Weekly Spotlight
U.S. Manufacturing Sector Growing, with Inventories Contracting, Supplier Deliveries Slowing

Over the Wire

TAPPI

January 8, 2015
GapCon
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 11 are reporting growth in December including Paper Products and Wood Products.
 
Verso Completes NewPage Acquisition
With the completion of the NewPage acquisition, Verso will have approximately $3.5 billion in annual sales and approximately 5,800 employees in eight mills across six states. In addition, following the NewPage acquisition, Verso's board of directors increased its size from 9 to 10 directors and elected Robert M. Amen, formerly a director of NewPage, to serve as a director of Verso.
 
Catalyst Completes Acquisition of Biron, Rumford Mills
The cash payment made on closing was $62.4 million, after giving effect to an adjustment under the purchase agreement based on estimated working capital at closing, and the final purchase price is subject to certain additional post-closing adjustments.
 
Tissue360° Forum Planned for April in Atlanta
The peer-reviewed program will address practical and technical techniques to design better products and help tissue mills operate more efficiently. Production leaders, process engineers, and R&D professionals should attend.
 
Tissue 201 – Tissue Operations and Runnability Course
People with three-years of experience in tissue should attend this course. Make your plans now to be in Atlanta, Ga., USA, on April 22-24, 2015.
 
Tissue 101 – Process and Properties Course
This introductory course has been announced covering basic tissue manufacturing methods and chemistry. It will be offered Nov. 17-18, 2015, in Atlanta, Ga., USA.
 
Naylor Association Solutions
Market Roundup
Paper, Board Market in Central/Eastern Europe to Grow 2% Annually, 2013 - 2019
A new study shows that around 60% of all paper and board in this region is used in packaging applications and this proportion is expected to increase over the five year review period to 2019.
 
Marginal Production Increase Possible for German Paper Industry in 2015
On average, final production numbers are expected to pick up by about 1% in real terms in 2014, with papermaking, which currently generates nearly 46% of total sector revenues, set to perform somewhat better than paper processing.
 
Global Wood Chip Trade at Record Levels
This type of inter-continental trade flow can be seen between the U.S. and Canada, Russia and Finland, and the Baltic States with the Nordic countries. There are currently 145 of these specialty ships circling the globe with a majority of them either sailing towards or in route from ports in Japan or China.
 
Naylor, LLC
Pulp & Paper
Canfor Completes Purchase of Georgia Lumber Companies
"The Beadles and Balfour sawmills are strong performing assets located in an area with a high-quality and sustainable supply of fiber," said Canfor President and CEO Don Kayne.
 
Guangdong Named "Outstanding Paper Company"
Within China, Guangdong Province’s paper industry’s production and consumption volume is within the top three positions nationally.
 
Hawk Converting, Tembec Announce New Supplier Program
Addition of the Kallima inventory offers customers just-in-time-delivery. Kallima Coated Cover products are manufactured by Tembec at its facility located in Temiscaming, Que., Canada.
 
Horizon P&P Inaugurates New Lime Kiln, Wood Processing Line
The new lime kiln that became operational at the end of 2014 enables Horizon Pulp & Paper to recycle more than 90% of the lime used in its production. Besides contributing to a cleaner environment, this also reduces the use of natural resource lime.
 
Neucel Makes Improvements at Port Alice Mill
Because of its remote location, energy is one of the biggest expenses for this Canadian mill. Consequently, the company has undertaken several improvements to its operation to improve energy efficiency and availability.
 
Valmet to Build New P&P Services Center in Asia-Pacific
Center will serve Valmet's pulp, paper, and energy customers throughout the Asia-Pacific area. The company now operates Asia-Pacific service centers in Thailand, South Korea, and Australia.
 
Containerboard/Packaging
Blue Ridge Paper Awarded JMAC Grant to Become More Energy Efficient
Funding for the JMAC grant was included in a bill with bi-partisan support signed by Governor Pat McCrory this past September. As a result, not only will 939 jobs be retained at the North Carolina, USA, facility, but the plant will also be more energy efficient and operate cleaner.
 
OX Industries Orders Siemens AC Sectional Drives for Michigan Paperboard Mill
The Siemens USA drive upgrade will allow for increased efficiency, flexibility, consistency, and cost savings.
 
U.K-Based Boxes and Packaging Acquires Scott Packaging
Gavin Richardson, CEO of Boxes and Packaging said that "I am delighted to welcome the latest addition to the Boxes and Packaging Group and look forward to working with Scott Alexander and his team. We continue to look for the right opportunities to grow the Boxes and Packaging business and enhance our customer offering."
 
