Over the Wire

A comprehensive yet concise, easy to understand introductory overview of today's pulping process technology based on the presentation "Pulp and Paper Industry" Manipal Intl. University (Dec. 2018) with additional content produced with consultation of a veteran industry expert.

 

While OTW reported on continued increase in N.A. prices this past week, an exception was recorded earlier this year, during Q2 for global prices overall. Although slight, it was an upward tick that bucked a trend throughout all of 2017 and the first half of 2018. Reports for Q3 indicate flat prices or a very slight gain. WRQ noted in key pulp-producing regions, prices were down because of the strengthening U.S. dollar, while prices in the domestic currencies generally have gone up.

 

After more than a year of consistent global increases on pulp prices has set a 5+ quarter trend, most prices have now leveled off for the past two quarters while global hardwood fiber has initialized a recorded decrease trend from the second to third quarter after prices had decreased from the first quarter to end the previous trend.

 

WRQ reports that the softwood sawlog prices declined throughout the world in the 3Q/18. Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) fell 3.7% from the 2Q/18 to the 3Q/18, the second consecutive q-o-q decline. European Sawlog Price Index (ESPI-€) has fallen for two consecutive quarters to €83.58/m3 in the 3Q/18.

 

Statements relative to the overall industry (OTW does not make investment related statements possibly relative to individual companies) reviewed from a Dec. 11 Moody's corporate earnings report indicate total global outlook has now changed to stable from positive with operating income 2-4% higher (vs. 4-6%) over the period of the next 1-2 years.

 

Graphical representation of statistics shows production of processed paper and cardboard in China from Oct. 2017 to Oct. 2018. In Oct. 2018, China's production of processed paper and cardboard had ranged at about 9.64 million metric tons. In Oct 2017 this ranged at 10.9 million metric tons. Over the year, levels softly consistently decreased.

 

According to a preview of a new PMR Market Report to be published Feb. 2019, one key growth driver for the P&P processing chemicals market is the growing demand among consumers for brighter, glossier, and HQ paper. Driven regulations on plastic and growing application bases for paper, P&P processing chemicals are anticipated to witness significant growth in both developed and developing countries over the coming years.

 

Total industrial production (IP) increased 0.3% in Sept. +5.% YoY, about the same MoM rate of change in previous two months. Hurricane Florence reduced output by less than 0.1%. For 3Q as a whole, total IP advanced at annual rate of 3.3%, down from 2Q’s +5.3%. Manufacturing output tiptoed up (0.2%) in Sept., the smallest gain in 4 months.

 

As 2018 concludes, a more detailed picture of P&W production trends emerge. The P&W sector's book sizes / copier sizes of paper (most common 8.5 x 11.0 in.) are based on individual treatment (for brightness in bleach prep; coating for magazine print) as well as optimized for creative use (a more stable market bleached thin-sheet PM companies are focusing on). High price factors relate to sharp decline of newsprint and publishing paper. Headline news, general commercial & industrial sector magazines imminent as next obsolete in print.

 

P&W / office & copier / graphic papers suffered a sudden, dramatic decline that would have been impossible to avoid through late-on-the-scene management decisions or even by decisions made years ahead with specific knowledge of how to adapt; this sector of paper peaked as far as demand in the mid-late 2000s with the peak of desktop computers connected to printers at a time paper was still the default medium for direct messages. A painful, deep recession followed to close out the 2000s followed by technological innovations not only preventing paper from reclaiming a natural position for communication but began chipping away at areas where print-on-paper publications once dominated.

 

The 2 year Index (2016-2018) shows consistent increase in pulp prices from previous "normal" in years past with no specific point of reference to find out where the sharp increases began, and where they do begin is indeed a sudden point (circa Feb. 2017) when the steep rise began and was uninterrupted throughout 2017 and in 2018 until Q2 numbers were released showing relative leveling in the market that has continued without either increase or decrease in Q3.

 

Summaries combined with scientifically transcribed notes are combined into a new presentation. Edited into an abstract / outline as well as highlighting newest industry data and industry future trends as part of a sneak preview allowing readers to explore how this type of report can identify the products and factors driving revenue growth and profitability. CAGR 20%+ recorded for 2014-2017. Sector predicted to approx. double growth from now through 2022.

 

Especially when it comes to absorbent hygiene products (AHP) a market slowdown is still considered rather unlikely. Experts considered in fact that within two or three years the related business will rocket. Global adoption of air-laid or similar products such as napkins, tissues, feminine care, adult diapers, etc, will likely maintain market in case of a market downturn. Coated Grades of paper record some slight increases 2017-2018 of up to what some believe could become an established CAGR of 3% for a multi-year period.

 

8 AHEAD-2.0L PRODERGY TMs have paper width of 5,600 mm, operating speed of 2,000 m/min. They feature a Gen. 2 TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer of 22 ft. diameter; it represents the biggest diameter for tissue application worldwide. Energy saving design of the drying section relies entirely on steam, including the steam-heated TT Milltech-DYH hoods.

 

The ANDRITZ TM – with a design speed of 2,100 m/min and a paper width of 2.85 m – produces tissue for high-quality facial wipes, toilet paper, and napkins. The 16 ft. PrimeDry Steel Yankee offers HQ drying abilities. Scope of supply also included the complete stock preparation plant with approach flow system, fiber recovery, and broke handling.

