Over the Wire
TAPPI
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Positive growth in Asia, Latin America, Oceania, and the Middle East allowed global paper and board production to reach a new record level of 399 million metric tons in 2011, despite declining production in North America, Europe, and Africa. These and other statistics were published this week in RISI's (Boston, Mass., USA) 2012 Annual Review of Global Pulp & Paper Statistics.
"For the third year in a row, China took the top spot for both demand and production of total paper and board, with the U.S. remaining in second place. China accounted for 24% of world demand and 25% of global production of total paper and board in 2011," said Kevin Conley, senior economist of World Graphic Paper at RISI. "In terms of pulp production, however, the U.S. remained the top pulp producing country in the world with 49.7 million metric tons in 2011. China came in second producing 19.5 million metric tons," continued Conley. The 2012 Annual Review of Pulp and Paper Statistics is published annually every September and details demand, production, trade, and consumption statistics by region and country for 175 individual countries. It provides a comprehensive dataset of all key grades of pulp, paper, packaging paper, tissue, and board for the past two consecutive years. ##SHARELINKS##
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 On the heels of starting up a new, EUR 240 million recovery boiler at its Iggesund Mill in Sweden last month, Iggesund Paperboard reports that in about six months' time the company will see the results of yet another huge investment at one of its mills—a biofuel boiler costing EUR 123 million at its Workington, England, mill. The new boiler will enable Iggesund's board mill in Workington to operate without fossil carbon emissions and solely on biomass.
"For us, the investments mean that we should be able to stabilize our energy costs," explains Guy Mallinson, sales director at Iggesund Paperboard. "When both politicians and industry organizations emphasize strongly that reduced fossil carbon emissions are the way of the future, it's a wise idea to listen. We know that our product portfolio, both from Iggesund and Workington, will now belong to a small, exclusive group of paperboard products whose manufacture involves extremely small amounts of fossil carbon emissions." Iggesund's goal is to totally eliminate the use of fossil fuels in its own production process. However, this is not the same as having a zero carbon footprint because a number of the company's input goods, primarily cooking chemicals and latex, are made with relatively high carbon emissions. "Today there are no good alternatives," Mallinson continues. "If consumers want to access all of the good features of paper and paperboard products, then they need to accept that it's impossible to reduce the carbon footprint to zero under the current definition. But we are still producing a fraction of that emitted by competing materials like plastic, metal, or glass." Duiring the past two years, Iggesund Paperboard's investments equated to just over half of the company's annual net sales of almost EUR 600 million. The money invested into Iggesund Mill will enable a gradual increase in production. The integrated pulp and paperboard mill is currently allowed to manufacture up to 355,000 metric tpy of paper pulp. Negotiations begin this autumn at the Swedish Environmental Court to increase the production permit to 420,000 metric tpy. One of the conditions for such an increase was an enlargement of the mill's water purification system. In 2009, during the worst of the global financial crisis, Iggesund invested EUR 25 million in a chemical water purification facility. "Compared with the large sums involved in our energy investments, this was a minor amount, but it was extremely important for the marine ecosystem right beside the mill," Mallinson says. "We've now progressed so far that no chemical analysis in the world can show any differences between fish that lived in the sea off Iggesund Mill and fish that lived in the reference zones far away from any influence by a paper mill." ##SHARELINKS##
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Stora Enso, Helsinki, Finland, plans to restructure its operations through the permanent shutdown of PM 1 at its Hylte Mill in Sweden and the permanent closure of the corrugated packaging plant at Ruovesi in Finland. In addition, the company plans efficiency improvements at several other mills. The profitability improvement actions are planned to reduce annual costs by EUR 36 million and reduce the number of employees by approximately 520 altogether.
Stora Enso says it will record a restructuring provision and a fixed asset and working capital write-down as non-recurring items totaling approximately EUR 42 million related to the restructuring plans in the fourth quarter operating profit. PM 1 at the Hylte Mill has an annual capacity of 180 000 metric tons of newsprint. The shutdown is related to what the company says is structural weakening of newsprint demand in Europe. The planned closure and other efficiency improvements will affect approximately 140 employees at the Hylte Mill. The company's closure of the corrugated packaging plant at Ruovesi in the second quarter is due to decreased demand for offset-printed corrugated packaging in Finland and poor financial performance of the plant. Stora Enso plans to serve Finnish offset customers through its other offset plants in Europe. The planned closure will affect approximately 60 employees. Stora Enso also plans to streamline operations at the Heinola, Ingerois, and Pori board plants in Finland and corrugated packaging operations at all of the Swedish units to ensure long-term competitiveness. The plans would reduce the number of employees in Sweden and Finland by up to 100 altogether, mostly by the end of the third quarter of 2013. In addition, Stora Enso plans the permanent shutdown of board machine (BM) 2 at the Ostroka Mill in Poland, as announced earlier. BM 2 is reaching the end of its technical lifetime, the company noted. The shutdown of BM 2 and related technical functions is planned by the end of this year. Including the effects of an overall review of Polish board and converting operations, the number of employees in Poland would decrease by up to 135 altogether. The company also plans to improve efficiency at its Skutskar Pulp Mill in Sweden to reduce costs and improve the mill's competitiveness in response to the challenging market environment. The plans would reduce the number of employees at Skutskar Mill by approximately 60, mostly by the end of the third quarter in 2013. The company's Building and Living group plans to improve flexibility and reduce costs at the Ala and Gruvon sawmills in Sweden and Varkaus Sawmill in Finland from the first quarter of 2013. The restructuring plans would affect approximately 25 employees at the Ala, Gruvon, and Varkaus sawmills. No decisions regarding closures and employee reductions will be taken until the local co-determination negotiations have concluded. Stora Enso says it would make every effort in co-operation with local communities to help the affected personnel find new employment opportunities, and all job openings in other Stora Enso units would be available to those affected. ##SHARELINKS##
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The Newark Group, Cranford, N.J., USA, this week announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its European operations to PHI Industrial Acquisitions, a Spanish private equity fund focused on acquiring non-core assets from foreign multinationals. The sale includes all of Newark's operations in Spain, France, Germany, and The Netherlands. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Our European and North American operations benefited from more than a decade of best practices that allowed both regions to grow, prosper, and position themselves for the future," said Frank Papa, president and CEO of The Newark Group. He added that "now, however, we believe it is the right time to separate the two entities and re-dedicate our energies and resources in the geographic markets in which we have historical strength while providing the means to pursue growth in new products and new markets." The closing of the transaction should occur prior to the end of this year. ##SHARELINKS##
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This past week (on October 20), more than 50 of Domtar's (Montreal, Qué., Canada) Fort Mill, S.C., USA-based employee volunteers and their families, along with local and international members of the Student Conservation Association (SCA), converged at Andrew Jackson State Park for an intensive half-day of park restoration activities. This included constructing a trailhead kiosk, establishing authorized fishing areas around the park's lake, and installing steps on a steep clay bank.
