Over the Wire
TAPPI
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The Newark Group, Cranford, N.J., USA, a producer and converter of 100% recycled paperboard, has been named a Silver Award winner as Best Overall Company of the Year 2012 by the International Business Awards. Earlier this year, The Newark Group was a Bronze recipient as Best Company of the Year in the American Business Awards.
The International Business Awards is an annual, global competition that honors excellence around the world. More than 3,200 companies from 50-plus countries and territories entered the competition, and winners were selected by a panel of more than 300 executives. The awards will be presented in Seoul, South Korea, on October 15. "It's always an honor to be recognized for excellence but it is particularly exciting to have been recognized on an international level," said Frank Papa, president and CEO of The Newark Group. "As The Newark Group turns the ripe young age of 100, I can promise that we will use this recognition to propel our company to even greater levels of leadership, innovation, and customer delight." ##SHARELINKS##
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Values of pulp and paper, lumber, and panelboard manufactured by Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) member companies in Canada totaled approximately $582 million for the second quarter of 2012, representing the strongest quarter since 2010. The value of production was up $31 million from the same period last year and increased roughly $37 million from the first quarter of 2012.
"I am really encouraged by the positive growth that our industry has seen," said AFPA President and CEO Brady Whittaker. "The trend in lumber and panel pricing is optimistic. A stronger industry has a noticeable impact on the communities that our members operate in." Whittaker also noted that economic uncertainty in Europe and low demand in the Asian pulp market have affected global pulp prices. "While prices remain above their 10-year average, we have seen declines in the pulp market over the last several quarters. We are hopeful that greater certainty in the global economy will reverse this trend soon." AFPA members are significant social and economic contributors to more than 50 communities around the province. The industry supports local initiatives, creates jobs, and fosters economic diversity. Continued innovation through increased energy and water efficiency, progressive forest management practices, and market diversification is being undertaken to ensure a prosperous future for Alberta's forest products industry, the association notes. ##SHARELINKS##
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Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), China, has been recognized for its use of innovative technologies in connection with a wastewater treatment project at its Guangxi Jingui Pulp & Paper mill in China. The project is classified as a Key Technology R&D Program of China by the Guangxi Province's Science and Technology Bureau.
The R&D program, into which APP-China will inject a total investment of 200 million yuan ($32 million), enhances wastewater treatment from chemi-mechanical pulp production with high-grade oxidization technologies. It was selected by the Guangxi Province's Science and Technology Bureau as one of the Key Technology R&D Programs among multi-billion dollar industries in 2012. Jingui Pulp & Paper is one of APP-China's large-scale mill facilities, which started pulp production in 2011, and is the first enterprise to develop and employ this advanced technology for wastewater treatment in chemi-mechanical pulp production. The process incorporates an alkaline recycling system that distills wastewater and converts organic waste material into energy. At the same time, alkaline residues in the wastewater are recycled and reused, ultimately enhancing energy conservation, emission reduction, and clean production. By deploying this innovative system, Jingui Pulp & Paper is able to recycle 95% of the water used in chemi-mechanical pulp production. It also enables the company to reuse 93% of alkaline in its wastewater, while conserving energy equivalent to 33,000 metric tons of standard coal each year. The Jingui Pulp & Paper mill has two production lines—one producing 300,000 metric tpy tons of bleached chemi- thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP) and the other producing some 600,000 metric tpy of high-grade paperboard. Since APP started investing in China in the early 1990s, it has more than 20 pulp and paper mills in the form of subsidiaries or joint ventures, as well as forest plantations with a total area more than 300,000 hectares. With 39,200-plus employees, APP-China had a total production capability of 9.5 million metric tons in 2011. The photo below is an external view of APP's alkaline recycling facility that is part of Jingui Pulp & Paper's wastewater treatment project in Guangxi Province, China.
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Below is the latest listing of job openings in the TAPPI Career Center. The current listing includes job openings for a variety of pulp and paper manufacturing positions, product marketing manager, shift supervisor, stock prep manager, lab technician, chemist, sales engineer, director of production planning, and fiber line superintendent. 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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Total U.S. total printing and writing (P&W) paper shipments decreased 3% in July, compared with July 2011, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) July 2012 U.S. Printing-Writing Paper Report released this past week. Shipments of coated mechanical papers posted the only year-over-year increase among the four major grades. U.S. purchases (demand) of P&W papers also decreased by 4% in July. ##SHARELINKS##
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Total U.S. industry consumption of recovered paper in July was 2.43 million tons, less than 1% lower than June, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) July 2012 U.S. Recovered Fiber Monthly Report published this week. Year-to-date consumption in 2012 is 4% lower than during the same period last year.
U.S. exports of recovered paper, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, dropped 3% in June compared with May, led by a steep decrease in pulp substitute exports to China. Year-to-date exports of recovered paper in 2012 are 5.5% lower than during the same period in 2011. ##SHARELINKS##
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North American pulp prices remain under pressure, reports Mark Wilde with Deutsche Bank. July pulp data was modestly negative, he adds. Hardwood inventories rose four days to 44 days of supply and softwood rose three days to 32 days. Shipments were up 6.3% y/y.
