Market Roundup
Sappi Europe to Increase Prices for Its Woodfree Coated and Uncoated Papers, and Paperboard

Over the Wire

TAPPI

Thursday, August 4, 2022 - Member
Weekly Spotlight
The IBS Paper Performance Group received the order for an iTABLE® at the PM 6 of Smurfit Kappa Nettingsdorf. The high-end technology helps to further increase the dewatering capacity and improve the paper quality. The start-up is scheduled for October 2022.
 
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is investing in new technology and converting its existing boilers at its Mosinee and Rhinelander plants in Wisconsin (USA) to reduce its carbon emissions and landfill waste.
 
WestRock Company (NYSE: WRK) announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining interest in Grupo Gondi for $970 million, plus the assumption of debt, representing an estimated implied enterprise value of $1.763 billion.
 
GP Cellulose is investing about $80 million to add fluff capacity at its GP Cellulose Alabama River mill near Monroeville, Alabama. The project is being implemented in phases and when complete in late 2023, will increase the mill's ability to produce fluff pulp.
 
From The Experts
In response to the classification of polypropylene #5 plastics being classified as “widely recyclable” despite less than 30% of Americans having access to recycling systems that accept it, Greenpeace USA Oceans Campaign Director John Hocevar said:
 
VanTek, Inc.
Sappi Europe announced that it will increase prices on its range of Woodfree Coated and Uncoated papers, and Paperboard by 8-10% to its European customers effective September 12.
 
International Paper Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results
International Paper reported second quarter 2022 financial results.
 
Pulp & Paper
U.S. Company Launches New Paper Former
U.S. company BMG has unveiled the launch of the QuadPro paper former, which the manufacturer says provides the industry’s highest production output and lowest scrap rate with the use of a patent-pending, continuous forming process.
 
UK Toilet Roll Producer to Invest in New Paper Recycling Plant
UK toilet roll maker Essity has announced plans to construct a new paper recycling plant, aiming to replace the company’s 50-year-old recycling factory.
 
UPG Unified Purchasing Group
Containerboard/Packaging
Total U.S. Containerboard Production Increased Two Percent in Q2 2022
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has released its Q2 2022 Containerboard Quarterly report. According to the report, total containerboard production in Q2 increased 2% compared to Q2 2021. It was also up 2% when compared to the same 6 months of 2021.
 
Pratt Industries to Open Corrugated Box Plant and Innovation Center in Texas
In April, the Cedar Hill City Council approved an agreement with Pratt Industries, Inc. (through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc.) to locate a Regional Manufacturing & Innovation Center at High Point 67 in Cedar Hill, Texas.
 
Canadian Packaging, Hygiene Products Maker Launches New Strategy
Canada’s Cascades, a company specialized in sustainable recycling, hygiene and packaging solutions, has unveiled its 2022-2024 strategic update that commits to leveraging the firm’s asset base and product portfolio to accelerate value creation and enhance profitability, the business said in a statement.
 
Optimize Your Starch Cooking Capabilities
Hydro-Thermal Corp®
Starch cooking is a vital component in successful paper production. Hydro-Thermal’s original Jetcooker™ ensures that producers have a reliable supply of consistently cooked starch for improving wet end sheet strength, size press surface properties, and overall coating quality.  Learn more about how Hydro-Thermal is the right pick in Starch Makedown, Starch Cooking, and Cooked Starch Handling.
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New Products
Pregis Adds New Paper-Based, Light Cushioning Solution to its Sustainable Packaging Portfolio
Pregis continues to expand its Easypack® portfolio of paper-based packaging solutions with the introduction of GeoTerra™, a sustainable, expandable paper product that provides light cushioning and interleaving protection.
 
Metsä Board Works on Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Packs
The packaging features a microflute structure with MetsäBoard Pro FBB Bright folding boxboard on its surface.
 
