Over the Wire
TAPPI
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Resolute Forest Products (formerly AbitibiBowater), Montreal, Qué., Canada, reportedly completed the major realignment of its paper mill network and has restarted its Gatineau, Qué., mill. Resolute had closed the Gatineau facility in August 2010, laying off 330 employees. The mill is reopening as a lower-cost operation due to a new labor agreement, the use of a single-paper machine, and a co-generation power plant set to begin operation in June, according to a report this week by The Canadian Press.
The facility will employ 130 workers, down from 330 when it was shut down in April 2010. CEO Richard Garneau said the mill will produce newsprint that can be sold in North America or for export, a market that has grown to represent 47% of sales. "There are a lot of containers that return empty from Montreal to Asia, so one of the advantages we see is the flexibility and opportunity also to ship overseas," Garnerau was quoted in The Canadian Press article. Although Garneau doesn't foresee other re-openings, he said production could still be tweaked at its 11 mills to adjust to market dynamics. Among the mills that face uncertainty is one in Thunder Bay, Ont., whose 300 employees produce about 500,000 metric tpy of paper and pulp. Resolute last week announced a two-week idling of the remaining paper machine there. But Garneau said the mill's access to only the North American market puts it at risk as newsprint demand continues to fall. ##SHARELINKS##
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Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, has released its tenth sustainability report as an early adopter of this voluntary disclosure practice more than a decade ago. Titled "Our Tomorrow Starts Today," the report covers calendar year 2012 and was produced using Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines (B-level application). It also serves as Catalyst's Communication on Progress as a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact.
"We aim to present a balanced picture of issues that affect our performance and that interest our stakeholders," said Lyn Brown, VP of marketing and corporate responsibility. "Paper was the first widely used interactive medium and transparency has been at the core of our operating philosophy since well before the first tweet was sent." The report covers a pivotal year for Catalyst, during which a major financial restructuring was completed under creditor protection. "The fact that we kept up our reporting commitment under these conditions indicates how deeply rooted sustainability is in our way of doing business," said Brown. "Our report acknowledges the challenges we faced. And it tells the story of the strategy and stakeholder contributions that 'brought the pieces together' and got us to a successful outcome," she said. In addition to restructuring, other 2012 outcomes detailed in the report include:
"Sustainability is certainly about responsible environmental and social performance," says Brown. "But it's equally about having a sound and adaptable business strategy and a competitive product offering. Our 2012 sustainability report showcases all of this in a single package." ##SHARELINKS##
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A look into future challenges and opportunities for the forest bioproducts industry sprang from a glance back in time at the 20th anniversary rededication ceremony for the Paper Tricentennial Building at Georgia Tech (Atlanta, Ga., USA) last week. Guest speakers addressed the challenge of building on the legacy of the Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) to prepare for the future.
Pete Correll, former chairman and CEO of Georgia-Pacific and former chairman of the IPST board of trustees, said that "this is where ideas have blossomed into technologies, which have blossomed into alternatives, into viable concepts. May you continue to be that place where things happen." Carl Landegger, a member of the International Paper Hall of Fame and a former chairman of the IPST board of trustees, who led Parsons & Whittemore and Black Clawson, addressed the future of the forest bioproducts industry by saying, "we'll solve the problem by making new products." Alumni, former IPST executives such as past president Jim Ferris, and Georgia Tech officials rounded out the guest speaker list. They addressed the history of IPST and its move to Atlanta from Appleton, Wis., in 1989, the long legacy of the Institute of Paper Chemistry (IPC) since its founding in 1929, and its contributions to industry success. IPC became the Institute of Paper Science and Technology upon its move to Atlanta. Georgia Tech EVP-Research Steve Cross commented that IPST is emblematic of Tech's tri-fold strategy of research, partnership, and impact, a model he hopes to propagate across the campus. "We are a product of 84 years of heritage, focused today on the forest bioproducts potential in the future," said IPST director Norman Marsolan. "We have produced more than 1,500 graduates with advanced degrees, many of whom are research leaders for pulp and paper and related companies today. Our research programs at IPST are providing a path for the enhancement of pulp and paper production, while setting a course for entirely new products that will meet the demands of future markets." The rededication featured contrasting presentations by the old and the new. George L. Clarke,'39, the oldest living alumnus, addressed the group by videotape, describing his recruitment to the Institute in 1935 and his impression when he arrived. "They got together the most fantastic group of people I have ever heard of." American Process Inc. VP Kim Nelson, '07, provided a recent perspective on the IPST program, noting that the Institute is "at the entrepreneurial forefront of the forest bioproducts industry." Georgia Tech School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering chair Ron Rousseau, who twice served as interim IPST director, noted the collegiality and leadership of the Institute over the years. The five-story Paper Tricentennial Building was constructed and equipped at a cost of $68 million in 1993, complete with 64 laboratories and 68 fume hoods. It also is the home of the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking. The building was jointly funded by the State of Georgia and private industry. IPST currently supports 50 graduate students a year. IPST research today involves the pulp and paper industry and future developments in sustainable energy (biofuels), sustainable chemicals, advanced packaging, pharmaceuticals, electronics, advanced materials and others. More information is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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Sappi Fine Paper North America, Boston, Mass., USA, yesterday (May 1) announced the successful completion of its fishway project installed at Westbrook, Maine, enabling natural fish passage through a portion of the Presumpscot River for the first time in more than 150 years. As a result of significant collaborative efforts and teamwork, Sappi was able to complete the fishway on time, within budget, and most importantly, safely.