Spot prices in North America are currently at $600 - $640/metric ton. At current spot price levels, most high-cost mills are near breakeven levels. "Unlike softwood, we think there is additional downside risk to U.S. hardwood prices," Wilde says. ##SHARELINKS##
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Meanwhile, in China, Wilde continues, resale prices have reportedly bounced off the bottom. Both Brazil-based Arauco and Russia-based Ilim have announced September hikes on softwood pulp going into China. Ilim is raising NBSK (northern bleached softwood kraft) pulp prices by $30/metric ton, while Arauco is boosting radiate pine pulp by $10/metric ton. The hikes would set Chinese softwood prices in the $600 - $620/metric ton range, Wilde reports. ##SHARELINKS##
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Ahlstrom Corp., Helsinki, Finland, and Munksjö AB, Stockholm, Sweden, principally owned by Swedish private equity firm EQT III, have agreed to form a new company named Munksjö Corp., to be headquartered in Stockholm. The new company, which combines Ahlstrom's label and processing business with Munksjö's specialty paper operations, had combined net sales in 2011 of EUR 1.3 billion. It will have approximately 3,300 employees at 16 production sites in Europe, Brazil, and China. Munksjö Corp. is expected to achieve annual synergies of about EUR 25 - 30 million, once fully implemented. Munksjö is one of Europe's leading players in specialty paper and specialty pulp. The group develops, manufactures, markets, and sells high-quality and value-creating specialty papers such as decor papers used in the manufacture of furniture, kitchen interiors, laminate flooring, etc. Products used in industrial applications include abrasive backings and electrotechnical papers for the insulation of high-voltage cables and transformers. Munksjö has production facilities in France, China, Germany, Spain, and Sweden and employs approximately 1,800. Ahlstrom's products are used in a large variety of everyday applications such as filters, medical gowns, drapes, wall coverings, flooring, labels, and food packaging. It has 5,200 employees in 28 countries on six continents. "The planned combination is the natural next step in Munksjö's strategy to become a leading, global specialty paper company, following the acquisition of ArjoWiggins' Decor, Abrasives, Thin Print Papers, and Fine Art businesses in 2011. It will lead to strengthened competitiveness and efficiency and bring added growth opportunities to the company, organically as well as strategically," said Jan Åström, CEO of Munksjö. Following the proposed transaction, Munksjö's current shareholders will own approximately 29% of the new company and Ahlstrom's current shareholders will own approximately 50%. Institutional investors Varma and Ilmarinen as well as Ahlstrom and EQT III have been offered shares in a EUR 100 million directed share issue. The new company has fully committed credit facilities with a net debt of approximately EUR 300 million at closing, leading to a capital structure well in line with the peer group. ##SHARELINKS##
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Bank Note Paper Mill India has commissioned Voith, Germany, to supply two new bank note paper machines to its Mysore, India, mill. The project involves two entire production lines, including all machine clothing. Each of the two machines has a wire width of 2,800 mm and produces high-quality bank note paper with a basis weight of 90 gsm. The annual production capacity per machine is 6,000 metric tons.
In 2010, Indian manufacturer SPMCIL in Hoshangabad had ordered an entire bank note paper machine from Voith. Together with the two recently ordered production lines, these three machines reportedly will be able to meet the current need for bank notes in India. As Voith explains, bank note paper has to meet high quality and security requirements. Accordingly, the machines on which this special paper is made are usually adapted to the respective conditions of the individual countries. ##SHARELINKS##
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Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, this week announced the selection of seven individuals to form its new board of directors as the company emerges from creditor protection. The seven were selected by certain of the senior secured and unsecured noteholders in accordance with terms of the court-sanctioned second amended Plan of Arrangement:
John Brecker brings director and management experience in a family of hedge funds as well as operations expertise in the chemical, retail, and auto industries. He holds a law degree from St. John's University and a political science degree from American University. Giorgio Caputo is a portfolio manager and senior analyst with First Eagle's Global Value Team. He has worked in the financial services and investment management industries since 1996, most recently with Credit Suisse and JANA Partners. He is a graduate of Princeton University and Columbia Business School. John Charles is a CA with more than 30 years of leadership experience in telecommunications, investment banking, mining, and real estate. A Queen's University graduate, he is currently on the board of directors of Aeroman and AVEOS Holdings, Prism Medical Ltd., LeBlanc & Royle Enterprises, and Jones Brown. He also is a former director of AVEOS Fleet Performance Inc. Kevin J. Clarke is currently president and CEO and a director of Catalyst Paper, and will continue on the new board. Todd Dillabough is