Over the Wire

Stora Enso, Helsinki, Finland, and Chilean company Arauco report that their joint-venture operation in Uruguay, Montes del Plata, will initiate a feasibility study of Punta Pereira in Uruguay as the site for a future pulp mill. Punta Pereira was also the site chosen for Spanish pulp maker ENCE's planned pulp mill. Stora Enso and Arauco acquired the majority of ENCE's operations in Uruguay last October.

The company says that studies prepared by Montes del Plata show that Punta Pereira, in the Department of Colonia, is a promising location for the pulp mill and therefore more detailed economic, technical, environmental, and social studies are justified. Punta Pereira also offers flexibility in terms of planning a long-term investment, the company adds.

"We have come out with a decision that is based on our preliminary economic, operational, and environmental findings. The identification of Punta Pereira will allow us to proceed to the next phase, a detailed feasibility study," says Stora Enso CEO Jouko Karvinen.

The final decision on construction of the new pulp mill will be taken by the boards of directors of Stora Enso, Arauco, and Montes del Plata once the feasibility study is completed.

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A new online community seeks to bring together for the first time a variety of stakeholders concerned with the U.S. West's working forests, from timber communities and recreation enthusiasts to loggers and educators. One Voice for Working Forests includes a blog and pages on Facebook and LinkedIn, but primarily it is a gathering place for supporters of working forests to exchange ideas and discuss thoughts on forestry issues.

While many of the first supporters are from Washington and Oregon, the group has also attracted national forestry groups and supporters from California and Canada. One Voice seeks to unite those who recognize the many benefits that working forests provide, regardless of geography or any other affiliation. It includes a shared set of principles, including a belief in active management of working forests, a diversity of land management styles, and a robust market for wood products. The One Voice community supports the idea that working forests "provide materials for the way we live," including clean air and water, environmental mitigation to combat climate change, and jobs and financial resources for families and communities.

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Pulp & Paper and sawmill production in the U.S. South, following demand, fell in 2009, according to Forest2Market, Charlotte, N.C., USA. Pulp and paper mill production was down 4.5% overall. Pine pulp and paper mill production fell 3.5%, and hardwood pulp and paper mill production was off 7.2%. Sawmill production fell by 21.3% in 2009, according to Forest2Market's Delivered Price Benchmark, the only pricing service based on transaction-level data.

"To put these numbers in context, we developed a production volume index (see index) for the forest products industry," said Daniel Stuber, who oversees analytics and data quality at Forest2Market. "What the index shows is that, by December 2009, pulp and paper mill production had returned to its January 2008 level. For sawmills, production in 2009 peaked in March and then continued its downward trend. The news for sawmills is particularly bad. The 21% drop in 2009 follows a 23% decline in 2008."

Prices were also down in 2009 throughout the South (see price summary table). Pine saw timber prices experienced the largest decline, down more than 12% from 2008 levels—off $5.63 per ton. A 3% increase that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2009 moderated the loss to a degree, said Stuber, "We all knew the forest products industry was suffering in 2009. The benchmark results allow us to quantify the extent of the pain."

Raw material prices for pulp and paper mills, including pulpwood, primary chips, and secondary chips, also declined in 2009. Pine fiber fell by $2.11 per ton or 5.7%, and hardwood fiber fell by $1.17 per ton or 2.7%. Prices regained 8% in the last three months of the year, stemming a more substantial drop.

Biomass (or fuel-wood) was the only class of wood fiber to increase in price in 2009, gaining 3.6%. "This increase can be attributed in part to decreased sawmill production, since sawdust and other mill residues make up part of this category. Scarcity means higher prices," said Stuber. "Increased interest in biomass is also a factor. The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) has incented loggers to remove tops, limbs, and other residues during harvest and deliver them to companies where they are used to produce heat and electricity."

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New Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) "draft" rules announced by the Farm Services Agency come closer to assuring that wood for higher-value products will not be diverted for use as biomass, the Wood Biomass Market Report (WBMR) noted this week. The RISI, Boston, Mass., USA, report also stated that payments made through the BCAP program are just now flowing to the market in earnest from a $517 million allocation that is good through March 31, adding that these payments do not appear to have had adverse effects to date on pulp and panel producers. The report, however, adds that this is "due almost solely to market conditions and should not be a signal as to the true effect the BCAP program could have if new rules are not enacted." WBMR has reported since the program's inception last year on the concern among traditional forest products players that BCAP would drive up prices for composite panel furnish, OSB raw material, pulpwood, and even some low-grade sawlogs.

