Over the Wire

FutureMark Paper Co., Alsip, Ill., USA, a producer of up to 100% recycled coated paper for magazines and catalogs, this week announced two new initiatives to lower the environmental impact of paper production. The company reports that it is now using an environmentally sustainable binding compound made from corn starch in its paper coatings instead of petroleum-based latex. It also has developed a product that reuses short paper fibers, inks, and coating minerals extracted from recycled paper as a soil nutrient.

FutureMark is the first North American paper producer to use EcoSynthetix EcoSphere biolatex binding agents (derived from 100% renewable feedstock) in its paper coating formula instead of traditional chemical binders derived from petroleum that are widely used in the paper industry. The company estimates that the switch will reduce carbon emissions equal to taking 8,000 cars off the road for one year. It also expects to achieve an incremental reduction in carbon emissions from the transport of EcoSphere biolatex binder, which is shipped as a dry product, rather than pre-mixed with water as most conventional petroleum-based binders are.

FutureMark's new soil nutrient made from reclaimed paper is called High-Calcium Paper Lime (HCPL). The company "washes" more than 18 semi trucks of wastepaper each working day, extracting short paper fibers, inks, fillers, and coating minerals from recyclable paper fibers. These extracted materials (almost 30,000 tpy) are high in calcium and have nutritive properties similar to agricultural lime, which is a common fertilizer supplement.

"HCPL is our way of returning the nutrients found in paper back to the soil," said FutureMark Technical Services Manager Glen Johnson, who oversees the company's environmental sustainability and reporting programs. "Our paper lime is safe and effective. It reduces the need for limestone mining and puts to beneficial use a nutrient-rich resource that would otherwise go to landfills."

With a sharp, in-depth focus on the paper machine, TAPPI's PaperCon 2010 program explores wet end innovations from a unique perspective, bringing the world's top machinery and clothing manufacturers together in a first-ever collaborative effort to set the best technology paths forward in a post-recession global paper industry. Four key sessions examine the latest thinking and approaches in the headbox/forming and press section areas of the paper machine wet end.

A shoe press panel discussion on Tuesday, May 4, combines the collective insights of panelist experts from Voith Paper, Paperchine, and Metso. This is followed by a Press Section Innovations technical session that features presentations by teams from Xeirum Technologies, AstenJohnson, and Wells Enterprises. A session on Headbox and Forming Innovations for Packaging Grades on Wednesday, May 5, features papers by Voith Paper, Metso, GL&V, and Paperchine. The Paper Grades counterpart to this session occurs later that day, bringing together the expertise and viewpoints of speakers from Paperchine, Metso, International Paper, and the University of Maine. This carefully balanced, cooperative lineup provides a full-view perspective of where the world paper industry currently is technologically and its best-bet routes to survival entering the second decade of this new century.

PaperCon 2010 will take place May 2 - 5 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga., USA. More information about the program, events, and the trade fair are available online. Contact information about sponsorship/exhibit opportunities is also available on the event website, as well as the Twenty-Third Process Industry Reliability & Maintenance Conference being co-located with PaperCon 2010.

The 2010 PIRM (Process Industry Reliability & Maintenance) Conference being co-located with PaperCon 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga., USA, May 2-5, includes four, four-hour workshops featuring experts from a variety of fields, interactive hands-on exercises, and ample time for questions and answers. Topics at the four May 5 workshops include Operator Care and Essential Maintenance, Hydraulic Systems Reliability and Maintenance Basics, Fundamentals of a Successful Trending Vibration Program, and Lubrication: Seven Steps to Optimize your Lubrication Program. Key areas of focus in this year's PIRM Conference program are:

• Maintenance and reliability processes and their interaction
• Financial impact of preventive maintenance for operations and maintenance
• Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
• How to make a reliability program successful
• Implementing precision lubrication practices 
• Understanding the nature of the job (job description) and the nature of the attributes (qualifications standard) for the work of the lubrication technician.  

The Early Bird registration deadline for PIRM 2010 is Monday, April 5. Contact information about sponsorship/exhibit opportunities is also available on the event's website, as are registration forms and the conference brochure. Attend the entire conference and receive 1.8 Continuing Education Units. For further information call Raine Hyde at 770-209-7256.

U.S. printing and writing paper shipments increased 10% in February 2010 compared with February 2009, the fourth consecutive year-ago increase, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA), February 2010 Printing-Writing Paper Report. Two of the four major P&W paper grades recorded double-digit growth compared with 2009.

