The TAPPI NETInc Innovative Nonwovens Conference being held September 13 - 15 at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, Ga., brings together the industry's top experts from its manufacturing and supplier sides as well as academia, R&D, and marketing to share breakthroughs in technology, emerging developments, and trends on the global horizon. This is the only event worldwide designed, developed, and conducted exclusively by movers and shakers in the fast-moving nonwovens arena. The program concept, session topics, and selection of speakers have been determined and hand-picked on a peer-reviewed basis by a special committee of worldwide nonwovens experts. NETInc is a one-of-a-kind, can't-miss exploration of the current and future direction of nonwovens and the complex dynamics shaping its unfolding destiny.

Organized into 13 sessions, NETInc begins with a special Filtration Tutorial (included in conference registration) on Tuesday afternoon, September 13, that examines methods and approaches to understanding and predicting air resistance and particle capture efficiency in fibrous webs. Following this tutorial, the event's opening keynote session includes presentation of the TAPPI NET Division's Innovation in Nonwovens Award to Dr. Anthony Atala from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for his work using nonwoven scaffolds for regenerative medicine. Dr. Atala will then discuss his work and provide his view of the future of nonwovens in the medical area.

The Markets Trends & Analysis session following the Innovation in Nonwovens award and keynote address takes an in-depth look into the raw materials world of nonwovens and developing trends in the global disposable diaper marketplace. Alex Lidback of HIS provides an up-to-the minute forecast and outlook for a broad range of raw materials, while Carlos Richer of Richer Investment reports on emerging diaper markets and how they compare with developed markets.

Session 8 on Wednesday afternoon, September 14, focuses on evolving nonwovens developments and applications in the medical sector. Idris Cerkez and Royall Broughton of Auburn University will present a new, inexpensive, and practical way of creating multi-functional (antimicrobial and durable press) cotton fabrics. Wan-Ju Li, John Barber, and Andrew Handorf of the University of Wisconsin-Madison then discuss a new study on "Braiding Electrospun Nanofibers for Tendon/Ligament Tissue Engineering." This study centers on the successful fabrication of a new tissue engineered scaffold that has favorable biological and mechanical properties for tendon/ligament tissue engineering. These braided nanofibrous scaffolds are able to enhance cell activities and matrix production in bioreactor culture. Rounding out the medical session, Elizabeth Loboa of North Carolina State University looks at scaffold based strategies for functional bone tissue engineering that involve the use of three-dimensional, biocompatible, biodegradable structures to provide an adequate template for ex vivo cell expansion and maturation, native tissue ingrowth, and restoration of the original tissue qualities with respect to bone's biochemical constituents, morphology, form, and function. Her presentation focuses specifically on the creation and use of nanofibrous and nanocomposite nonwoven scaffolds.

Session 11 on Thursday afternoon, September 15, provides an up-close examination of two new emerging technologies now on the nonwovens applications stage. Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhim of North Carolina State University" describes "A New Generation of Splittable Fibers fro Technical Applications." According to Dr. Pourdeyhim, a new core modified trilobal fiber has been developed that allows the formation of unique micro-denier structures with enhanced tear, breathability, durability, and hand. These structures, he notes, open new possibilities for nonwovens in durable applications. Mohit Ajitkumar Raina of the Institut Fur Textiltechnik reports on new applications of nonwovens in the automotive sector, including a di-electric measuring system for determining the distribution of fiber in a multi-component nonwoven structure. With this system, he says, it is possible to judge the localized homogeneity of a nonwoven fabric. Another automotive application is an algorithm for image processing. Processed images of nonwoven structures allow determination of the percentage of thick and thin areas and the unevenness coefficient. The rising quality demands of the automotive industry necessitate online measuring systems, Raina notes.

More information on these and other sessions and activities at NetInc 2011, including online registration, is available on the event website.

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Södra, Sweden, reports that it has published a comprehensive but "easily-digested" guidebook on financial risk management in the pulp market. The financial market of pulp – for people in a hurry takes a deliberately light-hearted approach to a subject, "the complexities of which can deter many a would-be trader," the company notes.

The 55-page volume covers the pulp market from the concept of risk to advice on hedging strategies in the real world of pulp.

"This is ideal material for a train or plane journey," said Södra Cell Hedging Manager Linda Claesson. "Risk management in the pulp industry is remarkably undeveloped, which is perhaps surprising considering pulp's history of price fluctuation. We hope that our little book will help demystify the subject of hedging, and help people make informed decisions about their buying strategies."

To secure a copy of The financial market of pulp – for people in a hurry, email Linda.claesson@sodra.com.

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James Rubright, chairman and CEO of RockTenn, Norcross, Ga., USA, has been named 2011 North American Forest Products CEO of the Year by RISI, Bedford, Mass. Rubright was chosen for the award by a group of investment analysts and portfolio managers covering the forest products industry.

Criteria for the award nomination included leadership, vision, and strategic accomplishment. Rubright was selected as the winner due to his significant achievements and overall leadership of RockTenn. Specifically noted in his nomination was the recent acquisition of Smurfit-Stone by RockTenn. Both competitors and independent converters have responded positively to the recent acquisition, which has brought RockTenn to a new level in the industry as one of the most respected and profitable integrated paperboard and packaging companies in North America.