president, CEO, and COO of Trident Resources Corp., an independent natural gas E&P company that was restructured in 2010. He holds a BSc in geology from the University of Calgary, is a former governor of CAPP, and a former director of AVEOS Fleet Performance Inc. Walter Jones brings 25 years of hands-on experience as a turnaround consultant with companies in a range of industries. He holds a BSc in industrial engineering from Pennsylvania State University and has served in a variety of operating, restructuring and executive roles. Leslie Lederer is a former industry executive with Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. and a specialist in corporate restructuring, financing, mergers, and acquisitions. He served in key roles with SSAB Svenskt Stal AB and IPSCO Inc. and is a member of the Illinois Bar. In preparing to turn governance of Catalyst to the new board, current Chairman Jeffrey Marshall noted that many parties played a vital role in ensuring the second amended Plan of Arrangement was approved by creditors and sanctioned by Order of the Supreme Court of British Columbia on June 28, 2012. "Typically, CCAA proceedings with companies as large as Catalyst take years, not months, to be completed and this one reached the sanction stage in six months with the company now set to emerge in the very near term," Marshall said. "To achieve this result in such a timely fashion would not have been possible without the dedication and unwavering support of employees, unions, management team, customers, suppliers, retirees, and pensioners, as well as the communities where Catalyst operations are located," he added. Catalyst Paper produces specialty mechanical printing papers, newsprint, and pulp. It operates four mills in British Columbia (Canada) and Arizona (USA), with a combined annual production capacity of 1.8 million metric tons. ##SHARELINKS##
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Gamajet Cleaning Systems, Exton, Pa., USA, this past week was acquired by Alfa Laval, creating a new company known as Alfa Laval Tank Equipment Inc. The new company will operate as Gamajet Cleaning Systems and will remain in Exton. Robert Delaney, Gamajet's longtime president, has been appointed president of the new company.
Gamajet is a provider of tank cleaning machines and systems. Alfa Laval is a global provider of heat transfer, centrifugal separation, and fluid handling systems. The acquisition of Gamajet will expand Alfa Laval's product portfolio, especially within the industrial sector, as well as its positioning in North America. Alfa Laval's existing line of tank cleaning equipment, Toftejorg, has been absorbed by the new company for North America. Sales, support, and service of the Toftejorg equipment will be handled at Gamajet's Exton office. Delaney noted that "as part of Alfa Laval, the pursuit of providing the highest level of product quality and personalized service will be strengthened and enhanced with the most complete tank equipment portfolio available in the market. The entire Gamajet team is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We are all very proud to be a part of Alfa Laval." For over 50 years, Gamajet has been supplying a "Better Way to Clean" all types of tanks and vessels. Gamajet's rotary impingement cleaning method has become the first choice in cleaning for many of the world's largest breweries, food manufacturers, trucking fleets, personal care and pharmaceutical manufacturers, wineries, oil and gas field service operations, and chemical operations. Gamajet's rotary impingement tank cleaning machines combine pressure and flow to create high impact cleaning jets. Cleaning occurs at the point in which the concentrated stream impacts the surface. It is this impact and resulting tangential force that radiates from that point and blasts contaminants from the surface, scouring the tank interior. In conjunction with this impact, the Gamajet is engineered to rotate in a precise, repeatable and reliable, 360-degree pattern. This full-coverage, global indexing pattern ensures that the entire tank interior is cleaned. More information is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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Nippon Paper Industries Co., Japan, this past week announced that it has completed construction on a project to allow kraft paper production at its Kushiro mill (Kushiro, Hokkaido) in Japan. The project, part of the company's plan for paper business revitalization, provides quality and operations measures to produce the kraft paper grade at Kushiro.
The project was launched last fall to transfer production of kraft paper from Nippon's Fuji mill (Fuji, Shizuoka) to Kushiro. With an investment of around 2.4 billion yen, a range of construction work was undertaken, including refurbishment of the deinked pulp plant, establishment of facilities to respond to heavy-duty packages of kraft paper with a focus on quality, and "reinforcement" of the finishing facilities. The Kushiro mill now has the capacity to produce some 52,000 metric tpy of kraft paper. ##SHARELINKS##
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Norske Skog Tasman, which owns and operates the Tasman newsprint mill at Kawerau, New Zealand, is reportedly planning to cut capacity in half, to 150,000 metric tpy, in the face of declining global and regional demand for newsprint. A report this week by the Otago Daily Times, Dunedin, New Zealand, said that company management is currently consulting with some 290 employees concerning the need to reduce capacity.
