Over the Wire
TAPPI
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Verso Paper Corp., Memphis, Tenn., USA, this week reported that, after conducting a comprehensive assessment, it has decided not to reopen its paper mill in Sartell, Minn. Verso's decision is based on the length of time that it would take to rebuild the mill structures and systems that were destroyed in the Memorial Day fire and explosion, and the marketplace challenges that would present. Established in 1905, the Sartell Mill produces lightweight coated papers for offset and rotogravure printing.
The permanent closure of the Sartell Mill will reduce Verso's annual coated groundwood capacity by 180,000 tons or approximately 20%, and will eliminate approximately 35,000 tons of annual supercalendered paper capacity. Verso President and CEO David Paterson met with state and local officials earlier this week to deliver the news in person. "After a thorough review of the many factors involved following the Memorial Day tragedy, we have made the very difficult decision not to reopen the Sartell Mill," Paterson said. "The mill has not been competitive for a number of years and, despite our employees' dedicated efforts since the December 2011 shutdown of two of the facility's three paper machines, our assessment indicates that it is impossible for the mill to achieve a competitive position in today's marketplace, especially after a setback of this magnitude and duration. We will work closely with local and state officials to develop options for the future use of the mill site." Lyle Fellows, SVP for Manufacturing and Energy, added that "we know the decision to permanently close the mill will have a significant impact on many people across this region, especially our Sartell Mill employees and their families. We continue to work with affected employees to help them access the resources needed to identify alternative employment opportunities." Verso has been working with Sartell Mill customers to make necessary production transitions since the mill was idled by the Memorial Day fire and explosion. "Even in the face of sudden and challenging circumstances, our customers knew they could depend on Verso to deliver high-quality paper products and exceptional customer service," said SVP of Sales, Marketing, and Product Development Mike Weinhold. "Our team has worked hard to make needed shifts in production and we are meeting our customers' needs at Verso's other mills." The mill closure will result in an aggregate pre-tax charge to earnings of approximately $114 million, which is expected to occur primarily in the third quarter of 2012. This includes approximately $19 million for severance and benefit costs, approximately $81 million in non-cash charges (primarily related to the impairment of property, plant, and equipment, and approximately $14 million related to other costs. The severance and other shutdown costs require the outlay of cash, which is expected to occur primarily in the third quarter of 2012. Settlement negotiations regarding this loss claim with Verso's insurance carrier are continuing and the company expects resolution in the coming months. "The Sartell Mill has a long and proud history, and we thank all of our employees, the community, and the many local and state officials who have partnered with us over the years," said Sartell Mill Manager Matt Archambeau. "It's impossible to put into words how much your support has meant to our company." ##SHARELINKS##
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A video news report by WMTV in Madison, Wis., USA, covered the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new U.S. Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) nanocellulose pilot plant this past July 25. The $1.7 million facility in Madison will support an emerging market for new wood-derived renewable materials that will create jobs and contribute an estimated $600 billion to the economy by 2020.
High-ranking industry, government, and academic officials gathered for the ceremonies, which included tours of the new nanocellulose production facilities and a special nanocellulose symposium. As noted during the events, wood-derived cellulosic nanomaterials can be stronger than Kevlar fiber and provide high strength with low weight. These attributes have attracted the interest of the military for use in lightweight armor and ballistic glass, as well as companies in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer products, and medical device industries. FPL explained during the ceremonies that as new lightweight, high-performance products are developed and commercialized, fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced, manufacturing in rural areas will increase, and many new high-paying jobs will be created. The new facility, it noted, will aid in the commercialization of these materials by providing researchers and early adopters of the technology with working quantities of forest-based nanomaterials. ##SHARELINKS##
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Professor Med Byrd, director of undergraduate programs and senior design instructor, Paper Science and Engineering (PSE) at North Carolina State University (NCSU), Raleigh, N.C., USA, is seeking ideas for senior design projects. One of the most important parts of the PSE curriculum at NCSU, he emphasizes, is the capstone senior design course.
"It is critical that we assess the overall skills of our graduates, and send them out into the world, with a flourish. This means selecting a senior design topic that is realistic...challenging...and that makes them think critically. Finding eight to ten such topics each year is not as easy as you'd think. That is why I am soliciting ideas from our industry partners, who no doubt encounter things in their daily work that make them think ‘now that's an interesting idea...I wonder how it would play out in the mill,'" Professor Byrd says. Two different kinds of projects are needed:
Senior design project ideas can be emailed directly to Professor Byrd at NCSU. ##SHARELINKS##
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Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in July for the second time since July 2009. However, the overall economy grew for the 38th consecutive month, according to the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. The report was issued this week by Bradley J. Holcomb, CPSM, CPSD, chair of the Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, Tempe, Ariz., USA.
