Over the Wire
TAPPI
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Eldorado Celulose e Papel, Brazil, reports that the single-line, bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp mill it is building in Tres Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul state), Brazil, will startup late this year with capacity to produce 1.5 million metric tpy. The company then plans a $3.225 billion, two-phase expansion that will add a production line in 2017 and 2021, respectively, creating, by far, the world's largest pulp mill, according to a report by Industrial Info Resources, Sugar Land, Texas, USA.
The 2017 phase will double the mill's capacity to 3 million metric tpy, and the 2012 phase will increase total production capacity to 5 million metric tpy of eucalyptus kraft pulp. The pulp, produced from plantation eucalyptus fiber, will be exported to paper producing markets in South America, North America, Europe, and Asia. The mill will use Best Available Technology (BAT) and "will be focused on the sustainability of industrial and forestry processes," Eldorado notes. The company also points out that the new mill has been designed to optimize energy. It will be self-sufficient in electricity produced from biomass and "will contribute to the conscientious use of natural resources." This will help improve production costs, which will be among the most competitive on the market, the company adds. The characteristics of the municipality of Três Lagoas, with its relief, soil, climate, infrastructure and logistics, combined with the welcoming attitude of the local people and support offered by the First Sector, contributed to the choice of where the mill is located, Eldorado emphasizes. The mill will enjoy unique logistics for incoming raw materials and shipping production. Transport benefits include highways, railroads, and the Tietê-Parana waterway, all of which allow production to be shipped to the port of Santos, in São Paulo state. Eucalyptus fiber for the new mill and its expanded operations in 2017 and 2021 will be supplied by eucalyptus plantation operator Florestral Brasil S.A. In November 2011, the incorporation of Florestal Brasil by Eldorado was approved "by way of a material fact," the company explains. The decision on the incorporation was taken in view of the fact that the unification of the operations would optimize the companies' activities and result in efficiency gains. "Considering that Florestal Brasil's core business was the production of eucalyptus forests, and that Eldorado Celulose e Papel produces and sells pulp, the incorporation raises the prospect of better results," Eldorado says. Florestal Brasil was founded in July 2007 and began its forestry operations by planting eucalyptus and producing seedlings in its own nurseries, with a capacity to produce 3 million cloned seedlings a month. ##SHARELINKS##
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AbitibiBowater Inc., Montreal, Qué., Canada, doing business as Resolute Forest Products, reports that as of close of business last Friday, May 4, it held approximately 63.3% of the currently outstanding shares of Fibrex Inc, also based in Montreal. As aggregate consideration for the shares taken up through last Friday, Resolute says it will distribute approximately 350,000 newly-issued shares of its common stock and C$6.8 million in cash through RFP Acquisition Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary.
The company also announced that it has extended to 5:00 p.m. EST on May 17 the expiry time for its offer. As further described in the offer circular and other ancillary documentation related to the offer (as amended), Resolute intends to carry out a second step transaction to acquire the Fibrek shares not deposited in the offer. Resolute Forest Products produces newsprint, commercial printing papers, market pulp, and wood products. The company owns or operates 21 pulp and paper mills and 23 wood products facilities in the U.S., Canada, and South Korea. ##SHARELINKS##
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MeadWestvaco Corp. (MWV), Richmond, Va., USA, has begun offering free blood pressure checks to all its Richmond headquarters-based employees during the month of May as part of the "Million Hearts VA" campaign. MWV is the first company in the Commonwealth to support the campaign sponsored by State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, MD.
The commissioner recently pledged Virginia's support for the national Million Hearts campaign by agreeing to conduct one million blood pressure checks during the month of May. The national initiative, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, established a goal of preventing one million heart attacks and strokes in the U.S. over the next five years. As part of Million Hearts, MWV will offer free blood pressure checks to its Richmond headquarters-based employees during the month of May. The company will also conduct an educational employee event at the end of the month to celebrate both the blood pressure checks and the importance of active employee participation in preventative healthcare, including seeking appropriate medical care, keeping blood pressure under control, and adhering to prescribed medication as directed. "MWV recognizes the commissioner's warning that Americans suffer more than two million heart attacks and strokes each year, and we are pleased to support her effort to conduct one million blood pressure checks this month," said Bruce V. Thomas, SVP and president, MWV Healthcare. "In addition to offering free blood pressure checks, MWV will continue to educate our employees on the importance of patient medication adherence, which is critical when it comes to managing chronic disease such as hypertension. We are dedicated to improving health outcomes through innovative product design and public-private health policy engagement, and we're proud to support Million Hearts." ##SHARELINKS##
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This year, Kimberly-Clark, Dallas, Texas, USA, celebrates the 20th year of its Bright Futures program and is awarding college scholarships totaling $1.3 million to 65 children of K-C employees across 15 states and Canada. Bright Futures scholarship grants are worth up to $20,000, or $5,000 per school year, for full-time students attending accredited colleges and universities. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $34 million in scholarships to 1,700-plus students.
