#BetterTogether
Nonwovens Textiles Also Lead the Fight Against Covid-19

Over the Wire

TAPPI

Thursday, April 8, 2021 - members edition
Cristini
By Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, Nonwovens, Engineers and Technologists (NET) Division, TAPPI

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance and need of life saving soft materials. Nonwoven textiles are integral components of surgical masks, N95 face masks and different PPEs, which have saved lives.
 
Weekly Spotlight
Mica Corporation Expands Global Distribution Network; Partners with Unique Trading to Support Growth Efforts in Pakistan
Mica Corporation, a leading manufacturer of water-based primers and coatings for the global flexible packaging industry since 1971, finalized an agreement with Unique Trading in March to become Mica’s exclusive distributor in Pakistan.
 
Port Tampa Bay Welcomes Plans for Celadon Paper Fiber Manufacturing Plant
The Port Tampa Bay Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with Celadon Development Corporation to lease 37 acres for the construction and operation of a paper fiber manufacturing plant.
 
Solaronics SAS Acquires Selas Heat Technology High Intensity Infrared Burners Assets
Solaronics is a global leader in gas driven infrared drying and air technology systems for a wide range of industries such as paper & board, metal, and glass processes, and has been active in these markets for more than 50 years.
 
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
Russia Posted Significant Increase Production of Corrugating Paper Since 2016
The volume of production of corrugating paper in Russia is steadily growing and there is a possibility such growth will continue to be observed in years to come, according to recent statements, made by representatives of producers and some local media reports.
 
Sappi Europe Increases Prices for all Graphical Paper Grades for Export Markets
Sappi Europe announced price increases for all of its mechanical coated, woodfree coated and woodfree uncoated paper grades by 8-11 % with immediate effect as contracts permit for its export markets.
 
Pulp & Paper
Pixelle Acquires Two Specialty Papers Businesses
Pixelle Specialty Solutions announced it has completed two strategic investments that will further strengthen its portfolio and enhance service to new and existing customers:
 
Stora Enso Exiting the Dissolving Pulp Business
Stora Enso announced its decision to permanently discontinue the production of dissolving pulp, which is used around the world to produce viscose (textile fibers or Lyocell).
 
Bedford Paper Invests in Third Tissue-Converting Line from PCMC
Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), part of Barry-Wehmiller and a leading tissue-converting equipment provider, has announced the sale of a third tissue-converting line to Bedford Paper, a De Pere, Wisconsin-based manufacturer of high-quality paper products.
 
Kuraray America, Inc.
Containerboard/Packaging
Valmet Supplies the First AI Based Machine Vision System to Progroup’s World Record Containerboard Machine in Germany
Valmet will deliver the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) based Valmet IQ Web Inspection System (WIS) to Progroup’s paper machine PM2 in Eisenhüttendstadt, Germany.
 
Technologies for Corrugated Paperboard, the Group Within Acimga is Born
Corrugated paperboard is familiar to everyone. Main material for packaging production, it also has extensive uses in architecture, art, design.
 
Webinar: Brown Stock Washing & TDS optimization
Vaisala Inc., 1®
On September 8th, 1pm EST a Vaisala expert will discuss the importance of Brown Stock Washing and Total Dissolved Solids optimization for pulp mill efficiency. The development of Vaisala K PATENTS® SAFE-DRIVE Process Refractometer for the continuous inline measurement of dissolved solids content in a fiber suspension has made it possible to follow the performance of individual process steps continuously. Join our live webinar to learn more!
Register to watch!
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Legislative
SCA Appeals Land and Environmental Court Ruling and Harvesting Ban
In February 2021, the Land and Environmental Court in Östersund, Sweden, upheld an appeal from the Skydda Skogen (Protect the Forest) association regarding a number of harvesting notifications on SCA land in Jämtland and Härjedalen.
 
New Products
ABB Launches Paper Quality Performance and Becomes First to Offer Online, Time-Based Variability Analysis
Paper Quality Performance, a new digital service that identifies, tracks and analyzes current and changing trends in paper variability, has been released by ABB. It will enable optimization of quality properties measured by Quality Control Systems (QCS) during all operational conditions.
 
Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group Announces Bredel Heavy-Duty Hose Pumps
Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG)  announces Bredel heavy-duty hose pumps to provide high metering accuracy and excellent resistance to the viscous and abrasive chemicals commonly used in the pulp and paper industry.
 
Michelman Inc.
Sustainability
Alvaro Moreno to Save 90 Metric Tons of Plastic Per Year by Switching to More Sustainable Packaging
Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has helped Spanish retail chain Alvaro Moreno to save almost 90 metric tons of plastic per year by switching from plastic to paper shopping, online delivery and gift bags.
 
Pandemic Sparks Greater Interest in Packaging Sustainability
Although price is still the most important factor when it comes to packaging, almost a third (29%) of businesses say that environmental credentials and sustainability are now important in a post Covid-19 world, according to research by leading food and retail packaging company Rocaba Packaging.
 
Maintenance: The hidden profit generator in Pulp & Paper
Bently Nevada LLC®
Your mill's maintenance cost profile has a huge impact efficiency and profitability. Traditionally, maintenance has been viewed strictly as a cost. But there are ways to turn it into a more proactive and positive contributor to business success.

This whitepaper looks at how a better maintenance strategy can actually improve your plant's bottom line and regulatory compliance.
Download whitepaper here
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Baldwin Technology Company
People
PPC Honors Former WestRock CEO Steven C. Voorhees with Robert T. Gair Award for Lifetime Achievement
The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) has selected Steven C. Voorhees, former CEO of WestRock, as the recipient of its 2021 Robert T. Gair Award. Named after the man whose innovation gave birth to the modern folding carton, the Robert T. Gair Award is reserved for individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the paperboard packaging industry.
 
Marco Eikelenboom Begins Role as CEO of Sappi Europe
Sappi Limited said that Marco Eikelenboom (53) as of April 1 begins his new role as CEO of Sappi Europe. Sappi previously announced Eikelenboom's appointment in December 2020.
 
Motion Names Aurelio Banda as New Group Vice President - Automation
Motion Industries, Inc., announced that Aurelio Banda will join the company as Motion's new Group Vice President of Automation.
 
TAPPI News
International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials Going Virtual
Join us in June for TAPPI Nano Virtual and attend the World Nanocellulose Expo executive committee’s 2021 exhibit leading up to the technical conference.
 
New from TAPPI Press! Lime Kilns and Recausticizing: The Forgotten Part of a Kraft Mill
Take advantage of the TAPPI Press Spring Savings Event and save 25% on this new in-depth reference and training guide on an often-overlooked area of the mill.
 
Pay it Forward! Sponsor a Student for Just $35
Invest in the future of the industry and ‘pay it forward’ today!  Sponsor a TAPPI membership for a student or recent graduate for only $35 each. 
 
Thriving in the New Normal: A Young Professionals Perspective
Learn about enhancing company culture post-COVID at TAPPICon VIRTUAL.
 
Don’t Miss the April 19 Deadline to Save on TAPPI Tissue 101 Fundamental Course
Tissue expert are set to lead this instructor-led, virtual course starting soon.
 
Check Out Company Classroom to Launch Your Team Training
TAPPI offers flexible, convenient and efficient training for your entire team!
 
Kadant Black Clawson LLC Seeks a Regional Sales Manager (Northeastern US)
Do you have what it takes to manage regional sales at Kadant Black Clawson LLC? If so, apply today.
 
Naylor Association Solutions