Weekly Spotlight
International Paper and DS Smith Combine to Create the New Global Leader in Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Over the Wire

TAPPI

Thursday, February 6, 2025 - Member
Cristini
International Paper and DS Smith, two of the leading producers of sustainable packaging, containerboard and pulp products, combined forces on January 31, 2025 to create a new global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, focused on the attractive North American and EMEA regions.
 
CONFORMiT Unveils Groundbreaking Generative AI Agent, Revolutionizing Health & Safety for High-Risk Industries and the Everyday
CONFORMiT is proud to announce the public release of Johnny – the first generative AI agent for Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS), available exclusively at ehs.ai.
 
DS Smith Kemsley’s Service Level Agreement with Voith Increases Process Performance, Efficiency and Availability
Voith’s service solutions for each machine segment of the production line offer papermakers direct access to the expertise of the leading full-line supplier. At DS Smith’s Kemsley Mill in the UK, a service approach with regular inspections of all stock preparation equipment ensures optimal maintenance for resource-efficient production and high-quality stock.
 
Dryer Cylinder Bearing Failures? Beat the Heat with NSK.
NSK Americas®
Under the high temperatures and thermal stresses of dryer rolls in paper making machines, conventional bearings can experience cracking damage and fail prematurely. NSK’s Tough and Long Life (TL) Spherical Roller Bearings dramatically increase MTBF and significantly reduce maintenance costs and machine downtime.
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From The Experts
AF&PA Responds to Executive Orders Imposing Tariffs on Mexico and Canada
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s announcement of 25% tariffs on all products from Canada and Mexico:
 
UPG Unified Purchasing Group
Market Roundup
Packaging Corporation of America Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results
Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) today reported fourth quarter 2024 net income of $221 million, or $2.45 per share, and net income of $222 million, or $2.47 per share, excluding special items. Fourth quarter net sales were $2.1 billion in 2024 and $1.9 billion in 2023. Full year 2024 net income was $805 million, or $8.93 per share, and net income of $814 million, or $9.04 per share, excluding special items. Full year net sales were $8.4 billion in 2024 and $7.8 billion in 2023.
 
International Paper Reports Full-Year and Fourth Quarter 2024 Results
International Paper (NYSE: IP) today reported full-year 2024 net earnings of $557 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, and adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) of $400 million, or $1.13 per diluted share. Full-year net sales were $18.6 billion in 2024 and $18.9 billion in 2023.
 
SCA to Increase Kraftliner Prices by € 90 Per Metric Ton
SCA increases the prices on brown and white kraftliner in Europe by € 90 per metric ton. The new price is valid from March 1, 2025.
 
EPIQ Advanced Dynamics Corp
Pulp & Paper
Voith's Rebuild Measures Secure Energy Savings and Efficiency Increases in the Dry End for Papierfabrik Jass
In March 2024, Voith carried out extensive upgrades to the predryer section and the heat recovery of paper manufacturer Jass' PM 3 at its Fulda site. Since up to two-thirds of the energy consumed during paper production is required in the dryer section, Jass is achieving great savings potential and significantly increased machine availability at the site.
 
Suzano Signs Long-Term Deal with Marvin
The world’s largest pulp supplier, Suzano, announces a long-term commercial agreement with the AI-powered land use and supply chain management startup, Marvin. Alongside this, Suzano’s venture capital arm, Suzano Ventures, has completed a strategic follow-on investment into Marvin, following its initial investment in October 2023.
 
Greif to Close Paperboard Mill in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Greif, a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, will permanently cease production on the Number 1 Paperboard Machine (A1) in Austell, GA and permanently close the containerboard and uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) mill in Fitchburg, MA.
 
DeZURIK, Inc.
Containerboard/Packaging
AF&PA Releases Q4 2024 Boxboard Quarterly Report
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the Q4 2024 Boxboard report. 
 
Greif to Close URB Mill in Fitchburg, MA; Cease Production on A1 Containerboard Machine in Austell, GA
Greif announced that it will permanently close the containerboard and uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) mill in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and permanently cease production on the Number 1 Paperboard Machine (A1) in Austell, Georgia.
 
AF&PA Releases Q4 2024 Containerboard Quarterly Report
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the Q4 2024 Containerboard Quarterly report. 
 
Kelly Spicers Expands Packaging Footprint with Denver Packaging Acquisition
Kelly Spicers, a leading West Coast distributor of paper, packaging, wide format products and facilities solutions, announced today that it has acquired Denver-based Creative Packaging Group, an independent packaging distributor with customers across the Rocky Mountain region.   
 
