UPM-Kymmene Corp., Finland, this week announced that it will permanently close down PM 3 at its Rauma mill in Finland and PM 4 at its Ettringen mill in Germany by the end of this month. The number of employees is being reduced by 87 at Rauma and by 150 at the Ettringen mill.

Employee negotiations concerning the closing plans were concluded in March. UPM said it also has concluded negotiations with employee representatives concerning streamlining the Paper Business Group and global functions in Finland. Employee negotiations in global functions continue in several countries following local schedules and processes. Efforts to sell the UPM Docelles paper mill and the UPM Aigrefeuille further-processing mill in France continue.

"The employee reductions are inevitable under the circumstances. UPM will support former employees through re-employment and retraining in many ways," Jyrki Ovaska, president of the UPM Paper Business Group, noted.

Employee reductions are a result of UPM's need to permanently reduce paper capacity in Europe by a further 580,000 metric tons, the company explained. The current business environment, it added, also emphasizes the need for streamlining UPM's Paper Business Group and its global functions to remain cost competitive in the new business scale. UPM announced its plans this past January 17.

UPM pointed out that "the continuing challenges in European economy have significantly impacted the consumption of paper, exacerbating the effect of structural changes in paper end-uses and resulting in further decline in the demand of graphic papers in Europe. High costs and significant overcapacity continue to challenge the industry operators in Europe."

Back To Top

---

 

The escalating demand for paper and the ensuing rise in paper production have spurred the pulp and paper chemicals market in Brazil, according to a new analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Sao Paulo, Brazil, titled Analysis of the Pulp and Paper Chemicals Market in Brazil. The need for high-quality paper will lead to technological advancements, and will continue to aid the market's development, the report notes.

The new analysis finds that the market earned revenues of more than $1.78 billion in 2012 and estimates this to reach $2.03 billion in 2017. The research covers pulping chemicals sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfate, bleaching chemicals chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide, and starch, a finishing and coating chemical. The finishing and coating chemicals segment is likely to witness the highest growth, fueled by greater awareness of paper quality.

"The increasing use of recycled paper in Brazil, which ranks twelfth in the world in terms of recycling paper recovery rates, accelerates the adoption of pulp and paper chemicals," said Lisse de Oliveira, Frost & Sullivan Chemicals, Materials, and Food Industry analyst. "Consumption of paper for packaging, coated and uncoated media, newsprint, and tissue, adds to market revenues."

The production costs of these varieties of paper, however, are high. Along with the rising operational costs of energy consumption, logistics, transportation, and delivery, these costs stall market growth to an extent. The limited access to pulp and paper raw materials requires companies to input additional resources for developing effective purchasing solutions and attaining higher quality materials.

Stringent environmental legislation pertaining to the pulp and paper production process, which establish the standards for water and soil contamination control as well as forestry and biodiversity protection, also limit the market's potential.

Nevertheless, pulp and paper manufacturers are looking to incorporate necessary changes to ensure compliance, in spite of the additional time, effort, money, and training required. For instance, the bleaching process, which included various chlorine-produced pollutants, has been modified to exclude chlorine and use hydrogen peroxide instead.

"Consumers themselves prefer new, innovative, and environmentally-friendly chemicals, and the challeng lies in offering these products at affordable prices," noted Oliveira. "Hence, technological advancements as well as investments in research and development are crucial, as superior pulp and paper chemicals eventually enhance the quality of the final product and enable paper companies to develop their brand image, in turn ensuring their loyalty."

Expanding product lines will help pulp and paper suppliers to achieve economies of scale, offer tailored solutions, and boost profits.

Back To Top

---

 

TAPPI's newest publication, Tissue360° magazine, and TAPPI tissue experts have organized a comprehensive technical forum for PaperCon 2013 in Atlanta, Ga., USA, April 28 – May 1. Covering all aspects of tissue making, the Tissue Forum includes eight information- and data-packed sessions beginning Monday afternoon and continuing through Wednesday morning of PaperCon. The program is open to all full PaperCon registrants.

The Forum's eight sessions focus on tissue and hygiene product market trends and developments, the latest chemical, fiber, water, energy, control, and converting technologies, and explore new and emerging production technologies, with a special full-session look at yankee dryer issues and concerns. All material presented at Tissue Forum has been carefully selected and reviewed by TAPPI members with extensive tissue expertise, and most of the presentations include a written paper.

In Session T1 beginning after the lunch break on Monday, Esko Uutela (photo right) of RISI presents a data-rich analysis of the global tissue business and trends in North America. Complementing Uutela's presentation, Lindsay Gervais of Poyry International (phgoto left) examines the fiber side of the tissue industry with a detailed report on developing cost, quality, and sustainability issues in the global tissue arena. Session T2 on Monday afternoon covers "Chemistry Solutions for Tissue Making" with a paper by Yuping Luo of Kemira Chemicals that examines the newest generation of wet strength resins for towel grades, and a close-up look at new approaches to evaluating and enhancing tissue softness by Timothy Patterson of Ashland Water technologies.

Session T3 on Tuesday morning examines "Fiber Usage and Supply for Tissue" from four different fiber type perspectives. Fernando Pescatori Silva of Eldorado Brasil updates attendees on eucalyptus fibers. Xuejun Zou of FPInnovations provides a current overview of softwood kraft pulps for tissue making, and Medwick Byrd of North Carolina State University looks at nonwood raw materials as a possible fiber source for tissue and specialty products. The recycled fiber sourcing side is covered by Dave Anderson of SCA. Leading up to lunch, Session T4 explores "Water and Energy Strategies for Tissue," with presentations by Thomas Jenn of Kimberly-Clark on conducting tissue machine audits to reduce fiber losses and improve pulp yield, maximizing post pressure roll solids with advanced press fabric structures by Roger Banks of AstenJohnson, and engineering effective void volume in tissue production by Glen Harvey of Xerium Technologies.

Session T5 begins Tuesday afternoon with a focus on Premium Tissue Manufacturing Technologies. Dennis Jewitt of Metso Paper (photo right) discusses advanced technologies for structured tissue products, Roberto Zane of Voith Paper (photo left) explores premium tissue technologies that are enhancing the conventional tissue world, and tissue consultant Ed Graf reports on "air dried tissue" (ADT), an alternative to TAD and similar technologies. Session T6, completing Tuesday afternoon, provides a special review and analysis of the latest tissue control techniques. Doeung Choi of Ashland Water Technologies examines the use of process simulation in structured tissue and towel making, John Feola of Cristini North America presents a roundup of the latest process control tools to boost tissue machine performance, and Richard Falcoff of Alicona Corp. looks at 3D optical micro-measurement technology to quantify surface roughness with ISO traceable Sa values.

Wrapping up the Forum on Wednesday morning, Session T7 (CEU's provided) focuses directly on "Yankee Reliability," beginning with a presentation by Clive Butler of PMT on diagnosing surface chatter. Sam Archer of Nalco (photo right) then looks more closely at the impact of chatter on yankee surface reliability, Jerry Vandoros of Kadant covers yankee doctor considerations for improving safety and reliability, and John Yolton of SKF explores reliability best practices in the global tissue industry. Session T8 on "Converting Efficiencies" features presentations by John Cork of Ibis International on process air filtration for tissue converting and Karl Hilden of Papertech on solving tissue production and converting problems using event capturing camera systems. Completing the Forum's final session on Wednesday morning, Futura analyzes key factors for enhanced converting performance.

More information about PaperCon 2013 and the Tissue360° Tissue Forum is available online, including online registration and the Tissue Forum program.

Back To Top

---

 

The TAPPI Yankee Dryer Safety and Reliability (YDS&R) Committee will hold its Spring Meeting May 1-2 at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Atlanta, Ga., USA, during PaperCon 2013. Members and friends are cordially invited to attend this meeting, which is scheduled as follows:

• Work Group Meetings, Wednesday, May 1, Noon – 4:00 p.m.
• Full Committee Meeting, Thursday, May 2, 8:00 a.m. – Noon.

