Over the Wire
TAPPI
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China has got the taste for tissue, according to a report by Marco Dalle Piagge, GM, Toscotec Asia & Pacific Ltd (Toscotec's head office is in Lucca, Italy). From the limited quantity of low quality tissue produced by hundreds of small, highly polluting tissue lines just a few years ago, the country is now well on the way to having the world's most modern tissue machine "fleet," Piagge notes.
During the past year or two, main tissue players in China have launched a strong investment push, leaving those on the second rung of the ladder with a challenge, Piagge says. If they do not invest, they risk being left behind as they cease to be competitive. "The smallest producers really will struggle. They simply cannot compete in terms of quality and their processes, usually based on straw, bagasse, or bamboo, put them on the wrong side of the Chinese Government's drive to clean up the industry. Some 400 - 500 paper mills of all descriptions are in the sights of the legislators, and the process of closing them down has already begun. As such, not all new machines in China are ‘new" capacity, but replace old, redundant lines," Piagge explains. Another change to watch for is the location of new tissue projects, Piagge continues. Of course, unlike Europe, there is considerable potential for greenfield projects in this country, but they have tended to cluster around the main conurbations on the coast. In an attempt to slow down the recent tendency of the Chinese to migrate to coastal cities where the standard of living is higher, new mill projects are actively being encouraged inland in areas such as Chongqing and Sichuan. As these new mills bring quality tissue to new areas, so the market for tissue in China will gain even more momentum, according to Piagga. "There is an important practical consideration, of course, which is access to fiber," Piagge continues. "The fast, wide new machines being installed in China are fed on virgin fiber. The infrastructure for sourcing good quality recycled fiber does not yet exist in China, and suitable stock preparation equipment to process it has not been installed either. None of the big projects in the past two years has involved deinking. This situation clearly favors coastal mills, as the virgin fiber all has to be imported. The transport infrastructure is improving, however, which will strengthen the competitive case for inland mills, and reduce the fiber division that has existed, whereby coastal mills have produced high quality tissue from virgin fiber, while inland mills have only produced an inferior product from straw, bamboo, or bagasse," he explains. There is another differentiating factor between different regions of China which is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future, Piagge says. A ready supply of gas is not available throughout China. Guangdong for example, has virtually none. Most tissue machines in the 30 to 50 metric tpd category in China tend to rely on coal to generate steam. If mills on sites without access to gas have plans to step up to higher production levels, they will have to consider their technology very carefully. "Coal is simply not able to produce steam at as high a rate as gas, so the magic 2,000 m/min is really out of the question. We believe, however, that speeds close to 1,700 m/min are realistic, and with world-class runnability, this can still put a mill in a strong position, by significantly reducing the production costs. Our message is that with the right technology, (we would of course advocate our energy-saving steel yankee), you can still be competitive with coal." As it stands, the country already needs several new tissue lines each year to keep up with the rising demand. Of course, even a small annual percentage demand increase in China equates to a great deal of tissue. It will come as no great surprise that around half of the world's new tissue machines last year were installed in China, Piagge points out. The fact that the response to demand potential in China has been met with investment in state-of-the-art tissue lines means that the evolution of quality has been rapid. Buyers used to a rather basic tissue have, within a very short period of time, come to expect a quality of virgin-fiber tissue that is a match for what is sold in Europe, and often better. "The gradual improvement in quality that other parts of the world experienced has just not happened here, and there really is little room for anything but very high standard tissue from new installations," Piagge explains. ##SHARELINKS##
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Sustainable and green packaging is gaining prominence in the global packaging market and is gradually becoming an essential area for the industry players, according to a new report by London, U.K.-based Visongain. The sustainable and green packaging market is experiencing a rise in demand from consumers, made possible due to advanced packaging technologies, the report notes. Although the market was negatively impacted by reduced margins due to pressure from higher production costs involved, the sustainable and green packaging industry still stands firm and is likely to enhance its market share in the global packaging industry. Visiongain calculates that the sustainable and green packaging market will be worth $107.7 billion in 2011.