U.S. purchases (shipments + imports – exports) of P&W papers also increased in February, up 5% over year-ago February. Total P&W paper inventory levels decreased 54,900 tons from January 2010, a decrease of 3%. Additional highlights from the report include:

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) shipments up versus year-ago for third consecutive month
• Coated free sheet (CFS) shipments hit double-digit growth versus year-ago for the third month
• Year-ago shipments of coated mechanical (CM) reached double-digit growth for the fourth consecutive month
• Uncoated mechanical (UM) shipments increased following 28% surge in January.

For more information, contact Michelle Gaskins at AF&PA (202) 463-5162.

Arauco, Santiago, Chile, one of the world's largest pulp producers, said this week that it expects to recover 70% of its pulp output capacity during April, after the February 27 earthquake shutdown several of its mills, according to a Reuters news report. Arauco, the forestry unit of Copec, said its Nueva Aldea and Licancel pulp mills are expected to be back online in April. The two plants have a combined output capacity of around 1.14 million metric tpy. The Arauco plant could partially restart in April, but the company said it could not say when the Constitucion plant could be back online,

Baiyun Paper Co., a member of the Henan Investment Group, Beijing, China, has awarded ABB, Zurich, Switzerland, an order to provide automation and drive systems for a new paper machine at the company's paper mill in Baiyun, China, which is located 900 km southwest of Peking. When completed, the new paper machine will have an annual capacity of 136,000 metric tons The project is Phase II of a copier and offset paper project of Zhumadian Baiyun Paper Co., and part of a $247 million total investment to expand capacity. It is expected to be operational in April 2011.

ABB's automation includes a drive system that will optimize the performance of the new paper machine provided by Voith AG, Germany. The paper machine has a design speed of 1,500 m/min and a width of 5.28 m. It will mainly produce copy paper and offset paper of 60 g/m2 – 120 g/m2. Daily productivity could be as high as 800 metric tons and annual productivity could be more than 200,000 metric tons.

The Canadian court overseeing the Grant Forest Products Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act case has approved Georgia-Pacific's (Atlanta, Ga., USA) acquisition of Grant's oriented strand board (OSB) facility at Englehart, Ont., Canada, the associated facility at Earlton, Ont., and OSB facilities at Allendale and Clarendon, S.C., USA. In February, G-P received a letter from the Canadian Competition Bureau indicating that it had completed its review of the transaction and has found no competitive risk, and last week the deal cleared U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) antitrust review. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2010, following Investment Canada and U.S. bankruptcy court approval.

"These assets are a strong strategic fit with our existing facilities, and we're excited that we are moving further toward completion of this important acquisition," said Mark Luetters, president - Georgia-Pacific Wood Products. "These are world-class operations that will expand and enhance our market presence and product offerings to better serve new and existing customers. We plan significant investments in the U.S. and Canadian plants to build on the proud tradition of these facilities and the employees who operate them."

Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, this week announced that it will restart the second line of pulp production at its Crofton NBSK mill in early May, taking advantage of a stronger market. The first line of pulp production was restarted in October 2009 following a seven-month curtailment of the entire kraft mill due to weak pulp demand and pricing. Restart of Crofton's second line of production will add 165,000 metric tons of pulp capacity on an annualized basis. All Crofton pulp mill employees who are currently on layoff will be recalled.

"We have adequate fibre supply and sales to support the additional volume, which allows us to take advantage of the current uptick in pricing," said Richard Garneau, president and CEO. "We'll run as long as the economics are positive and will be keeping a very close watch on the order file and inventory levels." Catalyst Paper produces specialty printing papers, newsprint, and pulp. With six facilities located in British Columbia and Arizona, Catalyst has a combined annual production capacity of 2.5 million metric tons.

EACOM Timber Corp., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, this week said it will acquire the Forest Products business of Domtar Corp., Montreal, Que., Canada. The purchase will be funded out of a $145 million private placement that has closed in escrow pending completion of the acquisition. EACOM will acquire seven sawmills and an equity interest in an eighth sawmill, all located in Eastern Canada. The mills are Timmins, Nairn Centre, Gogama, and Ear Falls in Ontario and Val-d'Or, Ste-Marie, and Matagami in Quebec. The equity interest is in the Elk Lake sawmill located in Ontario. The assets will include the transfer or grant of tenures to enable production at the mills. The sawmills in Ear Falls, Ontario, and Ste-Marie, Quebec, are currently idled.