"Sappi's history is rooted in the Westbrook community, and we are honored to have successfully completed this major achievement toward restoring fish to the waterway," said Donna Cassese, managing director, Westbrook Mill, Sappi Fine Paper North America. "We are dedicated to ensuring the long-term revitalization of the river's use. As a major employer in the Westbrook community, we look forward to embarking on future opportunities with the city in line with this commitment." Since embarking on the Cumberland Mills fishway project in 2011, Sappi and local partners, including Reed&Reed and Bancroft Contracting Corp., have worked to safely construct fish passage that would meet the standards set by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Designed to establish timely and effective fish passage specifically for fish species such as blue-black herring, alewives, shad, and other native species, the capacity of the new fishway is anticipated to enable up to 200,000 river herring and 20,000 shad to pass up the river annually. Major items associated with the Fishway Project includes the:
Over the course of the project, Sappi and its team also reconstructed the 150-year-old deep river gate structure in the east channel, which will eliminate excess water flow, thereby helping direct fish into the west channel where the fishway is located. To celebrate the fishway completion, Sappi is hosting an opening ceremony tyoday at its Westbrook mill, followed by a tour of the newly constructed fish passage facilities. "On behalf of the City of Westbrook, I wish to congratulate Sappi Fine Paper North America on the successful effort to create fish passage at Cumberland Mills," says Mayor Colleen Hilton. "We look forward to working closely with Sappi and other stakeholders to continue such success stories in the Westbrook community in the years ahead." ##SHARELINKS##
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Transformation strategies will be required for the forest bioproducts industry to thrive 20 years from now, according to the outcome of an annual Executive Conference of the Institute of Paper Science and Technology at Georgia Tech (IPST) , Atlanta, Ga., USA, in April. The industry will be facing an emerging global middle class, a burgeoning population, and higher demand for critical resources, based on futurists' forecasts.
"IPST research is playing several roles in looking toward the future," said Norman Marsolan, director of IPST at Georgia Tech. "We are focused on improving the pulp and paper processes for the existing industry, while searching for innovative new products that will meet consumer demands in the future." Dr. Ron Brown, president of the Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance, presented a series of predictions based on his recent study of existing industry forecasts, commissioned by IPST. While global demand for traditional paper products could increase 1.5% a year over the next 40 years, the industry may see a global pulp shortage by 2020, and wood removals by 2050 may occur at three times the current rate. The forecasts call for mills to become host platforms for new bioproducts, and they will be pressured to show significant reductions in emissions, waste, and use of energy and water. "Today's technologies are not sufficient," Brown said. "Sustainable manufacturing will require new technologies." There was significant support among the 25 participating organizations for research that advances the manufacturing capabilities of today's pulp and paper companies. Sten Nilsson, CEO of Forest Sector Insights, Sweden, said that "only systematic change will keep pace in the rapidly changing world. The U.S. is not alone—the entire Northern hemisphere is in the same situation." He cited a 15% net loss of U.S. capacity for paper and paperboard since 2000, and said another study shows U.S. capacity may be down 50% by 2020, which means that only the lowest-cost producers will survive. "Through IPST, your industry has access to the full range of our research and expertise," Georgia Tech President G.P. "Bud" Peterson told the conference participants. "More importantly, our experts across Georgia Tech have a portal into the industry with expertise on cellulose and its practically unlimited potential. "We also want to continue to listen to you, the experts in the field, as we move forward with new innovations and solutions for the industry," Peterson said. "As a world-class educational and research institution, we can offer even more to progressive companies like yours, companies willing to look 20 years into the future to evaluate the implications, opportunities, and challenges that most certainly will be different from those we face today." IPST is a forest bioproducts research organization that funds 50 students a year in forest bioproducts research. IPST research today involves the pulp and paper industry and future developments in sustainable energy (biofuels), sustainable chemicals, advanced packaging, pharmaceuticals, electronics, advanced materials, and others. The Institute, dedicated to supporting the pulp and paper and related industries, has produced more than 1,500 graduates with advanced degrees since 1929. More information is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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Total U.S. printing and writing (P&W) paper shipments were down 6% compared with March 2012, according to the AF&PA's March 2013 Printing-Writing Paper Report issue this week. Additional key findings of the report are:
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Demand for wood pellets in Europe has gone up dramatically the past few years as power companies on the continent have switched from using fossil fuels to renewable energy alternatives. Importation of pellets from North America increased more than 60% from 2011 to 2012 with the U.S. export volumes more than doubling, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review (NAWFR), Seattle, Wash., USA.
The wood pellet export industry in North America has grown exponentially in a relatively short period of time. The export value has increased from an estimated $40 million in 2004 to almost $400 million in 2012. This fairly new trade development is the result of Europe's quest to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Energy generation from renewable resources has, with varying pace, gone up in all countries in the EU the past decade. Woody biomass, including wood pellets, is one energy source that has attracted much attention and investments in a number of countries on the European continent. With limited domestic wood raw-material sources, countries such as the U.K., Belgium, and the Netherlands have increasingly relied on the importation of industrial wood pellets to reduce the usage of coal at some of their power utilities. The relatively high costs for wood pellets in Europe have resulted in increased interest in importing pellets from British Columbia and the southern states of the U.S. where wood raw-material costs are lower than in Europe. A record volume of 3.2 million tons of pellets was exported from North America to Europe in 2012, according to the NAWFR, which compiles and publishes pellet trade volumes based on surveys of pellet exporters and customs data in North America and Europe, each quarter. From the U.S. South, shipments were up more than 100% compared with 2011, while Canadian exports increased 25% year-over-year. The expansion of pellet production has been particularly noteworthy in the U.S. South where there have been 14 new pellet plants that are either new or planning to expand production in the coming year. Location and capacity of the new plants are reported in the latest issue of NAWFR. ##SHARELINKS##
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Total boxboard production in the U.S. decreased by 1.2% compared with March 2012, but increased 6% from last month, as reported by the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) March 2013 U.S. Paperboard Report released this week. Unbleached kraft boxboard production decreased over the same month last year and decreased compared with last month.
Total solid bleached boxboard and liner production decreased compared with March 2012, but increased compared with last month. The production of recycled boxboard increased compared with March 2012, and increased compared with last month. ##SHARELINKS##
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Total U.S. kraft paper shipments were 132,600 tons in March, an increase of 11.6% compared with the prior month, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) March 2013 Kraft Paper Report published this week. Bleached kraft paper shipments decreased year-over-year 1.3%, and the 7.2% year-over-year decline in unbleached kraft paper shipments were enough to bring overall kraft paper shipments down 6.5% year-over-year.
Total month-end inventory increased 0.4% to 71,600 tons in March compared with February 2013 month-end inventories. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Cascades, Candiac, Que., Canada, announced this week that its Antibacterial paper towel has received gold honors—the highest available—in the Edison Awards Consumer Packaged Goods: Cleaning Solutions category. The award, named after Thomas Edison, was bestowed to Cascades in a special gala held in Chicago and came by way of an international judging panel of more than 3,000 business executives, academics, and leaders in the fields of product development, design, engineering, science, and medicine.
