Over the Wire

AF&PA reports total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 11% in May compared to May 2018. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers declined 8% in May compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 1% from April 2019.

 

New research report provides a summary of the global paper drying systems market and notes that developing countries are leading advancement in this part of the industry due in part to demand for higher quality paper products for academic use in these regions where electronic / digital technologies are not yet as fully implemented. Top global players during the forecast period are also listed.

 

Total packaging papers shipments were down 7.2% from May 2018 and down 2.4% year-to-date. Bag and sack shipments were down 0.6% year-to-date; multiwall shipments were down 7.5%; food wrapping shipments were essentially flat; and converting shipments were down 2.8%. The operating rate for May decreased to 85.2% compared to 88.4% in April.

 

Due to rapid expansion of global tissue production capacity, required production capacity to meet the global demand has reached to around 80% of present production capacity. Overcapacity of tissue production has restrained the growth of the converting machines market. Global sales of tissue paper converting machines was valued at $1.12 billion in 2016, and is expected to reach $1.91 billion by the end of 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period.

 

Containerboard production in May 2019 decreased 6% compared to May 2018 and was down 4.5% year-to-date. The average daily production compared to April 2019 was 0.9% higher. The containerboard operating rate increased slightly from 91.5% in April to 91.9%, as the total linerboard rate rose above 90% for the first time since January.

 

Total boxboard monthly production decreased 4.6% when compared to May 2018. The total boxboard operating rate was 91.1% for May. Total Solid Bleached Boxboard and Liner production was up 0.2% year to date; Recycled Boxboard production rose 0.2% year to date; and Unbleached Kraft & Gypsum declined 1.2% year to date.

 

Company will be temporarily curtailing operations at its BCTMP mill in Taylor, British Columbia from June 29 through Aug. 5 due to weaker market conditions and short-term fiber constraints resulting from industry-wide sawmill curtailments in the BC Interior. Curtailment will reduce Canfor Pulp’s production output by approximately 25,000 metric tons of BCTMP.

 

Fortress has received, without penalty, a postponement of approximately $45 million in principal and interest payments under the IQ Loan from June 30, 2019 to December 31, 2021. Interest payments during this period will be deferred and capitalized and the maturity date of the IQ Loan has been extended by five years to December 31, 2031.

 

Together, Heimbach and AstenJohnson will have a significant market share in forming, pressing and drying on all continents. The deal is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2019.

 

International Paper will use the money to create a turbine generator, optimize its power boiler and recover steam at its mill. The projects are expected to reduce the company’s emissions by 225,000 tons, about the same as taking 3,200 cars off the road a year, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

 

Neenah will no longer offer its Fine Paper & Packaging portfolio of brands through the Veritiv Corporation, effective as of the close of business today, June 12, 2019.

 

As of June 12, PM 8 now has the ability to produce woodfree coated paper in addition to light weight coated paper. After a scheduled ramp-up and optimization this widened product capacity will provide excellent flexibility. Sappi will use this flexibility to meet the market demands.

 

The SEK 1 Billion loan from Nordiska investeringsbanken (NIB) has a maturity of 10 years, and will finance the expansion of production capacity of bleached softwood kraft pulp at the SCA Östrand plant in the municipality of Timrå, Sweden The loan will improve the duration of the maturity profile and will further diversify the funding.

 

The adoption of the Rights Plan is intended to protect Verso and its stockholders from the actions of third-parties that the Board determines are not in the best interests of Verso and its stockholders, and to enable all stockholders to realize the long-term value of their investment. The Rights Plan also protects Verso from any efforts to obtain control while it is conducting its strategic alternatives process so that it can maximize the likelihood of a successful outcome.

 

ePac Vancouver is a partnership between ePac Holdings and Smartpak Holdings, Ltd, and will serve the Canadian market with a focus on the western Canadian provinces. The company is ready to begin order taking immediately, with fulfillment done by one of ePac’s six U.S. locations currently in operation until the plant is open in late 2019.

 

Rudy Nouws, Plant Manager, Natural Granen NV / Group Arvesta said, "I am a true fan of the new myMondi system. I can check my stock and order history any time. Sending call-offs works really easily, and you get a confirmation immediately so you know your order is confirmed."

 

Main goal of rebuild is adding the metering size press to increase the strength and paper surface quality, as well as the efficiency to lower the cost. The machine with new PMP key sections will produce kraftliner board with basis weight of 200-320 gsm, design speed of 550 mpm and sheet width on reel 4950 mm.

 

In Italy, the new Rotoloni Regina line, Rotoloni Regina Eco, will be arriving in supermarkets from July. This new line, with packs made of kraft paper – a plant-based material that is renewable, biodegradable and easy to recycle – instead of standard polyethylene film, joins the traditional range and is manufactured using electricity from 100% renewable sources, generated at the Sofidel production plants.

