COVID-19 Impact
Nordic Paper Mill Closures Accelerate as Covid Decimates Demand

Over the Wire

TAPPI

Thursday, October 22, 2020 - Member
Cristini
Nordic forestry companies are shuttering paper machines at an unprecedented pace as the Covid-19 pandemic accelerates a long-running decline in demand.
 
Consumer Demand for Bag-in-Box Wine Surges During Pandemic
There has been a surge in consumer demand for Bag-in-Box wines this year according to new data, partially caused by changing behavior due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Research by packaging leader Smurfit Kappa in collaboration with Wine Intelligence found that Bag-in-Box wine attracted 3.7 million new consumers in France and the UK during the past six months.
 
Weekly Spotlight
Smithers Identifies the Top 20 Disruptive Technologies for Paper and Board Industry
Twenty novel technologies have scope to optimize production and open new revenue channels in the paper and board industry across the next decade, according to the latest research from Smithers. The impetus to innovate is being stimulated by multiple long-term drivers, and in the short term by the need to react to the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Valmet Completes Acquisition of PMP Group
Valmet has completed the acquisition of PMP Group, the provider of technologies and services for the paper industry.
 
Toscotec to Supply Two Major Rebuilds in Africa and Western Europe on a Turnkey Basis
Toscotec will rebuild two tissue machines in Western Europe and Africa for a leading tissue manufacturer that remains confidential. The projects are on a turnkey basis and are scheduled for completion in 2021.
 
Futura, Global Leader in Tissue Converting, Acquires Plusline
Futura, technological leader in creating and delivering tissue converting solutions, whose production value in 2019 was over 60 million euro, has finalized the acquisition of Plusline, a company active in ‘smart’ tissue packaging technology operative from its headquarters in Bologna.
 
Exchange Ideas, Solutions at PEERS Hot Topics Breakfast Sessions
They’re called Hot Topics for a reason. Join in-depth discussions on critical topics that have an immediate effect on your mill during PEERS 2020 Hot Topics Breakfasts.
 
Extended Uptime in Contaminated Environments: Molded-Oil™ Bearings.
NSK Americas®
Under conditions of liquid or dust contamination, even sealed conventional bearings will fail prematurely. Molded-Oil Bearings with DDU seals from NSK deliver continual, clean, no-leak lubrication for dramatically increased service life and maintenance intervals.
Learn More
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Merichem Company
Market Roundup
American Forest & Paper Association Releases September 2020 Printing-Writing Monthly Report
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its September 2020 Printing-Writing Monthly report.
 
Sonoco Implementing Price Increase for Uncoated Recycled Paperboard
Sonoco announced it is implementing a $50 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in the United States and Canada, effective with shipments beginning November 16, 2020.
 
JVIC
Pulp & Paper
Valmet to Supply an Extensive Paper Machine Grade Conversion Rebuild to Modern Karton in Turkey
Valmet will supply an extensive paper machine grade conversion rebuild and a wide scope of automation to Modern Karton Sanayii Ve Ticaret at its Tekirdağ Mill in Turkey. In the project, paper machine PM 3 which is currently producing recycled containerboard, will be rebuilt to produce high quality coated containerboard grades. The start-up of the rebuilt paper machine is scheduled for the beginning of 2022.
 
UPM to Permanently Close Kaipola Paper Mill by Mid-December, Jämsänkoski Paper Mill to Continue Operations
UPM confirmed that it will permanently close its Kaipola paper mill in Jämsä, Finland, by mid-December. UPM's second paper mill in Jämsä, UPM Jämsänkoski, will continue operations with one graphic paper machine and two specialty paper machines.
 
Saica Group to Break Ground on New Plant
Saica Group has held a groundbreaking event at the site of its first U.S. plant, 2995 McBride Court, Hamilton Enterprise Parkway in Hamilton, Ohio. The 350,000 square-foot plant will manufacture corrugated packaging. The project marks Spanish company Saica’s expansion into the U.S. market, and represents a $72-million investment.
 
A.Celli Paper Will Supply Three New E-WIND ® Tissue rewinders to Guangxi Sun Paper
The supply of A.Celli tissue and paper rewinders for the Shandong Sun Holdings Group continues with the sale of another 3 top of the range tissue rewinders for the Beihai plant, in the province of Guangxi, China.
 
