Over the Wire

Sales of the three-ply Quilted Northern Ultra Plush, which last year rolled out improvements to its "silkiness," jumped 30% in the U.S. in 2014 versus 2013, said Anna Umphress, a spokeswoman at Georgia-Pacific, which makes Quilted Northern and Angel Soft. Luxury toilet paper sales have grown more than 70% in the U.S. since 2000, and they're expected to keep growing faster throughout the next few years.

 

China’s dissolving pulp imports are down 2.2% y/y through the first two months of 2015, according to data released by the China Customs Bureau. The largest declines have come from Canada and South Africa.

 

A rise in Internet trade is boosting demand for coated paper in the industrial packaging segment, the report notes. It is currently expanding at an anticipated CAGR of 3.9% from 2014 to 2020. Advancements in paper recycling and coating techniques are likely to provide immense growth opportunities for the coated paper market in the next few years. Rising pulp prices are also an issue, however. Recycling-based coating techniques likely present opportunities...

 

Badger Paper Mills Inc., Peshtigo, Wis., USA reported this past week that it has started to feel the effect of yet another paper mill closure in the nearby state of Michigan. "BPM has seen a jump in the use of 100% PCW recycled content papers over the use of virgin and 30% PCW as businesses gravitate towards environmentally friendly practices," said BPM's VP of sales. "With the impact of a recent paper mill closure in upper Michigan, the demand will continue growing,"

 

The new Toscotec’s line installed includes an AHEAD-1.5S crescent former tissue machine with a single-layer headbox, single press configuration, and a steel yankee dryer (TT SYD-15FT), most machine auxiliaries, stock preparation plant for virgin pulp, and electrification and control system. The site already houses 17,000 metric tpy tissue PM 5, modernized with the installation of a Toscotec steel yankee dryer in early 2011.

 

Hayat Kimya has decided to rebuild its first tissue machine, TM 1, with Valmet’s Advantage DCT technology. This means that all production assets in the company’s machine fleet will be equipped with Valmet's technology. The rebuild will increase energy efficiency and improve product properties as well as performance, runnability, and work environment. "We are very satisfied with operations of our previous Valmet machines, so it was a natural decision to go with Valmet also this time."

 

A major investment in North Carolina will convert a mill to 100% fluff and softwood pulp production, adding an incremental 400,000 tons of capacity, with ongoing flexibility to shift between the two products. "This new capacity will support the growth of IP customers across the globe... Riegelwood is ideally located with access to fiber and proximity to shipping ports critical for supplying a global customer base," said IP's CEO. As a result of the conversion, the company will reduce its coated paperboard capacity by 350,000 tons and sell the brand. Learn about the agreement now arranged.

 

"We had a highly customized system that did not fit our current work environment. The configurable architecture that ABB provides will allow for all the tools and reporting needed for decision making and efficient action," said Jeff Rake, KPAQ COO. ABB’s Collaborative Production Management solutions integrate various manufacturing systems, providing real-time visibility, execution, tracking, reporting, and optimizing of manufacturing processes.

 

The new service center offers the latest technology and know-how to carry out high-quality maintenance and repair work on Metso and third-party devices such as valves, actuators, and pumps. At the moment, Metso has 10 valve service centers and authorized repair facilities throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico serving various industries including the pulp, paper, and allied industries.

 

Pope Resources, Poulsbo, Wash., USA, and its subsidiaries own or manage 193,000 acres of timberland and development property in Washington, Oregon, and California. "Having beautiful places like this both protected and accessible is a core goal for our organization." This conservation easement will cover more than 3,600 acres. The actions preclude development while opening up continual timberland operations.

 

Evergreen has become a market leader in the paperboard line used to make hot cups — and paper cups found at some of the nation’s leading coffee retailers across the country are now being made at the facility in Haywood County, N.C., USA. The mill was on the verge of shutting down two decades ago. Then things changed. Learn what happened...

 

"With these new products, Bellesbumprom enterprises will be able to reach new target markets and export more," noted the Bellesbumprom head. Promising markets include Latin America, Asia, and Arab countries, where active construction operations are in progress. Bellesbumprom enterprises can now make a larger selection of forest-based products for consumers to choose from, especially new coated paperboards, and also create more products for additional industrial and commercial applications.

 

The plant in Greven, Germany, brings the corrugating plants currently operated by Schumacher Packaging to a total of four - 2 in Germany and 2 in Poland. A special feature of the equipment is ability to produce fanfold corrugated. The corrugator also enables two-color, full-surface, or continuous printing on all grades of corrugated board. The machine was custom-built for Schumacher Packaging, and is also capable of producing laminated sheets. Learn more...

 

The center is equipped with the latest cutting edge technologies, including high definition screens and smart video conferencing facilities, while its 3D Store Visualizer allows customers to put products to the test before investing, "making it right before making it real." The open environment is one that facilitates collaboration, discussion, the exchange of ideas, and more you can learn about...