The project launched an international environmental partnership, in which Domtar will provide support for the SCA's urban initiatives designed to engage youth in local conservation projects in more than 20 major U.S. and Canadian cities. Over the next 12 months, employee volunteers will be teaming with young SCA conservationists to protect natural and cultural landmarks near Domtar facilities across North America. As participants develop community gardens, build hiking trails, and restore parklands, they will gain important green job skills and experience while strengthening their neighborhood's natural environment. "Domtar has a long tradition of being committed to enhancing the livelihoods of the communities in which we operate, such as the Carolinas. This hands-on project is an additional opportunity to express our 'caring' value, to improve places where our employees work and live, and to support SCA's projects," John D. Williams, Domtar president and CEO, said. History abounds at South Carolina's Andrew Jackson State Park, the boyhood home of America's seventh president. Defined trailheads and fishing areas will deter off-trail traffic that can damage natural habitats. The kiosk will allow the posting of helpful information for hikers, and the new steps will alleviate erosion on the lake's west side, while providing safer access for anglers. "Andrew Jackson is a remarkable state park, offering something for everyone, from nature to history," notes SCA's president and CEO Dale Penny. "SCA is delighted to partner with Domtar in connecting young people to natural places like this and protecting them so they may be enjoyed for generations to come." Domtar is the largest integrated marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America. It is also a marketer and producer of a complete line of incontinence care products marketed primarily under the Attends® brand name. Domtar owns and operates ArivaTM, a network of strategically located paper and printing supplies distribution facilities. In 2011, Domtar had sales of $5.6 billion from nearly 50 countries. The company employs approximately 9,500 people. SCA is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA, with offices in Boise, Id., Charlestown, N.H., Oakland, Calif., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Seattle, Wash. ##SHARELINKS##
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Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP), China, and China Business News, a China-based business publication, have jointly initiated a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to enhance awareness of personal hygiene and help cultivate healthier lifestyle habits among youths living in China's rural areas. As part of the initiative, APP-China will collaborate with schools in rural regions to support and educate students on the proper use of paper products to maintain their hygiene and health.
The new joint initiative commences with a pilot program in Hainan province in China, following a two-month extensive study on the hygiene and lifestyle habits of rural school children in China, conducted by China Business News and the Guangdong College of Pharmacy. Offering insight into the personal hygiene conditions of children living in China's rural regions, the survey found that the practice of proper hygiene habits among rural students was far behind that of students residing in cities within the same age groups, emerging as a widespread problem resulting from the disparity of development in different regions of the country. Results of the study indicated that the practice of basic personal hygiene habits was lacking among those surveyed, contributing to a mere 50% habit rate. Particularly, the findings suggest that 80% of the children surveyed rarely or had never used tissue paper for sanitary purposes at schools. According to the study, these unhygienic habits are rife among children living in rural areas due to the absence of proper personal hygiene concepts, signifying the need for further educational efforts. In light of these findings, APP-China has proactively joined hands with China Business News in launching the new corporate social responsibility program, spearheading efforts to promote awareness of personal hygiene and proper lifestyle habits among school children in rural areas as the basis for positive development in their lives. Commenting on the program, Liu Fang, Deputy Director of China Business News' CSR Division, expressed confidence in the new program. "We are delighted to collaborate with APP-China on this meaningful endeavor, which extends corporate social responsibility to the realm of education and providing guidance for our younger generation."
To further emphasize the importance of the school environment and education in cultivating the best habits in children, experts from APP's Hainan mill facility, Jinhai Pulp & Paper, collaborated with the school in a pilot initiative to give introductory classes on environmental protection, with the aim to instill in students concepts of good lifestyle and hygiene habits that contribute to protection of the environment. The mill also arranged a tour for students to visit its production facilities, enlightening them on the importance of paper as a precious resource. As an ongoing and long-term initiative, APP-China will continue to engage different schools in China's rural regions as partners in this CSR program, incorporating paper donations, enhancement of school facilities, student volunteer teams, and mill visits to foster maximum awareness among students. ##SHARELINKS##
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To highlight the role of household paper use in maintaining personal hygiene, APP-China and its subsidiary Gold Hongye Paper have donated various sanitary paper products worth more than 50,000 yuan (almost $8,000) to the local Yangpu Number One Elementary School for this semester, as the first step in an initiative that underlines APP-China's corporate citizenship with combined offerings of its products and expertise. |
UPM, Helsinki, Finland, reports that it received high scores for the company's climate change disclosure in the Nordic Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index. The index is compiled annually by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). UPM was ranked in shared first place in the index with top scores--98 points out of 100. UPM is featured in the index for the fourth consecutive year.
In the Nordic Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index, high scores indicate good internal data management and understanding of climate change related issues affecting the company. The index highlights companies within the Nordic stock exchanges that have displayed the most professional approach to corporate governance in respect of climate change disclosure practices. UPM says that, as the Biofore company, it provides sustainable products made from renewable and recyclable raw materials using low-carbon energy sources. The company, it adds, is constantly developing new solutions to respond to the growing demand for carbon neutral products and renewable energy sources. "This recognition honors our Biofore strategy and determined work by integrating sustainability into our businesses. Climate being one of the key areas of our sustainability performance, we have an excellent track record in emissions reduction as well as new innovations in the development of a low carbon economy," says Päivi Salpakivi-Salomaa, VP, UPM Environment. "Good examples of our commitment to these issues are successful energy efficiency campaigns, investments in renewable energy, and second generation advanced biodiesel production," Salpakivi-Salomaa continues. UPM is a frontrunner in the use of forest biomass as a fuel. Globally 67% of fuels used at UPM mills are biomass-based and 79% of the company's electricity production is free from fossil carbon dioxide emissions. UPM invested more than EUR 1 billion in renewable biomass-based energy generation during the past decade. More information about UPM's Carbon Disclosure Project is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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Yankee drying experts from around the world are planning their fall meeting for November 5-6 in the heart of North American tissue making, Neenah, Wis., USA. The committee meets twice per year to share knowledge and best practices to increase safety and reduce delay that negatively impacts dryer operations and overall productivity. The fall meeting will include the development of standard practices and presentations on doctor setup/profiling and metalizing yankee dryers. More information and registration details are available online. The meeting will be held in conjunction with the Lake States TAPPI/North Central PIMA Energy Forum and is open to all TAPPI members and visitors (one time only). To attend as a visitor, please contact Scott Springmier. Immediately following the biannual Yankee Dryer Safety and Reliability Meeting, TAPPI will hold the popular Tissue Runnability Course November 7-9 at Miron Construction in Neenah. The course will provide an excellent knowledge base for process engineers, machine supervisors, reliability professionals, and suppliers responsible for maximizing uptime and saleable tissue production. Attendees will learn to:
The course includes two and one-half days of focused instruction from a dozen globally recognized tissue making experts. More information is available online. A registration discount is offered to TAPPI members. ##SHARELINKS##
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The candidates are: chair, Thomas J. Garland; vice chair, Chris Luettgen, Kimberly-Clark; and directors, Daniel D. Cappell (AstenJohnson), Kirt J. Cuevas (International Paper), and Robert A. Feeser (MeadWestvaco Corp.). Voting begins December 1. Per the TAPPI Bylaws, members of the organization have until November 1 to review the slate.