Rising concerns over environmental hazards, eco-friendly packaging, carbon emissions, waste reduction targets specified by different countries, and the trend towards "green packaging" are factors likely to boost the market for sustainable and green packaging solutions. The sustainable and green packaging market is likely to register consistent growth during 2011 - 2021, mainly influenced by rising environmental concerns, increasing health awareness, high disposable incomes, rapidly growing economies, dearth of natural resources, and high-energy consumption. The North American and Western European economies are successfully established markets. However, the growing economies of Asia-Pacific (India and China), Eastern Europe (Germany and Russia), and Latin America (Brazil) offer tremendous potential to explore, Visiongain explains. Visiongain expects the global sustainable and green packaging market to demonstrate above average growth in developing nations and steady growth in mature markets. The market was relatively immune to the recent economic downturn. Demand held up as consumers' increasing concerns about personal, as well as environmental, health, and wellness drove the need for sustainable packaging innovations. Moreover, technological advancements related to lightweight packaging will further boost the demand in the industry. Also, key industry players and manufacturers are opting for better materials made from renewable sources for packaging purposes, thus keeping them out of the landfills. Guiding most of the packaging trends of 2009 and into 2010 are considerations of value and health. In the realm of health, consumers are looking not only for fresh, safe, and nutritious products, but also at items having "healthy," sustainable packaging. Manufacturers also are under pressure to use environmentally-friendly materials, and adopt methods that require low-energy consumption and reduce the adverse environmental impact of packaging such as landfill. More information about The Sustainable & Green Packaging Market 2011-2021 report is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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The latest listing of job openings in the TAPPI Career Center include technology management and process engineering positions, reflecting a growing need for experienced paper industry personnel in these areas. Current job openings in the TAPPI Career Center include:
More information about these jobs is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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Pulp mills in the Western U.S. have seen their wood costs go up for four consecutive quarters, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review (NAWFR), Seattle, Wash., USA. Together with Quebec, Canada, this region had the highest second quarter wood fiber costs in North America.
Douglas-fir and hemlock residual chip prices in the U.S. Northwest were up 42% between the second quarter of last year and the second quarter of this year, reaching their highest levels since early 2008, NAWFR reports. Pulp log prices have increased more than for wood chips, reaching a 16-year high in the second quarter of this year. Historically, the region's pulp industry has relied on 70% - 80% sawmill residuals for its fiber furnish, but in 2011, softwood residuals accounted for approximately 55% of the softwood fiber receipts as reported by the Forest Products Association, with the remaining being chips manufactured from roundwood. The current price surge in the Western U.S. has been the result of four primary factors: sawmill lumber production well below historical volumes, high pulp mill production due to strong product prices, a reopened pulp mill in the state of Washington, and strong Chinese demand for logs, NAWFR notes. Violent storms in Mississippi and Alabama, flooding along the Mississippi River, and wildfires primarily in Georgia and Texas interrupted the regular flow of wood fiber in the U.S. South during the second quarter. These extreme conditions resulted in curtailments of a few pulp mills and chipping facilities and temporary reductions in fiber demand. To some extent, this balanced out the reduction in pulpwood production, NAWFR adds. While salvaging is difficult and more costly than ordinary timber harvesting, the sheer volume of wood that is under pressure to be brought in before it deteriorates will bring a surge of supply to the market. Softwood and hardwood pulpwood prices in the second quarter were unchanged from the previous quarter, according to NAWFR, but can be expected to decline in the third quarter as a result of the large volume of damaged wood in the region. With other North American regions experiencing significant increases in wood costs in the second quarter, the South's low, stable wood prices continue to make the region's pulp industry very competitive, NAWFR points out. More information is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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European demand for newsprint improved by 3.6% (28,000 metric tons) in May compared with a year earlier, according to the Association of European Publication Paper Producers, CEPIPRINT, Brussels, Belgium. Domestic shipments increased 4.9% (37,000 metric tons), but exports of newsprint fell 17.3% (25,000 metric tons) mainly due to a sharp contraction in deliveries to the Far East.
