announced that it will sell its operations in Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia to the Heinzel Group of Austria for EUR 19 million. The sale price represents a multiple of approximately 10x EBITDA and is A$2 million above book value. Net proceeds after debt and transaction costs are expected to be approximately EUR 17.5 million (A$21 million).

The company said it also will sell its "loss-making operations" in South Africa to local management. Net proceeds of ZAR 50 million (A$6 million) will include A$3 million repayment of parent company funding and A$3 million purchase consideration for the shares, representing a loss of approximately A$2 million against book value.

The announcement concludes PaperlinX's Strategic Review that began some 12 months ago.

Commenting on the transactions, PaperlinX CEO, Toby Marchant said that "after the sale of five smaller European businesses and the consistently loss-making South African business announced today, our remaining businesses all operate in sizable markets with significant market positions. All have growth opportunities in diversified products and are the focus of the previously announced restructuring activities. We can now direct our limited resources to these challenges and opportunities while at the same time ensuring that we have sufficient liquidity both regionally and for the Group."

Marchant also announced that he will resign his position as CEO at the end of this month (see article in PULP & PAPER section below).

Richard Barfield, recently appointed CFO, noted that "the disposals in Eastern Europe and South Africa are expected to close over the next three months, subject to competition clearance for both transactions and exchange control clearance for South Africa. The additional liquidity generated will further reinforce our ability to improve financing arrangements and margins in Europe, as well as provide additional funding to support accelerated restructuring and diversification."

In other matters, PaperlinX also announced that in response to the ongoing difficult trading conditions and losses, company directors voluntarily cut their fees by 15% from April 1 of this year. Most senior managers in the U.K., Europe, and Australian corporate also recently took a temporary pay cut of approximately 7.5% on a voluntary basis.

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Buckeye Technologies Inc., Memphis, Tenn., USA, moved up three spots from last year on the Southeastern Corporate Sustainability Rankings to second place among Tennessee-based companies, behind FedEx Corp., and ranks ninth out of 243 Southeastern U.S. companies for leadership in sustainable practices. The 2012 GreenBusiness WORKS Southeastern Corporate Sustainability Rankings were announced during a recent ceremony at Atlanta's Carter Center.

The rankings evaluate companies on a variety of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, and it is the only ranking of companies headquartered in the Southeast U.S. on these issues. The rankings were created by GreenBusiness WORKS and its partners to help companies maintain and improve their sustainability practices, while establishing a legacy of corporate and social responsibility in the region. Corporations considered for the rankings must be publically traded on a major exchange, headquartered in the Southeast (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee) and have a minimum market capitalization of $100 million.

Buckeye Chairman and CEO John Crowe expressed appreciation for this recognition. "In April 2009, we published our inaugural Sustainability Report, emphasizing sustainable business practices throughout our operations worldwide and detailing our sustainability goals for 2015," he said. "We take sustainability seriously and I am pleased that our efforts to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels along with reductions in water, solid waste, and air emissions are being recognized by the GreenBusiness WORKS Southeastern Corporate Sustainability Rankings," Crowe added.

Buckeye, a producer and marketer of specialty fibers and nonwoven materials, currently operates facilities in the U.S., Germany, and Canada.

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Fortress Paper Co (North Vancouver, B.C., Canada) CEO Chad Wasilenkoff said his strategy of buying unprofitable Canadian pulp mills will either spark a rally or push him to buy the whole company. Wasilenkoff is betting idled paper-grade pulp mills can be transformed into some of the world's lowest-cost makers of chemical cellulose pulp (also known as dissolving pulp) used in synthetic (rayon) fabrics, LCD screens, as food additives, etc., according to a report this past week by Bloomberg. Fortress bought a second Québec mill last month and the CEO said he's in talks to acquire another in North America and one in Europe.

The growing market for dissolving pulp, combined with Fortress's cheap acquisition costs, government financial support, and wage concessions from workers, will generate "staggering" returns for investors, Wasilenkoff said in the Bloomberg report. "We are going to see a significant upward movement in the shares in the next 12 months," Wasilenkoff, who also is chairman, company founder, and its largest shareholder, said in the interview near Fortress's headquarters. "If we don't, I'd consider taking the company private."

Fortress acquired its first Québec mill in 2010, a facility near the town of Thurso held by bankrupt Fraser Papers Inc. At the time, Fortress's main assets were a wallpaper mill near Dresden, Germany, and a banknote papermaking operation in Switzerland.

Fortress completed the purchase last month of its second Québec mill near Lebel-sur-Quevillon for C$1. Domtar permanently closed the mill, 500 km (311 miles) northwest of Montreal, Qué., in 2008, citing "deteriorating conditions" for the global pulp market.

The transformation of Thurso, about 100 km west of Montreal, from a mill that made pulp for paper to a producer of dissolving pulp was slower and more expensive than expected, the Bloomberg report noted. The project was first forecast to be completed by mid-2011 and to cost C$153 million. Production began in December and the project is now projected to cost C$210 million,

Fortress isn't the only company in North America currently seeking to exploit the market for dissolving pulps. Aditya Birla Group, based in Mumbai, India, said last week it will buy and upgrade a mill in Terrace Bay, Ont., Canada (see article in the July 12 issue of Over the Wire). Paper Excellence BV, a unit of Jakarta-based Sinar Mas Group, is investing in dissolving-pulp capacity at a mill in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. And Johannesburg, South Africa-based Sappi is upgrading a mill in Cloquet, Minn., USA.

Global dissolving pulp capacity is set to rise 36% by 2015 to some 8.1 million metric tons, likely leading to an oversupply of viscose staple fiber, a pulp derivative used to make rayon fabric.

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The U.S. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) is poised to become the country's leading producer of forest-based nanomaterials with the opening of a $1.7 million nanocellulose pilot plant. The facility will support an emerging market for new wood-derived renewable materials that will create jobs and contribute an estimated $600 billion to the economy by 2020.

High-ranking industry, government, and academic officials will gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the FPL facilities in Madison, Wis., on July 25, and the media is welcome to attend. The ribbon cutting will begin at 10 a.m. with presentations by USDA Forest Service and industry leadership, including Larry Montague, CEO of TAPPI, who will discuss the importance of nanotechnology and nanomaterials from wood for the pulp and paper industry and highlight what TAPPI is doing to help move this forward with the formation of the TAPPI Nanotechnology Division, the annual TAPPI nanomaterials international conferences that focus on all aspects from research through commercialization, and the TAPPI standards work.

Other attendees/speakers include USDA Under Secretary Harris Sherman, who will deliver the ribbon cutting keynote address, Forest Service Northern Research Station Director and FPL Acting Director Michael Rains, and industry representatives from companies such as IBM and Lockheed Martin.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremonies, FPL will conduct tours of the nanocellulose production facilities. After lunch, from 1 – 3 p.m., FPL will present its Nanocellulose Symposium, and from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Agenda 2020 will hold an Executive Briefing.

FPL notes that the U.S. and other nations will see numerous benefits from the commercialization of wood-derived cellulosic nanomaterials, as they have many desirable characteristics. "They can be stronger than Kevlar fiber and provide high strength with low weight. These attributes have attracted the interest of the military for use in lightweight armor and ballistic glass, as well as companies in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer products, and medical device industries," FPL points out.

As new lightweight, high-performance products are developed and commercialized, fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced, manufacturing in rural areas will increase, and many new high-paying jobs will be created, FPL continues, adding that its new facility will aid in the commercialization of these materials by providing researchers and early adopters of the technology with working quantities of forest-based nanomaterials.

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC (TS&I), Thousand Oaks, Calif., in partnership with the Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance, Washington, D.C., has been selected to receive one of 13 awards under its Innovative Manufacturing Initiative, which calls for transformational technologies and materials that can dramatically increase energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. According to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, the 13 competitively selected projects demonstrate DOE's commitment to clean energy technology, and by investing in these technologies, the Department is supporting "an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, and skills for American workers." The three-year, $2.6 million project, including cost share, was selected from a field of about 300 entries.

