From The Experts
The Paper Industry Undeservedly Suffers from an Environmental Perception Problem

Over the Wire

TAPPI

Thursday, July 15, 2021 - Members
Weekly Spotlight
Paper Excellence on July 9 announced that Paper Excellence and its subsidiaries ("Paper Excellence") have received a debt commitment letter from leading financial institutions for the commitment of an aggregate of $1.95 billion of financing.
 
Smurfit Kappa Group, one of the world's largest integrated manufacturers of paper-based packaging products with operations in Europe and the Americas, is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Cartonbox, a folding carton company located in Monterrey, in the north- east of Mexico.
 
Veracel Celulose S.A., one of the biggest pulp producers in Brazil and part of Europe’s second largest paper producer Stora Enso, has commissioned Voith to upgrade its Quality Control System (QCS) of scanner and sensors for the company’s PDM 1 in Eunapólis, Brazil.
 
On July 7th, Kipaş Kağıt successfully started up the first production line for board and packaging papers at its Söke site in western Turkey. As a full-line supplier, Voith supplied the entire plant with the latest production and automation technologies.
 
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
Advertisement
Two Sides’ latest study ‘Paper’s Place in a Post-Pandemic World’ aims to understand changing consumer perceptions towards print, paper, paper packaging and tissue products. This unique insight into consumer attitudes towards one of the world’s oldest and universally used materials will be repeated biennially to monitor and report upon evolving consumer perceptions as environmental awareness intensifies and alternative digital channels of communication become prevalent.
 
Merichem Company
Market Roundup
Sappi Europe to Increase Prices for All Graphics Paper Grades
Sappi Europe announced a price increase for all its woodfree coated, uncoated and mechanical coated paper grades by no less than 10% across all European markets. The increase will be applied with immediate effect on all new business and latest by 1 October depending on current agreements.
 
Verso Confirms Receipt of Unsolicited Acquisition Proposal from Atlas Holdings
Verso Corporation (NYSE: VRS) confirmed that it has received an unsolicited proposal from Atlas Holdings LLC regarding a potential transaction to acquire all outstanding shares of Class A common stock of Verso for $20.00 per share in cash.
 
Buckman
Pulp & Paper
Toscotec to Supply a TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer to Mirae Paper
Toscotec will supply a third-generation design TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer to the South Korean tissue manufacturer Mirae Paper at their Jeonju paper mill. This is a repeat order from Mirae Paper who installed their first TT SYD on PM3 in 2013.
 
Valmet and Red Leaf Pulp Sign Exclusive Teaming Agreement for New Pulp Technology
Red Leaf Pulp Ltd., developer of a proprietary low-carbon pulping process, and Valmet, Ltd. have signed a long-term Teaming Agreement to exclusively collaborate and pursue commercialization of Red Leaf’s innovative ag-based pulping process in North America, employing Valmet’s fiberline and other value-added equipment.
 
Russia’s Segezha Group to Suspend Production of Pulp at its Flagship Karelia Mill by 2024-2025
Segezha Group, one of Russia’s largest timber holdings, will suspend the production of pulp at Segezha Pulp and Paper Mill in Karelia after the launch of a new enterprise of the Segezha West project by the end of 2024 - early 2025, according to recent statements made by Mikhail Shamolin, head of Segezha Group during a live broadcast in the Russian social network VKontakte dedicated to the socio-economic development of the Segezha region.
 
Kuraray America, Inc.
Containerboard/Packaging
Voith Wins Order to Rebuild Golbey PM 1 for Future Production of Packaging Paper
In June, one of Europe's leading producers of publication papers, Norske Skog, commissioned the technology group Voith to rebuild the PM 1 production line for the future production of recycled packaging paper. In addition to the extensive rebuild of the PM 1, Voith will supply a new BlueLine stock preparation system and efficiency-enhancing services.
 
Papierfabrik Palm Successfully Commissions New Containerboard Machine, PM5, in Aalen, Germany
Papierfabrik Palm announced the successful start-up of its new paper machine at its paper mill in Aalen, which is in southwest Germany. The EUR 500 million project includes the new paper machine, a new biological wastewater treatment facility, finished goods and raw material warehouses and a combined heat and power plant (CHP).
 
