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Over the Wire

TAPPI

Thursday, February 27, 2025 - Member
Cristini
Step into the future

 
Weekly Spotlight
TAPPI Announces Newly Elected Board Directors
T.Scott Frasca and Daniel J. Goymerac named to TAPPI’s Board of Directors.
 
A.Celli Presents its Book and Renews its Partnership with the Giacomo Puccini Foundation
A.Celli Group celebrates the final piece of its series of celebrations for the 80th anniversary of its activities with an event that marks not only the presentation of the commemorative volume dedicated to its history, but also the continuation of a prestigious collaboration with the Giacomo Puccini Foundation for the triennium 2025-2027.
 
GreenFirst Forest Products Announces the Extension of its Asset-Based Lending Facility
GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. announces the extension of its asset-based lending facility with Bank of Montreal.
 
5 Million Funding for Sustainable Forestry for the Cartiere Carrara Group in Italy
BPER has finalized a €5 million financing with SACE’s Green Guarantee in favor of La Badia Soc. Agr. Srl, a company belonging to Cartiere Carrara Group, to finance the costs and expenses to be incurred in relation to the activities that constitute a reforestation project aimed at pursuing the following environmental objectives, which aims to implement polycyclic plantations and the redevelopment of the surrounding territory, including through targeted training activities.
 
Saica Group Secures Grant for Decarbonisation Project
The Saica Group has accepted a €32.7 million grant from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism to support its Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE), aimed at decarbonising its recycled paper production process at the El Burgo de Ebro plant in Zaragoza. 
 
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.
Learn more
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From The Experts
Packaging is the New Brand Statement According to the Sixth Annual Mondi Group eCommerce Trend Report
Mondi announced the results of its sixth annual eCommerce trend report “Sustainability and its impact on packaging and online shopping choices”. This comprehensive study examines trends, attitudes and expectations regarding eCommerce and the impact packaging has on the consumer experience.
 
UPG Unified Purchasing Group
Market Roundup
Total U.S. Printing-Writing Paper Shipments Decreased 7% in January 2025
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the January 2025 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 7% in January compared to January 2024.
 
Suzano Announces Another Round of Price Increases for Its Hardwood Pulp
Brazilian pulp and paper producer Suzano has announced price increases for its hardwood pulp:
 
Mercer International Reports Improved Fourth Quarter 2024 Results
Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC) today reported fourth quarter 2024 Operating EBITDA of $99.2 million, an increase from $21.1 million in the same quarter of 2023 and $50.5 million in the third quarter of 2024.
 
Cascades Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results
Cascades Inc. has reported its unaudited financial results for the three-month period and fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
 
EPIQ Advanced Dynamics Corp
Pulp & Paper
Toscotec Continues Penetration of US Market with New TT SteelDryer Start-Up
Toscotec has recently completed a dryer section rebuild including more than 10 TT SteelDryer cylinders at a leading American paper producer that remains confidential. This group has placed numerous repeat orders relating to four different production bases in the USA. In North America, Toscotec has installed more than 70 TT SteelDryers to date.
 
Suzano Reaches Nominal Capacity and 1 Million Tons of Production in Record Time with ANDRITZ-Delivered Pulp Mill
Suzano has reached remarkable production milestones at its new pulp mill in Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil, delivered by ANDRITZ. The world’s largest single-line eucalyptus pulp mill achieved average nominal capacity within less than six months after start-up, nearly four months ahead of schedule. Another milestone was met on January 8 when the mill’s production reached its first 1 million tons of pulp. When fully operational, the mill will have an annual production capacity of 2.55 million tons.
 
Valmet to Deliver Quality Control System for Corrugator to Penha in Brazil
Valmet is to deliver an IQ Quality Control System for corrugator for optimizing sheet quality to Grupo Penha S.A.'s packaging plant in Itapira, Sao Paulo state, Brazil.
 
DeZURIK, Inc.
Containerboard/Packaging
AI Generates Ideas for Packaging Design
Metsä Board is exploring ways to use artificial intelligence in packaging design. Metsä Board's packaging design team has been testing the use of AI in packaging design, and Northern Lights Oat Meal is an example.
 
Total U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Shipments Increased 4% in January 2025
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the January 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in January increased 4% compared to January 2024.
 
Packsize Launches Automated Right-Sized Packaging System
Packsize, a company specialising in on-demand packaging solutions, has unveiled the X6, a new automated right-sized packaging system.
 
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
click here
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Legislative
AF&PA Congratulates U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick Urges Continued talks with Canada, Mexico and the European Union
American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock released the following statement on Howard Lutnick’s confirmation as United States Secretary of Commerce.
 