Recipients were chosen based on academic achievement, leadership, work experience, and involvement in extracurricular activities. "There is no better investment a company can make than in the next generation of leaders for our communities," said Thomas J. Falk, K-C chairman and CEO. "Our Bright Futures scholarship program helps further the education of employees' children who demonstrate the potential to be these future leaders. We are delighted to recognize these students' accomplishments and help them with their college education." The average GPA for this year's scholarship class is 3.96, and awardees will attend such top colleges as Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory, Stanford, Vanderbilt, University of Notre Dame, and Oral Roberts University. Past scholarship recipients have gone on to pursue successful careers in medicine, education, the armed forces, and engineering. ##SHARELINKS##
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Below is the latest listing of job openings in the TAPPI Career Center. The current listing includes a variety of engineering, technical, marketing, reliability, and management positions, as well as product development and purchasing opportunities in the U.S. pulp and paper industry. Current, specific job openings at companies and locations in the TAPPI Career Center include:
More information about these jobs is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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OCC (old corrugated container) is under pressure in the U.S. and Europe, reports Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank. He points out that Official Board Markets reported a ˜$10/ton drop (to ˜$125/ton) in most parts of the U.S., adding that Smurfit Kappa noted a EUR 15/metric ton drop in European OCC export to China.
"Falling inputs could increase the ‘degree of difficulty' around a summer containerboard price hike. In the near-term, the biggest issue price-wise is the extent of Q2 inventory reductions," Wilde says. ##SHARELINKS##
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During the past decade, China's fast expanding economy and boom in housing starts lifted the country to being the world's largest importer of sawlogs and the second largest importer of softwood lumber, after the U.S., according to the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ), Seattle, Wash., USA. China has increased the importation of logs and lumber practically every year for more than 10 years, with lumber imports in 2011 being 15 times higher than in 2001 and log imports being up three-fold from 10 years ago.
The total value of China's imported logs and lumber increased from $630 million dollars in 2001 to almost $8 billion dollars last year. This constant upward trend in importation came to a halt in late 2011 when construction activities slowed and inventories of logs and lumber at many Chinese ports reached very high levels. As a result of lower demand for wood products, softwood log import volumes during the first three months of 2012 were down 11% from the same period last year, WRQ notes. Log shipments from the two largest supplying countries, Russia and New Zealand, have declined by 16% and 17%, respectively, from a year ago. However, not all log suppliers to China have been hit by the reduced log demand in the country. Both Canada and the U.S. have increased exports dramatically the past few years, and this trend continued into the first quarter of 2012, when exports from Western Canada were up 23% from 1Q/11 and U.S. shipments were 2% higher than in early 2011. North American log exporters have gained considerable market shares since 2009 when about 1 million cubic meters of softwood logs were shipped, which accounted for only 5% of the total imports to China. In 2011, the volume reached a new high of 7.1 million cubic meters, which was 22% of all imported logs to the country last year, WRQ reports. Softwood lumber imports have shown a similar trend to that of logs, it adds. In 1Q/12, North American softwood lumber accounted for as much as 55% of all imports, up from only 25% in 2007. China is likely to continue to rely heavily on North America for particularly lumber but also increasingly for logs over the next few years. When the U.S. housing market, and as a consequence, lumber demand, eventually improve, available wood supply will tighten and costs for logs and lumber are likely to go up. This expected scenario may change how China sources logs and lumber in the future, WRQ says. ##SHARELINKS##
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Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, has announced a three-day extension for the meetings of its secured and unsecured creditors to consider the plan of arrangement under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act of Canada. The meetings, previously scheduled for May 15 will now be held on May 18.
"We have been in ongoing discussions with creditors and other stakeholders regarding the proposed restructuring plan and a further extension of the meeting date will allow these discussions to progress. Together with our advisors, we are working non-stop to implement the consensual deal that will enable Catalyst to emerge from creditor protection on stronger financial footing and with a more viable enterprise overall," said Kevin J. Clarke, president and CEO. The rescheduled meetings will be held at the same location (Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel, 3500 Cessna Dr., Richmond, B.C.) at 10:00 a.m. for unsecured creditors and 11:00 a.m. for the First Lien Noteholders. It is anticipated that the court date to sanction and approve the plan of arrangement will be rescheduled to May 23. Catalyst produces specialty mechanical printing papers, newsprint, and pulp, with a combined annual production capacity of 1.8 million metric tons. The company operates four mills located in British Columbia and in Arizona (USA). ##SHARELINKS##
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Fibrek Inc. (Montreal, Qué., Canada) this week announced that it has agreed to sell green energy produced with cogeneration facilities at its Saint-Félicien, Qué., mill into Hydro-Québec Distribution's Power Purchase Program for electricity derived from forest biomass cogeneration (PAE 2011-01). The 33.23 MW of green energy currently produced by Fibrek is being sold to Hydro-Québec Distribution beginning this past Saturday (May 5) at a price of $106/MW/hr, indexed to the consumer price index (CPI) for a 25-year period. The contract will generate approximately $16 million a year in EBITDA.