Teledyne Scientific and its team will develop, optimize, and test a highly durable membrane coating for the black liquor-to-fuel concentration process used by the pulp and paper industry. By eliminating two stages in the conventional five-stage black liquor evaporator process, this technology has the ability to save the paper industry roughly 110 trillion Btus per year. The Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance will provide technical services and industry liaison to the project. Teledyne intends to use the expertise of the Institute of Paper Science and Technology at Georgia Tech as the project proceeds.

TS&I is a high-technology enterprise with R&D capabilities in imaging sensors, materials technology, electronics, and information science. It performs research services for the U.S. Government and private sector companies, as well as manufacturing and selling high value products. Its parent company, Teledyne Technologies Inc., is a provider of sophisticated instrumentation, digital imaging products and software, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems.

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The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), Ottawa, Ont., Canada, and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) this week announced that Al Humphrys, GM of Duz Cho Logging, has won the FPAC/AFN Aboriginal Forest Products Business Leadership Award. The company is 100% owned by the McLeod Lake Indian Band, from McLeod Lake, B.C., Canada. Duz Cho was honored with the award on Tuesday of this week at the AFN General Assembly in Toronto, Ont., Canada.

The award celebrates First Nations entrepreneurs for their success in a forest products business that exemplifies business leadership, exceptional environmental and safety performance, and the delivery of high-quality products and services. The award recipient must also demonstrate a strong, long-term commitment to the Aboriginal community, especially Aboriginal employment.

"FPAC is pleased to recognize Al Humphrys and the whole team at Duz Cho Logging for their excellent business leadership," said Catherine Cobden, president and CEO of FPAC. "We applaud their commitment to skills training and their employment strategy to recruit First Nations employees. As part of our Vision2020, the forest products industry is committed to attracting more Aboriginal workers and Duz Cho is a dynamic example of how this can be done."

Duz Cho Logging employs some 140 people, including about 20% Aboriginal employees, and is the largest company ever to win this award. It has been in business for 24 years, a testament to a First Nations business that has built success decade after decade. Duz Cho shares its profits with the McLeod Lake Indian Band, and actively supports local community projects such as donating to the high school graduating class and to a student bursary at the College of New Caledonia. These community investments are helping to encourage active First Nations participation in the forest products industry.

"This award recognizes entrepreneurial efforts that have positive environmental, economic, and social impacts that keep First Nations' communities strong and growing. Duz Cho Logging is a true leader in the industry that stands as a model for how First Nations can help shape the future of a healthy Canadian forest industry," said AFN NB/PEI Regional Chief Roger Augustine, chair of the Chiefs Committee on Economic Development.

There are now about 1,400 Aboriginal owned businesses in Canada, and about 17,000 Aboriginal people working in the sector, making the forest products industry the largest employer for Aboriginal workers.

This is the third time the FPAC/AFN Aboriginal Forest Products Business Leadership Award has been presented. The Skills Award for Aboriginal Youth was recently announced, and the winner will be awarded in the fall of 2012.

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Below is the latest listing of job openings in the TAPPI Career Center. The current listing includes job openings for new business development manager, mechanical pulping specialist, reliability engineer, process engineer, account managers, sales manager, chemical technical specialists,and extrusion coating specialist. Current, specific job openings at companies and locations in the TAPPI Career Center include:

Employer	Title	Location
BASF, The Chemical Co.	New Business Dev. Mgr - Paper Chem	Charlotte, N.C.
Dept. Chem/Bio Eng, UBC	Mercer Int. Ind. Res. Chair/Appt. at Assoc./Full Prof.	Vancouver, B.C.
Catalyst Paper	Spec. Operations, Mechanical Pulping	Powell River, B.C.
Catalyst Paper	Reliability Engineers	Powell River, B.C.
Rayonier	Process Engineer	Jesup, Ga.
BASF, The Chemical Co.	Tech. Spec./Product Launch, Packaging/Strength	Michigan
BASF, The Chemical Co.	Tech. Spec. - Wood & Rigid Urethane Apps.	Wyandotte, Mich.
BASF, The Chemical Co.	Act. Mgr – N.A. (Seattle, Wash., Portland, Ore.)	Charlotte, N.C.
BASF, The Chemical Co.	Act. Mgr – N.A. (Northeastern U.S.)	Charlotte, N.C.
BASF, The Chemical Co.	Act. Mgr – N.A. (Cent. South, Gulf Coast, SE U.S.)	Charlotte, N.C.
Longview Fibre	Dir. of Production Planning & Order Fulfillment	Longview, Wash.
Burrows Paper Corp.	Sales Mgr-SW U.S., Mexico, Central America
Chevron Phillips Chemical	Extrusion Coating Tech. Service/App. Dev. Spec.	Oklahoma

More information about these jobs is available online.

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U.S. containerboard production in June lost just 0.3% over the same month last year, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) June 2012 U.S. Containerboard Statistics Report released this week. Production was down 1.7% compared with May 2012, but the month-over-month average daily production increased 1.6%. The containerboard operating rate for June 2012 rose 1.5 points over May 2012, from 94.7% to 96.3%.

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First quarter 2012 prices for conifer saw logs fell in virtually all 21 world regions that it covers, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ), Seattle, Wash., USA. The prices fell both in local currencies as well as in U.S. dollars. This resulted in the third consecutive decline of the Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) to $85.90/cubic meter. The Index was down 2.7% from the 4Q/11 and 8.6% lower than the all-time high in the 2Q/11.

Lower demand for lumber in many markets in Europe and reduced log imports to China were two major factors that pushed log prices downward in the first quarter.

Wood fiber prices fell throughout the world in the 1Q/12, WRQ continues. As a consequence, both the Softwood Fiber Price Index (SFPI) and the Hardwood Fiber Price Index (HFPI) declined to their lowest levels in more than a year.

The HFPI experienced the biggest decline, falling by 3.5% from the 4Q/11 to $109.67/odmt. Since its all-time high last fall, the HFPI has come down 7% in just two quarters. Wood costs were down the most in Europe and Japan. The price premium for hardwood fiber over softwood fiber is currently the lowest since 1Q/11.

The SFPI fell a more modest 0.4 % from the previous quarter to $104.88/odmt. Softwood fiber price trends were mixed, with increases in Oceania, Chile, and the U.S. South and falling prices in Europe, Western Canada, and Japan.

Global market pulp production fell 1.9 % during January and February compared with last year, with Western Europe and North America cutting back more than 3%. Latin America was the only region that increased production early in the year. During the first four months of 2012, hardwood pulp (BHKP) prices have increased faster than softwood pulp (NBSK) prices. In April, BHKP prices were at $760/metric ton in Europe (up $85/metric ton from January) and $820/metric ton ($50/metric or higher) in the U.S. The rise in price for NBSK was more modest, around $30/metric ton from January through April.

Pellet exports from North America to Europe reached a new record high in the 4Q/11. Shipments have increased practically every quarter for four years to almost 600,000 tons in the 4Q/11, as reported in the North American Wood Fiber Review. Pellet prices in Germany, Austria and Sweden moved up slightly during the winter months despite the mild weather and weak demand in Central Europe.

More information is available online.

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The downward trend in the bleached softwood pulp market appears to be continuing this month, according to EUWID, Germany. Following price reductions for NBSK (northern bleached softwood kraft) pulp in June, due to ample supply and weakening demand, European pulp converters are now calling for additional discounts, EUWID notes.

Pointing out that only "a few" of its sources believe that price levels for NBSK quoted in June can be maintained in July, EUWID says that in Italy there have already been transactions at cheaper prices than in June. The pressure there, as usual in times of a buyer's market, was particularly distinct and low-priced offers were readily available as the spot market was growing.

Market observers, EUWID adds, are expecting to see massive market-related stoppages in the paper industry in July and August, such as those already experienced or announced in the woodfree coated paper sector. "It is being assumed that this will increase the surplus supply that already exists in softwood pulp," it says.