More information about the slate and election process 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 a variety of positions, including safety coordinator, process and electrical engineers, engineering intern, research specialist, maintenance managers, research and technical service managers/specialists, and production supervisors. 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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September containerboard production in the U.S. fell 4.8% from August 2012 and 2.2% compared with the same month last year, according to the AF&PA's (Washington, D.C., USA) September 2012 Containerboard Statistics Report issued earlier this week. The month-over-month average daily production decreased 1.6%.
The containerboard operating rate for September 2012 lost 1.5 points over August 2012, decreasing from 97.5% to 96%. ##SHARELINKS##
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Total U.S. boxboard production decreased by 2.1% this past month, compared with September 2011, and decreased 6.9% from last month, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) September 2012 Boxboard Report published this week. Unbleached kraft boxboard production increased over the same month last year but decreased compared with last month.
Total solid bleached boxboard and liner production decreased compared with September 2011 and decreased compared with last month. The production of recycled boxboard increased compared with September 2011 but decreased when compared with last month. ##SHARELINKS##
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Total U.S. kraft paper shipments were approximately 130,100 tons in September, a decrease of 2.2% compared with the prior month, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) September 2012 Kraft Paper Sector Report released this week. Total inventory was approximately 77,900 tons in September.
Unbleached kraft paper shipments decreased, but bleached kraft paper shipments increased year-over-year for the eighth month in 2012. ##SHARELINKS##
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Boise Inc., Boise, Idaho, USA, will permanently cease production on the company's one remaining paper machine (H2) at its St. Helens, Ore., paper mill. The decision will reduce Boise's annual uncoated freesheet capacity by almost 60,000 tons and result in a loss of approximately 100 jobs, primarily at the mill.
"This is a difficult but necessary decision to focus our efforts and resources on the products and machines elsewhere in our system that drive the financial performance and cash flow of our paper operations," said Alexander Toeldte, president and CEO of Boise Inc. "Despite the dedication and hard work of our employees, we have concluded the machine cannot compete in the marketplace over the long-term. We thank all of our employees, customers, suppliers, and the community who have supported this operation over so many years. We will work closely with our customers and suppliers to ensure a smooth transition." The company expects to stop production on the machine by December 31. Eligible salaried employees will be offered severance packages and outplacement assistance. Negotiations will be scheduled with the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Union (AWPPW) Local 1 to determine the effect for union employees. "In the third quarter of 2012, we recognized approximately $31 million of pretax costs related to ceasing operations at the mill. This includes approximately $7 million of employee-related and other costs, most of which we expect to pay in early 2013; approximately $10 million of cash costs for future site remediation, which the company expects to pay out over a longer term; and approximately $14 million in noncash charges related primarily to the impairment of property, plant, and equipment," the company said in a published statement. With this announcement, the only operating paper machine at the St. Helens mill is owned by Cascades Tissue Group. Boise continues to explore alternatives for the inactive portions of the mill site. Boise produces a wide variety of packaging and paper products. Its range of packaging products includes linerboard and corrugating medium, corrugated containers and sheets, and protective packaging products. Boise's paper products include imaging papers for the office and home, printing and converting papers, and papers used in packaging, such as label and release papers. ##SHARELINKS##
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P. H. Glatfelter, York, Pa., USA, reports that it has completed a preliminary assessment of the damage resulting from an October 14 fire at its paper mill in Scaer, France. The fire damaged the electrical system primarily servicing paper machine No. 3 and certain mill infrastructure. There were no injuries or environmental impact to report. While the initial inspection of the mill's two paper machines indicates there was no damage, it may take several weeks to restart the machines following the restoration of electrical equipment and completion of cleanup activities. Paper machine No. 4 is expected to be down approximately three to four weeks and paper machine No. 3 approximately six to eight weeks.
The finishing and shipping operations were not impacted by the incident. Shipment of customer orders resumed within 24 hours and on site inventories are adequate to satisfy orders through mid-November. Given the flexibility of its assets and mill production systems, and available capacity at other company facilities to meet production needs, Glatfelter expects no interruption in its ability to supply customers. An assessment of the costs for the impact of inventory loss, equipment damage, and clean up costs is underway. Based on its preliminary assessment, the company expects no significant financial impact from this incident as it is expected to be covered by insurance, subject to a deductible of $0.5 million. However, there may be an impact to fourth quarter results due to downtime and the timing of recording costs associated with the fire versus recognition of the insurance recovery under the applicable accounting standards. The Scaer mill produces specialty papers and wet-laid nonwovens on two inclined wire paper machines for the food and beverage markets as well as technical specialty paper grades. Approximately 130 Glatfelter employees work in this mill. Glatfelter is a global manufacturer of specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials, with U.S. operations in Spring Grove, Pa., and Chillicothe and Fremont, Ohio. International operations include facilities in Canada, Germany, France, the U.K., and the Philippines, a representative office in China, and a sales and distribution office in Russia. Glatfelter's sales approximate $1.6 billion annually ##SHARELINKS##
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Kotkamills Oy, Finland, is upgrading the recovery boiler at its Kotka mill in Finland by renewing the bottom of the unit and installing new air distribution technology. The EUR 3 million modernization is being conducted by Andritz, Graz, Austria. The main goal of the project, to be carried out during 2013, is to improve energy efficiency and reduce air emissions.
