Weekly Spotlight
Payscale Updates Average Salary Details at U.S. Paper Mills

Over the Wire

TAPPI

Thursday, March 14, 2019 - Member
Cristini
Payscale's (Seattle, Wash., USA) avg. salary notes for key positions within U.S. and Canadian pulp and/or paper mills have proven to be popular reference for our readers. Because of your interest we have monitored Payscale for any and all updates to our industry's position-by-position salary expectations. On Mar. 9, the list was updated again. Salaries are either rising or holding steady for many technical positions. Compare Nov. 2018 and Mar. 2019 side-by-side to see for yourself. As a new inclusion, individual company salary averages have also been reported.
 
Bear Island Newsprint Mill to be Idled
Closing of significant newsprint operations no longer just about individual company plans and the impact on their employees... in the past few years this now also affects the region's entire paper market sector as it has significantly contracted in North America over the past decade and a half. This is one of the first major reconsiderations in paper mill operation based on expectation that the China-U.S. trade issues are now wrapping up before Bear Island would be needing to supply newsprint at an increased price for another two years based on tariffs. Instead of staying open during the next couple years, the mill will now proceed directly into containerboard conversion prep for a 2021 opening.
 
Buzzfeed Goes to Press: Special Edition Introduced on Newsprint
Buzzfeed has become a popular light-news / human interest website that seems like the quissesential definition of "new media" that is pumping up paperless digital media that grabs people's attention in a way that arguably cuts into the "classic" arena of certain tabloid newsprint publications. So it may come as a surprise that on March 6 they decided to print a special edition 12-page newspaper - 20,000 in number. "We printed out the internet..." said their chief marketing officer.
 
Paper Seat Rethinks 5,000 Years of Chair History
The Formid Seat — a custom-built active seat with haptic feedback — is using sustainably produced paper and reclaimed mining waste to create an ergonomic, eco-conscious seat that encourages its users to keep moving. "It’s a lot like tailoring a suit," said the designer. "We built an algorithm for the chair that uses seven measurements to customize the design to the user and the setting in which they will use the chair. But like with tailoring, we needed a flat material that could be cut, creased and folded to the correct shape. We also wanted the material to be sustainable. We considered metal, but in the end, paper was the only real option."
 
Securing the OT environment
Voith Paper
The challenge of securing plant operations is a massive undertaking for modern paper mills. As much as the IIoT is enabling paper manufacturers to connect data, increase transparency and enhance productivity, it also creates considerable exposure to cyber and physical security threats. This technical paper examines new ways to think about comprehensive OT/IT/IIoT security for your operation.
Download Voith’s paper on OT/IT/IIoT security
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Merichem Company
Market Roundup
Global Paper Pulp Market Review for 2010s, Top Players, General Outlook 2018-2025
BHK pulp is the main product in the world at present, represented about 53% of the global production market while BSK pulp is about 41%. Brazil, Canada, Indonesia and Chile are currently the key exporters of paper pulp. Globally, paper pulp market expected to increase to $86.7 billion by 2025, from $63.3 billion in 2018, a CAGR of 4.6%.
 
Global Kraft Liner Market Predicted CAGR 6.2% 2017-2025
A recently completed (Jan. 2019) market research study was promoted with greater detail in a March 14 press release. Additional notes about the nature of the findings in the full report include: Kraft liner with a GSM grade between 80 to 160 accounted for 58.6% of the revenue share in 2017; Higher GSM grades are expected to register significant growth because of its protective, cushioning ability; The largest international players are striving to penetrate into specific regions and are buying smaller, local operations to achieve this.
 
Warehouse Specialist
Pulp & Paper
Catalyst Paper Closed by Fire in Port Alberni, Canada
The fire is still under investigation, but it’s looking like a mechanical failure caused something to "warm up". The fire is not suspicious, he added. No one was injured in the fire, according to a mill employee.
 
K-C Expands Tissue Production Facilities in Jenks, Oklahoma
Investment expands the Jenks Facility by 270,000 sq. ft. and installs new assets for manufacturing Kleenex® folded tissue products and Scott® bath tissue. Project is expected to be completed in 2020. With the addition of new manufacturing equipment and capacity, the facility expects to create more than 50 full-time jobs. Hiring will begin in August.
 
Pixelle Tradebook Announcement
Owing to its unique history dating back to the civil war when its key production mill was brought out of bankruptcy to make the HQ papers that would lead to the path of making its very popular Glatfelter Offset grade, this same line will now be known as 1864 Trade Book. In addition, Glatfelter End Leaf grade will become 1864 End Leaf.
 