Manufacturers of printing and writing paper, EUWID explains, are arguing that their own situation is poor. The start of summer is said to be looking slacker than ever before and even small orders are being accepted at bottom prices to ensure adequate volumes.

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Appleton Papers Inc., Appleton, Wis., USA, and Hicks Acquisition Co. II, this week reported that they have agreed to discontinue their recently proposed business combination. According to Mark Richards, Appleton's chairman, president, and CEO, "volatile market conditions prevented a deal from being struck that was acceptable to both parties. Therefore, after consulting with Hicks' management, we have decided to discontinue the transaction."

Richards noted that "we entered into negotiations with the best intentions to create a combined business that would strengthen Appleton's balance sheet, support its businesses, and give the company greater flexibility to pursue growth opportunities. Achieving those objectives is still part of our strategy going forward, and we will continue to pursue them as market conditions improve."

Richards confirmed that, in spite of the transaction not closing, Appleton will proceed with its plans to do business as Appvion, which the company announced in May. The Appvion name combines the words "applied" and "innovation," reflecting the company's transformation from a paper company to a business focused on coating formulations and applications, and specialty chemicals.

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Metsä Tissue, Finland, reports that two of its mills suffered some damage from flooding in parts of the Småland province in southeastern Sweden. The company's mills in the region, the Pauliström mill and the Nyboholm mill, are approximately 10 km apart in the area. Each mill has a production capacity of some 24,000 metric tpy of tissue.

According to a report by RISI, at the Pauliström mill water flooded a storage facility for finished products, reaching as high as 15 cm above floor level in some places. The mill is currently investigating the extent of the damage to products.

Some water seeped into the production facility at the Nyboholm mill, RISI reported, but caused no damage to machinery and did not interrupt production. The water did not damage the production facility at the Pauliström plant either, but manufacturing was halted from Saturday to Monday.

RISI further noted that workers and emergency services have built dams at both sites and the situation is now under control. The rain also destroyed some parts of the railway network in the region and damaged parts of the railway track between Metsä Tissue's two factories.

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PaperlinX Ltd., Australia, CEO Toby Marchant this week said that he will step down as chief executive of the company at the end of this month. The announcement follows the company's completion of a year long Strategic Review of its operations and the announcement this week that it will sell off company assets in Eastern Europe and South Africa (see news item in WEEKLY SPOTLIGHT above).

Marchant explained that "we have reached a major turning point in the transformation of PaperlinX, and the board and I have agreed that it is an opportune moment for me to step down as chief executive. I will therefore be leaving the company at the end of July. I am doing so knowing that we have taken major strides towards dealing with our significant legacy issues, in the midst of exceptionally hostile conditions, and that we are now on the right path. This is entirely thanks to the excellent people in PaperlinX who have shown extraordinary courage and determination in overcoming the challenges of the last few years."

Chairman of PaperlinX, Harry Boon, noted that "I would like to sincerely thank Toby for his tireless dedication over 15 years to PaperlinX and its predecessors. Most recently, Toby successfully led our team through a lengthy and complex Strategic Review during exceptionally difficult circumstances. Having secured sufficient near-term liquidity for the group, we are now able to focus on the timely delivery of the previously announced restructuring program and to seek additional opportunities for cost reduction and growth in diversified products."

Boon added that "we are pleased to announce that Dave Allen has accepted the role of Interim chief executive. Dave is currently EVP of PaperlinX with responsibility for the U.K., Ireland, and Canada. Dave joined PaperlinX in 2004 and was previously managing director of the Robert Horne Group in the U.K. We have initiated a search for a permanent CEO, and will review both external and internal candidates. We have every confidence that Dave Allen and Richard Barfield will drive the restructuring program during the search process."

In accordance with terms of his employment contract and the limits imposed by the Corporations Act, Marchant will receive a termination payment of 12 months total fixed remuneration in lieu of notice, plus statutory entitlements such as outstanding annual leave.

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Stora Enso's (Finland) Langerbrugge Mill, located in Gent, Belgium, has started up its PM No. 3 after installation of a new press section. PMT Italia S.p.A, Italy, supplied, installed, and started up the new press section.

PM 3, a 6.5 m wide machine producing supercalendered (SC) paper, was rebuilt by partly replacing the existing press section steel framework made completely with stainless steel framing, giving PM 3 a longer operating life time and providing the necessary flexibility for future implementations as well as pressing technology upgrades.

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UPM, Finland, reports that it will sell some 7,200 hectares of Finnish forestlands to a fund advised by Latifundium, Germany. The estates are located in Ilomantsi, Pihtipudas, and Tervo. The contract covers a long-term wood purchase and forest management agreement. Latifundium is an investment fund specialized in investments in forest properties with a global reach and a strong foothold in Europe. The purchase of the forest land from UPM is the fund's first investment in Finland.

"We look for stable investments that maintain their value in any business cycle," says Latifundium's representative, Maximilian Graf von Maldeghem. "We have a strong tradition of long-standing forest ownership. The long-term contract with UPM, including a wood purchase and forest management agreement, meets well our criteria. We also aim to maintain all valid contracts with third parties on these properties. "

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White Birch Paper Co., this week reported that it plans to reopen its Stadacona mill in Québec City, Qué,, Canada, on August 2. The mill has been closed since Dec. 9, 2011. The announcement comes after several months of joint efforts with the Government of Québec and the Syndicat canadien des communications, de l'énergie et du papier (SCEP) Unionized employees, to obtain a sustainable operating plan.

"This marks a new beginning for the Stadacona mill. A second chance. One that was only accomplished through hard work and sacrifice by many. Compromises by all parties involved have resulted in a promising future for Stadacona. As a proud corporate citizen of Québec, on behalf of both the company and its employees, I would like to thank Minister Hamad and the other members of the Provincial Québec Government for the role they played in developing a sustainable solution," Christopher Brant, president of White Birch Paper Co., said. "We look forward to continuing to build on that legacy from our new platform."

Brant added that "for our employees and participating community members, today's announcement re-establishes the mill's position as a valued employer with a sustainable future and exciting prospects. The Stadacona mill is now poised to be competitive in the global pulp and paper market both now and in the coming years. This mill has a very proud history of quality products and workmanship."

White Birch Paper produces newsprint, directory paper, and paperboard, with mills located in the U.S. and Canada. It is the second largest producer of newsprint in North America.

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Seyfert's (Germany) PM 1 containerboard machine at Seyfert Paper SAS in Descartes, France, has restarted following damage to part of the machine's structure. The accident that caused the damage occurred April 20, and the company was not able to comment on the reasons for the damage.

Seyfert commissioned PMT Italia, Italy, to deliver new frame parts and roll supports as well as to coordinate other procurements, installation works, and startup assistance. The mill's PM 4 was not affected by the accident and has continued to operate during the outage of PM 1.

The Descartes recycled containerboard mill had deliveries of 178,000 metric tons in 2011. In addition, Seyfert runs eight corrugated board plants in France and Germany, with combined deliveries of 212.000 metric tons in 2011, as well as a packaging service company in Monheim, Germany.

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Smurfit Kappa reports that its 520,000 metric tpy containerboard mill in Biganos, France, Cellulose du Pin, was shut down July 5 when a tank containing 3,500 cubic meters of black liquor burst and spilled its contents. Both the pulp mill and paper mill were shutdown and all workers evacuated.

The company expects to resume production in early August. "All necessary measures are being taken to clean up the spillage on the site and to restart the mill as soon as feasible," the company said, adding that the shutdown would result in about 35,000 to 40,000 metric tons of lost production.

The Cellulose du Pin mill operates two machines—PM 5 with a capacity of 190,000 metric tpy of white-top kraftliner and white-top testliner, and PM 6 with the capacity to produce 330,000 metric tpy of brown kraftliner. A single line supplies pulp to both machines.