The modernization also will have "a decade's-worth of positive impact on the production of Absorbex® kraft paper," the company noted. Absorbex is produced mostly from sawdust pulp produced by the company's own pulp mill. This arrangement allows the company to use the by-product of its own sawmill, sawdust, to manufacture this export product, often with a life cycle of decades in its end-use applications. Kotkamills specializes in laminating paper, matt coated bulky paper, and sawn products. ##SHARELINKS##
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MP Hygiene, France, this past week started up a new Toscotec complete tissue production line at its mill in Annonay, Ardeche Department on Rhone-Alps Region, France. TM 1 reportedly started up smoothly on schedule, 15 months after the order signature of the turn key contract.
The new Toscotec's line includes an AHEAD-1.5S crescent former tissue machine with a single-layer headbox, double press configuration, and a Steel Yankee Dryer (TT SYD 12FT), as well as machine auxiliaries, stock preparation plant for virgin pulp, and the electrification and control system.
The scope of supply also includes a boiler plant, air compressors, turbo-blowers for vacuum production, steam generator, and a cascade heat exchanger system for the hood heat recovery. A three-unwind-stand tissue slitter-rewinder TT WIND-H and an automatic roll handling system complete the supply. The machine design speed is 1,900 m/min with a net web width of 2,820 mm and with an average production of 100 tpd. The project has been fully managed by Toscotec on an EPC (engineering procurement and construction) basis. As Toscotec notes, the AHEAD tissue plant concept "has been developed with great attention to the energy saving and low emission as well as to the environmental issues and the impact on the site." The new line will allow MP Hygiene to guarantee its own requirements for the existing converting facilities. Before startup of the tissue machine, MP Hygiene operated five industrial (AFH) divisions, with 10 converting lines and three production sites over 34,000 sq. meters. Its logistics hub of 18,000 sq. meters, the company explains, makes it possible to deliver all volumes of order, from one pallet to a whole truck, while continuous investment in research has opened the way for innovative products, such as DESL® technology, which adds resistance to paper wipes, or the Evadis® range of non-touch wiping systems. ##SHARELINKS##
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Neenah Paper Inc., Alpharetta, Ga., USA, has elected to conduct an early redemption of $58 million of its 7.375% Senior Notes due in 2014. The Notes will be purchased at par value on November 15, and will be financed by a combination of borrowings using the company's existing revolving credit facility and a new $30 million term loan. Both the revolver and term loan mature on November 30, 2017. As of June 30, 2012, there were $148 million of Notes outstanding.
Bonnie Lind, SVP, CFO, and treasurer, noted that "Neenah's balance sheet is strong and our debt is well within targeted levels. By substituting low cost floating rate debt for existing fixed rate debt, we will reduce financing costs while still maintaining a sound capital structure with ample flexibility to support growth initiatives." The Partial Redemption will result in savings of more than $500,000 per quarter in interest expense, the company said. Neenah Paper is a producer of premium image and performance-based products, including filtration, specialized substrates used for tapes, labels, and other products, and high-end printing papers. ##SHARELINKS##
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Orchids Paper Products Co., Pryor, Okla., USA, this past week reported that it "has new understandings" with several retailers for the supply of converted products and expects to begin receiving orders this quarter. The company expects sales from this new business, when combined with sales from new business announced in its second quarter 2012 earnings press release, to be approximately 1.1 million cases on an annualized basis. This represents approximately 17% of the run rate for cases shipped in the second quarter of 2012. The expected new business was awarded by both existing and new customers.
Robert Snyder, president and CEO, said that "we are pleased to announce that we have recently gained new business, primarily in the mid-tier and premium categories, with several new and existing customers. We expect the new business will begin shipping during the fourth quarter of this year and to be fully reflected in our first quarter 2013 results. The addition of this new business is primarily the result of continued success in our new product and market development efforts to further penetrate mid-tier market opportunities." The company held a teleconference this morning (October 25) to discuss its third quarter financial. A replay of the teleconference will be available for 30 days on the Orchids' website. ##SHARELINKS##
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UPM, Helsinki, Finland, reports that it has completed the expansion of its Kymi (Finland) mill's converting department, and that the production of coated fine paper sheets has started. The new sheeting line was brought back online in late September and the first sheets have already been delivered to customers.
The aim of the new sheeting line is to serve UPM's customers in close-by markets faster, better, and more flexibly than before, and to support the production efficiency of the integrated mill site, UPM notes. The investment, it adds, also has "positive employment effects," with the new sheeting line creating 24 new jobs.
"Our customers value consistent quality, therefore the quality and the interchangeability with UPM Nordland paper mill's products is crucial for Kymi mill's new sheeting production. Also the wrapping is of great importance; it has to protect the paper during handling and transportation," said Matti Laaksonen, production director, UPM Kymi paper mill. The product portfolio consists of UPM Finesse gloss, premium silk, and silk in 90-150 gsm. The coated UPM Finesse fine paper sheets are designed for various graphic printing purposes, such as magazines, prestigious catalogs, and advertising materials. UPM Kymi paper mill produces approximately 830,000 metric tons of coated and uncoated fine paper per year. In addition to the coated sheets, the mill's sheet production includes A4 size printer and copy paper. UPM produces the majority of its European coated sheets in Germany at its Nordland mill. ##SHARELINKS##
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The United Steelworkers (USW), Pittsburgh, Pa., USA, this week reported that workers have ratified an agreement to integrate about 1,400 workers at 18 former Temple-Inland box plants into the union's master economic agreement with International Paper (IP). Overall, the union represents about 4,000 workers at 61 IP box plants, along with some 6,000 hourly employees at 19 IP paper mills.