Attendees are asked to register online for these meetings so that we may get an accurate headcount. You may attend one time as a visitor, and thereafter, you must join TAPPI to participate in the committee. If your membership has lapsed, you may renew using the online registration link as well.

More information about the YDS&R committee also is available online, as is Hotel information.

Please email Scott Springmier with any questions, or contact him by phone at +1 404-375-0464.

We look forward to seeing you in Atlanta

Back To Top

---

 

The U.S. Postal Service this week announced that it will delay its plan to cut mail delivery to five days, to at least September 30, saying "restrictive language" in Congress' temporary government funding resolution prohibits the new schedule. A measure passed by Congress last month to fund government operations while the budget remains in limbo included language that barred the U.S. Postal Service from changing its delivery schedule. The five-day delivery plan was to have started August 5.

Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe had said that eliminating Saturday mail delivery would save the Postal Service some $2 billion a year and is a critical part of a five-year-plan to make the postal service solvent. The agency reported that it lost almost $16 billion last year, due in part to a 2006 congressional mandate requiring it to pre-pay 75 years worth of retiree benefits within a decade.

Last month, however, the measure passed by the House to fund the government through September requires six-day Postal Service delivery for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends September. 30. The Postal Service said it will hold off on the plan "until legislation is passed that provides the Postal Service with the authority to implement a financially appropriate and responsible delivery schedule."

Back To Top

---

 

The joint OpEx-RPTA session at PaperCon in Atlanta, Ga., USA, on April 30, is focused on two of the industry's latest approaches in the maintenance and reliability area—Operator Driver Reliability (ODR) and MRO storeroom inventory best practices. Beginning the session, Christer Idhammar with IDCON examines what has been tried with ODR, who's succeeded, what's failed, and why—all based on mill case study results. SKF's Dave Staples follows with a functional analysis of "Operator Driven Reliability: What Does Good Look Like and How Close Are You?"

Staples' presentation starts by visualizing the ideal ODR program based on best practices benchmarked globally. "Participants will learn how to perform a self assessment on an ODR program," he says. "Assessments are designed to identify gaps compared with best practices and make recommendations on how to close these gaps. Training will also offer realistic targets for an ODR program based on industry standard performance targets, corporate infrastructure, and maintenance sophistication."

In the session's third presentation, Jim Davis of PCA will examine the latest approaches to efficient storeroom management. His presentation on "Building the Perfect Storeroom" provides a close-up look at today's MRO inventory best practices.

Back To Top

---

 

The TAPPI Tissue Properties & Manufacturing Course will be held on April 27-28, 2013, in Atlanta, Ga., USA, and co-located with 2013 PaperCon and the Tissue Forum. Both the Tissue Forum and Tissue Properties & Manufacturing Course are being sponsored by TAPPI's Tissue360o magazine.

This is a great opportunity to get the most out of the PaperCon experience. The Tissue Properties & Manufacturing course is designed for those who desire an introductory-to-intermediate level, comprehensive, and structured course on tissue properties, and the effect of manufacturing. This course precedes the Tissue 360° Tissue Forum at PaperCon, and is an excellent educational compliment to these technical sessions.

The course will be particularly helpful to non-technical professionals, technical process engineers, operators, suppliers, converters, and marketers with 0-5 years of experience in tissue manufacturing.

More information about the Tissue Properties & Manufacturing Course is available online.

Back To Top

---

 

Below is the latest listing of job openings in the TAPPI Career Center. The current listing includes job openings for a variety of positions including 15 process engineers, chief engineer, mechanical design engineer, paper operations manager, sales representative, mill manager, pulp mill team leader, and manager of pulping and bleaching. Specific job openings at companies and locations in the TAPPI Career Center include:

Employer	Title	Location
Boise Inc. /Tharco	Sales Representative	Salt Lake City, Utah
Canfor Pulp	Mgr., Strategic Capital & Energy	Prince George, B.C.
CRANE	Process Engineer	Dalton, Mass.
Cranston Machinery	Mechanical Design Eng.	Portland, Ore.
Cranston Machinery	Regional Sales Mgr. - Sales Eng.	USA
Cranston Machinery	Automation/Elect. Design Eng.	Portland, OR
Dart Container Corp.	Paper Operations Manager	Mason, MI
Econotech Services	Manager, Pulping and Bleaching	Vancouver, BC
Fajar Paper	Mill Manager	Cikarang, Indonesia
Fajar Paper	Production Manager	Cikarang, Indonesia
Fajar Paper	Chief Engineer	Cikarang, Indonesia
Longview Fibre	Pulp Mill Team Leader	Longview, Wash.
Longview Fibre	Maint. Supervisor - Vibration	Longview, Wash.
Nalco	Sr. Technical Sales Rep.	Dallas, Texas
Norpac-Weyerhaeuser	Engineering Internship	Longview, Wash.
Robins & Morton	Sr. Pulp Mill Process Engineer	Birmingham, Ala.
Robins & Morton	Sr. Paper Machine Process Eng.	Birmingham, Ala.
RockTenn	15 Project Engineers	USA
Sappi Fine Paper	Basepaper Project Leader	Westbrook, Maine

More information about these jobs is available online.

Back To Top

---

 

U.S. paper and paperboard capacity declined 1.6% in 2012 but will hold essentially stable over the next three years (2013-2015), according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) 53rd Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard and Pulp Capacity. Paper and paperboard capacity is slated to decline 0.4% in 2013 but then rise 0.6% in 2014 and 0.2% in 2015. For the entire three-year projection period, paper and paperboard capacity is expected to rise 0.4% at an average annual rate of 0.1%.

Tissue paper and containerboard grades are slated to add capacity during the next three years, while capacities for newsprint and printing and writing paper grades are expected to decline. The survey findings indicate that boxboard capacity will hold essentially stable.

The survey reports U.S. industry capacity data for 2012 through 2015 for all major grades of paper, paperboard, and pulp, based on a comprehensive survey of all U.S. pulp and paper mills. Survey respondents represent about 90% of the U.S industry capacity.

Back To Top

---

 

The AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) reports that 65.1% of paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered in 2012. "Paper recovery is a success in our country because of the commitment millions of Americans make each day to recycling, whether it's at home, work, or school," said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman.

"Our industry's success in paper recovery is due in large part to the voluntary, market-driven product recovery system that we and so many others have fostered," said AF&PA Board Chairman and Graphic Packaging International President and CEO David Scheible. "We will continue supporting education programs and initiatives that help drive awareness to increase recovery."

The annual paper recovery rate has nearly doubled since 1990 and remains above the trend line for the industry to achieve its goal of recovering more than 70% per year by 2020.

Back To Top

---

 

Innventia, Stockholm, Sweden, today announced that it has launched a new tissue paper project or "cluster." The participating companies and Innventia have together decided on the focus for the next two years. Having previously concentrated on energy issues, the new cluster will focus more on the different aspects of product properties.

The cluster is part of Innventia's Cluster Research Program, and follows from the previous tissue cluster that ended last winter. Pulp manufacturers, their suppliers, and tissue manufacturers will all be involved in the project, and have helped to shape the focus and content of the cluster.

"One key aspect of the Cluster Research Program is that the content is adapted according to the participating companies, so that the results really do meet future needs in terms of problem-solving and development," explains Innventia's Mattias Drotz. "Together with suppliers, customers, and competitors, we are carrying out research to build up knowledge that will move technology forward. During the kick-off, the project, participants set important priorities. The atmosphere was excellent, and we now have a clear direction for the project's activities."

Hannes Vomhoff is scientific advisor in the tissue research cluster and one of the participants from Innventia at the kick-off session. "In the previous tissue cluster, we focused on energy efficiency, which is an important aspect of all papermaking, but we will now be focusing on different aspects of product functionality. For example, this will involve investigating the mechanical properties of low grammage products and ways in which the fibers can be modified to make them stronger."

