Over the Wire

Total European shipments of graphic papers decreased 8.6% in March vs. March 2018 and shipments were down 6.7% year-to-date vs. 2018.

 

A recently completed (Jan. 2019) market research study was promoted with greater detail in a March 14 press release. Additional notes about the nature of the findings in the full report include: Kraft liner with a GSM grade between 80 to 160 accounted for 58.6% of the revenue share in 2017; Higher GSM grades are expected to register significant growth because of its protective, cushioning ability; The largest international players are striving to penetrate into specific regions and are buying smaller, local operations to achieve this.

 

With the capacity to treat 100 metric tpy of biomass, the bio-refinery pilot plant produces lignin and sugars for use in the development of innovative bio-products, such as wood adhesives, animal feed and composites. The organizations joined forces in early 2018 to build the plant at Resolute’s Thunder Bay P&P mill.

 

Ilim’s investment program covers a period of 5 years through 2021, with total investments around RUB 200 billion. As a result of the upgrade of the existing facilities and launch of new capacities the finished products output will increase by 1 million metric tons, including 700 thousand tons of packaging materials and 300 thousand tons of market pulp.

 

Corp will lower June production due to a combination of weak lumber prices and continuing high log costs. The curtailment is expected to reduce production in the region by approximately 20 million board feet for the month of June and will be taken by way of reduced operating days at each of the three BC Interior mills.

 

Kruger Products’ Sherbrooke Plant will include a through-air-dry (TAD) tissue machine, the world’s most advanced ultra-premium tissue manufacturing technology. TAD uses less fibre to obtain a bulkier, stronger ultra-premium product that is exceptionally soft and more absorbent. The Sherbrooke complex will also include converting lines.

 

Company will in the second quarter of 2019 book a mainly goodwill related impairment of approximately EUR 102 million. In addition, the company will book a restructuring provision of approximately EUR 5 million related to the ongoing and already completed co-determination negotiations.

 

In the newly established household products facility, approximately 18,000 metric tons of facial tissue and toilet tissue will be produced per year utilizing pulp and infrastructure of Hachinohe Mill. The joint company and Mitsubishi Paper will sell these products mainly in the Tohoku region.

 

"Valmet's OptiClear will increase the availability of the green liquor plant and deliver a cleaner green liquor to slaking. This will in turn contribute to stabilizing the liquor circuit at the mill. Operation of the OptiClear is easy and less maintenance is required compared to our present equipment. It will also be possible to use this equipment in future rebuilds," said Valmet's Production Manager.

 

ePac LA focuses on both regional food manufacturers and contract packagers throughout the Southern California area. ePac provides brands of all sizes custom packaging with high-definition graphics, fast time to market, and low minimum orders with their use of the latest digital printing technology.

 

Bowling Green plant produces Dixie paper plates and bowls in varying sizes. This latest expansion will include a new building and the addition of a new printer and several new plate forming presses. The project will create more than 50 full-time jobs increasing total employment at the plant to about 200 people.

 

EUR 350 million investment will include a new world-class line for virgin-fibre based kraftliner (both brown and white-top) with a capacity of 450,000 metric tpy, the modification of the pulp mill and drying machine for unbleached brown pulp, as well as investments to enhance the mill’s environmental performance.

 

FibDex® is the first wound dressing created from wood-based nanofibrillar cellulose to receive regulatory approval and be awarded a CE mark. Nanofibrillar cellulose, which has been shown to be biocompatible with human cells and tissue, forms the core of the dressing.

 

The new Attends® Premier incontinence product line of briefs, underwear and a premium underpad, has launched to the North American Healthcare market both in-store and online.

 

The improved brightness not only looks more aesthetically pleasing, but will further enhance the contrast between printed and unprinted areas. The enhanced brightness will give further opportunities, particularly for customers with water-based digital printing, as a quick ink drying time is an established key benefit of this grade.

 

Featuring mineral oil barrier (MOB) and grease barrier properties, the two new solutions (Guard M and Guard MS) expand Sappi Guard family, which offers high product safety and can be entirely recycled. Guard MS papers feature heat sealability, which eliminates the need for additional production steps and materials as sealing media.

 

SIGNATURE PACK is a key milestone in the aseptic packaging sector, driving the replacement of conventional plastics from fossil fuels by certified and sustainable plant-based polymers, which are used to laminate the paperboard and to make the closure without compromising on the quality of barrier protection.

 

Walki line can be one or two side coated with a suitable polymer to achieve an economic barrier to meet the product requirements. Barrier boards reduce the need for inner wrapping of foodstuffs thereby reducing the amount of packaging used.

 

Stakeholders globally are invited to give feedback on the revised Certification Body Requirements standard. Give your comments, feedback and suggestions to help us ensure it meets your needs and expectations.

 

Innovative solutions such as the RafCycle recycling program, thin film materials, wash-off adhesives and label materials containing recycled content are some initiatives UPM Raflatac has undertaken to promote a circular plastics economy. The company aims for use of 100% recyclable plastic use by 2025.

 

Company installed solar at its manufacturing facility in Tuas, which produces Huggies diapers and Huggies baby wipes. The 7,730 photovoltaic panels mounted on its roof will generate 3.5 Gigawatt hours of clean energy, enough to power up a thousand 3-bedroom HDB flats for a year.

 

This means that the methane gas generated as a by-product in the new bio effluent treatment plant can be used in the mill's drying process. The burner will be put into operation during the first half of 2020 and, in addition to reduced consumption of fossil fuels, also means lower variable costs.

 

The ambitious project, for which 25 million euros were invested, enables the Blue Paper site to convert its own residual materials into thermal energy and will reduce natural gas consumption significantly.

 

Camilla Wikström has been appointed Metsä Board’s (part of Metsä Group) SVP, Human Resources and a member of the corporate management team as of June 1, 2019. Wikström has worked for Metsä Group since 2002 and her current position is SVP, pulp production in Metsä Fibre.

 

Explore innovations in enzymes, biological control, injection systems and more at TAPPI’s Introduction to Wet End Chemistry Course!

 

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to build a better quality bond and learn more about the corrugated industry at the TAPPI Advanced Bonding Course to be held at TAPPI’s Headquarters in Georgia in late July.

 

Procemex Inc. is accepting applications for a Project Manager for its Greenville, South Carolina, USA location.

 

The Young Professionals Division is recruiting interested volunteers for several new committees, with a variety of opportunities available. Volunteering is a great way to enhance your personal network, while building your leadership skills and collaborating with other YPs and TAPPI members.

 

NAPIM Presents the NPIRI Summer Course: Get a solid understanding of printing ink fundamentals directly from experts