New Products
Recycled Kraft Paper Shopping Bags Gain Market Momentum
The group is one of a number of new companies, U.S. and abroad, that see sustainability, notably products being bio-degradable, as a bigger selling point and buying issue with environmentally conscious customers when it comes to choosing which type of shopping bag they will use.
 
High-Tech Fiberboard Made from Waste Fiber
At its most basic, ECOR, from Noble Environmental Technologies Corp., San Diego, Calif., USA, is a corrugated fiberboard panel that can be used for everything from interior home design and furnishings to furniture to construction to consumer products, and can integrate a wide range of colors and textures.
 
Voith’s SensoTension LC Ensures Reliable Operation, Precise Wire Tensioning
The sensors of the new system are suitable for use in the former, press, and dryer sections of paper, board, and tissue machines. SensoTension LC's special features include its dual-channel design and signal filtering and amplification integrated into the sensor.
 
Xerium Introduces New Generation Genesis Calender Roll Cover
New covers are specifically engineered to provide improved wear resistance and fracture toughness in demanding calender applications requiring the highest gloss.
 
Published Pricing
Nippon Paper Revises Printing, Communication Paper Prices
Nippon noted that the increase is necessary because, while rapid depreciation of the Japanese yen continues, the prices of raw materials and fuels are in an upward trend.
 
Sustainability
Södra Opens Sustainability Unit
A sustainability strategy has been prepared as part of Södra's 2020 Group Strategy to ensure that sustainability work will be systemized and communicated in a concise and clear manner.
 
Energy
N.A. Advanced Biofuel Industry Produced 800 Million-plus Gal. in 2014
North America's advanced biofuel industry reached a production capacity of more than 800 million gal. in 2014, up from the previous year and almost double the capacity in 2011. Oregon, Washington, and California are among U.S. states participating most in using the new fuels.
 
Portucel to Build Wood Pellet Plant in U.S. South
Construction of South Carolina plant will start early this year and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2016.
 
People
Catalyst Paper Appoints Two Industry Veterans to Key U.S. Positions
Greg Maule has been named SVP, U.S. Operations, and Linda McClinchy has been appointed VP, U.S. Supply Chain.
 
TAPPI News
Top Reasons to Attend TAPPI Intro to Pulp and Paper Course
TAPPI has offered this course for more than 40-years – for good reason. It is the most comprehensive introductory course in the industry offering an overview of the entire pulping and papermaking process. Don't miss your opportunity to attend in sunny St. Petersburg, Fla., USA.
 
Free PIMA Webinar: Better Mill Decisions Through Detailed Grade Cost Analysis
PIMA’s IT Committee is offering a free webinar on Detailed Grade Cost Analysis on January 15th 2015 at noon EST hosted by Matthew Smith, president and CEO of 3C Software.
 
In the Spotlight: Jeff Lindsay - Away to Shanghai
TAPPI member’s career delivers on a dream.
 
TAPPI Scholarships Support the Next Generation of Industry Leaders
Scholarship application requirements vary by division and a general information form must also be completed. The deadline to submit applications for academic year 2015-2016 Technical Division scholarships is Feb. 15, 2015.
 
Check out the TAPPI PRESS 2014 Fall Sale
This limited time offer of 50% off will be good through January 15, 2015.
 
TAPPI Press: Fundamentals of the Kraft Recovery Process
This book, available to TAPPI members for a $66 discount off list price, details the chemical engineering fundamentals of the kraft recovery process, including mass and energy balances, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, phase separations, heat and mass transport phenomena, and reaction kinetics.
 
All TAPPI Student Chapters Invited to Participate in Centennial Celebration Student Video Competition
Show TAPPI members what the industry means to you and your student chapter. Be sure to enter before the February 10 deadline.
 
New from TAPPI PRESS: Maintenance Painting of Steel Structures in Pulp and Paper Mills
This book focuses on keys to a good maintenance program with a concession to today’s busy mill engineers.
 
Empire State TAPPI NY Canadian PIMA Operational Excellence Conference
Six suppliers will present a 10 minute discussion on something new to the market or some problem they have solved at this January 29 event in Glens Falls, N.Y., USA. Registration is free to mill employees.
 
TAPPI Centennial Museum: Call for Entries
We are seeking artifacts, photos, books, and equipment that represents a stage in our industry’s history.
 
TAPPI Press: Get An Additional 10% off Paper Science and Technology Text
TAPPI is proud to partner with the Finnish Paper Engineers' Assoc. to promote this discount on a very informative subject matter in the industry.