The acquisition price is set at $80 million plus the value of working capital acquired, estimated to be between $30 million to $40 million. Some 19% of the purchase price will be paid to Domtar as shares of EACOM. The acquisition is expected to be finalized at the end of June, at which time Domtar will appoint a director to EACOM's board. The transfer is subject to obtaining certain consents, including the transfer of timber allocations and other standard conditions. The sawmills transferred as part of the transaction represent approximately 3.5 million cubic meters of annual logging rights and a production capacity of close to 900 million board feet. Also included in the transaction are the Sullivan remanufacturing facility in Quebec and Domtar's investment in Anthony-Domtar Inc.

Eldorado Celulose e Papel Ltda, Brazil, has awarded Pöyry PLC, Finland, a contract for pre-engineering and preparatory work for a 1.5 million metric tpy bleached eucalyptus market pulp mill to be built in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The value of Pöyry's assignment is about EUR 7.5 million. The final investment decision is expected later this year.

The mil design and operations concept is based on the use of the best available technologies and the best environmental practices, which constitute a state-of-the-art level pulp mill. Using existing eucalyptus plantations as raw material, the mill will produce more with less use of natural resources, at low production costs, progressive environmental impact reduction, and minimum risk of accidents at work, according to Pöyry.

Georgia-Pacific, Atlanta, Ga., USA, this week announced that it intends to make significant investments, which could total more than $500 million, in an advanced, proprietary tissue-papermaking technology. The company did not elaborate specifically on the technology, but said it expects this and subsequent investments to further strengthen its commitment to being a leader in tissue, towel, and tabletop products.

The company said that it has approved funding for final engineering for two paper machines incorporating the technology. These two paper machines and associated converting equipment will manufacture premium tissue products for the consumer market. Pending final site selection, startup is expected for 2012.

"We have seen growth in the premium segments of the bath tissue category, largely driven by the award-winning, successful introduction of our three-ply Quilted Northern Ultra Plush product in 2008," said Kathy Walters, executive VP of G-P's global consumer products business. "This new investment further reflects our commitment to being an innovation leader to drive further growth in this important segment. The advanced technology meets consumers' demanding needs for premium qualities in tissue products, including softness and absorbency, while reducing combinations of fiber use, energy use, or water use versus alternative papermaking processes."

M-real, Finland, reported this week that it will invest approximately EUR 6 million in sheeting operations at its Äänekoski paper mill in Finland. The investment will increase sheeting capacity as well as modernize the conversion process and improve package quality.

The investment project, to be completed during the first half of 2011, improves the Äänekoski mill's competitiveness as a coated fine paper production unit, according to Mikko Helander, CEO of M-real. M-real sold its Graphic Papers business area to Sappi at the end of 2008. However, the Äänekoski paper mill remained in M-real's ownership and continues to produce the Galerie Art papers for Sappi under a long-term contract. Berry Wiersum, CEO of Sappi Fine Paper Europe, notes that "this investment strengthens the high quality status of the Galerie Art brand in the market and clearly improves our customer service. Galerie Art has performed very well and plays a key role in Sappi's product portfolio. The Äänekoski paper mill is also very well located to supply the fast growing Eastern Europe markets."

NewPage Corp., Miamisburg, Ohio, USA, this week released a new On Paper podcast featuring Jill Dumain, director of environmental strategy for Patagonia. In this second episode in season three of the series designed to bring about positive change in the area of sustainability across industries, Dumain explains how Patagonia, a leading producer of quality outdoor clothing, uses business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.

Through participation in numerous organizations and industry efforts, Patagonia has collaborated with suppliers and competitors alike, to minimize the potential impact their worldwide supply chain and production practices could have on the earth. As a founding member of the Organic Exchange, a business-to-business effort to stabilize the organic fiber market, Patagonia helped balance fiber supply with demand and as a result the Exchange is now examining the broader topic of sustainable textiles. And through participation in the Outdoor Industry Association's Eco-Working Group, Patagonia is helping to develop an eco-index for consumer products which will help outdoor companies, both large and small, measure where they are on the environmental impact scale, in turn offering guidance to make informed decisions regarding the production of their goods.