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UPM, Helsinki, Finland, has begun negotiations with VPK Packaging Group NV, Belgium, and Klingele Papierwerke, Germany, through their newly created joint venture company, for the sale of assets and part of the land at the UPM Stracel paper mill site in Strasbourg, France. VPK and Klingele have made an offer on the acquisition of assets from UPM. According to the plan, UPM would retain part of the Stracel real estate in its possession for potential future production of advanced biofuels.

VPK and Klingele plan to convert the Stracel mill, which produces 280,000 metric tpy of coated magazine papers and specialty newsprint, into a recycled fiber-based containerboard unit, involving an investment of some EUR 100 million. Planned production capacity of the mill would be approximately 300 000 metric tpy of fluting and testliner between 80 and 130 gsm, on a 8.40 m wide machine.

The conversion from current magazine paper production would require a considerable investment by the two buying companies. The new converted mill would create 140 jobs.

The transaction is subject to completion of the employee information and consultation process on the planned closure of Stracel and the social plan implemented by UPM at such occasion, which the contemplated transaction is a part of, due to the 130 job offers it is to provide to former UPM employees. This process will be launched shortly and is expected to be completed during the second half of 2012.

On Aug. 31, 2011, UPM announced the completion of a comprehensive review of the long term competitiveness of its publication paper mills. As a part of the review, UPM announced its intent to sell or otherwise exit the UPM Stracel paper mill. Since then, UPM has been working closely with the political, administrative, and economic stakeholders to find the best possible solutions for the site and the employees.

"UPM has been conducting an active search for a buyer that could engage in a serious and credible project for the industrial restructuring of the Stracel site. The plan at hand provides a good opportunity for a new future for Stracel and would create a significant number of job opportunities on the site," said Jyrki Ovaska, president of UPM Paper Business Group.

If UPM accepts the offer that has been submitted, the conversion project could start and take approximately12 months to complete. Providing the plan proceeds, the converted mill would start production in the second half of 2013.

VPK Packaging Group is an integrated European packaging group with 33 companies spread across 12 European countries, realizing sales of EUR 700 million. It has a total of 3.000 employees. Klingele is one of the leading independent producers of containerboard and packaging made of corrugated board.

The company consists of one paper mill, six integrated corrugated plants, and seven converting plants in Europe and Africa, realizing sales of EUR 340 million and having a total of 1.250 employees. The total production of both respective groups, VPK and Klingele, amounts to 600.000 metric tpy of paper and 1.000.000 metric tpy of packaging.

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Cortec's (St. Paul, Minn., USA) VpCI®-149 is a new corrosion inhibiting paper for the protection of a wide variety of metals. This environmentally safe, non-toxic paper is formulated for extra protection of sensitive metals such as copper, aluminum, and cast iron. Manufactured using a natural kraft paper, the coating provides a soft and conformable feel to the paper, making it easy to use when individually wrapping parts. The strong vapor phase protection makes it a great product for interleaving and protecting void spaces, the company notes.

Since it is not a saturated paper, VpCI-149 will not tear like many other VCI papers. It is made from neutral, natural kraft paper, without the use of chlorine or other chemical bleaching, which eliminates package contamination. The fully recyclable and repulpable paper does not contain nitrites, phosphates, silicones, chromates, or other heavy metals. The VpCI coating on the paper vaporizes, reaching all metal surfaces to provide corrosion protection.

VpCI-149 can be used for a variety of applications such as protection of products for storage and shipment in several ways: the 149 kraft wrap for single item packaging or interleaving, end closures for shipping tubes, insert strips for recessed areas in large packages, and as sheet liners or separators between products.

More information is available online.

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To strengthen its corporate identity in the market through its products, PMT Italia, Italy, reports that it has reorganized its products into three new ranges of product. First, the AEGO Line refers to all of the section line products, continuously combining a function and versions by means of suffixes and codes.

The second, the tissue machine line as a whole, is being called VELUM, with three variations according to the capacity and size of the machine. The third line, the component line, currently known as the SMAR Line, has been renamed from the only registered trademark of PMT Italia--the SMARNIP.

For example, as a result of the reorganizing, PMT explains that it now has the AEGO DRY S, which stands for the former Single Tier Dryer Group or the edge valves whose new name is SMARFLO.

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KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp., Northbrook, Ill., USA, this past week announced that it will increase pricing for domestic unbleached containerboard by $50 per ton, effective with orders shipped on or after August 17.

KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp. is a producer of unbleached kraft paper products, linerboard, and shipping containers. The company is the parent company of KapStone Kraft Paper Corp., which includes paper mills in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., North Charleston, S.C., and Cowpens, S.C., 14 converting locations in the East and Midwest, and a lumber mill in Summerville, S.C. The business employs approximately 2,700 people.

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Mondi reports that it will increase the price for brown kraftliner and kraft-substitutes in the Mediterranean area, including Italy and Spain, by EUR 40 metric ton. Mondi attributed the increase to strong seasonal demand and supply restrictions following the bankruptcy of a major containerboard supplier, as well as increasing transportation costs.

Given the current extended lead times, Mondi has asked its customers to send order forecasts promptly, and indicated that further containerboard price increases are to be expected in other regions and for other grades.

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A new biomass-fueled steam-heating plant with a capacity of 21.4 MW was recently started up by Smurfit Kappa at its Nervión paper mill in Spain, increasing production of energy from biomass by 40%. The power plant is part of a EUR 20 million investment program to both lower fossil carbon dioxide emissions and increase the mill's profitability.

Rafael Sarrionandia, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Nervión, noted that "the goal of this energy project is to increase the heat and power production in the factory, by optimizing the efficiency of existing equipment and the capacity of the recycling plant for wood waste." The industrial and environmental modernization project included the purchase of a versatile shredder able to process all of the mill's waste wood, and a selection and storage system through which biomass consumption could be increased by 40,000 metric tpy to more than 100,000 metric tpy. Construction of the biomass cogeneration plant began in 2009 with a technical study and the purchase of equipment. The construction and installation phase got underway in January 2011 with the erection of a building to house the new 21.4 MW steam condensing turbine as well as four new cooling towers with a 2,500 cubic meter/hr Wasserumwälzleistung continuous process unit.

The project allowed Smurfit Kappa Nervión to expand its energy production by more than 40%. The mill now produces in excess of 120,000 MWh annually, meeting some 65% of its total energy needs.

The biogenic wastes used as fuels are derived mainly from black liquor, bark from sawmills, and bark from the mill's onsite log debarking operations. Other forest waste from clearing, pruning, and thinning are also to be used, supporting the mill's sustainable forest management and good forest maintenance efforts.

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SCA, Stockholm, Sweden, this past week named Joséphine Edwall-Björklund its new SVP, corporate communications. Edwall-Björklund has held leading positions in communications since 1988. She currently holds the position of VP of communications at Ericsson Global Services. She has been working for Ericsson since 1991.

As head of the corporate communications staff, Edwall-Björklund will be a member of SCA's Corporate Senior Management Team, reporting to CEO Jan Johansson. She will assume her position September 15.

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Xerium Technologies, Raleigh, N.C., USA, a manufacturer of clothing and roll covers used primarily in the paper industry, has appointed Roger A. Bailey to its board of directors. Bailey is a veteran of the pulp and paper industry and currently president of Power Products, North America for ABB Inc.

"During my years with Xerium, I have come to know Roger as one of the most well-respected leaders in the paper industry," said Stephen R. Light, the company's chairman, president, and CEO. "As the former group VP of ABB's Pulp and Paper Business Unit, he was successful in growing the business during a time of declining paper volume and in restructuring the ABB footprint towards growth-oriented markets. His experience will be invaluable to Xerium, particularly as we continue to implement our recently announced strategic plan ‘Vision 2015.'"

With 31 manufacturing facilities in 14 countries around the world, Xerium has approximately 3,400 employees.

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If you manage anyone at your facility, you bear a significant role in maintaining a competitive edge in the industry. Workforce training is a big responsibility, especially facing an ever-changing workforce, emerging technologies and tighter budgets.