 

World's oldest printing press co. is once again strengthening its activities in the growth segment of machines and systems for packaging production. Together with the Rapida sheetfed presses from Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed, flatbed die cutters from Koenig & Bauer Iberica and the folder gluers from Duran, the company can now offer complete lines for the printing and processing folding boxes from a single source – with products made in Europe.

 

Delivery consists of a Valmet IQ Web Monitoring System (WMS) with 51 cameras throughout the whole production process on KM3. Key benefits for the mill are faster break recovery and preventive troubleshooting with leading technology camera equipment and video analysis tools.

 

Papcart is a specialist in offset printing and conversion of cardboard and corrugated board high-end consumer packaging, The goal is to increase ability for luxury product production. Smurfit Kappa now has approximately 700 employees including a 40 person-strong design department to develop customised and sustainable consumer packaging for its customers in the luxury and consumer goods segments.

 

Smurfit Kappa has a strong track record in producing innovative and sustainable packaging solutions for the agriculture sector so the Caradec Box Plant is a natural fit with the company."We are delighted to welcome the Caradec employees into our company. More and more retailers and growers are seeking more sustainable packaging alternatives for fresh produce and we can add an even wider choice of premium solutions to our offering," - Smurfit Kappa CEO.

 

New installation includes a Valmet F(O)CUS Reelite T15 E rewinder - the last stage of the innovative scalability concept of the Reelite T15 rewinder. Order was included in Valmet's third quarter of 2018 orders received. The new nonwovens rewinder is planned to be in operation during the second quarter of 2019.

 

Nanocellulose from banana peels could be a potential source for production of acetyl and lauroyl cellulose, with a high degree of substitution and thermal stability. Microwave digestion ball milling assisted (and optimized) ultra-sonication method proved to be effective in a sustained extraction of nanocellulose fiber for development of cellulose-based polymers.

 

Chronological selections from research docs; example of breakthroughs not just in consecutive years 2016- but consecutive months in mid-late 2018, all relative to each other. Side discovery overcomes believed limitations 90 days later. Exploring APSO concept... high-efficiency, fast form, crystalline nanofibrilated cellulose (NFC) limited to diverse sizings; & recently, an unlimited fast crystalline-rich method. Sourced with WPF, APSO results in a uniform, homogenous solution.

 

Although CNCs are relatively thermally stable, their use in polymer composites and liquid formulations designed to function at high temp. could be extended if thermal stability (TS) was improved. Crystallinity didn't affect CNC TS. In acid form, CNC surface charge density increased TS. In sodium, polymerization degree of cellulose chains drove TS.

 

Pesticide overuse is a hazard to health and the environment. A solution has been found in the form of controlled release formulation systems to prolong release of pesticide over desired time period and help to reach target sites in a focused manner due to the precise molecular structure / surface of CNFs. Enhances crop yield and reduces pollution.

 

Several of today's problems relating to water quality could be reduced by using nanomaterials with good adsorption efficiency, higher surface area, and greater active interaction with contaminants. Nanocellulose is a globally abundant, renewable polymer with repeating β-d-glucopyranose units covalently linked through acetal functions between the hydroxyl groups of carbon atoms that provide it chirality and reactivity properties.

 

The fabricated AgNPs-functionalized PAN nanofibers (PAN-AgNPs) exhibit the appreciable antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria with considerable sustainability for repetitive use. In addition, the generated AgNPs on PAN nanofiber membranes in an adequate loading range also revealed good biocompatibility with mammalian cells. Thus, PAN-AgNPs nanofibers can be practically applied as a promising disinfecting membrane filter for biomedical and hygienic applications

 

Proto is a sturdy, single-ply SBS capable of meeting a breadth of applications from general folding carton and food packaging to pharmaceutical and OTC. Spectro is a single-ply SBS with enhanced optics, making it ideal for premium applications that call for dynamic and vibrant images. Spectro surface is designed for demanding applications.

 

Project has now resulted in the launch of 26 bioeconomy pilots in 17 different countries. The Finnish consortium is responsible for forestry pilots that are aimed at, among other things, making the collection and sharing of data easier across the value chain.

 

Solution is 100 % biobased and lightweight packaging material that combines cellulose films with different, but complementary properties creating an ideal packaging solution for dry food packaging applications.

 

Outline of mill components and material processing techniques that require special emphasis adjusting for efficiency in fiber source prep, pulp processing, chem recovery, bleaching, stock prep, and papermaking; explained from collected informative abstract excerpts of 2016-2017 textbook selections uploaded to Science Direct earlier this month.

 

Involves the heating of biomass in the absence of oxygen to a temperature of typically 200 to 400°C. The structure of the biomass changes in such a way, that the material becomes brittle, and more hydrophobic. Although the weight loss is about 30%, the energy loss is only 10%. A combustible gas is released, which is utilized to provide heat to the process.

 

Paper packaging is by itself non-harmful with food contact production standards. But manufactured products from paper source sheets or board feeds might be tainted by PFAS third-party industrial agents used on many types of packaging (added on paper products such as baking sheets) as a possibly carcinogenic anti-leak through agent. Manufacturers / paper-packaging converters with potential PFAS class treatment stages may want to consider urgency in taking precautions.

 

Michael Ostrowski is a 30-year veteran of the forest products industry. Most recently, he held the position of VP, Supercalendered Sales at West Linn Paper Company where his primary area of responsibility had been the sale of graphic papers to both end user and merchant accounts.

 

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