In the SC-magazine paper sector last month, European demand dipped 1.4% (4,000 metric tons) year-on-year. However, exports of the grade grew 24.4% (14,000 metric tons) during the same period with the largest increases going to North America and Oceania. The rise in exports took total European shipments to 361,000 metric tons, up 2.9% over the previous report. Coated Mechanical Reels (CMR) was the only European publication paper sector to post positive results across the board last month. European demand for CMR edged up 2.8% (14,000 metric tons), while shipments overseas climbed 9.3% (13,000 metric tons). The rise in domestic shipments combined with growth in exports took total European shipments of the grade to 545,000 metric tons. European demand for uncoated mechanical grades recorded just 0.9% change year-on-year in May. In the overseas markets, shipments to the Far East grew year-on-year, but all other export regions showed a decline. The flat level of domestic shipments combined with a 10.0% (5,000 metric ton) drop in exports resulted in total European shipments of the grade sliding 1.4% (3,000 metric tons) against last May. ##SHARELINKS##
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According to Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank, Chinese pulp prices are easing. Russia's Ilim cut NBSK (northern bleached softwood kraft) prices in China by $70/metric ton and NBHK (northern bleached hardwood kraft) by $20/metric ton. Chile's Aruaco also has reportedly reduced prices in China, Wilde notes. "We've also received reports of more ‘spot' deals in the U.S.," he adds. ##SHARELINKS##
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Wilde notes that in regard to June North American box shipments, a survey of Deutsche Bank contacts across the sector found some evidence that June box volumes rebounded from disappointing May levels. On a related front, recent indications point to strong June freight volumes, he adds. ##SHARELINKS##
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North American May shipments of uncoated free sheet (UFS) rose 1.1% m/m, but were down 1.1% on a y/y basis, according to Wilde, who adds that this is slightly better than the YTD decline of 2.4% y/y. "While recent supply cuts should sustain UFS prices, the other key variable will be the extent of any pulp price declines. In the near-term, current price hikes have been slow to roll-in. June estimated prices for 20-lb repro bond (cut-size) rose $20 - $25/ton (announced = $60/ton) to $1,070 - $1,115/ton, -2.5% y/y. At the same time, 50-lb offset roll prices were flat at $945 - $965/ton," he reports. ##SHARELINKS##
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ABB, Zurich, Switzerland, this week agreed to acquire Lorentzen & Wettre from ASSA ABLOY AB, Sweden, for a price of about $119 million (SEK 750 million), to strengthen its business in the pulp and paper area. Based in the Kista district of Stockholm, Sweden, Lorentzen & Wettre manufactures equipment for quality control, process optimization, and test instrumentation for the pulp and paper industry. It has production facilities in Kista and Kajaani, Finland, and sales and service offices across Europe and in Canada, China, Japan, Singapore, and the U.S. The company has approximately 190 employees, and will be incorporated into ABB's Process Automation division. Founded in 1895, Lorentzen & Wettre has technology that contributes to improving paper quality, reducing manufacturing costs, and cutting the consumption of raw materials and energy. The company's offering includes automated fiber and pulp analysis devices, consistency transmitters, moisture sensors, laboratory paper testing instruments, automated paper testing systems, and industry specific services. Lorentzen & Wettre reported revenues of SEK 307 million ($49 million) in 2010 and expects an increase to SEK 335 million ($53 million) in 2011. "This acquisition will nicely complement our existing portfolio of pulp and paper industry offerings," said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB's Process Automation division. "This is an excellent strategic fit as Lorentzen & Wettre's products and services will enable us to address the broad spectrum of pulp and paper production challenges." ##SHARELINKS##
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Yanzhou Huamao Paper Industry Co., member of Sun Paper Group, in Yanzhou city, Shandong Province, China, has started up a Metso-supplied ValZone metal belt calender on its PM 23 fine paper machine. The line was previously operated with a soft calender. The Metso paper machine has a wire width of 7.85 m and a design speed of 1,600 m/min, and produces approximately 350,000 metric tpy of uncoated fine papers.
With the metal belt calender, the line is able to produce top quality printing paper grades with superior feel and visual appearance, Metso notes. The ValZone metal belt calender allows raw material optimization, for instance by allowing an increase in the filler content of the sheet. Also, as a result of increased bulk, the same printing qualities can be reached with a lower grammage. The delivery is a repeat order of the ValZone technology as Sun Paper Group's coated board line PM 22 also is equipped with metal belt calendering. The ValZone metal belt calender on PM 23 is the first installation for fine paper grades. "This startup is a milestone that brings the metal belt calendering technology into a whole new area of application. It is now for the first time used for printing papers and for the first time in a wide and fast paper machine, thus demonstrating that the metal belt calendering technology has a lot of potential with regard to future development," says Timo Valkama, senior paper technology manager, Metso's Paper business line. The Sun Paper Group is one of the foremost paper and board producers in China. Altogether, the group runs 22 paper machines mostly producing printing and writing grades with a combined capacity well exceeding 2.2 million metric tpy. Sun Paper Group employs more than 7,000 people. ##SHARELINKS##
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FPInnovations, Montreal, Qué., Canada, and TEXO Consulting and Controls, Baie d'Urfé, Qué., have signed a new license agreement for the sale of FPInnovations" Recausticizing Control Technology (RCT). RCT is advanced software that manages the recausticizing process in kraft pulp mills, resulting in reduced energy costs. Potential energy savings are approximately $1 million per year for a typical mill, according to FPInnovations.