"This production will further increase the previously announced 9.56 MW that Fibrek will be supplying to the government corporation starting this December. By the end of this year, the Saint-Félicien mill will be producing 42.79 MW in green energy for Hydro-Québec Distribution," said CEO Pierre Gabriel Côté. "Revenue diversification is a key component of our business plan. In addition, increasing our green energy production fits well within our sustainable development plan and reflects our vision when it comes to innovation for growth," he concluded. Fibrek is investing approximately $37 million in the construction of a new power plant that will be used to produce the additional 9.56 MW. Over the long term, green energy production will ensure the competitive position of the Saint-Félicien NBSK (northern bleached softwood kraft) pulp mill despite the challenges facing the pulp and paper industry," the company noted. Fibrek, now majority owned by Montreal-based AbitibiBowater, doing business as Resolute Forest Products (see news item in Weekly Spotlight section above), is a producer and marketer of virgin and recycled kraft pulp. The company operates three mills located in Saint-Félicien and in the U.S. at Fairmont, W.Va., and Menominee, Mich., with a combined annual production capacity of 760,000 metric tons. Fibrek has approximately 500 employees. ##SHARELINKS##
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Fortress Paper Ltd., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, this week reported that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Landqart AG (with a mill in Landqart, Switzerland), has agreed to sell its hydropower assets and associated real estate to a Swiss utility company. Landqart concurrently entered into a long-term power purchase agreement at competitive rates. The sale of the hydropower assets is subject to customary closing conditions and is anticipated to complete imminently.
"The sale of our non-core hydropower assets at Landqart is designed to optimize our current asset base and redirect proceeds to our core businesses, and is consistent with our strategy of unlocking value for our shareholders," said Chadwick Wasilenkoff, chairman, CEO, and president of Fortress Paper. Fortress operates in three business segments: dissolving pulp, specialty papers, and security paper products. The company operates its dissolving pulp business at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill in Canada, which is also in the process of expanding into the renewable energy generation sector with the construction of a cogeneration facility. Fortress' specialty papers business is at the Dresden Mill in Germany, which produces specialty non-woven wallpaper base products, and its security paper products business is at the Landqart mill that produces banknote, passport, visa, and other brand protection and security papers, and at its Fortress Optical Facility in Canada that manufacturers optically variable thin film material. ##SHARELINKS##
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In other Fortress Paper news, the company this week announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dresden Papier GmbH in Germany, a manufacturer of wallpaper base, has operated 24 hr/day (100% utilization) without stoppage for 20 consecutive days, compared with an annual average utilization rate of 93% in 2011. As a result, waste has been reduced to approximately 5% from an annual average waste rate of 9.35% in 2011.
"We are delighted with Dresden's operating consistency and efficiency. We believe that these production milestones will provide a meaningful impact to our financial results in the second quarter," said Chadwick Wasilenkoff, chairman, CEO, and president of Fortress Paper. ##SHARELINKS##
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Kimberly-Clark (Dallas, Texas, USA) permanently closed its Everett, Wash., pulp mill last month after negotiations to sell it to Atlas Holdings broke down over environmental issues related to Everett's East Waterway, which is part of the governor's Puget Sound Initiative to clean up pollutants. Scientists are studying the area's pollution and who should be responsible to clean it up. The waterway has been identified to contain dioxin, a carcinogenic toxin produced during bleaching of pulp with elemental chlorine.
According to a report this weekend in the Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, Wash., tests have now found dioxin levels in the waterway next to the plant at 15 times the level the state considers safe. Petroleum contamination also has been found at the 66-acre plant site, according to newspaper reports. Oil companies used parts of the site for petroleum storage and distribution during much of the 20th century. Reportedly, most of the pollution was in the bay before K-C bought the plant in 1995. But under state law, the current owner of a property is liable for the cost of cleanup. A cleanup plan could be developed as early as next year and for the waterway by 2014, Andy Kallus, who is in charge of Port Gardner pollution sites for the Ecology Department, told the Bellingham Herald. Cleanup of the waterway will likely involve dredging, while contaminated soil on land would be dug out, Kallus said. Cleanup costs could reach into the millions of dollars. The Everett mill was started up in 1931 as Puget Sound Pulp and Timber Co. It became Soundview Pulp Co. in 1935 and was purchased by Scott Paper in 1951. Scott merged with K-C in 1985. Since the merger, K-C has invested some $300 million in the Everett operations, installing major wastewater treatment systems, adding a new effluent outfall, and switching its pulp bleaching from elemental chlorine to chlorine dioxide. ##SHARELINKS##
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International Paper Co., Memphis, Tenn., USA, is spending $44 million on new equipment and technology and other upgrades at its Bogalusa, La., mill, according to reports by Lafayette, La.-based TV station KLFY and The St. Tammany News. The investment will help retain some 411 jobs at the mill. The state offered a $2.2 million tax credit to assist with the upgrades, which are scheduled to be completed in mid-2013.