Rayonier, Jacksonville, Fla., USA, will sell thousands of acres in South Georgia in tracts as small as 2 acres and up to 143 acres April 9-10, reversing a general policy or practice of the company to not sell its woodlands in the area to neighbors, hunting clubs, and individuals—at least not in small tracts.

"This may be the best chance in years for the person who wants 10, 25, or 50 acres of forest land for a personal retreat, campground, hunting property, or investment," said Jim Woltz, president of Woltz & Associates, the auction company managing the sale. "We'll be selling well over 3,600 acres in tracts of 75 acres or less. These are the kind of tracts people are always saying small investors can't obtain, and they're in areas known for having excellent populations for deer and other game." Woltz explained that the company would be selling nine tracts of 20 acres or less, and 46 tracts of 50 acres or less. More than 80% of the land being sold is in tracts of 75 acres or less.

The auction will use a format in which buyers place bids on individual tracts and various combinations to form a property that best meets their needs. It will sell in the combination that brings the highest total price, be it individual tracts or combinations. The land, which has been owned and managed by Rayonier for decades, will be sold in three sessions Friday, April 9, and Saturday, April 10. The April 9 auction, to be held beginning at 10 a.m. in Waycross, Ga., will include approximately 1,581 acres in Charlton, Ware, Brantley, Pierce, Appling, and Wayne counties. This group includes pines, hardwoods, hunting properties, and land along scenic creeks. The event on Saturday will be held in Dublin, Ga., and will include two sessions. At 10 a.m., bidders will compete for approximately 1,464 acres. It will include land in Laurens, Emanuel, Tattnall, Jenkins, and Burke counties. That land includes a large amount of loblolly pine and hardwood. The second Saturday session will include the largest amount of land (3,119 acres) selling in 50 tracts in Telfair, Laurens, Coffee, Irwin, Dodge, Pulaski, and Wilcox counties. Individuals wanting more information should contact Woltz at 800-551-3588.

For the third consecutive year, SCA, Sweden, has been named one of the world's most ethical companies by the Ethisphere Institute. According to the Institute, the ranking list recognizes companies that go beyond making statements about doing business "ethically" and actually translate those words into action. Of the 3,000 companies worldwide that took part in the survey, only 100 made the 2010 list.

Ulf Söderström, senior VP for Business Development and Strategy at SCA, who is responsible for the Group's sustainability work, said that "we are pleased to have qualified as one of the most ethical companies in the world for the third consecutive year. The award is a recognition of how the Group's employees are successful at managing our extensive operations in a responsible way, and how we let our core values of respect, excellence, and responsibility guide us in everything we do."

Korsnäs AB, Sweden, reports that its Korsnäs Liquid board was used to help solve problems with shelf life, off flavors, and spoilage in milk packaged by TINE, Norway's largest dairy group. TINE had asked its packaging partner Elopak to develop a milk packaging solution with a better, more environmentally sound light barrier. Elopak studied the entire concept, evaluating various cartonboard materials for its Pure-Pak carton with a screw-cap. The Korsnäs board they eventually chose has a brown reverse side that acts as a natural light barrier. To meet Elopak's requirements, Korsnäs developed two custom grammages.

"Our primary goal in switching materials was to eliminate the off-flavors, but we also wanted to improve environmental performance," says Brian Raastad, Norwegian Market Unit Manager at Elopak. "Korsnäs board with a brown reverse side generates 8 grams less carbon dioxide per pack than the board we were using previously. There is a growing awareness of environmental issues in Norway, and we are always looking for solutions that cut carbon dioxide emissions. When we introduced the new packaging solution, we printed information about the improvement right on the pack. After a long period of testing and analyzing various board alternatives, we ended up with a simple solution offering many advantages. These include a more efficient light barrier that eliminates off-flavors, a whiter board surface with better printing properties thanks to the coating, and less environmental impact."

TINE Dairy Cooperative engineer Ragnar Solgaard notes that "by improving the quality of the light barrier, we were able to minimize the risk of off-flavors and spoilage. For consumers, flavor means everything."

TINE is owned by more than 16,000 dairy farmers, who supply 1.4 billion liters of cow's milk and 19 million liters of goat's milk annually to its five domestic dairies. This dairy cooperative is also Norway's largest foodstuffs producer, with 5,540 employees and annual sales of NOK 15.9 billion (2007). The nationwide cooperative was established in 1881.

Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., USA, this past week announced that its retail point-of-purchase (P-O-P) display and packaging services business won eight Outstanding Merchandising at Retail Achievement Awards (OMAs) during the 52nd Annual Point of Purchase Advertising International (POPAI) competition. POPAI's annual OMA competition recognizes the most innovative and effective retail promotions. Judges from the P-O-P industry evaluated more than 450 entries from 100 companies in 26 industry categories during a two-phase selection process in determining the winners. Entries were judged on design, innovation, interactivity, and the proven ability to lift sales.

Sonoco won Gold OMA awards for its BIC Create-A-Pack Mark-it Permanent Marker Display for Staples, Novartis Consumer Health Prevacid 24HR Launch Displays, and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Pallet Bridge Displays for Lowe's. The company also won a Silver OMA for its Elizabeth Arden Ornaments Counter Display for CVS. Four Bronze OMAs were won for Cadbury Adams USA Halls National Display Program, Elizabeth Arden CVS Holiday Fragrance Tower Display, Procter & Gamble Pampers Mixed Wipes 3X Floorstand Display, and Cadbury Adams USA Halls 8+2 Permanent Counter Display.

Pearson Packaging Systems, Spokane, Wash., USA, a manufacturer of secondary packaging equipment, has signed an exclusive co-marketing agreement with CT Pack, Italy. Pearson will be the supplier of CT Pack's Vortex Systems Multipacking equipment in North America and will sell this product line as part of a complete end-of-line solution for customers. "Multipacking" is different from "case packing" and is the process, whether partially or entirely automated, by which a product is packed into a container that is then packed into a secondary container such as a case, tray, tote, or otherwise for palletizing and distribution.

CT Pack will have engineering resources based out of Pearson's Chicago, Ill. facility. Additionally, a testing area for CT Pack multipacking technology will be located at Pearson's Spokane facility. This testing space will be used to design and implement multipacking solutions.

Tetra Pak International, Lausanne, Switzerland, will supply more than 100 million FSC-labeled carton packages to Carrefour stores across France during 2010, the two companies announced this week. The supply agreement is seen as an important milestone in Tetra Pak's global FSC deployment ambitions. In the case of France, the company has set a goal of having FSC labeling on at least 90% of the 3 billion packages it sells in the country each year, by the end of 2012.

A carton package is mainly made from paperboard and the FSC label is a guarantee that this material is sourced from well-managed forests and other controlled sources. FSC labeling informs consumers and enables conscious consumer choice.

Mohawk Fine Papers, Cohoes, N.Y., USA, this week launched Mohawk Loop, a line of recycled and environmentally preferable papers. Made with renewable energy and post-consumer fiber, including a large selection of 100% postconsumer waste (PCW) options, these papers have an advanced environmental footprint while maintaining quality, variety, and performance.

The new line includes a color palette with 35 shades ranging from bright white to rich black, with fibered shades and fashion colors, eight finishes, including a "silk coated" finish with 50% PCW, all of the most popular weights, from writing papers to extra heavy covers and paperboard for packaging, and envelopes stocked in commercial and announcement sizes. More information is available online.

Korduroy, a U.S.-based DIY surfing website, this week announced ECOpack, the first four-color, full-sized, 100% recycled kraft paper DVD case. The ECOpack was co-developed with Berkeley, Calif.- based Greenerprinter and is made with 50% post consumer wastepaper.

"It's got that nice kraft paper feeling that takes you back to when your mom packed your lunch for you," Korduroy notes. The printing is done with vegetable based inks, and the case features a unique pocket system that does not require plastic on the interior to hold booklets or DVDs. The ECOpack is available through Greenerprinter to all filmmakers and brands looking for an environmentally responsible DVD packaging alternative.

Arctic Paper, Poland, will increase the price of its woodfree coated and uncoated papers 10% -12%, effective with shipments beginning June 1. The increases will vary by country and by grade. The company attributes the price bumps primarily to the rising costs of market pulp.

Iggesund Paperboard, Sweden, this week announced a price increase for both its solid bleached board range, Invercote, and its folding box board, Incada, throughout Europe. The increase will amount to EUR100 per metric ton in continental Europe and £100 per metric ton in the U.K. for deliveries beginning May 10. The company said that "quickly rising raw material prices" are the main reason for the increases.

Iggesund Paperboard is a member of the Holmen Group, one of Europe's largest forest industry companies.

