Over the Wire

The month-over-month average in February was flat, but daily production compared with January 2015 was 2% lower. Containerboard operating rate decreased vs. January.

 

Sawlog prices have fallen most in Northern and Central Europe, predominantly as a result of a weakening Euro. Domestic log price also declined in Latin America and Oceania. The only continent where prices did not decline was North America, where healthy U.S. domestic lumber demand and respectable export volumes from both the U.S. and Canada kept consumption of logs as high as in 2013.

 

Brazilian pulp production increased 10.3% year-over-year, totaling 2.8 million metric tons. Paper production remained practically stable in the first two months of the year, at 1.7 million tons. Learn more about the other performance indicators for Brazil's planted trees industry...

 

Bleached kraft paper shipments decreased about 1,000 tons compared with January’s total, while unbleached kraft paper shipments decreased about 7,000 tons.

 

This marks the first increase for the sector in seven years... Though modest, this graph shows a stable industry that is slowly growing with the expanding economy in the U.S. Increased buying power for the consumer means more interest in merchandise catalogs and more for commercial and industrial operations. Though digital technologies have taken paper cataloging far from its peak, trends suggest it can't seem to totally replace classic printed catalogs.

 

Converted product shipments 2.4% higher y/y, parent roll production rose 2.3% y/y. Operating rates rose from 92.6% in January to 97.0% in February. Find out more about additional production statistics and capacity changes entering the U.S. tissue industry and market...

 

Operation of the pope reel immediately gave positive results. The tissue machine performance was enhanced, showing a clear improvement in paper turn-up efficiency and winding consistency and, consequently, a better finished product.

 

PPWC and Unifor have been very successful with pattern bargaining in maintaining common pension, wage, and benefit language in the collective agreements of both organizations. Under the Joint Pulp and Paper Caucus, the unions are in a better position to face growing challenges to the industry.

 

The stated goal of both parties is a re-launch of the industrial site, taking into account characteristics of the site and also the employment impact on the territory. The Mantua mill has a production capacity of 160,000 metric tpy of newsprint. Its only paper machine was idled in 2013. Purchase of the paper mill by Pro-Gest would ensure continued production in Italy.

 

"India is now the fastest growing pulp and papermaking country in the world with 10.5 million metric tpy of paper and board production and represents a significant growth opportunity for Solenis," said John Panichella, president and CEO. "We have worked in close collaboration with the CBC India team for a number of years so this is a logical next step in our desire to provide total solutions to our customers in this market."

 

The corrugated system for bread trays also carries on trucks almost double the amount of loaves per pallet compared with the current plastic tray systems, meaning fuel costs are cut even further. It will also be a cheaper alternative to plastic trays.

 

The purchase price of approximately EUR 8 million roughly corresponds to the annual net sales of the business. The company employs approximately 120 people in its manufacturing unit in Penang, Malaysia. The business was consolidated into the Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania business segment as of April 1. Learn why the acquisition was made...

 

Lakeland Paper equipment and employees, located in Sturgis, Mich., USA, will be moved across town to Atlantic Packaging's facility. The move will take place over the next several months. The combined plant will initially employ about 90 people and allow for the expansion of the operation in the future. Atlantic Packaging is headquartered in Marietta, Ga.

 

Research shows that 67% of consumers report they have had their clothes and/or cars stained by greasy takeout containers—and 32% of those affected say they would not return to the establishment where they received greasy containers. MWV developed EnShield™ kit 5, an innovative paperboard solution that is significantly more resistant to oil and grease, to tackle just that.

 

"We are very pleased to have concluded the agreement we made with Deltapaper last June to acquire all rights to sell PaperNuts in the U.S. and Canada, and permanent use and ownership of the PaperNuts name, web domains, trademark, and patents," said Tyler Pearson, PaperNuts CEO.

 

Corrugated’s versatility makes it a vital logistics partner in the 21st century supply chain. Its importance to many U.K. food businesses and popularity with consumers for grocery shopping (backed up by recent studies), are further indicators of the material’s vital place in today's society. See what else corrugated box makers are doing here, such as adjusting pack sizes to market advantage...

 

Indonesia has now officially filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) as of this past month, because it says its coated paper shipped to the U.S. has become a target of punitive duties at the hands of the U.S. authorities. The U.S. has imposed a 20.13% anti-dumping tariff and a 17.94% countervailing tariff on Indonesia’s coated paper.

 

The porosity and mechanical properties of the foam can be easily adjusted, depending on requirements. This lightweight foam is 100% natural, biodegradable, and carbon-neutral, and it is suitable for a wide range of applications from construction and insulation to use in the biomedical industry.

 

VibrAlign, Richmond, Va., USA, has introduced Hawk, a portable, machinery diagnostic tool that allows mechanics and maintenance technicians to check the health of any rotating machine, as needed, in a matter of minutes. It requires no special training or certification and generates straightforward, simple machine diagnostic reports with both confidence and severity levels.

 

The chemical industry currently depends on fossil resources such as oil for raw materials. However, given that fossil resources are finite in quantity, alternative sources of raw materials for chemical products are required to meet sustainability goals. Plant matter, and in particular inedible plant matter, is the leading candidate for such a renewable source and is the focus of much research.

 

Construction of the mill is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2016. The company has already signed a 10-year, fixed-price agreement to sell 70% of its production, all of it in the European industrial market.

 

Lifshitz will co-lead the working group as it examines sustainability issues—environmental, social, and economic—for several forestry products, including lumber, engineered wood products, books, facial tissue, and greeting cards.

 

Ralph Stagner joined the company following the acquisition of Temple-Inland in 2003, and the announcement said Stagner will help the mill’s leadership transition. David Castro has been named the new manager of the IP mill and will assume overall leadership responsibility for the facility. Since 2011, Castro has been the mill manager at IP’s Springfield, Ore., containerboard mill.

 

As of March 30, Carr Tyndall assumed responsibility for all mill operations, previously held by former Port Townsend Paper Corp. President Roger Hagan. CEO Steve Klinger announced last month that the company will be investing more than $40 million in the next two years to make upgrades to the mill.

 

Apply no later than May 1, so work quickly if you have not yet begun. Work on letters of recommendation, fill out our scholarship form, and get your transcript together! The benefits you'll get from winning this scholarship will truly empower your career and get you off to a hot head start. You don't want to not try and definitely miss out! Learn more about the criteria of receiving this prestigious scholarship from the association...

 

As a corporation, TAPPI must hold an annual Business Meeting. This meeting will be held April 20, 2015, as part of the opening session of the PaperCon/Centennial Celebration week. Any and all interested TAPPI members may participate in the annual meeting--Larry N. Montague, TAPPI president and CEO.

 

A long term member and former president of TAPPI, and a very active supporter of the Auburn Pulp and Paper Foundation, Clarence passed away on March 28, 2015, in Rock Hill, N.C.

 

The conference "Engaging the Heart and Mind" will be held June 7-10 in Savannah, Ga., and will focus on bringing together safety and industry professionals, as well as lawyers and OSHA experts to navigate the ever-changing field of pulp and paper industry safety. Learn who PPSA has announced as their Keynote speaker...

 

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!

 

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.

 

The Ultimate Roll and Web Defect Troubleshooting Guide E-Book is an updated and expanded electronic version of The Roll and Web Defect Terminology – 2nd Edition. This new electronic edition has allowed updating and expanding on defects commonly found in paper and paperboard products and in the production and converting of nonwovens, films, and laminations.

 

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!

 

"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."

 

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.