The Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) at Georgia Tech held an executive conference, led by IPST director Norman Marsolan, March 9-10 in Atlanta, Ga., USA. Twenty representatives from fourteen manufacturing companies and nine people from five supplier companies were on hand, along with six government agencies and industry association representatives including the Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance, TAPPI, the US Department of Agriculture-US Forest Service National Forest Products Lab, and others. Fifteen faculty members of the Institute and Georgia Tech discussed recent research endeavors, opportunities, and results. Conference highlights are available online.

"It was energizing to have such a gathering of intellectual horsepower to spend some time talking about ‘the possible, the practical, and the imaginable,' as one member put it," observed Marsolan. "The conference showcased our broad and deep Georgia Tech faculty expertise, and also leveraged the considerable expertise in the audience."

The conference discussed protecting and improving returns from current assets, product extensions, and new products from forest biomass, as well as management challenges inherent in company transformations. It highlighted IPST's evolving strategy to meet the needs of the forest products industry today. The Institute's strategic thrusts are operational excellence, biorefining, and new products from forest biomaterials, complemented by business and policy capabilities at the Center for Paper Business and Industry Studies and the 50-student graduate education program.

In the photo above Gopal Goyal, who chairs IPST's Research Advisory Committee, addresses the conference.

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International Paper Co.'s Riegelwood, N.C., USA, mill has partnered with Bladen County's East Arcadia School to provide books to students in grades first through fifth. IP, headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., sponsored the book program in conjunction with Operation Outreach.

According to an article in the Bladen Journal this week, International Paper, OO-USA gives books to children, lesson plans to teachers, and guides to parents. The program puts reading first, but takes it an important step further. Not only does it teach children to read and to be motivated and challenged to expand their knowledge base, it teaches respect, responsibility, courage, leadership, and determination through specially designed books and teacher designed lesson plans. It helps to build a child's character and self-esteem, "the foundation of good citizenship," the newspaper article notes.

School Principal Ronald Coley and Reading Coach Sarah Straw were on hand at a recent recognition ceremony held at the school to receive the books along with a group of about 60 students from first grade through fifth grade. Each student received a copy of a grade-appropriate book as their own in addition to each classroom teacher receiving a copy of the book.

Kimberly Gill, a representative from IP, accepted a "Partners in Education" banner from Coley and several of the students in appreciation of the support IP provides to the school.

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Verso Paper Corp., Memphis, Tenn., USA, announced this week that its President and CEO Mike Jackson was named the 2011 Executive of the Year by TAPPI and PIMA. This award is PIMA's highest honor and is bestowed on senior-level executives in the pulp, paper, or converting industries for excellence in management and outstanding contributions to the industry as a whole.

"During his career, Mike Jackson has continually exemplified the strong leadership skills and vision required for success in a globally competitive business like the pulp and paper industry," notes Ray Heuchling, PIMA executive council chair. "His accomplishments as a leader and his many contributions to the industry make him an outstanding choice for executive of the year."

Jackson joined Verso Paper Corp. as chief executive in November 2006. Under his leadership, Verso became a publically traded company in less than two years. Before joining Verso, Jackson spent 29 years with Weyerhaeuser, where he most recently served as SVP of Cellulose Fibers, Bleached Board, and chairman of NORPAC, a joint venture with Nippon Paper, prior to his retirement from the company. During his tenure with Weyerhaeuser, Jackson received two Presidents' Awards for outstanding performance in businesses for which he was responsible.

With Weyerhaeuser, Jackson served in a series of senior-level management positions, including SVP of Cellulose Fibers and White Papers (2004 to 2006), VP of White Papers (2002 to 2004), VP of Business Papers (2000 to 2002), VP of Recycling (1998 to 2000), and VP of Quality and Human Resources, Containerboard Packaging (1993 to 1998). Prior to that, he served as GM of various packaging facilities.

