Over the Wire

Asia-Pacific and developing countries of Latin America are among the fastest growing markets for corrugated packaging, due to the increasing industrial production in these regions. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to increase its share by more than half of the total corrugated packaging market, by the end of 2020.

 

"The forest products industry in Canada has always been one of the country's major exporters and this agreement is an historic opportunity to improve access to rapidly growing markets in the Asia Pacific", said David Lindsay, president and CEO of FPAC.

 

Over the past year, sawlog prices have fallen the most in Central European, Eastern European, and the Nordic countries (in ranking order), predominantly as a result of a weakening euro. Domestic log prices in U.S. dollar terms have also declined in Latin America and Oceania, but to a lesser degree.

 

This delivery is part of Clearwater Paper's $160 million project to install a continuous pulp digester that will replace 12 batch digesters. Benefits from the project include significant reduction in air emissions, improved pulp quality, increased production, and a more efficient utilization of wood chips.

 

Neenah Paper and Packaging customers, the company says, now have immediate access to thousands of colors, textures, finishes, and weights in premium papers, box wraps, folding boards, and labels. Newly expanded capabilities include specialty coatings and finishing with a focus on custom work.

 

"The learning curve for the new digester went really well and after 10 days we already reached nominal capacity," said Suzano’s industrial director. The investment project was executed with no loss of production. All connections to the new digester were made during a regular maintenance shutdown planned for the mill.

 

The assignment covers detailed engineering services for the new paper machine and Balance of Plant (BOP). Startup of the new machine is scheduled for the third quarter of 2016. The value of the order was not disclosed.

 

The mill is being transformed intoto an innovative and customer focused biorefinery. The plant has been running since January and production has been ramped up during the year. In addition to LignoBoost, Valmet has bio initiatives including bio coal products, second generation ethanol, pyrolysis oil, and gasification of biomaterials.

 

Michael Kazma, president of Amzak, said that "we are very proud to have been able to rescue the St. Francisville mill from a difficult situation and, with the help of our skilled and dedicated employees, position it to now become an important part of a first-class packaging organization..."

 

Graphic Packaging International Inc., has acquired the converting assets of Staunton, Va.,-based Carded Graphics, a printed folding carton producer with a strong regional position in the food, craft beer, and other consumer product markets.

 

The total cash consideration for the divestment of the shares is EUR 10 million, subject to customary closing day adjustments. The transaction has no material income statement impact. Stora Enso has also completed the divestment of its packaging plant in Komárom, Hungary, which produces offset printed micro-flute packaging.

 

Through this transaction, WestRock has acquired mills in Dublin, Ga., and Newberg, Ore.. that produce lightweight recycled containerboard and kraft and bag paper for end use in consumer and corrugated packaging. This is expected to generate significant synergies and be accretive to WestRock's earnings in Q2 of 2016.

 

The Personal Access to Paper Election Reform (PAPER) Act, which was introduced this week by Rep. Dan Benishek (R-Mich.), amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mail paper forms and instructions to individuals who filed a paper return for the preceding tax year.

 

Accuform CEO Wayne Johnson said that "our new line-up of STOPOUT-branded padlocks are a perfect solution for companies looking for tough, yet affordable, locks to keep their employees safe in lockout situations." STOPOUT branded padlocks can be purchased through local safety, industrial, and MRO products distributors.

 

The screen basket can be used in all Voith and third party screening machines and is suitable for all paper grades. The best screening results are achieved in combination with a Voith rotor application.

 

Gonzalo Darraidou will resign his management of Chile-based Forus to take the new job. Tissue represents approximately 40% of Empresas CMPC’s annual sales, with revenues totaling $906 million in the first half of 2015.

 

Turunen has previously worked in Sanoma Oyj as head of investor relations. Turunen will report to Kemira Oyj's CFO, Petri Castrén.

 

Aaron Powell has been named VP for Kimberly-Clark Professional North America. Powell, who is currently VP and managing director for Kimberly-Clark's Central and Eastern Europe business, replacing Mike Flagg, who has been named to lead the finance operation for Kimberly-Clark's newly formed Global Supply Chain organization.

 

Roberto Villaquiran, previously CEO of Corrugated Europe, assumed the new role of CEO Europe with overall responsibility for the existing European Paper and Corrugated divisions. He will report directly to the Group CEO, Tony Smurfit.

 

"Having previously served as a public company CFO and treasurer, John will bring strong financial leadership and experience to Ingevity," said Steve Voorhees, CEO of WestRock.

 

LanzaTech is a biofuel company with a novel gas fermentation technology that converts industrial gases to fuel and chemicals. In his role there, Derek Griffin is focused on the design and scale-up of their proprietary gas fermentation process and is active in the build-out of the LanzaTech Freedom Pines Biorefinery.

 

Don't miss your chance to register before October 27 to save on TAPPI’s Tissue 101-Properties and Processes Course.

 

Corrugated Adhesives Preparation, 5th Edition is available to members for more than half off of list price when using the promo code for the sale ending on October 31.

 

The candidates are: Richard Berry, VP and CTO, CelluForce; James R. Haeffele, Director of Technology, Tissue Americas Supply Chain, SCA AMERICAS; and Tony Lyons, Technical Director, Imerys. Per the TAPPI Bylaws members of the organization have until November 1 to review the slate.

 

If you are a TAPPI member, we invite you to participate in this forum and discuss common issues with other peers and experts. If you are a front line mill project engineer, maintenance engineer, or reliability engineer, connect with others experiencing similar materials issues and challenges, and who are also looking for solutions.

 

SUN Automation Inc. is currently seeking a Regional Territory Sales Manager to grow the business within the central and western U.S. territories.