Over the Wire

The strength of the U.S. dollar in relation to the euro helped sustain European fiber export levels in the final quarter of 2014, albeit at lower values. OCC prices started the quarter at $185-plus per metric ton and ended it at the $168-plus level.

 

Overall capacity still is down, but some coated grades, tissue production doing considerably better.

 

U.S. bleached kraft pulp continued a soft decline in the last month of 2014.

 

Some major questions remain as to what exactly will be done with the site. This complication centers on the mill’s dams along its water source, which are causing problems for any dismantling process.

 

Following this week’s announcement, Kresta Paper will be renamed GapCon Paper GmbH, and will become an independent member of the GapCon group, itself a subsidiary of the IRLE DEUZ group, Germany.

 

The closings will affect approximately 25 employees at each facility. IP says the decision to shut down the two facilities followed thorough analyses and reviews of the company’s operations.

 

Main objectives of the project are a production increase and paper quality improvements for multicolor printing. With a startup planned for the summer of 2015, PMT will have the third SIZER FO unit in India.

 

Investment in R&D for new markets amid declining demand for paper is trying to build a third pillar to its business to complement its pulp and paper operations. In moving to "near-and-adjacent" products, the company hopes to start adding "biorefinery" products such as nanocellulose and polyactic acids.

 

The process involves three phases. In the first phase, the wastewater undergoes a biological process. In the second, for solid-liquid separation, it undergoes an ultrafiltration section. The third and last phase, aiming at eliminating the remaining salt fraction, consists of a reverse osmosis system.

 

Kadant has announced that international orders from the industry in both Asia and North America have amounted to a reported total of $21 million.

 

In addition to the company becoming the first upstream supplier to join the new German based Partnership on Sustainable Textiles, EcoPlanet Bamboo Group has now lined up plantations that can provide more than 3 million tons of raw fiber annually to the pulp industry.

 

The testing was conducted on 720 swab samples taken from containers from six different corrugated manufacturers in the Northwest, California, and Florida. The corrugated container industry requested the third-party testing to confirm that corrugated containers provided for food packaging meet acceptable sanitation criteria at the point of use.

 

IFCO is said to be lobbying North American grocery retailers to move away from the traditional corrugated box system of delivering fruit and vegetables. In the course of promoting its plastic crate alternative, IFCO has made various economic and environmental claims that are unsubstantiated.

 

Crown Paper Group is a holding company created in 2015 for investments in the paper and packaging industries. The executive leaders of Crown Paper Group have worked together in the paper and packaging industry for a century and a half (collectively).

 

A new investment based on PM 6 is focused on bringing an addition capacity of 150,000 metric tpy of high-strength corrugating medium paper that is going to be converted into packaging boxes for various industrial use and, at the same time, widening product portfolio (through reaching excellent quality parameters of paper).

 

The police, who were the first on the scene, observed heavy smoke coming from the building. No hazardous materials were reported to be involved/released in this incident.

 

The order consists of two complete PulpEye, Sweden, analyzer systems as well as a modernization of the existing PulpEye system on one of two CTMP production lines. One of the new PulpEye systems is installed on the second CTMP line and is equipped with modules for online measuring of fiber, shives, brightness, and freeness.

 

Beginning in late 2015, JM will upgrade an existing nonwoven mat line with advanced manufacturing technology that will allow the company to better serve customers in growing segments of the global specialty glass mat market.

 

The availability of three special parameters opens a huge amount of chances for the optimization of tissue production and converting processes.

 

Iggesund is not looking for inexpensive ideas that can be put into commercial use. Instead, the aim is to get a picture of how global designers as a collective group believe they can steer packaging development in a more sustainable direction.

 

Ambassador Burns served in the U.S. Department of State as Deputy Secretary of State from 2011 to 2014, as Under Secretary for Political Affairs from 2008 to 2011, and as Ambassador to Russia from 2005 to 2008, among many other posts during his 33 years in the Foreign Service.

 

The Group develops and produces sustainable personal care, tissue, and forest products. Sales are conducted in about 100 countries under several strong brands, including global brand.

 

Do you live in the southeastern U.S. and are a TAPPI member who would like to network and relax with colleagues? Don't miss out! Learn about the benefits of cost saving, the theme at this year's meeting.

 

This is a brief tutorial offered FREE on Thurs., Mar. 5. Make sure you will have the opportunity to join in and learn!

 

Representatives from TAPPI, RockTenn, and other sponsors will now be planting 100 trees in Decatur, Ga., (Metro Atlanta) on February 27, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m EST. Don't miss out on your chance to participate in planting our "centennial trees" to celebrate TAPPI's first 100 years as an association.

 

If you are eligible for a TAPPI Technical scholarship, you must not wait. Scholarship application requirements vary by division and a general information form must also be completed. The deadline to submit applications for academic year 2015-2016 Technical Division scholarships is Feb. 15, or next Sunday, no exceptions.

 

The PEERS Technical Program Committee is seeking abstracts from paper manufacturers, suppliers, and others to share best practices and practical solutions to increase process efficiency, reduce costs, and return more value on pulp mill assets. Presenters interested in submitting a paper should upload their abstract to TAPPI's Speaker Management System by March 2.

 

As IBBC draws experts and key decision makers in forest biorefineries from around the world, you can obtain great visibility for your company or organization by presenting at IBBC 2015. Authors interested in presenting should upload their abstract to TAPPI's Speaker Management System by March 19.

 

If you are a TAPPI member, now is your time to participate in choosing association leadership that will guide us towards yet another century of achievement!

 

This month's TAPPI member In the Spotlight says she gives thanks for a stable career serviced by steady membership with the association. From her old student chapter days with TAPPI to Northeast / PIMA chapters (TAPPI) she's helping manage in great dedication today, Micki has a stellar record with the association that she believes has served her career as well as TAPPI in mutual ways when it comes to career, networking, knowledge, and more...

 

This valuable February 24 technical webinar (12 p.m. EST), organized by the PIMA Division's Workforce Development Committee, will specifically address how your group will work as a corporate team to get key players behind your learning initiatives.

 

A group of established TAPPI members reviewed the nomination forms and collaborated on selecting the winning individuals. The contest recognized individuals under the age of 30 who are emerging leaders in the global pulp, paper, packaging and related industries.

 

TAPPI members will save significantly on this text detailing all aspects of extrusion coating. Become a TAPPI member today and enjoy discounts you can find on valuable industry resources such as this text and many other titles in the TAPPI Bookstore.