The fiber properties also affect the conditions for the manufacturing process. For example, problems with dusting can arise in the paper machine during manufacturing, as well as during conversion and post-treatment, or when used by the end-consumer. It is also important for manufacturers to optimize the use of the raw material for cost reasons, Innventia says.

"By finding the right type of fibers, we can reduce the grammage and thus minimize the cost of the raw material," Drotz adds.

Innventia is a research and development company that works with innovations based on forest raw materials. The majority of its operations are carried out in project form through research programs involving partners, such as the three-year Cluster Research Program, or in development projects with individual customer companies. Innventia also conducts direct commissions in the form of analyses, testing, and demonstrations in its lab and pilot plants. The company has some 225 employees, 200 who are based in the Stockholm area

Back To Top

---

 

Kruger Products L.P. (KPLP), Mississauga, Ont., Canada, reports that its majority owner, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kruger Inc., will reinvest $4,666,689, representing 50% of the majority owner's quarterly distribution payable on April 15, and also intends to reinvest a significant portion of future KPLP distributions it receives.

KPLP is a producer of tissue products for household, industrial, and commercial use. It serves the Canadian consumer market with brands such as Cashmere®, Purex®, SpongeTowels®, Scotties®, and White Swan®. In the U.S., KPLP produces the White Cloud® brand, as well as various private label products. The company has some 2,300 employees across North America and operates five mills, four of which are located in Canada and one in the U.S.

Back To Top

---

 

Katrinefors Kraftvärme AB (KKAB), a 50/50 joint venture owned by Metsä Tissue, part of the Metsä Group, and the local municipal energy company VänerEnergi AB, will build a new biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Mariestad, Sweden, in conjunction with the Metsä Tissue mill. This will be the second bioenergy plant operated by KKAB.

Construction of the new plant will start this month and is expected to be operating by the end of 2014. The total investment will amount to approximately EUR 30 million, of which Metsä Tissue's share will be 50%.

According to Mark Watkins, SVP Tissue Scandinavia, KKAB's new bioenergy plant is an important step in increasing the share of bioenergy. In Metsä Group, the share of wood-based bioenergy is high, as more than 80% of all of the used fuel is biomass.

Increasing the share of bioenergy is one of the key activities in Metsä Group's efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce fossil carbon dioxide emissions. Metsä Group's target is to reduce fossil-based carbon dioxide emissions by 30% per product metric ton by 2020, from the 2009 level.

The new bioenergy production reduces significantly, even as much as 90%, Metsä Tissue Mariestad mill's oil usage. The new power plant will decrease Mariestad mill's annual carbon dioxide emissions by some 6,000 metric tons, i.e. by 30% from the present level. Currently oil is used to cover winter time peak in heat demand and as reserve fuel.

The new biomass CHP plant will be composed of an approximately 28 MW biomass boiler to produce heat and approximately 7 MW turbine to produce electricity. The biomass fuels consist of energy wood and the mill's recycled fiber residues.

In addition to producing electricity and heat for the Mariestad mill, the plant will provide renewable energy for the surrounding community in the form of district heating and bio-based grid electricity.

Back To Top

---

 

Metso, Finland, reports that it has started up the first AshLeach Duo at a pulp mill in South America. The AshLeach Duo provides efficient removal of non process elements without the need for steam or sulfuric acid. The new system maintains all operational flexibility advantages of the AshLeach technology, which was originally developed by Metso and is known for its reliability in operation in multiple references around the world.

The new AshLeach Duo system features a two-stage centrifuge system for removal of chlorine and potassium from recovery boiler ash, designed to minimize sodium losses and to avoid acid usage at high carbonate levels in the ash.

Back To Top

---

 

NewPage Corp., Miamisburg, Ohio, USA, is the newest member of Two Sides, a non-profit organization established to promote the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print and paper. NewPage is a producer of printing and specialty papers in North America with $3.1 billion in net sales.

"For a company like NewPage, a business whose products come from the forest, sustainability represents a unique opportunity to make a positive difference for our planet," NewPage VP of Marketing Steven Devoe said. "Joining Two Sides gives us the opportunity to share more broadly how NewPage is contributing to progress in areas from sustainable forestry and reduced greenhouse gas emissions to cleaner manufacturing and recycling. Our Two Sides membership also helps expand our own efforts to correct the many common myths about the sustainability of print and paper."

Two Sides President Phil Riebel noted that "print and paper have a great environmental story to tell, and Two Sides is pleased to have NewPage join our growing U.S. effort to get the word out to as many people as possible. Made from one of the earth's few truly renewable resources—trees from responsibly managed forests—print and paper is the most recycled commodity in the world. Nearly 68% of paper produced in the U.S. is recovered for recycling. In addition, the demand for responsibly grown wood fiber to make print and paper products provides a long-term financial incentive for private landowners to manage their land sustainably instead of selling it for development—the primary cause of deforestation in the U.S. And the print, paper, and mailing supply chain supports millions of U.S. jobs."

Started in Europe in 2008, Two Sides is now active in more than 12 countries. The organization has more than 1,000 members that span the entire print and paper supply chain, including pulp and paper producers, paper distributors, ink and chemical manufacturers, printers, equipment manufacturers, and publishers. More information is available online.

Back To Top

---

 

UPM, Helsinki, Finland, and Element Power have established a wind power development joint venture company to develop wind power production possibilities on a number of sites throughout Finland on land leased from UPM. The goal of the joint venture is to develop the best suitable land areas owned by UPM to be ready for wind power production. UPM owns approximately 850,000 hectares of land in Finland.

"UPM is looking to develop a number of areas that could be suitable for wind power production on our land, and we have now found the right development partner. Element Power will bring world class wind development expertise to the joint venture," says Matti Oksanen, director, UPM Energy, New Energy Ventures.

"After establishing a Finnish team in 2012, with ambitions to develop wind farms in Finland, we are very excited to be working with UPM to develop sites on UPM's land. This represents Element Power's most significant investment to date in Finland and we will be expanding our Finnish team to help support this joint venture, while accessing our teams and expertise throughout Europe and elsewhere to help develop the sites," said Mike O'Neill, president and COO, Element Power.

The goal of the Finnish climate and energy strategy is to use wind power to produce around 6% of the total electricity consumed by 2020. The production target is 6 TWh, which would require a total capacity of around 2,500 MW. This is the equivalent of approximately 900 turbines. At the end of 2012, almost 300 MW of wind power capacity had been installed in Finland.

Back To Top

---

 

The Ban Pong mill of Siam Kraft Industry Co. in SCG Paper in Ratchaburi, Thailand, has ordered from Metso, Finland, an OptiConcept M containerboard production line with an extended scope of supply implementation. Startup of the machine is scheduled for 2014. The value of the order was not disclosed.

The OptiConcept M production line represents a new way to design, build, and operate a paper machine, according to Metso. It is designed for high productivity at low operating cost. The industrial design and engineering of the OptiConcept M facilitates assembly, and usability and safety of the line are at a new level, Metso notes..

Metso's delivery will include a complete OptiConcept M board making line from headbox to reel, with an approach flow system, steam and condensate systems, surface size preparation and supply systems, a winder, and machine clothing. The automation solution includes MD/CD and machine controls, profilers for the headbox, and condition monitoring sensors for the critical machine sections.

In addition, Metso's extended scope of supply will include complete mill engineering, and mechanical installation and supervision services related to commissioning, testing, and startup of the machine.

The 7.25-m-wide (wire) PM 16 will utilize a new sizing method providing better strength properties. The production capacity of PM 16 is approximately 300,000 metric tpy of recycled fluting in the basis weight range of 90-150 gsm. The design speed is 1,300 m/min.

Siam Kraft Industry Co in SCG Paper produces and markets industrial and packaging paper in Thailand and internationally. It offers corrugating medium, linerboard, coreboard, industrial sack kraft, bag papers, plaster linerboard, and duplex board, as well as converted and finished products. The company was founded in 1984 and is based in Bangkok, Thailand. Siam Kraft Industry Co. operates as a subsidiary of SCG Paper.

