Over the Wire

Vendors are investing in R&D to differentiate themselves in the market. Technologies such as barrier coatings, quick response codes, and holographic images are enabling vendors to develop improved paperboard packaging. Such innovations also increase efficiency and reduce costs.

 

The two major segments of this market include the Bio-Degradable Plastic Packaging and Bio-Degradable Paper Packaging markets. The lack of supply of bioplastics and the higher cost of materials are hindering the growth of this market and giving paper packaging an ongoing advantage as it is expected to gain market traction.

 

The downward trend of the index has partly been the result of lower prices for hardwood chips, in U.S. dollar terms, imported to Japan from Australia, Chile, and South Africa.

 

The company is already taking the first steps to increase the capacity of processing the paper to end-customer products. To achieve this, the next phase of investment will go to the tissue paper business with the help of a new loan and funds on-hand.

 

Canada-based Canfor will purchase Anthony Forest Products Co. located in El Dorado, Ark., USA, for a purchase price of $93.5 million, which includes approximately $15 million of working capital.

 

Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little and Clearwater Paper's top executives were front and center this past Friday (September 25) as one of the region's largest employers broke ground for its biggest Lewiston upgrade in a quarter century.

 

The mill produces multilayered papers, boards, and specialty papers. It has been operating on a limited schedule for several months. "The operation is just not sustainable or efficient," said Bill McCarthy,VP of financial planning, analysis, and investor relations for owner Neenah Paper. "We expect operations to cease sometime in the fourth quarter."

 

The new system will supply steam to power the three paper machines within the existing mill and will run solely from virgin biomass. Part of the plans also include the installation of a biomass boiler, with the Barrow, U.K., community being asked for their views on it at a meeting next week.

 

Industry stakeholders say the privatization of the paper mills were handed over to investors who have more interest in importation of paper from India than developing the mills which they bought and promised to develop locally.

 

The new agreement will, together with an agreement that was signed with Statkraft in 2011, secure Norske Skog Skogn with sufficient energy for the full operation of the plant.

 

SFI manages a large forest, pulp and paper manufacturing facilities, along with an integrated timber complex. The mill is able to produce 240,000 metric tpy of pulp, half of which is manufactured into printing and writing paper for domestic and international markets, while the other half is exported as market pulp.

 

Auction will liquidate Port Hawksbury Paper's Paper Machine No.1 (PM 1), at its mill in Nova Scotia. DemoPlus, an Ontario, Canada, commercial and industrial demolition firm, has retained NRI Industrial Sales to liquidate all assets pertaining to PM 1.

 

Atlantic Corp. (Atlantic Packaging) based in Willmington, N.C., USA, has agreed to purchase Dalton, Ga., based CIMS. CIMS had established themselves as a leading packaging equipment manufacturer in the greater Atlanta area where the two had previously been friendly competitors through Atlantic's own Atlanta, Ga., offices.

 

The Conyers, Ga., USA, plant will receive materials from both municipal and commercial recycling programs. From the recovered material, 5,000 tons of paper will be used as fiber for the 100% recycled paper mill on site. Other materials the company can't recycle can be used as fuel in a clean energy plant located right next door.

 

The company is using expertise in coating paper for luxury magazines and advertising literature for the production of high-end packaging for products from cosmetics to consumer electronics. Sappi is developing new businesses as a global shift to digital publishing and advertising reduces demand for glossy publishing paper.

 

Considered the most advanced facility of its kind in North America, Greenpac produces a lightweight linerboard, made with 100% recycled fibers, on a single machine having a trim of 328 in. (8.33 meters) with an annual production capacity of 540,000 short tons. Built and operated by Norampac, a division of Cascades, the Greenpac Mill employs 135 people.

 

Construction of a new CCL Design plant to service major global automotive OEM and Tier 1 customers located in Mexico will commence this quarter as announced earlier this year. On 28 acres of land immediately adjacent to the existing property, Avery will also build a world-class, low cost binder manufacturing plant that will export its entire output to the U.S. and Canada.

