Over the Wire

Industry production is expected to grow by 6% in 2015. This, combined with higher prices will support industry revenues, which are set to reach just under $29 billion by 2016. However, rising production and material costs are expected to drive strong cost growth in the industry.

 

Chile BSK (bleached softwood kraft) pulp exports were down 6% y/y through May, as reported by the Chile Customs-Servicio Nacional de Aduana. BHK (bleached hardwood kraft) pulp exports were down 3.6%. According to the Chile Customs data, there was a shift in exports toward Asia and away from Europe.

 

Production statistics show the region's industry in full transformation, with growth in output in the packaging sector and a more modest increase in hygiene paper production, more than balancing out the continuous decline in the output of graphic paper.

 

Visiongain predicts the global packaging market to reach $268.70 billion in 2015 with an AGR of 4.8%. Positive growth is anticipated for the global market for paper-based packaging over the next decade.

 

Three major foreign investors poured capital into paper-packaging projects in the second quarter of the year. Existing paper mills, both domestic and foreign invested, have been scaling up their production.

 

The business is in its early phase of commercialization and the divestment of this biomaterials technology follows a strategic review of the business' fit within AkzoNobel's portfolio. The biomaterials activities are focused on plant-based chemistry, which is used to develop products for various applications, such as high performance beauty technologies.

 

The new equipment that Valmet will install at the Swedish mill includes a white liquor filter of type PDW and a causticizer tank. The white liquor filter produces a clear white liquor, which increases the efficiency and availability in the pulping process.

 

In 2007, Bilt acquired its large stake in the Malaysian paper firm for $261 million. It marked the first significant overseas investment by an Indian paper company and remains to date the largest investment by the Indian pulp and paper industry.

 

International Papers's IT organization employs more than 1,400 IT professionals delivering solutions for business advantage and support services to IP's 58,000 team members. IP was recognized as one of the top organizations that challenge their IT staff while providing great benefits and compensation.

 

JP has been making efforts to strengthen and expand its global procurement and sales network, and as part of these efforts acquired a 51% share in the ownership of Gould in April 2010. Gould has revenues in excess of $1 billion and is one of North America's largest distributors of printing, publishing, and business papers.

 

A letter of intent from a qualified buyer was formally entered to purchase the assets of the Michigan, USA, mill with the objective of reopening the mill to make paper. If a deal is reached to purchase the mill, paper production could resume as soon as early in the fourth quarter of this year.

 

Startup of the rebuilt machine is scheduled for the beginning of 2016. The aim of the rebuild is to increase production and performances of the crescent former machine up to 90 metric tpd. This is the decision that has driven ISMA 2000 to apply for the TT DOES package from Toscotec.

 

Twin Rivers Paper Co., Madawaska, Maine, USA, , a producer of printing and technical specialty papers, this week began stocking programs in the Midwest and Northeast U.S. for its high volume printing grade, Twin Rivers® Offset 92.

 

This closure of U.S. tree farms includes North Valley, Springfield, South Valley, Coos Bay, Northwest Oregon, and Oregon Cascade tree farms. The fire danger closure will remain in effect until further notice.

 

Existing machinery at the U.K site will be replaced with a new state-of-the-art corrugator, the installation of high-tech materials handling lines, and a complete refurbishment of the premises. DS Smith’s sheet plant customers will benefit from more consistent quality, very short lead times, and a comprehensive range of board grades.

 

Ileos, Paris, France, has two sites producing folding cartons for luxury articles and cosmetics, along with five sites producing folding cartons for the pharmaceutical industry. The company had sales that reached EUR $115 million in 2014. MM Packaging (Vienna, Austria) is a coated recycled cartonboard firm with a growing position in virgin fiber board.

 

"We have 13 mills across Canada producing nothing but 100% recycled content board," explained John Mullinder, executive director of PPEC. The council surveys the industry every two years and has been tracking recycled content since 1990.

 

The converted PM 2 in Renkum, Netherlands, is scheduled to start up during the third quarter of 2016. After the conversion, it will produce testliner and fluting grades at a capacity of around 385,000 metric tpy.

 

Sappi, Johannesburg, South Africa, opened negotiations with Corruseal when it was jointly decided that there was a good fit between Corruseal and Enstra Mill. The mill will continue to manufacture recycled and lightweight packaging paper. The existing Security Paper, Office, Specialty, and Folio businesses at the mill will remain with Sappi.

 

In a deal announced Tuesday, Welch Packaging Group, Elkhart, Ind., USA, is merging with American Corrugated Products based in Columbus, Ohio, that specializes in packaging for the automotive industry. Combined, the companies have 900 employees across six states.

 

The South Sumatran Government has divided its region into three landscapes to be addressed accordingly: peat and mangrove; water catchment; and dry and lowland areas. At a forum on Wednesday, APP presented its initiative to develop peatland management best practice as an example in taking an integrated approach to help tackle deforestation and reducing GHGs, while supporting local communities.