Your employees are the backbone of the business and only as viable as their abilities and knowledge. Keep their skills strong this summer.

Coming this August

TAPPI has prepared an entire month of training courses for nearly every facet of the industry for both beginner- and advanced-level employees. You can be confident that your employees are getting stellar instruction. Course curriculum is always developed by industry professionals with years of experience, credentials, and recognition. Presentations are never "canned" and are specific to the attendees' work.

Click here for a complete list of events coming up in 2012

August's upcoming events:

• TAPPI Linerboard / Medium Manufacture - Aug. 7-9
• TAPPI Introduction to Kraft Pulping & Bleaching - Aug. 13-14
• TAPPI Tissue Properties and Manufacturing - Aug. 15-16
• TAPPI/PPSA Safety Management and Leadership - Aug. 15-16
• TAPPI Improving Paper Machine Performance - Aug. 21-13
• TAPPI Extrusing Coating - Aug .27-29

TAPPI courses are better on the budget!

TAPPI offers group discounts where your facility can save on course fees per person by registering three or more employees from the same location. 

Since 1915, the industry's leaders have turned to TAPPI to train and educate their facility's workforce.  Why?  Because TAPPI consistently delivers the most highly regarded resources for superior education and training for the pulp, paper, packaging, and converting industry. Back To Top

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Only a few seats remain for the TAPPI Introduction to Kraft Pulping and Bleaching Course, but if you register now, you may be able to snag a place among other peers. This course takes place at TAPPI headquarters on August 13-14, 2012.

This introductory course compiles two full weeks of material into two days of expert instruction in kraft pulp mill operations. Join peers from companies that already have taken advantage of this training, such as Domtar, MeadWestvaco, Andritz, and Weyerhaeuser.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for anyone new to the kraft pulping process, particularly process engineers and operators.

View the Course Schedule to find out exactly all that you'll be depositing into your valuable bank of knowledge.

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The 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference, October 14-17 in Savannah, Ga., USA, has announced a detailed technical program. Five programming tracks of peer-reviewed sessions, Pulping, Engineering, Environmental, Recycling, and Sustainability, will answer the most pressing business and technical questions faced by pulp and paper companies as they manage raw materials, assets, regulatory requirements, and production assets. 

Register now and save.

In addition to the in-depth, peer-reviewed technical program, Keynote Speaker Don Roberts, vice chairman of CIBC World Markets, will present "A Whirlwind Tour of Investment Trends and Issues in the Global Bio-Energy Space." PEERS will also offer exclusive networking opportunities and insight into new technologies that can help you optimize your mill operations. 

The TAPPI PEERS Conference will be co-located with the International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference, creating a value-added opportunity for you  to expand your learning, networking, and resources by attending both events. See you in Savannah!

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The 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference Pulping Program will focus on the latest technological breakthroughs and techniques available to today's kraft pulp manufacturers.

Sessions regarding how kraft pulping can be improved to produce pulps that are more uniform in quality and at higher yields will be discussed, along with the tradeoffs associated with improving quality and yields.

Other industry experts will discuss how to improve brownstock washing, newest developments in bleach plant control sensors, safety related issues with hydrogen peroxide, new steady-state models for hardwood bleaching, and new raw materials as fiber sources. The Pulping Program has several presentations on dissolving pulp production, as well as chip pretreatments-prehydrolysis for extracting value-added components prior to kraft pulping.

The 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference, Oct. 14-17 in Savannah, Ga., features a detailed technical program. In addition to Pulping, PEERS has four additional programming tracks of peer-reviewed sessions: Engineering, Environmental, Recycling, and Sustainability – each designed to answer the most pressing business and technical questions faced by pulp and paper companies as they manage raw materials, assets, regulatory requirements, and production assets.

Register now and save.

The TAPPI PEERS Conference will be co-located with the International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference, creating a value-added opportunity for you to expand your learning, networking and resources by attending both events. See you in Savannah!

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Operating Excellence (OpEx) Maintenance and Reliability Seminar at PEERS

This is a first-time program for the 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference.

Maintenance and reliability continue to be critical to the efficient operation of pulp and paper mills worldwide, just behind fiber and labor as top production cost factors.

This one-day seminar explores the latest reliability strategies today's mills are implementing to stay in-tune and competitive under progressively lean operating conditions.

The OpEx Maintenance and Reliability Track, included in your PEERS registration at no extra cost, is part of the Engineering Program.

If you are only interested in attending the OpEx Track, select the Single Day PEERS Registration for Thursday, October 18. This year's PEERS Conference includes a full program of educational opportunities for maintenance and reliability personnel, including:

• Sunday, Oct. 14: Fixed Equipment Maintenance Optimization System Course (Additional Fee)
• Monday, Oct. 15 - Wednesday, Oct. 17: Corrosion & Materials Engineering Track
• Thursday, Oct. 18: OpEx Maintenance and Reliability Track.

In addition, 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference, October 14-17 in Savannah, Ga., features a detailed technical program. Five programming tracks of peer-reviewed sessions, Pulping, Engineering, Environmental, Recycling and Sustainability, will answer the most pressing business and technical questions faced by pulp and paper companies as they manage raw materials, assets, regulatory requirements and production assets.

Register now and save.

The TAPPI PEERS Conference will be co-located with International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference, creating a value-added opportunity for you to expand your learning, networking, and resources by attending both events.

See you in Savannah!

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July 26, 2012, at 2:00pm EDT, the Binders and Additives Committee of the TAPPI NET (Nonwovens Engineers and Technologists) Division would like to invite you to participate in a free webinar. The webinar is designed as an introduction to butadiene as a monomer used as a component part to generate emulsion polymer binders and will cover four areas:

• Learning about butadine as a monomer - including from where we obtain this material and the markets to which it is used
• Investigating how butadiene is polymerized - including homopolymer properties, the most commonly used comonomers, and the benefits butadiene provides
• Reviewing the markets into which butadiene containing emulsion copolymers are used
• Understanding the contribution butadiene containing emulsion copolymer make to nonwoven applications - including choosing a latex, the benefits and versatility of butadiene copolymers, standard formulations and application techniques, interaction with aminoplasts and novalacs, and formaldehyde free binder systems using butadiene.

The presentation will focus on points one through three for the first half of the presentation with the remainder dedicated to the consideration of butadiene based latex binders for nonwovens.

Register Today.

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To provide more students access to its expert faculty and outstanding curriculum, the 2012 TAPPI Linerboard/Medium Manufacture Course is re-locating from the TAPPI Training Center to the Atlanta Hilton Northeast.

Register online. Save even more when you register three or more.

This intermediate level course, August 7-9, is designed to:

• Increase participants' understanding of linerboard and medium performance properties and how they are achieved
• Build confidence in interacting more knowledgeably within the mill, with suppliers, and with currugators
• Improve manufacturing operations, to help produce a more competitive product.  

View the full course schedule.

For those who require an overview background on pulp & papermaking technology, there will be an optional one-day introduction to P&P on Monday, August 6, prior to the beginning of the main course on Tuesday. This supplemental session is intended for corrugators, new P&P mill and supplier personnel, and those without exposure to pulp and paper operations. A separate registration is required for this seminar. 

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Faculty at the TAPPI Linerboard/Medium Manufacture Course will offer more than 250 years of collective experience.

Nowhere is the adage ‘Knowledge is Power' more true than the TAPPI Linerboard/Medium Manufacture Course, August 7-9 at the TAPPI Training Center in Norcorss, Ga., USA. With its expert faculty and countless opportunities to interact one-on-one with each one, this course is like having a group of consultants at your fingertips ready to help you solve the problems you encounter at your facility.

