Over the Wire
TAPPI
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International Paper, Memphis, Tenn., USA, plans to repurpose a portion of its closed Franklin, Va., facility as a fluff pulp mill capable of producing up to 270,000 metric tpy of high quality fluff pulp for the global market. With an investment of $83 million, repurposing the Franklin Mill for the production of fluff pulp will create approximately 200 jobs. The project will begin immediately with startup planned for mid-year 2012.
"IP is currently the third largest global supplier of fluff pulp and this investment gives us greater participation in a growing market," said Mark Sutton, IP's SVP, Printing and Communications Papers the Americas. "IP is a leader in the use of renewable energy. The Franklin fluff pulp facility will be 89% energy self-sufficient, utilizing power generated from carbon-neutral biomass on-site. The capability of producing energy from renewable biomass resources makes the remaining portions of the Franklin Mill site an ideal location for other partners looking for on-site green energy options." IP adds that it will continue to actively evaluate additional repurposing options for the Franklin site with third party partners. The company's decision to permanently shutdown the Franklin Mill for uncoated freesheet (UFS) production remains unchanged. IP explains that a number of factors influenced its decision to locate a fluff pulp mill in Franklin, including a skilled local workforce, the condition of the mill's current assets, a wide range of transportation options, and the availability of U.S. southern pine in the region. The unique fiber length and absorption properties of this species makes it ideal for producing high quality fluff pulp. "With roughly 90% of the world's fluff pulp made from U.S. southern pine, this is a great opportunity to use a distinctively American material to produce a globally competitive product," Sutton commented. Fluff pulp is used in a variety of absorbent products (baby diapers, adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, etc.) and in airlaid products such as cleaning and baby wipes. ##SHARELINKS##
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA), Washington, D.C., early this week agreed to seek additional information and to postpone the effective date of the Boiler MACT and CISWI incinerator rules. Because the original boiler rule was vacated, there is no rule currently in place. The agency will accept additional data and information on the standards until July 15.
This past February 21, the EPA established Clean Air Act emissions standards for large and small boilers and incinerators that burn solid waste and sewage sludge. The standards cover more than 200,000 boilers and incinerators that emit air pollutants, including mercury, cadmium, dioxins, and particle pollution. The final rules, published on March 21, called for an effective date of May 20, with compliance deadlines beginning three years later. But from the date of the EPA's first proposals in April 2010, manufacturers raised objections, saying that the agency's standards were not based on adequate information, were confusing, and were not technically achievable. In response to the April 2010 proposals, the agency received more than 4,800 comments from businesses and communities, including information that EPA said industry had not provided prior to the proposals. Based on this input, EPA made extensive revisions to the standards, and in December 2010 asked a federal district court for additional time for review to ensure the public's input was fully addressed. The court granted EPA only 30 days, and the final rules were issued this past February 21. On Monday of this week, EPA said it is "reconsidering the standards because the public did not have sufficient opportunity to comment on these changes, and, as a result, further public review and feedback is needed." ##SHARELINKS##
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For the first time in nine years, Canada's pulp and paper industry is poised to post a small pre-tax profit in 2011, the Conference Board of Canada said this week. "A rebound in pulp prices and higher demand for paper products provided the industry with a much-needed boost in 2010 and continuing into this year," the Ottawa-based think-tank said.
As reported by the Ottawa Citizen, the board cautioned, however, that the industry "is far from healthy," burdened with excess capacity and the continuing shift toward digital communications. "Moreover, in response to declining market demand and increasing international competition, the trend of mergers and acquisitions is expected to continue throughout the industry," the report said. But after eight years of losing money — and an average of more than a billion dollars a year from 2007 through 2009 — the industry's dark days appear behind it, The Ottawa Citizen article noted. The board forecasts the industry will eke out a profit of $251 million in 2011 and continue to be profitable over the report's outlook to 2015, thanks to increased production efficiency, expanding sales beyond North America, and the introduction of higher-margin products. "On the other hand, the continued strength in the Canadian dollar and growing competition from Asian and South American producers will limit the industry's profit margins," the report said. Industry profits are forecast to rise to $465 million in 2012 and to $563 million by 2015, while employment will remain stable at about 75,000 workers. Profit margins will rise slightly from 0.9% in 2011 to 1.8% in 2015. Building on the strength shown in 2010, shipments of paper were up 4.5% in the first two months of 2011 and new orders were up 3.9% from the same period a year ago. Inventories meanwhile fell 2.4%. Pulp prices, however, are likely to be capped by the reopening of mills reacting to increased demand for paper products, the strong Canadian dollar, and higher operating costs in the face of higher crude oil prices. The industry must also seek out new opportunities in emerging markets like China to offset competition from digital media and a North American market that has matured, the report said. ##SHARELINKS##
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 The day before Mother's Day earlier this month, 88 Boy Scouts earned their Pulp and Paper and Graphic Arts merit badges at the International Printing Museum at Carson, Calif., USA. Thanks to the help of more than 30 museum and industry volunteers, including representatives from BurdgeCooper, Mohawk Paper, and the Printing Industries Association of Southern California (PIASC), the boys made paper, silk screened T-shirts, and printed their mom a Mother's Day card that they designed themselves.
