Weekly Spotlight
Catalyst Paper Restarts Idled PM 12 at Rumford, Recalls 51 Workers

Over the Wire

TAPPI

Member
Cristini
In a rare bit of good news for Maine’s paper industry, a Rumford paper machine that was shut down indefinitely last year has come back to life and dozens of people have been offered their jobs back.
 
Georgia Tech’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute Announces Paper Science and Engineering Fellowships
"Please join me in congratulating these professors on their successful proposals," Executive Director Norman Marsolan said. "This work will advance knowledge in core pulping and papermaking processes as well as emerging opportunities for our industry. We welcome companies’ expressions of interest in these projects, and offer opportunities for collaboration and leveraging of this important work."
 
Saving American Trees—with Paper
"It may seem counterintuitive, but the responsible production and use of paper is sustainable and helps keep forest land in the U.S. as forests," said Kate McGlynn, product environmental steward for Boise Paper. "Using wood-based products like office paper actually gives American landowners incentive to sustainably manage their forests."
 
Global Forest Products Industry is Part of the Solution to Climate Change
"The global forest products industry has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint, stocking carbon, and generating greenhouse gas removals – all helping to mitigate climate change," said ICFPA President and Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibà) President Elizabeth de Carvalhaes.
 
Paper Towels Much More Hygienic than Alternatives
This week a paper in the "Journal of Applied Microbiology" concluded that Airblades spread 60 times more germs than standard air dryers, and 1,300 times more than standard paper towels.
 
Weyerhaeuser Commits 3 million Acres in Washington/Oregon to Reintroduce N.A. Fisher
Fisher reintroduction and conservation effort is being led by a variety of partners including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), state wildlife agencies, conservation organizations, and private forestland owners such as Weyerhaeuser.
 
Growing Research Shows Students, Seniors Benefit from Handwriting
Unveiled by Domtar Corp., Montreal, Que., Canada, in February, PaperPal connects generations through letter writing. It helps youths develop fine motor skills, spurs seniors to practice a useful cognitive exercise, and gives both groups enjoyable and enriching connections.
 
Pulsar Open House Set for May 17-27 in Green Bay
Company is inviting professionals to its facility to take a closer look at the new technology it presented at recent industry shows. These technologies include Quantis, quality inspection machines for rolls and packs, the REDS System Platinum, and the PLS Dynamic.
 
Lemaire Brothers Comment on the Passing of Lucien G. Rolland
"It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Mr. Rolland. He made a significant impact on the development of our industry, as well as his region. Since the Rolland family transferred their shares of the fine paper company, which bears the family name, to us in 1992, our business relationship has been filled with nothing but deep mutual respect," the Lemaire brothers stated.
 
Safety Hats - Direct Digital Manufacturing Services
Market Roundup
Containerboard Production in the U.S. Edges Downward in March
Output was 1.1% lower than March 2015, according to the AF&PA March 2016 U.S. Containerboard Statistics Report. The month-over-month average daily production compared with February 2016 was 2.6% lower.
 
U.S. Sanitary Paper Producer Price Index at Three Month High
Sanitary paper producer price index rose to a three-month high, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
 
U.S. Boxboard Output Rises in March
Boxboard production increased 1.8% compared with March 2015 and increased 6.6% from last month.
 
U.S. Recovered Paper Inventories Remain High, Pricing Flat
Pricing for mixed paper and OCC was flat in all domestic regions, except in the Pacific Northwest, which increased $5 per ton from the prior month. ONP pricing also remained stable in all U.S. regions m/m, with the exception of the Southeast and Los Angeles/San Francisco regions, which saw a $5 per ton increase.
 
Manufacturing Overcapacity Constrains Industrial Robot Market Growth in China
Chinese market for industrial robots reached an estimated $1.3 billion in 2015. This market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20%, reaching $3.3 billion in 2020.
 
Kraft Paper Shipments by U.S. Producers a Mixed Bag in March
Shipments were 147,600 tons, flat compared with March 2015. Bleached kraft paper shipments decreased from 8,700 tons in February to 7,000 tons in March, and unbleached kraft paper increased from 131,100 tons to 140,600 tons.
 
Eastman Chemical Co.
Pulp & Paper
A.Celli International Relocates from Florida to North Carolina
Decision is in part tied to the need to be closer location-wise to what are considered the neuralgic areas of the nonwovens market and hence to its American customers, to be able to reach them promptly and thus offer an even more immediate service.
 
Canfor Completes Wynndel Acquisition
In the acquisition, Canfor also gained Wynndel's access rights to exceptionally high-quality fiber, which it says will advance Canfor's ability to produce a broader mix of higher value specialty products.
 
CMPC Riograndense Contracts Voith for Pulp Dryer Rebuild
Voith will carry out a rebuild of its PDM 1 pulp dryer in Guaíba, a city located in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The rebuild project will improve the machine's stability and performance, as well as make it easier to carry out maintenance services on the machine's drive systems.
 
Displaced Workers at Madison Mill to Receive Federal Aid
Employees will be aided by the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, which helps workers who have lost their jobs as a result of foreign competition or production moving offshore.
 