Maxcess
Sustainability
Voith Again Achieves Top ISS ESG Rating for Sustainability
After 2021, the international rating agency ISS ESG has again awarded the Voith Group’s sustainability performance a B- rating this year. According to the current rating, Voith is among the three best companies worldwide in terms of sustainability, compared with 176 other plant and mechanical engineering companies.
 
The Global Market for Biofuels 2022-2032
Renewable energy sources can be converted directly into biofuels. There has been a huge growth in the production and usage of biofuels as promising substitutes for fossil fuels. Due to the declining reserve of fossil resources as well as environmental concerns, and essential energy security, it is important to develop renewable and sustainable energy and chemicals.
 
Ahlstrom-Munksjö to Invest EUR 15 Million in Reducing its Carbon Footprint at its Production Plants in Wisconsin, USA
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is investing in new technology and converting its existing boilers at its Mosinee and Rhinelander plants in Wisconsin, United States, to reduce its carbon emissions and landfill waste.

These investments at the Mosinee production plant will enable a reduction in its carbon footprint by an estimated 20%, and a reduction of landfill waste by more than 10%.
 
Lubrication Engineers
Free Webinar: Effectively Measure Total Dissolved Solids
Vaisala Oy®
The pulping industry can use liquid concentration or density as a key parameter for controlling processes such as brown stock washing and black liquor management. This can be done using refractometer technology or density meters, but what are the operational and economic benefits of both techniques? Register today for Vaisala’s upcoming webinar on November 15th at 10am ET to learn how measuring refractive index can optimize energy efficiency and safety.
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People
Motion Announces Senior Vice President Appointment
Motion Industries, Inc., a leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions, is pleased to announce that Lisa Solomon has been promoted to Senior Vice President – Corporate Accounts.
 
George W. Mead II Dies
George W. Mead II, the last local owner of the paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids, died Friday in Madison at the age of 94, according to an obituary from the Mead Witter Foundation.
 
Kimberly-Clark Names Zack Hicks as Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) announced the appointment of Zack Hicks in the newly created role of Chief Digital and Technology Officer, effective July 26, 2022. He is a member of the company's executive leadership team.
 
TAPPI News
 
Visit https://www.tappisafe.org/?utm_source=OTW&utm_medium=banner+-+8.1&utm_campaign=demo to view the full article online.
 
TAPPI Announces Diecutting Class for Packaging Manufacturers at Corrugated Week 2022
Industry expert and popular instructor Rick Putch offers workable solutions to myriad challenges in size-limited class.
 
Specialty Papers US: Thinking Outside the Box: Packaging Design and Materials
Join your peers in Milwaukee, October 4-6, 2022 at Specialty Papers US featuring speakers from Mars, Nestle, Dell Technologies, Pixelle, Eastman, Domtar and more…
 
Want to Learn the Progress of Nanocellulose and its Application in China?
Register today for the “Progress of Nanocellulose and its Application in China” webinar held Monday, August 22nd 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (ET).
 
If Tissue Operations are Getting a Little Unraveled Where you Work...
Join TAPPI’s virtual training to learn ways you can influence runnability and tissue roll performance.
 
Get Answers to Questions on Process Chemicals for Papermaking
Attend this live online Ask the Expert Event on TAPPI Connect on Friday, August 5.  No Cost! Just log in to participate.
 
TAPPI Industry Career Center: Andritz USA Seeks a Mechanical Designer/Engineer
Andritz USA is looking for applications to fill the position of a Mechanical Designer/Engineer in Glens Falls, New York. Are you interested? If so, apply today.
 
TAPPI Industry Career Center: Andritz USA Seeks a Project Engineer
Andritz USA is looking for applications to fill the position of a Project Engineer in Alpharetta, Georgia. Are you interested? If so, apply today.
 
TAPPI Industry Career Center: Andritz USA Seeks a Service Account Manager
Andritz USA is looking for applications to fill the position of a Service Account Manager in Huntsville, Alabama and surrounding cities. Are you interested? If so, apply today.
 
 
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