This was the second recent negotiation at IP, where a month ago an agreement to integrate former Temple-Inland mills into the IP master was ratified by nearly the same margin, bringing a total of 80 sites represented by 90 local unions into the IP master agreements. USW International President Leo W. Gerard credited membership solidarity and shop floor activism at and between the plants for the successful integration of the Temple-Inland locals into the IP system, which began earlier this year when IP purchased its former competitor. "Especially when bargaining with huge corporations like IP, our members understand that standing together in unity to fight for a fair contract gives us power at the bargaining table," Gerard said. USW International Secretary-Treasurer Stan Johnson, who chairs the union's IP council, said that integrating workers from Temple-Inland, where pay, benefits, and other conditions varied widely by location, into IP's more uniform structure presented a unique challenge in negotiations. "Labor agreements with IP are very standardized across the system and standardization has occurred in every previous acquisition," Johnson said. "Confronting this standardization and building opportunity out of it was the main challenge of these negotiations." USW International VP Jon Geenen, co-chair of the union's IP council, said that these discussions marked a significant departure from–and improvement to–the traditional location-by-location approach to integration into the IP system, and more importantly, secured the future of these important facilities within the system. "We've achieved a fair contract that improves and protects our wages and benefits while at the same time enhancing the long-term viability and security of our plants, our jobs, and our union," Geenen said. "Our negotiating committee showed tremendous leadership and solidarity in working through a complicated and sometimes frustrating process, and our union is stronger as a result." The USW is North America's largest industrial union, representing 850,000 workers in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply, and the energy-producing industries. ##SHARELINKS##
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MeadWestvaco Corp., Richmond, Va., USA, this week announced a definitive agreement with Alibhai Nathani and family to purchase Ruby Macons Ltd., India's top producer of corrugated packaging materials and a leader in the country's growing industrial packaging industry. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Ruby Macons is the market leader in corrugated packaging materials in India, producing more than 150,000 metric tpy with significant capacity expansion underway. Founded and managed by the Nathani family since 1986, Ruby Macons' revenues were approximately $80 million over the past 12 months with double digit operating margins and strong return on capital. The company has achieved greater than 20% average growth over the past several years and is poised for significant future profitable growth through the expansion plans underway. Ruby Macons' offices and manufacturing facilities, including its two mills containing three paper machines, are located in and around the industrial city of Vapi, Gujarat, 180 km north of Mumbai. These assets will remain in full operation and become an important part of MWV's industrial packaging and global manufacturing platform. All Ruby Macons employees will become MWV India employees and the Ruby Macons management team will remain in place, including Ashraf Nathani, managing director, who will become vice chairman and president of the business. "The acquisition of Ruby Macons extends our participation in India, strengthening our presence in a market that we have targeted for profitable growth," said John A. Luke Jr., chairman and CEO, MWV. "The Nathani family and the Ruby Macons leadership team have built a very successful business and established a best-in-class operation that boasts advantaged operational and technical leadership, strong brand awareness and reputation among converters and brand owners, a highly efficient capital model, and an advantaged geographic location within India in Vapi, Gujarat. The addition of Ruby Macons boosts our ability to grow profitably in India by bringing their leading local position and capabilities in packaging materials together with our global expertise and innovation capabilities." Alibhai Nathani, chairman of Ruby Macons, noted that "after extensive conversations with MWV, through which we came to understand their global leadership, outstanding technical capabilities, and strong long-term commitment, we chose them as the right partner to take Ruby Macons to the next level. Our single-most focus while making this decision was to ensure that the business we've built with passion over the past two decades will be in the right hands to ensure long term sustainability for all of our stakeholders. Our family will continue to be involved in the business, and we are excited about partnering with MWV." The acquisition of Ruby Macons expands MWV's presence in industrial packaging in India, which today includes a manufacturing facility in Pune making rigid, humidity-resistant corrugated packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables, consumer goods, household appliances, and pharmaceuticals. Upon closing, the combined business will report through MWV's Industrial packaging segment. MWV has a broader packaging business in India, led by managing director Gautam Sircar and headquartered in Pune, providing packaging solutions for a variety of consumer goods markets. ##SHARELINKS##
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The Riyadh mill of Obeikan Paper Industries in Saudi Arabia has ordered from Metso, Finland, the rebuild of its PM 1 cartonboard machine. The rebuilt production line will be fully operational in the middle of 2013. The main goal of the rebuild is to improve end product quality, increase capacity, and reduce production costs. The value of the order was not disclosed.
"This investment is aligned with Obeikan's strategy to keep the mill up-to-date technologically and to keep our feet within the competitive environment of the paper industry," said Mohammed Al-Mowkley, GM of Obeikan Paper Industries. The 3.4-m-wide (wire) PM 1 produces white lined chipboard in the basis weight range of 180-450 gsm at the design speed of 600 m/min. The current annual production level is 170,000 metric tons and capacity after the rebuild will be 220,000 metric tpy. Metso's delivery will include a rebuild of the press section with a new SymBelt shoe press to increase dry content after the press section. The delivery will also include a new curtain coating station with a one-sided gas-heated air dryer. The new multilayer curtain coating unit adds two coating layers to the web at the same time in a non-contact operation with no speed restrictions. Metso will also handle installation supervision, commissioning, and startup of the rebuilt machine. Obeikan Paper Industries is a subsidiary of Obeikan Industrial Investment Group Ltd. It is primarily involved in the printing and packaging, education, and publishing businesses. The company was incorporated in 1983. ##SHARELINKS##
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SCA, Sweden, has invested approximately SEK 490 million in a biofuel-fired lime kiln at its Munksund packaging paper mill in Piteå in northern Sweden. Through this investment, SCA Munksund reduces its carbon footprint, its emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, by 75%.
The lime kiln is part of the chemical recovery systems at SCA Munksund. The old oil-fueled lime kiln from 1966 has been a bottleneck for the packaging paper mill's continued development. "The technology to use wood pellets instead of fuel oil for an advanced installation such as a lime kiln has been developed at SCA's Östrand pulp mill in Timrå," Ulf Larsson, president of SCA Forest Products, noted. "The very good experience from there is now brought into the project in Munksund." In addition to the lime kiln, the investment includes an electro-precipitator and other supporting equipment, along with equipment for the processing and storing of wood pellets. The new lime kiln will allow for a certain increase in the production of packaging paper at the mill, but more importantly it will allow for a continued positive development of production and products at the Munksund paper mill. "Through SCA's investments in Munksund, we will be able to produce a broader portfolio and products with a higher quality. Our processes will become more efficient and, not the least, the environmental effects of the paper mill are radically reduced. We will be able to offer better and more sustainable products" said Per Embertsén, president at SCA Munksund." ##SHARELINKS##
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A new report by Research and Markets, Dublin, Ireland, makes an in-depth financial evaluation of European Paper Packaging Manufacturers. Titled Top 320 Paper Packaging Manufacturers (European), the report uses the unique Plimsoll method of analysis. Each of the top 320 companies included is individually assessed and ranked against each other and compared with industry averages.