In 2009, the Association of Suppliers to the Paper Industry (ASPI) chose Jackson as its Customer Executive of the Year, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the pulp and paper industry. Jackson is currently on the board of directors of SupplyOne Inc. and the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA). He is co-chair of the AF&PA Political Action Committee and served as past co-chair of AF&PA's Printing-Writing Paper Group and its executive committee, as well as past chair of AF&PA's Recycling Committee. Jackson is also a past board member of the Electronic Documents Systems Foundation (EDSF).

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Preliminary U.S. February printing and writing paper shipments were -5.2% y/y, reports Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank. Uncoated freesheet shipments were weaker-than-expected, at -7.0%, he adds. In the coated shipments area, LWC was -5.2% y/y and coated freesheet was -1.4%. Deutsche Bank suspects some "weather impact" in these figures, Wilde adds.

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U.S. export OCC (old corrugated containers) to China is rising, according to Wilde, up $8/ton to $200 - $215/ton FOB. With Chinese demand strong in the post-Chinese New Year, and reports of some shortage in supply in Europe, it is likely that OCC price to China could rise in April, Wilde notes, adding that in the domestic markets, OCC demand is likely to remain healthy. Opinion is mixed about OCC pricing over the next few months.

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Softwood list prices are set to rise $30/metric ton in March, according to Wilde. This will take NBSK to $990/metric ton in the U.S., $980/metric ton in Europe, and $890 - $900/metric ton in China, Wilde adds. Spot prices have jumped $60/metric ton in the last month to $770 - $810/metric ton, and reports suggest some spot deals as high as $830. Chinese demand for NBSK remains strong. Substitution of high-priced dissolving pulp by NBSK is providing an incremental demand boost. In March, hardwood "list" prices are expected to be flat m/m, Wilde notes.

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Increasing demand for wood raw materials in the U.S. indicates higher pine stumpage prices for forest owners and investors, according to Forisk Consulting, Athens, Ga., USA. Forisk forecasts saw timber prices for the U.S. South strengthening 4.6% into 2012 and 5.5% into 2013 as lumber production increases with housing starts. Alternately, pine pulpwood – the lower valued raw material used for pulp, OSB, and bioenergy – gains 1.4% and 2.7% into 2012 and 2013 South-wide, with high variance across the 11 states covered in Forisk's models. The ForiskFORECAST emphasizes the limits of regional or national forecasts for timber markets, and the critical importance of assessing timber prices locally.

In 2011, states such as Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi show saw timber prices exceeding $30/ton, and Florida and Louisiana surpassing $11/ton for pine pulpwood. Prices change annually across and between states in the 10-year forecast as local mills adjust to end-market demands. The benefit to forecast users of this bottom-up approach was evident in 2010.

"In 2010, Forisk's saw timber forecast was within 4% of actual prices, and within 1% for key end-use markets such as paper and paperboard," said Dr. Tim Sydor, Forisk's forest economist. "The key is understanding and updating the local, state-specific relationship – the elasticity – between wood demand and prices."

The ForiskFORECAST: Pine Sawtimber and Pine Pulpwood predicts annual pine sawtimber and pulpwood stumpage prices across the U.S. South and by state through 2020, and forecasts the production of lumber and paper and paperboard, as well as the demand for wood from emerging bioenergy markets.

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Domtar Corp., Montreal, Que., Canada, this week reported that it has become a sponsor of the Environmental Film Festival, a showcase of environmental films in the U.S. The 19th annual Environmental Film Festival takes place in Washington, D.C., from March 15 to 27. The festival will present 150 documentary, narrative, animated, archival, experimental, and children's films selected to provide fresh perspectives on environmental issues facing our planet.

The critical connections between energy and the environment are a major theme of the 2011 festival, which features cinematic work from 40 countries. Fifty-five filmmakers and 94 special guests will discuss their work.