You will learn from the best, including:

• Andy Kahra, Lorentzen & Wettre USA - More than 40 years papermaking experience
• Mike Kocurek, NC State - More than 40 years teaching Paper Technology and Properties to students and mill personnel
• Chuck Class, Klass Associates - More than 45 years papermaking and paper machine experience
• Rick Phillips, Asten-Johnson - More than 28 years press fabrics experience
• Jon Porter, Fosber America - More than 30 years teaching experience, 10 in corrugating
• Darren Swales, Kemira - More than 20 years experience in Wet End Chemistry
• Daryl Wells, Asten-Johnson - More than 27 years experience in papermaking
• Per-Olof Warendh, Lorentzen & Wettre USA - Moire than 35 years papermaking experience.

So that's a total of 250 years of combined experience and knowledge for attendees to draw upon, to learn from, and get answers to your problems.

Click here to view the bios of this expert faculty.

Only 25 individuals will be able to take advantage of this knowledge-packed team.

Register online. Remember, space is limited! Save even more when you register three or more.

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The NCSU Financial and Strategic Analysis Workshop, October 3-5, 2012, Raleigh, N.C., USA

You will learn basic and sophisticated tools to analyze business operations, estimate financial outcomes, and support decision making. In this workshop, you will also discover how to:

• Understand the critical role of reinvesting in pulp and paper mill assets to ensure long term survival and prosperity
• Study basics of capital budgeting, cost of capital (cost of debt and cost of equity), and financial indicators to allow you to use these tools to build financial analyses and sell your ideas, products and services
•  Appreciate the importance of cost structure and how you can increase your competitive advantage by managing your costs
• Explain in financial terms the impact of your operation, research, new technique, or new product
• Build an entire financial analysis from scratch with the assistance of recognized Business Operation Instructors with decades of experience in business operations in the pulp and paper industry
• Learn the basis for strategic planning and decision-making.

Who Should Attend?

 This workshop is especially beneficial for:

• Managers at pulp and paper mills and business units responsible for strategic planning
• Engineering consultants who provide strategic studies to pulp and paper mill clients
• Sales and service personnel who want to sell their ideas to customers and upper level management
• Superintendents and engineers who want to understand how to measure profitability and costs in their operations
• Managers who want to understand the financial outcomes of process improvements and capital projects
• Research and development engineers and scientists looking to calculate the potential financial impact of their research
• Engineers who are new to the pulp, paper and related industries Register today to apply your new skills in business and financial analysis and take your job performance to the next level.

Register today to apply your new skills in business and financial analysis and take your job performance to the next level.

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The TAPPI Introduction to Kraft Pulping and Bleaching Course is an excellent way to network and learn among peers. It's coming up soon, August 13-14, 2012 at TAPPI Headquarters in Norcross, Ga., USA.

This course compiles two full weeks of material into two days of expert instruction in kraft pulp mill operations. If a formula could illustrate the content and benefit of this course, it might look like this:

1 Expert + 2 Days = Greater Ability multiplied by Improved Operations + 1.3 CEUs

Join peers from companies that have taken advantage of this training:

• Boise Paper Solutions
• Canexus
• Cariboo Pulp and Paper
• Domtar
• FM Global
• International Paper
• MeadWestvaco
• PH Glafelter
• Rayonier
• Tembec
• Weyerhaeuser.

Who should attend?

This course is ideal for anyone new to the kraft pulping process, particularly process engineers and operators. After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Describe and define kraft mill processes, equipment, operating variables and terminology, in order to increase ability to improve operations and pulp quality
• Recognize how one part of the process afects other operations, in order to increase awareness of thinking on a  mill-wide scale
• Interpret the factors affecting the overall process in order to improve pulp quality and troubleshoot variations in quality
• Extend awareness of the complex environmental challenges associated with kraft pulp production.

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For more than 40 years, Ted C. Kennedy was a leader in pioneering innovative engineering design and construction management concepts and methods for pulp and paper manufacturing facilities. His work significantly contributed to the growth and prosperity of many companies and the industry as a whole. Kennedy was the co-founder of BE&K Inc of Birmingham, Ala., USA, which would become one of the largest privately-held engineering and construction firms in the world under his leadership.

Kenedy earned a worker-friendly reputation as he campaigned for modern, flexible, craft-worker training and safe worker-friendly construction sites. He was a proponent of Merit Shop construction, which employs and trains union and independent construction craft workers together, with the goal of increasing opportunities for employment and making construction projects more efficient and open to innovation.

In addition to promoting worker safety, BE&K also innovated such things as the placement of child care facilities on site, making it easier for women to work in the construction industry. Fortune magazine listed Kennedy's BE&K as one of the "100 Best Places to Work in America." Engineering News-Record Magazine named Ted C. Kennedy one of the top 125 industry leaders in the past 125 years for his time at BE&K.

Kennedy became a TAPPI member in 1972. Over the years, he helped put together numerous technical programs and presentations for TAPPI events. He was often a speaker and panelist at TAPPI Engineering conferences and local section meetings. In 1992 Ted was nominated to become a TAPPI Fellow, a prestigious title held by only 1% of all TAPPI members.

The eldest of two sons, Kennedy was born in McKeesport, Pa., on May 26, 1930. He grew up in the construction business, moving from job to job with his family. He worked along-side his father as a "water-boy" until he was old enough to be on the company payroll and take on more challenging jobs. He graduated high-school in Front Royal, Va., and continued his studies at Duke University in North Carolina.

In 1952 Kennedy earned his degree in chemical engineering. Following graduation, he joined Rust Engineering Co.,and then took two years out of his career to serve in the U.S. Navy. From 1965-71 he held the position of vice chair of Operations until he resigned to form BE&K Inc., which would go on to become an international success.

There is little doubt that it was Kennedy's own life experience and knowledge of construction that led to BE&K being so successful. Ted Kennedy will be remembered for his personal dedication and ingenuity in his time as BE&K's chairman as well as his careful consideration of his employee training and worker safety.

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TAPPI and the Pulp and Paper Safety Association (PPSA) are pleased to announce their new course on workplace safety leadership and modern safety management principles, The Safety Management Leadership Course. The course will be held at TAPPI headquarters in Norcross, Ga., August 15-16.

The papermaking, conversion, and paper recycling industries have traditionally suffered from high workplace accident rates. Through a concentrated industry effort, the number of workplace injuries in the paper and pulp industry between 1994 and 2010 declined at a faster rate than the national rate for all private industries.

The Safety Management Leadership Course will provide managers and leaders with the best practices in safety for the paper and packaging industry that should help further reduce these workplace safety incidents. The course is designed for anyone involved in workplace safety including human resources, training, safety supervisors, team leaders, plant managers, project leaders, frontline supervisors, and safety committee participants.

The course will be led by industry expert and course chair Matthew Kanneberg from RockTenn.

"Participants in the course will be able to understand the fundamentals of safety and safety management principles, including recordkeeping, incident investigation, safety culture, managing change safely, understanding safety behavior, risk management, and measuring performance," Kanneberg said.

Course registration is limited to 30 participants so please register today at the course website. Early registration discounts are available.

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The 2012 TAPPI Tissue Properties & Manufacture Course is coming to TAPPI headquarters in Norcross, Ga., USA., on August 15 -16. This two-day course is a comprehensive overview of the entire tissue manufacturing process taught by leading industry experts.

The focus of the course is on learning ways to improve tissue manufacturing operations and produce a higher quality final product.The Tissue Properties & Manufacture Course will provide participants with more confidence in understanding tissue performance properties and how they are achieved, steps to improve tissue manufacturing, and preparation for more advanced topics.

The course will be taught by Michael J. Kocurek, PhD, Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University, along with a faculty of experienced industry professional. Last year, more than 95% of Tissue Properties & Manufacture Course participants reported that they had increased their ability to impact tissue performance and design by attending the course. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to learn and network with industry peers and receive instruction from multiple instructors.

The Tissue Properties & Manufacture Course is designed for professionals with limited or intermediate experience including;

• Tissue Mill Operators
• Technical Process Engineers
• Non-Technical Professionals
• Tissue Manufacturing personnel.