Pregis Corp.'s Hexacomb business unit, Deerfield, Ill., USA, has announced a 12% price increase on all grades and sizes of its product line shipped to customers in Spain and Portugal. The price increase became effective today, April 1.

The company notes that all of Hexacomb's paper suppliers have increased their pricing recently, adding that the increases are also due to higher raw material costs, limited availability of recycled content, and upward pricing pressure from wood and chemicals. Specifically, supplies of recycled corrugated containers are being diverted to the Chinese market, resulting in less material availability for paper-based conversion in Europe, Pregis explains. Adding to the supply shortage is the reduction in European housing construction starts, which means less scrap wood availability.

Hexacomb is made with 100% paper (all natural, renewable virgin and post consumer recycled fibers) and engineered into a proprietary honeycomb configuration.Hexacomb products include sheets, runners, edge and corner protectors.

Ron Eklund has joined Klass Associates Inc., Redington Beach, Fla., USA, as a senior associate. Eklund specializes in barrier coatings, papermaking process, wet end systems, metering size presses, pigmented coating, calendering, product development, printing, capital projects, and paper machine startups. He has more than four decades of experience with Weyerhaeuser in R&D and technical positions, and has been a TAPPI Member for 30-plus years, being very active in the Coating & Graphic Arts Division.

Thiele Kaolin Co., Sandersville, Ga., USA, announced this week that, effective April 5, Sue Tang will join the company as Technical Service Engineer for North America. Tang received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from Hunan University in China and a Master in Chemistry and Physical Chemistry from Purdue University. Prior to joining Thiele, she was employed by Dow Chemical/Rohm and Haas Co. based in Charlotte, N.C., where she worked for the past 18 years as senior paper coating specialist/chemist.

The company also anounced that effective today (April 1), Robert von Bonsdorff joined Thiele Finland as sales manager for the Finnish and Swedish markets. Von Bonsdorff is a native of Finland, where he earned his Masters Degree in Material Science from Helsinki University of Technology. Prior to joining Thiele, he was project engineer in the Minerals and Metals Select Team for Worley Parsons in London. His experience also includes sales engineering roles at Metso Minerals in Sweden.

On March 11, 2010, I had the pleasure of touring some of the finest facilities that I have seen in a long time. The company I am referring to employs 3,145 people in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico, with projected revenues of $730 million for 2010. Its six Operating Divisions have 17 business segments as follows: High Graphics Corrugated, Brown Box Corrugated, Folding Carton/Label, Foam (extruding and converting), Commercial Products Distribution, Logistics & JIT Services, Retail & Creative Services, Fulfillment, Linerboard Mill, Medium Mill, Coating Operations, Fiber Supply, Converting, IPM, OCC Guard (V board edge protectors), Tooling, and Pallets.

Have you guessed who they are yet?

Our mystery company has two paper mills in Forney, Texas, and a total of 10 Recycling Centers located in Colorado, Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. It operates a corrugated and folding carton converting plant and sheet feeder in City of Industry, Calif. It also has four distribution centers and seven converting plants located in Northern Mexico.

The company is a perennial winner in packaging competitions, as well as TAPPI's bi-annual CorrPak Competition, picking up several awards at each competition. (Mike Walker is our contact for entries in packaging competitions, if you are interested.)

This company supplies all United States Postal Service shipping containers west of the Mississippi River. From brown boxes and highly complex graphics to direct printing that looks like a label and UV coatings, this company stands out from the crowd. It is currently 85% integrated, with plans of increasing that percentage in 2010.

Our mystery organization started three green field operations in 2009 and grew by 6.3% that year. How many companies can say such during these uncertain economic times?

Well, if you have not figured who I've been talking about by now, the company is Orange County Container Group (OCCG) LLC.

I was able to tour OCCG's converting plant and Performance Sheets, both located in City of Industry, Calif. Performance Sheets supplies 40% of its output to OCCG, and 60% to outside converters. I will tell you that its quality, customer service, and JIT systems set them apart from many competitors.

