Over the Wire

Global corrugated box market is driven by factors such as recyclability of corrugated boxes, strong growth in the food and beverage, and electronic goods industries, and an increase in the spending by consumers for packaged products.

 

Europulp data show European pulp stocks at the end of April 2016 had declined to lowest level so far this year.

 

All grades of graphic paper saw a decline in shipping rates in 2015-2016 except for supercalendered magazine paper, which is up 1.9% year-to-date. The overall number of shipments of graphic papers were down 5.1% year-to-date

 

The world's major dissolving pulp producers are Sappi, Aditya Birla, Lenzing, Sun Paper, Bracell, Rayonier, etc., which produce mainly dissolving wood pulp and hold a combined 57% share of the global total capacity.

 

Though expected to grow at a stable / healthy CAGR of 4.64%, challenges confronting the market include over-expansion and under-utilization of production capacities. Global capacity, which stood at 5.65 million tons in 2015, expanded by 35% in the last five years, with demand growth often trailing that of the production

 

Rebuilding of the Caycuma tissue machine, aimed at improving formation and energy consumption, entails the supply of a 12-ft. steel yankee dryer and a new headbox.

 

Equipped with a full array of state-of-the-art material analysis and performance testing facilities, the center currently employs 150 scientists, which is expected to rise to 200 by 2020. The majority of the products supported by the new facility will be waterborne and powder-based, in line with the company's ambitions to develop more eco-premium solutions.

 

During modernization, about 13,500 meters of pipes that make up the recovery boiler’s wall were replaced. Improvements were made to air conditioning systems and a new gas scrubber was installed, responsible for processing gases resulting from the chemical processes, mitigating effects of atmospheric emission.

 

Mill experienced a power outage on June 26, 2013, resulting in an estimated 3,750,000 liters of untreated effluent being spilled into Northumberland Channel for approximately 90 min. The power outage impacted the outfall pump house located on the foreshore of Northumberland Channel, which connects to the Strait of Georgia and the Pacific Ocean.

 

Following the PM 3 startup, the Syasstroy’s site is actually one of the most efficient Russian paper mills, employing more than 2,000 people to make 110,000 metric tpy of tissue—almost twice the productivity of many competitor mills.

 

Bokk Paper is the main independent Hungarian player in the Away from Home converting tissue products market. The name of the company has already been changed to Lucart kft.

 

For years there has been an ongoing dispute both within and outside of the criminal justice system between Norske Skog and Halden municipality over the size of the property tax. The parties have now signed an agreement whereby the tax base is agreed for coming years and for a settlement of previous years.

 

After the rebuild, the machine will progress from a maximum speed of 800 m/min to 1,300 m/min and from a production capacity of 40 metric tpd to 70 metric tpd. Delivery is scheduled for September 2016 and startup for the end of November.

 

Company will sell its Kabel coated mechanical paper mill in Germany to Hagen-Kabel Pulp & Paper GmbH, owned by a German based investor group. The transaction is in line with Stora Enso’s strategic transformation into a renewable materials growth company.

 

Losses from the fire at the site in Brazil are basically paper jumbo-rolls and the structure of the storage shed, all of which have insurance coverage. Pulp production and the paper machines were shut down for safety reasons and production is being resumed as the area gets cleared.

 

Contract required Verso, as the assignee of International Paper, to manufacture specialty paper on the A5 paper machine at its Androscoggin mill in Jay, Maine, for sale to Expera, as the successor to Thilmany, at a price essentially equivalent to Verso's cost of producing the paper. By virtue of the bankruptcy court's order, the Expera contract now is rejected.

 

Under the terms of the transaction, CVC will acquire 100% of the company from its current owners, Ahlstrom Capital and Accent Equity.

 

Cascades' containerboard packaging division, Norampac, has completed a transaction with Rand-Whitney Container for the acquisition of its plant in Newtown, Conn., USA, in exchange for certain assets of its Norampac New England plant, located in Thompson, Conn. The Newtown plant manufactures corrugated packaging.

 

The transaction requires anti-trust approval from the Mexican authorities and is expected to be completed in the coming months. Value of the deal was not disclosed. Constantia only had one folding carton business within the company that was not considered part of the core flexible packaging and label activities.

 

Rebuilt production line (PM 1) is planned to produce high-quality lightweight coated board with a wide range of produced grades. Startup of the rebuilt machine is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2017.

 

Sonoco Paper France is already the third portfolio company in Mutares’ wood and paper business. In May 2015, Mutares acquired Zanders, a German manufacturer of premium paper with 480 employees, and in October 2015, it acquired Norsilk, a French manufacturer of wood products for construction purposes.

 

First consumer board on the reel was produced 18 months after startup of Stora Enso's large-scale mill construction project in Beihai, Guangxi region.

 

Instead of using polymer film, a new solution enables production of dust-tight packaging for dry products such as sugar, grains, flour, or powders using sustainable mono-material paper, which contains no additional polymer fractions. As a result, retailers and consumers profit from clean shelves, high product protection, and improved product quality.

