Weekly Spotlight
Paper Excellence Assures 1,500 Jobs Protected as Part of Catalyst Purchase

Over the Wire

TAPPI

Thursday, October 25, 2018 - Member
Cristini
New owner pledges to protect 1,500 existing Catalyst related forest industry jobs as part of an aggressive business strategy investing heavily into effectively making P&P / boosting operations, assets during the current five to seven year period. Paper Excellence is reportedly happy with the industrial port access in B.C. as well as existing infrastructures.
 
ND Purchases Highlight Revitalization of Maine P&P Industry
Portland, Maine newspaper published another (new) article about the state's pulp, paper & related industries making a comeback; noting among developments the recent purchases made this month by Nine Dragons and discussing the current state of regional paper markets. It's an expensive process, but more former P&W paper mills are being refit to produce labels. Students with chem. eng. degrees are once again being hired for P&P careers within the state.
 
TAPPI Celebrates National Forest Products Week
This week marks the 58th anniversary recognizing the every-day impact of pulp, paper, packaging, tissue, and wood products on our lives. TAPPI joined with industry employees in Washington, D.C, USA, and around the country to celebrate the week with events and advocacy campaigns to mark the occasion.
 
From The Experts
Free and Fair Trade Critical to U.S. Pulp and Paper Industry
By Jake Handelsman, senior director, International Trade, American Forest & Paper Association. On Sept. 30, 2018, the U.S. and Canada reached an agreement that allowed Canada to join the U.S.-Mexico trade agreement negotiated earlier. The new agreement, to be called the "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement" (USMCA), will replace the 24-year-old NAFTA.
 
Merichem Company
Market Roundup
U.S. Containerboard Output Up in September
Production in September 2018 was up 4.9% compared with September 2017 and up 2.0% year-to-date. Month-over-month average daily production compared with August 2018 was 1.3% lower.
 
Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market Worth $14.92 Billion by 2023
Market is projected to grow from $6.95 billion in 2018 to $14.92 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 16.5% from 2018 to 2023. Increasing demand for bioplastics from the packaging industry, favorable government policies, increase in waste management regulations in Europe, and increasing concern for human health are projected to drive the market.
 
U.S Packaging Paper Shipments Rise
Shipments in September 2018 were up 5.7% compared with September 2017 and up 2.6% year-to-date. The operating rate for September 2018 eased back from 99.1% in August to 95.9% in September. Inventories dropped 1.1% since August.
 
Heavy Duty Bags and Sacks Market to Grow 4% CAGR by 2028
In a newly released market research report, FMI suggests that increasing construction activities and industrialization in emerging countries is expected to be the key driving force for the growth of heavy duty bags and sacks globally.
 
N.A. P&W Paper Demand Continues Decline through September
Demand was down 7.1% y/y in September 2018, a worse than 4% decline year-to-date.
 
China’s Q3 2018 GDP Growth Lowest Since Q1 2009
GDP chart shows steady GDP growth decline during past eight years. China’s third quarter 2018 y/y GDP growth rate of 6.5% was the lowest since the first quarter of 2009.
 
Warehouse Specialist
Pulp & Paper
A.Celli Launches Rebuilt Shaniv Paper Industries TM 1 Tissue Machine
The important rebuilding operation was successfully completed by A.Celli Paper and ended with the start-up of the Israeli customer’s machine. The operation consisted of the supply of a new reel, an innovative DCS system, a set of more efficient motors, renewed roller equipment, and the relative drives.
 
Holmen Investing in Increasing Production at Braviken Sawmill
Company to invest SEK 170 million to increase the production of wood products at Braviken Sawmill. At the same time, a rail-based solution is being set up to transport raw material from Holmen’s forest in northern Sweden to industrial facilities in Norrköping. New dryers and trimming saw expected to begin operating in 2020.
 
Western Pulp Products Storage Facilities Destroyed by Fire
A large warehouse fire that broke out on Aug. 17 destroyed 20,000 out of 70,000 sq. feet of paperboard products and the storage area where paper was densely packed (in a way which proved difficult when trying to stop the fire) having a significant impact on Western Pulp Products headquartered in Jacksonville, Tex., USA where the incident occurred.
 
Tesa Tape, Inc.
Containerboard/Packaging
Smurfit Kappa Breaks Ground for New Recovery Boiler at Nettingsdorf Containerboard Mill
The new recovery boiler will increase the profitability and sustainability of the mill and is part of a EUR 134 million investment in Nettingsdorf, Austria. New boiler is set to cut CO2 emissions by 40,000 metric tpy, which equates to about two-thirds of the current emissions at the site, and 1.5% of those from the whole Smurfit Kappa Group.
 
Study Shows Customers Prefer Fruit and Vegetables Served on Corrugated
According to a new study by Carton Ondulé de France, the number of customers buying fruit and vegetables increases between 13% and 16% when the produce is presented in corrugated board trays rather than in plastic containers.
 
WestRock Provides Update on Linerboard Mill in Panama City, Florida
Panama City linerboard mill received extensive damage from Hurricane Michael. Due to the extraordinary efforts of employees, contractors, vendors, the insurance carrier and government officials, WestRock has already made substantial progress in assessing the damage and implementing required repairs to return the mill to operation within 30 days.
 