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Pulp markets are remaining tight, according to Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank, a result of tight pulpwood supplies and other constraints in the U.S., strong Chinese demand, and an increase in demand for spot tonnage in the U.S. Global inventories appear lean and near historical lows, despite increasing by two days of supply in December. Major producers announced $30 - $40/metric ton price hikes across key softwood and hardwood grades effective February 1. Reports suggest that February price hikes in China were implemented well ahead of schedule. On the supply side, the impact of several British Columbia restarts (Harmac Pacific-NBSK, Catalyst Paper-NBSK, and Tembec-high-yield) remains an issue. Most of their volume is targeted to China. Last week, two North American pulp mills were sold to Chinese companies, Wilde notes.

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North American bleached board/SBS prices in January remained flat, at $1,000 - $1,050/ton, Wilde reports. All of the major producers (IP, MWV, RKT, G-P, and Clearwater Paper) implemented a $40/ton price hike in mid-January. Reports suggest that while there is some traction in the price increases, it is uncertain whether they will go through, Wilde adds. The hike is driven by a combination of improvement in seasonal demand (unmade orders as of mid-December = 300,000 tons/week against 240,000 tons/week in late-February/early March) and a reduction in supply (closure of MWV's 200,000 tpy No. 2 paper machine at Evadale, Texas, and IP's 140,000 tpy coated boxboard mill in Franklin, Va., by mid-2010).

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Unbleached kraft board list prices in January remained flat, at $825 - $885/ton. MWV and G-P recently announced a $40/ton price hike on its CUK (coated unbleached kraft) grades. However, it remains uncertain if the price increase will go through, Wilde says. The price hike is driven by an improvement in demand and a rise in input costs. Downstream, as announced in an earlier edition of Over the Wire, Graphic Packaging plans to close its Fort Wayne, Ind., and Santa Clara, Calif., folding carton plants by mid-2010. This is in addition to the closure of four plants in February. Demand from the beverage carrier side of the market (for beer) appears strong in the U.S. as consumers opt to drink at home, Wilde explains.

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North American coated recycled board prices rose for the second time in the past four months, Wilde points out, up $30/ton (proposed = $40/ton) to $790/ton in January. The price hike was driven by unseasonably strong demand (unmade orders = 145,000 tons/week, +40% y/y), higher operating rates (95.1% thru January), lower inventory levels, and higher OCC (+$30 - $35/ton since December) and energy costs. Anecdotal reports, Wilde notes, suggest that large volume buyers are getting discounts, with prices in the "low $700s/ton once this increase settles." Reports also suggest that some of the higher CRB demand is due to the downward substitution from SBS or CUK, according to Wilde.

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Fraser Papers Inc., Toronto, Ont., Canada, announced this week that United Steelworkers Locals 291, 365, and 1247 have ratified a new three-year labor agreement at its 375,000 tpy specialty papers mill in Madawaska, Maine, USA.

"The agreement represents another step forward toward a successful but difficult restructuring of our specialty papers business," said Peter Gordon, CEO of Fraser Papers. "We want to recognize our employees, who have recommitted to our business through this contract, as well as those who were directly involved in reaching this agreement in challenging circumstances. We also want to express appreciation to our customers and suppliers for their continued support."

Fraser Papers produces a broad range of specialty packaging and printing papers. It has operations in New Brunswick, Maine, New Hampshire, and Quebec.

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Holmen Paper recently achieved a world speed record for newsprint on PM 62 at its Madrid, Spain, mill. Following the world record for the startup speed of a newsprint machine of 1,640 m/min in November 2005 and the world speed record of 1,977 m/min in May 2007, this is already the third world record set by PM 62. The new record speed is now 2,014 m/min.

At a basis weight of 45 g/m2, an average speed of 2,014 m/min was reached on PM 62 over a period of 24 hours. During the record run, for part of the time even top speeds of up to 2,018 m/min were reached.

"This new record has been possible to achieve thanks to the continuous improvement and goal-oriented focused way of working in the complete mill. It's impressive the way the machine performance has been developed with the hard and dedicated work of the PM 62 line's and the complete mill's staff," said Oscar García, production manager for PM 62, Holmen Paper Madrid.

