Over the Wire

Operating income of the 28 North American companies Moody's rates will remain essentially flat, with 0%-2% growth over the outlook period, accounting for 60% of global industry income. Flat to modest operating income growth from paper packaging, pulp, and wood products will be offset by lower operating earnings from paper.

 

Sawlog prices in Europe have generally fallen faster than in other parts of the world, with the Central European prices decreasing by almost one-third in the past two years.In the global pulpwood prices arena, hardwood fiber prices continued to fall in most of the major pulp-producing countries in the world in the 4Q/15.

 

The rising price of wood pulp will be reflected in the domestic price of paper in addition to mill contractions. Paper is projected to grow at an annualized rate of 3.2% in the next three years. Paper-based packaging manufacturers are in the strongest position to protect their profit margins, with rising demand for packaging.

 

New plant will replace existing one and will comply with new environmental permits coming into force in 2018. It also will give a higher white liquor plant production rate and increase flexibility of the lime cycle management within CMP Corp.

 

Domtar management spoke to a local business journal this past week, providing enthusiastic commentary and ongoing support for the company's projects promoting the modern use of paper. As of 2013, the company had spent 10 million dollars on multiple projects, and continues to spend.

 

Partnership that Domtar helped spearhead to increase FSC group certification among small landowners has enrolled more than 500,000 acres in the four-states region.

 

Company has started up its new pulp mill in Ortigueira, Paraná, Brazil, this past week producing the first pulp bale at the Puma Unit. The new unit’s construction was completed in 24 months and on budget. Total investment in the project was R$8.5 billion, which included all facilities, taxes, and contractual corrections.

 

New lines will be installed at Lee & Man's mill in Chongqing and startup is planned to take place later this year. The new tissue lines will fulfill the high requirements for effective technology and sustainability set by Lee & Man.

 

Traditionally in a mill, different operations such as woodyard, digester, recovery boiler, etc., are controlled from separate control rooms. By integrating the control systems of the entire production process of the SCA mill in Timrå, Sweden, into a single control room, the efficiency and productivity of all processes will be increased.

 

After an investment of more than EUR 35 million during the past five years, another approximate EUR 30 million will be spent on construction of the new Toscotec tissue machine and associated facilities.

 

The company also plans to recruit more staff as part of its growth strategy. Since 2012, Diamondpak achieved 15%-20% growth each year and expects to continue that growth in 2016. The company's new machinery, the second machinery investment in just a few months, will double production capacity at its South Wales mill.

 

International Paper will continue to produce newsprint at the mill until Q2 of 2017 when it is scheduled to be converted. During this period, Holmen will sell newsprint produced at the mill and continue to serve customers. IP will also take on a paper recycling operation and half of the shares of an energy production operation.

 

International Paper will sell business to Xiamen Bridge Hexing Equity Investment Partnership Enterprise. IP's corrugated packaging business in Asia has 18 plants and a workforce of approximately 3,000 employees.

 

"Kanto" will be the new name for the paperboard mill after the integration that will take place on April 1.

 

In the state legislature, the GOP blames Democrats for not lowering corporate taxes and reducing energy costs. Democrats blame failed trade agreements and unfair foreign competition for closures. Industry leaders agree; there's plenty of blame to go around, but first and foremost,the six remaining state mills must be protected.

 

In the U.S. state of Idaho, lawmakers say cities and counties can't enforce their own plastic bag bans under a proposal headed to the governor's desk for approval. Local decisions to reduce plastic consumption help the environment as well as the paper products industry which manufactures greener replacement products.

 

A new MASTERFOIL 106 PR hot-foil stamping press that incorporates FOIL UNWINDER+, a system which delivers up to 30% more press productivity and a reduction of up to 50% in foil use. Bobst claims the new system will allow paper packaging manufacturers to realize "zero fault" production with improved technology.

 

Designed with the consumer in mind, it's an essential tool that every print-centric designer, client, and printer needs by their desk or studio. Neenah will make any custom envelope the consumer needs and includes 33 common samples with detailed and extremely useful information about how they suit different business needs.

 

The product group now includes corrugated paper (fluting) and Fusion topliner. Ultraflute is a new corrugating medium paper containing mostly virgin fibers from semi-chemical pulp and is the first choice for very high performance and post-processing requirements.

 

Responding to consumer desire, the company launched an easy-open quad-seal flexible bag with Cross-Seal technology. Bags produced with the technology don't have to be in perfect registration. With other quad-seal bags, seal variation can cause difficult opening for consumers. Sonoco’s technology eliminates this risk.

 

Boise Paper announced this week it will raise prices on the company's line of printing, envelope, and converting papers by $3.00/cwt. Price increases will be effective with shipments beginning April 5, 2016.

 

The announcement comes as a result of higher raw material costs. Demand for these specialty fibers has also grown significantly due to a shift of consumer requirements in the beverage industry, along with new technical applications driven by the trend for more sustainable products.

 

SBI BioEnergy has been working on scaling up its novel "catalytic" processing technology for the past three years, thanks to $1.4 million in funding from Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions (AI Bio). The process creates no emissions, generates no waste, and costs less than other alternative fuel technologies.

 

Sean Curran, who brings nearly 30 years of experience in global pulp, paper, and energy markets, as well as strategic positioning and marketing partnerships to this senior leadership role at Catalyst, will replace Jim Bayles, who will retire on April 1.

 

Don Forst, director-Global Sourcing, accepted the ASPI 2016 Excellence in Leadership Award at the association’s Spring meeting held February 24-26 in Miami, Fla., USA.

 

Solenis is currently seeking an Area Sales Manager for Hercules Pulp & Paper in Pine Bluff, Ark., USA.

 

Results for TAPPI’s Industry Compensation Survey are now available. Compare your compensation to others, see salary and benefit trends, and evaluate your potential career growth.

 

This two-volume set analyzes the whole spectrum of boiler systems, including those used in residential complexes, commercial and institutional buildings, and industrial facilities.

 

Don’t miss PEERS new workshops: Kraft Pulp Mill-Lime Recovery Kiln Maintenance, Recovered Paper Markets, and Brown Stock Washing.

 

Don’t miss these brand new workshops Nano’s popular workshops: Fundamentals of Cellulose workshop and Commercialization workshop!

 

Learn proven best practices in cost-effective management.

 

Learn by doing with well known instructor Dr. Ring.