Ten groups of boys rotated every half hour to various stations set up around the museum property in order to pass requirements for the two merit badges. One of the requirements was a visit to a paper mill. So, courtesy of xpedx Paper's Nan Fessler, the boys took a video tour of a NewPage paper mill. Dan Freeland of Southwest Offset led the boys on the journey from trees to pulp and paper to printer. In the museum's parking lot, volunteers helped the boys blend pulp supplied by Mohawk Paper. That pulp was then poured onto wire frames for drying, allowing each boy to take home the paper they made. Along with making a Mother's Day card, boys who brought a shirt were able to silk screen their own commemorative "Merit Badge Day T-shirt" under the instruction of Art Lindauer. Leland Scott taught the boys about various bindery methods, while Craig Nelson of BurdgeCooper taught the boys how to identify the various types of printing they run across at home and at school. Dennis Howey, a graphic arts professor at Cal State Fullerton, and Bob Lindgren, PIASC president, fulfilled the Graphic Arts Merit Badge requirement of teaching the boys about employment opportunities within the industry. Saturday was the first of what will be many more Merit Badge Days at the Printing Museum. Currently, there are more than 200 more boys who have signed up for future Merit Badge Days. The next one is set for June 18, and another on October 22. In the photo, Kari Fry helps a scout print a Mother's Day card. ##SHARELINKS##
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MeadWestvaco Corp. (MWV), Richmond, Va., USA, is joining the National Consumers League (NCL) to launch Script Your Future, a new national campaign to raise awareness among patients about the health consequences of not taking medication as directed. More than one-third of medicine-related hospitalizations and almost 125,000 deaths in the U.S. each year are due to people not taking their medicine as directed by their physician, the company notes.
As an organization focused on promoting medication adherence through better packaging, MWV says it joined the campaign to educate and offer practical tools for patients to help them better adhere. Tools include free text message reminders, sample questions, medication lists, condition management sheets, and fact sheets on common chronic conditions, and can all be found on the campaign website. "Medication non-adherence is a complex and persistent national problem and it doesn't have to be," said Dr. Ted Lithgow, chief science officer, MWV Healthcare. "As a global leader in innovative packaging solutions that can help improve patient adherence, MWV is proud to be a committed partner with NCL on the Script Your Future Campaign. Raising awareness and educating the public are important to helping solve the issue, as is encouraging dialogue with healthcare professionals, such as doctors and pharmacists. Script Your Future shines a spotlight on this public health issue and provides consumers with the tools they need to adhere to their medication regimen and ultimately have better health outcomes." ##SHARELINKS##
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U.S. containerboard production fell in April compared with March, with month over month average daily production down 0.6%, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) U. S. Containerboard Statistics Report released this week. The containerboard operating rate for April 2011 was down 1.9 points over April 2010, to 93.4%. Additional key findings from the report include:
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Total U.S kraft paper shipments in April were 129,900 tons, an increase of 2.0% compared with April 2010, but down 7.2% compared with March 2011, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) April 2011 Kraft Paper Sector Report released this week. Total inventory was 73,000 tons.
Additional key findings from the report include:
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U.S. northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp list prices in May were flat at $1,020/metric ton, Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank, reports. In China, he adds, trade contacts suggest that local NBSK prices this week are down ˜$70 - $80/metric ton from May's $920 - $930/metric ton list price level. The key driver, he says, is a $500/metric ton plunge in spot dissolving pulp prices in China. In Europe, Mercer has followed Sodra in announcing a $30/metric ton price hike for June 1.