PM 62 produces newsprint in a basis weight range of 40 to 49 g/m2 on a wire width of 9,650 mm. The machine concept of the Voith paper machine was developed based on the One Platform Concept and consists of a DuoFormer TQv, a Tandem NipcoFlex Press, a TopDuoRun Dryer Section, an EcoSoft Calender, and a Sirius Reel. PM 62 was running Voith forming fabrics HQW and HC during the record period. Apart from the paper machine itself, Voith also delivered the complete automation system, two VariFlex winders, and the Classic roll wrapping machine, as well as the key components of the deinking line and the wet end process.

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NewPage Corp., Miamisburg, Ohio, USA, this week announced the election of Tom Curley to the board of directors and as president and CEO, effective immediately. He replaces Richard Willett Jr. as president and CEO, who resigned January 18 "to pursue opportunities in other industries," but remains with the company as a consultant through March 31.

Curley holds an associate degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Daniel Webster College in Nashua, N.H., and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. Beginning his career with General Electric Co., he later joined Caterpillar Inc., Cooper Cameron Corp., and Rolls-Royce plc. During his career, he has progressed through increasingly responsible roles and, prior to joining NewPage, he served as president of the Rolls-Royce Energy business.

"We are pleased to have Tom join NewPage and believe that his 30 years of proven leadership with four multinational corporations will complement our executive team," said Mark Suwyn, NewPage chairman. "Tom's skills and energy combined with his significant general management experience within a broad spectrum of corporate environments and competitive markets, as well as demonstrated success in improving business financial performance, will help us continue to work back from last year's challenges in the paper industry."

NewPage owns paper mills in Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin in the U.S., and in Nova Scotia, Canada. These mills have a total annual production capacity of approximately 4.4 million tons of paper, including 3.2 million tons of coated paper, 1.0 million tons of uncoated paper, and 200,000 tons of specialty paper.

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Neucel Specialty Cellulose Ltd., Port Alice, B.C., Canada, reports that Zhejiang Fulida Ltd., Hangzho, Zhejiang China, will make a direct minority investment in Neucel and has signed a long term supply agreement to procure Neucel's chemical cellulose product. Fulida is a major global producer of rayon. Neucel plans to use the investment to accelerate its capital plan targeted mainly at capacity expansion in addition to cost and quality improvements.

"Viscose rayon fiber production capacity has increased greatly in China and competition has become intense. With the relationship with Neucel, Fulida gains a smooth and stable supply of dissolving pulp materials," said Jainer Qi, CEO of Fulida. "The relationship provides Fulida with cost advantages and quality assurance, and it plays a positive role in extending the value chain of the business, enhancing core competence and expanding production capacity."

Bob Taylor, President and CEO of Neucel, said that "we are very excited to partner with Fulida given their leadership in the rayon market and strong growth. This partnership will enable us to gain an improved market presence in China and solidify our strong position in both the viscose and specialty markets. We remain committed to growth in both segments."

Neucel plans to deploy the available capital immediately to keep pace with high customer demand in the chemical cellulose market. This capital will significantly complement the funding provided by the Government of Canada's Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program to further reduce its energy consumption.

Neucel produces hemlock based high-purity chemical cellulose that is used in a wide range of manufacturing processes including rayon filament for garments, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, film, food thickeners, LCD screens, and other products. It is owned by a consortium of investors, led by Wellspring Capital Management and GSC Group.

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Orient Paper, owner and operator of the Hebei Baoding Orient Paper Milling Co. (HBOP), Baoding, China, reports that it will startup its renovated digital photo paper production line early next month. The company also appointed Manhua Zhang chief engineer of the production line. Zhang, who will manage the launch and operation of the line, has more than 20 years of experience in digital photo paper production, having led R&D at the China National Pulp and Paper Research Institute, focusing on papermaking wet-end chemistry, digital photo paper technical improvement, fruit bag paper research and development, and optimization of production processes for offset, writing, and high-level candy wrapping paper. The renovation project at Baoding included optimizing coating machines and rebuilding coating chemical storage tanks. Founded in 1996, HBOP produces corrugating medium, offset printing paper, writing paper, and other paper and packaging-related products in China.

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Rottneros AB, Väsby, Sweden, will invest 45 million kroner (approximately $6.157 million) to upgrade the soda recovery boiler at its Vallvik market pulp mill in Sweden. The upgrade follows a SEK 77 million project in December to improve evaporator operations. Both projects are part of an effort to boost overall production capacity. The boiler upgrade will take place in the fourth quarter during the mill's annual maintenance shutdown.

The company notes that increased evaporator capacity means that more of the mill's internal process water can be evaporated, which in turn makes it possible to recover and incinerate more organic material. "Put simply, this improvement to the soda recovery boiler increases the capacity for incineration, which increases Vallvik's output of bioenergy," explains Ole Terland, president and CEO.