"Kraft pulp mills continue to search for additional ways to reduce their chemical cost and energy consumption, and produce more electrical power. The RCT is a simple solution to reduce both energy consumption and operating costs. Its simplicity is revolutionary compared with current recausticizing control systems on the market. We believe this technology will be very attractive to North American, European, Australian, and New Zealand markets, which represents our growth market," said Mario Leclerc, TEXO Consulting and Controls' VP of Deployment. The RCT software works in conjunction with an FPInnovations-developed FTNIR Sensor Technology currently sold by FITNIR Analyzers Inc. By combining these two technologies, kraft mills can optimize the efficiency of a key part of their chemical recovery system. Chris J. Kanters, FPInnovations' National Director of Intellectual Property, Contracts and Licensing, noted that "RCT came out of FPInnovations' Chemical Pulping research program. We're very proud of our research team's work that is the result of years of R&D on the kraft recovery process." He added that "this technology has already been successfully implemented in five Canadian member mills." FPInnovations and TEXO Consulting and Controls have previously signed license agreements for FPInnovations' Lime Kiln Control and Chlorine Dioxide Generator Control technologies. These agreements, including RCT, support the creation of advanced process control solutions for the whole kraft fiberline. ##SHARELINKS##
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Ilim Group, St. Petersburg Russia, has ordered from Metso, Finland, main components for an off-machine coater on the coated woodfree paper line at its Koryazhma Branch mill in Koryazhma, Russia. Startup of the off-machine coater is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2013. The value of the order is approximately EUR 20 million.
Metso's delivery will include a coating station, a calender, two energy efficient high-drying-capacity gas dryers, and a winder. The Metso automation system will include quality controls, process controls, and machine condition monitoring, as well as electric drive and machine controls for the coater and the winder. Metso's supply will also include a coating color kitchen with ultrafiltration and a roll handling and wrapping machine, serving both the paper machine and the coater. The line will produce uncoated and coated woodfree paper. International Paper Co., Memphis, Tenn., USA, is a strategic partner of Ilim Group, which has an annual pulp and paper production volume of more than 2.3 million metric tons. Ilim Group employs some 20,000 people. ##SHARELINKS##
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M-real Oyj, Espoo, Finland, part of Metsäliitto, has signed an agreement to divest its entire share capital in M-real Hallein GmbH, Austria, to the Schweighofer Group. M-real Hallein GmbH assets consist of the Hallein pulp mill, bioenergy plant, paper mill closed in 2009, and the surrounding estate. The debt-free value of the transaction is approximately EUR 34 million and the positive cash impact for M-real is approximately EUR 24 million.
The Hallein pulp mill has an annual production capacity of approximately 160,000 metric tons of sulfite pulp. It employs about 200 people. The divestment is expected to reduce M-real's annual sales by some EUR 75 million and improve the operating result by approximately EUR 5 million based on Hallein mill's actual performance in 2010. "M-real is focusing on the cartonboard business and this transaction is a good example of our work to divest the non-core assets. M-real does not use pulp from Hallein in its own board or paper operations and the profitability of the mill as a market pulp supplier has not met our targets. This is a good solution also for the mill as the new owner is in a better position to develop the operation further," said Mikko Helander, CEO of M-real. The transaction is subject to the approval of Austrian competition authorities and is expected to be closed during the third quarter of this year. M-real says it will continue to sell Hallein pulp volumes to the market during the 12-15 months following closing until the new owner has established its own sales organization and systems. The Schweighofer Group is a family owned, Austrian-based holding company with companies in different branches and countries. The main focus of the group is the forest industry. ##SHARELINKS##
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M-real Corp., Espoo, Finland, part of Metsäliitto Group, has entered into an agreement to divest to UPM-Kymmene Corp. of Finland its 35% holding in Finland-based Myllykoski Paper and the capital loan M-real has granted to Myllykoski for a total of EUR 10.5 million.