Strengthening of the euro has limited margin gains for euro-based producers, Wilde notes. Domestically, low inventory levels, second quarter maintenance downtime, and the weak U.S. dollar suggest a positive bias on U.S. softwood prices, he adds. ##SHARELINKS##
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All of the major U.S. UCFS producers have announced a $60/ton cut-size price hike for early June, Wilde reports. However, few observers expect the full $60/ton to stick. "Our discussions with trade contacts suggest that the cut-size price hike announcement may be more of an attempt to clean up low-end pricing deals. Preliminary April shipments were sluggish, down 11.1% m/m and 2.3% y/y. The combination of a weak U.S. dollar and rising market pulp costs are helping to create a healthy pricing floor," Wilde says. ##SHARELINKS##
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All major N.A. producers have announced a $40/ton price hike on uncoated mechanical grades, effective June 1/July 1, according to Wilde. Catalyst has set a $70/ton increase on directory effective July 1. Rising input cost is the key driver, Wilde notes. Supply disruptions at St. Mary's Paper should help tighten the SC portion of the market, he adds.
Key issue? Wilde asks. For one, demand is weak, he points out. Preliminary April shipments were 11.7% m/m and -14.7% y/y. These numbers may dent prospects of a successful price increase, he says. In directory papers, recent capacity cuts have tightened markets. However, with ˜80% - 85% of the directory market under annual contracts, the near-term impact will be limited. In April, directory estimated prices were down $10/ton to $710 - $730/ton, +9.1% y/y and 35-lb offset was down $15/ton to $660- $720/ton, +16.9% y/y. SC-A estimated prices rose $5/ton to $810 - $840/ton, +10.4% y/y (announced = $40 - $60/ton). ##SHARELINKS##
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Coldwater Jocell, AB, Kil, Sweden, this week announced the acquisition of Breba Tekniska, Aktiebolag, also of Kil, effective this past Monday. Terms of the acquisition are confidential.
Breba is a supplier of UHMW drainage elements, doctor blades, nozzles, vacuum control valves, and edge control devices for the paper industry, with distribution primarily in Sweden and Scandinavia. Coldwater Group President David Withers noted that "we are pleased to welcome Breba and owner Odd Bakke to our company. We are hiring all existing employees and will merge the operations into our Kil facility near Karlstad under the name Coldwater Jocell." ##SHARELINKS##
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Metsä Tissue, Finland, reports that it is finalizing the full rebuild of PM 5 and related facilities in Düren, Germany. The machine will produce baking and cooking papers marketed under the SAGA brand. The company acquired the paper machine, related real estate, and infrastructure assets from M-Real of Finland late last year.
"The re-engineering project has been successful and the first batches of paper have been produced. During the spring, five converting lines have been installed, too, and production is expected to reach full speed by July this year," said Michael Päckner, VP, Regional Operations. Despite the transfer of converting to Düren, the company will also continue producing baking and cooking base paper at the current location in Mänttä, Finland. "With enhanced production facilities located in close proximity to our customers, we will be able to offer our clientele improved service as well as look into new avenues of innovation for SAGA," said Raija Mörö, SVP, Baking and Cooking. ##SHARELINKS##
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Phoenix Pulp & Paper Co. has ordered from Metso, Finland, a cooking plant and a fiberline upgrade to its Khon Kaen mill in Thailand. Startup of the equipment is scheduled for July 2012. The value of the order is approximately EUR 10 million. Metso's delivery will include a two-vessel digester for producing 200,000 metric tons of eucalyptus pulp per year. The delivery will also include a wash press for the fiber line upgrade. The new cooking system will enable the Khon Kaen mill to increase the production capacity and utilize the raw material more efficiently. It will also reduce the mill's environmental impact.
Founded in 1975, Phoenix Pulp & Paper is a subsidiary of SCG Paper, one of the leading integrated producers of pulp and paper products in Thailand. Phoenix sells its products to customers in Thailand and abroad. ##SHARELINKS##
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SCA, Stockholm, Sweden, and the Norwegian company Fred.Olsen Renewables are forming a jointly owned company to focus on constructing a wind farm on SCA's land in Västernorrland in northern Sweden. The area has a potential annual wind-power production of about 2 TWh.