The Vallvik Mill produces two grades of long-fiber sulfate pulp: fully bleached, ECF, and unbleached sulfate pulp and unbleached kraft pulp. It is permitted to produce 220,000 metric tpy. In 2008 the mill celebrated its centennial as a pulp producer. It employs 180 people.

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Stora Enso, Helsinki, Finland, is upgrading controls on No. 3 boiler at its Hyltebruk, Sweden, mill. The 100 MW gas/oil boiler produces steam mainly for the paper mill but also for district heating during peak loads. The existing control logic will be replaced by new logic based on ÅF's Balance+ control concept. Developed by ÅF-Engineering in Finland, the concept includes advanced adaptive control solutions that provide higher efficiency, longer boiler life cycle, and lower emissions than conventional control solutions. Project goals are maximal stability of the boiler and highest level of automation. ÅF is responsible for design, DCS utilization, and commissioning of the new concept.

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Weyerhaeuser Co., Federal Way, Wash., USA, was among 35 international companies recognized this week by the investor-backed Forest Footprint Disclosure (FFD) for leadership in managing their operations and supply chains to minimize the effects on forests worldwide. The report also named Weyerhaeuser best performer in the Industrial and Auto sector. Weyerhaeuser was the only U.S.-based company named a best performer.

"Across our supply chain, from our forestry practices to manufacturing operations, we seek to manage our environmental impact," said Cassie Phillips, VP-sustainable forestry. "As we improve efficiency, decrease emissions, and make better use of natural resources, we reduce our footprint. We're honored to be recognized for our work in this area by the FFD and are proud to be listed among international leaders in this important area."

The FFD is a new U.K. government-supported initiative created to help investors identify how an organization seeks to minimize deforestation through its activities and supply chains. Modeled after the successful Carbon Disclosure Project, it aims to create transparency for investors concerned about global deforestation.

The study asked participating companies to disclose how their operations and supply chains are affecting forests worldwide and what companies are doing to manage those effects responsibly. Complete information and results from the inaugural report are available online.

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Berlin Packaging, Chicago, Ill., USA, will acquire All-Pak Inc., a Pittsburgh, Pa.-based packaging supplier, in a deal aimed at accelerating growth of both companies. The combined company, with annual revenues approaching $500 million, will have a leading industry position and will bring together two major suppliers of rigid packaging products and services. Berlin Packaging, founded in 1898, supplies billions of containers and closures to small and large customers nationwide. All-Pak, formed in 1958, is a supplier of rigid packaging products and services to a wide variety of markets. Upon completion of the acquisition, the combined company will provide customers with wider geographic coverage, operating in more than 40 sales offices and warehouse locations across the U.S., including Puerto Rico and an expanded Eastern U.S. footprint.

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Biopack Environmental Solutions, Hong Kong, China, manufacturer of 100% biodegradable packaging products, says that it will construct a new manufacturing facility in the Southern Chinese province of Guang Dong. Located a short distance from Biopack's current production operations, discussions are with the Jiangmen City Xinhui District Shuangshui Town Foreign Enterprise Liaison Office about the Guang Dong Yinzhou Lake Paper Base, an industrial park that covers more than 24 square km, and was specifically designed and developed with paper, cardboard, pulp, and related products in mind. Biopack manufactures 100% biodegradable consumer packaging products from locally available bagasse. It has manufacturing facilities in Jiangmen, China.

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Burt Rigid Box, Oneonta, N.Y., USA, a custom paperboard set-up box manufacturer, has allied with Plaza Packaging, Bronx, N.Y. Business for the two companies will be conducted through Burt Rigid Box in Oneonta and Burt's Manhattan, N.Y., sales office. Plaza, one of the largest makers of rigid paperboard boxes and thermoforming in the U.S., will cease manufacturing at its Bronx facility on March 15.

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Pöyry, Finland, reports that it has been awarded the engineering contract by SAICA Containerboard U.K. for one of the world's most advanced recycled paper mills to be built at Partington Wharfside, near Manchester, U.K. Pöyry's assignment, valued at about EUR 5 million, includes complete plant and civil engineering for the paper mill and stock preparation. The new PM 11 will produce 425,000 metric tpy of high performance lightweight fluting and testliner grades to be used in the manufacture of corrugated boxes. The 100% recycled fiber-based PM incorporates the best available board making technology including low energy and fresh water consumption. It is scheduled to startup at the beginning of 2012. SAICA is the largest Spanish paper and board manufacturer, with paper machines in Zaragoza and El Burgo de Ebro in Spain and in France.