"The PMI registered 49.8%, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from June's reading of 49.7%, indicating contraction in the manufacturing sector for the second consecutive month, following 34 consecutive months of expansion. The New Orders Index registered 48%, an increase of 0.2 percentage point from June and indicating contraction in new orders for the second consecutive month, but at a slightly slower rate. Both the Production Index and the Employment Index remained in growth territory, registering 51.3% and 52%, respectively. The Prices Index for raw materials registered 39.5%, an increase of 2.5 percentage points from the June reading of 37%, indicating lower prices on average for the third consecutive month. A growing number of comments from the panel this month reflect a slowdown in their businesses and general concern over increasing economic uncertainty." Of the 18 manufacturing industries, seven are reporting growth in July in the following order: Plastics and Rubber Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances, and Components; Primary Metals; Petroleum and Coal Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products; and Furniture and Related Products. The 11 industries reporting contraction in July (in order) are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Apparel, Leather, and Allied Products; Wood Products; Textile Mills; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Printing and Related Support Activities; Paper Products; Machinery; and Computer and Electronic Products. Manufacturing contracted in July as the PMI registered 49.8%, an increase of 0.1 percentage point compared with June's reading of 49.7%. A reading above 50% indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50% indicates that it is generally contracting. A PMI in excess of 42.6%, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the July PMI indicates growth for the 38th consecutive month in the overall economy, but indicates contraction in the manufacturing sector for the second time since July 2009, when the PMI registered 49.2%. Holcomb noted that "the past relationship between the PMI and the overall economy indicates that the average PMI for January through July (52.5%) corresponds to a 3.3% increase in real gross domestic product (GDP). In addition, if the PMI for July (49.8%) is annualized, it corresponds to a 2.4% increase in real GDP annually." ISM's New Orders Index registered 48% in July, which is an increase of 0.2 percentage point compared with the June reading of 47.8%. This represents a contraction in new orders for the second time since April 2009, when the New Orders Index registered 46.8%. A New Orders Index above 52.3%, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau's series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars). The three industries reporting growth in new orders in July are: Plastics and Rubber Products; Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products; and Primary Metals. The 13 industries reporting a decrease in new orders during July (in order) are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Apparel, Leather, and Allied Products; Wood Products; Textile Mills; Machinery; Petroleum and Coal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances, and Components; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Paper Products; Transportation Equipment; Computer and Electronic Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. ISM's Production Index registered 51.3% in July, which is an increase of 0.3 percentage point compared with the 51% reported in June. This indicates growth for the 38th consecutive month. An index above 51.2%, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board's Industrial Production figures. The four industries reporting growth in production during the month of July are: Plastics and Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metals; and Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products. The 10 industries reporting a decrease in production in July (in order) are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Wood Products; Textile Mills; Furniture and Related Products; Apparel, Leather, and Allied Products; Petroleum and Coal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Machinery; and Transportation Equipment. ISM's Employment Index registered 52% in July, which is 4.6 percentage points lower than the 56.6% reported in June. This is the 34th consecutive month of growth in the Employment Index. An Employment Index above 50.5%, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment. Of the 18 manufacturing industries, nine reported growth in employment in July in the following order: Petroleum and Coal Products; Primary Metals; Furniture and Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances, and Components; Machinery; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; and Computer and Electronic Products. The four industries reporting a decrease in employment in July are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Apparel, Leather and Allied Products; Paper Products; and Transportation Equipment. The Inventories Index registered 49% in July, which is 5 percentage points higher than the 44% reported in June. This month's reading indicates that respondents are reporting inventories are still contracting, which has been the case in nine of the last 10 months. An Inventories Index greater than 42.8%, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis' (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars). The seven industries reporting higher inventories in July (in order) are: Petroleum and Coal Products; Machinery; Furniture and Related Products; Paper Products; Computer and Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances, and Components. The eight industries reporting decreases in inventories in July (in order) are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Apparel, Leather, and Allied Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; Printing and Related Support Activities; Chemical Products; and Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products. The full text version of the Manufacturing ISM Report On Business is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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The United Steelworkers (USW), Pittsburgh, Pa., USA, has called the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) vote on Thursday of last week (August 2) to continue duty orders on lined paper school supplies imported from China and India "a correct outcome," but added that "the negative vote to remove tariffs on Indonesia opens a side door that could threaten American paper workers."
USW President Leo W. Gerard noted that "another five years of tariffs on imports of lined paper and school notebooks from China and India is the right outcome to sustain American paper worker jobs and our domestic paper mills that make this product. But we are concerned the trade commission has revoked the duty orders on Indonesian producers in this proceeding. "Indonesian producers are bad environmental actors and the trade agency's negative determination to end the existing tariffs will open the side door for them to ship their environmentally unsound paper products to the U.S. market, while American producers must meet high green standards," Gerard said. As a result, Gerard continued, Indonesian paper products, such as notebooks, composition books, and filler paper, "will now be able to enter the U.S. duty free, potentially threatening American jobs and the domestic school supplies industry." The USW acknowledged it's an "open secret" that Indonesian paper producers are "bad environmental actors." Among them, it adds, is Tjiwi Kimia, "which lost its Forest Stewardship Council certification in 2007 due to its environmental practices." According to Leeann Foster, assistant to the USW president who testified at the ITC review hearing in June, the duty orders first placed in 2006 on lined paper school supplies from India, Indonesia, and China have worked as intended in sustaining jobs and stabilizing the industry. "However, revoking orders on Indonesia could potentially be disastrous for our paper workers." Mitch Heaton, USW Local 10-1442 president, who represents 400 workers at the ACCO Mead Products paper mill in Alexandria, Pa. (one of the nation's largest producers of school notebooks), said that "we depend on tariffs that create a level playing field for fair trade." Another USW-represented converter paper mill in nearby Roaring Springs, Pa. (the Roaring Springs Blank Book Co.) will also be affected with 200 workers, according to USW. ##SHARELINKS##
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Sappi Fine Paper North America, Boston, Mass., USA, will host the first annual 2012 Green Community Day on Saturday, August 11, at the Sappi Westbrook paper mill in Westbrook, Maine. Aimed at educating local residents on how they can positively impact the environment, Sappi's Green Community Day will invite the community to participate in hands-on activities and interactive displays for the entire family.
"As a manufacturing company, it's important for Sappi to constantly be thinking about ways we can minimize our impact on the environment," says Laura Thompson, Ph.D., director of technical marketing and sustainable development. "We also recognize that our sphere of influence extends beyond our mill gates—with suppliers and customers across the supply chain—and within our local communities. With this event, and thanks to the collaboration of our co-sponsors, we are hoping to share our knowledge and help educate the community on sustainable practices, large and small, that everyone can implement into their everyday lives." Activities include free shredding of documents, sneaker recycling (into running tracks), electronics recycling education, a kid's bike rodeo, planting of tree seedlings, bone marrow donation education, ME chip education (child identification and protection), stream management and logging course, papermaking and crafts, bird house building, making recycled paper beads, making your own milkshakes, and instruction on how to escape a smoke filled room. Additional activities include face painting, technology demonstrations, wildlife information, and volunteer opportunities. More information about this event is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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Below is the latest listing of job openings in the TAPPI Career Center. The current listing includes job openings for technical specialists, account managers, director of production planning, sales manager, sales engineer, chemist, maintenance planner, extrusion coating specialist, and process control engineer. 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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Prices for woody biomass in the U.S., whether sawmill by-products, forest residues, or urban wood waste, have been sliding for most of the past three years, but were still higher late in 2011 in most regions than they were five years ago, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review (NAWFR), Seattle, Wash., USA. In the 2Q/12, woody biomass prices were down between 2% and 10% in the key biomass-consuming regions, the U.S. South, Northeast, and in the West, compared with the 1Q/12. In the U.S. Northwest and California, there continues to be a substantial price discrepancy between mill biomass and forest biomass, but this price difference is minimal in the U.S. South.