K-C Partners with USCC, Keep America Beautiful to Create Workplace Composting Guide
Guide provides step-by-step instructions and resources to help office buildings, manufacturing facilities, hotels, hospitals, universities, and other workplaces divert organic matter – such as used paper towels, food scraps, coffee grounds and coffee filters – from landfills through composting.
 
Solenis to Acquire Lostris International B.V. and Wester Blend B.V.
Privately-held German companies are primarily focused on supplying specialty chemicals to the pulp and tissue and towel markets. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter 2016.
 
Ten New Projects Awarded to Fitner Analyzers in North America, Asia
"We are excited to announce five new projects in Canada, four in the U.S., and a tenth in Asia," said Tom Sands, president of FITNIR Analyzers.
 
Vinda Orders Futura Lines for Continued Growth in China
One of the leading players in China’s fast-expanding tissue market, Vinda is investing in new capacity to meet demand while improving its competitive position through quality products made on cutting-edge equipment.
 
Universal Electric Corp.
Containerboard/Packaging
Hamburger Rieger to Boost Capacity of Linerboard Mill
Capacity of white and brown testliner mill in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, will be increased by 70,000 metric tpy, to 250,000 metric tpy.
 
Houston Carton, Schulze Container Merge to Form SCHC
Merger of sister companies in Texas, USA, forms a one-stop logistics and packaging specialist operation.
 
Metsä Board Inaugurates Folding Boxboard Machine at Husum Mill
The EUR 170 million investment program included a folding boxboard machine BM1 supplied by Valmet as well as enhancements to the pulp mill and the mill site’s own port. The capacity of the new machine is 400,000 metric tpy.
 
PMP Completes Rebuild of Smurfit Kappa PM 4 Wet End at Saillat Mill
Main goals of the project were to improve paper quality (basis Weight CD profile, TSO profile, and 2 sigma COV), as well as to increase PM 4 capacity.
 
Legislative
Consumers for Paper Options Applauds Resolution to Reinstate IRS Tax Instructions
Congressional resolution calls on the IRS to partially reinstate the mailing of paper-based tax instructions. U.S. House Resolution 673 says the IRS should provide free paper copies of Publication 17, the Tax Guide for Individuals, to taxpayers who request them.
 
China Announces Anti-Dumping Duties on Imported Paper Products
Anti-dumping duty rates for U.S. imports is set at 14.9%, those for E.U. imports range from 23.5% to 29%, and Japanese companies are subject to a 20.5% rate, said the Chinese commerce ministry. The duties will last for five years, starting from Sunday, the ministry said.
 
New Products
Sonoco Composite Cans Package "Fit for Fun" Biscuits by Hans Freitag
Thanks to the handy reclosing lid, the healthy snack retains its freshness for a particularly long time and provides maximum convenience.
 
Verso Announces Sterling Ultra TrueJet
Sterling Ultra TrueJet, a specialized line of digital coated papers for production inkjet presses, is designed to meet the growing need for a high-quality inkjet coated paper for high-speed, personalized print runs.
 
Toscotec S.p.A
People
Martin Quinlan Joins Disc Sales Team
Based in Los Angeles, Calif., Martin will be responsible for supporting the company’s plan to grow its long standing position in the home entertainment packaging market, and includes working with major film studios, record labels, and video game companies.
 
MCEC Appoints Advanced Biofuels's Ivancic to Advisory Council
Advanced Biofuels USA, a nonprofit educational organization, advocates for the adoption of advanced biofuels as an energy security, economic development, military flexibility, and climate change/pollution control solution.
 
Rockwell Automation Names Moret CEO; Nosbusch to Remain Chairman
Blake D. Moret, a 30-year veteran of the company, will become president and CEO, effective July 1. At that time Keith D. Nosbusch, who has been president and CEO since 2004, will transition from those roles while continuing as chairman of the board.
 
TAPPI News
IT Mill of the Future at PaperCon
Learn how the Digital Revolution will change how mills operate and stay ahead of the curve at PaperCon 2016 in May.
 
Nominations Now Open for 2017 Major TAPPI Awards
Recognize a colleague for their years of service to the industry and TAPPI by nominating them for one of TAPPI’s major awards.
 
Boost Your Education Funds with the Cullison Scholarship
The May 1 deadline is quickly approaching to apply for the William L. Cullison Scholarship.
 
TAPPI Press Book of the Month: Ultimate Roll and Web Defect Troubleshooting Guide
Receive 25% off this internationally recognized publication from TAPPI Press.
 
TAPPI Lost and Found
Are you having trouble navigating the new tappi.org? TAPPI Lost and Found is here to help!
 
TAPPI Industry Career Center: Enzymatic Deinking Technologies, LLC seeks Research & Development Chemist
EDT currently has two opening for an R&D Chemist in Norcross, Ga., USA.
 
Dates and Location Announced for Specialty Papers Conference
Smithers Pira, in partnership with TAPPI, is excited to announce that Specialty Papers U.S. will take place September 21-23 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill., USA.
 
2016 IBBC Announces Call for Presentations
Be a part of the future as IBBC explores Value Added Products from Biomass.
 
RPA-100% Trademarked Recycled Paper Symbol Reaches Milestone: Five Billion Packages Annually
"Achieving this milestone clearly shows the trust consumer products companies have put in our program, and we’re proud of our partnerships with many of North America’s top consumer brands," said Paul Schutes, executive director of the RPA-100%.