Using the most up-to-date financial information available, the two-page per company analysis provides detailed financial analysis for each organization. The following are some of the key findings of this new report:
According to Research and Markets, the analysis provides market and company intelligence using a simple graphical numeric and model. Each company is individually analyzed in both the company's own currency, and U.S. dollars. The individual analyses highlight a company's strengths and weaknesses instantly. Along with individual company information, this report also contains a comprehensive study of the market, based on the companies analyzed. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Iggesund Paperboard, Sweden, reports that it is stocking Invercote in standard sizes specially formatted for digital print. The result will be faster distribution to the digital market in Europe. It is the two-side coated Invercote Creato and the one-side coated Invercote G that will become available in the new sizes, in three different grammages.
"Our market surveys have found that a majority of digital printing professionals regard Invercote as a top-quality choice as soon as they require higher grammages and thereby also a thicker substrate," said Rickard Österlindh, who is responsible for developing Iggesund's sales to the digital sector. "It's therefore only logical that we should adapt our service to suit this rapidly growing market." The change means that Invercote Creato will be kept in stock in grammages of 220, 260, and 300 gsm, and Invercote G in 220, 260, and 330 gsm. For each type of board, the lowest grammage will be available in the 450 x 320 mm format, and the remaining two grammages in 460 x 320 mm. Invercote Creato and Invercote G are certified for use in a range of digital presses and also recommended for machines that do not have certification programs. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Packsize International, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, this week announced the availability of z-Fold™, a 97% recyclable corrugated material designed specifically for on-demand packaging. With z-Fold, Packsize is able to shift the packaging control to customers, giving them the ability to control time and costs associated with carton packaging.
Available to customers of its corrugated converting machines, Packsize z-Fold can be creased, cut, and scored into an infinite number of box styles and sizes. It is also free from the quality defects often associated with less advanced converting machines, the company notes. As a result, it adds, there are fewer problems on the On-Demand Packaging® line, ultimately providing the customer with a higher box yield. Corrugated packaging continues to have broad appeal among packaging buyers and end-users alike and remains today an environmentally preferable method for product delivery, Packsize explains. This type of packaging is versatile, cost-effective, allows for customization, and lends itself to product protection during shipping. According to trade association PMMI's 2012 Shipments Study, container/material manufacturing had the greatest dollar sales of $760 million in 2011, about 10% of the total market, the company reports. Z-Fold also aligns well with the company's green packaging initiatives. "Because Packsize has established multiple z-Fold production facilities throughout the U.S., we are able to reduce the delivery distance and carbon footprint for our customers in North America," said CEO Hanko Kiessner. ##SHARELINKS##
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Stora Enso, Finland, reports that CKB® packaging board made at its Skoghall Mill in Sweden is now available with a polyethylene coating made from renewable raw materials. The development and launch of the bio-coated packaging board is made possible through cooperation with the Swedish company Trioplast/Ekmans, according to Stora Enso. The first consumer products that will be available in packages coated with the new laminate are fish gratin products of the Norwegian fish and seafood company Domstein ASA, manufactured in Kungshamn, Sweden.
Domstein ASA gives high priority to sustainability issues, Stora Enso notes. Its environment policy states: "Our operations are to be environmentally benign, and uphold a high environmental standard." The company wants to ensure that its own and associated activities take place in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. The launch of the renewable fish gratin packages is scheduled for early 2013. "It is important for us at Domstein to find opportunities where we can help the consumer to make a choice that is good for the environment. We want to see the product and the package as one unit and try to find new things for both," said Ulrica Wahlund, sales manager at Domstein in Sweden. Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used type of plastic in the world, used extensively as a humidity or grease barrier of packaging boards. The bio-based PE used for coating the CKB board is manufactured with sugar cane as raw material in Brazil. It has exactly the same performance characteristics as traditional, fossil-based PE, making it usable in a variety of applications, according to Stora Enso. ##SHARELINKS##
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Poet-DSM Advanced Biofuels has ordered from Andritz, Graz, Austria (through its U.S subsidiary Andritz Inc.) advanced continuous biomass pre-treatment technology for its commercial-scale biofuel facility being built in Emmetsburg, Iowa, USA. Project LIBERTY is POET-DSM's first commercial scale, second generation cellulosic ethanol plant. The facility at Emmetsburg will produce 20 million gal of renewable ethanol per year using corn cobs, leaves, husk, and some stalk to produce renewable fuel. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Andritz's advanced steam explosion (SteamEx) technology is a two-stage process that includes a vertical reactor, interstage washing, and continuous steam explosion. The technology will be employed to help in the pre-treatment of biomass so that it can be converted into low-cost sugars that will be used in the production of ethanol. This technology is well-proven in other industrial processes and, through extensive R&D in liquid biofuels, has been optimized by Andritz to satisfy the requirements for Project LIBERTY. ##SHARELINKS##
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Fortress Paper Ltd., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, has appointed Joe Nemeth to its board of directors. Nemeth has more than 25 years of experience in the pulp and paper industry, most recently serving as president and CEO of Canfor Pulp Holding Inc., the general partner of Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership, having previously served as VP, sales and marketing. Prior to joining Canfor, Nemeth worked in the green power business as president and CEO of Greenbelt Renewable Energy. Prior to working at Greenbelt, he spent 14 years working in various positions at Fletcher Challenge Canada (now Catalyst Paper Corp.), with the two most recent positions being VP, sales and marketing and production director of the Elk Falls Paper division.
The company also announces that Pierre Monahan will retire from the board effective December 31. In the interim, he will continue to serve as a member of the compensation, governance, and capital projects steering committees. Nemeth has also been appointed to such committees to facilitate the transition following Monahan''s departure. Nemeth will act as chair of the capital projects steering committee. Chad Wasilenkoff, CEO of Fortress Paper, noted that "we are very pleased to have someone of Joe Nemeth''s caliber and extensive experience joining our board. I am confident his expertise will provide valuable guidance as we advance our business plans. On behalf of the board, I would also like to acknowledge the significant contribution that Pierre Monahan has made to Fortress Paper over the past two years, and thank him for his leadership as we entered into the specialty cellulose sector." Fortress Paper operates internationally in three distinct business segments—dissolving pulp, specialty papers, and security paper products. The company operates its dissolving pulp business at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill in Canada, which is also in the process of expanding into the renewable energy generation sector with the construction of a cogeneration facility. The company is also seeking to expand its dissolving pulp capacity with the recent acquisition of the Fortress Global Cellulose Mill at Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Qué., Canada, which the company intends to convert into a dissolving pulp mill and where it intends to re-start the cogeneration facility. The company operates its specialty papers business at the Dresden Mill located in Germany, where it is a leading international producer of specialty non-woven wallpaper base products. Its security paper products business is centered at the Landqart Mill in Switzerland, where it produces banknote, passport, visa, and other brand protection and security papers, and at its Fortress Optical Facility in Canada, where it manufacturers optically variable thin film material. ##SHARELINKS##
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PPG Industries, Pittsburgh, Pa., USA, elected John V. Faraci, chairman and CEO of International Paper Co, Memphis, Tenn., as a member of its board, effective this past October 18. He also has been appointed a member of the board's audit committee and nominating and governance committee.