In supporting the event, Domtar provided Domtar Cougar®, part of its EarthChoice® line of environmentally and socially responsible papers, for use by the Environmental Film Festival for the printing of the festival programs. Domtar paper is certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

The Environmental Film Festival sponsorship marks Domtar's latest effort to promote ongoing forest conservation and environmentally responsible paper products, which have earned the support of respected environmental organizations such the Rainforest Alliance.

The Environmental Film Festival is presented in collaboration with more than 100 local, national and global organizations. The works of filmmakers such as Werner Herzog, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Jose Padilha, and Patricio Guzman will be featured. The festival is one of the largest cultural events in the nation's capital, with 150 films screened at 60 venues throughout the city, including museums, embassies, libraries, universities, and local theaters. Most screenings are free.

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Holmen, Stockholm, Sweden, reports that it has decided on the date for closure of the smaller paper machine, PM 61, at the company's mill in Madrid, Spain. Production will cease on March 31. The closure was announced in conjunction with the year-end report.

PM 61 has a capacity of 170 000 metric tpy. This equates to almost 10% of the business area's production capacity. The paper machine produces coated magazine paper (LWC) as well as improved newsprint to a lesser extent. Approximately 170 employees will be affected.

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The 8.9 earthquake that struck Japan last Friday has put several large pulp and paper mills out of commission, according to a report this week by RISI, Boston, Mass., USA. Both the quake and the tsunami it created may have damaged several pulp and paper facilities in the region severely, though firms are still determining to what extent.

After being hit by the earthquake and10 meter tsunami, there is some fear that the receiving docks and equipment of Japan's northeastern pulp mills will be offline for some time, RISI notes. A case in point is Mitsubishi Paper Mills' (MPM) integrated Hachinohe mill, in Aomori prefecture. It is the company's Japanese flagship facility, and one it has concentrated its production on in recent years in an attempt to cut internal costs.

The tsunami flooded the entire first floor of the integrated Hachinohe mill and injured at least six staff members. Production has stopped there, and MPM is still investigating the extent of the damage, RISI reports. MPM also reported that production had shutdown at some converting plants and building materials plants inland, in quake-affected areas.

Within Miyagi prefecture itself, Nippon Paper Group (NPG) reports that two of its mills, Ishinomaki and Iwanuma, have been offline since the quake. Employee casualties were minor, with one staff member at the Ishinomaki mill injured. The Ishinomaki facility's stock was destroyed and the site flooded with mud from the tsunami, while half the stock at the Iwanuma mill was a write-off. There was some structural damage to Iwanuma's buildings as well. NPG is still evaluating the effect of the events on the mill's machinery, according to the RISI report.

In Fukushima prefecture, NPG's carbonless paper mill in Nakoso has also stopped production, and stocks there have been significantly damaged as well, according to RISI. Further afield on the northwestern coast, the Akita mill, operated by NPG's subsidiary Nippon Daishowa Paperboard, has stopped production. No information is available yet on damage levels or a possible restart date, RISI adds. Also, production has been somewhat interrupted at NPG's Fuji mill, However, the company expects normal production to restart soon. Activities are continuing as usual at NPG's other mills, including those in Hokkaido prefecture, which is relatively close to the quake's epicenter.

The damage seems less serious so far with other companies. Oji Paper's Nikko mill in Tochigi prefecture has stopped production after being affected by the earthquake. The company has not announced when it will restart production, RISI says. Oji also reports that four of its converting plants in the northeast have stopped production, and that it was still evaluating the damage done to them.

Hokuetsu Kishu Paper's Hitachinaka mill in Ibaraki prefecture has also stopped production. The company has released no details about injuries or the extent of the structural damage, but about 30% of its stock has been lost. The firm also reported that its flagship mill in Niigata prefecture stopped operating on Friday when the earthquake caused a water pipe to leak, but that the facility restarted production on Sunday, RISI reports.