My hosts for this tour were Michael Crosson, president of Performance Sheets, and Joe Edwards, process improvement manager. Joe had recently attended a TAPPI corrugated course in Norcross. My hosts from OCCG, who took time away from their very busy schedules were: Greg Hall, president, Packaging Division; Michael Feterik, CEO; David Ortiz, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing; Kevin Feterik, general manager; and Tarek Saduddin, director, Sales & Customer Service.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot the football tie in! Kevin Feterik was a star quarterback for the Brigham Young Cougars from 1996-1999. He then went on to play with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League and later finished his football career playing in Italy. Did I mention that Michael Feterik owned the Calgary Stampeders when they won the Grey Cup in 2001? Ask him to show you his championship ring! These folks are a very humble group. If you meet them, you have to ask about such successes because they don't bring them up.

If you would like more information on Orange County Container Group LLC, go to www.orangecountycontainer.com.

If you would like more information on TAPPI, please go to www.tappi.org.

There are two types of people in this industry; TAPPI members and those who should be.

Until next time - Larry

TAPPI's NET (Nonwovens Engineers & Technologists) Division is pleased to announce that plans are underway for 2010 NET INC. (Nonwovens Engineers & Technologists Innovative Nonwovens Conference). The conference will take place November 10-12, 2010 in Raleigh, N.C., USA.

Sponsored by TAPPI and the Nonwovens Institute (NWI), NET INC. is the only technical conference developed by nonwovens engineers and technologists.

NET's acronym comes from its makeup of nonwovens engineers and technologists. Division members come from a variety of disciplines – technical directors, engineers, professors, research and development managers, sales and marketing professionals, and corporate management. They work collaboratively in volunteer groups to share knowledge with peers throughout the world in all segments of the nonwovens industry – from hygiene and fabrics to filtration, insulation and more.

Those wishing to learn more about participating in the development of this event can contact Craig McKinney, program manager, cmckinney@tappi.org, +1-770-209-7294.

When: Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Where: Liberty Hall, Kimberly, Wis.

The Lake States TAPPI / North Central PIMA Meeting program will provide insight on the concept of sustainability and its different aspects for the pulp and paper business. Both the technological and the economic side of sustainability as well as real-life examples will be presented. The event will close with a roundtable discussion to explore the consequences of  sustainability with current and anticipated changes. 
 
This program is designed for Environmental Engineers, Process Engineers, Paper Machine,  Stock Prep, Coating, Production, Purchasing, R&D and Lab  Personnel, Suppliers, and anyone else interested in learning  more about sustainability and related business concepts for the  pulp and paper industry.

Pre-registration fee: $110.00
On-site registration: $135.00.
Students and retirees reduced rate if pre-registered: $25.00 / $45.00 on-site

For further details call Michael von Grumbkow  at 920-540-1030 or visit the Lake States TAPPI website: www.lakestates.org.

Offered for the first time in years, TAPPI is pleased to unroll the Tissue Runnability Course, April 19-21, 2010 – an essential program for paper professionals at TAPPI's Atlanta headquarters. This course offers a comprehensive understanding of the tissue making process at many levels that can be applied immediately on the job. Instructional topics are focused on helping attendees improve the quality of their products, diminish waste and poor output and reduce frustrating down-time. The course material is designed with the objective of helping participants thrust production into high gear.

The Tissue Runnability Course is designed expressly for engineers, machine supervisors, technical resources, lead operators and technical personnel in tissue and towel mills. The three-day event covers the impact of recycled furnishes on paper characteristics, the principles of wet-end chemistry with machine operation, cleaning and conditioning of felts and wires, causes of tissue runnability problems in the press/Yankee/hood drying systems, identifying improvement opportunities on the dry-end of the paper machine, and pinpointing problems with the Yankee dryer steam, coating, and hood systems to increase machine productivity. The course schedule is led by industry-recognized instructors.

Registration for this course has been so robust, the training room has moved to a larger venue – the Hilton Atlanta Northeast in Norcross, Ga. This means, you can stay in the same location as the training sessions for even more convenience. Lodge Where You Learn!
Hilton Atlanta Northeast
5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Norcross, GA 30092
Telephone: +1.770.447.4747

Tissue Runnability is still open, but prompt registration is still encouraged for this course!

Event: PulPaper 2010
Date: June 1-3, 2010
Location: Helsinki,Finland

For the seventh time, the global pulp, paper, board, and converting industry will meet in Helsinki for the PulPaper exhibition and conference.  The event, organized by Adforum in cooperation with the Paper Engineers' Association, AEL and The Finnish Fair Corporation, will be the largest show for the pulp, paper, board and converting industry worldwide in 2010. Exhibitors and visitors travel from all over the world to take part in this international event. The last PulPaper show in 2007 attracted more than 16,000 visitors from 78 countries. TAPPI is co-sponsoring the nanotechnology session.