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Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Chicago, Ill., USA, this past week announced that its Recycling division has opened a European office in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The Rotterdam office is part of Smurfit-Stone Recycling International, which represents the company's recycling and waste solutions business outside of North America. The Rotterdam location will source recovered paper in Europe for sale in China through the company's Shanghai office. The material will also be sold to Smurfit-Stone's customers elsewhere in Asia as well as in Europe and Central and South America.

"This is an important expansion of our global activities, which focus on identifying and implementing new and improved ways to support our customers' international businesses," said Mike Oswald, senior VP and GM of the Recycling division. "Having an 'on-the-ground' presence in Europe will help us to better anticipate and respond to global market conditions and support increased material recovery efforts in Europe."

Smurfit-Stone notes that it is investing in automated sort systems and focusing on strategic partnerships with municipalities, waste haulers, communities, and environmental organizations to mine deeper into the waste stream. The company operates 30 materials recovery facilities and has sales and procurement offices in North America, Asia, and Europe.

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Katahdin Paper Co., South Portland, Maine, USA, this week launched a new specialty publishing grade, Baxter Book, targeted for trade book and educational workbook applications. The new product is engineered with 40% on-site processed recycled fiber, high opacity, and "consistent pressroom run-ability." It is manufactured at the company's integrated operations in East Millinocket, Maine, which are energy self-sufficient and source all major raw materials from the U.S. The mill generates nearly 100% of its energy through an on-site biomass boiler and hydroelectricity. Baxter Book is available in brightness levels of 60, 65, and 70, basis weights of 33 and 35 lb, a choice of shade (white or cream), and FSC certification upon request. The new product joins the family of lightweight uncoated groundwood papers that includes Baxter Brite, an ultra-lightweight publishing paper, and Baxter Lite, a specialized directory paper. Katahdin is owned by Brookfield Asset Management and operated by Fraser Papers under a management agreement.

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BASF, Charlotte, N.C., USA, reports that it will increase prices for wet end paper chemicals sold into the North American paper market from 5% to 15%, depending on the specific product. The increases will become effective February 15, or as contract terms allow. The company notes that the increases are being implemented as a result of increases in raw material and energy costs. BASF established Paper Chemicals as a separate division when it acquired Ciba in April 2009.

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Tullis Russell Papermakers at Markinch, Fife, in the U.K., is the site of a new co-generation plant being built by RWE npower renewables that includes a biomass boiler supplied by Metso, Finland. Commercial operation is scheduled to begin in 2013. The value of the boiler order is approximately EUR 75 million. Metso´s delivery includes a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler with a capacity of 155 MWth and a flue gas treatment plant. The co-generation plant will supply the paper mill of Tullis Russell with heat and electricity from biomass, mainly recycled wood. The plant will have an installed capacity of 50 megawatts (MWe) and will replace the existing coal-fired power plant at Tullis Russell, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the plant significantly.

"The combined skills and expertise of our chosen contractor Metso will be a major asset during construction of the new Tullis Russell biomass power plant. This project is RWE's largest investment to date in biomass based power generation and part of our ongoing commitment to invest EUR 1 billion per annum in renewable energy," says Stephan Lohr, RWE head of biomass.

RWE npower renewables is the U.K. subsidiary of RWE Innogy and is one of the U.K.'s leading renewable energy developers and operators, committed to developing and operating biomass power plants, wind farms, and hydro plants to produce sustainable electricity.

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Stora Enso, Helsinki, Finland, reported this week that it has signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for a EUR 65 million loan to be used for the Ostroleka power plant construction project in Poland. The loan agreement is part of the commitment by EIB to lend altogether EUR 230 million to Stora Enso for research and development and the Ostroleka power plant project.

"We have a long and good relationship with EIB and we are delighted that through this agreement EIB is supporting our power plant project to improve the Ostroleka Mill's energy self-sufficiency and energy efficiency. Along with the Langerbrugge and Maxau energy investments, the Ostroleka power plant is one of our biggest cost improvement investments this year at our existing mills in Europe. The terms of the loan are very competitive," says Stora Enso CFO Markus Rauramo.

The Ostroleka power plant, to be completed in the third quarter, will further improve the cost competitiveness of Stora Enso's operations in Poland. As announced in November 2008, the total investment in the Ostroleka power plant is estimated at EUR 137 million.