This is an introductory-intermediate level course. If you are looking for an advanced course on tissue, consider the next TAPPI Tissue Runnability Course scheduled for this November 7-9, in Neenah, Wis., USA. (see news item below).

There are only 25 spaces available for this popular course, so please register today at the course website.

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TAPPI member John H. Kuhn, 81,  proudly served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a chemical engineer in the pulp and paper industry working both domestically and internationally.

Kuhn was a member of the Retired Engineers and Scientists of Cincinnati. For many years, he was an active volunteer with the Cincinnati Museum Center and the Center for Economic Initiative. He was the devoted husband of Terri Kuhn, father of two, and a grandfather of five.

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On Nov. 7-9, 2012, TAPPI will conduct its Tissue Runnability Course at Neenah, Wis., USA.

This special course is being taught by technical experts in each area of the machine from wet end operations through creping and process control. The experienced, highly qualified faculty for this course will provide a thorough understanding of the entire tissue making process and current best practices in each area.

Wednesday's (November 7) classes will focus on stock preparation and wet end operations, while Tuesday's (November 8) classes cover pressing, drying, and doctoring. Wednesday (November 9) classes examine technologies and latest developments in hoods, TAD (through-air drying), and other dynamics of the tissue machine dry end,

The 2012 TAPPI Tissue Runnability Course is designed for process engineers, machine supervisors, and reliability professionals who have to maximize uptime and saleable production. It is also an excellent tutorial for suppliers who support tissue making customers. It will help attendees:

• Improve tissue quality and consistency
• Understand contributors to waste and downtime
• Learn reliability and maintenance best practices
• Diagnose and troubleshoot problems quickly.

After successfully completing this course, attendees will specifically be able to:

• Diagnose the impact of recycled furnishes on tissue properties
• Make changes to wet-end chemistry to improve machine operations
• Improve cleaning and conditioning of fabrics
• Troubleshoot runnability problems in the press, Yankee, and creping systems
• Identify improvement opportunities on the dry end
• Pinpoint productivity opportunities in Yankee steam, coating, and hood systems.

TAPPI will award CEU credits to participants who attend at least 80% of the educational sessions and complete a final program evaluation.

The 2012 Tissue Runnabilitry Course includes advanced process instruction. If you are looking for an introductory-intermediate tissue course, consider the upcoming 2012 Tissue Properties and Manufacturing Course at TAPPI headquarters in Norcross, Ga., USA, on August 15-16 (see news item above).

Attendance for the 2012 TAPPI Tissue Runnability Course is limited, so please register today at the course website.

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TAPPI headquarters in Norcross, Ga., USA, will host the annual Improving Paper Machine Performance Course August 21 - 23. This course provides students the tools needed to evaluate the performance of their paper machines against industry standards and evaluate ways to improve performance and optimize efficiencies. This year the course schedule has been expanded to include an important area of operation- evaluating energy savings.

Dick Reese of Dick Reese and Associates will help attendees learn how to evaluate energy consumption. Reese has completed energy evaluations on more than 125 paper and pulp machines in 56 mills. Several mills have reduced annual energy cost by $1 million-plus by implementing recommendations from the energy evaluations.

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

• Explain how to establish a paper machine performance audit
• Improve performance and optimize energy conservation and efficiency of your paper machine
• Determine the tools needed to benchmark paper machine operations
• Identify areas of PM performance that are sub-standard.

The educational material has been designed as an intermediate or advanced course for process engineers and mid- to upper-level manufacturing managers. Service technicians, sales personnel, and engineers within the chemical and equipment categories will also benefit by attending this course.
 
A degree in engineering or other technical field is suggested, but not required. A good working knowledge of the paper machine is recommended (this is not an introductory course). Please bring your laptop computer for this working course. If you don't have one you may share with another course participant.

There is only room for 25 course participants, so please register today.

For more information, please visit the course website.

Early registration, travel, and lodging discounts are available.

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TAPPI's International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference, Oct. 17-19, 2012 in Savannah, Ga, USA, will focus on advancements and commercialization of bio-conversions that leverage the forest products manufacturing infrastructure, providing you with a deeper analysis of the technology and economics involved in commercializing bio-refineries.  Learn more about IBBC and see the entire technical program.

Keynote Speakers:

• Paul Spindler, Vice President of Technology at Catchlight
• John B. Crowe, Chairman and Chief Executive Office, Buckeye Technologies, Inc.

In addition, IBBC will include technical presentations, expert panels, case studies, and reports from projects that address:

• Feedstock and harvesting improvements to increase yield and quality of biomass
• Bioelectricity using combined heat and power (CHP)
• Bioconversion technologies for wood and biomass
• Production of chemicals and transportation fuels from wood and biomass
• Policies and incentives for bioconversion projects.

IBBC will be co-located with the TAPPI PEERS Conference, creating a value-added opportunity for participants to expand their learning, networking and resources by attending both events.  

Exhibit and Sponsorship opportunities are available.  Contact Shane Holt at 800.369.6220, ext. 3345 for more information.
   
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TAPPI's International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference, Oct. 17-19, 2012, in Savannah, Ga., will include a tour to Herty Advanced Materials Development Center the morning of Wednesday, October 17. Chartered by the State of Georgia, Herty has leveraged its industry-proven laboratory and pilot capabilities to execute its strategic plan that includes significant emphasis in the biopower and biofuels areas. Herty's focus is on feedstock with current impact of more than $1.5 billion in alternative energy commercialization projects. Herty provides a hub location needed for rapid cost-effective development of biomass resources for energy production. Learn more about Herty and this tour.

IBBC will focus on technical advancements and commercialization of bioconversion technologies that leverage the forest products manufacturing infrastructure. Learn more about IBBC and see the entire technical program.

IBBC will also feature Keynote Speakers:

•  Paul Spindler, VP of Technology at Catchligh
• John B. chairman and CEO, Buckeye Technologies Inc.

In addition, IBBC will include technical presentations, expert panels, case studies, and reports from projects that address:

• Feedstock and harvesting improvements to increase yield and quality of biomass
• Bioelectricity using combined heat and power (CHP)
• Bioconversion technologies for wood and biomass
• Production of chemicals and transportation fuels fromwood and biomass
• Policies and incentives for bioconversion projects.

IBBC will be co-located with the TAPPI PEERS Conference, creating a value-added opportunity for participants to expand their learning, networking and resources by attending both events.

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Nominations for major TAPPI 2013 awards are due by Aug. 1, 2012. The awards that may be presented next 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 that 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, resulting in significant and demonstrable benefits to 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 Assciation 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 and shows the qualifications required and links to the nomination forms that must be completed.

You may submit all nomination forms by email at 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, Suite 115, Norcross, Ga. 30092, USA.

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The TAPPI International Research Management Committee requests that nominations be submitted for the William H. Aiken Prize for Research and Development. The award is given for outstanding accomplishments and/or contributions that have advanced the technology of paper and related industries in the R&D field. 

The $500 prize is funded by an endowment from the estate of William H. Aiken, TAPPI President in 1967 - 1968, and VP of Technology for the former Union Camp Corp. at the time of his death in 1974. Dr. Aiken won the TAPPI Gold Medal, the association's highest honor, in 1971.

Nominations should be sent to David Bell (DBell@TAPPI.org) TAPPI Headquarters,15 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, Ga. 30092, USA, or by fax (+1 770-446-6947).

The deadline for nominations for the William H. Aiken Prize for Research and Development Award is Aug. 1, 2012.

The nomination should contain a summary of the nominee's technical achievements, impact on the industry and peers, personal data (such as education and work history), and information of other pertinent activity (such as TAPPI activities).

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This newly published information-packed volume provides practical, industry-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. 

 Bleaching of Pulp, 5th Edition is written to assist production engineers, supervisors, and scientists find quick solutions to today's immediate challenges in modern bleaching. The text is also 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.

Together they have delivered the industry's premier text on bleaching technologies. 