 

Works with pigment-based inks resulting in excellent print quality and finishing to enable printing companies to lower their costs without compromising on quality by using digital inkjet web presses for short run catalogs, magazines, manuals, and inserts. Available in 36-lb. to 45-lb. basis weights and different brightness levels.

 

Using the SKMF 146, cases are formed with precision by shaping them around a mandrel, resulting in the highest level of accuracy and consistency. This precision forming improves the efficiency of the entire packing line due to more reliable case filling, perfect case closing, and straight stack palletization.

 

Tetra Evero Aseptic combines the environmental benefits of carton packaging with the ease of handling and pouring that a bottle provides.

 

Promotion, titled "A Guide to Paper Selection: Election Direct Mail: Verso Tips for Winning Political Campaigns" is printed on Sterling Premium 100 lb. (9 pt.) dull cover and 100 lb. text.

 

BASF is raising the price of its various formic acid products, with immediate effect, to restore what the company describes as "sustainable margin levels" in sales. The price for the acid is going up by 85% and will eventually top out at a price hike of 94%.

 

"Recent market statistics support the positive signals we had already noticed; The softwood pulp market is strong and we anticipate the market will tighten even further," commented Magnus Björkman, VP of Södra Cell. The company's price for softwood pulp in Europe will increase to $830 per metric ton on June 1.

 

"...Price increase is in response to rising raw material costs, which have occurred and are now at the point where we need to pass this onto the market. We are also experiencing this effect in a number of other European countries and expect further announcements to follow if this trend continues," said Sonoco's director, Paper Europe.

 

The Spanish specialty paper producer reports that all manufacturing sites are now completely certified to the strictest environmental standards to ensure sustainably sourced raw materials for the company. As far as social responsibility, the company noted it has completed new audits for health and safety certification.

 

New report highlights company's focus on environmental and social responsibility, including the adoption of circular business models, with a commitment to using only 100% sustainably sourced fibers in its products and processes. Full transparency is assured through adherence to the GRI G4 Comprehensive Sustainability Guidelines.

 

Investment program will take the form of green corporate bonds, issued by Södra, to finance energy and environmental investments in the Group’s industry.

 

Agreement follows a successful program of preliminary trials conducted on feedstock from Canfor Pulp's Prince George, B.C., pulp mill at Licella's pilot plants located in New South Wales, Australia. In these trials, wood residue streams from Canfor Pulp's kraft process were successfully converted into a stable biocrude oil.

 

Jani Puroranta has a record in leading digital business. He's worked in various business development and leadership roles, recently as director of product strategy/R&D at Bilot Consulting. He starts the new position on August 1. The CDO will be responsible for driving the company's digital transformation and strategy.

 

Göran Örlander, sustainable forestry strategist at Södra, Sweden, will succeed Herman Sundquist, who stepped down from the position earlier this year when he was appointed director general of the Swedish Forest Agency.

 

Jari Latvanen has been employed at Stora Enso since January 2015 in his current position, and during his stay, a member of Stora Enso's Group Leadership Team. Likely to leave sometime within the next half year (staying on until November "at latest"), the recruitment process for his successor is now under way.

 

John Reichert assumes responsibility for manufacturing, maintenance and engineering, environment, human resources, and procurement and logistics for all three Twin Rivers’ operations, including the Madawaska Paper Mill, Edmundston Pulp Mill, and Plaster Rock Lumber Mill.

 

Don’t miss your opportunity to learn best practices in the safety industry at the PPSA Annual Conference, June 5-8, 2016, in Mobile, Ala., USA.

 

Companies such as Distant Village Packaging, Columbia Pulp, Fisher International, and more are confirmed to present. In addition to the 20+ presentations, there will also be numerous networking breaks, meals, and receptions where you can connect with colleagues.

 

The nominating committee is responsible for presenting the slate for board officers and directors to the membership as well as the nominees for association level awards to the board of directors.

 

A TAPPI member active in the Chicago Local Section, Wisner was VP of Operations at Corrugated Supplies Co. in Bedford Park, Ill. since 2011, where his leadership skills, knowledge, and personality will be missed.

 

This includes updates on Northeast PIMA/TAPPI and Gulf Coast TAPPI and Southeastern sections. The Northeast Golf Tournament is planned for June 10 in Auburn, Me. USA. KILNCON 2016, June 9-11, presented by Gulf Coast TAPPI and Southeastern TAPPI local sections will be held in Destin, Fla.

 

Want to improve the reliability of your mill processes? Interested in breakthrough technologies focused on helping mills be more efficient and cost-effective? Attend PEERS 2016 and discover new insights on how to make your mill more competitive in today’s marketplace.

 

The IBBC (International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference), September 28-38 in Jacksonville, Fla., USA, features both in-depth technical presentations, plus business oriented sessions that address business models, funding, and partnerships.

 

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

 

Crews Chemicals, Inc. is currently seeking a Regional Account Manager for the Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas areas.