During 2011, natural gas prices fell about 45% in the U.S. and the lower prices have reduced the urgency for investing in woody biomass projects in the country. However, despite plunging natural gas prices, plans for more facilities utilizing woody biomass continued during 2011 and 2012 in both Canada and the U.S., with some projects nearing completion and others in startup mode. Wood fiber demand for all planned biomass projects in the U.S. dropped in the first half of 2012 compared with early 2011. Most of the decrease in wood usage the past year has been that wood used in the generation of electricity for the domestic market in the U.S., while the pellet industry has continuously expanded capacity to serve the growing demand in Europe. The U.S. had about 450 announced and operating woody bioenergy projects in the spring of 2012, including wood pellets, liquid fuel, electricity-generation, and combined heat and power (CHP). The projected wood fiber use for all planned biomass projects is estimated to reach just over 30 million dry tons of fiber annually by 2020, according to Forisk, Athens, Ga., USA. Commercial and residential energy consumers' interest in switching to more expensive green energy is likely to continue to be lukewarm as long as demand for energy is low and natural gas prices are their lowest levels in more than 10 years, according to NAWFR. More information is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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North American June pulp shipments fell 5.5% y/y and 2.9% on a sequential basis, according to Mark Wilde of Deutsche Bank, citing Pulp and Paper Products Council (Montreal, Qué., Canada) data. Hardwood pulp shipments were very weak (down 11.4% y/y), driven by weakness in North America, Eastern Europe, and China.
Softwood shipments were generally flat, with weakness in North America and Western Europe, offset by China, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Total inventories increased by one day of supply to 34 days (hardwood +4 days), Wilde reports. ##SHARELINKS##
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Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, this week entered into a commitment letter with a Canadian chartered bank for a $175 million syndicated asset based loan facility (ABL Facility) maturing on the earlier of five years from the date of closing and 90 days prior to maturity of any significant debt. The ABL Facility is a pre-condition for Catalyst to exit from creditor protection and would provide for the refinancing of existing credit facilities to fund the operations of the company on exit from creditor protection and for general corporate purposes thereafter. The collateral would primarily consist of all present and future working capital assets of the company.
The ABL borrowing base would be calculated on balances of eligible accounts receivable and inventory, less certain reserves. Customary fees are payable in connection with the ABL Facility, which is subject to the completion of a credit agreement, syndication, documentation, and certain other conditions. Catalyst also entered into a commitment letter with respect to a secured exit notes facility of up to $80 million (Exit Facility). The Exit Facility provides Catalyst with backstop financing should additional funding be required to pay costs and expenses or manage other contingencies on exit from creditor protection. The Exit Facility will be provided by certain holders of Catalyst's First Lien Notes and will be secured by a charge on certain assets of Catalyst and its subsidiaries ranking senior to the lien securing the $250 million of new secured notes (the Plan Notes) to be issued under the Second Amended Plan of Arrangement (the Amended Plan). Customary commitment fees for a facility of this nature are payable to the lenders in connection with the Exit Facility. The Exit Facility of $80 million, or a lesser amount at Catalyst's option, or if Catalyst's liquidity exceeds a specified amount, is available to Catalyst upon its exit from creditor protection, has a maturity date of four years from that exit, and can be prepaid in whole or in part at any time for a premium initially of 3% and declining annually thereafter. The Exit Facility is subject to the completion of documentation and certain other conditions. To provide sufficient time to complete documentation for the ABL Facility and Exit Facility and to satisfy the other conditions under the Amended Plan, Catalyst and certain noteholders have agreed to amend the Restructuring and Support Agreement dated March 11, 2012, as amended (the RSA) to extend the deadline for completion of the Amended Plan to September 14, 2012. The RSA and Amended Plan previously provided for completion within 45 days of the Canadian sanction order, which was obtained on June 28, 2012. Catalyst Paper produces specialty mechanical printing papers, newsprint, and pulp. With four mills located in British Columbia in Canada and Arizona in the U.S., Catalyst has a combined annual production capacity of 1.8 million metric tons. ##SHARELINKS##
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Fabrica de Papel San Francisco, Baja California, Mexico, has ordered from Metso, Finland, a new tissue paper machine to be installed at its tissue mill in Mexicali, Baja California. Total cost of the project, scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2013, is estimated to be $85 million. Startup is planned for near the end of the year.
The new machine will have a production capacity of 30,000 metric tpy of tissue paper, boosting the mill's total tissue production capacity to 880,000 metric tpy. After the project is completed, the plant will have a total annual production capacity of 880,000 tons. The machine will be equipped with a headbox, a Yankee dryer and hood, sheet control, tail-threading equipment, a dust management system, and a reel. The Fabrica de Papel San Francisco mill, which came on-stream in 1980, currently has four tissue machines with a total production capacity of 850,000 metric tpy. The new line will use 100% recycled fiber as raw material. ##SHARELINKS##
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Hengan Group, Jinjiang, China, has started up the world's largest steel Yankee dryer for tissue production. Supplied by Andritz, Graz, Austria, the PrimeDry Steel Yankee (4.9 m dia and 6.2 m shell length) is installed in the new Andritz PM 15 tissue machine, and enables safe and energy-efficient machine operation, the company notes.
"We have eight Andritz tissue machines in operation. PM 15 with the world's largest steel Yankee for tissue is now the icing on the cake," says Zhang Qunfu, chief engineer at Hengan Group. An additional Andritz machine with a steel Yankee will be started up later this year at Hengan, one of the leading tissue producers in China. PM 15 (a PrimeLine W6 model) has a design speed of 2,100 m/min, a width of 5.6 m, and is equipped with energy-saving components such as Yankee head insulation and a re-evaporation system. Andritz's scope of supply also includes the complete stock preparation system and machine controls. The machine was started up two weeks ahead of schedule. ##SHARELINKS##
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Norske Skog, Lysaker, Norway, has agreed to sell its paper mill Parenco in Renkum in the Netherlands and the global recovered paper business, Reparco, to investment firm H2 Equity Partners, headquartered in the Netherlands. Norske Skog expects to release cash from the transaction in the order of EUR 30 million.