Norske Skog Tasman, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Norske Skogindustrier ASA, Oslo, Norway, is the world's largest producer of newsprint and magazine paper, and the only producer of newsprint in New Zealand. In the newspaper article, GM Peter McCarty said that the Tasman Mill had successfully increased exports to Asia over the past three years in an effort to offset the decline in demand in New Zealand and Australia. However demand in these new markets was weakening and prices were falling due to fierce competition between newsprint suppliers. "We have worked very hard to reduce costs to allow us to compete in the Asian market, however low newsprint prices, unfavorable exchange rates, and oversupply to the Asian region has made this market unprofitable for us," McCarty said in the news article. The Tasman mill is now exporting more than two thirds of its production to Asia. "We cannot profitably sustain this level of exports and it is now time to take action to address this overcapacity in the long term interests of the Tasman site," McCarty emphasized. He noted that the Tasman site would remain an important employer in the region, adding that the mill would continue to produce newsprint for the New Zealand, Australian, and Pacific Island markets and was actively pursuing a range of renewable energy opportunities. ##SHARELINKS##
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Resolute Forest Products, Montreal, Qué., Canada, this past week announced that its paper mill in Dolbeau-Mistassini (Québec) will resume operations, following acceptance of a tender regarding the sale of electricity to be produced at the company's Mistassini cogeneration facility to Hydro-Québec. The restart of operations represents an investment of $20 million.
Production of soft nip calendered (SNC) and SCB commercial printing paper will resume as soon as the recall of employees is completed. The restart of the mill will provide direct employment for approximately 135 workers. "We spared no effort to re-launch the Dolbeau mill because it is a good investment," said Richard Garneau, president and CEO of Resolute, who was in the Lac-Saint-Jean region to confirm the news. "With today's announcement, Resolute will be more competitive than ever." The company noted that it is currently assessing its network of paper mills to ensure that production continues to be balanced. Resolute produces a range of products, including newsprint, commercial printing papers, market pulp, and wood products. The company owns or operates 21 pulp and paper mills and 22 wood products facilities in the U.S., Canada, and South Korea. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Södra Cell, Sweden, this week reported that it will divest the company's Södra Cell Folla mill at Follafoss, Norway. The Follafoss mill produces CTMP (chemi-thermomechanical pulp), which has a variety of uses including the manufacture of paperboard and tissue. Södra Cell is planning to leave the CTMP market beginning this November 1.
"We've been struggling to create profitability in CTMP for several years. In spite of all the measures we've taken, we've found it increasingly difficult to find a profitable market for what we produce," explained Gunilla Saltin, president of Södra Cell. Södra has used considerable resources to reverse the negative trend, including energy efficiency improvements, product development, and cutting the workforce. "We've been trying for a long time to find a solution to make operating the mill profitable but we now have to accept that previous conditions for profitable CTMP production at Follafoss no longer exist. We deeply regret that this is the case," Saltin said. "The flexibility and creativity of Folla's employees have kept quality and productivity at a high level and they've fought valiantly to keep production costs low," she added. The Folla mill produced 83,500 metric tons of pulp in 2011. Average annual production has been 107,000 metric tons. The mill currently has 51 employees. If it closes, a career transition process will be initiated that will include all employees. ##SHARELINKS##
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Yuen Foong Yu (YFY), Yangzhou, China, has started up the first of two new Intelli-Tissue 1500 machines ordered from PMP (Poland) in July 2011. PM 5 was brought online August 8 at 5:25 p.m.
PMP's scope of supply covered stock preparation, the tissue machines (each with an Intelli-Jet VTM headbox, Intelli-Former crescent former, Intelli-PressTM, 16 ft Yankee dryer with high efficiency steam hood, and an Intelli-ReelTM, and auxiliary systems such as mechanical drives, lubrication system, steam and condensate system, and dust removal. YFY is comprised of three business Units. The Household Products Business Unit has three major brands of tissue paper: Mayflower, Tender, and Delight. Its production lines cover paper products such as toilet paper, tissue paper, facial tissues, paper towels, and napkins. The unit is also responsible for producing cosmetic products such as bio-facial masks for leading brands in the country. ##SHARELINKS##
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After bringing its BM 6 paperboard machine in Xiaogang, China, back online earlier this year following a major rebuild by Voith, Germany, Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) reports that it now has crossed the 4,000 metric tpd (24 hr) production mark, with an operating speed of 1,103 m/min. The goal of the rebuild was to attain the 1,100 m/min speed level, which is now a new benchmark for the board making industry. APP and Voith note that at this speed range, no other multiply board machine has ever produced top quality art board products, as BM 6 is now doing.
According to APP and Voith, the rebuild was a big challenge for their teams because of the limited shutdown time of eight days. During this short period, Voith modified the wire, press, and dryer sections to fulfill APP's requirements. In the wire section, the newly developed suction forming boards were installed to reduce stock jumping at such high speeds. In the press section, a new water doctor and save-all pans were installed before and after the first shoe press nip. This modification is reducing rewetting of the board at high speeds. The most complex rebuild activity was done in the dryer section. Voith changed the concept of the existing steam and condensate system of the pre-dryer section. In connection with this, the Turbo Dryer S air caps were placed in the first two dryer groups. The goal behind installing the four gas heated air dryers was to increase the drying capacity of the pre-dryer section. To ensure a stable web run at 1,100 m/min, the open draw was rebuilt to become a closed web run system at the beginning of the second dryer group. ##SHARELINKS##
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During the past 14 years, PCA's Tomahawk, Wis., USA, mill has raised nearly $140,000 to support local outreach efforts. This effort dates back to 1998, when the mill's employees began participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. After eight years of contributing to the annual event, PCA Tomahawk decided to form its own charity network.