Consequently, M-real will book in its second quarter 2011 result before taxes a EUR 4 million impairment. M-real will classify the Myllykoski holding according to IFRS5 as Assets Held for Sale. The transaction has a EUR 10.5 million positive cash impact. This transaction is subject to the closing of UPM's conditional acquisition of Myllykoski Group and Rhein Papier and requires competition law clearance. The transaction is expected to be closed during the third quarter of this year. ##SHARELINKS##
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UPM-Kymmene Corp.,Helsinki, Finland, this week agreed to sell approximately 6.7 % of its shares in Finnish pulp producer Oy Metsä-Botnia Ab (Botnia) to Botnia for EUR 140 million. UPM will record a capital gain of approximately EUR 70 million from the sale of the shares. UPM also agreed to give a call option to the Finnish Metsäliitto Group for the remaining 11% of Botnia still owned by UPM after the redemption and cancellation of the redeemed shares. According to the option agreement, Metsäliitto Group has the right to purchase the remaining shares within the next two years.
The agreements are based on the valuation of UPM's original 17% share of Botnia at EUR 290 million. UPM notes that the transaction is in line with its strategy to grow as a cost competitive pulp producer and become an active market participant in global pulp markets. UPM's annual pulp production capacity is currently 3.2 million metric tons. The group's current asset base consists of four modern pulp mills, three in Finland, and one in Uruguay. The product range covers northern hardwood and softwood pulp as well as eucalyptus pulp. ##SHARELINKS##
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The Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI), U.K., this week reported three years of significant achievements in improving health and safety performance in the U.K. corrugated, papermaking, and recovered paper industries. Launched on July 15, 2008, a new health and safety strategy for the paper industry was developed by The Paper and Board Industry Advisory Committee (PABIAC), a tripartite strategic health and safety delivery partnership comprising HSE, employers and Trade Unions, according to CPI.
The strategy set a target of a 10% year-on-year reduction in accident rates for the paper industry. At the end of March 2011, this target was exceeded, with a year-on-year reduction of 10.5%. Overall, the industry reduced the number of accidents from 1,257 per 100,000 employees in 2008 to 885 per 100,000 employees in 2011, CPI reports. Within the corrugated sector, a targeted initiative to reduce the number of injuries resulting from machinery interventions has resulted in the rate falling to 126 per 100,000 in 2011 from 465 per 100,000 in 2008; an impressive 73% reduction. In 2010, the number of employees injured in the papermaking sector was at its lowest since records began in 1992.There were 97 RIDDOR2 injuries compared with 841 in 1992. Within the industry's injury rate reduction, the recovered paper sector, which includes members of the Recycling Association, reduced its injury rate to 466 per 100,000 in 2011 compared with 1,088 per 100,000 in 2008. "This was an outstanding achievement in a very short period and one that bucks the industry trend in the waste and recycling sector. The strategic leadership of PABIAC has undoubtedly been a significant factor in these improvements, with commitment from 31 senior managers voluntarily signing the PABIAC pledge," CIP notes. In addition to the reduction in injury rates, there has been a more than threefold increase in the number of sites that have benchmarked their health and safety management performance and undertaken and acted upon the results of employee health and safety climate surveys, CPI adds. ##SHARELINKS##
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Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., USA, reported this week that its wholly owned subsidiary, Sonoco UK Ltd., has completed acquiring the assets of Robinson Paperboard Packaging (RPP), Chesterfield, U.K., a division of Robinson PLC. With origins dating back to 1839, RPP produces rigid paperboard tubes and boxes for the food, drink, toiletries, cosmetics, and the gift/presentation markets.