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Paper Excellence, a unit of Indonesia's Sinar Mas, will acquire Domtar's (Montreal, Que., Canada) idled Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, kraft pulp and paper mill and invest some $206 million to convert it to dissolving pulp production. Paper Excellence has been expanding rapidly in Canada, having last year purchased an idled pulp mill in British Columbia as well as the long-struggling Howe Sound pulp and newsprint operation in British Columbia from Canfor and Japan's Oji Paper. The company has owned a pulp mill in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, since 2007.

The deal, according to a Reuters news report, is the latest to highlight the increasing demand for dissolving pulp, which is currently being made by only a small number of mills around the world. Fortress Paper purchased a mill in Quebec last year to convert it to make dissolving pulp, and Chinese textile giant Fulida Group agreed last month to purchase an existing facility at Port Alice, British Columbia.

The Prince Albert deal is contingent on Paper Excellence reaching a labor agreement with the mill's unionized workers, but the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union issued a press release praising the purchase. The mill has been idled since 2006, but the union said the deal would "preserve" about 200 jobs, according to Reuters.

The Saskatchewan government has agreed to allocate wood fiber to the mill and the province's SaskPower utility will purchase surplus electricity to be produced from a biomass generator at the mill. The province also helps fund employee training.

Weyerhaeuser, Federal way, Wash., USA, had closed the Prince Albert mill in 2006 after it was unable to find a buyer. Domtar, which took control of the site in 2007, has removed the plant's papermaking equipment and was considering demolishing the rest of it.

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Södra, Sweden, has opened six wind farms at the company's industrial site outside of Mönsterås, Sweden.The project has taken three and a half years to complete, with six wind farms producing an estimated annual production of 32 GWh, enough electricity for some 6,000 households.

Södra also has opened four wind farms it owns together with Statkraft, situated just north of Södra's industrial site in Mönsterås. Over the next few years, Södra and Statkraft are planning a major joint initiative to include 30 or so projects at various locations in Sweden, with a total output of around 600 MW.

Södra and Statkraft own and work together to operate wind power projects involving some 350 wind farms. For the Mönsterås project, Södra owns the six wind farms sited nearest to the pulp mill. Statkraft has a 90.1 % holding in the other four wind farms, while Södra holds 9.9 %.

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UPM, Helsinki, Finland, in cooperation with TuuliSaimaa Oy, Lappeenranta, Finland, has established a wind power development company VentusVis Oy. In the starting phase, the operations focus on developing land areas, which are leased from UPM, for wind power production. The development work includes evaluation of the land suitability, permitting process and preparation for possible wind power construction projects, and wind power production.

"UPM's land assets in Finland include several areas that could be suitable for wind power production. Our target is to study the circumstances in more detail and develop the areas that are suitable for wind power production," said Anja Silvennoinen, SVP for UPM Energy Business Area.

"For TuuliSaimaa, VentusVis provides an opportunity to proceed toward its targets and strengthens the company's position and know-how. TuuliSaimaa brings to the cooperation the operative management and wind power expertise. We are currently looking for new people to join our team," added Petteri Laaksonen, managing director of VentusVis, who also continues as the managing director of TuuliSaimaa.

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Cascades Inc., Kingsey Falls, Que., Canada, reported this week that it has entered into an agreement for the sale of Dopaco Inc., its converting business for the quick-service restaurant industry, to Reynolds Group Holdings of Auckland, New Zealand, for a cash price of $400 million. Dopaco is a producer of cups and folding cartons for the quick-service restaurant and food service industries. It operates six plants (two in Ontario and four in the U.S.) and converts some 165,000 metric tons of boxboard a year.

Net proceeds from the transaction will mainly be used to pay down Cascades' debt. In connection with the transaction, Cascades says it will continue to supply boxboard to Dopaco, through a five year supply agreement.