Kuraray America, Inc.
Containerboard/Packaging
American Forest & Paper Association Releases September 2020 Containerboard Monthly Report
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its September 2020 Containerboard Monthly report. 
 
American Forest & Paper Association Releases September 2020 Packaging Papers Monthly Report
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its September 2020 Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Monthly report.
 
Valmet to Supply an OptiConcept M Container Board Making Line to Shanying Paper, Guangdong, in China
Valmet will supply a new OptiConcept M container board making line with extensive package of automation to Shanying Paper, Guangdong at its Zhaoqing mill in China. The new board making line (PM 52) will produce kraft top liner grades and expand Shanying Paper’s business to Guangdong area.
 
Atlantic Packaging Products to Build New Recycled Containerboard Machine at Whitby Mill in Ontario
Atlantic Packaging Products officially announced the construction of a new 100% recycled containerboard machine at its paper mill in Whitby, Ontario, Canada.
 
Best-in-class in Paper Starch Cooking.
Hydro-Thermal Corp
Hydro-Thermal's proven and original Jetcooker™ technology, combined with instantaneous gelatinization of starch, optimized adjustable shear, and precise temperature control, make starch production issues a thing of the past. Our patented starch cooking solutions use steam to deliver instantaneous heating and consistent cook temperature while effectively providing adjustable shear in any installation.
For more information on our advanced direct steam injection technology, click here
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New Products
Fast Cure, Surface Tolerant, Abrasion Resistant System for Emergency Patch Repairs New Product Belzona 1818 Officially Launched
Belzona Polymerics, one of the world leading providers of high-performance polymeric repair composites and protective coatings is excited to announce the launch of a new product to add to their comprehensive portfolio of solutions for industrial maintenance.
 
Inverform™ – a New, Sustainable Paperboard Alternative to Plastic Food Trays
Iggesund Paperboard’s new Inverform™ for ready-made meal packaging trays ticks all the boxes for sustainability and performance.
 
Veolia Water Technologies
Sustainability
OPTIMA Sets up a Sustainability Department
The Optima Group based in Schwaebisch Hall, Germany, has made sustainability one of its central tenets. To this end, a Sustainability Department has been set up to concentrate on developing ideas and solutions.
 
Photovoltaic Systems in Laakirchen and Pöls: Green Energy From Solar Power
Heinzel Group’s operations are characterized by saving resources, environmental protection, energy efficiency and use of renewable sources of energy.
 
People
Elizabeth Rhue Named Staff Vice President of Global Sustainability
Sonoco (NYSE: SON) announced Elizabeth Rhue has been named Staff Vice President of Global Sustainability, reporting directly to President and CEO Howard Coker.
 
UPM Strengthens Its Labor Market Resourcing with Two Appointments
UPM announced that it will establish a new labor markets team which will start its activities in the beginning of December. The background to the decision is the announcement of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation to discontinue the collective bargaining in the Finnish labor markets at the end of the ongoing agreement period.
 
TAPPI News
Final Days of TAPPI Press Fall into Savings Event
It’s not too late to take advantage of the 30% discount on all TAPPI Press publications. 
 
Do You Know What’s New in the Corrugated Industry?
Don’t miss the latest virtual event connecting you with the world
 
Optimize Operations with Integrated Plant and Personnel Safety Solutions
Figure out how to improve your business operations in the “Integrated Plant and Personnel Safety Solutions for Pulp and Paper Mills, Converting, Printing & Packaging” free webinar to be held on Tuesday, November 3rd 11AM – 12PM EST.
 
Learn How to Troubleshoot Fluid Sealing in Pump Systems for Safety and Reliability
Set a reminder and register today for Garlock hosted “Troubleshooting Fluid Sealing in Pump Systems for Safety and Reliability” webinar being held on Wednesday, October 28th 1PM – 2PM EST.
 
Abstract Submission Deadline is Friday, October 23
Your opportunity to be part of TAPPICon ends this Friday. Submit your abstract before it’s too late.
 
Naylor Association Solutions