Back To Top

---

 

Smurfit Kappa, Ireland, reports that it has installed a new seven-color high board line printer die cutter for its Lunata plant in Italy. Supplying major national brands, pan–European customers, and a wide range of customers worldwide, the Smurfit Kappa plant in Lunata aims to leverage its skills in print into the wider corrugated market, providing higher quality prints at a greater volume.

With this new investment, Smurfit Kappa says that it will increasingly support its customers in achieving their business objectives. Businesses will be given the opportunity to differentiate their products from competitors in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Products will be given a level of visibility never achieved in this sector, and customers will sell more with attractive and eye-catching packaging, the company notes.

The print characteristics of the new machine are top of the range with the possibility of up to seven colors and up to 60 lines per centimeter, the company says, adding that "this is the best machine of its kind currently available in Italy, and is one of a small number available in Europe."

Back To Top

---

 

Walki Group, Espoo, Finland, says that it will expand its production network in Europe by opening a new state of the art manufacturing plant in Wroclaw, Poland. The new plant, to begin production during the third quarter of 2013, will be Walki's third production site in Poland.

The investment involves close to EUR 10 million. In the startup phase, the plant will employ about 50 people.

"With this investment, Walki is showing a strong commitment to its fast growing customer base in Central and Eastern Europe by providing more efficient and sustainable supply chain solutions and better customer service capabilities. Being close to our customers has always been paramount to Walki, and with this greenfield facility we will now be able to offer shorter lead times and on a longer term and wider product offering," said Leif Frilund, president and CEO.

"By setting up this world class manufacturing unit, we are creating a platform to expand our operations as we continue to grow. Further, we will have more opportunities to optimize our European production activities and to get access to new raw-material sources," said Timo Finnström, EVP–Operations.

The site is strategically located in Wroclaw in the southwest of Poland, with excellent highway access and proximity to major markets.

Back To Top

---

 

The nation's first pilot scale cellulose nanofibril (CNF) pilot plant is open for business. In 2011, the University of Maine, located in Orono, Maine, USA, was the recipient of a 1.5 million dollar grant from the U.S. Forest Service to upgrade its cellulose microfibril pilot plant into the nation's first cellulose nanofibril pilot plant. This will be the only facility capable of producing CNF at this scale in the country. Researchers and industrial companies interested in evaluating CNF will have a convenient source from which to purchase the material.

"I have seen the future and it is now. The University of Maine has made a giant step forward to enhance the future of our industry," TAPPI President and CEO Larry Montague said. "The ramifications of this plant are enormous. Through this effort and others in the U.S., our industry is positioning itself to take many steps forward to bring higher value marketable products from our timberlands to the public. I salute the university and the State of Maine for stepping up to the plate with this project."

Researchers updated more than 300 forestry and paper industry officials, stakeholders, and politicians on what the university's research could mean for the future. The event was held in conjunction with the Maine Pulp and Paper Foundations 63rd annual Maine PAPER DAYS.

Montague delivered the keynote address and was joined by TAPPI's Nanotechnology Division Chairman Sean Ireland, Maine Senator Angus King, and many other paper company CEO's, mill managers, engineering students, supplier representatives, and more.

Back To Top

---

 

U.S. scientists this week announced a new, groundbreaking method for producing nanocellulose that could be used to create ultra-thin displays, lightweight body armor, and a wide range of other products. According to a report by The Verge, New York, N.Y., USA, the key ingredient is algae.

As the report explains, Dr. R. Malcolm Brown, a biology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, presented his team's findings at an American Chemical Society conference in New Orleans this past Sunday, heralding their progress as a major step toward "one of the most important discoveries in plant biology." At the core of Brown's research is a family of bacteria that produce vinegar, Kombucha tea, and nata de coco. These bacteria secrete nanocellulose in a culture medium, though extracting the material at a large scale would require high volumes of sugars, nutrients, and fermentation tanks. Today, most non-bacterial nanocellulose is produced from compressed and homogenized wood pulp — a relatively inexpensive, but resource-heavy process.

Brown's method, The Verge report explains, is much more efficient and environmentally friendly, requiring only sunlight, water, and algae. By genetically engineering vinegar bacterium into blue-green algae, Brown's lab has effectively created organic factories capable of making nanocellulose on a potentially industrial scale. These genetically-altered algae, known as cyanobacteria, are entirely self-sustaining. They produce their own food from sunlight and water, and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, offering a natural way to reduce the world's most pernicious greenhouse gas.

Brown says bacterial nanocellulose also can be used to create ballistic glass, aerospace materials, or even wound dressings, due to the fact that it retains its stiffness and strength even when submerged in liquid. But perhaps its most obvious application would be in the paper and display industry. At a press briefing Sunday, Brown said he and his team have begun adding electrochromic dye to the cellulose to create an electronic display. "I see this as a major development," he said, noting that its thin and flexible qualities make it ideal for electronic wallpaper, as well.

Brown's lab is still "five to ten years" away from adapting the process to a large scale, though he says the science behind it is sound. All they need now, the professor explains, is broader awareness and momentum.

Last year, the US Forest Service opened the country's first nanocellulose production facility in Wisconsin. After devoting 40 years to nanocellulose research, Brown hopes that his latest developments will encourage similar investments, The Verge notes.

Back To Top

---

 

North America's fourth largest producer of towel and tissue paper, Cascades Tissue Group, Candiac, Que., Canada, this week announced an extension of its Cascades Moka line with the launch of the first-ever, unbleached, 100% recycled, environmentally preferable facial tissue. This new beige-colored facial tissue follows the award-winning, January 2012 launch of the Cascades Moka bathroom tissue.

As with its bathroom tissue predecessor, the new Cascades Moka facial tissue is made of a pulp mix composed of 100% recycled fiber, 80% of which is post-consumer material, and 20% recovered corrugated boxes. Its production is also offset with 100% Green-e® certified renewable wind electricity and releases a minimum of 30% less greenhouse gas than what is used in traditional white recycled tissues. Cascades Moka also holds certification with EcoLogo, Green Seal, and the Chlorine Free Products Association.

A detailed life cycle analysis of the pulp mix of the Cascades Moka undertaken by the company revealed a 25% reduction in overall environmental impact when compared with the pulp mix used in its traditional Cascades' 100% recycled fiber facial tissue.

"Based on the success of the Cascades Moka bathroom tissue, we believe people will adopt this product unique to Cascades, if color is the only thing they're giving up," said Suzanne Blanchet, Cascades Tissue Group president and CEO.

Cascades notes that nearly 40,000 tons of facial tissue are used annually in Canada, of which 53% is made from virgin fiber sources. The company estimates that if a complete swap was made to its 100% recycled facial tissue, it would save more than 350 000 trees annually.

Back To Top

---

 

Goldenrod Corp., Beacon Falls, Conn., USA, has introduced a new, innovative way to safely and easily handle 6-in. winding shafts—removable lifting handles. The handles eliminate the awkward handling (hugging) and bending needed when handling any standard 6-in. shaft. They engage and disengage quickly and easily from the fail-safe receptors that are embedded directly into the body of the shaft, allowing for faster and safer changeovers. The new handles are designed to be used exclusively with Goldenrod's 6-in. ultra-lightweight multi-bladder shaft.

We're always looking for ways to help make our shafts both easier to use and more efficient for our customers," said Stephen Pretto, VP of Operations at Goldenrod. "These new removable handles are a simple, yet dramatic improvement to our product that will both reduce the risk of injury for operators and will help to decrease downtime when changing out shafts."

Since 1986, Goldenrod has been designing and manufacturing differential winding shafts, multiple bladder air shafts, lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber shafts, reel spools, chucks, and safety chucks for the paper, plastics, film, and foil converting industries.

More information is available online.