The acquisition will add approximately $10 million in annual sales and includes customer contracts, as well as other business assets of Robinson Paperboard Packaging. As part of the transaction, Sonoco will assume operation of Robinson's Chesterfield paperboard can plant located on Goyt Side Road in Chesterfield. Employees at the plant will be retained. The Chesterfield plant is ISO 14001 environmentally accredited, and also has British Retail Consortium/IoP Food Hygiene and ISO 9001 accreditation. Sonoco will continue to work with other parts of Robinson, including its plastics packaging division for the supply of plastic overcaps. "The purchase of Robinson Paperboard Packaging is a good strategic fit with Sonoco's growing global rigid paper container operations," said Sean Cairns, GM of Sonoco Rigid Paper and Closures, Europe. "We believe Robinson's proven expertise in innovative paper bottom technology and unique, patented processes provide a strong platform for our continued development and growth in the U.K. and Europe. "This agreement is a win for Robinson, Sonoco, and our packaging customers, who are increasingly recognizing the proven advantages that rigid paper containers bring in terms of reducing costs and minimizing the impact on the environment – without compromising quality. Packaging made from rigid paper reduces package weight, makes more efficient use of raw materials, and conserves energy," Cairns added. Sonoco has been operating in the U.K. since 1923 and now has more than 600 employees engaged in consumer and industrial packaging operations at 10 locations. It operates 44 facilities throughout 15 European countries with annualized sales of more than $700 million and more than 5,000 employees. The company is the world's largest manufacturer of rigid paperboard containers, producing a variety of round and shaped spiral-wound, recycled paperboard cans, fiber cartridges, and single-wrap paperboard containers, serving a variety of food and non-food markets. Sonoco's rigid paperboard operations include operations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. ##SHARELINKS##
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The Newark Group, Cranford, N.J., USA, an integrated producer of 100% recycled paperboard and converted paperboard products, will close its Franklin Boxboard mill in Franklin, Ohio, and its Newark Graphicboard-BCI plant in Newark, N.J. Following these closures, selected products from the two facilities will be made available through alternate Newark Paperboard Mills and Newark Graphicboard-BCI sites. Both locations will operate in accordance with the W.A.R.N. requirements.
The Newark Groups noted that the closures reflect its strategic focus on rightsizing assets to best serve its customers. "It's no secret that market conditions have changed and we, like every organization, need to evolve to not only serve but lead the industry," said Philip B. Jones, president and CEO, adding that "this move allows us to do just that, as we focus on the specific products and services that our customers need today and into the future." ##SHARELINKS##
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Mayr-Melnhof Karton, Vienna, Austria, reportedly has developed a board range, called Foodboard, that has a new, innovative barrier on its reverse side, preventing migration of mineral oils (from newspaper and packaging printing inks) into cartonboard packed foodstuff. The board's effectiveness, according to a report by International Paper Board Industry (IPBI), June 2011 issue, has been confirmed in first industrial runs by the international migration research center, FABES (Forschungs-GmbH for Analytic and Evaluation of Diffusion Processes, Munich, Germany) headed by Dr Otto Piringer. According to Dr. Piringer, "by applying the barrier board, less than 1% of the potential migrating substances into Tenax were measured compared with the extracted initial quantity."
As a result, migration is blocked by more than 99% and is always below the often mentioned safety limit of 0.6 mg/kg for mineral oils, provided the Foodboard applications are according to intended use, the IPBI article explains. The new innovative barrier provides not only comprehensive protection against migration of mineral oils from the printed box, but also from the outer and transport packaging (cross-contamination),the IPBI report notes. Demand from the food industry and retailers will determine capacity requirements and corresponding investment. ##SHARELINKS##
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DuPont Titanium Technologies. Wilmington, Del., USA, has announced a price increase of $0.25 per pound, or as permitted by contract, for all DuPont™ TiPure® titanium dioxide (TiO2) grades sold in North America (U.S. and Canada). The price increase became effective July 1.
DuPont Titanium Technologies 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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M-real Office Papers, Finland, this week reported that it will increase prices for all of its woodfree uncoated and recycled paper products across Europe by 5% - 8%, beginning in August. The company attributed the increases to rising costs of key raw materials, including pulp, starch, and other chemicals, as well as energy.
"We must put up our prices so we can continue to deliver quality, innovative paper products," said Marcel Bigler, SVP, Sales, Marketing and Supply Chain for M-real Office Paper. "Trying to absorb the escalating costs of our key raw materials and energy is no longer an option." ##SHARELINKS##
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Buckman, Memphis, Tenn., USA, has promoted Michael S. Wang to market manager, Pulping, with Buckman USA. In his new role, Wang will expand his responsibilities in the U.S. pulping market as well as continue to support growth initiatives in Asia.