The investment will upgrade the Bogalusa linerboard facility and is focused on modernization of the woodyard. It is designed to boost the mill's global competitiveness by adding new equipment and technology in the woodyard operations. "The single most costly part of making linerboard is the wood," Mill Manager Todd Crutcher said in local newspaper reports. "We're moving into the 21st century with this woodyard. We'll be able to compete with anybody in the world." IP became the century-old mill's fifth owner with its recent acquisition of Temple-Inland. IP currently operates 10 facilities in Louisiana. ##SHARELINKS##
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Voith Paper (Germany) reports that its Japan-based Voith IHI Paper Technology Co. has received the "Energy Conserving Machinery Award 2011" from the Japanese Minister of the Natural Resources and Energy Agency for its DF Coat product. The prize is awarded annually by the Japan Machinery Federation (JMF), a national organization representing Japan's machine and engineering industry. With the award, JMF honors products that save energy in industrial machines.
In 2011 JMF selected 13 products that are especially energy-conserving, among them the DF Coat from Voith. The selection committee assessed the actual energy savings data of each nominated product by visiting end users and analyzing performance during operation. With current projects, DF Coat saves approximately 80% in energy compared with the predecessor model. DF Coat is a standard unit from Voith for direct coating of the paper web. Development of the product started more than 20 years ago in Japan. With the coating method (curtain coating) used with DF Coat, the paper sheet undergoes no mechanical stress, resulting in outstanding running characteristics. Compared with other coaters, a better coverage of the paper web and a higher dry content are achieved. This reduces costs for the paper manufacturer and increases paper quality, Voith notes. ##SHARELINKS##
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Mikko Helander, CEO of Metsä Board (formerly M-real), Finland, a producer of cartonboards and coated white-top kraftliners, as well as various paper grades, explained his company's strategy to refocus on paperboard to attendees at Drupa last week. "Metsä Board has undergone significant structural changes, transforming from a paper company to a profitable paperboard company. We look forward to a future based on sustainable products, modernized mills, and improved services," Helander said.
"Packaging is one of the biggest businesses in the world, and there is major growth potential for our paperboards in many markets," Helander added. "Following the successful rebuild at our Ӓänekoski mill, Metsä Board's cartonboard investment program 2011 - 2012 has met one of its key aims—increased capacity. We are now working toward ‘Super Productivity' in a systematic program to make our productivity the best in the industry." Metsä Board has increased its cartonboard capacity by 150,000 metric tpy, to 935,000 metric tpy, by investing in three cartonboard mills in Finland. The Metsä Board Simpele rebuild was completed June 2011, Kyro in November 2011, and Ӓänekoski in May 2012. Refocusing of the Kemi linerboard mill's production to coated grades after an investment in 2011 has been a success. Metsä Board's state-of-the-art paperboard capacity, including the Kemi mill, today totals 1.31 million metric tpy. Helander emphasised that Metsä Board is committed to the development of its remaining paper business. "Our paper production is now focused on Husum, in Sweden, Europe's largest fine paper and pulp operation with a capacity of more than 1.5 million metric tpy. We are European market leaders in wallpaper base paper, made at the Kyro mill in Finland, and Chromolux cast coated papers and boards, produced at Gohrsmühle in Germany." Pasi Piiparinen, newly-appointed SVP, head of Paperboard, Metsä Board, talked about future developments. "It is not only increased capacity that counts. We continue to invest in energy efficiency, decreasing our carbon dioxide emissions and reducing the use of energy derived from fossil fuels. We are investing in a new bio power plant at our Kyro mill site in Hämeenkyrӧ, Finland, which will use discarded wood as fuel." Metsä Board continues work on product and service development. For example, sheeting operations at the Äänekoski board mill and Gohrsmühle site will further improve its service portfolio and the availability of sheeted cartonboard. The company's new R&D Center will research ways of supporting customers in the packaging industry as well as applications for new raw materials from forest fibers, and study how its products can match rapidly-evolving printing and converting technologies. "We maintain a dialogue with customers as to how best we can develop our products to meet their needs and address specific concerns," adds Piiparinen. "We are confident this will help uphold Metsä Board's leadership in paperboard development into the future. Sustainability is at the heart of our business and increasingly consumers appreciate the benefits of our fresh forest fiber paperboards, knowing they are made from a renewable resource that comes from responsibly managed forests, and that they are recyclable. All of our raw materials can be traced back to their source. Fresh forest fibers enable the production of light but stiff boards, in which we have invested significantly over many years, and are strong, clean, and pure, making them ideal for use in contact with food or other sensitive products," Piiparinen concluded. ##SHARELINKS##
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Stora Enso Skoghall, Sweden, has ordered a new Metso (Finland) IQ quality control system to be installed on its BM 8, one of the largest board machines in the world with an annual production capacity of more than 400,000 metric tons. The delivery includes four scanners with the latest sensor versions, Metso Moisturizer IQ for the drying section, a reconstruction of the coating stations for automatic profiling with the new actuators, Metso IQ Dilution Profilers, plus MD and CD controls.
Installation and commissioning will take place in three phases starting in October of this year. The last stage will be carried out during the autumn shutdown in 2014. "We are pleased and proud of this extensive order and consider it a privilege to work with Stora Enso Skoghall," Maria Dotzsky, regional director at Metso Automation, said. ##SHARELINKS##
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Pratt Industries this past week "cut the ribbon' on its new corrugated box plant in Macungie, Pa., USA, a facility that will bring at least 125 jobs to the area. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett toured the new plant and participated in the ribbon cutting ceremonies.