Back To Top

---

 

Lessebo Bruk AB, Sweden, reports that it will raise prices of its paper and board products by a premium of 7%. The increase on all orders and deliveries becomes effective May 1.

The company notes that the European paper industry is facing price increases of paper and board products in various markets. "We, as a producer, justify these price adjustments with insufficient earnings due to increasing costs of raw materials and chemicals, as well as increased transport costs."

The Lessebo mill was acquired by VIDA in 2006, which changed its name to VIDA Paper AB. Then earlier this year, a consortium of Norwegian and local Swedish owners acquired VIDA Paper AB and changed its name to Lessebo Bruk AB.

Back To Top

---

 

PaperlinX, Australia, has elected Robert Kaye chairman of the company. Kaye was appointed to the board of PaperlinX in September 2012 as a non-executive director. He is a Senior Counsel in NSW who has given legal and strategic advice and acted for many public and private financial institutions and commercial enterprises.

The company's former Chairman Michael Barker will remain as a non-executive director of PaperlinX. He is currently chair of the company's Audit Committee and in addition will assume the role of chair of the Remuneration and HR Committee.

Andrew Price also continues in his role as executive director.

Back To Top

---

 

PaperWorks Industries Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., USA, has appointed J. Joseph Moynihan EVP, Packaging Group. Moynihan will report directly to the President and CEO Mark Staton. He will be responsible for all PaperWorks Industries packaging operations currently including Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, and will headquarter the Packaging Group in the company's Philadelphia corporate offices.

Most recently and since 2006, Moynihan was CEO for the North American packaging operations of the Clondalkin Group in Philadelphia, with $500 million revenue from 17 manufacturing facilities in North America and Puerto Rico, specializing in high value-added packaging products and services. Prior to this position, he was with Vulcan Materials Co. in Birmingham, Ala., for 10 years as VP of Business Development and also as VP and Controller. Before joining Vulcan, he was director of operations and business development for Tenneco Packaging's international folding carton business.

Founded in 2008, PaperWorks Industries is an integrated, full-service paper and packaging provider. The company's Packaging Group has folding carton facilities in the U.S. and Canada. Its Paperboard Group produces approximately 300,000 tons of 100% recycled paperboard per year for a variety of end uses, largely concentrated in consumer products. The company has nearly 1,600 employees across 17 North American locations, with annual sales in excess of $600 million.

Back To Top

---

 

UPM-Kymmene Corp., Finland, has re-elected Björn Wahlroos to chair its board of directors and also re-elected Berndt Brunow deputy chairman of the board. The company's board also elected members to the board of directors' committees.

Karl Grotenfelt was elected chairman of the Audit Committee and Piia-Noora Kauppi, Wendy E. Lane, and Kim Wahl were elected as other committee members. Berndt Brunow was elected chairman of the Human Resources Committee and Ursula Ranin and Veli-Matti Reinikkala were elected as other committee members. Wahlroos was elected chairman of the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee and Matti Alahuhta and Karl Grotenfelt were elected as other committee members.

UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 22,000 people and has production plants in 17 countries.

Back To Top

---

 

Congratulations to Kenneth Kildahl from the University of Minnesota and Aislinn Brackman from the State University of New York – ESF. They are winners of the 2013 Outstanding Student Chapter Member Award. This is perhaps the most prestigious award TAPPI offers to a student chapter member.

Ulrike Tschirner, Faculty Advisor at the University of Minnesota notes that "due to Kenneth's influence, our Student Chapter is the most active we have had in years. He has recruited a large number of new members and initiated several activities such as fundraising through selling coffee mugs or handmade paper, and three large (and successful) grant applications. The grants were a group effort, but he clearly took the lead. Through these efforts we were able to send 12 members to the TAPPI PIMA Student Summit this year.

Aislinn Brackman worked as a senior marketing coordinator at King & King Architects in Syracuse while taking classes part time at Onondaga Community College. A co-worker suggested to her the papermaking program at SUNY-ESF. As she learned more about the program she was excited about the possibility of going into such a specialized field with excellent scholarships and almost guaranteed job placement after graduation. Aislinn is involved in many organizations on campus. She is the outgoing president of the Undergraduate Student Association and treasurer of Papyrus Club, a member of the Empire Forester, ESF's yearbook, and AXS, ESF's honor society. Her scholarly activities allowed her to interact with many members of the campus' administration and faculty and serve as a representative of the PBE program. She also helped make the paper and bioprocess engineering program more visible to the student campus community, many of who have had no idea that Walters Hall even existed.

We are pleased to recognize these two deserving students.

Back To Top

---

 

Don't Miss PaperCon!

 In just a few short weeks, the industry will gather for a record-breaking event: PaperCon 2013, April 27-May 1 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown, Atlanta, Ga., USA. More than 1,500 CEOs, mill managers, superintendents, scientists, process engineers, and suppliers are expected and pre-conference registration indicates this will be the largest PaperCon ever.

You still have time to register online. In addition, you can see who is attending.

Don't miss the industry's most important event for 2013. With the multi-track program and co-located events, PaperCon lets you customize your learning and networking experience to best fit your professional needs. Bring back ideas and innovation that will help you be more effective and efficient.

Learn more about the multifaceted PaperCon Program:

• Papermakers program
• Coating Program
• PIMA Management Program
• The Tissue360° Tissue Forum
• The OpEx Reliability Workshop
• The Young Professionals Program

See you in Atlanta!

Back To Top

---

 

Wayne Worden Killion, past president of the National Insulation Association, passed away on March 31, 2013. He was 87 years of age. Born on August 28, 1925, in Irwin, Iowa, Killion served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Line Officer on the USS Ozark. In 1964, he became VP of Finance for Shook & Fletcher Supply Co., which he purchased three years later with five partners. He served in multiple positions on the Shook & Fletcher Supply Co. Board of Directors, eventually becoming chairman of the board before his retirement in 2002. He played a crucial role in transforming Shook & Fletcher Supply Co. (now Shook & Fletcher Insulation Co.) into one of the largest industrial insulation companies in the Southeastern U.S.

Killion also served as president of both the Southeastern Insulation Contractors Association as well as the National Insulation Association, and received the NIA President's Award in 2004--the organization's highest honor. A very active advocate for the insulation industry, he served as a delegate in the World Insulation Acoustical Congress Organization, and also as a treasurer for the International Insulation Contractors Organization. In recognition of his many accomplishments and dedication to his industry, he was inducted into the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame in 2011.

Killion also enjoyed a very active civic and political life. One of his proudest accomplishments was creating the Christine Cooper Killion Scholarship Fund at Birmingham Southern College and the Christine and Wayne Killion Student Progress Scholarship at the University of Montevallo.

Wayne is survived by Christine Howard Killion, his loving wife of 67 years; his two sons, Wayne Worden Killion Jr. and Christopher Howard Killion; his five grandchildren--Wayne W. Killion III, Charles David Killion, Cooper Reever Killion, Judson Shores Killion, and Graham Shores Killion--and his sister Marjorie Lowery.

Services were held April 4 at Canterbury United Methodist Church. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Birmingham Area Command of the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 11005 Birmingham, AL 35202.  Back To Top

---

 

The TAPPI Centennial Celebration will be a multi-year long series of outreach events and educational offerings showcasing the proud history and promising future of the global pulp, paper, packaging, and related industries. This once-in-a-lifetime event will expand public awareness, foster further connection, and provide outstanding opportunities for collaboration, growth, and investment in our future for all of those involved. Goals for the TAPPI Centennial Celebration are:

• To honor TAPPI's 100 years of connection, education, and advancement as a foundation for the sustainable success of our members, our industries, and the world we share
• To recognize the achievements of those who built our industry and to inspire those who seek to build its future
• To celebrate the contributions and innovations of the global pulp, paper, and packaging industries to human culture, commerce, health, and social advancement
• To sustain the industry and support its growth, vitality, and future through the TAPPI Foundation.

We invite you to be a part of this momentous event. The sooner you join us the more opportunities there are for recognition of your company, its products, and key innovations. Keep in mind that an early commitment allows you to spread your investment over multiple years' budgets.