The company's paper towel was launched in October 2012 in the North American market as a simple, safe, and effective way to reduce bacterial contamination and transmission. Dry to the touch, the green-colored Cascades Antibacterial paper towel has been confirmed in third-party testing to kill more than 99.99% of harmful bacteria upon coming into contact with wet hands. Among other uses, the product was designed to help decrease contamination possibilities within the food processing and food service industries, and reduce absenteeism rates at work and school. Studies also show that paper towels are the best choice for good hand hygiene; the antibacterial version is therefore an even safer option, the company notes. "We're incredibly proud of this product and pleased to receive this distinguished honor," said Suzanne Blanchet, Cascades Tissue Group CEO. "Eighty percent of infections are transmitted by hands, so we believe this innovation can have a significant impact on overall public health." ##SHARELINKS##
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Empresas CMPC SA, Santiago, Chile, plans to raise more than $100 million from the sale of noncore assets to finance part of its Brazilian expansion, company chairman Eliodoro Matte said Thursday. According to a Dow Jones report, CMPC, Chile's second-largest wood pulp producer, plans to add 1.3 million metric tons of pulp capacity with the $2.1 billion expansion of its Guaiba plant in Brazil.
The company's asset sale is part of a wider financing plan that includes a $500 million capital increase, a $500 million international bond, and an up to $1.2 billion loan with Brazilian national development bank BNDES, Dow Jones noted. The wood-pulp producer put up for sale some properties in the central-south of Chile and its 7.7% stake in financial services company Bicecorp SA. For the $500 million international bond issue planned for this semester, CMPC hired J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank to manage the deal, Matte added. Like other Latin American companies, CMPC wants to take advantage of obtaining cheaper financing abroad as U.S. interest rates remain at nearly zero, compared with Chile's rate of 5%. Regarding the capital increase, CMPC will launch the transaction on May 9. Current stockholders will be able to purchase additional shares in the company at 1,480 Chilean pesos ($3.12) each. CMPC reported nearly $202 million in 2012 net profit, down some 48% from 2011 partly on a one-time tax charge, lower pulp prices, and higher operational costs. "The global economy remains weak and China's slower-than-expected growth hurts us," Matte said, adding that pulp prices haven't increased as much as the company expected. China, a large consumer of commodities and Chile's main trading partner, reported a lower-than-expected 7.7% increase in gross domestic product in the first quarter versus the same period a year ago, according to the Dow Jones report. Energy costs remain a source of concern for CMPC's paper division. The company stopped producing newsprint at one of its plants and will halt production at its other plant in 2014 or 2015, Matte noted. "Newsprint production is energy-intensive and this makes it impossible to produce it in Chile," he continued. "We're looking to produce other types of paper that are less energy-intensive." Energy costs in Chile are the highest in the region and CMPC faces the same cost hurdles as mining companies, some of which have suspended planned copper projects, according to Dow Jones. ##SHARELINKS##
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Domtar, Montreal, Qué., Canada, has successfully started up a Metso (Finland) commercial-scale LignoBoost™ lignin separation plant at its Plymouth, N.C., USA, mill. This is the first commercial installation of a LignoBoost plant in the world.
The LignoBoost plant is integrated with the pulp mill and separates and collects lignin from the pulping liquor. This provides the Plymouth mill with numerous benefits. Lignin is a high-quality bio-based alternative to fossil fuel based materials. Separation of a portion of the mill's total lignin production also off-loads the recovery boiler, and allows an increase in pulp production capacity. Domtar's production of BioChoice™ lignin began in February with a targeted rate of 75 metric tpd. A wide range of applications and markets for BioChoice lignin are being developed including fuels, resins, and thermoplastics. Having lignin available in large quantities and high quality from the Domtar plant will help develop the future lignin market for the industry. "The technology has been developed by Innventia in Sweden, in association with Chalmers University of Technology. Metso purchased it and is furthering the development. We continue to work together to refine the technology to develop new lignin applications in partnership for current and future customers. LignoBoost has generated a great deal of interest in the pulp and paper industry globally and this is a major breakthrough for all parties involved in this first-of-a-kind project," says Gene Christiansen, senior manager, Business Development Innovations at Metso's Power business line for North America. ##SHARELINKS##
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Fortress Paper Ltd., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, this week announced that it has successfully completed the sale of the Dresden Mill to Glatfelter Gernsbach GmbH & Co. KG, a subsidiary of P.H. Glatfelter Co., previously announced on March 13.The purchase price for the sale was EUR160 million (approximately C$212 million), subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment.
With the sale of the Dresden Mill, Fortress Paper no longer operates in the specialty papers (wallpaper base) industry. Fortress Paper operates internationally in two business segments—dissolving pulp and security paper products. The company operates its dissolving pulp business at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill located 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 Fortress Global Cellulose Mill located at Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Québec, which Fortress intends to convert into a dissolving pulp mill and where the company intends to re-start the cogeneration facility. The Company operates its security paper products business at the Landqart Mill located in Switzerland, where it produces banknote, passport, visa, and other brand protection and security papers, and at its Fortress Optical Facility located in Canada, where it manufactures optically variable thin film material. ##SHARELINKS##
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Ilim Group, St. Petersburg, Russia, this past week produced the first market pulp with its new softwood pulp line that was built at the Bratsk, Russia, mill. The company notes that this is a "key milestone" for the Big Bratsk project. Ramp up to full production will continue over the next six months.
"It is a great day for our company and all of the Russian pulp and paper industry. One of the largest projects in the industry for the past 30 years is reaching completion. We had successfully built the most modern softwood pulp line in the world. This will strengthen our position in key markets," said Paul Herbert, Ilim Group CEO. Total investments in the Big Bratsk project exceeded $800 million dollars. The capacity of the new mill would be 720,000 metric tons of bleached softwood pulp per year. The total annual production volume in Bratsk will exceed 1 million metric tons. The majority of the production from the new fiber line will be exported to China. ##SHARELINKS##
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Nekoosa Coated Products, Nekoosa, Wis., USA, a producer of carbonless paper and more recently an expanding line of specialty products, has acquired IGI Corp., parent of RTape Corp. and CET Films Corp. Paul Charapata, CEO of Nekoosa Coated Products, will lead the new organization.