Best-in-class in Paper Mill Starch Cooking.
Hydro-Thermal Corp®
Hydro-Thermal’s proven and original Jetcooker™ technology provides the instantaneous gelatinization of wet end starch, adjustable mechanical shear, and precise temperature control, optimizing the cooking process. Our patented Jetcooker™ directly injects steam into the starch slurry, producing consistent starch with 100% energy efficiency.  For more information on our advanced direct steam injection technology for starch cooking in paper making
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New Products
Self-Centering Spool Collar Quickly Locates, Centers & Mounts Rolls
A new spool holder that features a lever-operated clamp and a conical face for mounting rolls concentric to the shaft in bagging, label making, packaging, and related machinery has been introduced by Stafford Manufacturing Corp. of Wilmington, MA.
 
Stora Enso and ECOR Global Partner to Create Formaldehyde-Free Board
Stora Enso announces that its NeoLigno bio-based binder is integral part of ECOR Global’s new product line, a groundbreaking fully bio-based, recyclable and formaldehyde-free board. This innovation meets the increasing demand for healthier, recyclable, high-performance materials, particularly in furniture and flooring manufacturing.
 
Sustainability
Wind Power Project to Supply Green Energy Directly to Koehler Paper Site in Oberkirch
Koehler Renewable Energy has taken another important step in its mission to generate more renewable energy from its own facilities than the Koehler Group needs for its paper production operations by 2030. More specifically, its project for directly powering the Koehler Paper site in Oberkirch with self-produced green energy is taking shape: After a detailed analysis, the area on the Schwend ridge between Oberkirch and Kappelrodeck was identified as an ideal site for wind turbines that will be used to power the Oberkirch plant directly.
 
Verified Assessments Show Metsä Board Paperboards Can Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Beautycare Packaging by 50%
According to a recent Metsä Board study, optimising the choice of paperboard can notably reduce the carbon footprint of packaging for beautycare and cosmetic brands. The assessments, conducted by Metsä Board and verified by the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, demonstrated the significant carbon footprint reductions achieved by switching to Metsä Board’s fresh fibre paperboard, compared to grades representative of European markets.
 
FisherSolve Database Shows Which Paper Mills Have the Lowest Carbon Emissions
The FisherSolve database is a tool to learn more about the environmental impact from every paper producer in the world.
 
New Recycler to Produce Sustainable Building Materials from Recycled Food and Beverage Cartons
A partnership between the Carton Council, Elof Hansson USA Inc. and the Upcycling Group will bring a new recycling manufacturing facility to Lodi, California, by the end of Q3. Designed to transform post-consumer food and beverage cartons into durable, sustainable building materials, the facility will support regional recycling efforts and help meet the growing demand for sustainable construction materials.
 
Informa Markets
People
Edilio Stefani, Chairman of the Sofidel Group, Suddenly Passed Away
Edilio Stefani, Chairman of the Sofidel Group, passed away suddenly at his home on January 30.
 
Kadant Johnson Promotes Chad Corte to President
Kadant Johnson LLC, a subsidiary of Kadant Inc., announced the promotion of Chad Corte to President. In this capacity, Corte is responsible for the company's operations in Three Rivers, Michigan which include R&D, manufacturing, and commercial activities.
 
Naylor Association Solutions
TAPPI Career Wire
PP Operations Technician I or PP Operations Technician II (Based on level of qualifications)
 
Project Manager
Maricopa County
Phoenix, Arizona
Visit https://careers.tappi.org/jobs/21043473/project-manager to view the full article online.
 
Electric - Superintendent, Electric Power
Department of Public Utilities, City of Orangeburg
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina
 
Process Optimization Specialist - Plastic Injection Molding
 
Senior Transportation Planner - Modeling & Analysis
VTA
San Jose, California
 
TAPPI News
 
Visit https://events.tappi.org/event/tappicon/registration?utm_source=OTW+-+2.6&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=registration to view the full article online.
 
TAPPI Nano Call for Presentations Extended to Thursday, 13 February 2025
Don’t miss the opportunity to share your advanced renewable materials research
 
Maximize Your Impact as a TAPPICon 2025 Sponsor
Stand Out in a Competitive Market While Helping Mills Solve Key Challenges
 
Understanding the Impact of Dust Control on Tissue Softness: Upcoming Webinar Explores Best Practices
Join our exclusive webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, from 10–11 a.m. (ET) to explore the latest chemical solutions for dust mitigation in tissue production.
 
New Webinar: Enhancing Pulp and Paper Mill Sustainability: A Case Study on John Crane’s Innovative Universal Cartridge
Explore Sustainable Solutions in Pulp and Paper Mills: A Deep Dive into John Crane’s Universal Cartridge Innovation
 
Apply Now: TAPPI Scholarships Offer Nearly $60,000 in Financial Support—Deadline is February 15
The deadline to apply for TAPPI’s scholarships is fast approaching! Don’t miss your chance—applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are due February 15, 2025.
 
Join Us In-Person for NC State’s Popular Pulp and Paper Basics Hands-On Workshop
Master the basic concepts in pulp and paper manufacturing