For more information on sponsorship and volunteer opportunities please contact dbell@tappi.org.

The sponsorship prospectus can be downloaded online. Back To Top

---

 

Member Mike Haas is a strong proponent of education and considers his long association with TAPPI to be a key ingredient in a successful career. He says that TAPPI has always served as a "fantastic learning resource" that has consistently offered him opportunities to hone leadership skills.

But it is not just the opportunity to engage in scientific and scholarly pursuits through TAPPI that Mike says brings great personal and professional rewards. It is the chance to mentor and serve as an advocate for future leaders in the industry, and it is for this reason that he urges fellow professionals to support the pulp and paper schools in their areas. "Get involved, serve as a mentor, create excitement about careers in our industry," he says.

Mike knows personally of what he speaks. As a young student at Miami University, he says he learned first-hand "how rewarding and fun TAPPI membership could be." It was the encouragement of TAPPI members like Fellow Dick Elliott that convinced him joining TAPPI was an important cog in the wheel of professional success. He presented his first TAPPI paper at a pulping conference in Toronto and there was no looking back.

Find out more 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 his or her 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!

Back To Top

---

 

For a very short time, TAPPI is offering a 10% discount on your registration to the IDCON Reliability and Maintenance Management course taking place in Raleigh, N.C., USA, on April 22-26. This is a rare opportunity to take this exceptional course for less and to make your operations more productive and efficient. But, act on this offer now to save more than $250 with only a few seats remaining.

For this course, IDCON has taken its FOUR key seminars and combined them into ONE to give your frontline organization the kick-start needed to build and support good work processes.

Stop the wrench from getting into smoother operations. Register to secure your access to these premier training courses with IDCON.
Back To Top

---

 

Spring has arrived (hopefully) and the Miami University Student TAPPI will welcome the sun back to Oxford by heading to the Indian Ridge Golf Club for our annual Golf Outing!

This event is the primary fundraiser for the Miami TAPPI chapter and the funds raised help to provide students the opportunity to attend various industry conferences and hold on-campus meetings throughout the year.

Over the past year, Miami's Student TAPPI has done some exciting things. We took a record number of students to North Carolina for the Student Summit and had a great time! Closer to home, we started a student run mentoring program for underclassmen. Upperclassmen are available to answer any questions, from what an internship is like to what classes to take. The future holds opportunities for more students to get involved with the opening of new positions on the executive board.

The annual golf outing is an opportunity for industry professionals and students to meet and interact in a relaxed atmosphere while helping to raise money for the student chapter. Last year's outing was very successful and we are hoping to have even better success this year.

If for whatever reason you are unable to attend but would still like to support Student TAPPI, donations would be greatly appreciated.

If you have sponsored TAPPI in previous years, we thank you greatly. If not, we hope to gain your sponsorship for this event! .

We hope to hear from you soon and see you on the green! Please see the golf outing flyer for details.

For more information please contact Sophia Singer, (513)-604-9006
Back To Top

---

 

Fact: the current economy has affected many schools' endowment funds, resulting in decreased support of student scholarships.

But here's the good news: TAPPI has a scholarship to offer. You have a chance to apply for some green (funds to pay tuition, etc.) to fund a satisfying green career. The Cullison scholarship is available for graduate and undergraduate students with an interest in the pulp, paper, converting, and packaging industries.

William L. Cullison Memorial Scholarship.

What this message means to you:

• If you're a student, here is a great way to apply for financial assistance for the 2013-2014 school year.
• The deadline for the Cullison scholarship is May 1, 2013. Mark your calendar now to allow yourself time to create an application that reflects the hard work you've been investing in your career.
• If you are affiliated with a college or university, share this with your students or other staffers who work with students. They will be glad you did!
• If you're in the industry, perhaps you know of students worthy of scholarship assistance with their education, please pass this information along.

Back To Top

---

 

The packaging industry continually seeks innovative solutions to make their products more sustainable and, at the same time, cost-effective. Further, the Consumer Packaged Goods companies seek to deliver enhanced consumer experience through improved package performance, which may be achieved through improved material properties. Cellulose nanofibers, cast as composite films, provide excellent barrier to oxygen and water vapor.

At TAPPI's upcoming International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials this June, researchers from around the world will share their latest findings on the use of cellulose-derived nanomaterials to improve functional properties, targeted for packaging applications. Dr. Tamal Ghosh of PepsiCo's Corporate Research (Beverage Packaging), USA, will host a packaging-focused session on Wednesday, June 26.

The Packaging Session showcases three presentations focused on food and beverage packaging applications. A team of researchers from Switzerland will present their work on composite films with layered silicates and nanofibrillated cellulose. Their results will show a 30-fold lower water vapor permeability and 5-fold higher E-modulus compared with commercial base paper. Researchers from Hungary will discuss their work on improved barrier properties of a poly lactic acid (PLA) bottle coated with an invisible layer of cellulose nanocrystalline-chitosan material. An international team of researchers will discuss the promise of fungal chitin as a nanomaterial for the future.

The 8th Annual International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials is scheduled for  June 24 -27, 2013, in Stockholm, Sweden, at KTH Royal Institute of Stockholm. New reports will present some exciting advances for both within the pulp and paper industry and beyond. The technical program features cellulose nanomaterials in a variety of applications, including:

• Unique and Thin-Film Composites
• Filler and Coating Applications for Different Paper Grades
• Improved Barrier Properties for Packaging Applications
• Cellulose Nanomaterials as Films and Carriers in Medical Applications
• Nanopaper and Iridescent Colored Cellulose Films.

With more than 80 technical presentations, five keynote presentations, and 50 poster presentations, this year's conference is packed with the latest applications of renewable nanomaterials. Watch for additional updates from TAPPI on how nanotechnology, and cellulose nanomaterials, in particular, can be a transformative technology for the pulp and paper industry.

The 8th Annual International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials is hosted by TAPPI's International Nanotechnology Division, which strives to collectively advance the responsible and sustainable production and use of renewable nanomaterials.

More information is available online.

Back To Top

---

 

Do you have a history book gathering dust on your shelf? TAPPI's 100th year is coming soon and we are looking for donations to the TAPPI Library. Specifically, we are interested in histories of companies and mills in the paper and packaging industry (both producers and suppliers). Each donated book will have a bookplate in the front cover recognizing the donor. For more information please contact David Bell.

Please send books to:
c\o David Bell
TAPPI
15 Technology Parkway, South
Suite 115
Peachtree Corners, Georgia 30092

Back To Top

---

 

Nominations for the major TAPPI 2014 awards are due by August 1, 2013. 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 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, 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 that 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 them by mail to TAPPI, Awards Department, 15 Technology Parkway South, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092, USA.
Back To Top

---

 

Registration is now open for the 2013 TAPPI Corrugated Press Hands-On Maintenance Workshop, May 7-8, 2013 at the Global Equipment USA Warehouse in Skokie, Ill., USA.

This unique course gives you an unprecedented opportunity to get hands-on training on how to audit converting machines. With only 18 seats available, you will have ample opportunity to get your questions answered by instructors Tom Pearce, Pearce Corrugated Consulting; John Bingham, Pamarco; Jim Wegemer, INX; Chuck Bobeldyk, Mark Maker; Randy Kesselring, MarquipWardUnited; as well as representatives from Global Equipment. The schedule for this course is packed into just two efficiently planned days so that participants get loads of skill and experience without much time away from their own operations.

Who should attend?
This intermediate-level course offers indispensable hands-on maintenance training for corrugated industry plant managers and supervisors, engineers, maintenance teams, and machine operators.

You could pour over all of the how-to manuals available and still not reatain this level and quality of working knowledge. Completing this workshop will enable you to:

• Use the basic tools to mechanically audit and troubleshoot a press
• Understand press audit procedures for process centering, better quality products, and increased productivity
• Discuss anilox roll selection, press "fingerprinting," inks and substrates, quality defects and cause(s), and scoring.
  