Along with the exhibition, there will be a conference with the theme of "Implementing the new rise." The theme will cover topics that the forest products industry must address to maintain its position and improve results in a changing environment.

Registration is now open and early bird fees are valid until April 16.

What's high in the middle and round on the ends? Well, Ohio of course, and TAPPI's Ohio Local Section is high on planning for their next meeting (April 9, 2010 at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio). Ok, bad joke – but no where near a bad meeting!

Recently, Larry Montague and Eric Fletty had the pleasure of visiting Appleton's West Carrollton Mill and not only saw TAPPI members (from both Appleton and Ashland – Hercules) in action but discussed plans for the upcoming Ohio TAPPI Local Section Meeting. The Local Section has undergone a reinvention of itself and has a great event planned. For just $10, (register by March 26th for this early bird rate) you get:

• 9:00 AM - Upgrades and modernization of stock prep systems - J. Kerr, ANDRITZ
• 10:00 AM - Doctor blade setting - S. Cockerham, KADANT
• 11:00 AM - Paper machine water management for the Fourdrinier -S. Stewart, JOHNSON FOILS
• Lunch (provided)
• 2:00 PM - Automation: Color control & air systems, air dryers, heat recovery -T. Betteridge & M. Harrison, METSO
• 3:00 PM - How CD moisture actuators can save energy - J. Spachman, ABB

Registration couldn't be easier – just e-mail Prof. Doug Coffin at Prof. Doug Coffin at coffindw@muohio.edu. Additional information can be found at this link.

Pictured (Left to Right): Tom Maleike, Manager – Utilities, Process Control, Technical, Appleton
Jim Fuller, Quality Manager, Appleton
Bill Levenderis, Process Control Engineer, Appleton
Larry N. Montague, President & CEO, TAPPI
Nicole Hartley, Technical Sales Representative, Ashland-Hercules
Philip B. Keegan, Sales Team Leader, Ashland-Hercules
Eric Fletty, Vice President Operations, TAPPI

Early discounted registration is now open for the 2010 BioPro Expo™ and Conference, slated for August 24-26 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. Providing program content and comprehensive exhibits created with multiple industries in mind, BioPro Expo™ explores practical methods for transitioning a variety of biomass feedstocks into energy and biofuel. This unique event will bring together diverse communities ranging from forest, agriculture, and biorefinery operations to power companies and technology suppliers – offering the Southeast's most powerful educational and professional networking experience in the bioenergy arena.

BioPro Expo will include in-depth case studies and technical sessions from experts in a variety of industries. In addition, there will be a comprehensive tradeshow and hands-on technology interaction. Additional input from governmental agencies will supplement this experience with perspective on the rapidly changing regulatory and funding environment impacting renewable energy efforts.

Registration fees are $485 for TAPPI members and $746 for non-members, if confirmed by July 2, 2010. Onsite registration is $735 for TAPPI members and $1,125 for non-members. Registration information is available at www.bioproexpo.org.

The 2010 International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference (IBBC) is now an important conference component of BioProExpo™. IBBC will include technical presentations, expert panels, case studies, and reports from projects that address the production of biofuels and bioproducts through: the use of forest and agricultural biomass resources; biorefining technology; feedstock and harvesting improvements to increase yield and quality of biomass; and leveraging forest products manufacturing infrastructure.

Presentations are being sought in the following topic areas:

Technology Track: Seeking strong technical papers with a focus on presenting new findings in Biomass Supply & Demand, Biomass Harvesting & Preparation, Advances in Conversion Pathways and Advances in Bioproducts.

Deployment Track: Seeking case studies and updates from pilot scale, commercial, and pre-commercial operations in Biorefineries, Repurposing the Traditional Pulp and Paper Mill, Harvesting and Preparation, Technical Economic Analyses, Commercial Collaborations for Enabling Technologies and Project Deployment Issues.

For more information on the IBBC Call for Papers, visit http://www.bioproexpo.org/ibbc_call.asp.

Abstract Requirements: Abstracts should be no more than 200 words.
Submission Deadline: March 22, 2010
Presentations Deadline: August 2, 2010
Submit Abstracts to: IBBC@tappi.org
Event Website: www.bioproexpo.org

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.

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.