Founded in 1945, Buckman is a privately held, global specialty chemical company. It serves the paper technologies (P&W papers, tissue, virgin and recycled pulp, packaging, and newsprint/mechanical grades), water technologies, leather technologies, and performance chemicals industries. ##SHARELINKS##
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Bleached eucalyptus pulp producer Fibria, São Paulo, Brazil, has elected Marcelo Castelli its new CEO. Castelli, who was the company's director of Forestry, Paper, Strategy and Supplies, assumes the post previously held by Carlos Aguiar, who has headed the company since it was founded, on Sept.1, 2009. Aguiar will become a member of Fibria's Board of Directors in 2012.
"I am very optimistic about the company's future and confident that we are fully prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead. Our aim is to develop the renewable forestry business, investing in innovation and obtaining value from the forests, whether from pulp or from alternative uses. We want to generate admired profits, allied to environmental conservation, social inclusion, and improved quality of life," said Castelli. With 25 years of experience in the pulp and paper sector, Fibria's new CEO has held positions of leadership in a number of different areas at major companies in the sector, such as Aracruz and VCP. At Fibria, he headed the Integration Project and was responsible for developing the conceptual and administrative guidelines for the new company that was formed by the merging of the two operations. Castelli joined VCP in 1997 and held various posts, including environmental manager, GM of the Jacareí mill, and operational director. He had previously worked at Suzano, Bahia Sul, and Aracruz. He graduated in mechanical engineering from the University of Mogi das Cruzes and has a post-graduate degree in business administration from FASP (Associated Colleges of São Paulo) and an MBA from the Dom Cabral Foundation, as well as diplomas from courses attended at the IMD business school, in Switzerland. With Castelli's move to the post of CEO, forestry general manager Aires Galhardo has assumed the post of forestry director at Fibria. Galhardo, with six years of his 10-year career devoted to the pulp and paper sector, was responsible for the development and execution of important integrated planning procedures. He joined VCP in 2005, where he was manager of forestry logistics. The post of industrial and engineering director at Fibria, held by Francisco Valério, will absorb the general management of Supplies. The Business, Paper, and Strategic Planning areas will now report directly to the CEO. ##SHARELINKS##
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Norske Skog, Norway, has named Tom Rogn VP of Investor Relations, effective October 1. This past spring, the company announced that Jarle Langfjæran would be leaving the position of VP of Investor Relations, a position he has held since it was created in 1993. Frode Tegnér is currently acting as contact for the financial markets, and will continue to do so until Rogn assumes his position. In the future, Tegnér will also be involved with the IR function, the company noted.
Rogn joins Norske Skog from a position as an equity analyst with Fondsfinans. His career background also includes positions with Morgan Stanley in London, England, and eZ Systems, where he was CFO, as well as experience as an independent consultant. Rogn holds a Master of Science degree in Business from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration. ##SHARELINKS##
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This three-day course August 2-4, 2011 helps increase your understanding of linerboard and medium performance properties and manufacturing. In turn, an increased understanding of these areas will provide direct help to improve corrugated box performance and runnability at your plant. Attendees will learn how to describe and define linerboard and medium manufacturing processes, equipment, variables, and terminology. The course also covers how one part of the process affects other operations in order to increase thinking on a mill wide scale. And you'll learn how to interpret how process variables affect linerboard and medium sheet structure and properties, in order to troubleshoot variations in product quality. These skills will be a great aid in helping to improve operations and product quality. You can learn more about this course and register at the course webpage Course Page. We look forward to seeing you here at TAPPI in August! ##SHARELINKS##
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Save the date for the Lake States TAPPI/North Central PIMA 2011 Minnesota Golf Outing on August 30, 2011. The outing will take place at Preserve Courses at Grand View, 5606 Preserve Blvd., Pequot Lakes, MN . Registration is from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. with a Shotgun Start promptly at 9:30 a.m. It will be a four-man scramble with payouts awarded to 1st and 2nd place teams. A box lunch is included and there will be a Cocktail Hour with a cash bar and complimentary hors d'oeuvres following round of golf in Clubhouse. The cost is $500 per foursome ($125.00 per person) and includes: Green fees, 1/2 cart rental, lunch, awards and vendor sponsored door prizes for mill guests. There will also be a Putting Contest and a raffle.