Alain Lemaire, president and CEO of Cascades, said that "while we have always considered our ownership in Dopaco to be a good investment, I am pleased to announce this transaction which unlocks significant value for our shareholders. In fact, this divestiture is part of our overall strategy to gain more financial flexibility and streamline our portfolio of assets to pursue the development of our core tissue, packaging and recovery operations. This is why the net proceeds will be used to reduce debt. Our improved balance sheet combined with the recent refinancing of our credit facility will allow us to position our asset base amongst the best in the industry in terms of productivity and profitability."

The transaction is expected to close before the end of April 2011, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions and regulatory approvals. "Cascades and Reynolds Group have made every effort to ensure the transfer of ownership will be seamless for the customers of Dopaco," Lemaire added.

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts, and markets packaging and tissue products. The company employs some 12,500 people at more than 100 units located in North America and Europe.

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Cascades Inc., Kingsey Falls, Que., Canada, also this week announced the consolidation of its Norampac's corrugated products operations in the U.S. New England region. The restructuring will result in the definitive closure of the Leominster, Mass., box plant, and in the expansion of the Thompson, Conn., plant.

The Leominster plant specializes in the converting of corrugated products. Its production will be redirected progressively towards the Thompson plant and other Norampac facilities in the northeastern U.S. (Schenectady, New York City, and Lancaster in New York.). Nearly 100 employees will be affected by the closure of the Leominster plant, which will be effective at the latest on May 27. Approximately 25 new positions will be created at the Thompson facility, and equipment from the Leominster plant will be transferred to Thompson following the closure.

"The decision to close the Leominster plant was a difficult one and follows several years of financial challenges at that location. As we have done in Quebec in 2010, consolidating Norampac's New England operations into the Thompson facility will allow us to better serve our customers, to reduce costs and to improve the profitability in this region" stated Marc-Andre Dépin, president and CEO of Norampac, a division of Cascades.

To help employees affected by the Leominster facility closure, Norampac has prepared a relocation program throughout its other facilities and will offer assistance regarding employment searches.

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Great Aseptic Packaging (GA Pack), Beijing, China, the second largest supplier of roll-fed aseptic packaging material in the world, reports that it is investing EUR 50 million to build a European production facility in Halle (Saale), Germany. The new production site marks an important milestone in the company's international growth strategy. The facility will create approximately 110 new positions for the local economy.

With the new factory in Germany, GA Pack takes the next step in its international business development. The company follows a dedicated strategy of growing international markets. Peder Berggren, director, International Business at GA Pack, noted that "with the new facility, we are significantly expanding our activities in Europe and thus penetration of the largest regional market for aseptic packaging in the world. This commitment helps us grow our market share, further broaden our customer mix, and capture part of the rapid growth in the international aseptic packaging market."

The European plant will also provide additional capacity for export to the Middle East and North and South America. According to Berggren, GA Pack sees the potential and the customer demand to grow the facilities over time: "This is a long-term commitment to the dairy and beverage industry, the region, and to Europe in general. We are here to stay, and to offer the liquid food industry a choice that creates real value."

Halle was chosen for its optimal mix of competitive location factors. Berggren explained that "the production site offers excellent railroad connections and motorway access, and is located conveniently close to Leipzig airport. Also, a great number of professionals live in the area. What won us over, though, were the authorities of Sachsen-Anhalt and Halle, who have shown great professionalism and eagerness to win this project. They have made it very clear from the start that together, we can create a win-win-situation."

The production of aseptic packaging material in Germany is scheduled to start in 2012. The factory in Halle is expected to have an annual production capacity of approximately 4 billion packs by the end of 2013, and offer workplaces for at least 110 skilled employees.

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KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp., Northbrook, Ill., USA, a producer of unbleached kraft paper products and linerboard, this week reported that its was selected by Managing Automation Media, a Thomas Publishing Co., as the winner for data integration mastery for the PM100 Awards. The PM100 recognizes projects that have achieved distinction in at least one of the eight core disciplines defined by Managing Automation Media as critical to business success in the years ahead.