Register by April 8 and join TAPPI or renew your membership to receive the best rates.
Back To Top

---

 

The launch of this successful conference series, produced by the Recycling Today and Smithers Pira, in co-operation with China TAPI, into Asia provides a unique opportunity for companies in North America, Europe, and the rest of the world to meet buyers in the Asian market.

The full program for Paper Recycling Conference Asia launching on May 30-31, 2013, has been announced. Highlights include the opening keynote address - The role of recyclables in China's Economic Resurgence, presented by Professor Wang, Ministry of Environmental Protection, China; An Overview of Macro-Economic Trends Impacting Asia's Recovered Paper Industry from Sally Sun, Deloitte China, and an exclusive One-on-One Interview with Ross Li, Lee & Man.

Save 20% on a ticket to attend by using the code CD20TAP!

Attendees will hear from other key speakers on the agenda, including; Randy Kim, Ekman Recycling; Henri Vermeulen, Smurfit Kappa Group; Niu Qingmin, Jiangsu Paper Association; Yoshimitsu Tanaka, Kaneko, and more, on recovered paper supply, infrastructure, and quality issues and challenges.

"We're excited about launching a Paper Recycling Conference in Asia, particularly as Asian demand continues to represent the major growth area for recovered paper. Since this inaugural event replicates the design of our existing events' list to attract merchants, brokers, suppliers of recovered fiber, and mills from around the globe, it's sure to represent a unique and powerful opportunity for the world's suppliers and consumers of recovered paper to meet," Jim Keefe, EVP and group publisher, Recycling Today, said.

More information about the inaugural Paper Recycling Conference is available online.



Back To Top

---

 

The existence of cellulose nanocrystals and cellulose nanofibrils has been known for several decades, yet recent advances in science, particularly in the field of nanotechnology, have revealed that these materials contain unique physical properties, particularly high strength properties. Researchers have been studying how these materials can improve paper properties and will present their latest finding this June 24-27, 2013, in Stockholm, Sweden, at TAPPI's 8th Annual International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials at the KTH Royal Institute of Stockholm.

The program for this year's event has been released, and one session will focus on using cellulose nanofibers for improving retention and increasing strength in paper. Researchers from Aalto University in Finland will report on improved flocculation of both precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and kaolin with the addition of certain cellulose nanomaterials. Researchers from Papiertechnische Stiftung (PTS) in Heidenau, Germany, will report on the importance of adding fillers, celluloses, and compounding agents in the right order to achieve the best results. Researchers from VTT in Finland will report on ways to increase the strength of paper by using filler particles coated with nanoscale calcium silicate hydrate (CS) structures. 

New reports at the conference will present some exciting advances for both within the pulp and paper industry and beyond. The technical program features cellulose nanomaterials in a variety of applications, including:

• Unique and Thin-Film Composites
• Filler and Coating Applications for Different Paper Grades
• Improved Barrier Properties for Packaging Applications
• Cellulose Nanomaterials as Films and Carriers in Medical Applications
• Nanopaper and Iridescent Colored Cellulose Films.

With more than 80 technical presentations, five keynote presentations, and 50 poster presentations, this year's conference is packed with the latest applications of renewable nanomaterials.

Watch for additional updates from TAPPI on how nanotechnology, and cellulose nanomaterials in particular, can be a transformative technology for the pulp and paper industry.

The 8th Annual International Conference on Nanotechnolgy for Renewable Materials is hosted by TAPPI's International Nanotechnology Division, which strives to collectively advance the responsible and sustainable production and use of renewable nanomaterials. More information is available online. 
Back To Top

---

 

PaperCon, April 27 - May 1 in Atlanta,Ga., USA, will include two focused, peer-reviewed sessions within the PIMA Management Program that examine recent developments and usage techniques in Information Technology (IT).

Session M6: "Traditional DCS and IT Converge: How to Position Yourself to Take Full Advantage of the Opportunities," chaired by Paul Stecher, SVP and CIO, RockTenn, is geared to DCS control engineers, superintendents, and IT support, and will focus on high speed network and traffic isolation approaches, security considerations, and the latest data integration techniques.

Session M8: "Using Industry Proven Software Tools to Drive Mill Efficiencies", chaired by Jim Pigott, MAJIQ, will include three presentations: "Integrating Forecasting to Costing in Dollars and Sense" presented by David Pawelke, MAJIQ; "Thoughts on Paper: Connecting the Supply Chain" presented by Jim Black, OSI Soft; and "Vertically Integrated Real-time Costing for Pulp and Paper Mills," presented by Fredric Karlsson, Enterprise Performance Solutions.

Learn more about these sessions and the PIMA Mangement Program at PaperCon.

Learn more about PaperCon 2013.
Back To Top

---

 

The Introduction to Traditional and Emerging Printing Technology Course will be co-located at the 2013 PaperCon Conference, April 27-29, 2013, in Atlanta, Ga., USA.

This is an introductory course on printing methods and applications, designed for those who need to understand print quality, attend print trials, trouble shoot print problems or are generally new to printing operations. It will be taught by printing experts from TAPPI's Coating and Graphic Arts Division and is an excellent complement to the Coating Program at PaperCon.

As an added bonus, the course will include a tour of Hewlett-Packard's new state-of-the art facility where production laser and inkjet presses will be demonstrated.

Course attendees may also join the Coating and Graphic Arts Opening Session where printing visionary Frank Romano is giving the keynote address. Learn more and register online.

Back To Top

---

 

Instructors for the TAPPI Introduction to Wet End Chemistry know that cost savings and quality are ultimately the balanced blend of objectives for your organization. They are focusing their three-day curriculum, June 11-13, 2013, on innovative wet end chemistry principles and foundations to help you reach higher yield, improve confidence in the use of papermaking chemicals, and to better troubleshoot.

View the Workshop Schedule to see the 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 vice presidents, process and quality control technicians, and suppliers involved with the wet end processes.

This course takes place outside of Atlanta, Ga., USA, at TAPPI headquarters and it will sell out at 25 participants. Register now to save and secure your seat.
Back To Top

---

 

The Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has launched a custom career center that serves not only member companies but all companies in the pulp, paper, and allied industries. Members and nonmembers are able to post resumes and search for potential employees. PPMA members will receive a significant discount on all career center activities.

"As an association that serves the human resources side of the industry, we felt it would only be natural to provide industry professionals with a functional and helpful resource to search for qualified potential employees," said Dick Kendall, executive director of PPMA.

The career center was launched in early 2013 and is available on the PPMA website. Visit now and start using one of the newest PPMA benefits today.

PPMA is a nonprofit association comprised of executives, managers, and human resource professionals from the pulp, paper, and allied industries. For its members, PPMA serves as a primary source of information on labor settlements, current human resource functions, governmental, and related operational issues.
Back To Top

---

 

With more than 80 technical presentations and 50 posters, the 2013 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials is packed with the latest applications of renewable nanomaterials.

The conference will take place June 24-27, 2013, at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. Register by April 29 for the best rates!

This year's conference features keynote presentations that focus on the steps needed to deploy emerging nanotechnologies into the bioeconomy. Hear from these recognized global leaders:

• "Small World, Large Impact: Driving a Materials Revolution through Nanotechnolgy" Arthur Carty, executive director and research professor in the Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, special adviser to the president on international science and technology collaboration
• "Towards High-Value Applications of Nanocellulose: A Player an Patent Landscape Approach" Katja Salmenkivi, Pöyry Management Consulting
• "Key Considerations for Successful Technology Transfer of Nanocellulose" Martha Marrapese, Keller and Heckman, USA
• "Life Cycle Considerations of Nanomaterials: Possibilities for Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Renewable Nanomaterials" David Lazarevic, Division of Environmental Strategies Research and the Divsion of Industrial Ecology, KTH
• "Nanosafety Research and Legislation in European Union: Future Activities" Tom van Teunenbroek, ministry of infrastructure and environment, The Netherlands

Sponsorship Opportunities are available.