"SCA has major areas of land that are highly suitable for wind-power production," says Åke Westberg, head of SCA Energy. "This project enables SCA to further strengthen its concentration on wind power, which is entirely in line with the group's strategic focus on the increased production and consumption of renewable energy." SCA will own 40% of the new company, FORSCA AB, and Fred.Olsen Renewables will own 60%. SCA will provide the land resources while Fred.Olsen Renewables will arrange financing of the co-owned company. Measurement and assessment of wind-power locations, to be conducted in the coming year, will determine the extent to which the potential will be realized. The planned wind farm is located in the highlands east of Näsåker in the Municipality of Sollefteå. The SCA Energy business unit, which is part of the SCA Forest Products business group, is charged with developing SCA's production of renewable energy. Besides wind power, SCA Energy produces refined and unrefined biofuels. SCA is Europe's largest private forest owner with 2.6 million hectares of forest in the northern half of Sweden. Fred.Olsen Renewables, which focuses on renewable energy, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the listed companies Bonheur ASA and Ganger Rolf ASA. It has developed and operated wind farms since the mid 1990s and currently has four projects totaling 317 MW of onshore wind power in the U.K. Also, the company has permits to build additional wind-power plants in Norway, the UK, and Sweden. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Torraspapel, part of the Lecta Group, Spain, reports that it has implemented an "ambitious" investment program at its Montañana (Zaragoza, Spain) mill. The EUR 23.3 million investment allocated to 13 projects will allow for emissions reductions, enhanced emissions quality, and odor elimination, in addition to enabling the plant to continue operating at current employment levels.
The plan involves contracts for the supply, assembly, and startup of two electrofilters in the mill's recovery boilers. This first phase entails an investment of EUR 7.5 million and will reduce emissions levels of solid particles into the atmosphere by 40% compared with current levels. The two electrofilters will be started up in May 2012. The company explains that "this significant environmental investment plan is part of a clear and well-defined sustainability policy that Torraspapel has been developing for some time now, one that has established the company as an environmental leader, with environmental figures well above the limits set by current regulations. All of the group's mills hold the strictest environmental management certifications available, guaranteeing the sustainable origin of raw materials, particularly wood and cellulose. " In addition to the technological and environmental enhancements resulting from a more competitive mill, the plan entails maintaining current pulp and paper production levels, thereby preserving the direct employment of the more than 500 people currently working at the Zaragoza factory, plus its impact on indirect employment of more than an estimated 3,000 people. Torraspapel has seven mills in Spain, each of which specializes in specific product lines, thereby ensuring enhanced product knowledge, superior product quality, and a high degree of competitiveness. ##SHARELINKS##
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West Fraser Alberta Mills Shut by Forest Fires West Fraser Timber Co., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, reports that forest fires have caused substantial damage to Slave Lake, Alberta, and the surrounding area. The company has two operations in the area--Slave Lake Pulp and Slave Lake Veneer—that have so far escaped damage. Both facilities have suspended operations and are being manned by emergency crews only.
Although neither facility is currently threatened, the situation remains extremely hazardous, according to West Fraser, which adds that its is currently seeking to assist the Red Cross and provincial authorities in relief efforts and is establishing communications alternatives for its employees, most of whom have been evacuated from the immediate area. West Fraser is an integrated wood products company producing pulp and newsprint, lumber, wood chips, LVL, MDF, and plywood. The company has operations in western Canada and the southern U.S. ##SHARELINKS##
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Flooding on the lower Mississippi River may help to further tighten U.S. containerboard supplies, reports Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank. IP's Vicksburg, Miss., 1,600 tpd linerboard mill is likely to be out longer than expected, he notes. When coupled with high second quarter maintenance downtime and stronger box shipments, this could produce a greater-than-expected draw in containerboard inventories, setting the stage for a third quarter price hike, he points out, adding that April containerboard prices were reported to be flat. "As we have noted earlier, it appears that trade paper price estimates have increasingly diverged from real activity in the containerboard and box markets," Wilde says.
Domestic old corrugated containers (OCC) prices in the U.S. were essentially flat in May, down $1/ton to $155/ton, Wilde continues. Key drivers, he says, are lower OCC generation in April, strong domestic and export demand, and expectation of higher OCC demand from the startup of several new machines in China in the coming months. Export OCC to China was down slightly in May. ##SHARELINKS##
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Cartones Ponderosa, S.A. de C.V., Mexico, has contracted Metso, Finland, to rebuild the folding boxboard machine at its San Juan del Río mill in Mexico. Startup of rebuilt PM 1 is scheduled for the second quarter of 2012. The value of the order was not disclosed.