A charity committee of 13 volunteers was formed at the mill to support not just one, but multiple worthy causes within the community. After several hours of initial brainstorming, the group chose to host barbecue cookouts as its fundraising event. The mill provides all of the supplies needed to host the event, including the groceries. The cookouts include picnic fare such as burgers, hot dogs, and chips. For dessert, employees are asked to provide baked goods. The first year, the cookouts raised just over $2,000. Today, the mill hosts an average of 10 cookouts between April and September and raises nearly $12,000 annually. In addition to the cookouts, items are bought or donated to raffle off to attendees. Proceeds from raffle sales are also donated to local charities. The committee identifies local organizations in need of support, and donations are made in $500 increments. In 2012 alone, the fundraising efforts have supported the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, Haven, Kinship, Kippenberg Creek Kids, Camp American Legion, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Lincoln County Humane Society, Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, American Red Cross, Tomahawk Food Pantry, The Salvation Army, Special Olympics and Nokomis Food Pantry. Currently, nearly 9% of the population of Tomahawk is below the poverty line. Through its fundraising events, PCA has supported a "backpack program" at the local food bank, where school backpacks are donated to children and filled with canned goods for the entire family. The PCA Tomahawk mill has two semi-chemical corrugating medium machines, producing more than 535,000 tons annually. Each machine can produce grades from 23 lb. up to 40 lb. ##SHARELINKS##
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BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany, has expanded its coating center by adding a tailor-made and flexible laboratory coating and laminating facility. The new coater facilitates the development of adhesive systems for flexible packaging, labels, tapes, and functional film coatings. It increases the capacity for customer tests and speeds up the development of new products as well as the adaption of existing adhesive formulations to new carrier materials.
"By expanding our coating center, we are able to further strengthen our technical leadership and innovation power when it comes to water-based adhesive systems and UV acrylic hotmelts. Our mission is the long-term success of our customers," Dr. Jürgen Pfister, head of Dispersions for Adhesives and Fiber Bonding Europe, explained. The universal laboratory coater produces exact, reproducible coatings of water-based and UV acrylate hotmelt systems, only requiring a minimum quantity of one kilo of adhesive. The pre-treatment and lamination of a variety of film combinations is possible without any problems. The center of competence for adhesive coatings is located in Ludwigshafen. Its centerpiece is the existing pilot coater for dispersions. With a coating speed of 1,800 m/min, the coating team holds the world record with this machine. To further drive innovation, each year BASF invests more than EUR 800,000 in the modernization and maintenance of its adhesive coating facilities. "Together with our customers, we are working today on solutions to tomorrow's problems," said Andree Dragon, technical manager of the coating center. ##SHARELINKS##
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 The Swedish airline Malmö Aviation has recently launched new breakfast boxes made of Iggesund Paperboard's Invercote and Invercote Bio virgin fiber-based paperboard. The boxes save space on board, extend the life of their contents, simplify handling, and have a lower environmental impact than their plastic-based predecessors.
The new breakfast boxes are the result of a long development process focusing on both functionality and user friendliness. Instigators of the development were the Swedish catering company Picknick, the converters Omikron, and Malmö Aviation's then project leader Annika Melin. The outer shell of the box is made of ordinary Invercote. Inside is a serving tray made of Invercote Bio to hold the fresh food. This tray is in turn flow packed with a modified atmosphere to increase the food's shelf life and help prevent fogging. A key feature of Invercote Bio is its bioplastic coating. This means that the tray can go into the same waste stream as the food scraps—they can all be sent directly to an anaerobic digestion plant to produce biogas without the need for prior sorting. "The combination of paperboard and bioplastic that are certified compostable to European standards means that the new box functions well in today's recycling systems and will continue to do so in future systems," says Jonas Adler, commercial manager of the Invercote Bio products from Iggesund. Malin Olin, inflight and lounge manager for Malmö Aviation, explains that "because the new breakfast boxes are smaller than our current ones, we can load far more onto each serving trolley. That saves weight and space on board and helps the environment. The boxes also have two parts, making them easier to use." ##SHARELINKS##
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 NewPage Corp., Miamisburg, Ohio, USA, has upgraded its digital coated paper line with a new look and new paper. Sterling® Premium Digital™ and Sterling® Premium Digital™ for HP Indigo are the new digital premium papers, but "without the premium price tag," the company noted.