Stora Enso Invests in Next-Gen Sustainable Formed Fiber Solutions
Formed fiber products are manufactured from various chemical pulps and chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP) by pressing it into a desired shape in a molding machine. The raw material is pulp made from wood from FSC and PEFC certified, traceable sources in Sweden and Finland. Stora Enso will manufacture the raw material at its mills in Sweden and Finland and do the converting at Hylte Mill.
 
Honeywell
Containerboard/Packaging
Amcor and Bemis Announce Progress Towards Transaction Closing
"Since announcing this transaction, we have made significant progress towards closure, and further important steps have been taken today with the finalisation of Board of Director and Senior Leadership appointments as well as shareholder documentation filings..." said Amcor CEO Ron Delia.
 
Golden West Packaging Group Acquires Allpak Container
Allpak Container designs and manufactures high-end consumer packaging and industrial packaging for more than 450 customers in agriculture, beauty, beverage, commerce, food, health, industrial, recreation, and wine and spirits markets. Allpak represents Golden West's third acquisition following its February 2017 acquisition of five Northern California-based packaging manufacturers
 
Hats Off: Koehler Has the Largest Cylinder
Koehler will use the cylinder to produce paper for flexible packaging. In addition to the paper machine, Koehler is also building a new coating machine. Here the paper is given a special surface that will eventually have barrier properties for aroma, oxygen, water vapor, oils and fats. It will thus be possible to replace plastic with easily recyclable paper for various packaging applications.
 
Port Townsend Paper Co. to Expand Recycling Capacity in Washington
"Currently we recycle about 400 tons per day of what is called ‘old corrugated container,’" said the mills GM. "With some change in technology and some relatively minor mechanical changes, we’re looking at taking that from 400 tons a day to about 750 tons a day of recycle."
 
Eliminate Stickies and Increase Production with Enessco.
Enessco International
Enessco, this exclusive patented chemical technology, when added to recycled furnish pulpers increases the removal of ink, wax, stickies and all hydrophobic contaminants in the stock prep system. With this higher contaminant removal efficiency, cleaner and more “virgin like” fiber is sent forward to the paper machines. Cleaner furnish improves quality, production and machine runnability. Enessco has years of proven experience, visit our website at www.enessco.com to see our results.
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Nanotechnology
Nanotube Electrodes and Microscopic Bacterium Enhance Paper Battery Concept
TAPPI first reported on the paper battery as an exciting new concept in June of 2018. New research indicates the concept is still evolving. Combining nano-engineered carbon tubes with the specially formulated paper medium creates more effective electrodes. Microscopic bacteria are also now used to fuel the flexible, even foldable assembly. The saliva-fuel mechanism which powered one of the first paper battery concepts in 2017 is also explained as well as the possible applications for paper batteries as they become more advanced. Paper batteries are biodegradable, which is crucial considering how traditional battery waste can easily pollute if not handled correctly.
 
New Products
AR Packaging Launches First Pressed Board Tray Concept
First to present a gas tight pressed board tray packaging for chilled foods as a replacement of plastic trays. The group’s combined expertise in barrier materials and pressed board tray production has enabled an efficient solution for a shelf life of at least 18 days. It also supports product branding thanks to the attractive look and feel of paper.
 
CTI Paper USA Presents Ruche™ Creped Printing and Packaging Papers
Brand is offered in 80-lb. text and 100-lb. cover in white, cream, natural gray, blue and black. A massive, double-thick 170-lb. cover is offered in white, natural and black—along with three duplexes in white-black, white-natural and black-natural for double-sided printing. Available in a variety of folio and cut-size sheets, with carton quantities as low as 75 sheets. Three sizes of matching envelopes are also available in all colors.
 
Marbach: Quickly and Easily Insert Paperboard Nicks with the marbanick|2
Marketing Manager Tina Dost: "The marbanick|2 is very popular with our customers. It allows them to add waste nicks afterwards in order to optimally adapt the cutting-die to the local conditions. The positioning of the nicks is very quick, safe and controlled."
 
Sappi Announces Commercial Availability of Proto® and Spectro™
Proto C1S is a sturdy, single-ply SBS for everyday premium packaging applications. Folding carton board can be applied to consumer packaging as well as used to make magazine, book covers, POS materials, and more. Spectro C1S is a single-ply SBS for high-quality packaging and graphic applications in the consumer and lifestyle markets. Whether using UV, aqueous, or specialty coatings, hot foil stamping, embossing, special effects, or varnishes, this line brings a substantial feel at a lighter weight with enhanced optics.
 
Siegwerk Develops UV/LED Solution to Provide Amazing Deinkability of Paper
Results of Stora Enso cooperation marked a milestone for sustainable UV printing solutions in terms of deinkability in paper recycling. Siegwerk has developed a new UV/LED offset ink system with impressive deinking properties on various paper grades even comparable to the deinkability of conventional oil-based sheetfed offset inks.
 