Paul Charapata, CEO of Nekoosa Coated Products, noted that "we are excited about this unique opportunity to combine two market leading businesses that are centered on a common goal of providing exceptional value to their respective channel partners. The unified strength from this combination will provide our employees and customers with outstanding long term growth opportunities." Bud Philbrook, CEO of IGI Corp., will serve as a member of the board of directors for the combined organization. "I am very proud of the employees of both RTape and CET Films. Their efforts, combined with the support of our marketplace partners, have resulted in an outstanding market position. The opportunity to join forces with Nekoosa Coated Products provides the perfect platform for long term success," he said. ##SHARELINKS##
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Sappi Fine Paper North America, Boston, Mass., USA, this week announced the most recent completion of a series of coated paper capital investment projects during its 2013 fiscal year, a move by the company to maintain and strengthen its position and take advantage of growth opportunities in the coated paper market. These investments have been made at the Cloquest, Minn., mill, the Somerset Mill, in Skowhegan, Maine, and have been announced for the Westbrook, Maine, mill.
The Cloquet Mill in Cloquet, Minn., has completed a $19 million investment in its coated papermaking operations that includes a dry fiber handling system as well as new refiners and a former upgrade on PM 4. The former rebuild on PM 4 allows for all grades and weights to be manufactured with the technical capability of using dry fiber to produce the same base sheet formation and quality as slush fiber. Extensive trials have been conducted by Sappi for both sheet and web products to guarantee the quality and repeatability of products made with dry fiber. These coated paper investments are a part of the $170M capital investment project currently in progress at the Cloquet Mill that will convert the kraft pulp mill to production of dissolving pulp used in the textile and consumer goods markets, improving site profitability at Cloquet and ensuring global cost competitiveness. All paper produced at Cloquet carries both a Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative chain of custody certification. The Cloquet Mill also continues to have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry with more than 85% renewable energy. "We remain deeply committed to the coated paper market as well as to surpassing the expectations of our customers," said Rick Dwyer, managing director at Cloquet. "Our investments in the production of high-end paper will allow Sappi to serve this market into the foreseeable future and enable more agility and efficiency within our papermaking process. We are making this strong commitment on the paper side of the business to ensure that quality paper continues to prove its value in publishing and advertising, especially when used strategically with digital counterparts." At Sappi's Somerset Mill, in Skowhegan, Maine, the rebuild of PM 3 was completed successfully in October 2012. The $13 million investment to upgrade coated paper manufacturing surpassed speed, production, and variable cost goals while achieving all of the formation and quality improvements outlined in the project plan. The improvements on PM 3 now allow for the production of a broader range of products on this machine. Sappi expects to see long-term benefits as a result of this project in the form of chemical and fiber savings as well as increased paper production. The company also announced the re-design of product labels to more clearly emphasize Sappi's support for local production by using the "Made in the USA" logo. Based on expressed interest from a wide variety of customers, this element was included during a label redesign improvement project that also aims to provide customers with a more organized way of displaying product information on labels. The new look features a cleaner design with easy-to-read typefaces, and is now available on most products with the balance by the end of the year. In addition to Sappi's capital projects in the coated business and the Cloquet pulp mill conversion to dissolving pulp, the company also recently announced a $2.5 million project at the Westbrook Mill to re-build the specialty coater in the Release sector. ##SHARELINKS##
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U.S. Containerboard production rose 6.8% over February 2013 but fell 2.6% over the same month last year, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) March 2013 U.S. Containerboard Statistics Report released this past week. The month-over-month average daily production decreased 3.5%.
The containerboard operating rate for March 2013 lost 3.4 points from February 2013, from 96.2% to 92.8%. ##SHARELINKS##
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Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd, China, has ordered form Metso, Finland, an OptiConcept M containerboard production line for its Chongqing site in Sichuan Province in China. The new production line is targeted to produce a high-quality end product with high strength properties. Startup of the production line is scheduled for 2014. The value of the order was not disclosed.
"This production line optimizes the machine investment in line with the mill's capacity needs and ensures optimized productivity at minimal operational cost," said Sami Anttilainen, R&D Director, Paper business line, Metso. The design of the machinery allows, for instance, for easy and safe changing of rolls and wear parts, thus reducing the total duration and cost of service and maintenance shutdowns. An exceptionally spacious walkway design improves accessibility and safety, also on the drive side of the machine. Metso's delivery will include a complete OptiConcept M boardmaking line from headbox to reel with related air systems. A comprehensive automation package includes a mill-wide Metso DNA automation solution with machine and process controls, a Metso IQ quality control system, and a Metso IQ Dilution Profiler. The 7.25-m-wide (wire) PM 20 will produce testliner grades out of recycled raw material in the basis weight range of 70-160 gsm. The production capacity of PM 20 will be approximately 1,160 metric tpy, and it has a design speed 1,100 m/min. Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing produces linerboard and corrugating medium grades for various industrial packaging purposes and is also involved in pulp making, plantation, and recovered paper collection. The company currently has five plants in China. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Andritz, Graz, Austria, will host a steel yankee customer event on June 26 and 27 in Budapest, Hungary. Andritz supplies large steel yankee dryers in diameters up to 22 ft. and shell lengths reaching 7.4 meters for tissue, paper, and board production.
At the beginning of June 2013, Andritz will install the world's largest steel yankee at the new kraft paper machine for Zellstoff Pöls AG, Austria. At its customer event in Hungary, the company will inform attendees about the current status of the installation of this record-breaking yankee, and visitors can also take part in a workshop tour at the Andritz manufacturing site in Tiszakécske to learn about the steel yankee manufacturing process and coating technology. More information about this event is available online, or by emailing Elizabeth Wolfond. ##SHARELINKS##
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Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, has introduced its Canfor Pulp Calculator App that provides instant accessibility to key information vital in today's fast paced business environment. "We recognize that we must evolve our technical tools to better serve your needs," Canfor Pulp noted in its introduction of the new app, adding that for many years, its Temap website has been an industry source for key pulp and paper knowledge and support.
