Over the Wire

Shipments decreased 4% in March compared with March 2015, according to the AF&PA's March 2016 Printing-Writing Paper Report released this week. Total P&W paper inventory decreased 2% from February levels.

 

Corrugated and solid fiber boxes will continue to hold the largest share of demand, comprising 74% of the total in 2020 and reaching $30.5 billion on growth of 3.0% per year.

 

According to this report of regional February production statistics released this past week, most graphic paper industry numbers trended downward compared with 2015. However, total shipments of SC-Magazine were up by more than 10% compared with February of this past year.

 

The result of capacity increase could lead to a reduction of the utilization rate from approximately 93% in 2016 and 2017 to less than 87% in 2018 and 2019. As a consequence – despite a positive economic growth – a significant decline in earnings of the containerboard sector is expected as more graphic PM's are converted.

 

In a new report by Sandler Research, Pune, India, analysts now forecast the global folding carton market to grow at a CAGR of 4.12% during the period 2016-2020.

 

Trends are creating changes now underway as the standardization of crescent former configurations and sizes have allowed machines to be built in auto assembly line fashion at much lower costs than traditional engineered custom machines. Recycled fiber for tissue making will soon see shortages as demand grows.

 

The global market report on P&P specialty chemicals released online this past week shows growing demand for specialty paper being a key driver for the market. Sector growth is expected to be about $300 million dollars higher in this forecast period compared to another market research company's most recent estimate.

 

India’s annual paper consumption currently stands at 13 million metric tons and the figure is growing at an average of 7.6% per year. Newsprint production will be around 6 million metric tons by 2025, requiring about 8 million metric tons of recycled fiber.

 

The new agreement of cooperation with Roxcel, an Austrian paper product manufacturer valued at $15 million that can process APRIL's Indonesian raw papermaking materials, was made to help further strengthen market penetration as APRIL seeks to improve exports to Europe.

 

Opening of its new, $300 million, 81-acre, greenfield Kuraray POVAL plant in Pasadena, Texas, USA, further distinguishes Kuraray as the largest producer of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) in the world.

 

Company will invest $40 million to install state-of-the-art tissue making technology at the Shawano Mill. The new crescent former tissue machine will replace the existing tissue machine and significantly increase capacity.

 

The German paper mill was sold by P.E.'s division in the Netherlands following a strategic decision to return the group's focus to its pulp activities. In addition to Schaeff Group, the buyers consist of RADIAL Capital Partners, a Munich-based investment company specialized in corporate spin-offs, as well as Ulrich Scheufelen.

 

Ten years ago, Weyerhaeuser closed the Prince Albert (Saskatchewan, Canada) pulp mill, costing 700 jobs. But after acquiring the mill in 2011, Paper Excellence said they plan on bringing life back to the mill, recreating hundreds of jobs. Prep work will start in 2018. A non-compete clause prevents pulp production until 2020.

 

The mill staked its future on allowing P&P backed patterns to be pressed into synthetic materials through release paper, including laminate flooring, leather, and other products such as a Nike shoe design. Despite being part of the struggling Me., USA, paper industry economy, the mill also benefits from integrated pulp production.

 

The new plant at the Skoghall mill (Sweden), to be completed by autumn of 2017, will result in improvement to the working environment and reduce emissions of chlorine and sulphur dioxide. The contract covers engineering of the process design, plant design, electrical, and automation design.

 

Acquisition enables Solenis to streamline its production and commercial organizations in Australia and New Zealand and improve local customer service.

 

The Belgium-based company is responding to rising demand for hydrogen peroxide from segments of the pulp and paper industry by expanding its facility in Longview, Wash., USA. A notable growth in diaper sales is driving the boost in demand for dissolving pulp used in their production. Construction is slated to end in October.

 

Parties have reached an agreement to resolve their dispute concerning property tax assessments for Verso's Androscoggin Mill.

 

One of the leading players in China’s fast-expanding tissue market, Vinda is investing in new capacity to meet demand while improving its competitive position through quality products made on cutting-edge equipment.

 

The total investment of approximately EUR 8 million consists of additional manufacturing capacity, warehouse extension, and infrastructure improvement. The new capacity will be operational next month. The expansion helps meet the rapidly growing egg market packaging demand in Russia.

 

Bottle is now made with 82% renewable resources that come directly from plant-based materials, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 74% compared with a range of PET plastic bottles.

 

These new, state-of-the-art equipment upgrades will be installed at the Sacramento, Calif., USA, and Ashland, Ohio, manufacturing locations. The company, which has a heavy focus on producing bag-in-paper-box products and is currently expanding bulk bag production lines, is experiencing a boost in demand.

 

Colton s the North East England branch of Colton Packaging Ltd., an established regional distributor of protective packaging materials based in Leicester.