The sale is part of Norske Skog's strategy to improve its cash flow and financial position. The company noted that profitability at Parenco has been a challenge for a long time, and it has considered both sale and closure of the mill. "We are very pleased to be able to sell to a company with long-term plans for the overall operations at Parenco," said Norske Skog President and CEO Sven Ombudstvedt. Harmen Geerts, partner at H2 Equity Partners, said that "we are happy to bring the good news that this company, with its 100 years of history, can continue to operate. It is a good, well positioned paper mill, with well-motivated, expert staff, modern equipment, and it is geographically well situated. The sourcing of raw material from Reparco adds strategic value. We see good growth opportunities for Parenco, mainly driven by the substitution to higher quality magazine paper grades as well as the on-going growth in relevant publishing segments such as door-to-door retail folders. It is our ambition to create a healthy company with high quality, sustainable products, and a defendable market position, in line with the overall mission of H2 Equity Partners to build better businesses." Deliveries to existing customers will be effectuated according to current agreements. H2 will establish a commercial team and network of sales agents at Parenco, as the current Norske Skog sales organization only will support Parenco for a limited time. The transaction will have little operational impact on the rest of Norske Skog, which will remain a significant producer of newsprint and magazine paper in Europe with production facilities in Norway, Germany, France, and Austria. Parenco currently operates one of its two paper machines. H2 said it will look into new markets that may be served with the now idle second paper machine. This market orientation will take six to twelve months. However, should there be no viable future for operating a second machine, the machinery would remain idle, and Parenco would restructure the organization to align current staffing with market conditions. H2 has secured support for its approach from both the works council and the trade unions. The sale, to be finalized and recognized in the third quarter of 2012, is subject to merger control approval in the Netherlands. The works councils of Parenco and Reparco have already given positive advice on the sale to H2. H2 will appoint Frans Versteeg, an experienced senior executive currently acting as Parenco's interim GM, as the new managing director of Parenco. Kurt Martens will stay on as managing director of Reparco. ##SHARELINKS##
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Stora Enso's Eilenburg PM 1 at its mill in Sachsen, Germany, has started up following a rebuild by Voith, Germany. Stora Enso undertook the rebuild to improve runnability and to eliminate existing bottlenecks in the system. In addition, the maximum operating speed of PM 1 was increased to 2,000 m/min, corresponding to a production increase of about 10% (depending on the grade range). One month after starting up, PM 1 operation speed exceeded 1,900 m/min.
The rebuild included the installation of a new NipcoFlex press module, which has increased the dryness content after the press by 3% to 4% after just a short time. In addition, a new exhaust system in the wet end and a JetCleaner for cleaning the bottom wire provide for more cleanliness and thus improved runability. The old machine calender was replaced by a Janus calender to improve paper quality. The project also included a rebuild of the dryer section together with fabric stretchers, fabric guides, and the machine air ventilation system. A new trim cutter and a new threading system completed the scope of supply. Stora Enso Sachsen produces newsprint and telephone book paper in the basis weight range of 34 to 48.8 gsm. It uses 100% recycled fibers. ##SHARELINKS##
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As part of the EC clearance requirements for takeover of Georgia Pacific's EMEA tissue business, RISI, Brussels, Belgium, reports that SCA, Stockholm, Sweden, will divest the 55,000 metric tpy Llangynwyd Mill in Bridgend, U.K., the 22,000 metric tpy Drammen mill in Norway, and the tissue converting plant in Horwich, Lancashire, U.K The sites proposed for sale were made public during SCA's recent conference call for its H1 results.
RISI noted that according to Jan Johansson, chief executive, SCA intends to complete the divestments within a six-month timeframe following the G-P deal's closure, as required by the EC. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Tak Investments, Gaithersburg, Md., USA, is investing some $60 million to establish a recycled tissue plant at International Paper's Franklin, Va., mill. A report this week by The Tidewater Times (Tidewater, Va.), said that the company subsidiary, ST Tissue, will use recovered fiber to produce tissue grades for napkins and towels, creating approximately 85 jobs. Virginia competed against Wisconsin for the project, according to the news report.
ST Tissue VP Sahil Tak said the company is about midway through converting its portion of the mill and plans to begin operating by late September or early October. The company has hired 25% of its workers and is looking for machine operators. Tak in April signed a lease with IP that would allow the company to use a converted paper machine, office space, a sheeting warehouse, and recycled fiber facility for 33 years at more than $882,000 a year. Tak Investments is owned by Washington, D.C.-area entrepreneur Sharad Tak, who got his start in providing computer-programming services to the federal government. Sharad Tak owns companies in several lines of business, including power generation, engineering, and information technology. ##SHARELINKS##
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UPM, Helsinki, Finland, reports that it will install a new woodfree specialty paper machine (labelstock) at its Changshu mill in China. The expansion will increase UPM's presence in the attractive Asian paper segments and strengthen its position in the label materials value chain.
"This move is aligned with our strategic target to have more than 50% of our sales from well performing growth businesses in the latter part of the decade. It supports our growth in China and provides an excellent platform to strengthen partnerships with self-adhesive labelstock customers and expand into new end uses in Asia. It also supports the good profitability of our growth businesses," said Jussi Pesonen, UPM's president and CEO. The new machine will be capable of producing up to 360,000 metric tpy of uncoated woodfree grades and high quality label papers. It will startup by the end of 2014. The investment will also include future-oriented infrastructure investments in the Changshu site. The total investment cost is CNY 3,000 million (EUR 390 million). In addition, UPM Changshu is finalizing a 100,000 metric tpy cut-size sheeting line investment that strengthens the Group's position in office paper grades in China. Both label paper and uncoated woodfree papers have a healthy demand outlook in Asia. The annual growth of UPM's label paper mix is expected to be 8% in Asia and 4% globally. In uncoated woodfree grades, UPM focuses on high quality office paper, where the Chinese market is expected to grow by 8% annually, UPM notes. "China and emerging Asia are our natural growth markets where we already have a unique market position, good customer base, and excellent distribution networks. Asian label paper customers with multiple end-use areas clearly pose a further opportunity for us," Jyrki Ovaska, president of the Paper Business Group, said. "It is worth noting that for the first time about 70% of the investment will be based on Chinese currency and we aim to maximize the use of Chinese subcontractors." Ovaska adds that the Changshu site is very competitive with excellent environmental performance. It accommodates two paper machines, a labelstock factory, power plant, and a jetty. The site has been recognized by the Chinese state authorities for its sustainable production and innovative and low-emission technologies. "We are building the expansion with similar sustainability standards, using best available technology," Ovaska noted.