 

The new TANDEM® rewinder is designed for optimizing production and incrementing line productivity. It achieves both of these twofold goals, while limiting investments to a minimum.

 

"The Pixelle brand update is a reflection of our commitment to the high-speed inkjet market," said Mark Comensoli, general sales manager for Glatfelter’s (York, Pa., USA) Engineered Products Group.

 

Designed to be the next generation in wet label protection, these fiber based drop-in replacements for plastic BOPP (Bi-Oriented Polypropylene) film laminated labels offer superior aesthetics, performance, and sustainability for products subject to high-moisture conditions, such as white wines and craft beers.

 

GraphoStyle has a higher brightness, providing good contrasts and vibrant colors in images, SCA (Stockholm, Sweden) points out. Higher bulk also enables paper buyers to reduce the grammage, saving money in both purchasing and distribution. It has been developed to compete with higher bulk papers used in advertising and magazines.

 

The stand-out feature of SYNTHRO®-PEL SCR 38 is that the product is based on new chemistry, effectively replacing silicone that is usually contained in most release aids, which usually requires the use of a separate catalyst. This can add significantly to production costs.

 

TheWall has an innovative and unique design. It is made of an especially strong material and is used by tissue, newsprint, and magazine paper manufacturers as well as board and packaging paper producers.

 

The global price increase of 8% applies to all products and takes effect for deliveries beginning September 1. Customers will be contacted directly by a representative of the Mitsubishi sales team.

 

The Zülpich mill in western Germany impressed the jury by operating a closed loop for production water which, due to local restrictions around returning water to the environment, ensures that zero water waste is emitted from the mill. It also captures the biogas produced from the water cycle as a by-product, and burns this for energy.

 

A report this week by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification explains the details of how PEFC members in South America gathered alongside 50 forestry sector representatives from around the continent with one key focus: to expand forest certification and the uptake of PEFC-certified products in the region.

 

Fortress Paper Ltd., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, elected five directors at its recent annual general and special meeting of shareholders of the company. A total of 10,083,146 common shares of the company were voted at the meeting, representing 68.57% of the votes attached to all outstanding common shares.

 

Marlow joins Greif (Delaware, Ohio, USA) from global manufacturer Cummins Inc., where she oversaw a team of 140 HR professionals across five continents. There she worked in various business units and advocated on behalf of the businesses’ needs to improve performance management and ensure the successful integration of two joint ventures in Latin America.

 

Sundström joins Metsä Board from the position of head of investor relations at Lemminkäinen Corp. Before joining Metsä Board, she had worked as an investor relations officer and later VP, Investor Relations, for Lemminkäinen Oyj.

 

Previous assignments include chairman of the Västra Götaland branch of the Federation of Swedish Farmers, and he is currently chairman of Agroväst and a member of the supervisory council for the county administrative board of Västra Götaland.

 

Formerly known as the TAPPI Linerboard Medium and Manufacture Course, this August 18-20 course has been re-designed to include more case studies, tips for benchmarking liner and medium machine performance, and will have an increased focus on OCC single source grades, recycling processes and how to improve control of stickies.

 

For only $35, you can help a student get a boost towards a brighter career in the industry.

 

The only Improving Paper Machine Performance Course to be held in 2015 is scheduled for October 13-15 in Peachtree Corners, (Atlanta) Ga., USA.

 

LanzaTech uses novel gas fermentation technology that converts industrial gases to fuel and chemicals. TAPPI's International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference (IBBC) will be held October 21-23, in Atlanta, Ga., USA.

 

Specialty Papers 2015, taking place September 15-17, has been hailed as a "rare opportunity for manufactures and suppliers in the specialty papers business to gather, network, and exchange business ideas."

 

This unique workshop held August 3-7 provides attendees an overall view of the fundamental principles of environmental life cycle analysis (LCA) for a product or service.

 

Written by two of the world's leading packaging experts, this technical book investigates the laws and liabilities associated with manufacturing, labeling and shipping packages. For a limited time, both members and non-members will be eligible to pick up this particular text for the same great discount.

 

This is the only course offered that has this level of introductory content in a 2-day format covering the woodyard, pulping, processing and bleaching processes. Don't miss your chance to learn at the TAPPI Training Facility in Peachtree Corners, Ga., USA.

 

You will practice the concepts learned in class using common components, equipment, and processes. You’ll receive IDCON’s "Preventive Maintenance Essential Care and Condition Monitoring" book with your registration for this Sept. 14-15 course.

 

The Introduction to Kraft Pulping and Bleaching course, taught by Dr. Michael Kocurek, will take place August 4-5 at TAPPI’s Headquarters. Seats will sell out at 25. Registration is now open.