Over the Wire

Month-over-month average daily production was 1.9% higher in 2014 than in 2013.

 

Indonesia is one of the major global markets for pulp and paper chemicals, the report points out, adding that rising demand for tissue and packaging paper coupled with new investments planned in the Indonesian pulp and paper industry are expected to drive the demand for chemicals over the next five years.

 

Total month-end inventories increased to 79,300 tons in December.

 

Bleached softwood share (%) of bleached kraft pulp consumption plunged to an all-time low.

 

Total solid bleached boxboard and liner production in December 2014 decreased compared with December 2013 and decreased compared with November 2014.

 

While news of a new port is not enough to decry a new upwards trend for pulp and paper markets in Brazil, the signs are encouraging.

 

The Andritz machine recently achieved an operating speed of 1,800 m/min. at the mill in China, setting a world speed record for a tissue machines with a steam-heated hood. A second tissue machine supplied by Andritz to C&S has successfully started up. The new machine has a steel yankee and a design speed of 1,900 m/min.

 

Gapcon currently has a service workshop at Kalyani in West Bengal. To expand, the company is planning to offer services to large size paper producers.

 

Van Houtum is an independent producer of hygienic paper products and washroom solutions for 80 years. This family-owned company operates one mill in Swalmen, located in the south of the Netherlands, where it can produce approximately 45,000 metric tpy of tissue from recovered paper on two machines.

 

Russ Drechsel, manager of the U.S. mill and president of Madison Paper Industries, notified members of Maine’s congressional delegation about the shutdown starting January 24 to "on or about" the week of February 9, in a letter dated Tuesday of this past week.

 

The acquired operations supply process automation and information management systems and related applications and services to the pulp, paper, energy, and other process industries. The purchased operations employ about 1,600 people.

 

The new JV, BlackHawk Corrugated, will be co-owned and operated by Atlantic and its JV partner StandFast Packaging of Addison, Ill. Atlantic’s investment in BlackHawk will exceed $40 million and create in excess of 100 new jobs in the region.

 

Brown corrugated boxes as they are typically seen in North America and across the world are a symbol for easily recycled or composted media, although they are sometimes known to lack the luster, shine, and strength of plastic and polymer based packaging. According to a new article published this past week, a German packaging designer won a major European award for producing luxury packaging in the Beauty & Cosmetics category.

 

The expected closing date for the acquisition between U.S. companies is the end of this month. This acquisition would include CaroCon Display and Packaging, a division of Carolina Container.

 

The award marks the completion in landfill-free efforts that began in August 2014. Since implementation, the Conyers, Ga., USA, facility has diverted all of its waste to the landfill by recycling and converting 60 tons of waste per month to energy.

 

A special dye embedded in the paper makes it printable and rewritable. The dye goes from dark to clear and back when chemical reactions move subatomic electrons around. The paper’s color-change chemical undergoes what are known as redox reactions. Redox is short for reduction and oxidation.

 

Introduction of the Fiber Engine FX Series takes the economics of nanofiber production to a new level. The benefits of nanofibers are now commercially viable for a greater variety of nonwovens media applications including air filtration, liquid filtration, apparel, acoustic insulation, energy, packaging, and other markets.

 

The company noted that the price increases are mainly due to a current crisis in Russia, caused by Western sanctions. The ever-weakening Russian ruble increases the cost of debt servicing and reduces lending opportunities, according to the company.

 

These biofuels are made from various renewable sources that include plant stalks, fast growing sugar cane, wood waste – including residue and sawdust, and wood chips that can grow back through what are now more internationally managed and sustained forests. The market for PLA, a form of plant-derived, biodegradable plastic that’s already being used in food packaging, is projected to grow from 360,000 metric tons in 2013, to more than 1.2 million metric tons by 2020.

 

The current order for 3,000 tons of bio-coal is valued at approximately $600,000. Vencor is scheduled to start production on this order for its client, Vega Biofuels Inc., Norcross, Ga., later this month.

 

Trina Huelsman will head the process and industrial products practice that serves more than 80% of the Fortune 1000 manufacturing companies across the chemicals, materials, and industrial sectors.

 

As an experienced experts in roll cutting technology, Andreas Koronai will from now on conduct audits at national and international customers of Jagenberg, thus providing the basis for further optimizations of processes.

 

Ginger Cushing joined Michelman in 2007, and is responsible for growing worldwide business for water-based coatings for food packaging. She is also active with TAPPI, serving as a division chair and was honored with the organization’s Division Leadership and Service Award.

 

Jon-Aksel Torgersen has been director of the board at Norske Skog since 2012, and has extensive management and board experience from Norwegian and international industry, shipping, and finance. He will take over as new chairman on April 16.

 

PaperCon to feature a sold out exhibit area, co-location with TAPPI’s Centennial Celebration. Don't miss this event April 19-22 in Atlanta, Ga., USA.

 

Event relocated to Savannah,Ga., USA, April 14-15; Program announced; Quad Graphics Exec to Keynote.

 

The deadline to submit applications for TAPPI Technical Division scholarships is February 15.

 

Move forward with TAPPI this upcoming summer, take advantage of some great networking opportunities, and learn/be presented with the most information available about this cutting edge industry.

 

Don't miss out on this hands-on, introductory course set for February 10 in Appleton, Wis., USA.

 

2015 is here, the iconic year featured in the Back to the Future film trilogy. One particular type of forestry / pulp related science bringing us toward more "future" technologies is nanocellulose from wood / plant sources and their potential applications in nanotechnology. Now is the time to honor those who are working on this cutting edge of pulp science technology. Nominations are due by March 31. Don't procrastinate!

 

Steve's career with Vanguard Packaging spanned more than three decades. Martin was currently COO of the company.

 

A winning combination of high quality print and paper stock along with brilliant colors makes this the perfect map to frame and hang in your office.

 

TAPPI member’s career delivers on a dream.

 

Show TAPPI members what the industry means to you and your student chapter. Be sure to enter before the February 10 deadline.

 

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.

 

We are seeking artifacts, photos, books, and equipment that represents a stage in our industry’s history.

 

TAPPI is proud to partner with the Finnish Paper Engineers' Assoc. to promote this discount on a very informative subject matter in the industry.