The company established the new plant in Macungie to service its northeast U.S. customers. It will receive rolls of 100% recycled containerboard that it will convert to boxes and customized point-of-sale materials for its customers. "Pratt Industries is proof that Pennsylvania, along with its traditional industries, is also becoming a center of green technology," Corbett said. "That's one of the reasons my administration was so enthusiastic about helping Pratt to establish this new, state-of-the-art facility here in Macungie." Pratt Industries is investing $31 million in the project, which is largely accounted for by $27 million in equipment purchases. Pratt Industries employs some 3,500 people in more than 80 locations in 20 states. The new Lehigh Valley plant is the company's first facility in Pennsylvania. ##SHARELINKS##
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UPM Raflatac, Finland, has begun full-scale production at its new specialty products factory in Fletcher, N.C., USA, providing the company with narrow-web coating capabilities and capacity to develop specialty labelstock solutions for demanding end-uses. The company noted that the facility also allows it to deliver on a promise of becoming a full product line supplier to its diverse industry customer base,
The specialty products factory will supply labelstock products for end-uses such as security, pharmaceutical, food, tire, and durables labeling and ultra removable applications. It also will provide coat-to-order services and run small orders. This factory is located just a few miles from UPM Raflatac's existing labelstock manufacturing facility in Mills River, N.C., allowing the company to streamline its logistics processes, accelerating production and order delivery. "With our new label solutions center, UPM Raflatac achieves its vision of offering a full range of standard Prime, VIP, and Specials products to our customers," says Jouko Lähepelto, SVP, Americas & Asia Pacific. "We can now provide labelstock converters with the industry know-how and production tools they need to supply specialty products to market-leading brand owners." UPM Raflatac, part of UPM's Engineered Materials business group, is a global supplier of self-adhesive label materials. UPM Raflatac has a global service network consisting of 13 factories on six continents and a broad network of sales offices and slitting and distribution terminals worldwide. ##SHARELINKS##
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International Paper, Memphis, Tenn., USA, has launched a 100% recycled paper, Hammermill Great White 100, to North American customers. The paper is the newest product to join the Hammermill Great White line of recycled products.
"Consumers are interested in recycled paper products, but they also want confidence in the quality and how the product performs. Hammermill Great White 100 is the best of both worlds and offers a dependable 99.99% Jam-Free Guarantee paper that has a 92 brightness. It's a great paper that runs smoothly, looks sharp, and contains 100% post consumer fiber," said Jon Ernst, IP's VP for Imaging Papers. The new product is produced at IP's Riverdale, Ala., mill and comes after a multi-million dollar investment in the company's recycled product capabilities. Hammermill Great White 100 joins IP's 30% and 50% recycled paper offerings already available and carries Forest Stewardship Council® certification. The product launch coincides with the celebration of Hammermill brand's 100th anniversary. "Hammermill is one of oldest brands in the industry because of its ability to continually evolve to meet customer needs, and this product is our latest example of meeting consumers where they are in the marketplace," added Ernst. ##SHARELINKS##
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SKF, Sweden, this week announced targets for its new climate strategy and reported that it has partnered with the WWF's Climate Savers Program. The SKF climate strategy includes aggressive targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for SKF, its suppliers, and logistics operations, as well as from its customer solutions. To support its customers, SKF also announced the launch of the BeyondZero portfolio including products and solutions that will both improve energy efficiency and support more environmentally friendly energy production.
"With our new climate strategy, we intend to be a leader in our sector to reduce emissions from our own operations, but also to lead the way in helping our suppliers and customers reduce their emissions," says Tom Johnstone, SKF president and CEO. "We are very proud to join with WWF as the first industrial engineering company to be accepted into the Climate Savers Program and look forward to continue using our engineering knowledge to make the world a cleaner place for us all." SKF and WWF agree that there is a substantial role for the business community to play as a driving force behind the transition to a low-carbon economy and intend to work together in the Climate Savers Program to reduce SKF's emissions of GHGs, with particular focus on carbon dioxide. "SKF is in a unique position as an industrial engineering company to influence the emissions of many companies within a range of segments. They show their level of commitment through their targets, which go beyond the direct emissions of the company itself and also drive positive change across their entire supply chain. We are particularly encouraged by the way in which SKF is willing to take the lead on quantifying and communicating environmental benefits enabled by their products and solutions," says Håkan Wirtén, secretary general of WWF Sweden. SKF's updated climate strategy includes the following targets:
SKF is a global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics, lubrication systems, and services that include technical support, maintenance and reliability services, engineering consulting, and training. It is represented in more than 130 countries and has some 15,000 distributor locations worldwide. ##SHARELINKS##
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Arjowiggins Graphic, France, is increasing the price for its coated woodfree (CWF) papers by 6% to 8% in both sheets and reels, effective with shipments beginning June 1. The company attributes the price hike to continuing increases in raw material, energy, and transportation costs. ##SHARELINKS##
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Horizon Pulp and Paper, Kehra, Estonia, reports that it will raise prices for its unbleached sack kraft paper by EUR 80 per metric ton. The increase becomes effective with shipments to all global customers beginning June 1.