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Bemis Co., Minneapolis, Minn., USA, has elected Timothy Fliss as VP of Human Resources. Prior to joining Bemis, Fliss spent 19 years at Schneider National, where he was executive VP of Human Resources. He also spent six years as an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers. Fliss is replacing Eugene Seashore, who will assume a new role as Bemis' senior VP until his planned retirement in 2011. In his new role, he will focus on integration of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business.

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Louisiana-Pacific Corp., Nashville, Tenn., USA, this week elected John W. Weaver to its board of directors, effective February 4. Weaver, former executive chairman of AbitiBowater Inc., will stand for re-election at the annual meeting of the corporation in 2011. He served as president and CEO of Abitibi-Consolidated from 1999 to October 2007 and held a number of senior executive positions in operations and sales with the company prior to being appointed president and CEO. His career in the forest products industry began in 1974. The LP board also authorized an increase in size of the board from 8 to 9 directors at the February 4 meeting.

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NewPage Corp., Miamisburg, Ohio, USA, has announced the promotions of two employees to mill manager positions. Pat Moore was promoted to Luke, Md., mill manager, effective February 8, replacing Gary Curtis who recently announced his retirement. John Bastian has been promoted to mill manager at Duluth, Minn., effective February 15, replacing Moore, who was currently serving in the role of Duluth mill manager. A native of the Syracuse, N.Y., area, Moore graduated from the State University of New York with a degree in Paper Science and Engineering in 1983. He joined Consolidated Papers and worked in the Whiting and Biron mills in Wisconsin in engineering and production roles. In 1999, Moore moved to the Duluth mill as production manager and was promoted to mill manager in 2000. Bastian began his career at the Escanaba, Mich., mill in 1985. He also spent 15 years working in various manufacturing management roles at the Champion and then International Paper mill in Quinnesec, Mich., returning to the Escanaba mill in 2005 where he spent the past five years as production manager. He has a B.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota at Duluth and a master's degree from the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton, Wis.

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Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Chicago, Ill., USA, this week promoted Matt Denton to senior VP of business planning and analysis. Denton joined Smurfit-Stone in 2006 as VP of business transformation. In that role, he created a detailed scaling plan for the company's Container division to support the division's capital investment and overall transformation. He was promoted to VP of business planning and analysis in 2007. Prior to joining Smurfit-Stone, Denton worked for Georgia-Pacific from 1992 to 2006, where he held positions of increasing responsibility, including VP of strategic sourcing for G-P's North American consumer products and bleached pulp and paper operations, and VP of finance for the company's containerboard and packaging segment and pulp division.

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Walki Group, Finland, has made several changes in its Group Executive Team (GET). Timo Finnström, currently VP Finance and CFO, was appointed VP Sourcing and Business Development. Since August 2009, Mikael Nováky has been in charge of both Group Sourcing and the Business Area Paper Packaging on an interim basis. Going forward, he will continue to lead the Paper Packaging business as VP and GM. Anu Suikkanen was appointed VP Finance and CFO and a member of the GET. Suikkanen joins Walki Group from Finndomo Oy, where she has worked as CFO. Finnström, Nováky, and Suikkanen report to the Group's CEO Leif Frilund. Walki Group produces wrappings for the paper and metal industries, food and consumer packaging materials, decorative and functional laminates, barrier liners for solid and corrugated packaging, composite materials for the insulation and construction industries, and technical papers.

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Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Event: Corrosion & Materials Engineering Seminar
Location: Holiday Inn Express, Sylacauga, AL

The TAPPI Corrosion & Materials Engineering Committee will be conducting a free, one-day seminar at the Holiday Inn Express, Sylacauga, AL, on TIPs and topics relating to the identification and control of corrosion within the pulp and paper mill processes. This will be a fantastic opportunity for all mill personnel -- engineers to maintenance to operations to management -- to receive critical information that may help detect and prevent costly, and possibly dangerous, situations at the mill. If you have questions on real corrosion problems, bring them for discussion. No cost to attend, but please register so we can be sure to have enough room and plan for lunch.

Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Event: Technical Session: Recovery Operations
Location: Abitibi-Bowater/Coosa Pines Performance Learning Center

The Thursday Technical Sessions will focus on a variety of key issues involved in the pulp mill Recovery Operations. Pulp Mill Engineers, Maintenance, Operators and Management are encouraged to attend. For more information on the 11 technical sessions, please contact Meeting and Session Chairman Chris Dietel at 678-566-3815 or dietelc@dteenergy.com.

