Over the Wire

Total U.S. printing and writing paper (P&W) shipments decreased 4% in May compared with May 2015. Total P&W paper inventory increased 2% from April levels.

 

Country's output of these two grades was up 2.1% y/y in May 2016, and up 4.8% through the first five months of 2016.

 

Total European shipments of graphic papers were down 6.8% in April 2016 vs. April 2015 and are down 5.6% year-to-date.

 

Other information recently posted by Technavio said the global packaging market is poised to experience steady growth in the next five years. The overall global packaging market, valued at $589.9 billion in 2015, will reach $770.5 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%.

 

Major players revealed in this Persistent Market Research report include IP, Nine Dragons Paper, WestRock, Smurfit Kappa, Lee & Man Paper, Georgia-Pacific, Oji Holdings, Mondi, Packaging Corp. of America, and DS Smith.

 

According to Research and Markets, this specific segment of packaging is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.94%. The flexography printing segment is expected to account for the largest market share within this segment in the next five years.

 

Order is for four tissue rewinders, model AC882, in a paper width of 5,620 mm and a speed of 1,000 m/min., two being equipped with a calender. Two rewinders are designated for the Chinese Jiangxi Jiujiang facility, while the other two for the Dongguan Guangdong plant. Delivery date is scheduled for the end of this year.

 

BUTTERFLY body liners incontinence solution was introduced in 2014 and is currently sold in North America through several major retail channels. Domtar said it will leverage its global footprint to expand commercialization to additional healthcare markets, with a focus on Europe.

 

Company entered into $15.36 million purchase agreement with LSQ Energy and LSQ Development (together with Energy LP), providing for the sale of the buildings, equipment and other ancillary property relating to the non-operating pulp mill and sawmill, as well as the energy generation related equipment.

 

IP has a market share of 5% in India and will now focus on emerging as a preferred brand, while maintaining growth with profitability. The company will also focus on new product launches and continuing its exports from India to west Asia, Africa, and Latin America. IP's Indian subsidiary APPM has improved operations.

 

The award was presented at the recent, 229th Electrochemical Society (ECS) meeting in San Diego, Calif., USA.

 

The transfer is done to fully utilize the industrial synergies between pulp production and sawmilling. Use of wood raw material and logistics costs can be optimized even better than so far in a combined entity. Transfer is expected to take place by the end of the year. Employees will not be affected except for changing payroll.

 

Final review of the investment by the companies’ boards of directors is anticipated during the second half of 2016 upon receipt of final permits and incentives from government entities. If the companies elect to proceed, operations are expected to commence approximately 18 months later.

 

Valmet DNA distributed control system for PM 1 will replace an earlier control system that is reaching end-of-life at the French mill. Startup of the new system is scheduled for September 2016.

 

Production plant has an annual capacity of 45,000 metric tons. Production will be discontinued in July 2016. SCA said the closure was related to geographic location for production and that the company remains fully committed to the Spanish market, which is the Group’s sixth largest market based on sales in 2015.

 

The mission of the Södra Foundation for Research, Development, and Education is to promote research and education of significance to forestry, and forest industry operations, in Southern Sweden.

 

New water quality standards proposed by the EPA could cost the Woodland Pulp mill millions of dollars and could also affect a number of communities, including Baileyville and Calais, Me. USA, that discharge carefully treated wastewater into the river. The mill's cooling system ability would be effectively shut down.

 

Creo (U.K.) is focused on FMCG, retail, and media markets. DS Smith commented on a growing interest in their segment. Gopaca is a Portuguese corrugated packaging maker. DS Smith said it wants to strengthen operations in Iberia, a growing market for corrugated packaging. Also, Gopaca will increase DS Smiths's Pan-European offering.

 

With access to Kite's NDC's comprehensive range of standard packaging, Phoenix Box will now be able to be a sole-supplier of packaging to many large customers in the U.K. Kite managing partner Paul Mustard will monitor the operations of the newly acquired EUR 2.5 million largely corrugated paper based packaging distributor.

 

Plant in California opened with only a small number of machines to manufacture Karat brand products. After two years, the plant has more than 100 workers, including: two PET extruders, one PP extruder, five thermoforming machines, eight paper cup forming machines, one paper slitting machine, one paper punching machine, and four printers.

 

Company acquired shares in Kyouei Seitai K.K., Japan, obtaining 60.2% of equity, and has made it a subsidiary. The aquired company excels in the production of paper bags for food. The investment is designed to establish a more competitive cost and quality system for Nippon and the new subsidiary.

 

Available in both rolls and cut sheets, the award winning Legacy Papers are developed for artists and photographers who intend to exhibit and sell their prints.

 

Designed to help users navigate the valve selection process, the guide provides usage information based on valve type, general specifications, and common industry applications.

 

GlazeTape ranges from water-activated tapes used in shipping and construction to oil and grease resistant paint-masking tapes used in automotive applications, appliances, and other durable goods application. GlazeWrap is expanded to include basis weights as low as 14.8 lb. (3,000 sq. ft.), complementing a portfolio that ranges up to 40 lb. (3,000 sq. ft.).

 

Building on experience gained in producing the two previous plans, the company is confident that it will continue to improve its business practices and act as a leader while generating positive impacts for the planet, prosperity, and its partners.

 

The company's two German paper plants in Bielefeld and Flensburg are both ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 50001 (energy management) certified. Now both sites have also been certified with the PEFC™ Chain-of-Custody.

 

Company has committed to procuring paper for marketing requirements that is only 100% recycled, FSC certified, and is also carbon balanced.

 

New plant will supply heat and power to the Helsingør community in the northern part of Sjælland island, Denmark. Startup of the boiler is scheduled for the end of 2018.

 

Australian startup Licella's method, known as Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor technology, uses residues from kraft pulping. Instead of burning for low quality heat, the process uses the mill's ligno-cellulosic biomass without the need to dry feedstock to make advanced biofuels. CanFor notes interest in becoming a bioenergy provider as well as a pulp maker.

 

Effective Sept. 5, 2016, Lhôte will take over from the current Acting Director General Jori Ringman.

 

The three have all previously held senior management roles within Gruppo Cordenons for a number of years, which will be invaluable in helping the company maintain and improve its position within the paper industry.

 

Register now for the best prices on this August 2 introductory course, focusing on "How it Works".

 

The batch process at the winder involves high safety risks for your personnel. How safe is safe enough? Learn that and more at this important webinar.

 

The session at the Smither’s Pira / TAPPI Specialty Papers US Conference will feature three presentations exploring alternative sources of wood pulp.

 

Western Michigan University is currently seeking a Faculty Specialist I Lecturer at its Kalamazoo, Mich., USA, campus. As with all items in the TAPPI News section, both members and non-members can click to learn more.

 

Fall conference in Chicago, Ill., USA, on October 25-27 features the information you need on press technology developments, trends, and industry forecasts.

 

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