Horizon produces up to 64,000 metric tpy of kraft paper, including semi and fully extensible sack kraft, wrapping kraft, and some specialty grades. ##SHARELINKS##
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Lecta, the second largest European coated woodfree (CWF) paper producing group, made up of Condat, Cartiere del Garda, and Torraspapel, reports that it will increase prices for its CWF paper deliveries, effective June 1. The price increase of 6% to 8% will vary according to product format and country. "Our customers will be personally informed by our sales teams who will provide them with any information they may require," the company said.
Lecta noted that high manufacturing costs related to rising input costs, especially for pulp, chemicals such as latex, energy, and transportation, are forcing it to implement the CWF price increase. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Chemrec, Sweden, reports that it has signed a cooperation agreement with China Tianchen Engineering Corp. (TCC) to provide an integrated offering of Chemrec plants on a global, lump-sum, turn-key basis and co-market the Chemrec black liquor gasification technology. The recent signing took place in Stockholm in the presence of the prime ministers of China, Wen Jiabao, and of Sweden, Fredrik Reinfeldt.
Under the agreement, Chemrec and TCC will develop an offering to provide industry standard design, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services as well as overall performance guarantees to support project financing for black liquor gasification plants. TCC will also assist in procuring plant financing. Also under terms of the agreement, TCC is approved by Chemrec as a supplier of complete turnkey Chemrec plants, with the gasification key equipment being designed and provided by Chemrec. TCC will co-market and perform joint proposals with Chemrec. "TCC has extensive experience in engineering and construction of gasification, gas processing, and synthesis plants. This agreement will bring solid and cost-efficient design, procurement, and construction to our projects and will give us the ability to provide complete system solutions on an industrial scale." Max Jönsson, Chemrec CEO, said. In the photo of the signing are Wang Zhiyuan (left), president of TCC, and Max Jönsson, CEO of Chemrec. ##SHARELINKS##
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UPM, Finland, announced this week that Hans Sohlström, EVP for corporate relations and development and a member of UPM's Group Executive Team, will leave the company to become president and CEO of a Finnish family-owned company, Rettig Group, as of August 1. Sohlström will continue business as usual at UPM until the end of July.
"Hans's contribution in building our corporate stakeholder relations has been extremely successful. He has had a result oriented and business minded approach in the issues at hand. We all at UPM wish him all the best in his future responsibilities," says Jussi Pesonen, UPM's president and CEO. ##SHARELINKS##
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If you haven't yet registered for the TAPPI Introduction to Wet End Chemistry Course, you can still take advantage of the early registration savings through May 14. But, don't wait too long. Seating is limited. This course is the only one of its kind in the world -- and is taught by three highly respected experts in paper chemistry who will help you understand how wet end additives can differentiate your products. Bring your team up to speed on the latest technology and terminology in this important process in papermaking. 2012 TAPPI Introduction to Wet-End Chemistry- June 4-6, 2012 Norcross, Ga. USA This unique training program offers an in-depth focus on chemical additives and what you can and can't do to help you save costs, increase machine efficiency and product better paper products. Participants will learn how to:
View the entire curriculum planned in the Course Schedule. TAPPI will award 1.7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for completion of the curriculum. ##SHARELINKS##
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Unfortunately the learning curve is not sympathetic when it comes to implementing a new idea-to-launch process and, with a failed implementation, key support necessary to ensure operational success is lost forever!. Ensure that you and your team will be successful launching a new, or sustaining an existing idea-to-launch process, by attending this companion program to our world-renowned "Winning at New Products" seminar." Join us and leave ready to implement and sustain, with full confidence, your new product innovation process. Nest Tuesday and Wednesday, May 15,-,16, in Philadelphia, Pa., USA, Stage-Gate International is hosting Implementing and Sustaining Your Idea-to-Launch Innovation Process, an action packed, hands-on, two day seminar that will help you and your team:
Why attend? Because research shows that a high-quality product development process increases new product success by almost 40%. The Stage-Gate process provides an operational roadmap that takes a new product from concept to launch, using a decision-based approach to maximize effectiveness and efficiency. When properly designed and implemented, it has been shown to be a key factor for ensuring innovation success. This seminar will teach you and your team how to:
Learn More: Download Brochure Lever Your TAPPI Membership to Receive 10% OFF the Registration Fee – Use Code TAP11 ##SHARELINKS##
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Members who would like to nominate a candidate for TAPPI's 2013 Board of Directors election should submit a nomination datasheet available online. The candidates must be TAPPI members. Nominations should be submitted no later than next Tuesday, May 15, by email to mcornell@tappi.org or by mail to Mary Beth Cornell, TAPPI, 15 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, GA 30092 USA +1 770 209-7210. Thank you, Jeffrey Siegel, TAPPI Nominating Committee Chair ##SHARELINKS##
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"Tissue manufacturing is one of the most technically innovative, dynamic, and rapidly growing segments of the global pulp and paper business, and Tissue360º will provide cutting edge editorial content on this key sector," Montague notes. "The tissue industry encompasses a wide range of common products that consumers and businesses around the world use every day. Tissue360º will keep readers up to date on new and emerging process technology developments, equipment and systems applications, and advances in the use of chemicals, all from the operating floor perspective." Top professionals in North America will receive print and electronic versions with digital distribution to more than 5,000 international readers. Tissue includes a broad array of paper products used in both consumer (at-home) and commercial/industrial (away-from-home) markets. Common products include bath or toilet tissue, towels, napkins, and facial tissue. Tissue products are manufactured around the world with the developed economies of North America and Europe traditionally accounting for a majority of output and consumption. However, in recent years tissue manufacturing and demand have been growing rapidly in developing economies, including major growth in China, which is now the world's second largest consumer. ##SHARELINKS##