Stora Enso Presents Natura Life Aseptic Pure-Pak® Carton with Natural Brown Board
Launch of the aseptic carton follows the first Pure-Pak® carton with Natural Brown Board for fresh products introduced a year before. The aseptic carton expands the use of natural brown board for packaging products outside the cold chain. Development and testing of the aseptic Pure-Pak® cartons was completed in record time during 2018.
 
WestRock Expands Portfolio of Automated Packaging Systems
BoxSizer complements WestRock’s existing automated packaging systems portfolio, including its Box on Demand® solution. Where Box on Demand creates custom-sized boxes, BoxSizer reduces the height dimension of multiple-sized boxes with no changeover to reduce empty space, void fill, materials, labor and shipping costs. By removing excess packaging material, BoxSizer and WestRock’s other right-size technology solutions help customers reduce their shipping, warehousing and environmental costs.
 
Dow Silicones Corporation
Published Pricing
Monadnock Papers Price Increase Announcement
Increase in prices effective with all shipments on or after April 8. The price increase will be approximately 3% across all fine printing papers, EnviPortfolio, Cotton and Technical/Specialty papers (with the exception of the wide format digital grades).
 
Sustainability
Nesquik Launches All Natural Cocoa Powder in Recyclable Paper Packaging
The new pouch is made of a coated paper that is recyclable in the paper stream. The paper is from sustainable sources, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The pouches have been extensively tested to make sure they keep the Nesquik powder in perfect condition during transport and storage.
 
SCS Offers Certification to the SFI® Chain of Custody Standard
New service offering leverages SCS as a one-stop shop for the wood and paper industries, providing clients with increased efficiency for dual and triple chain of custody certification to the major three forest sustainability standards. SCS is also currently undergoing accreditation for, and will soon be offering certification services for SFI Forest Management and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Fiber Sourcing Standards.
 
Solving the Pizza Problem
Many consumers are unaware that greasy pizza boxes with food residue stuck to them are not able to be recycled in any of the traditional ways corrugated and paperboard containers are in the reprocessing chain. To help the problem, Deliveroo (U.K.) has produced 100,000 biodegradable greaseproof paper inserts for the pizza restaurants that use its service. These inserts will catch any food left from the pizza and prevent excess amounts of grease soaking into the base of the box.
 
Energy
SCA Submits Enviornmental Permit Application for New Pulp Mill Biorefinery
Production will process waste products from the plant and sawmill in the region into renewable hydrocarbons. These renewable hydrocarbons can be used to manufacture different kinds of vehicle fuels, chemicals, plastics, dyes, medical preparations, and much more. Production volume specified in the application of renewable hydrocarbon at Östrand’s pulp mill adjacent refinery is more than the aviation fuel used for domestic flights within Sweden.
 
Safety
Resolute Wins First RISI Safety Award Sponsored by Ahlstrom-Munksjö and Metsä Fibre
"We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winner. Resolute has done good work in safety, and inspire us all to develop our processes within safety audits and risk management", said Rune Årnes VP, Health & Safety. "We hope RISI Safety Award will encourage companies to share their knowledge and best practices in safety thus improve the safety of the whole industry sector."
 
People
Södra Cell President Leaving for New Role at Mondi
"I would like to thank Gunilla for all of her years at Södra with many successes, excellent results and hard work and would also like to wish her the best of luck in her future endeavours," said Lars Idermark, President and CEO of Södra. Gunilla Saltin is leaving Södra for a new role as Technical Director at Mondi. A new recruitment process begins immediately.
 
Glatfelter Announces Key Leadership Changes with New Operating Model
Given the planned migration to a functional model, Glatfelter announced leadership changes. Samuel L. Hillard, who currently serves as VP, Corporate Development & Strategy, has been named SVP, CFO. He succeeds John P. Jacunski, EVP and CFO, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. Hillard will continue to be responsible for corporate development and strategy in addition to serving as CFO. He will continue to report to Parrini.
 
TAPPI News
TAPPI Industry Career Center: Liberty Paper Seeks Sales Representative
Liberty Paper – Dreamworks Coating Solutions is accepting applications for a Sales Representative at its Chicago, Illinois, USA location.
 
Foam Forming - An Interesting Tool for the Nonwoven Industry
Having low fiber consistency and structural inconsistencies when using wet-lay technology for nonwovens? Learn about a new technology that can solve your problems at NETInc 2019.
 
Strengthen Your Knowledge of Papermachine Operations
Industry experts will help you discover what the papermachine is capable of doing and what new products can be achieved.
 
Improve Tissue Operations and Runnability with Two-Day TAPPI Training
Join a large panel of expertise is assembled to instruct this course!

The TAPPI Tissue 201: Operations and Runnability Course delivers a comprehensive overview of the tissue making process.