"Have you ever needed to immediately convert Canadian Standard Freeness to Schopper Riegler and not been near your computer? How about calculating the Specific Edge Load of your LC refiner in the control room? Or for our friends in the solid wood business, determining the number of board feet from cubic meters in the lumber yard?" Canfor Pulp asks. The Canfor Pulp Calculator App offers these capabilities and others, it points out:
The company also says that The Canfor Pulp Calculator App marks Phase 1 of its Pulp's Quality Information Platform—with more to come. The Canfor Pulp Calculator App can be downloaded online, or the site can be bookmarked on a mobile device or personal computer. ##SHARELINKS##
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Metsä Board, Finland, reports that it has made "major enhancements" to its Avanta Prima, Simcote, and Carta Elega folding boxboards, following technical improvements made at its mills during the 2011–2012 investment program. The product enhancements improve the suitability of each cartonboard in the range for a particular packaging end-use such as food, beauty care, healthcare, or luxury packaging and graphics applications.
"We are responding to customer needs by making our world class boards even more fit-for-purpose," said Pasi Piiparinen, head of Metsä Board Paperboard, a producer of fresh forest fiber carton boards. "Developments include better yield, optimized shades, and improved surfaces, according to the requirements of each end-use." The bulk of Avanta Prima has been improved, meaning a lighter weight can be specified while maintaining the same thickness and stiffness. As a result, Metsä Board has further light-weighted grammages across the range. Avanta Prima has been developed to meet the requirements of the healthcare market, and its surface has now been optimized to allow for 2D data matrix coding. Its shade has also been optimized to enhance visual whiteness, the company points out. Simcote, already offering an outstanding combination of stiffness and consistency for food packaging, now has improved bulk for even better yield while maintaining the same thickness and stiffness. As a result, grammages have been light-weighted across the range, providing both cost and sustainability benefits. The shade of Carta Elega has been optimized to enhance visual whiteness, an important characteristic in the beauty care market. "We are happy to be able to offer our customers these changes, giving better performance in converting and printing, as well as an improved end result. They will also be able to utilize an even lighter weight board, achieving the same or even better performance in a finished carton," adds Pasi Piiparinen. "Using a lighter weight board also offers sustainability benefits, as less raw material is used, less weight is carried throughout the value chain, and less waste is generated." The enhanced board range can be ordered starting mid-May, with availability beginning in June. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Mohawk, Cohoes, N.Y., USA, has introduced 68 new synthetic products for dry toner presses to its digital substrate line that the company says are tough and durable, yet flexible like paper. Available in a wide range of sheet sizes, weights, finishes, colors, and pre-perforated shapes, the new products are tear resistant and weatherproof.
The new Mohawk synthetic products are engineered and compatible to run on a variety of Xerox, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kodak, and other digital presses. Mohawk Synthetics save printers time and money by reducing the need for costly and time-intensive lamination processes, Mohawk emphasizes. They are ideal for applications that require a high level of durability, such as menus, manuals, maps, ID cards/badges, parking passes, road race bibs, outdoor tags/signage, all weather manuals, luggage tags, POP displays, table tents, and more. With this expansion, Mohawk brings the total number of specialty substrates to more than 120. ##SHARELINKS##
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MoveRoll Oy, Finland, has introduced a new generation of MoveRoll conveyors, new bumpers, and as a special highlight, zero-energy receivers. "We developed the receiver from zero, tested it in the field, and the results are excellent. Traditional systems consume up to 20 MWh of energy annually. Our receiver does not need energy at all," says MoveRoll's CEO Mikko Rantanen.
According to MoveRoll, measurements show that, compared with traditional roll handling systems, MoveRoll products save up to 85% in energy consumption. Due to modularity and lack of moving parts, the company adds, MoveRoll conveyors are flexible, robust, and easy to use. Compared with the traditional way of roll handling, "there is evidence that MoveRoll boosts safety in paper mills to a whole new level," the company notes. More information is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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Södra, Sweden, reported this week that it will raise the price of its softwood pulp to $890 per metric ton in Europe, effective May 1. According to Södra, the market balance has been improved during the first quarter 2013, which has resulted in lower global market pulp stock levels for softwood pulp.
Södra's four business areas produce sawn and planed timber goods, interior products, paper pulp, and biofuel. In recent years, the company has also become such a large producer of electricity that it now produces more electricity than it uses. ##SHARELINKS##
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Mohawk, Cohoes, N.Y., USA, this week announced three promotions and two new hires. Melissa Stevens was promoted to VP, Sales, Michelle Carpenter was promoted to VP, Environmental and Energy Stewardship, and Beth Reardon was promoted to regional sales manager, Midwest.
Mohawk also announced that it hired Pamela Reedstrom and Katherine Hoffman as digital specialists. Reedstrom and Hoffman will join a team of Mohawk Digital Specialists located throughout North America to oversee market development and grow sales of the company's digital papers and specialty substrate lines. Reedstrom will service the Southern California territory and Hoffman will service customers in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. Mohawk is North America's largest privately-owned producer of fine papers and envelopes. ##SHARELINKS##
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The 14th TAPPI European PLACE Conference, to be held next week (May 6-8) in Dresden, Germany, is your opportunity to connect with the global flexible packaging industry. This is your opportunity to interact with others looking to embrace raw material and hardware suppliers, regulatory experts, and trend setting technology leaders from the converting industry, universities, and end-users. In addition to its robust technical program, the European PLACE Conference includes numerous networking opportunities including coffee breaks and lunches, a Table Top Walk, and an evening event at the famous Watzke Ball & Brauhaus. Download the Brochure. ##SHARELINKS##
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What are cellulose nanomaterials? What potential do they offer our industry? Register for a free webinar on Friday, May 10th at 11:00 a.m. EST to learn about these new materials and their applications. Sponsored by TAPPI's International Nanotechnology Division, Sean Ireland, manager of New Technologies and Market Ventures, Verso Paper Corp. and the Nano Division chair, will share how as we move forward in the 21st Century, there is a unique opportunity due to the demand in materials, energy, food, and water driven by world economics and populations. The potential is to open our minds and re-think our uses for trees in producing many of the materials we use today, from composites, batteries, super-capacitors, high-efficiency filters, reinforce polymers, bioplastics, coatings, sensors, flexible display, membranes and many other high-end products. Sean will explain how this is coming into existence through the most widely available, environmentally friendly polymer on the planet – cellulose. By breaking down cellulose to nanoscale materials, we uncover unique properties, and the nanomaterials can be produced in large quantities for commercialization that will preserve existing jobs, allowing our mature industry to remain competitive and improving the environment. Learn about the latest advances in renewable nanomaterials at TAPPI's 8th Annual International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials to be held June 24-27, 2013, in Stockholm, Sweden. This year's program is the largest to date with more than 80 technical presentations. ##SHARELINKS##