The Changshu mill is situated in China, at Changshu Economic & Technological Development Zone approximately 90 km west of Shanghai. The mill site hosts a 900,000 tpy fine paper mill, a labelstock factory, and R&D Center. It is logistically well located against the south bank of the Yangtze River. The almost 200-hectare site is equipped with auxiliary facilities including a power plant, an effluent treatment plant, a process water plant, and an in-house jetty. It has some 600 employees and two paper machine lines. PM 1 produces woodfree uncoated paper while PM 2 makes mainly wood-free coated paper and partly uncoated paper as well. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and Pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 24,000 people and it has production plants in 16 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM Paper has 22 paper mills in Finland, Germany, the U.K., France, Austria, China, and the U.S. Many of them are large recycling centers and bioenergy producers, as well as paper manufacturers. UPM Paper employs almost 13,000 people. In 2011, the business group's net sales amounted to EUR 7.2 billion. ##SHARELINKS##
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Cascades, Kingsey Falls, Que., Canada, this week announced that it will make substantial investments, up to $750 000 in its Cascades Enviropac HPM plant in Grand Rapids, Mich., USA. By the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013, new equipment will be added to modernize the packaging products plant and optimize its overall efficiency, from the competitiveness, quality, and service standpoints. These investments will also allow the company to retain jobs in the plant and its offices.
The investment will also allow Cascades to strengthen its market shares in the Central and Midwest U.S. Regions, while increasing its industrial product offering for products such as Technicomb™ protective packaging systems, Flexicomb® flexible protective packaging, and ThermaFresh™ recyclable therma-insulator containers for fresh food conservation. These products are made of honeycomb paperboard and fiber composites that are recyclable. Simon Gosselin, GM of the Industrial Packaging sector of Cascades Specialty Products Group, noted that "these investments are directly in line with Cascades' key strategic axes to further support the operations, with the ultimate goal of assuring the commercial success of our innovative, eco-designed products." Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts, and markets packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibers. The company employs more than 12,000 people who work at more than 100 units in North America and Europe. ##SHARELINKS##
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PaperlinX, Australia, has agreed to acquire the business and assets of Canterbury Packaging Ltd., Christchurch, New Zealand. The acquisition is expected to be completed on October 1. Canterbury Packaging is a small distributor of industrial packaging consumables, hygiene, safety, and hospitality products to customers predominantly in the Christchurch area. It has annual revenues of A$ 2.9 million and is profitable.
Canterbury Packaging will be combined with PaperlinX's existing A$95 million Spicers business in New Zealand, and the purchase consideration of A$2 million will be funded from local credit facilities available within Spicers. Andy Preece, executive GM, ANZA Region, said that "the acquisition of Canterbury Packaging is a small but significant further step in our Diversified Products strategy. This acquisition will provide a building block for Spicers New Zealand to diversify and leverage our existing footprint and infrastructure to build a national business with the expertise from Canterbury Packaging. The additional packaging consumables will build on the existing strong market position of our profitable Spicers business in New Zealand." ##SHARELINKS##
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The Newark Group, Cranford, N.J., USA, has sold its minority shareholdings in three waste recovery companies in Spain and the South of France to the majority shareowner, SAICA Natur S.L., which is the waste recovery business of the Spanish containerboard producer and packaging company SAICA. Newark notes that the sale is "a step" in its plans to monetize assets and invest in its core businesses.
The long standing relationship between Newark and SAICA Natur will continue as the parties have agreed to recovered paper supply contracts that will provide Newark's Spanish paper mills with recovered paper under the same conditions as before the sale. ##SHARELINKS##
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Tosca Ltd., Green Bay, Wis., USA, a U.S.-based provider of reusable container pooling and logistics services to the food supply chain, this week said it has acquired the reusable plastic container division of Georgia-Pacific (GP RPC). The acquisition expands Tosca's portfolio of products and services in the produce, dairy, beverage, and protein industries.
The GP RPC management team and all current employees will join Tosca in conjunction with the transaction. All three of GP RPC's facilities, located in Memphis, Tenn., Garland, Texas, and King City, Calif., will continue to operate as part of the Tosca organization. "This union will benefit fresh produce companies," said Eric Frank, GM, who will continue to lead the company's Atlanta-based produce division. "Tosca's focus as a market leader for RPCs in multiple industries will bring best practices and accelerate the momentum already established by GP RPC in the fresh produce industry. Together, our shared values and like-minded practices set the stage for a successful future." The combined Tosca and GP RPC business will operate under the Tosca brand. ##SHARELINKS##
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Precot Meridian Ltd., Coimbatore, India, has ordered a new Jetlace nonwovens production line from Andritz, Graz, Austria. The line will produce spunlace fabrics for the hygiene and medical industries and is scheduled to start up in the first quarter of 2013.
The scope of supply includes a complete Andritz Perfojet Jetlace line, a unit for the production of customized fabrics with patterns and logos, as well as a high-efficiency filtration system designed for specialized fibers and fiber recycling equipment. Precot Meridian has been a producer of yarn and fabric for nearly five decades. Based on its expertise in the traditional textile market, the company said that it decided to expand into the nonwovens sector. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Cascades Tissue Group, Waterford, N.Y., USA, this week announced commercial line expansions of its Cascades Moka™ 100% recycled unbleached bathroom tissue offerings. In addition to the single roll offering, launched in January, Cascades Moka is now available in jumbo rolls (9-in.) and a high capacity format for Cascades Tandem® dispensers.
Cascades notes that the expansions will help it meet growing away-from-home market demand in North America. The larger formats, it adds, provide more options to use the product in existing dispensers that are intended for less frequent stocking. The company explains that Cascades Moka gets 80% of its pulp mix from post-consumer material and 20% from recovered corrugated boxes. The new pulp mix used in this product, it says, offers a reduction in overall environmental impact by at least 25% compared with the pulp mix used in Cascades 100% recycled white bath tissue. The product is also offset with 100% Green-e® certified renewable wind electricity, saving 2,500 lb of carbon dioxide emissions for each ton produced. Since its official launch in January 2012, Cascades Moka bath tissue has been made available to both corporate and individual purchasers through Office Depot. It recently won the Novae Quebec Eco-design Contest, which recognizes the smartest sustainable design ideas. "As tastes continue to evolve and customers continue to seek the most environmentally preferred options available, we knew the time was right to introduce North America's first-ever beige bathroom tissue," said Cascades Tissue Group CEO Suzanne Blanchet. "The reception has been really positive and we're thrilled to be at the forefront in this step for greater sustainability." ##SHARELINKS##
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 Dr. May Shana'a has been named group VP, Technology and Growth Strategy, for Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Wilmington, Del., USA, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. The announcement was made by John E. Panichella, SVP, Ashland Inc. and president, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, to whom she will report.