The PM100 Winners will be honored and presented with their awards at the Manufacturing Leadership Summit 2011 on May 9 in Palm Beach, Fla. More than 200 manufacturing technology executives are expected to attend.

KapStone operates paper mills in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., and North Charleston, S.C., a lumber mill in Summerville, S.C., and five chipping mills in South Carolina. The company employs approximately 1,600 people.

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West Fraser, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, reports that it will sell its deep sea wharf and related assets to Rio Tinto Alcan. The sale, subject to obtaining certain government approvals for the transfer of related permits and licenses, is expected to be completed later this year. The wharf formed part of West Fraser's Eurocan linerboard and kraft paper mill at Kitimat, B.C. which was closed in January 2010.

"We are pleased that this agreement will help to ensure that the wharf can continue to be a major economic generator for Kitimat and the northwest region," said Hank Ketcham, West Fraser's chairman, president, and CEO.

West Fraser is an integrated wood products company producing lumber, wood chips, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp, and newsprint. The company has operations in western Canada and the southern U.S.

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Caraustar Industries Inc., Atlanta, Ga., USA, this week announced that it will implement freight surcharges on shipments of paperboard converted products, effective with shipments on and after April 1. Robert Pender, VP, Industrial Products Group, noted that "substantial, recent increases in diesel fuel prices have dramatically increased the cost of doing business, necessitating immediate cost recovery."

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RockTenn, Norcross, Ga., USA, has announced a $40 per ton price increase on its Classic News, AngelCote, and MillMask coated recycled paperboard products. Price increases are effective with shipments beginning April 14. RockTenn is a producer of paperboard, containerboard, and consumer and corrugated packaging, with annual net sales of $3 billion. The company has 10,400 employees at locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Chiel, and Argentina.

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KaMin, Macon, GA., USA, a manufacturer of hydrous and calcined kaolin, will increase prices of its kaolin clay products for export container customers effective May 1, or as contracts allow. This increase will apply to all paper and industrial accounts on which KaMin pays the freight for shipment in containers.

"Our container carriers have notified us of both general rate increases as well as increased fuel surcharges associated with those container shipments," advised Tom Anderskow, VP – Commercial. "While these circumstances are clearly beyond our control, we will continue to work with our carriers to do our best to minimize the impact to our customers. However, as we have communicated in the past, we must pass these increases through."

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Mondi, U.K. and South Africa, a producer of packaging paper, converted packaging products and uncoated fine paper, has announced a price increase of 7% – 12% for all unbleached and bleached sack and specialty kraft paper grades, effective for deliveries beginning April 1 for all European markets. Mondi said the demand for kraft paper continues to be strong and although several increases were implemented during 2010, the continued cost pressure especially for wood and starch necessitates a further increase.

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Wausau Paper, Mosinee, Wis., USA, appointed Patrick J. Medvecz SVP - operations, and Michael W. Nelson to SVP – paper, effective March 15. Medvecz joined Wausau Paper in 1993 and has most recently served as corporate VP, manufacturing and technology.In his new role, he will have responsibility for all tissue and paper manufacturing operations.

Nelson joined the company as VP sales and marketing for the specialty products business in 2007 and was promoted to VP sales and marketing for the paper segment in 2010. He has been integral in the development of successful growth strategies for the paper segment's core market, the company notes.

Wausau produces specialty papers for industrial, commercial, and consumer end markets, as well as a complete line of away-from-home towel and tissue products.

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Xerium Technologies, Raleigh, N.C., USA, a manufacturer of industrial textiles and rolls used primarily in the paper production process, this week announced the appointment of Clifford E. Pietrafitta to the position of CFO, effective immediately. Brian Fox, who has served as the company's CFO and chief accounting officer on an interim basis since August 13, 2010, has stepped down from those positions.