There will also be a TAPPI Steam & Power Committee, TAPPI Alkaline Pulping & Bleaching Committee, and National TAPPI Town Hall Discussion on Thursday. Representatives from the Steam & Power and Alkaline Pulping & Bleaching Committee will briefly describe their committee's goals and activities. Representatives from National TAPPI in Norcross, GA will be on hand to discuss upcoming events and more. Finally, a "Town Hall" discussion will be held with key National TAPPI representatives to answer questions and find out what YOU want and need to help with your company's operations and personal development.

Registration fees apply for the Thursday technical sessions. You may email John.Graves@abitibibowater.com for information on these fees and how to register for the Corrosion & Materials Engineering Seminar and Technical Sessions on Recovery Operations.

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Date(s):
Spring 2010 -- April 12-14
Fall 2010 -- October 4-6
Spring 2011 -- April 4-6
Fall 2011 -- October 3-5

Location:
Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

The Black Liquor Recovery Boiler Advisory Committee (BLRBAC) guides the safe installation and operation of recovery boilers at kraft paper mills. Their meetings draw attendees from all over the world, from the operating mills, the manufacturers of recovery boilers and associated equipment, to engineers from the insuring companies. Many members of BLRBAC are also TAPPI members that serve on the Steam and Power Committee.

Visit www.blrbac.org for registration information and additional details or contact David Parrish at david.parrish@fmglobal.com.

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Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Location: Dreyfus University Center, Stevens Point, WI, USA

In this one-day program, twelve sessions will provide insight on innovative technologies in stock preparation and wet end chemistry. A special segment will be devoted to research and development at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. The overall focus of this meeting will be on new or emerging technologies to promote value added grade development, cost optimization, and quality improvements.

Who should attend? Product Development Engineers, Paper Machine, Stock Prep, Coating Prep, Operators, Process Engineers, Superintendents, Supervisors, Lab Personnel, Suppliers, and Students, as well as others interested in learning more about technology, and process troubleshooting.

Session Chairs include:

• Don Guay, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Kelly Klaas, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Danielle Mortag, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Nancy Ross Sutherland, USDA Forest Service

The pre-registration fee is $110.00; on-site registration is $135.00. Students and retirees qualify for reduced rate if pre-registered: $25.00 / $45.00 on-site. Send pre-registration fees by February 12, 2010, to Membership Services Administrator: Clark Schabo, W5562 Center Valley Rd., Black Creek, WI, 54106. Phone: 734-5073; Fax (credit cards only): 920-830-9610.

For further details on this program, call Don Guay at 715-346-4746 or visit Lake States TAPPI website.

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TAPPI is pleased to announce the 2010 recipients of the Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award, Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award, and the Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award:

• Richard J. Kerekes, PhD., Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award.
• Willis J. Potts, Jr., retired from Temple Inland, Rome, GA, USA, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award.
• Empire State TAPPI/NY Canadian PIMA Local Section Member Scott Frasca, Senior Account Manager, RohmNova, Sidney, ME, USA, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award.

In addition, the following nine individuals have been named 2010 TAPPI Fellows:

• Gerald M. Dykstra, Retired Buckman, Bartlett, TN, USA
• Martin A. Hubbe, PhD., Associate Professor, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
• John C. Husband, PhD., Lead Scientist, IMERYS Minerals Ltd., Cornwall, United Kingdom
• Cheryl M. Lamb, Retired from Buckman, Ellenton, FL, USA
• Patrice J. Mangin, PhD., General Director, Centre Integre En Pates Et Papiere, Trois-Rivieres, Canada
• Frank J. Sutman, Global R&D Platform Lead, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Wilmington, DE, USA
• Jukka H. Tiitinen, President, Metso Paper North America, Atlanta, GA, USA
• Ronald L. Van Gilder, Research Fellow, Sappi Fine Paper N.A., Westbrook, ME, USA
• Mark T. Watkins, Senior Vice President, MWV(MeadWestvaco) Corporation, Glen Allen, VA, USA

The 2010 award winners will be honored at the Tuesday evening, May 4, 2010, awards dinner during the 2010 PaperCon Conference at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA, USA. The new TAPPI Fellows will be honored at the TAPPI Fellows Luncheon, Sunday, May 2, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA, USA in conjunction with the 2010 PaperCon meeting.

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Long-time TAPPI members may already know some of the many treasures available from the TAPPI bookstore. A new hard copy catalog for 2010 is coming out that will highlight some of our more popular offerings.