Metso's delivery will include rebuilds of the coating and drying sections. Drying capacity will be increased with two OptiDry Vertical impingement dryers, enabling both a production and a speed increase. Replacing the coating station with an OptiLayer curtain coater and a new coating color supply system will further improve the folding boxboard quality. The rebuilt PM 1 will produce folding boxboard in the basis weight range of 235 to 490 gsm. Cartones Ponderosa, S.A. de C.V. is the leading producer of coated cardboard in Mexico. The company produces more than 50% of the total Mexican recycled coated board made, and is the only exporter in its field. ##SHARELINKS##
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The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., USA, reported this week that it is continuing to invest in a "Packaging Center of Excellence" in Horgen, Switzerland, to better serve the needs of the packaging industry across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company will double the staff of its packaging center to a total of 20 - 25 people.
The packaging center combines the scientific and technical expertise of Dow's people, along with equipment and collaboration space for specialty adhesives, resins, and formulated films in one place. It will also enhance customers' ability to test materials and formulations for new package functionality and design. The center also will hold seminars and forums that will allow package makers and brand owners and others to occasionally share insights about the future needs of the packaging industry. The Horgen center is also fully linked to Dow's other packaging centers of excellence around the world, including the Sensory Science facility in The Netherlands, and Films Application Development Centers in Tarragona, Spain; Freeport, Texas; Singapore; and Jundiai, Brazil. ##SHARELINKS##
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Kolicevo Karton, Slovenia, will rebuild its KM 3 wet section (wire and press section). The aim of the rebuild, to be conducted by Andritz, Austria, is to improve the quality and extend the grade range with GC-qualities (chromo board). Startup is scheduled for this December.
The existing cylinder mold formers will be replaced by a multilayer fourdrinier wire for top, back, and filler. Andritz's Pulp & Paper business area will supply three headboxes (PrimeFlow SW), the fourdrinier wire section (PrimeForm SW) for three layers, and the hybrid former (PrimeForm HB) for the filler dewatering. The existing press section will be complemented by a pick-up-roll for closed web run to the Kombi-press. Kolicevo Karton is a member of Austrian Mayr-Melnhof Group, the largest producer of cartonboard in Europe and the leading manufacturer of coated recovered cartonboard worldwide. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Propapier's PM2 GmbH in Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany, has set another containerboard machine 24-hour world speed record of 1,650 m/min. During the record run, the 10.85-m-wide Metso (Finland)-supplied PM 2 produced corrugating medium at a basis weight of only 80 gsm.
This is the second 24-hour world speed record set by Propapier PM 2. On November 25, 2010, PM 2 set a record of 1,620 m/min at a basis weight of 90 gsm, being the world's first containerboard machine to exceed the 1,600 m/min speed level. PM 2 was started up in March 2010. "A second world record in a short period of time confirms the fantastic performance of all teams involved and the outstanding concept of the entire line," says Jürgen Heindl, CEO of Progroup AG. The gigantic PM 2 features Metso papermaking and automation technology from the stock preparation plant to the OptiConcept paper machine. The design speed of the machine is 1,900 m/min. Propapier PM2 GmbH is part of Progroup AG, a group of companies offering products and services for the corrugated board-converting industry. The annual tonnage of Progroup AG's two paper mills equals 1 million metric tons of containerboard. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., USA, reports the launch of its new ReadyGrow planter, developed in conjunction with the Environmental Horticulture department at Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. Made from 100% recycled paperboard, the ReadyGrow planter is both biodegradable and sustainable in a greenhouse environment.
Dependency on plastics is a serious issue for the horticultural industry, Sonoco notes, adding that the majority of recyclers do not accept plastic nursery products, resulting in more than 300 million lb of nursery pots, trays, and cell packs sent to landfills each year. To create a more sustainable alternative to plastic planters for growers, Sonoco partnered with the Environmental Horticulture department at Clemson University. Clemson helped Sonoco optimize the planter's technology, ensuring that the pot would remain robust in a commercial growing environment and biodegrade once it reached customers' yards. The Horticulture department assisted Sonoco with the development of the planter through trials, testing each iteration of the planter as the technology evolved to ensure mold resistance and commercial greenhouse conveyability. ReadyGrow pots are porous, allowing oxygen to pass through the container to the roots. Sonoco's RootGuard technology is a proprietary coating added to ensure the pot withstands greenhouse watering and maintains good water absorption while in the soil. Once planted, the coating breaks down, allowing the plant's roots to penetrate through the pot and branch out into the soil bed to absorb water and nutrients, minimizing transplant shock. ##SHARELINKS##
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Botnia, Finland, this week reported that it will raise the price of Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft Pulp (NBSK) by $30 per metric ton in Europe, effective June 1. The new price will be $1,040 per metric ton, CIF Botnia's usual ports. ##SHARELINKS##
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Caraustar Industries, Atlanta, Ga., USA, announced a price increase of $30 per ton on uncoated recycled paperboard grades supplied from the mill system. The increase will be effective with shipments on or after June 8, and is necessary due to the increased costs of freight, chemicals, supplies, and raw materials, the company said.