NewPage's Sterling brand has been "reengineered to provide enhanced optics, an extremely smooth surface, and premium shade—all at a No. 2 price," said Aaron Haas, director, Commercial Product Management at NewPage. Orders for the new sheetfed product, Sterling Premium, began shipping earlier this month. NewPage points out that digital coated paper buyers now can place orders for Sterling Premium Digital "to get the same enhanced optics, surface, and budget-friendly pricing." Sterling Premium Digital and Sterling Premium Digital for HP Indigo are available in a full range of finishes, weights, and sizes—including a new 120 lb. gloss and dull cover weight. "Even though we just started shipping paper, Sterling Premium Digital and Sterling Premium Digital for HP Indigo have already proven themselves in the field," said Dennis Essary, director, Digital Papers at NewPage. "During press trials, print service providers gave the products high scores, not only on the amazing surface smoothness and brightness, but also on the product's consistency and performance on press." In addition, Newpage's Futura® product line now includes a 120 lb. gloss and dull cover, while Blazer Digital® has expanded to include a 110 lb. gloss and satin cover to meet the growing needs of the digital marketplace. The entire NewPage Digital Coated Paper line has a new look, with redesigned ream wraps and boxes that will start with the new Sterling Premium Digital and Sterling Premium Digital for HP Indigo product lines first and continue with Futura, Produtolith® Pts. Digital and Blazer Digital through the remainder of the year. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Smurfit Kappa, Dublin, Ireland, reports that it has developed a new one-piece shelf-ready pack designed specifically for products not suited to being stood on edge in layers for display. Aimed primarily at the confectionary sector, the pack is equally suited to any product relying on high on-shelf impact.
The machine erect Storey Pack efficiently doubles the display of difficult products that have traditionally been packed in a single layer, wasting high-value display space. The company notes that Storey Pack, an industry first, is designed to solve the lasting problem of awkward shaped, demanding-to-display products on shelf, and allows brand managers and marketers to ensure the most effective use of space, improve store appearance, and, most importantly, increase the sales of their brands. The Storey Pack provides the ideal solution for the confectionary aisle, increasing the product count per case, allowing more products to be displayed, and preventing stock-out, Smurfit Kappa points out.. Richard Butler, sales manager at Smurfit Kappa Machine Systems, says that "the development of our new Storey Pack will be of great benefit to retailers who are continuously looking for innovative and logistically efficient RRP solutions that enhance in-store presentation and reduce the amount of corrugate needed. Doubling up as a transit pack as well as point of sale display, the 100% recyclable Storey Pack reduces carbon footprint and is manufactured from FSC certified materials". Available as a one or two-piece tray and lid solution, the Storey Pack is ideally suited to supply all of a retailers' end-of-line packaging solutions for both low and high-speed applications, the company adds. ##SHARELINKS##
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Buckeye Technologies Inc., Memphis, Tenn., USA, has elected Shannon A. Brown a member of its board of directors. Brown will serve the unexpired term of former board member Kristopher J. Matula, who resigned August 7. The election of Brown increases the company's number of independent directors from seven to eight.
Brown is SVP/chief human resources and diversity officer for FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. In that position, which he has held since 2008, Brown is the company's senior human resources executive, with responsibility for providing strategic direction for all global human resources practices, policies, and operations. Prior to his current role at FedEx Express, he served as SVP of human resources for FedEx Ground. Buckeye Chairman John B. Crowe said that "we are pleased that Mr. Brown has agreed to join the Buckeye Board of Directors. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and we feel he will be a valuable contributor to our company's future success." Buckeye produces specialty fibers and nonwovens, with facilities in the U.S., Germany, and Canada. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Forest2Market, Charlotte, N.C., USA, reports that Peter Coutu has joined the company and will head its Midwest and Northeast region office in Appleton, Wis. Coutu will be responsible for expanding Forest2Market's Forest2Mill product line, a suite of services for buyers and sellers of logs, into the Midwest and Northeast. He will also manage product evolution and development.
Coutu comes to Forest2Market with 22 years of experience in the industry. Most recently, he spent seven years at Plum Creek where he held a series of senior level marketing and sales positions. As senior marketing manager–Lake States, Coutu was responsible for sales and marketing of wood products from 1.1 million acres of land in Michigan and Wisconsin. Before that, Coutu spent 15 years at International Paper, serving as both fiber procurement manager (where he managed a fiber procurement team of five purchasing agents and provided two manufacturing locations with $25 million of wood fiber annually) and operations manager. ##SHARELINKS##
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Greif Inc., Delaware, Ohio, USA, has hired Nadeem S. Ali as VP, treasurer, effective immediately. Ali previously was senior director of Capital Markets and Treasury Operations and corporate treasury for Cummins Inc. He has 19-plus years of diverse and progressive experience in corporate finance, capital markets, financial derivatives, cash management, controllership, engineering, strategy, and change management. In addition to his work at Cummins, his career has included treasury and finance positions at Genentech, Hewlett Packard, Compaq Computer, and the Ford Motor Co.
Greif produces a variety of packaging solutions, including corrugated, reconditioned, and multiwall containers and containerboard, and provides filling, packaging, industrial packaging reconditioning, and land management consulting services for a range of industries. ##SHARELINKS##
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SCA, Stockholm, Sweden, reports that Anders Nyberg is leaving the company as general counsel and will be replaced by Mikael Schmidt, an SCA employee since 1992, most recently as head of legal affairs for the company's now divested packaging operations. His appointment becomes effective October 1.