Shana'a will be responsible for leading Ashland Specialty Ingredients' global research and development (R&D) and applications capabilities, with direct operational responsibility for the unit's global research and technical centers. In addition, she will be responsible for business development, including leading the strategic growth plan for the business. Shana'a most recently served as global VP, Skin Care and Portfolio Management at Johnson & Johnson, where she also held the role of VP, R&D, global beauty care. In this role, she was involved in more than 200 product launches per year targeting the skin, hair, and deodorant markets. Prior to Johnson & Johnson, Shana'a spent more than 18 years at Unilever in skin care, laundry, and home care in the U.K., U.S., and Italy, where she was VP of R&D home care. Ashland Specialty Ingredients provides products, technologies and resources for solving formulation and product performance challenges in key markets including coatings and energy, personal care, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage. ##SHARELINKS##
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Canfor Pulp Products Inc. (CPPI), Vancouver, B.C., Canada, following its decision earlier this year to integrate the management of Canfor Corp. and the company (to maximize efficiency and cost synergies), reports that President and CEO Joe Nemeth has elected to step down from his role effective September 30. Nemeth offered to support the transition through that date.
Following Nemeth's decision, the company's board of directors appointed Canfor President and CEO Don Kayne to the role of CEO, a role he will serve for both companies. Brett Robinson, formerly EVP of Operations, will assume the president's function for the company. Nemeth assumed leadership of Canfor Pulp in May 2010. Kayne noted that "Joe has been an instrumental part in leading the company through successive profitable quarters and has put together a great team. His leadership and guidance will be missed." CPPI was established to hold an interest in Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership, which produces and sells northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp and fully bleached, high performance kraft paper. The Partnership operates two NBSK pulp mills and one NBSK pulp and paper mill in Prince George, B.C., and a marketing group located in Vancouver, B.C. CPPI is the successor to Canfor Pulp Income Fund, following completion of a conversion on Jan. 1, 2011. Upon completion of the conversion and subsequent winding up of the Fund, CPPI became the direct holder of a 49.8% interest in the Partnership. On March 2, 2012, CPPI increased its Partnership interest to 100%. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Tembec, Montreal, Que., Canada, has appointed Linda Coates VP, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs. Coates joined Tembec in May 2011 as corporate VP, Communications and Public Affairs. As a member of the Executive Team, she was responsible for communications, public relations, and government.
In her new role, Coates will lead continued transformation of the organization as the senior executive accountable for all aspects of the human resources function, as well as internal and external communications. "The level of experience and leadership qualities that Linda provides will enable Tembec to achieve world-class performance from a people management perspective," President and CEO James Lopez said. Over the course of her 25-year career, Coates has held various senior executive positions in Canada and Europe with global, diversified, leading companies involved in the sectors of mining and metallurgy. She graduated with a B.A degree in linguistics and communications from Université de Montréal and a Master Degree in Business Administration from Université de Sherbrooke. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Named a TAPPI Fellow in 1985, member Michael Kocurek, Ph.D., has been an extremely active participant in TAPPI for nearly 50 amazing years. In 1992, that dedication was recognized with TAPPI's Distinguished Service Award, the second highest honor bestowed on members. Recently retired as a professor and former head of North Carolina State University's Department of Wood and Paper Science, Dr. Kocurek spent his entire career dedicated to the P&P industry, educating its future ranks and preparing them to serve as the next generation of leaders. Still actively involved in TAPPI, he continues to teach some of TAPPI's perennially favored courses, including Introduction to Pulp and Paper, which he has been doing continuously since 1974, Introduction to Kraft Pulping and Bleaching, Linerboard and Medium Manufacturing, and Tissue Properties and Manufacturing . Find out more by reading this month's Member Spotlight. Spotlight participants are recommended by fellow members and staff. If you would like to nominate a member just send name (or names) to MemberSpotlight@tappi.org. We will forward a Spotlight Questionnaire to fill out and return. We look forward to seeing you in the Spotlight! ##SHARELINKS##
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Your employees are the backbone of the business and only as viable as their abilities and knowledge. Keep their skills strong this summer. TAPPI has prepared an entire month of training courses for nearly every facet of the industry for both beginner- and advanced-level employees. You can be confident that your employees are getting stellar instruction. Course curriculum is always developed by industry professionals with years of experience, credentials, and recognition. Presentations are never "canned" and are specific to the attendees' work.
TAPPI offers group discounts where your facility can save on course fees per person by registering three or more employees from the same location. Since 1915, the industry's leaders have turned to TAPPI to train and educate their facility's workforce. Why? Because TAPPI consistently delivers the most highly regarded resources for superior education and training for the pulp, paper, packaging, and converting industry.##SHARELINKS##
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Only a few seats remain for the TAPPI Introduction to Kraft Pulping and Bleaching Course, but if you register now, you may be able to snag a place among other peers. This course takes place at TAPPI Headquarters August 13-14.
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The 2012 TAPPI Tissue Properties & Manufacture Course is coming to TAPPI Headquarters in Norcross, Ga., USA., on August 15 -16. This two-day course is a comprehensive overview of the entire tissue manufacturing process taught by leading industry experts.