 

"Ahlstrom-Munksjö offers the widest breadth of building and construction papers in the industry," commented Robyn Buss, VP of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s North America Specialty Solutions business area. "Insu-Gard® provides our customers with not only innovative solutions, but the diversity of applications necessary for these markets."

 

"Our most recent innovation, the northbox® level 2 insulator, is perfectly suited to parcel delivery of temperature-sensitive products during the summer season. We are delighted to offer the confectionery industry a recyclable alternative that preserves the freshness and integrity of their products during transport. We are very proud to have received this award," said Luc Langevin, President and COO of the Cascades Specialty Products Group.

 

Customers of Kallima® coated paperboard will continue to benefit from the strength and versatility they’ve come to expect from Kallima® commercial printing grades, but with a new product option that delivers a foldable, printable, boxable solution for all their packaging, cartons, POP displays, and other projects.

 

Diva Art DUO complements the current ​one-side coated Diva Art paperboard range. Both products offer outstanding finishing and converting properties, and are ideal for a wide range of end uses such as book covers, folders, labels, postcards and greeting cards, as well as packaging for cosmetics, perfumes, premium beverages and chocolates or confectionery.

 

There are rubber-sealed spherical roller bearings on the market, but they have their limitations in not being able to manage the same speed limitations, not being equally heat-resistant, and that they don’t keep the ISO dimensions regarding the width of the bearing.

 

"Both controls, based on the Valmet IQ MD Optimizer, already have a proven track record. We know that by stabilizing the wet end we can offer improved quality, chemical and energy savings as well as better runnability for virtually all grades," said Timo Rantala, Product Manager, Automation, Valmet.

 

The certification process tracks products from forest to shelf. Every company that strives for this certification has to follow requirements for how to verify, track and mix forest fiber types and sources. Every FSC label has a specific number, so you can track its origins right back to the source. Third party organizations also verify these operations to ensure meeting the standard.

 

PEFC is collaborating with Myanmar on a three-year project to support the country as it transitions to the sustainable management of its forests. The project is co-funded by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

 

International Stakeholder members are part of the PEFC General Assembly, the highest decision making body of the organization, which sets the strategic direction of PEFC. They can join PEFC working groups and committees on relevant topics including standards revision, marketing and regional promotions.

 

Forest Hub service provides an interface for energy producers, such as power plants who want to buy and share information easier with biofuel suppliers and logistics companies. Valmet’s DNA Fuel Chain Management application complements the Forest Hub service by providing fuel related data that enables all partners within the Forest Hub service to comply with the Finnish Energy Authorities’ new directive to verify the origin of biofuel.

 

Kalle Sundström, CEPI Chairman and CEO of Stora Enso: "In this challenging time, with the sudden and unexpected death of Sylvain Lhôte, I am glad to be able to count on the experience and competence of Jori Ringman to efficiently deliver on what has been prepared by the CEPI team over the last months, and continue to shape the strategic presence of our industry at EU level."

 

Daniel Peltonen has worked at Holmen since 1997 and has been Senior Vice President Paperboard since 2017. He will leave Holmen by December 2019 at the latest. The process of recruiting a replacement is now being initiated.

 

Frank Ruperto will assume the role of SVP, High Purity and High Yield Cellulose Business; Dr. Erin Byers will assume the new role of SVP, Research and Development; and Marcus Moeltner will be promoted to CFO and SVP, Finance.

 

For the past few years Hanna Maula has acted as consultant and entrepreneur for communications and strategy in Silicon Valley. She has previous experience from leading communications organizations at Aalto University and Neste Corporation. Her research has focused on communications, leadership and strategy as well as strategies for the digital era.

 

Claim one of the limited seats now before July 12 to save

 

TAPPI will deliver a Paper Machine Drives Short Course in conjunction with the 65th annual IEEE Pulp and Paper Technical Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. This course on paper machine drives will aid in the complete understanding of the selection, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of all paper machine drive systems, ac or dc.

 

Reducing production costs and increasing yields are important to today’s pulping businesses, just as innovation plays an integral role in advancing biorefineries. Learn more about these and other topics by attending these co-located conferences.

 

Learn more about the "enemies" of your corrugated bond at the TAPPI Advanced Bonding Course to be held at TAPPI’s Headquarters in Georgia in late July.

 

Use this online discussion group to participate in technical discussions with other young professionals, industry peers and content experts.

 

Erhardt+Leimer Inc. is accepting applications for a Corrugated Technical Sales Professional for its Duncan, South Carolina, USA location.