Caraustar serves the four principal recycled boxboard product end-use markets: tubes and cores, folding cartons, gypsum facing paper, and specialty paperboard products. ##SHARELINKS##
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Cargill Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., USA, reported this week that, effective immediately, all of its future industrial starch contracts will be subject to the following price increases:
The company noted that the above price increases do not include changes in corn or freight. ##SHARELINKS##
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DuPont Titanium Technologies, Wilmington, Del., USA, this week announced a net price increase of $500 per metric ton, or as permitted by contract, for all DuPont Ti-Pure® titanium dioxide grades sold in Latin America. The increase becomes effective July 1.
DuPont Titanium Technologies is the world's largest manufacturer of titanium dioxide, serving customers globally in the coatings, paper, and plastics industries. The company operates plants at DeLisle, Miss.; New Johnsonville, Tenn.; Edge Moor, Del.; Altamira, Mexico; and Kuan Yin, Taiwan; all of which use the chloride manufacturing process. The company also operates a mine in Starke, Fla. ##SHARELINKS##
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Glatfelter, York, Pa., USA, announced that its Advanced Airlaid Materials Business Unit (AMBU) will begin implementing price increases on a global basis in response to a continued rise in input costs. The company notes that costs for AMBU's petroleum based raw materials as well as fluff pulp have continued to increase through the first and second quarters of 2011 as demand in the broader market for these materials has continued to increase. Adding to the rise in input cost is the escalation of energy prices, it says.
As a result, AMBU will enact an immediate price increase that will affect all customers in varying degrees depending on product composition. Increases will reflect current raw material prices and are subject to future adjustments depending on inflationary trends. "This inflationary momentum has continued from last year through the first two quarters of 2011," said Jonathan A. Bourget, VP and GM of AMBU. "Several input costs have reached historical levels and are showing no indication of slowing in the near term. Because of this, we cannot exclude further price adjustments in the future. "However, we are taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of price increases to our customers. Through collaborative R&D efforts, we have already developed several innovative products to help our customers contain costs while maintaining or improving performance." ##SHARELINKS##
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PWI notes that it will minimize this increase with ongoing cost savings initiatives, as well as provide leading quality, excellent availability, and service for all of its paperboard products. Customers are encouraged to contact their customer service representative, account manager, or Mark P. Roy, SVP of Sales and Marketing, with any questions regarding this increase. Founded in 2008, PaperWorks Industries is a North American, integrated, full-service packaging provider. The company's Packaging Group produces specialized folding cartons, serving clients of all sizes across North America from a dozen facilities. Its Paperboard Group manufactures some 300,000 tpy of 100% recycled paperboard for a variety of end uses, and further specializes in the cutting and distribution of all paper types according to specific customer needs. The company has more than 1,850 employees across 19 North American locations with annual sales in excess of $620 million. ##SHARELINKS##
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Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., USA, is increasing the price for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard by $50 per ton and by 5% to 8% for tubes and cores, effective with shipments beginning June 6. The company noted that the price changes are necessary due to higher base raw materials, chemicals, repair materials, and freight costs.
Sonoco, founded in 1899, is a $4.1 billion global manufacturer of consumer and industrial packaging products and a provider of packaging services, with more than 300 operations in 34 countries serving customers in some 85 nations. ##SHARELINKS##
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Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI), U.K., this week appointed Stuart Pohler recovered paper sector manager. Pohler has extensive experience in the waste management industry. Between 2005 and 2009, he was recycling manager for the Ealing Borough Council, during which time the recycling rate more than doubled. Most recently, he was employed as principal consultant for waste management at Entec, a U.K. based environmental and engineering consultancy. In this role, Pohler was responsible for providing technical and advisory support to local authorities involved in the procurement of waste management services, and bid development services to several national and multinational organisations in support of private finance initiatives.