TAPPI Member Price : $155

List Price: $232

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You can take the woman out of the mill, but you can never remove her love for paper and slime. Just ask microbiologist and TAPPI member Linda Robertson who, after building a highly successful and thoroughly enjoyable career in the paper industry for 30 years, retired in 2006 only to return after six short months.

Linda credits the fantastic network she's built through her involvement in TAPPI as one of the driving forces behind her highly successful career, and encourages anyone – no matter at what career stage they are – to develop.  "The ability to present papers and publish, as well as meeting people all over the globe, staying in touch, and presenting papers are all beneficial when you are building a career." 

Learn more about Linda's career by reading this month's Member Spotlight.

Spotlight participants are recommended by fellow members and staff.  If you would like to nominate a member just send their name (or names) to MemberSpotlight@Tappi.org.

We will forward a Spotlight Questionnaire to fill out and return. 

We look forward to seeing you in the Spotlight!


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Join us on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at the Mid-Valley Country Club in De Pere, Wis., USA.  An afternoon shotgun scramble golf outing is planned with dinner to follow. 

Your participation will help fund scholarships for local TAPPI and PIMA programs.

Multiple Prizes will be awarded and individual pin events will be held.

Those submitting registration with their fee, postmarked by August 9, will be assigned holes on a first-come, first-serve basis. Later registrations will be assigned as space is available. Foursome sponsors and all singles will be notified of their hole assignment at the course on the day of the event. 

Check-in registration will be at the main entrance of the golf course club house. Golf clubs will be unloaded, tagged, and placed on golf carts for your assigned hole. 

Beverage carts will also be available throughout the day on a cash basis.  Lunch will be provided prior to tee-off, with the standard fine cuisine of brats, hamburgers, and beverage. 

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Chris Wolslegel.

Full event information and registration details are available online.

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Join us on Tuesday, August 28, at the Grand View Lodge, Preserve Course, in Pequot Lakes, Minn. A morning shotgun scramble golf outing is planned with lunch to follow.

Please remember, your participation will help fund scholarships for Lakes States TAPPI/North Central PIMA's Scholarship programs. Prizes will be awarded along with a putting contest and a raffle.

Reservation preference will be given to foursomes. Groups of two or less will be placed into foursomes pending availability. We will limit the number of participants to 128.

Entries will only be accepted with full payment. For entries received after August 16, the cost is $135.00 per person. Check-in registration will begin at 8:00 am.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Wfrawley@new.rr.com

Full event information and registration details are available online.

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The Nonwovens Engineers and Technologists Division (NET) of TAPPI will co-locate its annual Innovative Nonwovens Conference (NETInc) next year with PaperCon 2013, April 28 - May 1 in Atlanta, Ga., USA.. The NETInc technical conference is a unique event developed by engineers and technologists to cover the latest market and technical developments and innovations in the global nonwovens industry. 

"Co-location of the NETInc Conference at PaperCon 2013, the pulp and paper industry's largest event and most comprehensive technical conference, will provide attendees an expanded range of options to network and learn the latest cutting edge technical content," notes TAPPI President and CEO Larry N. Montague. "The nonwovens industry is a dynamic, rapidly growing segment of our industry that encompasses a wide range of raw materials, applications, and market segments, and it employs some of the most innovative technology in the industry. We're excited about the synergy provided by having these two industry leading events located in one venue."

NETInc offers peer reviewed papers, expert speakers, and exclusive networking opportunities. A comprehensive technical program covers a wide range of products, innovative technologies, and topics including market trends, raw materials, fibers, and processing used in an array of applications including absorbent products, medical applications, building science, and many others.

TAPPI's NET Division covers the global nonwovens business and includes members and nonwovens experts from diverse markets and disciplines. It covers materials, equipment, and processes for the manufacture and use of nonwovens. The division's technical committees sponsor courses, conference sessions, roundtables, and TAPPI PRESS products, as well as networking and problem-solving opportunities.

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This manual provides a basis for common knowledge of terms, definitions, and methods of correction of corrugated operational defects. The manual illustrates and provides causes and remedies for hundreds of defects affecting corrugated boxes.

The manual is divided into four parts:

• Corrugated Problems
  
• Printing Problems
  
• Die Cutting Problems
  
• Finishing and Manufacturers' Joint Problems.

 This manual is also available on a full-color, searchable CD-ROM.


Corrugating Defect / Remedy Manual, Sixth Edition

Product code: 0101R153
ISBN: 0898525152
Author: Carbone, J.T.
Format: Soft cover
Pages: 210

Member Price: $87.00

Non-member Price: $130.

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PaperCon 2012 was held April 22 – 25, 2012, at the Sheraton New Orleans in New Orleans, La., USA.

The 2012 conference focused on "Growing the Future"- leveraging renewable, recyclable raw materials and developing human capital to ensure value for customers, long-term sustainability for shareholders, and a future for our peers.

New technology programs joining PaperCon 2012 included:

• Control Systems Conference
• RPTA Conference
• Inside and Outside the Box – Optimizing Paperboard Grades
• Sustainabililty Forum
• Procurement Forum.

PaperCon is designed by industry professionals, bringing together CEOs, mill managers, superintendents, scientists, process engineers, and suppliers for the largest pulp and paper technical program in the world. No other event provides such a comprehensive program, networking opportunities, and exhibit among such a distinguished group of industry leaders.

This CD-ROM contains more than 125 presentations and papers presented throughout the conference and is only available on this fully searchable CD-ROM. PaperCon 2012 Conference Proceedings.

View Table of Contents.

Product code: PAPERCD-12

Member Price: $74.00

Non-Member Price: $111.00

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Interested in nanotechnology but can't bear to wade through detailed technical reports?

Individual reports on nanotechnology by research and marketing firms as well as governmental agencies are comprehensive and insightful. But they can also be tedious to read, expensive to procure, and generally unknown to non-experts interested in nanotechnology. 

Offering a reader-friendly and affordable alternative to these options, Nanotechnology: Health and Environmental Risks introduces risk analysis as a tool for responsible environmental decision making in nanotechnology development. The text provides examples of past, present, and future technologies that demonstrate the need for and benefits of evaluating the risks of nanotechnology.

Access the most up-to-date and relevant information on the impact of Nanotechnology on our health and surroundings. After outlining the steps of risk analysis, this book examines the opportunity costs inherent in present day nanotechnology development. It then introduces life cycle analysis, examining the toxicology of nanoscale materials, and the known impacts of specific nanoscale materials on human beings.

The text also covers environmental impacts and exposure, followed by chapters on the state-of-the-art tools that adapt life cycle thinking into risk analysis for nanotechnology. The final chapters describe current practices for managing the hazards and risks of nanoscale materials and explore the numerous international efforts that address the risks, science, and policies of nanotechnology. 

Learn to recognize and overcome the risks involving nanotechnology. With full-color images and insights into the key health and environmental aspects of nanotechnology, this resource shows how risk analysis can play an important role in creating a sustainable future for nanotechnology.  

Product code: 11NANOENV

Member Price: $42.00

Non-Member Price: $52.00

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Authors: Wei-Hong Zhong and Bin Li, Jo Anne Shatkin, Russell G. Maguire, Vivian T. Dang, Gwen M. Gross, and Michael C. Richey

A comprehensive account of how nanomaterials are synthesized and processed, this book presents the theory and technology of introducing nano-based materials as value-added elements into product manufacturing. The book explains the fundamentals of vapor, liquid, solid phase, and biosystem-assisted nanoparticle syntheses, with sufficient analysis of each method to permit decisions on which is most productive, energy efficient, and safe. The text then confronts the problems of scaling up from lab-based syntheses to manufacturing and demonstrates how nanomaterials on the shop floor require new protocols of quality assurance and employee and environmental protection. The book concludes with case studies of individuals who endeavored to commercialize nanotechnologies for higher-volume production.

Nano Science and Nano Materials:  Synthesis, Manufacturing, and Industry Impacts.

Product code: 12NSNM

Member Price: $129.00

Non-Member Price: $149.00

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