 

Ascania produces nonwoven fabrics and nonwoven composites used as components in personal care products. The business currently employs 150 people and will be integrated into Mondi’s Consumer Packaging Business Unit.

 

Helmet, entirely based on materials from the forest, is a prototype designed and constructed by the designer Rasmus Malbert. Cellulose materials with different expressions were used in the design process. The helmet has an outer shell of wood veneer and straps made of durable paper. The cushioning inside consists of Cellutech’s cellulose foam, Cellufoam™.

 

With the growth of the Xerox iGen series, Verso has added 14.33 in. x 26 in. stocking sizes in 80 lb. and 100 lb. gloss and satin text and 26 in. x 14.33 in. stocking sizes in 80 lb., 100 lb., and 110 lb. gloss and satin cover to its Blazer Digital® offering. These new sizes are now stocked in company warehouses and are readily available.

 

Designed to give manufacturers an alternative to traditional labels and ink based case coding, as well as minimizing changeovers, Reveel is a water-based coating that enables laser imaging directly on corrugated and paperboard.

 

Company has invested in additional production equipment at its Singapore manufacturing facility that increases capacity by 40%. The investment complements and supports acquisition activity and organic growth by Michelman in Asia, and will allow the company to better serve its expanding customer base, particularly in China and India.

 

The FSC symbol on an end product means that the wood raw material or fiber used in its products has been responsibly sourced. UPM uses third-party verified environmental certificates and ecolabels to convey the environmental performance of its products, help clients choose the right products, and provide information to its stakeholders.

 

With a newly advanced policy, developed in cooperation with international environmental not-for-profit Canopy, Rolland seeks to successfully set what would be a new highest possible standard for the North American paper industry's sustainability efforts.

 

Company's new CFO, Michael Casamento,has been Amcor's Acting CFO since January this year when the company's previous CFO was appointed CEO.

 

Bill Kahn has announced his retirement after 22 years as VP and GM of Harper/Love Adhesives Corp., Charlotte, N.C., USA. Kahn Joined Harper/Love in 1993, launching a successful 50-year career in the corrugating industry.

 

Exhibitors can be a part of the brand new Passport Program designed to get conference attendees into the exhibit area.

 

This October 6 webinar will provide the audience and introduction to and overview of cellulose nanomaterials and nanocomposites. Production methods and properties of cellulose nanofibrils and cellulose nanocrystals will be described, as well as cellulose nanocomposites.

 

The 10-year review of T 602 cm-06 "Analysis of Sulfuric Acid" has been delayed due to lack of SSIG members. If you have an interest in becoming a member of this SSIG, please contact the Standards Administrator by October 15.

 

In addition to TAPPI members, participation in this forum will also be helpful if you are a front line mill project engineer, maintenance engineer, or reliability engineer. Connect with others experiencing similar materials issues and challenges and who are also looking for solutions.

 

There is still time to register for one of the few seats still available for an October 5-9 session. Check out the courses offered in November as well. Special discounts on hotels are available for those who make their reservations by October 18.

 

Graphic Packaging International is currently seeking a Senior Product Engineer/Operations and Maintenance Coordinator at its Atlanta, Ga., USA location.

 

TAPPI is offering multiple scholarship opportunities for students in the pulp, paper, packaging, and related industries. The deadline to submit applications for academic year 2016-2017 Technical Division scholarships is Feb. 15, 2016.

 

This comprehensive textbook, available to TAPPI members for a large discount, describes the entire process of manufacturing corrugated containers. The book also features practical troubleshooting tips, and a discussion of common problems and solutions within each major section.

 

Those who attend will learn the latest in chemistry, physics, and engineering principals from a worldwide panel of experts selected to share their knowledge in the many different facets of the kraft recovery process. This is consistently one of the best-attended annual courses TAPPI offers.