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The popular Paper Machine Operations Course is returning to the TAPPI Training Facility on May 21-23, 2013. This course has proven to be one of the best ways to get a good overview of the paper mill operations. Led by Jim Atkins and a team of instructors, this course will provide participants with an improved understanding of the overall paper machine operation. Fundamental understanding of fiber properties and the way the mechanical components function on the paper machine will give the participant the tools needed to more quickly troubleshoot operational problems and improve paper machine operations and product quality. Go to the course website to learn more and to reserve your space in this upcoming course. This course in NOT intended for employees of tissue companies. Those interested in learning about tissue may be more interested in the TAPPI Tissue Runnability Course. ##SHARELINKS##
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Register by May 11 to save for one of 25 seats in the popular TAPPI Introduction to Wet End Chemistry course. Three industry-known instructors are focusing the three-day curriculum, June 11-13, 2013, on innovative wet end chemistry principals and foundations designed to help you reach higher yield, improve confidence in the use of papermaking chemicals, and to better troubleshoot. View the Workshop Schedule to see the specific topics covered. This introductory- to intermediate-level course is designed for those in pulp and paper manufacturing facilities with job responsibilities, such as chemical and process engineers, mill superintendents, research and development engineers, technology and chief chemists, R&D vice presidents, process and quality control technicians, and suppliers involved with the wet end processes. ##SHARELINKS##
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TAPPI has entered into a partnership with Layar, an industry-leading organization at the forefront of a new medium known as augmented reality, which adds digital content to print products and merges the digital and print worlds. Maarten Lens-FitzGerald, co-founder of Layar, officially announced the partnership at the 2013 PaperCon Conference, April 27-May 1, in Atlanta, Ga., USA. Layar's products include the Layar app, the Layar Creator used to add digital content, and an app service that allows companies to provide their own branded apps to readers. Layar strengthens the power of print by additional revenue through ad upsell and grows consumer engagement with extra content and an interaction channel. For more information visit the Layar Website. ##SHARELINKS##
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TAPPI's 2013 Introduction to Wet End Chemistry Course provides in-depth training on paper machine wet end chemistry that will bring both mill technicians and suppliers up to speed on this key area of papermaking. The three-day course, to be held June 11-13, 2013 in Peachtree Corners (Metro Atlanta), Ga., USA,, is the only course of its kind in the world. "This course is ideal for engineers and other technical people who need a better understanding of wet end chemistry," notes Scott Springmier, Manager, Pulp and Paper for TAPPI. "The course not only covers the key technologies, chemical additives and terminology but it also delves into the use of papermaking additives to change paper properties, improve runnability and reduce costs." The course is designed for anyone that is involved with wet end operations as well as anyone training staff working in this area. New engineers with a strong technical background but lacking papermaking process knowledge would also benefit. Instructors focus this 3-day interactive training on innovative wet end chemistry principals and the use of additives to change or create new paper products. Through case studies, break-out sessions and networking with others in the course, attendees will learn how to implement new technology to improve efficiency and product quality, reduce machine downtime and off-specification production, select and use of papermaking chemicals, and troubleshoot problems. Topics covered include: basic water chemistry, fibers and fines, starch, dry and wet strength agents, alum chemistry, rosin sizing, synthetic sizes, dyes, fillers, retention systems and deposit and pitch control. The impact of recent regulatory developments and how changes in fiber quality are impacting wet end operations are also reviewed. The three course instructors are respected experts in wet end chemistry. Martin A. Hubbe, Ph.D., is Professor, Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University. He began his career with American Cyanamid before joining International Paper Company as a research associate and later principal scientist. Larry Anker, Ph.D., is Sizing and Wet Strength Applications Group Leader for Ashland Hercules Water Technologies. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics from Washington and Lee University and Ph.D. in Chemistry at Penn State University. Przem Pruszynski, Ph.D., is Global Technical Specialist for Nalco. He holds an M.S. in Analytical Chemistry and Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from University of Poznan, Poland, where he taught for 12 years. He's authored nearly 100 papers, holds several patents and has taught numerous technical courses. ##SHARELINKS##
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Nominations for the major TAPPI 2014 awards are due by August 1, 2013. The awards that may be presented in the upcoming year are: Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award - The Association's highest technical honor may be presented annually to recognize an individual or individuals for preeminent scientific and engineering achievements of proven commercial benefit to the world's pulp, paper, board, and forest products industries and the other industries that TAPPI serves. Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award - The Association's highest award for service may be presented annually to recognize leadership and service that have significantly and demonstrably contributed to the advancement of the Association. Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award - The highest honor for Local Sections may be presented annually to recognize an individual for outstanding leadership and exceptional service to one or more Local Sections, which have resulted in significant and demonstrable benefits to the Local Section members. TAPPI Fellow - TAPPI Fellows are individuals who have been members of TAPPI for not less than 10 years prior to the nomination, and who have contributed meritorious service to the Association and/or the paper and related industries. Retiring members of the TAPPI Board of Directors become Fellows automatically at the end of their term. The TAPPI Awards and Honors page has links to these awards that will show the qualifications required and links to the nomination forms that must be completed. You may submit all nomination forms by email to standards@tappi.org, or you may fax them to the attention of the awards department at +1-770-446-6947, or send them by mail to TAPPI, Awards Department, 15 Technology Parkway South, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092, USA. ##SHARELINKS##