The 2010 TAPPI Catalog features:

• Over 8 new releases
• Best seller items categorized by industry segment
• Web and Computer based training
• Sale/ Discount items
• Complete index of all TAPPI PRESS products

The 2010 Catalog is included in the Jan./Feb. issue of Paper360° and can be pulled out as a stand-alone publication. If you want to get a sneak peek, it is also available online at www.tappi.org/bookstore.

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The Association of Suppliers to the Paper Industry (ASPI) invites all ASPI members to reconnect with peers at the 2010 Spring Meeting, scheduled for February 18-19, 2010 in Naples, Florida, USA. This meeting delivers meaningful business content while providing a unique forum for senior business leaders to meet and interact with their peers serving the pulp and paper industry supplier community.

A key reason that business leaders attend is that they learn directly from guest speakers who represent their customer base. The speakers are senior executives who address pressing issues that affect how participants conduct business today and tomorrow. The connection is direct without any filtering layer of analysts or intermediaries. This meeting's presenters include J. Patrick Maley III, President, COO, and Director for Temple-Inland; Mike Edwards, SVP Pulp & Paper Manufacturing for Domtar; and Butch Johnson, CEO of Flambeau River Biofuels.

ASPI meeting attendees will also hear industry and market segment overviews by Stephen Atkinson, Managing Director for Paper & Forest Products for BMO Capital Markets. Joining him is Paul Leclair, VP and Chief Economist with the Pulp and Paper Products Council. ASPI is also pleased to announce that Tim Mescon, President of Columbus State University will be speaking. Mescon has an outstanding reputation as a speaker on management and leadership issues.

The ASPI 2010 Spring Meeting offers opportunities for informal networking, an ASPI Golf Tournament on Friday, February 19th, and a Spouse/Guest program. The venue is The Inn on Fifth in Old Naples, Florida. ASPI has negotiated preferred hotel registration rates for ASPI attendees.

Prospective participants are encouraged to make reservations. They can visit the ASPI website, www.aspinet.org for full details now and can visit the site periodically for program updates. Further background is available from Colleen Walker, ASPI Director of Member Relations, at cwalker@aspinet.org or by phone at +1 770 209-7349.

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Date: March 15-19, 2010
Location: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

Need to know more about pulping, bleaching, chemical recovery, recycling, papermaking and converting to do your job better? Gain an excellent overall view of the basic concepts in pulp and paper manufacturing while increasing your understanding through hands-on laboratory exercises.

Using a combination of balanced lectures and laboratories, this workshop will provide you with an easy-to-learn and lasting introduction to pulp and paper technology, operations, and markets, including:

• Overview knowledge of the entire pulping and papermaking process
• How different processes affect paper properties
• Hands-on lab experiments to enhance your understanding of process
• Run a pilot plant paper machine
• Close interaction with Pulp and Paper Professors in small groups

Learn more about the course and register to attend here. You can also download the complete course brochure.

CEUs available. This course will also be held June 7-10, 2010; and October 4-8, 2010.

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The upcoming Best Practices in Corrugator Operations Short Course is sold out and has surpassed capacity for TAPPI's training facility. The course will now be held February 16-19, 2010, at the Holiday Inn Select in Norcross, Georgia, USA. Last held in 2004, this course is back by popular demand and teaches participants how to understand each element in the corrugating process, which will lead to higher productivity, better quality, and waste reduction.

Participants will learn the basics of how each component in the corrugator system works and how to run each component with optimum settings for peak performance. Both old and new equipment will be covered. Participants will develop an understanding of the critical properties of the raw materials that are vital to guarantee acceptable quality board. The course instructors will teach participants how the "Centerline Process" can be adopted in their plant and achieve a product that is consistent every day and on all shifts. Learn more.

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A Call for Presentations/Posters has been issued for the 2010 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry, 27-29 September, 2010, in Espoo, Finland. This annual, internationally recognized event brings together leading researchers, industry experts, government representatives, and other stakeholders to share  advances and perspectives on nanotechnology-based products for the forest products and related industries.

To leverage research advances and offer participants new opportunities for knowledge sharing, the 2010 Technical Program Committee invites contributions from participants working with nano-enabled bio-materials, products, and their processing. Analysis of challenges and trends in emerging markets for forest products that are based on nanotechnology are sought to provide a foundation for new research and industrial activities. The organizers also  encourage submissions on other aspects of nanotech products including law, policy, economics and environmental health and safety. View the Call for Papers.

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