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!
Advertisement
Legislative
New-Indy Continues Efforts to Resolve Odor in the Vicinity of Its Catawba Mill in South Carolina
In a motion for a consent order filed [July 12] in the United States District Court in Rock Hill, New-Indy Catawba LLC agreed to continue measures specified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address concerns about odor in the vicinity of [the Catawba pulp and paper mill in South Carolina].
 
New Products
BillerudKorsnäs Launches Two New Lightweight Cartonboard Grades
BillerudKorsnäs is introducing two new low grammages of their flagship cartonboard product, CrownBoard Prestige®. Made at KM7, the world's most modern board machine, the two new low grammages are particularly interesting for the graphical industry.
 
Mondi’s New Advantage Stretch Wrap Paper Offers a More Sustainable Choice for Pallet Wrapping
Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, collaborated with the Italian machine producer ACMI to create a new wrapping system for pallets that uses paper instead of plastic. By transforming the way pallets are wrapped, Advantage StretchWrap reduces the supply chain’s reliance on plastic, moving to a renewable and fully recyclable material.
 
Michelman Inc.
Sustainability
European Paper Industry Delivers on Emission Reduction and Recycling Commitments
With the slowing down of the European economy and the sanitary restrictions, European paper and board consumption decreased by 5.3% in 2020 compared to 2019, totaling 71 million metric tons.
 
Essity Invests in Improved Recycling of Food and Beverage Cartons in France
Global hygiene and health company Essity invests approximately EUR 11m (approximately SEK 110m) in its Hondouville mill in France, allowing to extract 98% of paper fibers contained in food and beverage cartons.
 
Multiple Companies Join Sustainability Alliances in Early Q3
From forming new partnerships and alliances to developing new product replacements for plastics, the pulp and paper industry has been booming, and below are some of the top stories from the last month.
 
Kruger Achieves EcoVadis Gold Level Rating
After earning a Silver rating three years in a row, Kruger has now proudly achieved the EcoVadis Gold level rating in recognition of our commitment to sustainability.
 
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
Advertisement
People
Sappi Limited's Marjorie Boles Named CIO of the Year
Sappi Limited announced that Group CIO Marjorie Boles has received a Global ORBIE as one of BostonCIO's 2021 CIOs of the Year.
 
Resolute’s Sustainability Leadership Benefits from Board EH&S Committee Chair Suzanne Blanchet
Resolute’s environment, health and safety (EH&S) committee of the board of directors is chaired by Suzanne Blanchet. Ms. Blanchet has been instrumental in enhancing board oversight of our sustainability strategy, and our environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance since 2019.
 
TAPPI News

 
Rebuilding Paper Machines of the Future
Need a solution for production bottlenecks and rising production costs? Learn how a paper machine rebuild can be your answer at TAPPICon 2021.
 
What’s Ahead for Corrugated?
Latest Paper360° podcast episode features Menasha Packaging’s Ed Stuczynski sharing insights on SuperCorrExpo programming and the impact of COVID-19 on the industry.
 
Time is Running Out to Nominate Your Colleagues
Nominations for Association-level awards are due August 1. Who’s worthy of TAPPI’s highest honors?
 
Learn to Use Papermaking Additives More Effectively
New resource from TAPPI Press compiles extensive knowledge on functional additives to help papermakers better meet customers’ needs.
 
Physical Properties of Paper and Paperboard Live Q&A
Get Answers to Questions on the Physical Properties of Paper and Paperboard during a live "Ask the Expert", a TAPPI Connect Open Forum Event.
 
Convenient, Virtual Course in Kraft Pulping and Bleaching Opens for Registration
TAPPI's Introduction to Kraft Pulping and Bleaching Course offers online modules, live group discussions and much more.
 
No matter where your corrugated products end up... they can hold up to the task!
Attend Best Practices on the Corrugator Course to help you contribute to quality board.
 
TAPPI Industry Career Center: Cargill Seeks a Sr. Sales Account Manager
Cargill is looking for applications to fill the position of Sr. Sales Account Manager in Minnesota. Are you interested? If so, apply today.
 
Naylor Association Solutions