David Workman, CPI director general, noted that "Stuart strengthens our expertise in waste management and recycling issues as increasingly complex and important regulatory issues continue to develop. In particular, the transposition of the EU Waste Framework Directive into national laws and national waste strategies for each of the U.K. administrations, will be of critical importance for our members, and Stuart will have a key role to play in ensuring proposals are realistic and workable." ##SHARELINKS##
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 Finch Paper, Glens Falls, N.Y., USA, has appointed Ken Chartier, formerly of NewPage Corp., to director, Quality and Continuous Improvement. In this position, Chartier is responsible for ensuring that the mill's quality systems meet the needs of its customers, and that these systems are being used effectively. As a key member of Finch's Manufacturing and Strategic Leadership teams, he provides leadership across the organization in developing a vision for quality and continuous improvement, as well as implementation of supporting systems and processes that will drive success. He will work closely with the company's sales, marketing, and product management groups to understand specific customer needs in the context of broader trends and issues in the marketplace.
Chartier brings more than 30 years of industry experience to Finch Paper. At NewPage, he held various positions including technical manager, assistant paper machine superintendent, senior process engineer, professional services manager, and paper mill technical manager. Bob McDonald, VP, Operations for Finch Paper, says, "Ken Chartier is a welcome addition to the expanding Finch team of qualified leaders. His impressive industry experience, coupled with certification as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt project leader as well as many awards and honors, is exemplary of the professionals we are fortunate to have on our team." ##SHARELINKS##
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 Tullis Russel, U.K., a producer of paperboards for the cards, covers, and premium packaging markets, this week announced the appointment of Steve Moss as managing director of its Papermakers division based in Markinch Scotland. Russell brings considerable senior experience to the role, having occupied similar positions in other U.K. manufacturing organizations including Mondi Packaging U.K. and the BPI Group. He will report to Group Chief Executive Chris Parr who previously held the same job within the employee-owned company.
Commenting on the appointment, Parr noted that "Steve will be an extremely valuable addition to our established executive team and his experience will help us to drive through and deliver our clear and focused strategy. He is joining us following some of the most challenging times ever faced by the U.K. paper industry and, while there are many more challenges ahead, we face them with a firm idea of where we are going and a strong balance sheet to help us get there." The company is currently working in partnership with RWE npower renewables who will build and operate a £200 million biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plant at its Markinch mills. This will reduce the company's fossil fuel carbon emissions by around 250,000 metric tpy. ##SHARELINKS##
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This course is designed to help you understand the principles of papermaking chemistry. You will learn to improve the quality of your products and how to troubleshoot problems. View the Course Schedule to see all that's offered. This introductory- to intermediate-level course is designed for mill superintendents, development engineers, chemical and process engineers, chemists, process and quality control technicians, and sales and technical service representatives. Participants should have one to five years of paper industry experience and college-level chemistry and math courses are helpful. TAPPI will award 1.7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for completion of the curriculum. ##SHARELINKS##
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The Proposed Course Schedule provides detail of the content offered. We'll see you here at TAPPI in Norcross, Ga., USA in June! ##SHARELINKS##
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The Conference Brochure is now available for the 13th TAPPI European PLACE Conference, May 30-June 1, 2011 in Bregenz, Austria. This biennial conference will focus on the latest trends, technologies and applications affecting the extrusion coating and laminating industry. The conference covers polymers, laminations, adhesives, coatings, film extrusions and end use applications in flexible packaging and converting. Register before April 29th to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration Rate. The Hotel cutoff for this event is April 30, 2011. ##SHARELINKS##
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TAPPI member Scott Pantaleo has consistently established his credentials as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in headboxes, forming and approach flow systems throughout his career. Since joining TAPPI in 1989, he has attended or taught at numerous conferences, courses and classes, and credits TAPPI's Standards and TIPs as being yet another "priceless on-the-job resource." One of the many benefits he has derived from his membership includes the opportunity to network with professionals both inside, and out, of his immediate area of expertise – leading to a new dimension of understanding beyond, but still aligned with his core competencies. For more than 15 years he has served as a course instructor for Wet End Operations, and is currently Chair of the Fluid Mechanics Committee and a member of the Papermakers Committee. He considers his relationship with TAPPI to be a major component in helping to build his SME reputation. Find out the reasons why by reading this month's Member Spotlight (http://www.tappi.org/Membership.aspx). Spotlight participants are recommended by fellow members and staff. If you would like to nominate a member (or even yourself!) just send their name (or names) to MemberSpotlight@tappi.org. We will forward a Spotlight Questionnaire (http://www.tappi.org/content/membership/spotlightquestionnaire.pdf) to fill out and return. We look forward to seeing you in the Spotlight! ##SHARELINKS##