Legislative
ACMA Supports President Trump’s Plan to Withdraw from Intl. Postal Rate System
As currently structured, lightweight packages (4.4 lbs. or less) coming from foreign nations, notably China, can be shipped into and across the U.S. at rates cheaper ($1.50) than the USPS charges domestically. "For a long time, this has created unfair competition and nobody has done anything about it," said ACMA's President.
 
New Products
Coveris Reduces Plastic by 50%+ with New Recyclable Skinboard Tray
More sustainable from source, packs offer lower carbon footprint and are made from more than 75% renewable materials. Providing unrivaled barrier properties and seal integrity, along with an easy-peel open feature, the pack expertly combines environmental benefits with high performance functionality, proving that sustainable packaging is not about compromise.
 
Gerber Technology Introduces Tool Kit for MCT Cutter
New kit is designed to improve efficiency in packaging finishing applications. These tools are designed to address corrugated triple and folded carton, foam, and triple wall packaging materials.
 
Lecta Presents Two Additional Premium Lines of Metalvac Papers
100% recycled metallized range is extended with premium wet-glue labels, for beer, water, spirits and wine labels available with high, medium, and low moisture resistance and ideal for returnable and one-way bottles; and pressure-sensitive label papers designed to be transformed into self-adhesive facestock for labels.
 
Metsä Board Further Develops Elevated Drink Box Structure
Original Elevated Drink Box structure was designed for a 1.5 liter capacity, but it has now been developed to carry heavier weight. Different corrugated boards were produced and tested for larger size and development work focused upon the die cutting to ensure that the pieces correctly fit together to create the required level of stability for 3 liter weight.
 
Steel King Announces Durable, Engineered Drive-In Rack Systems
Systems allow users to store up to 75% more pallets than with selective racking. Rack system is engineered and manufactured to better stand up to significant wear, making it a market leader among drive-in racking systems.
 
Camso
Published Pricing
Imerys Kaolin Raising Prices for Kaolins in Paper, Board, Performance Minerals
Increases will be effective from Jan. 1, 2019, and are subject to provisions in individual contracts. Prices for hydrous kaolins will increase typically between 4% and 9% and prices for calcined kaolins will increase typically between 6% and 11%. Individual customers will be notified details of specific increase in due course.
 
Glatfelter’s Composite Fibers Business Unit Announces 7% Price Increase
Decision is a direct result of substantial and ongoing global price increases for key raw materials including pulp, synthetic fibers, viscose and other chemicals. Furthermore, the company does not see any near-term relief from this input cost inflation. Escalating energy and transportation costs further compound the inflationary situation.
 
Sustainability
Use of Recycling Logo Expands to 27 Million Paper Shipping Sacks
Growing promotion of sack recycling encourages end-user recovery. more than 27 million sacks produced by member companies are now printed with the special recycling emblem, which was developed to encourage end-user recovery of qualified paper shipping sacks (also known as multiwall sacks) with corrugated.
 
Rafcycle Helps Cantina di Soave Strengthen Commitment to Circular Economy
Italian-based Cantina di Soave continues to invest in new methodologies and equipment to lower energy use, and to ramp up, every year, its efforts to improve sustainability. One significant component of this "commitment to green" is its joint project with UPM Raflatac.
 
Stora Enso’s Sustainability Report Ranked Among Top Ten Globally
"We are proud of our transparent reporting being acknowledged," said Noel Morrin, EVP Sustainability at Stora Enso. "It is especially encouraging to see that the four-tier reporting structure we use to present the most material opportunities and challenges is recognized as good practice."
 
Domtar Partners With Conservation Fund to Preserve Forestland
The company has already partnered with the American Forest Foundation to help private woodland owners in northwest Pennsylvania and southwest New York preserve forestland and improve life for at-risk species by creating and enhancing critical bird habitats.
 
Energy
Neenah's Whiting Mill Gets 50001 Ready
"Attainment of 50001 Ready gives the mill the recognition it richly deserves for these efforts and will help the facility sustain and expand its energy savings over time," said Jay Wrobel, U.S. Department of Energy.
 
Dow Silicones Corporation
People
Coveris Strengthens Senior Leadership Team
Coveris strengthens its executive leadership team with the appointments of Ulf Wienböker and Bernhard Mumelter to executive roles, while reorganizing its operating model into three new business units. Wienböker was appointed CTO of Coveris. Mumelter has joined Coveris as chief innovation officer.
 
Kimberly-Clark Names New CEO Effective January 2019
Michael D. Hsu has been named CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Thomas J. Falk will become executive chairman. Hsu succeeds Thomas J. Falk who has served as CEO since 2002 and chairman of the board of directors since 2003. Falk will become executive chairman of the K-C Board of Directors to help ensure a smooth transition.
 
TAPPI News
Advance Your Understanding of Pulp and Paper Technology
Registration underway for TAPPI’s essential paper training.
 
Innovation Helps Pulp and Paper Industry Reinvent Itself
A new wave of opportunity opens new markets for an aging industry. Learn how the pulp and paper industry is reinventing itself at IBBC 2018.
 
Window for PaperCon Abstracts Closing Soon
Your window of opportunity to share your expertise and gain recognition among your peers is closing soon. Submit your abstract for PaperCon 2019 by October 26.
 
Prepare for a Strong Career in the Tissue Industry
TAPPI’s Tissue 101 Course Delivers Important Fundamentals in Tissue Knowledge