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TAPPI President and CEO Larry N. Montague has announced the launch of Tissue360º, a new TAPPI magazine available in both print and online formats that will cover the latest business and technology developments in the global tissue and towel industry. Initially, in 2012, Tissue360º will be published semiannually and cover the global tissue business including tissue manufacturing equipment and sytems, chemicals and applications, pulp/fiber, mill and plant operations, packaging and wrapping, and converting operations. |
The Nonwovens Engineers and Technologists Division (NET) of TAPPI will co-locate its annual Innovative Nonwovens Conference (NETInc) next year with PaperCon 2013, April 28 - May 1 in Atlanta, Ga., USA.. The NETInc technical conference is a unique event developed by engineers and technologists to cover the latest market and technical developments and innovations in the global nonwovens industry. "Co-location of the NETInc Conference at PaperCon 2013, the pulp and paper industry's largest event and most comprehensive technical conference, will provide attendees an expanded range of options to network and learn the latest cutting edge technical content," notes TAPPI President and CEO Larry N. Montague. "The nonwovens industry is a dynamic, rapidly growing segment of our industry that encompasses a wide range of raw materials, applications, and market segments, and it employs some of the most innovative technology in the industry. We're excited about the synergy provided by having these two industry leading events located in one venue." NETInc offers peer reviewed papers, expert speakers, and exclusive networking opportunities. A comprehensive technical program covers a wide range of products, innovative technologies, and topics including market trends, raw materials, fibers, and processing used in an array of applications including absorbent products, medical applications, building science, and many others. TAPPI's NET Division covers the global nonwovens business and includes members and nonwovens experts from diverse markets and disciplines. It covers materials, equipment, and processes for the manufacture and use of nonwovens. The division's technical committees sponsor courses, conference sessions, roundtables, and TAPPI PRESS products, as well as networking and problem-solving opportunities. ##SHARELINKS##
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In the photo on the right, Gerry Ring accepts the TAPPI Journal Best Paper Awards from Larry Montague, TAPPI President and CEO (l) and Norman Marsolan, Chair, TAPPI BOD (r) at the PaperCon Awards Dinner on April 24, 2012. Dr. Ring is Professor and Chair of Paper Science at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in Stevens Point, Wis., where he teaches paper machine operations, paper and fiber physics, colloid and papermaking chemistry, and industrial thermodynamics. He has authored numerous scientific articles and has been awarded three patents on superabsorbant technology. Ring's current research interests involve fiber-length analysis and paper formation. A member of TAPPI for 30 years, he is a TAPPI Fellow and served on the TAPPI Board of Directors from 2005 - 2007. "Gerry's paper challenges giants of the paper physics community (Page, Shallhorn, Ingmanson, de Ruvo, etc.) and ties everything together neatly, using their own previously published data," said TAPPI Journal editorial board member Terry Bliss, who organized the Special Paper Physics issue in which Ring's work appeared. "Most likely it will launch a generation of new dissertations as others seek to test it. It is rewarding just to be associated with this paper in some small way." According to Ring, the hyperbolic theory described in his paper was the result of undergraduate laboratory assignments in paper physics, where student results found D'Arcy Clark's simplification of the established Page equation inadequate in describing the strength of paper. The search for an explanation led to the discovery that hyperbolic equations of light scattering versus tensile strength were all that were needed to explain the experimental phenomena. The hyperbolic theory explains why maintaining a constant fiber length distribution, regardless of pulp type, produces paper of equal sheet strength. ##SHARELINKS##
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The editorial board of TAPPI Journal has selected "The hyperbolic theory of light scattering, tensile strength, and density in paper" by Gerard J.F. (Gerry) Ring as TAPPI Journal's Best Research Paper for 2011. The paper appeared in the November 2011 issue and was one of six 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 author were honored at the Awards Gala Dinner on April 25 during PaperCon 2012, held April 22 - 25 in New Orleans, La., USA. |
"We're very pleased to award our division scholarship to Jason Tung in recognition of his outstanding academic success as well as his service to the university and its students," Andy Jones, Engineering Division Chair, said. "Jason's work to support incoming freshmen engineering students is an excellent example of service to his community. He's simply an outstanding young man who has a bright future as an engineer in the pulp and paper industry, and we are proud to support him with this scholarship." Tung is a junior at NC State, where he is majoring in Paper Science & Engineering as well as Chemical Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. His work experience includes First Quality Tissue in Anderson, S.C. An active College of Natural Resources representative officer for TAPPI, Tung is also an Engineering Ambassador for the College of Engineering, where he assists incoming freshmen to prepare for their future in college as engineers. This involvement supports the College of Engineering by attracting good students and facilitating a successful transition to the university by exposing students to engineering departments and opportunities. Tung has also developed a free Steam Tables application for Google Android and is working on other applications regarding engineering. TAPPI's Engineering Division promotes the application of engineering principles to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities for the manufacture of pulp and paper and related products. ##SHARELINKS##
