Over the Wire

RISI data show that U.S. parent roll and converted product tissue shipments and mill operating rates increased in March 2016.

 

"Industry efforts, the voluntary, market-driven recovery system, and the millions of Americans who make the decision to recycle every day have helped to keep U.S. paper recovery at continuously high levels," said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman.

 

Bleached hardwood kraft pulp imports rose 18% y/y in the first quarter of 2016, and bleached softwood kraft pulp imports during the same y/y period increased by 7.4%.

 

Exports of bleached softwood kraft pulp in the first quarter of this year increased 10% on a y/y basis, with a 20% increase to China and Mexico.

 

U.S. containerboard capacity reached an all time high of 37.7 million tons, while capacity to produce newsprint and P&W papers continued to decline. Paper and paperboard capacity declined only 0.3% in 2015, compared with a long-term trend rate of 1.3% overall since 2001.

 

The pulp and paper segment accounted for the largest share of raw material for these products in 2014 and is estimated to be valued at $1.2 billion of the projected 1.43 billion total by 2022, expanding at a CAGR of 4.7% over 2016-2022. The current value of the market stands at approximatyely $986 million as of the beginning of 2016.

 

The largest cost component when manufacturing wood pulp is the cost of wood fiber. This cost has declined substantially in U.S. dollar terms the past few years with the global price falling almost 10% in 12 months. Softwood and hardwood pulp price indices are at their lowest levels in more than 10 years.

 

CEO of Catalyst Paper shared his thoughts / projections on the future of the pulp and paper industry in British Columbia, Canada. In 2014, exports of B.C. P&P were valued at $4.2 billion. B.C.’s 15 pulp mills and six paper mills employ 12,000. Sustainable market segments are identified as key to continued competitive success.

 

Cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage have not yet been determined, but the fire was contained to the paper production area, without causing any damage to the new TM 2.

 

Drum pulper has replaced an existing conventional pulper to raise the pulp quality for production of premium tissue products.

 

Norske Skog said that the partnership was dissolved as it did not develop as intended. The company is sticking to its plans to establish a tissue production unit at the Bruck mill.

 

The pulp, paper, and lumber producer said a machine at its mill in Augusta, Ga., USA, isn’t competitive because of the high U.S. dollar. About 100 jobs will be affected. The company will be left with three newsprint machines in the U.S. Some recent numbers suggested declining N.A. newsprint demand is now leveling out.

 

The two companies will cooperate to develop processes for bio-based chemicals of interest to Stora Enso, employing Rennovia’s high-throughput catalyst discovery infrastructure and process development expertise.

 

Company will employ summer trainees in 11 different cities in Finland this summer, with the largest number of trainees in Tampere and Jyväskylä. The majority of the summer trainees will work in different production tasks. There are also positions in sales, marketing, product development, and financial administration.

 

Voith Paper North America this week announced a strategic Preferred Service Partner agreement with SKF USA, where SKF will supply its expertise, quality bearings, advanced tools, and equipment that can save time during repairs in Voith’s Neenah, Wis., rolls facility.

 

Decision to discontinue production was taken because of persisting over-capacities, the negative exchange rate situation, and the major price pressure as a result.

 

Company is using the press to digitally produce folding cartons with faster speed to market, variable data for mass customization, and reduced waste and obsolescence.

 

The $245 million debt package includes a $195 million term loan and an authorized revolving credit facility of $50 million. The five-year agreement will allow the mill to reduce its financing costs by approximately 225 basis points.

 

PMP has been awarded a contract to rebuild the press section of the company’s No. 2 corrugating medium machine, including another new Intelli-Nip Shoe Press.

 

There's now no expected negative repercussions for the approximately 300 direct employees and for all indirect employees of the supply chain, who have been able to keep their jobs during the various steps of the acquisition. As part of a unique deal, Pro-Gest began rescuing the two companies from bankruptcy in 2014.

 

This partnership agreement between Sealed Air and the Italian group's N.A. partner includes the exclusive right for Sealed Air to place Box on Demand equipment with customers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

 

IP is willing to sell up to two mills to meet concerns about concentration, but Weyerhaeuser would get $50 million less if a second mill is sold. There's believed to be little risk regulators will object as there is no breakup fee attached; though some deals have been unexpectedly held up recently by the U.S. FTC and Justice Dept.

 

New legislation requires stores to charge customers at least 5 cents for single-use plastic and paper bags, a fee businesses would be allowed to keep. Stores that don’t comply would pay a $250 fee for a first offense and $500 for additional offenses. Traditionally, paper has been more often exempt than plastic from bag regulation.

 

Guide helps users navigate DeZURIK’s complete valve product line, based on valve type, general specifications, common media, and applications by industry. Specific industry applications in the guide include pulp and paper.

 

Move the Message demonstrates the versatility of Verso's broad offering of Sterling Ultra web caliper covers and provides a wealth of money-saving and performance-maximizing tips, techniques, and technical information.

 

By the end of its 2013-2015 Sustainable Development Plan, the company gave a second life to 76% of the residual materials generated by its plants, exceeding its target of 71%. During this three-year period, a total of 1.4 million metric tons of residuals were recovered.

 

Mill officials in Wash., USA, hope a new compressed natural gas project completed this year will reduce emissions even further. In January, the pro-environmental governor of the state left the company off a list of "most polluting" industries, but it was recently added. The company responded, pointing out dramatic CO2 reductions.

 

As a comprehensive biomass company shaping the future with trees, Nippon Paper will work to commercialize operation technology for the stable production of torrefied pellets, so as to expand the categories of the company's energy business. Demand for this type of biomass energy is growing in Japan as well as globally.

 

Wolfgang Lübbert has been relieved of duties as president of the management board and CEO, and appointed a member of the management board.

 

Nine candidates proposed as directors were duly elected by a majority of votes cast by the shareholders present or represented by proxy at the meeting.

 

Director General David Workman will step down later this year, giving ample time for a successor to be appointed. Applications for the post are now being sought.

 

Join more than 1,500 industry professionals and take advantage of PaperCon's one-stop-shop, continuing education, and record-breaking exhibit area.

 

Discover where articles and other information are located on the site and increase your understanding of our navigation with TAPPI Lost and Found.

 

Learn fundamental principles from genomic level to large scale industry.

 

Visit the TAPPISAFE booth at this year’s PaperCon 2016 conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 15-18, for the latest information on the only standardized safety orientation program created for and by the industry.

 

Attend the TAPPI Introduction to Corrugated One-Day Course and make sure you have a strong foundation of knowledge in the corrugated industry.

 

Nano 2016 delegates are encouraged to register before the Early Bird conference discount ends on May 13.

 

Several expert speakers have been announced for the 73rd PPSA Annual Conference, including keynote presenters Steve Borkowski, Larry Wilson, and Scott Gane.

 

Joe Solberg, Inc. is currently seeking a Winder Specialist for its Tyrone, Ga., USA, location.

 

The event will be held on November 21 in Brussels, Belgium. The PPI Awards are the only global awards that are dedicated to recognizing the achievements of companies, mills, and individuals in the pulp and paper sector.