"John brings a breadth of global business knowledge and leadership that will provide PPG with valuable perspective and guidance as we continue to grow our operations around the world," said Charles E. Bunch, PPG chairman and CEO. In 2003, Faraci was elected president and a director of International Paper, and he previously served as EVP and CFO from 2000 to 2003. From 1999 to 2000, Faraci was the company's SVP–finance and CFO. From 1995 to 1999, he was CEO and managing director of Carter Holt Harvey Ltd., a former majority-owned subsidiary of IP, located in New Zealand. Faraci is a member of the board of directors of United Technologies Corp. and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. He also serves on the board of the Moscow School of Management and is U.S. section chair for the U.S. – Brazil CEO Forum. He is a trustee of Denison University and the American Enterprise Institute. ##SHARELINKS##
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Register Today for Specialty Papers 2012, November 7-8, 2012, in Chicago, Ill., USA. Join more than 100 senior-level industry insiders from all aspects of the supply chain, including papermakers, machinery suppliers and manufactuerers, raw material suppliers, consultants, and more for two days full of learning and networking. With more than 25 presentations from a divserse speaker panel, there is something for everyone in the Specialty Papers industry. The conference will also feature "Market-based performance requirements for barrier-treated specialty paper and board" by Daikin America's Dr. Joe Ishley, Technical Services, and Dr. Frank Adamsky, Unidyne Marketing Manager. They will provide an overview for a variety of grades and basis weights within different barrier packaging. View the conference agenda for other not-to-miss presentations.
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The Empire State TAPPI/PIMA Local Section will conduct its Continuous Improvement Conference November 1 at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls, N.Y., USA. Speakers include Peter Morel from Poyry, Ken Chartier from Finch Paper, Mark Decker from NYSERDA, Rich Rappa from CHA Consultants, and Laura Sherman from Nalco. The program is as follows:
The 2013 William E. Clarke Memorial Scholarship and Grant and Heidi Cole Scholarship award application is available online. Application must be postmarked by December 31. For Hotel reservations, contact the Queensbury Hotel at 518-792-1121. ##SHARELINKS##
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 TAPPI Member Garnet Bremner describes TAPPI as a "mosaic" of individuals whose depth of experience and knowledge creates a wonderful atmosphere for finding outstanding mentors. Bremner now works as an industry consultant for an air, water, & energy solutions and services provider. He began his pulp and paper industry career in a mill engineering role in Canada. Eventually, he successfully worked into deinking supervisory positions, also working to rebuild recycling mills, and then finally serving as a mill manager himself. Bremner has been an active TAPPI member, participating in officer roles on various committees and as a program chairman. Currently, he is serving as the PMD program chair for the PEERS 2012 conference being held this week at the Marriott Riverfront in Savannah, Ga., USA. Bremner says that having a short list of contacts from mill operations, academics, R&D fields, equipment vendors, chemical vendors, automation vendors, and consultants of all types of expertise provided him with a support group to help with challenges. 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 (click here) for you to fill out and return. We look forward to seeing you "In the Spotlight!" ##SHARELINKS##
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Yankee drying experts from around the world are planning their fall meeting for November 5-6 in the heart of North American tissue making, Neenah, Wis., USA. The committee meets twice per year to share knowledge and best practices to increase safety and reduce delay that negatively impacts dryer operations and overall productivity. The fall meeting will include the development of standard practices and presentations on doctor setup/profiling and metalizing yankee dryers. More information and registration details are available online. The meeting will be held in conjunction with the Lake States TAPPI/North Central PIMA Energy Forum and is open to all TAPPI members and visitors (one time only). To attend as a visitor, please contact Scott Springmier. Immediately following the biannual Yankee Dryer Safety and Reliability Meeting, TAPPI will hold the popular Tissue Runnability Course November 7-9 at Miron Construction in Neenah. The course will provide an excellent knowledge base for process engineers, machine supervisors, reliability professionals, and suppliers responsible for maximizing uptime and saleable tissue production. Attendees will learn to:
The course includes two and one-half days of focused instruction from a dozen globally recognized tissue making experts. More information is available online. A registration discount is offered to TAPPI members. ##SHARELINKS##
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TAPPI Nanotechnology Division Free Webinar Date: November 8, 2012 Time: 11:00 a.m. EST Join us for the Division's first free webinar on the Processing of Nanocellulose based Polymer Nanocomposites. The presentation, by Alain Dufresne, Head of Converting-Biomaterials-Packaging Group at the International School of Paper, Print Media, Biomaterials, Grenoble Institute of Technology, will cover the different strategies reported to process polymer nanocomposites reinforced when nanocellulose is presented. Register now! ##SHARELINKS##
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One of the most popular and essential educational programs, the 2012 Tissue Runnability Course, will be held November 7-9, 2012 in Neenah, Wis., USA. The Tissue Runnability Course offers skills training for paper industry professionals involved in tissue and towel production. The expert instructors will provide course participants with a thorough understanding of the entire tissue making process and current best practices from wet end operations through creping and process control. This three-day course was developed for engineers, machine and technical teams, or lead operators involved in the efficiency and quality of their plant's operations. The course material will be of great interest to new as well as experienced personnel. All attendees will learn how to improve the quality of their product, diminish waste, and increase output. You will learn from the industry experts! The TAPPI Tissue Runnability Course is taught by John Neun, John Tyburski, and technical experts from leading companies including Nalco, Metso, Albany International, BTG Americas, Jacobs Engineering, and Steve Waring of Process Applications. Participants will learn how to run tissue and towel production with optimum settings for peak performance on various systems. Learn more and register at the 2012 Tissue Runnability Course website. ##SHARELINKS##
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TAPPI's 2012 Nominating Committee presents a slate of candidates for two officer and three director positions on the TAPPI Board. The candidates are: chair, Thomas J. Garland; vice chair, Chris Luettgen, Kimberly-Clark; and directors, Daniel D. Cappell (AstenJohnson), Kirt J. Cuevas (International Paper), and Robert A. Feeser (MeadWestvaco Corp.). Voting begins December 1. Per the TAPPI Bylaws, members of the organization have until November 1 to review the slate. More information about the slate and election process is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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This November, if you want to learn how to improve mill efficiency, effectiveness, and reduce overall maintenance costs over time, these two courses are for you! Attendees will learn:
Date: November 12-14 Covers:
Date: November 15-16 Covers:
One flight takes you to both training sessions in beautiful Raleigh, N.C., USA. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Papers are still being accepted for the Appita 2013 Technical and Industry Innovations programs. This year, as an added bonus, a special speakers rate will apply. Papers can be on any subject of relevance to forestry, pulp, paper, print, or packaging. The Call for Papers deadline is November 9. You are invited to submit an extended abstract on topics relevant to the industry, including but not limited to:
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 This text, edited by Carlton W. Dence and Douglas W. Reeve, covers fundamentals and processes from the chemical composition of pulp to the technology, production, and the environmental impact of bleaching. Designed as both a textbook and a reference book, Pulp Bleaching: Principles and Practice explains what bleaching is, why pulp is bleached, and how bleaching is done. The book also features discussions on several "hot topics" in pulp bleaching, including elemental chlorine free bleaching, totally chlorine free bleaching, enzyme assisted bleaching, and bleaching of recycled fiber. In addition, the book is key-word indexed and each chapter contains extensive references. Pulp Bleaching: Principles and Practice Product code: 0102B061 Member Price: $124.00 Non-Member Price: $186.00 ##SHARELINKS##
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Why Whitewater Filtration Systems Fail Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST Wednesday, November 14, 2012 This free webinar from TAPPI addresses why whitewater filtration systems are often problematic and in some instances fail completely. The presentation will explain why filtration systems fail under certain conditions and offers the best solutions to improve the overall reliability of the process. Attendees will learn:
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 The Secret, Second Edition What Great Leaders Know and Do By: Ken Blanchard & Mark Miller
At one time or another, everyone in a position of authority-whether in a multinational corporation or a local volunteer group-wonders what the key to great leadership is. And who better to answer that question than the team of Ken Blanchard, whose books on leadership have sold over 20 million copies, and Mark Miller, who worked his way up from line worker to vice president of one of the largest fast-food chains in the country. In The Secret, Blanchard and Miller use the uniquely accessible "business fable" format that Blanchard pioneered to get at the heart of what makes a leader truly able to inspire and motivate people. Debbie Brewster, recently promoted and struggling, finds herself about to lose her job due to poor performance. In an attempt to save her career, she enrolls in a new mentoring program offered by her company. Much to her surprise, Debbie finds her mentor is none other than Jeff Brown, the president of the company. Debbie decides that she is going to ask her new mentor the one question she feels she desperately needs answered: "What is the secret of great leaders?" Jeff's immediate answer-that great leaders serve their followers-completely flummoxes Debbie. Over the next 18 months, Jeff helps Debbie discover and explore five fundamental ways that leaders lead through service. The Secret puts what Blanchard and Miller have learned about leadership in a form that anyone can easily understand, embrace, and pursue. It is a book that will benefit not only those who read it, but also the organizations they work in an the people who look to them for guidance. The second edition includes revised and updated content including:
Item #: 12SECRET Member Price: $23.00 ##SHARELINKS##
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 "The inclusion of the Tissue360 Forum at PaperCon 2013 will add comprehensive coverage of this dynamic segment to the industry's best technical program," notes TAPPI President and CEO Larry Montague. "The forum will provide business insights and peer-reviewed technical papers covering developments in one of the industry's most rapidly growing and technically innovative grade sectors." Tissue360 Forum topics will include an overview of hygienic product market drivers, raw material usage and supply, wet and dry end additives, latest hybrid tissue making technology and runnability/operational tips. All material will be selected and peer reviewed by TAPPI members with tissue expertise. The program is open to all full PaperCon registrants. An invitation to Present at the Tissue360 Forum has been issued. Industry professionals interested in presenting a paper, panel, roundtable, or poster on any of these topics should submit an abstract no later than November 20, 2012. 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. ##SHARELINKS##
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 The Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association's (PPMA) new website (ppmausa.com) offers access to labor contracts, salary data, surveys, and other human resource related material. "The look and feel of the PPMA website has remained unchanged for several years," said Dick Kendall, executive director for PPMA. "We have now revamped the site to be more user-friendly and to provide industry information to our members." PPMA members have access to a treasure trove of valuable information such as a labor database of information regarding union contracts, a 'library' of current labor agreements (union contracts), and custom survey results on a variety of topics tabulated by PPMA at the request of members. PPMA supplies human resource services to the pulp, paper, converting, and allied industries. Its membership includes union and non-union facilities involved in producing and converting products allied with the paper industry. Media Contact: Dick Kendall, executive director, dkendall@ppmausa.com, 920-731-4994. ##SHARELINKS##
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 The International Mechanical Pulping Conference, sponsored by PI, TAPPI, PAPTAC, SPCI and PTF, will be held on June 3-5, 2014, in Helsinki, Finland. IMPC 2014 is a major part of PulPaper, one of the world's most premier pulp and paper exhibitions, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of PI, the Paper Engineers' Association. The Conference Program Committee invites you to submit papers on the following topics:
Authors interested in presenting a paper or a poster on these topics should submit an extended abstract (˜500 words) to impc2014@vtt.fi. Abstracts are due by February 28, 2013. Authors will be notified of acceptance by May 31, 2013 and final manuscripts are due March 31, 2014. If you have any questions, please contact Sari Liukkonen, Chair of the Program Committee at +358 40 586 0384, or by e-mail at impc2014@vtt.fi. ##SHARELINKS##
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 The 2013 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials will be held July 24-27, 2013, on the KTH Royal Institute of Technology campus in Stockholm, Sweden. Industry experts, scientists, health and safety specialists, legal and government policy makers, as well as the field's leading researchers will discuss the latest in nanotechnology research and development.The 2013 Technical Program Committee has issued a Call for Papers inviting contributions from participants working in research, development, and deployment of renewable nanomaterials. Abstracts are due by December 3, 2012. ##SHARELINKS##
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Make your plans now to join a host of professionals from industry, universities and research institutes at the 14th TAPPI European PLACE Conference, which will be held May 6-8, 2013, at the Swissotel in Dresden, Germany. The Call for Papers is now officially open. Submit your abstract and take an active role in this not-to-miss event! ##SHARELINKS##
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