This is an introductory-intermediate level course. If you are looking for an advanced course on tissue, consider the next TAPPI Tissue Runnability Course scheduled for this November 7-9, in Neenah, Wi., USA. ##SHARELINKS##
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TAPPI and the Pulp and Paper Safety Association (PPSA) are pleased to announce their new course on workplace safety leadership and modern safety management principles... The Safety Management Leadership Course. This course will be held at TAPPI Headquarters on August 15-16. The papermaking, conversion, and paper recycling industries have traditionally suffered from high workplace accident rates. Through a concentrated industry effort, the number of workplace injuries in the paper and pulp industry between 1994 and 2010 declined at a faster rate than the national rate for all private industries. The Safety Management Leadership Course will provide managers and leaders with the best practices in safety for the paper and packaging industry that should help further reduce these workplace safety incidents. The course is designed for anyone involved in workplace safety including human resources, training, safety supervisors, team leaders, plant managers, project leaders, frontline supervisors, and safety committee participants. The course will be led by industry expert and course chair Matthew Kanneberg from RockTenn. "Participants in the course will be able to understand the fundamentals of safety and safety management principles, including recordkeeping, incident investigation, safety culture, managing change safely, understanding safety behavior, risk management, and measuring performance," says Kanneberg. Course registration is limited to 30 participants so please register today! Visit the course website. Early registration discounts are available. ##SHARELINKS##
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TAPPI Headquarters in Norcross, Ga., USA, will host the annual Improving Paper Machine Performance Course August 21-23. This course provides students the tools needed to evaluate the performance of their paper machines against industry standards and evaluate ways to improve performance and optimize efficiencies. This year the course schedule has been expanded to include an important area of operation- evaluating energy savings. Dick Reese of Dick Reese and Associates will help attendees learn how to evaluate energy consumption. Reese has completed energy evaluations on more than 125 paper and pulp machines in 56 mills. Several mills have reduced annual energy cost by $1 million-plus by implementing recommendations from the energy evaluations. After successfully completing this course, participants should be able to:
A degree in engineering or other technical field is suggested, but not required. A good working knowledge of the paper machine is recommended (this is not an introductory course). Please bring your laptop computer for this working course. If you don't have one you may share with another course participant. There is only room for 25 course participants, so please register today. For more information, please visit the course website. Early registration, travel, and lodging discounts are available. ##SHARELINKS##
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Join us on Tuesday, August 14 at the Mid-Valley Country Club in De Pere, Wis., USA. An afternoon shotgun scramble golf outing is planned with dinner to follow. Full event information and registration details are available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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Join us on Tuesday, August 28, at the Grand View Lodge, Preserve Course, in Pequot Lakes, Minn. A morning shotgun scramble golf outing is planned with lunch to follow. Please remember, your participation will help fund scholarships for Lakes States TAPPI/North Central PIMA's Scholarship programs. Prizes will be awarded along with 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 16, the cost is $135.00 per person. Check-in registration will begin at 8:00 am. If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Wfrawley@new.rr.com Full event information and registration details are available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Edited by: A. Mimms, M.J. Kocurek, J.A. Pyatte, and E.E. Wright Liberally illustrated with over 130 diagrams and photographs, this book includes basic formulas and diagrams to explain the structure of wood, variables affecting the quality and handling of wood chips, pulping chemistry and equipment, the pulping process, and black liquor recovery. Includes a glossary of frequently used terms. View the Table of Contents. Preview Sample Pages. Product Code: 0101R171 TAPPI Member Price: $58.00 Non-Member Price: $87.00 ##SHARELINKS##
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Join Worldwide Coating Experts at the Advanced Coating Fundamentals Symposium The paper coating community will be converging in Atlanta, Ga., USA, Sept. 10-12, 2012, for TAPPI's 12th Advanced Coating Fundamentals Symposium. This biennial event attracts the world's foremost experts in coating technology and is the preeminent symposium for leading-edge research. Your next opportunity will not come until 2014! As a special added bonus and for your convenience, the Advanced Coating Fundamentals Symposium (ACFS) will be co-located with the 16th International Coating Science and Technology Symposium (ISCST) providing you with insights into coating research in non-paper applications. Your TAPPI registration will allow you extended access in to any of the ISCST presentations. It will also include full printed proceedings of the TAPPI program. The ACFS Technical Program will focus on what it takes to commercialize an innovation -- and includes more than 20 peer-reviewed papers covering novel paper coatings, mechanics of printing, new and emerging technologies, and nanotechnology in paper coating. In addition to learning about all of the latest developments, your registration includes an evening of fun and fellowship with coating colleagues from around the world at the Advanced Coating Fundamentals dinner, scheduled at a distinctive Atlanta venue. Click here to view the program. Click to learn more about ACFS 2012. ##SHARELINKS##
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Every mill is capable of improving its reliability and maintenance practices. This is a critical function in mill operation that affects the bottom line. Training to keep up with changing technology and new procedures is absolutely essential for maintaining profitability and productivity. The 2012 Preventive Maintenance and Essential Care & Condition Monitoring Course shows participants how to set up a cost-effective process and provide practical exercises and techniques. This training takes place September 12-13, 2012, in Raleigh, N.C., USA. IDCON's Root Cause Problem Elimination Seminar focuses on eradicating problems. You will learn how to tie cause and effect together while applying logical thought processes to arrive at the problem's core. You stand to benefit from this training if you:
Click Here to Register. Remember, seats will fill quickly for this essential training program! ##SHARELINKS##
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Are you someone who could benefit from an overview of the entire pulping and paper-making process? If so, The 2012 TAPPI Hands-On Workshop for Pulp and Paper Basics might be the perfect course for you to learn about the fundamental processes and operations of the pulping and paper-making industry. This year's workshop runs from October 1-5 at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Reserve your place now so that you can:
This workshop is ideal for new process engineers, manufacturing operators and technicians, sales and service personnel, machine operators, and maintenance personnel. Everyone who wants a better understanding of the basic operation of the pulp and paper business will benefit from this course. This course typically fills quickly, so don't wait long. We look forward to seeing you in Raleigh this October! ##SHARELINKS##
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The NCSU Financial and Strategic Analysis Workshop, October 3-5, 2012, Raleigh, N.C., USA You will learn basic and sophisticated tools to analyze business operations, estimate financial outcomes, and support decision making. In this workshop, you will also discover how to:
Who Should Attend? This workshop is especially beneficial for:
Register today to apply your new skills in business and financial analysis and take your job performance to the next level.