Reservation preference will be given to foursomes. Groups of two or less will be placed into foursomes pending availability. We will limit the number of participants to 128. Entries will only be accepted with full payment. For entries received after August 16th, 2011 the cost is $135.00 per person. Dress Code: Nonmetal spikes are required. Appropriate golf attire consisting of collared shirt and Dicker style shorts or slacks is required. T-shirts, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, cutoffs, athletic shorts, will not be allowed and players will be asked to change prior to teeing off. Net proceeds go to Lake States TAPPI/North Central PIMA's Scholarship Fund. For lodging deals please contact Tim Bauman via phone 1-866-963-8753 or email tim.bauman@grandviewlodge.com and mention the PIMA golf outing. ##SHARELINKS##
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Early registration for the 2011 Progress in Paper Physics Seminar (in Graz, Austria, September 5-8th 2011) is closing this week. For a reduced conference fee please register before July 7, 2011. ##SHARELINKS##
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Register now to attend the TAPPI PEERS Conference (October 2-5, 2011 in Portland, Oregon) and benefit from the integration of both management and technical topics. At PEERS, you'll gain a better understanding how of the entire mill process works together – helping you Optimize the Lean Green Machine. With seven focused tracks and more than 30 sessions, this year's updated conference offers peer-reviewed papers, expert speakers, exclusive networking opportunities and new technologies that can help mills optimize operations. Why Attend? You'll benefit from:
See you in Portland! ##SHARELINKS##
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Please plan to attend TAPPI's Tissue Properties & Manufacturing Course August 10 – 11 in Norcross, GA. You can learn more about this course and register at the course webpage Course Page. We look forward to seeing you here at TAPPI in August! ##SHARELINKS##
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TAPPI currently has a committee working on the 2015 one hundred year anniversary of TAPPI. Longtime TAPPI and PIMA members on this committee include: Eric Eisert, Chuck Klass, Albert Moore, Art Rankin, and Tom Rodencal. Our celebration will focus on the innovative discoveries and breakthroughs developed by academic and industrial research groups over the past 100 years. This will generate enthusiasm for the past as well as the creative future of the global pulp, paper, packaging, and converting industries. Help us to showcase the people, processes, and solutions that make our industry great! We need your help! Please send us your list of the most innovative discoveries and breakthroughs in our industry within the past 100 years. If you know the history or have artifacts that provide insight into the discovery please send them to us. Please use snail mail (we love that stuff)! If you have any questions or comments please contact David Bell at dbell@tappi.org, c/o David Bell,TAPPI, 15 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, GA 30092; Also, if you would like to join our committee, we would love to have you! ##SHARELINKS##
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Nominations for the major TAPPI 2012 awards are due by August 1, 2011. The awards that may be presented in the upcoming year are:
TAPPI Awards and Honors shows the qualifications required and links to the nomination forms that must be completed. You may submit all nomination forms by email to standards@tappi.org, or you may fax them to the attention of the awards department at +1-770-446-6947, or send by mail to TAPPI, Awards Department, 15 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, GA 30092, USA. ##SHARELINKS##
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As the leading association for the worldwide pulp, paper, packaging, and converting industries, TAPPI announces that it is still accepting applications for the William L Cullison Scholarship. Scholarship funds are currently awarded in increments up to $4,000 per academic year for the last two years of a student's undergraduate program. The deadline has been extended to August 1, 2011. All candidates will be notified of their application status by September 1, 2011.
TAPPI's selection committee has created a new, expedited process for applicants to submit their application. It recognizes that while students are seeking additional ways to cover the cost of their education, they also appreciate electronic solutions to facilitate application submission. The committee is happy to oblige and the online process is fairly straightforward. Potential candidates must meet all of the following eligibility criteria to be considered. It is important to note that financial need is not a requirement to be eligible.
Convinced that today's students are tomorrow's leaders, the TAPPI Foundation endowed the William L. Cullison Scholarship fund in honor of TAPPI's fifth Executive Director, an extraordinary industry leader. The field offers satisfying, well-paying careers in the pulp and paper, corrugated container, or polymers, laminations, adhesives, coatings and extrusion industries. Attracting skilled, motivated young people is the cornerstone to building a highly skilled workforce and a technically advanced industry. This scholarship provides a compelling incentive for students entering their third year of college to pursue an academic path related to this vital work. ##SHARELINKS##
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