New Products
Koehler's NexPlus® Advanced Paper Revolutionizes Organic Meal Packaging
Koehler Paper has partnered with organic ready-to-eat meal provider pack&satt to introduce a groundbreaking paper packaging solution for convenience products.
 
Cold&Go: Premium Paper Cups for Chilled Beverages
Graphic Packaging International, a global leader in sustainable packaging, has reinvented its Cold&Go™ insulated paper cup, specifically designed to address the recurring challenges faced by quick-service restaurants, cafés, and convenience stores.
 
New CleanLine Extract360 Fabric Cleaning System from Voith Maximizes Dryer Section Cleanliness, Sheet Runability and Machine Efficiency
With the CleanLine Extract360, leading full-line supplier Voith is launching a new, highly effective fabric cleaning system for the dryer section of paper machines. The innovative system is designed to overcome limitations of conventional dryer fabric cleaning, enabling excellent cleaning results, reliably removing wastewater, and extending fabric life by reducing cleaning pressure.
 
Flow Control Presents Revolutionary Product and Process Innovation
The Flow Control SZ8 SealCooler thermosiphon system is a revolutionary new product and process innovation from Finnish company Flow Control.
 
Naylor Association Solutions
Sustainability
Hood Container Joins P+PB Residential Recycling Program
Hood Container has joined Box to Nature program – Paper and Packaging Board’s (P+PB) residential recycling program. Developed by P+PB in collaboration with participating paper and corrugated manufacturing companies and industry partners, Box to Nature is an initiative where box manufacturers work with e-commerce brands to print a graphic on their boxes that encourages consumers to recycle.
 
EcoVadis, a Global Leader in ESG Ratings, has Selected Fedrigoni as a Case Study of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement
The Fedrigoni Group, a leading global player in specialty papers, self-adhesive materials, and RFID solutions, achieved a score of 90/100 in 2024 and, for the third consecutive time, the Platinum medal for sustainability. This recognition was also attributed to the significant results obtained from the sustainable procurement program, which enabled 241 suppliers to increase their ESG score by an average of 4.5 points through specific training programs and continuous improvement strategies.
 
Informa Markets
People
Robert (Bob) Morgan, Former Geo. M. Martin President, Passes at 72
Robert “Bob” Morgan, former President of the Geo. M. Martin Company and a respected leader in the corrugated packaging industry, passed away peacefully at his home in Benicia, California on February 8, 2025. He was 72.
 
Engineered Recycling Systems Announces Mark Haire has Joined Its Technical Sales Team
Engineered Recycling Systems is pleased to announce that Mark Haire has joined the company's Technical Sales Team.
 
New Leadership at AFT: Ali Raheem Appointed CEO
Aikawa Fiber Technologies (AFT), based in Sherbrooke, has announced the appointment of Ali Raheem as CEO, effective immediately. This move is part of AFT’s growth and innovation strategy.
 
TAPPI Career Wire
Professor of Potato Improvement (Assistant, Associate, or Full) (Faculty)
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado
 
Production Engineer - Paper Machines
Sappi Cloquet
Cloquet, Minnesota
 
Director of Utilities - Engineering and Technical Services
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas
 
Project Engineer
Town of Beaufort
Beaufort, North Carolina
Visit https://careers.tappi.org/jobs/21104861/project-engineer to view the full article online.
 
Legal Counsel
Commonwealth Utilities Corporation
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Visit https://careers.tappi.org/jobs/21102377/legal-counsel to view the full article online.
 
TAPPI News
 
Visit https://web.cvent.com/event/4624d09e-917a-4ac4-b40c-39255bafc440/summary to view the full article online.
 
TAPPI Annual Meeting to be held March 4, 2025
A virtual meeting will be held Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 1:00 pm. EST providing a brief report on TAPPI association business.
 
Anthony "Tony" Lyons, Ph.D., Honored with TAPPI’s 2025 Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award
Renowned honor recognizes inspiring volunteer leaders
 
Chemical Additives in Papermaking: A Game-Changer for Dry Strength
Gain Key Insights and Strategies at TAPPICon 2025
 
Only Days Left to Register for Pulp & Paper Workshop Beginning March 10.
Acquire the essentials of pulp and paper manufacturing at this upcoming short course at NC State University.
 
TAPPI Visual Inspection Charts: Setting the Standard for Quality Assurance
Ensure Accurate Defect Detection with TAPPI’s Trusted Charts
 
Discover Introductory and Advanced Paper Operations Training
Spring into learning with these industry training events coming up.
 
Important Changes for TAPPI in 2025
TAPPI President and CEO Montague Announces Leadership Succession Planning