"Anders Nyberg has served SCA for 24 years in a wide range of senior positions," said SCA's President and CEO Jan Johansson. "With his solid background in the legal profession, experience in international business, and partners, he has contributed valuable experience, professionalism, and knowledge to our company. I wish him the best in his new assignment. His successor, Mikael Schmidt, has an extensive and wide record of experience in international business and firm knowledge about our business." Nyberg has accepted a new position as EVP in charge of corporate governance and legal affairs for AB Industrivärden in Sweden. In his role as general counsel, Schmidt will be a member of SCA's Corporate Senior Management Team and will report to the CEO ##SHARELINKS##
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TAPPI will be performing its fiscal year end inventory counting starting August 30. As a result, TAPPI will not be processing TAPPI Press orders from August 30 - September 4. Orders received during this time will be shipped in the order in which they have been received starting on September 5. All normal payment processing will resume on September 5. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience. This allows us to better serve our members. ##SHARELINKS##
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 A Call for Papers has been issued for PaperCon 2013. Theme is "Innovation Generation." After record attendance in 2012, PaperCon will again bring together CEOs, mill managers, superintendents, scientists, process engineers, and suppliers for the largest pulp and paper technical program in the world. The event will take place April 27 to May 1 in Atlanta, Ga., USA. Learn more about PaperCon 2013. For 2013, PaperCon is pleased to welcome the Tissue360 Forum, NETInc (Innovative Nonwovens Conference), RPTA (Recycled Paperboard Technical Association) P-T Seminar and the OpEx Reliability Workshop. Each of these events is open to full PaperCon registrants and papers in these areas are welcome. Calls for Papers and Posters have been issued. The conference theme is Innovation Generation, and authors are encouraged to include this within their papers. Topics under consideration include mill management, papermaking, coating, tissue, nonwovens, and recycled paperboard. Paper company personnel, suppliers, academics, and students are strongly encouraged to submit their ideas for papers, posters, or roundtable discussions. Papermakers Program: The Papermakers Program encourages topics on paper machine performance evaluations, papermaking fundamentals, product/process optimization, recycled paperboard, tissue making (Tissue360 Forum), and the RPTA P-T Seminar. The deadline for submission of abstracts is November 20, 2012. Abstracts for panel discussions and roundtables are welcome. See Papermakers Program Call for Papers. Coating and Graphic Arts Program: The Coating and Graphic Arts Program will focus on The Future of Print and its Demands on Paper and Coatings. The deadline for extended abstracts for this program is Oct. 16, 2012. See the Coating and Graphic Arts Program Call for Papers. All abstracts must be submitted using TAPPI's Speaker Management System for consideration by the TAPPI and RPTA program committees. ##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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 This manual provides a basis for common knowledge of terms, definitions, and methods of correction of corrugated operational defects. The manual illustrates and provides causes and remedies for hundreds of defects affecting corrugated boxes. The manual is divided into four parts:
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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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Lake States TAPPI/North Central PIMA will host the 13th Annual "Guns of Navarino" on Tuesday, September 25, at J&H Game Farm in Navarino, Wis., USA. This event is designed to help relieve work related stress through a series of team building activities culminating in an evening of social interaction. Sounds good, doesn't it? Just ask anyone who has been to one of our past outings. This event will begin at 11:30 a.m. on September 25, and the actual tournament gets underway as soon as teams assemble, at approximately 12:30 p.m. The format will be five-person teams. Individual shooters and teams of less than five are also welcome. We will make every effort to have complete teams of five for the competition. Registration is limited to the first 30 teams (150 shooters). The cost for the event will be $120.00 per person ($600.00 per team). Registration includes the following:
Don't Delay. Assemble your Teams Today! Event information is available here. Registration Information is available here. ##SHARELINKS##
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The Gulf Coat TAPPI Local Secton announced that its Fall 2012 Meeting topic will be "New Boiler Mact Rule Considerations." The meeting will be held at the KBR offices in Birmingham, Ala., USA, on Thursday, September 27, 2012. ##SHARELINKS##
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You're invited to the 7th Annual Pacific Section Golf Tournament! This event will be held on September 28, 2012 (Friday). Start time is 1:00 p.m. at the Lewis River Golf Course. The tournament format is a Modified Shotgun Start, four-person scramble with 144 spots open - First Come/First Serve. The entry fee is $125/person, which includes green fees, cart, two beverage tickets, prizes, a meal afterwards, and most of all... lots of fun! Awards: 1st Place Team, 2nd Place Team, 3rd Place Team, M/W Longest Drive, KP, Longest Putt. Also enjoy door prizes and a raffle! Proceeds go to the Pacific Section TAPPI scholarship fund! Questions? Contact Vince Hochanadel via phone (360) 901-1680 or via email: vince.hochanadel@gmail.com. Additional details and the registration form can be found here on the TAPPI website. ##SHARELINKS##