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The editorial board of TAPPI JOURNAL has selected "Calendering effects on coating pore structure and ink setting behavior" by Peter Resch, Wolfgang Bauer, and Ulrich Hirn as TAPPI JOURNAL's Best Research Paper for 2010. The paper appeared in the January 2010 issue and was one of eight nominated for the award. Editorial board members assessed the research based on innovation, creativity, scientific merit, and clear and concise presentation of ideas. The paper and its authors were honored at the Awards Gala Dinner held in early May during PaperCon 2011, held May 1-4 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center near Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Primary author Resch, who is quality manager at Sappi Austria in Gratkorn, used research presented in the paper as basis for his Ph.D., and publication in TAPPI JOURNAL counted towards partial fulfillment of his doctoral requirements at Graz University. Bauer is a professor and Hirn is a research assistant with Graz University of Technology's Institute for Paper, Pulp and Fibre Technology in Graz, Austria. |
TAPPI is pleased to announce that thanks to a partnership with Pira International, all TAPPI members are entitled to a 20% discount for Pira's Biorefining and Fibre Engineering conferences. Book online & use promo code: TAPPIM20 Pira International is again holding the very successful 4th Annual Biorefining for the Pulp & Paper Industry conference. This year, it will be co-located and run parallel with Pira's 3rd biennial Fibre Engineering conference. This dual event will take place on May 24-26, 2011 at the Barcelo Sants, Barcelona, Spain. Whether booking one event or the other all delegates get access to both of these conferences, making the meeting a leading knowledge & networking platform of the year! Learn more on www.biorefining-conference.com Learn more on www.fibre-engineering.com ##SHARELINKS##
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The 2011 Northeast PIMA Annual Scholarship Tournament is set for Friday, June 10, 2011. It features:
All proceeds from this tournament will go to the Northeast PIMA Scholarship Fund. This tournament supports a great cause. Try to register very soon as last year we filled up. On behalf of Northeast PIMA and its affiliates, your continued support is appreciated to the utmost. Note: Cancellations cannot be accepted after June 5th. For more information please go to: ##SHARELINKS##
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The 2011 Empire State TAPPI/PIMA Spring Golf Outing to raise scholarship funds will be held Thursday, May 19, 2011. The event features:
Includes: hot dogs and beverages at the turn, open bar from 4:30 PM to 6 PM, steak dinner, golf awards and prizes after dinner. Dinner tickets may be purchased in advance or at door. Cash or check made out to Empire State TAPPI/PIMA, or use credit card at registration. No refunds after May 14. Help support this year's event by sponsoring a hole! A $100 sponsorship provides a prominently displayed sign on a tee letting everyone know you are a TAPPI/PIMA "booster." All proceeds will go towards scholarships. Need exact company name by May 6. Sponsorships are greatly appreciated! The deadline for submitting sponsorship form is May 6, 2011. Please make checks payable to Empire State TAPPI/PIMA or use credit card. Send in advance or pay @ outing. Click here for more information. ##SHARELINKS##
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Presenting a chemist's perspective on the papermaking process, The Chemistry of Modern Papermaking is an extensive collection of data that combines the organic chemistry of paper with its potential applications. Within each chapter, paper chemicals are organized based on their chemical structure. After an introduction and brief history, the book explores the papermaking process, retention aids, temporary wet strength resins, wet strength resins, dry strength resins, internal sizing agents, creping adhesives and softeners, and chemicals for paper surface treatment. Included are over 3000 references to facilitate further study. It's scheduled for a summer 2011 release. ##SHARELINKS##
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The 2011 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials is scheduled for June 6-8, 2011 at the Sheraton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia USA. The comprehensive Technical Program includes over 60 papers and five keynote presentations. The event's Poster Session will feature findings from the leading researchers from around the world as well as a Student Poster Competition! Abstracts that focus on new and novel uses are highly encouraged. Analysis of challenges and trends in emerging markets for renewable nanomaterials are sought to provide a foundation for new research and industrial activities. Prizes and certificates will be awarded to the first and second place winner. Learn more about the event. ##SHARELINKS##
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