From 1999 to 2010, Pietrafitta served as CFO of CSS Industries, a consumer products company that designs, markets, and manufactures boxed Christmas cards, gift wrap, and other seasonal products. Previously, he served as CSS Industries' VP – Finance from 1995 to 1999, and as teasurer from 1991 to 1995.

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Attend the 2011 TAPPI PLACE Flexible Packaging Symposium, April 5, 2011 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida USA for a comprehensive, state-of-the-art overview of the latest biopolymer materials, additives, processing technology, applications, environmental aspects and market trends. This is your opportunity to experience a real-time dialogue with industry experts and colleagues about the collective sustainability challenge.

By participating in this Symposium, you will learn:

• how to integrate sustainable practices throughout your manufacturing process
• best practices for successfully and cost-effectively extruding biopolymers
• how to progressively achieve your sustainability goals.

At the end of this symposium you will understand the latest developments in renewable source resins, films and structures, and be able to employ sustainable flexible packaging practices for resource efficiency.
Registration includes lunch, the Tuesday reception and entrance into the ICE Exhibit.

Register online now or download the faxable registration form.

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Nominations are being accepted for induction into the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame.
The deadline is March 31, 2011. Please note that this is a change from the past.

Nomination forms are available online. They may also be obtained from the office at 425 W. Water Street, Appleton, WI. 54911 or by calling 920-380-7491.

Nominations need to have two sponsors and those signatures must be on the cover sheet which
must be sent in hard copy to the office address. The balance of the document may be emailed.

The inductee will be an individual(s), who has pioneered and/or helped the world's paper
and allied industries to flourish. Recognition will be based on contributions in these categories:

Academic
Economics
Entrepreneur
Founder
Leadership
Marketing & Sales
Research & Development
Service
Technology

Nominations that have been received in the past four years continue to be eligible; however it is very important that all information contained in the applications be updated. Names and addresses of the candidate and the sponsors need to be current. Please review your copy if you have submitted a nomination and update it if necessary.

SAVE THE DATE

The 17th Annual Induction Ceremony will be held in Appleton, WI. on October 6, 2011.

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The TAPPI Essentials of Market Pulp course is now open for registration.The one-day pulp primer takes place April 30 -- the day before doors fly open for the PaperCon 2011 convention May 1-4, 2011.

This course offers the most comprehensive overview available of today's market pulps worldwide. It is designed expressly to prime your knowledge of pulp markets in preparation for the convention, by helping you:

- Gain a broad understanding of current pulp trends in the global marketplace
- Understand the unique nature of pulps through study of a large cross-section of samples from all over the world
- Initiate a simple, efficient evaluation process for smart pulp selection
- Network with others and discuss issues one-on-one with experienced instructors

You also will receive with your registration your own copy of the World Market Pulp CD Book - a $295 value - supplemented with new marketplace data and analytical insights. The World of Market Pulp books are sold around the world and are key reference materials in many libraries, laboratories and companies. See a sample of this valuable book online.

Be sure to register by April 1 in order to receive the discounted early-bird rate for this one-day course!

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The 2011 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials is scheduled for June 6-8, 2011 at the Sheraton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia USA. The comprehensive Technical Program includes over 60 papers and five keynote presentations.

The event's Poster Session will feature findings from the leading researchers from around the world as well as a Student Poster Competition! Abstracts that focus on new and novel uses are highly encouraged. Analysis of challenges and trends in emerging markets for renewable nanomaterials are sought to provide a foundation for new research and industrial activities. Abstracts for the Student Poster Competition must be submitted by April 4. Prizes and certificates will be awarded to the first and second place winner.

Learn more about the event.

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TAPPI has announced the OpEx Maintenance Seminar: Operating Excellence through Advanced Asset Management. This two-day seminar, taking place May 2-3 during PaperCon 2011, is designed for mill maintenance and reliability supervisors who are interested in bringing the latest reliability techniques and best practices back to their mill. Organized by TAPPI's Asset Management Committee, speakers include mill personnel, consultants and suppliers.