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The launch of this successful conference series, produced by the Recycling Today and Smithers Pira, in co-operation with China TAPI, into Asia provides a unique opportunity for companies in North America, Europe, and the rest of the world to meet buyers in the Asian market. The full program for Paper Recycling Conference Asia launching on May 30-31, 2013, has been announced. Highlights include the opening keynote address - The role of recyclables in China's Economic Resurgence, presented by Professor Wang, Ministry of Environmental Protection, China; An Overview of Macro-Economic Trends Impacting Asia's Recovered Paper Industry from Sally Sun, Deloitte China, and an exclusive One-on-One Interview with Ross Li, Lee & Man. Save 20% on a ticket to attend by using the code CD20TAP! Attendees will hear from other key speakers on the agenda, including; Randy Kim, Ekman Recycling; Henri Vermeulen, Smurfit Kappa Group; Niu Qingmin, Jiangsu Paper Association; Yoshimitsu Tanaka, Kaneko, and more, on recovered paper supply, infrastructure, and quality issues and challenges. "We're excited about launching a Paper Recycling Conference in Asia, particularly as Asian demand continues to represent the major growth area for recovered paper. Since this inaugural event replicates the design of our existing events' list to attract merchants, brokers, suppliers of recovered fiber, and mills from around the globe, it's sure to represent a unique and powerful opportunity for the world's suppliers and consumers of recovered paper to meet," Jim Keefe, EVP and group publisher, Recycling Today, said. More information about the inaugural Paper Recycling Conference is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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In 2015, TAPPI will celebrate its one hundredth year. The TAPPI Centennial Celebration will be a multi-year series of outreach events and educational offerings showcasing the proud history and promising future of the global pulp, paper, packaging, and related industries. This once-in-a-lifetime event will expand public awareness, foster further connection, and provide outstanding opportunities for collaboration, growth, and investment in our future for all of those involved. BUCKMAN has become the first company to support the Centennial Celebration at the $100,000 level. Kathy Buckman Gibson, chairman of the board, noted that "Buckman is delighted to celebrate TAPPI's 100th anniversary by being a Centurion Sponsor. Like so many others, we have benefitted from the many ways TAPPI has been an advocate for knowledge-sharing, innovation, and growth in the paper industry. We appreciate the opportunity to take a leadership position in encouraging others within the industry to support the Centennial, share our industry's story of sustainability, and forge the future of innovation." Goals for the TAPPI Centennial Celebration are:
Lela Simpson Gerald, director of Global Marketing Communications, added that "the value we get from TAPPI has continued to grow over the course of our decades of working together. Leading the sponsorship campaign for TAPPI's 100th anniversary is our way of thanking them for all they've done in the past and to proactively help the world understand the role paper products will play in the future." ##SHARELINKS##
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Patrice Mangin, Professor at the University of Québec à Trois-Rivières, Department of Chemical Engineering's Chemical Research Centre on Lignocellulosic Materials (CRML), has been named winner of the 2013 TAPPI Research & Development Technical Award and the William H. Aiken Prize. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments or contributions that have advanced the technology of the paper and related industries in the field of research and development. "Dr. Mangin has had an outstanding career as general manager of international research and development institutes at CTP in France and CIPP in Canada," notes Dr. Dominique Lachenal, professor at Grenoble INP-Pagora, who nominated Dr. Mangin. "Despite his heavy responsibilities, Dr. Mangin continuously made extremely valuable contribution to science and technology through the supervision of graduate students, the presentation of conferences, and the writing of scientific papers." Mangin, a TAPPI member since 1980, received his Ph.D. from the Institute National Polytechnique of Grenoble (INPG) in 1988. He is chairman ex-officio of PAPTAC, and a member of the AGENDA 2020 CTO Committee. Patrice coordinates the wood valuation and job creation program of his regional (Mauricie) forest products industries. In his 40-year career, he built the Integrated Pulp and Paper Centre of which he was general director until 2012. He was CEO of the French Centre Technique du Papier, scientific director of the Swedish Print Research program, held industry chairs both at UQTR and KTH (Stockholm), and worked 17 years at PAPRICAN. Patrice participated in many research and development strategic planning sessions in Canada (Canadian Forest Innovation Council, Conseil de l'Industrie Forestière du Québec, and Senate Commissions), in the U.S. (Agenda 2020) and Europe (CEPI). As CEPI Research Group chairman, he coordinated the European forest products industry proposals to the 6th EU Research Framework Program. Author of more than 300 articles, he published in 2011 UNO year of the forest, the book "Once Upon a Forest" to celebrate forest as humanity's best hope for the future. He is a TAPPI Fellow (2010) and received TAGA highest Award (M.H. Bruno) in 2009. The award is given for outstanding accomplishments or contributions that have advanced the technology of the paper and related industries in the field of research and development. The prize is funded by an endowment from the estate of William H. Aiken, TAPPI president in 1967-1968, and VP of technology for the former Union Camp Corp. ##SHARELINKS##
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The only conference that focuses exclusively on renewable and sustainable nanomaterials, showcasing the latest applications and discoveries using cellulose, chitosan-derived, and other nanomaterials.... In its eighth year, TAPPI's 2013 International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials to be held June 24-27 in Stockholm, Sweden, features the largest program to date, with more than 80 technical presentations.  KTH Royal Institute of Technology Campus - Stockholm, Sweden Register online and also reserve your hotel room at the Elite Hotel Arcadia, the preferred conference hotel. Your conference registration also includes a tour of either Innventia AB or the Wallenberg Wood Science Center beginning at 16:00 on Monday, June 24. Space is limited on both tours. Both will end by 18:30 so that you can attend the welcome reception. More details will be available soon, but allow for an early arrival time so you don't miss out. This conference is your opportunity to learn about composite foams made with modified nanofibrillated cellulose from pulp mill waste streams, eco-friendly membranes, and high-strength, thin, and flexible films made from cellulose nanomaterials. Presentations also address material characterization, self-assembly behavior, rheology and processing of nanomaterials, novel medical applications, characterization techniques, and health and safety issues. A Standards Workshop is also scheduled to help advance the development of standards for cellulose nanomaterials. With the two pre-conference tours, five keynote presentations, a poster session plus Student Poster Competition, it will be a packed three days in Stockholm. Register today, and see what solutions are available to support tomorrow's bioeconomy. The 8th Annual International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials is hosted by TAPPI's International Nanotechnology Division, which strives to collectively advance the responsible and sustainable production and use of renewable nanomaterials. Learn more about the Nanotechnology Division. ##SHARELINKS##