 

The plant, which will be called Mondi Simet, is located in Grabonóg in the region of Pozna, Poland. Mondi intends to expand and upgrade this operation to a high-efficiency box plant, including the addition of a corrugator line for on-site board production.

 

The entire personnel of Schwedt, Germany, newsprint mill will transfer to LEIPA Georg Leinfelder GmbH as old employees. The transaction price is EUR 70 million. Production within the mill will be converted from newsprint to approximately 450,000 metric tpy of liner.

 

Triumph Treated Ultra P is now qualified to run on Ricoh Pro VC60000 and InfoPrint 5000 Series, Kodak Prosper 5000 xii and 6000, and well as all HP T series (T200, T300, T400) inkjet presses.

 

New concept saves costs while retaining advantages of original whitening approach with reduced OBA dosage. In addition to whiter paper, there's few process chemicals and reduced environmental footprint. An example of sustainable technological growth, this improves a traditional process that can become very chemical intensive.

 

An industry first, IMPRESSO cups offer something no other company can – fully customizable embossing that adds a whole new dimension of visual and tactile appeal that is paired with unique custom printing abilities. The product line will launch in the country on May 1.

 

Pasaban's latest sheeters are being advertised as the most sturdy, stable, and accurate sheeters in the market. The Compact range is designed to offer a modular and scalable system that allows implementing a wide range of options to meet the needs of individual customers with mid-sized production volumes.

 

New one-side coated glossy paper provides integrated barriers preventing migration of oxygen and water vapor into packages. Also makes packaging production simpler and more efficient. Thanks to the innovative integrated barrier, there's no need to use special coatings or lamination to obtain flexible paper-based packaging.

 

New product release stems from Tembec's continuous investment into its research and development operations as well as a relentless focus on providing customers with superior quality products and solutions.

 

Additions to this economy line include 65 lb. gloss and satin covers available in 19" x 13" and 18" x 12" stocking sizes. It's designed to have weight and finish choices similar to conventional folio formats.

 

Superior reliability of new Magma dryer fabrics makes planning easier and ultimately leads to more efficient and economic paper machine operation.

 

Due to a strong U.S. dollar, Kimberly-Clark lowered prices in China by various amounts on company products in the country to combat competition from local firms as well as rivals from Japan and other nations.

 

The increase will be phased in beginning with a $15/metric ton hike effective with shipments on or after June 1, followed by a second increase of $15/metric ton effective with shipments on or after July 1. Other basis weights will be adjusted as per past practices.

 

In honor of Earth Day, Adidas announced that the vast majority of the company's franchisees are committing to use paper bags to replace plastic by the end of June.

 

The problems are due to bad peatland management. Wood fiber supply for new South Sumartra pulp mill is no longer secured to meet demand from managed forests.

 

Now in its second year, ReTree is one of the largest U.S. tree planting commitments for the NFF, with the five-year goal of planting one million trees by 2020 in National Forests across the country.

 

International Paper CEO Mark Sutton sat down this past week with an investment publication to discuss business number as well as offer his personal opinions about the sustainability image of paper products in addition to discussing how the industry might navigate environmental concerns and further improve recycling.

 

The paper consists partly of tomato and/or pepper plant fibers. The paper company based in the Netherlands wants to maximally contribute to the realization of a bio-based economy. The residual material of one industry (farming) may very well be the raw material for another (pulp and paper).

 

Since 2007, the number of Tetra Pak cartons bearing the FSC logo has increased steadily each year to reach 54 billion in 2015. And the company expects that trend to accelerate as awareness among consumers grows ever higher. Some 200 billion packages labeled with the FSC logo will be delivered by the end of April 2016.

 

Five directors were elected at the annual general and special meeting of shareholders of the Company held this past Thursday (April 21).

 

Lena Ek, chairperson of the board of Södra and former member of the European Parliament, has been named the new chair of the board of the Forest-based Sector Technology Platform.

 

Nano 2016 will bring together industry professionals, scientists, and researchers from more than 25 countries eager to talk to companies that offer the latest technologies in sustainable and renewable nanomaterials. There is still time for you and your organization to be part of Nano 2016 by being an exhibitor or sponsor.

 

Learn fundamental principles from genomic level to large scale industry May 23-24 at the University of Wisconsin.

 

Join industry professionals and take advantage of PaperCon's one-stop-shop, continuing education, and record-breaking exhibit area

 

Gain an understanding of coating raw materials, methods, and finishing on May 14-15.

 

Registration is open for the 2016 TAPPI Introduction to Wet End Chemistry Course held on June 21-23. Attendance is limited to 25, so make sure you register now to save your seat. Early bird savings are offered through May 24.

 

Receive 25% off of The Ultimate Roll and Web Troubleshooting Guide. This industry resource was written and edited by 22 industry experts with more than 500 years of web-handling and winding experience, along with 16 contributing editors.

 

Rayonier is currently seeking an Industrial Engineer for its Jesup, Ga., USA, location.

 

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