Looking for Additional Nanotechnology Events?
Check out the TAPPI Flexible Packabing Symposium: New Technologies, preceding the ICE USA Exposition on April 8 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Sessions include Innovations in Nanocomposites, Innovations in Barrier, and Brand Launch, Shelf Appeal, and Authentication. Learn more.

Back To Top

---

 

The Bleaching of Pulp, Fifth Edition
By Alan W. Rudie and Peter Hart

Previous editions of The Bleaching of Pulp have provided comprehensive information on the technology used to bleach wood pulps. The 5th edition will continue this tradition as the premiere industry text on bleaching technologies but will be more focused on the modern industrial processes with less emphasis on fundamental science. New or more comprehensive sections are included on elemental chlorine free bleaching, enzymes, acid treatments for hexeneuronic acids, control of mineral scale, and multi-stage modeling as used to optimize bleaching among multiple stages.

Item Number: 0101R331 • List Price: $232 • Member Price: $155

Handbook for Pulp and Paper Technologists
(The Smook Book) Third Edition
By: Gary A. Smook

This best-selling text provides an introduction to the entire technology of pulp and paper manufacture. The book features 27 chapters covering all aspects of pulping and papermaking. Hundreds of illustrations, charts, and tables help the reader grasp the concepts being presented. The third edition features additional material on secondary fiber recovery and utilization, mechanical pulping, kraft pulping and bleaching, and papermaking. 2002. 425 pages, hard cover.

Item Number: 0202SMOOK • List Price : $75 • Member Price: $56

Troubleshooting the Papermaking Process
By: By Jerome M. Gess and Paul H. Wilson

This book takes the reader through the process of making paper, pointing out where interruptions can occur and where elements that are added to the system can cause problems in that part or subsequent parts of the papermaking process. The aim of this book is to give papermakers and those involved in the papermaking process the information required to allow them to understand how to track down and solve problems at their source rather than where the problems surface.

Item Number: 0101R298 •List Price: $161• Member Price: $106

Paper Machine Quality Control Systems - Vol. 1: Measurement Systems and Product Variability
By: Quality Control Systems Education Common Interest Group of the Process Control Division

This book describes in detail the measurement technology used in Quality Controls Systems (QCS). Individual chapters are devoted to the five most prevalent QCS measurements (basis weight, moisture, caliper, ash, and color) in the paper industry. Each of these chapters covers the physical principles involved in each measurement, sensor designs, various methods of implementation, and influence factors. A somewhat lighter coverage is given to 10 other QCS measurements that do not have such a broad installation base. Common issues that impact all sensors are explained, including how sensor performance is measured and reported, the impact of scanning process, filtering, scanner designs and construction, and sensor calibration and correlation. Statistical methods are covered in depth from discrete one-dimensional variability to multi-dimensional variability. Guidance is provided for using these statistical methods to locate the sources of variability in the paper process.

Item Number: 0101R328•List Price: $205• Member Price: $135

The Corrugated Containers Manufacturing Process
By: Jody A. Brittain, Stephen R. Perkins, and Philip G. Schnell

This comprehensive textbook describes the entire process of manufacturing corrugated containers. In addition to detailed explanations, the book also features practical troubleshooting tips, and a discussion of common problems and solutions within each major section. Seven detailed chapters cover the following topics:

• Paper and the Papermaking Process
• Steam
• Corrugating Adhesives
• Singleface Operations
• Doublebacker Process
• Combined Board
• Converting.

This textbook is designed to provide in-depth explanations and information for professionals working in all areas of the corrugated containers industry.

Item Number: 0101R281•List Price: $185•Member Price: $37

Back To Top

---

 

The Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has launched its first-ever Best Place to Work Award. The award is open to all companies in the forest products industry and will look not only at corporate life but also look at how employees feel about their work environments.

In conjunction with Majority Opinion Research Group, PPMA has started taking nominations for this award and will continue to accept nominations through July 1, 2013.

"This award is an exciting opportunity for PPMA to honor great companies. As an association that serves HR professionals, we know the value of the making your company a great place to work," said PPMA President Joe Thibaudeau, employee relations manager - Procter & Gamble - Green Bay, Wis., USA.

The award will be presented to the winner at the annual PPMA conference on October 23-25, 2013, in Milwaukee, Wis., USA. The winner will have the chance to speak with conference attendees about what makes his or her company the "Best Place to Work."

PPMA is a nonprofit association built around a community comprised of executives, managers, and human resource professionals from the pulp and paper industry. For its members, PPMA serves as a primary source of information on labor settlements and current human resource issues, governmenta,l and related operational issues.

To nominate your company for the Best Place to Work Award, use the online form.  Back To Top

---

 

The Pulp and Paper Safety Association (PPSA) will host its 70th Annual Safety and Health Conference - "The Human Element of Safety," June 9-12, 2013 in Williamsburg, Va., USA.

At the conference, presenters will address how human behavior will proactively help prevent, detect, and control events before they occur. Professionals from across the country know the importance of safety and attendees will hear from 18 speakers who will show the impact of addressing the human impact on safety. The conference will feature updates from OSHA, member company case studies, and PPSA's popular legal update.

Among the confirmed speakers are representatives from MeadWestvaco, Weyerhaeuser Co., Domtar, Safe Start, International Paper, REM Safety Consulting, Michael Best & Friedrich Law Firm, Training Logic, Change Management Consulting, and BushCo.

PPSA is a non-profit, non-political, international organization, devoted to the countinuous improvement of safety throughout all aspects of the paper industry. From forest products to paper mills, to converting plants, to recycle collections centers, our membership is grouped by category to ensure a fair and appropriate basis for comparison.

Registration is currently open for this event.  More information is available online. Back To Top

---

 

Are you ready to go further, faster in your safety career? The Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) class can take you there.

The COSS Class is Unique
Not only will you learn how to read and understand the OSHA 1910 and 1926 CFRs and help your company avoid OSHA citations that cost millions of dollars, but more importantly, by learning how to work safely on a job site, you can teach your company how to lower fatalities and near misses. Almost 47% of COSS graduates responding to our survey indicate that, since taking COSS, their company's injury rate and/or OSHA recordables have decreased by as much as 25% and others attest to as much as a 100% decrease!

Request a Course Outline & Syllabus for more information.

The class also addresses the psychology of safety, the true cost of an accident, hazard recognition, how to start up a health and safety program, behavior based safety, system safety, and much more!

What Will You Receive?
Upon successfully completing the class, you will obtain your national Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) designation, your OSHA 10-hr. card of completion in construction, and your OSHA 10-hr. card of completion in general industry.

National Program Recognitions
COSS is currently one of only 37 programs in the world recongnized and accredited by the American Petroleum Institute (API). In addition, the certifying body for construction education for colleges, universties and technical/trade schools, American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), has also recongnized our program. COSS is the only non-degree program to receive this national endorsement. Lastly, COSS has been established as a mandatory course for students in the Construction Management Program at Louisiana State University.

Program Content
The program consists of 40 hr. of hands on, face-to-face learning, which is delivered by an Authorized OSHA outreach trainer in both construction and general industry. Case studies and workshops are used extensively to bring learning objectives into focus. Guest speaker from areas such as OSHA and other governmental agencies are used to enhance the learning experience. Student presentations, daily quizzes, practical reviews, and a comprehensive final exam will allow you to demonstrate your competency.

Prerequisites
The only prerequisite for the COSS class is you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. In each class, we tend to have a mix of non-experienced, first time safety persons, as well as safety professionals who have been in the safety field for 20+ years. But, we have learned that regardless of the numbers of years of experience you have in safety, everyone leaves the COSS class with a wealth of knowledge!

Visit the COSS website for FAQs, testimonials and a list of clients that have taken COSS.

Register now.

If you would like more information on the COSS program, contact Beth Gordon at 877-610-2677
Back To Top

---