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Pulp and Paper mills often find themselves spending millions of dollars inspecting, repairing, and recovering from unexpected leaks in their boiler tubes, tanks, pressure vessels, exposed and buried pipeline, stacks, bleach towers, etc... Here's your chance to learn how to substantially reduce these costs! Corrosion probe Inc.'s FEMOS Workshop training shows maintenance staff how to rationally manage the mechanical (containment) intregrity of all types of fixed eqpment with a simple, rigorous system utilizing disciplines and procedures by vendors who specialize in the maintenance of rotating equipment. What do you gain from attending? Who is leading the workshop? Corrosion Probe Inc.'s workshop will employ experienced and renowned TAPPI participants Dave Bennett, David Browe, and Doug Sherman. They will train up to 20 people in a 1-day (6-Hour) workshop. Training is presented so attendees can use their new knowledge to immediately implement FEMOS at their mill. Many working examples are provided and students are invited to bring their mill's costliest fixed equipment inspection and maintenance concerns for case analysis. The FEMOS workshop takes place just before the 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference and the 2012 IBBC conference. Those attending the FEMOS Workshop can also attend these important events. ##SHARELINKS##
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On Nov. 7-9, 2012, TAPPI will conduct its Tissue Runnability Course at Neenah, Wi., USA. This special course is being taught by technical experts in each area of the machine from wet end operations through creping and process control. The experienced, highly qualified faculty for this course will provide a thorough understanding of the entire tissue making process and current best practices in each area. The 2012 TAPPI Tissue Runnability Course is designed for process engineers, machine supervisors, and reliability professionals who have to maximize uptime and saleable production. It is also an excellent tutorial for suppliers who support tissue making customers. It will help attendees:
After successfully completing this course, attendees will specifically be able to:
TAPPI will award CEU credits to participants who attend at least 80% of the educational sessions and complete a final program evaluation. The 2012 Tissue Runnabilitry Course includes advanced process instruction. If you are looking for an introductory-intermediate tissue course, consider the upcoming 2012 Tissue Properties and Manufacturing Course at TAPPI Headquarters in Norcross, Ga., USA, on August 15-16. Attendance for the 2012 TAPPI Tissue Runnability Course is limited, so please register today at the course website. ##SHARELINKS##
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 The 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference, October 14-17 in Savannah, Ga., USA, has announced a detailed technical program. Five programming tracks of peer-reviewed sessions, Pulping, Engineering, Environmental, Recycling, and Sustainability, will answer the most pressing business and technical questions faced by pulp and paper companies as they manage raw materials, assets, regulatory requirements, and production assets. Register now and save. In addition to the in-depth, peer-reviewed technical program, Keynote Speaker Don Roberts, vice chairman of CIBC World Markets, will present "A Whirlwind Tour of Investment Trends and Issues in the Global Bio-Energy Space." PEERS will also offer exclusive networking opportunities and insight into new technologies that can help you optimize your mill operations. The TAPPI PEERS Conference will be co-located with the International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference, creating a value-added opportunity for you to expand your learning, networking, and resources by attending both events. See you in Savannah! ##SHARELINKS##
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The 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference October 14-17 in Savannah, Ga., USA, features a detailed technical program that includes peer-reviewed papers, expert speakers, exclusive networking opportunities and new technologies that can help you optimize mill operations. Of special interest to mills is the Engineering Program which is organized into three sessions/tracks:
TAPPI offers a discounted registration to pulp and paper mills and their corporate offices to attend PEERS Conference. Bring an unlimited number from your mill or office to visit for one day, one hour, or just drop in to see the Trade Fair. Register for PEERS 2012 now and save. The 2012 TAPPI PEERS conference will be co-located with the 2012 International Bioenergy and Bioproducts conference, creating a value-added opportunity for you to expand your learning, networking, and resources by attending both events. See you in Savannah! ##SHARELINKS##
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Operating Excellence (OpEx) Maintenance and Reliability Seminar at PEERS This is a first-time program for the 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference.
In addition, 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference, October 14-17 in Savannah, Ga., features a detailed technical program. Five programming tracks of peer-reviewed sessions, Pulping, Engineering, Environmental, Recycling and Sustainability, will answer the most pressing business and technical questions faced by pulp and paper companies as they manage raw materials, assets, regulatory requirements and production assets. The 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference will be co-located with the 2012 International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference, creating a value-added opportunity for you to expand your learning, networking, and resources by attending both events. See you in Savannah! ##SHARELINKS##
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Greetings fellow nano-advocates!  It's time again to update you on some projects in development, as well as exciting new opportunities to get involved in and help this division grow. Our member benefits include our E-library, Standards, Event & Education Discounts, access to the Membership Directory, and much more. Visit the TAPPI Nano Website for more information and to learn how to join. The mission of the International Nanotechnology Division is to serve as the leading global forum for the community of individuals, organizations and institutions seeking to collectively advance the use of nanotechnology within the forest products industry, and support the development, production and use of renewable or sustainable nanomaterials for all industries. To put it more simply, we are here to:
During this year's conference we got to see some excellent presentations covering a range of near-commercial applications. If you missed it, members can access conference presentations on the website, and nonmembers can purchase the CD at the TAPPI website. Also at the 2012 Conference, another International Standards Workshop was held. Progress on the Roadmap developed after last year's conference was reviewed, as well as work on the first standard in this area: Standard Terms and Their Definition for Cellulose Nanomaterial. In July, a new pilot facility for producing nanocellulose materials was opened at the USDS/FS Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, WI, USA. This new facility can produce cellulose nanocrystals for use by academia and industry alike for research into new products. For information on this visit the Forest Products Laboratory website. Finally, The Division "teams" have also been busy and needs your input. The Technical Team, has begun planning for the 2013 Annual Conference. If you are interested in getting involved in next year's conference, please contact one of the conference co-chairs: Bruce Lyne, Ulla Forsstrom, or Phil Jones. If you're interested in helping create ideas for symposiums and courses, please feel free to contact one of the team leaders - Robert Moon, USDA Forest Service, or Yaman Boluk at the University of Alberta. The Marketing & Promotions team is hard at work to improve the division website and explore student & industry outreach, industry trends (our knowledge needs), and Membership needs. if any of these interest you, please contact team leaders John Cowie, Agenda 2020, or professor Bruce Lyne, Royal Institute of Technology. The Product Resources & Development Team, is looking for ideas for Press & Publications (books, manuals, newsletters, webcontent, webinars), and will work collaboratively with the Marketing team on the website. A division newsletter is also in the planning stages. Please contact Mike Bilodeau, University of Maine, if you are interested in helping on these projects. Don't forget to visit TAPPI's Nanotechnology website for more information and to learn how to join. Until next time, Sean Ireland TAPPI International Nanotechnology Division Chairman ##SHARELINKS##
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