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The 2012 TAPPI Engineering Division scholarship has been awarded to Jason Tung, a junior at North Carolina State University. The award will be presented at TAPPI's 2012 |
Even as far back as 1967, in an article by then VP of R&D for Union Camp William Aiken, he said that "the money donated by our companies to educational institutions, the efforts of our recruiters at schools, and the programs of our industrial relations and public relations departments have been inadequate to supply the technical manpower which our industry needs." Today, the paper industry continues to have a shortage of technically trained employees. The reasons for this shortage are the overall shortage of scientists and engineers and the tremendous amount of baby-boomer retirements. TIME magazine recently reported that the pulp and paper industry will hire 24,000 people in the next four years in North America alone. Throughout the country, an estimated 600,000 manufacturing jobs are going unfilled because employers can't find people with the right skills. If you are in the pulp, paper, or packaging industry, it is a safe bet that your education was funded in part or in whole by individuals, companies, and/or school foundations. It has always been the case that to attract young engineers and scientists to a specialized program like ours, there needed to be some type of scholarships. Committing to not only a major but an industry when you are a freshman in College can be a pretty scary undertaking. So today, what we are asking is for you to "pay it forward." Others were there for you; please give whatever you can to the future of our industry. The need is great. We would love for you to give a gift to the TAPPI Foundation, but if not to the TAPPI Foundation, please give to one of the foundations at the paper or packaging schools. ##SHARELINKS##
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Completely revised and updated, the fourth edition contains the work of more than 30 well-known industry experts. View the Table of Contents Product code: 0102B065 Member Price: $93.00 Non-Member Price: $140.00 ##SHARELINKS##
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This comprehensive volume details all aspects of extrusion coating. The book will be a valuable training tool for new employees and a useful reference for everyone involved in extrusion coating. It includes information on classic materials and troubleshooting techniques as well as the latest materials and machine designs available anywhere in the world today.|
Get an overview of the entire pulping and papermaking process and run a pilot plant paper machine! It's all a first-hand experience at the TAPPI Hands-on Workshop for Pulp and Paper Basics. This course is coming up soon, June 4 - 8, 2012, at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., USA. Register to reserve your seat. The number of students in the course will be limited in size to ensure the best interaction among attendees and instructors during the workshop. If you're wondering whether this course is right for you, it probably is! It's an essential course that teaches the basic concepts in pulp and paper manufacturing and is designed for anyone wanting to improve their role in operations. Participants will receive a course notebook and CD with approximately 400 pg of reference materials. Earn CEUs: You'll earn 3.7 continuing education credits at the completion of this June 4 - 8 course. It's a lovely time to be in North Carolina. ##SHARELINKS##
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Tension Control This volume provides a thorough study of the longitudinal dynamics and tension control of web handling systems. Critical web handling problems that can be related to improper tension control include wrinkle, slack, breakage, lateral movement, and poor roll quality. This valuable text is the only reference currently available devoted entirely to tension control. View the Table of Contents Product code: 0101R275 Member Price: $50.00 Non-Member Price: $75.00 ##SHARELINKS##
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Nominations for major TAPPI 2013 awards are due by August 1, 2012. The awards that may be presented next year are: Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award - The Association's highest technical honor may be presented annually to recognize an individual or individuals for preeminent scientific and engineering achievements of proven commercial benefit to the world's pulp, paper, board, and forest products industries and the other industries that TAPPI serves. Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award - The Association's highest award for service, may be presented annually to recognize leadership and service that have significantly and demonstrably contributed to the advancement of the Association. Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award - The highest honor for Local Sections may be presented annually to recognize an individual for outstanding leadership and exceptional service to one or more Local Sections, resulting in significant and demonstrable benefits to Local Section members. TAPPI Fellow - TAPPI Fellows are Individuals who have been members of TAPPI for not less than 10 years prior to the nomination, and who have contributed meritorious service to the Association and/or the paper and related industries. Retiring members of the TAPPI Board of Directors become Fellows automatically at the end of their term. The TAPPI Awards and Honors page has links to these awards and 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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Martin A. Hubbe and Kasy King This handbook provides cost-saving strategies associated with the use of chemical additives during the manufacture of paper. Topics include:
A glossary of terms and a brief introduction to selected principles of capital budgeting are provided as appendices. This book is ideal for paper machine process engineers/scientists, paper machine superintendents, paper mill management, chemical supplier technical staff, product development engineers, paper mill consultants, and technical staff from allied industries, e.g. process control equipment, papermaking machinery, and environmental services. Cost Saving Strategies in Papermaking Chemistry View the Forward and Table of Contents Product code: 0101R325 Member Price: $150.00 Non-Member Price: $215.00 ##SHARELINKS##
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