 

U.S. Senators Al Franken (D) and Amy Klobuchar (D) have joined with Sen. Rob Portman (R) to get the ITC to lead a ruling on the issue. They point to serious harm being done by foreign subsidized imports to the U.S. wood products industry, with eight paper mills suffering more than 2,500 layoffs since 2011. At those mills, 15 uncoated paper machines have been idled. Overall, the senators have now created and joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues representing a total of 12 of the 50 states now actively petitioning, with possibly more to join in the future.

 

The team’s discovery is the result of decade long research on the properties of high surface area nanocellulose materials, which eventually enabled the scientists to tailor the pore size distribution of their paper precisely in the range desirable for virus filtration. The new filter thus removes viral particles with the efficiency matching or exceeding that of the best industrial virus filters.

 

Designed for use with ball and butterfly valves, they offer a broad range of torques and standard features with a rugged body and gear train for maximum cycle life, the company notes.

 

This flexible packaging material is derived from wood pulp sourced from managed plantations and is certified to be more than 90% bio-based and home and industrial compostable. High barriers to oxygen and moisture ensure the tea bags contained within are protected and kept fresh. When laminated to paper, the final structure offers the protection and natural appearance that ECOTEAS was looking for.

 

With Miller Weldmaster's in-depth, up-to-date product information, customers will learn how to maximize their machines' performance value, drive more financial benefit, and increase production efficiency. They will also be informed of how to make other products for greater product versatility.

 

Sponseller has been a dedicated part of the Miller Weldmaster team for more than 15 years. During his tenure with Miller Weldmaster, he has been known for his strategic capabilities and passion that drives Miller Weldmaster brand throughout multiple industries worldwide. He has held a number of leadership roles throughout his career and will continue to bring a global view to this key role.

 

Macy began with Mohawk as VP, Corporate Treasurer in 2012. Prior to that, he was audit partner at KPMG LLP for 22 years, and earlier in his career was a member of IBM’s technical accounting group. Bob Smusz joined the company as sales and marketing manager, Retail Channel. With more than 30 years of sales and operations experience, Smusz has previously served as VP of operations with Xpedx/International Paper and regional VP with Federated Department Stores.

 

Mix has previously held leading positions within Munksjö, Technocell, and PWA in both Europe and North America. He holds a Master’s of Science in Finance and Forestry Economics, and is a German citizen. Christian Mandl, Business Area Manager Manufacturing Decor and member of the Management Team, will retire as planned on July 1.

 

In today’s competitive environment, pulp mills are continuously searching for cost effective solutions to improve profitability. TAPPI members and affiliates within our PEERS network offer great opportunities for serious innovation work in pulp, paper, paper packaging/board, tissue, new energy and efficiency options, and more... Check out some upcoming highlights of this year's conference.

 

This member says engaging with TAPPI scores "professional points."

 

P&P producers and corrugators from different companies will come together to benefit from interactive learning about the corrugating process from top, trusted industry experts. Learn how linerboard and medium are produced to improve test performance, and runnability on the corrugators at this very uniquely styled intro. to intermediate-level course (designed to benefit all who focus) at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, Wis., USA. Register by April 21 and save $200. Join/renew your TAPPI membership for the very best rates!

 

The New Edition of "Starch and Starch Products in Surface Sizing & Paper Coating is a must have
for your professional reference library. Available to TAPPI members for $60 off list price.

 

The TAPPI Troubleshooting "Flexos" and "Die Cutters" Sustain Board Caliper & Improve Printing Course, May 12-14 in Appleton, Wis., USA, is designed to get down to the science of industry problem solving and equipment maintenance/improvements in this area. Register by April 14 for the best rates!

 

This popular book series has been updated; second editions are out. The most comprehensive books ever written on pulp and papermaking are now available in electronic versions! TAPPI members save an additional 10% off list price.

 

"This course is ideal for health and safety personnel who are looking for primary information on industrial hygiene," said Sue Cooper, M.S, CSP, Manager of Safety/Ergonomics at Weyerhaeuser. "It will provide an introduction to IH principles along with practical information on hazard identification and methods of measurement and control that is sure to be of great value to all attendees." Register by April 6 to save $100!

 

This two-day event, April 18-19 in Atlanta, Ga., USA, is designed for those who need to understand how to heighten print quality, attend and conduct print trials, and troubleshoot quality problems.

 

Offering the most comprehensive program, exhibits, networking opportunities, and access to industry leaders. Don't miss out on this big event April 19-22 in Atlanta, Ga., USA.

 

Applying the concepts taught in this course, April 23 at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta, Ga., USA, can enable to you to determine steps toward immediate and lasting payback, as well as smoother operations.