Attendees will bring practical ideas back to their mill; meet and network with world class asset management experts and suppliers; and attend a roundtable of maintenance superintendants from TAPPI's Ohio Local Section. Up-to-date program information is available.

Learn more about this event and all PaperCon has to offer.

 

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Be a part of this dedicated group of mills, carriers, warehouses and printers as they establish standards to reduce in-transit damage to rolls of paper. You can't learn by sitting in your office! Attend the Shipping, Receiving and Warehousing Workshop in Nashville, April 12-13, 2011, and learn new ways to improve your bottom line.

Program Highlights:

• Results from the qMetrixTM pilot project, providing real-time roll damage reports to printers, carriers and paper mills.
• Review of claims processing procedures to assure fast processing and prevention of future damage.
• Workshop on warehouse operations, covering best practice product handling and loading of rail cars and trailers.
• Hear how Verso Paper has achieved a dramatic reduction in damage claims.
• Membership Special - register for SRW and join TAPPI at a 60% savings!

Registration for this information-packed event is only $265. And for an additional $65 (total of $330) you can become a member of TAPPI - normally $174. TAPPI Membership entitles you to news, publications, conference discounts and a directory of members - the most influential people in the pulp, paper, converting and allied industries.

Learn more about TAPPI's Shipping, Receiving and Warehousing Workshop.

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Registration is now open for the Recycled Paperboard Technical Association's annual Production-Technical Seminar. This year's event will be held in conjunction with TAPPI PaperCon on May 2-3, 2011 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, KY.

This year's program will include sessions on Regulatory Compliance (EPA, FDA, OSHA), Sustainability, Mill Safety and Mill Technology.

Among the topics being presented, attendees will learn the do's and don'ts of handling a visit from an OSHA inspector being presented by David Sarvadi, Partner with Keller and Heckman, LLC

Attendees will also gain an understanding of the basic framework governing food packaging in the United States and potential changes on the horizon being presented by Deborah White, Executive Director of RPTA. Her presentation will also explain how the RPTA Food Safety Protocol allows recycled fiber product manufacturers to evaluate the status of their products under U.S. law and provide a basis for claims about FDA status to their customers. Changes on the horizon in the European Union and the US states will also be considered.

On the production side, attendees will learn about future trends in fiber supplies and what the future holds for recycled fiber grades as well as a number of presentations focused on improving productivity such as using the newest break detection technology to locate and fix breaks quickly. To view the RPTA seminar agenda in its entirety visit www.rpta.org.

RPTA's sessions are open to RPTA members as well as registrants of TAPPI PaperCon. RPTA members can register at www.rpta.org or on the RPTA link at www.papercon.org.

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The Technical Program has been announced for the 2011 TAPPI Corrugated Symposium on Trends, Technology, and Management Issues in Box Plants Worldwide, 7 April 2011 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai, China. The TAPPI one-day technical symposium will be held in conjunction with the SinoCorrugated Show, 6-9 April 2011.

Learn from international speakers as they discuss market trends, technology and management issues in box plants worldwide.

• Dr. Graham Moore, Strategic Consultant, Pira International Ltd., will give an overview of the global containerboard packaging sector from the perspective of manufacturing and end use application sectors
• Tom Pearce, President, Pearce Corrugated Consulting, will share the principles to managing a successful box plant and how to identify the gaps in production management
• Pankaj Shah, Director, Supack International, will provide a historical look at the use of corrugated materials as well a look into what future innovations in store
• Davide R. Friedman, President Fibre Tech Packaging Solutions, LLC, will discuss the traditional relationship between the boxmaker and the end user, exploring ways to optimize that relationship from a holistic point of view
• Daniel M Brunton, Managing Director, Brunton Business Publications Ltd, will moderate a panel discussion of international corrugated issues

Learn more at www.tappi.org/11sino.

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