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Gain a better understanding of kraft pulping operations and the effect of process on quality. An encore, one-day presentation of the popular Intro to Kraft Pulping Workshop will be held in conjunction with the 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference, October 14-17 in Savannah, Ga., USA. This workshop, held on Saturday, October 13, will be lead by Dr. Michael J. Kocurek, Professor Emeritus of Paper Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University. The Intro to Kraft Pulping Workshop is a condensed version of the pulping portion of the full course. The overall course objective is to give participants increased understanding of kraft pulping operations, awareness of how one part of the process affects other operations, and the effect of processes on kraft pulp quality. Learn more about this workshop. Pulp and Paper Companies Get Discounted Registration! TAPPI offers a discounted registration to pulp and paper mills and their corporate offices to attend the PEERS Conference. Bring an unlimited number from your mill or office to visit for one day, one hour, or just to drop in and see the Trade Fair! Learn more. Register Now for PEERS and Save! The 2012 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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Learn with expert guidance from instructors with decades of leadership in business operations specifically in the pulp and paper industry. The Financial and Strategic Analysis Workshop for Pulp & Paper and Related Industries is designed to teach important business skills for the challenges mills are facing today. This workshop is scheduled for October 3-5, 2012 in Raleigh, N.C., USA. You'll also learn how to market your ideas, products, and services with sound financial backing. North Carolina State University and TAPPI have partnered to offer basic as well as sophisticated tools to help you analyze and manage important financial information with more confidence. This workshop will help you:
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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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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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On Nov. 7-9, 2012, TAPPI will conduct its Tissue Runnability Course in 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.
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Frank Romano to Keynote at PaperCon 2013 Frank Romano, Professor Emeritus, Rochester Institute of Technology, will Keynote at Papercon 2013 on Sunday, April 21. Focusing on "Innovation and the Future of Print," Romano will kick-off PaperCon's Coating and Graphic Arts Program. Romano's career has spanned an impressive 53 years in the printing and publishing industries. Many know him as the editor of the International Paper "Pocket Pal" for 30 years, or have read one of the thousands of articles he has written. He is the author of 52 books, including the 10,000-term Encyclopedia of Graphic Communications (with Richard Romano), the standard reference in the field. Learn more about Romano. PaperCon 2013 will take place April 27 through May 1 in Atlanta, Ga., USA. Designed by industry professionals, PaperCon brings together CEOs, mill managers, superintendents, scientists, process engineers and suppliers for the largest pulp and paper technical program in the world. No other event provides such a comprehensive program, networking opportunities, and trade fair among such a distinguished group of industry leaders. Learn more about PaperCon 2013. Registration information, including special mill reservation deals, are now available at the PaperCon website. ##SHARELINKS##
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A message from the leadership of the TAPPI Biomass Supply, Demand, and Handling Subcommittee Regardless of the cellulosic biorefinery platform, the success of all cellulosic biorefineries will be dependent on a steady and sustainable supply of, and reasonable cost for, well cleaned, cellulosic biomass delivered to the biorefinery. The TAPPI Biomass Supply, Demand & Handling Subcommittee was formed in early 2011 to focus on various aspects of the biomass supply chain. The intent of this subcommittee is to provide a venue for interested parties to have a free exchange of state-of-the-art technical ideas on these important topics. We have identified a few subcommittee projects, and are looking for volunteers to join the subcommittee and assist in working on these or other projects. If you are interested in joining this subcommittee, please contact Mary Ann Cauthen (mcauthen@TAPPI.org) at TAPPI. Biomass Supply Short Course - This course would address issues in cost-effective delivery and preparation of biomass materials (wood and non-wood). Bob Hurter, Bill Fuller, and Desmond Smith are currently working on educational outcomes and identifying speakers. Standards for Biomass Sampling and Testing Methods - We are looking for one or two individuals to head up this area, plus others who can contribute. This group would first work to identify needs and evaluate gaps between existing standards and identified needs. A survey of needs has been suggested as a first step. If you are interested in this area, or know someone who would be, please encourage them to contact Mary Anne Cauthen (mcauthen@TAPPI.org) and 1) join this subcommittee if not currently a member, and 2) indicate interest to work on this project. LinkedIn Group - We are also investigating the use of a TAPPI LinkedIn group for biomass supply, demand, and handling issues. If you are interested in helping on this project, please let Mary Ann Cauthen (mcauthen@TAPPI.org) know. September 19 Subcommittee Webinar - We are scheduling a webinar to update the subcommittee on efforts in these areas. Please plan to attend on Wednesday, September 19, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Subcommittee Chair - Bob Hurter, HurterConsult Subcommittee Co-Chair - Bill Fuller, FRM Consulting ##SHARELINKS##
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Roll and Web defect Terminology, Second Edition This industry resource was written and edited by 22 Industry Experts with more than 500 years of web handling and winding experience along with 16 contributing editors. Each of the 224 defects has concise information that provides:
View the Table of Contents. Product code: 0101R318 TAPPI Member Price: $139.00 Non-Member Price: $210.00 ##SHARELINKS##
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