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The Pulp and Paper Safety Association (PPSA) will host its 70th Annual Safety and Health Conference - "The Human Element of Safety," June 9-12, 2013, in Williamsburg, Va., USA. At the conference, presenters will address how human behavior will proactively help prevent, detect, and control events before they occur. Professionals from across the country know the importance of safety and attendees will hear from 18 speakers who will show the impact of addressing the human impact on safety. The conference will feature updates from OSHA, member company case studies, and PPSA's popular legal update. Among the confirmed speakers are representatives from MeadWestvaco, Weyerhaeuser Co., Domtar, Safe Start, International Paper, REM Safety Consulting, Michael Best & Friedrich Law Firm, Training Logic, Change Management Consulting, and BushCo. PPSA is a non-profit, non-political, international organization, devoted to the countinuous improvement of safety throughout all aspects of the paper industry. From forest products to paper mills, to converting plants, to recycle collections centers, our membership is grouped by category to ensure a fair and appropriate basis for comparison. Registration is currently open for this event. More information is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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The Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has launched its first-ever Best Place to Work Award. The award is open to all companies in the forest products industry and will look not only at corporate life but also look at how employees feel about their work environments. In conjunction with Majority Opinion Research Group, PPMA has started taking nominations for this award and will continue to accept nominations through July 1, 2013. "This award is an exciting opportunity for PPMA to honor great companies. As an association that serves HR professionals, we know the value of the making your company a great place to work," said PPMA President Joe Thibaudeau, employee relations manager - Procter & Gamble - Green Bay, Wis., USA. The award will be presented to the winner at the annual PPMA conference on October 23-25, 2013, in Milwaukee, Wis., USA. The winner will have the chance to speak with conference attendees about what makes his or her company the "Best Place to Work." PPMA is a nonprofit association built around a community comprised of executives, managers, and human resource professionals from the pulp and paper industry. For its members, PPMA serves as a primary source of information on labor settlements and current human resource issues, governmenta,l and related operational issues. To nominate your company for the Best Place to Work Award, use the online form. ##SHARELINKS##
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The existence of cellulose nanocrystals and cellulose nanofibrils has been known for several decades, yet recent advances in science, particularly in the field of nanotechnology, have revealed that these materials contain unique physical properties, particularly high strength properties. Researchers have been studying how these materials can improve paper properties and will present their latest finding this June 24-27, 2013, in Stockholm, Sweden, at TAPPI's 8th Annual International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials at the KTH Royal Institute of Stockholm. The program for this year's event has been released, and one session will focus on using cellulose nanofibers for improving retention and increasing strength in paper. Researchers from Aalto University in Finland will report on improved flocculation of both precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and kaolin with the addition of certain cellulose nanomaterials. Researchers from Papiertechnische Stiftung (PTS) in Heidenau, Germany, will report on the importance of adding fillers, celluloses, and compounding agents in the right order to achieve the best results. Researchers from VTT in Finland will report on ways to increase the strength of paper by using filler particles coated with nanoscale calcium silicate hydrate (CS) structures.
Watch for additional updates from TAPPI on how nanotechnology, and cellulose nanomaterials in particular, can be a transformative technology for the pulp and paper industry. The 8th Annual International Conference on Nanotechnolgy for Renewable Materials is hosted by TAPPI's International Nanotechnology Division, which strives to collectively advance the responsible and sustainable production and use of renewable nanomaterials. More information is available online. ##SHARELINKS##
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The TAPPI Centennial Celebration will be a multi-year long series of outreach events and educational offerings showcasing the proud history and promising future of the global pulp, paper, packaging, and related industries. This once-in-a-lifetime event will expand public awareness, foster further connection, and provide outstanding opportunities for collaboration, growth, and investment in our future for all of those involved. Goals for the TAPPI Centennial Celebration are:
For more information on sponsorship and volunteer opportunities please contact dbell@tappi.org. The sponsorship prospectus can be downloaded online. ##SHARELINKS##
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Do you have a history book gathering dust on your shelf? TAPPI's 100th year is coming soon and we are looking for donations to the TAPPI Library. Specifically, we are interested in histories of companies and mills in the paper and packaging industry (both producers and suppliers). Each donated book will have a bookplate in the front cover recognizing the donor. For more information please contact David Bell. Please send books to: ##SHARELINKS##
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The Bleaching of Pulp, Fifth Edition Item Number: 0101R328•List Price: $205• Member Price: $135
This textbook is designed to provide in-depth explanations and information for professionals working in all areas of the corrugated containers industry. ##SHARELINKS##
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 Are you ready to go further, faster in your safety career? The Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) class can take you there. The COSS Class is Unique Not only will you learn how to read and understand the OSHA 1910 and 1926 CFRs and help your company avoid OSHA citations that cost millions of dollars, but more importantly, by learning how to work safely on a job site, you can teach your company how to lower fatalities and near misses. Almost 47% of COSS graduates responding to our survey indicate that, since taking COSS, their company's injury rate and/or OSHA recordables have decreased by as much as 25% and others attest to as much as a 100% decrease! Request a Course Outline & Syllabus for more information. The class also addresses the psychology of safety, the true cost of an accident, hazard recognition, how to start up a health and safety program, behavior based safety, system safety, and much more! What Will You Receive? Upon successfully completing the class, you will obtain your national Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) designation, your OSHA 10-hr. card of completion in construction, and your OSHA 10-hr. card of completion in general industry. National Program Recognitions COSS is currently one of only 37 programs in the world recongnized and accredited by the American Petroleum Institute (API). In addition, the certifying body for construction education for colleges, universties and technical/trade schools, American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), has also recongnized our program. COSS is the only non-degree program to receive this national endorsement. Lastly, COSS has been established as a mandatory course for students in the Construction Management Program at Louisiana State University. Program Content The program consists of 40 hr. of hands on, face-to-face learning, which is delivered by an Authorized OSHA outreach trainer in both construction and general industry. Case studies and workshops are used extensively to bring learning objectives into focus. Guest speaker from areas such as OSHA and other governmental agencies are used to enhance the learning experience. Student presentations, daily quizzes, practical reviews, and a comprehensive final exam will allow you to demonstrate your competency. Prerequisites The only prerequisite for the COSS class is you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. In each class, we tend to have a mix of non-experienced, first time safety persons, as well as safety professionals who have been in the safety field for 20+ years. But, we have learned that regardless of the numbers of years of experience you have in safety, everyone leaves the COSS class with a wealth of knowledge! Visit the COSS website for FAQs, testimonials and a list of clients that have taken COSS. Register now. If you would like more information on the COSS program, contact Beth Gordon at 877-610-2677 ##SHARELINKS##
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