Responding to the announcement, Rubright said that "this award recognizes the success and global competitiveness RockTenn has accomplished through the hard work and innovative solutions of our 26,000 dedicated employees."

Before joining RockTenn as CEO in 1999, Rubright served as EVP of Sonat Inc., a diversified energy company headquartered in Birmingham, Ala. Prior to 1994, he was a partner in the law firm of King & Spalding. He also was named RISI's North American CEO of the Year in 2008 and he won the Global CEO of the Year Award at the PPI Awards in 2009.

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U.S. Containerboard production rose 4.6% compared with June 2011, and the month-over-month average daily production was up 1.2%, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (Washington, D.C., USA) July 2011 U. S. Containerboard Statistics Report released this week. The containerboard operating rate for July 2011 was down slightly, 0.6 point over July 2010 to 98.1%, but it gained 1.2 points over June's operating rate.

Additional key findings from the report include:

• Linerboard production posted a gain over last year
• Corrugating medium also showed an increase over June 2011.

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Total U.S. kraft paper shipments were 132,500 tons, an increase of 0.1% compared with July 2010, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (Washington, D.C., USA) July 2011 Kraft Paper Sector Report released this week. Total inventory was 69,300 tons.

Additional key findings from the report include:

• Total unbleached kraft shipments decreased compared with July 2010. However year-to-date shipments were up compared with the same seven months last year.
• Total bleached kraft shipments were up compared with the same month last year.

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Total U.S. boxboard production decreased by 1.3% compared with July 2010, but increased 1.5% from last month, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (Washington, D.C., USA). July 2011 U.S. Paperboard Report released this week.

Additional key findings from the report include: ·

• Unbleached kraft folding production decreased over the same month last year, but increased from last month ·
• Total solid bleached boxboard and liner production decreased compared with July 2010, but increased from last month ·
• The production of recycled folding decreased compared with July 2010, but increased compared with last month ·
• Inventory of solid bleached kraft paperboard increased in June.

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A number of new wood pellet plants in the U.S. and Canada are set to commence operations during 2011, with more plants planned in the coming years, according to a report released this week by The North American Wood Fiber Review (NAWFR), Seattle, Wash. With the additional capacity coming on line, the industry is eyeing the growing demand in four regions – Europe, Asia, and to a lesser extent the Maritime Provinces of Eastern Canada and Northeastern U.S.

The existing coal-fired energy sector in the U.S. South remains a potent, yet unrealized market to date, NAWFR notes. Federal policies in the U.S. that restrict the emissions of carbon dioxide gases would ultimately benefit the pellet industry in North America, as many coal plants would likely begin using pellets for co-firing as is the case in Europe. These changes would drastically alter existing pellet flows and production plans.

Europe has, by far, been the largest export market for North American pellet producers for a number of years, shipping nearly 1.5 million metric tons in 2010, NAWFR reports. The most significant potential for increased wood pellet utilization both short and long term, it adds, will continue to be in this region, as the European Union's 27 member countries have a goal of sourcing 20% of the Union's total energy needs with renewable sources by 2020. In 2008, biomass utilized in the EU provided 80 million metric tons of oil equivalents (mtoe), and the European Commission estimates that this consumption may increase to 140 mtoe by 2020.

In addition, Germany's recently declared goal to totally eliminate its nuclear power industry by 2022 will increase the country's demand for renewable energy, including woody biomass in the future. Other countries, including Italy, Finland, Poland, and Switzerland are starting to question the viability of nuclear power as a future source of energy, according to NAWFR.

Asian demand for biomass energy is finally beginning to emerge, and shows signs of significant potential growth. South Korea has recently announced policies to increase the portion of energy consumption from renewable sources, including woody biomass. The country's new Renewable Portfolio Standard calls for reducing green house gases 30% by 2020, while concurrently increasing its use of wood pellets to five million metric tons in 10 years. Japan's confidence in nuclear power has continued to plummet since the Fukushima nuclear plant crisis in early 2011, which will likely result in an increase in woody biomass usage as a portion of a larger renewable energy portfolio in the next few years, NAWFR said.

The growing European and Asian demand for wood bioenergy is being answered by a number of U.S. and Canadian companies already engaged in or moving towards an expanding export market. Besides British Columbia, which has been the major supplier of pellets to Europe, the U.S. South has recently witnessed the opening of a few large pellet plants with plans to ship a majority of their production to European consumers NAWFR pointed out.

There is much uncertainty regarding future energy policies worldwide but one thing is undeniable – pellet demand in Europe, Asia, and perhaps also in the U.S. will be experiencing dramatic growth over the next five years, NAWFR concludes,

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Preliminary July U.S. printing and writing (P&W) paper shipments were down sequentially across all grades, Mark Wilde, senior analyst with Deutsche Bank, reports. On a y/y basis, uncoated freesheet (UFS) shipments were in-line with expectations, while coated papers were slightly weaker: UFS shipments were -2.4% y/y, coated freesheet (CFS) shipments were -3.8% y/y, and lightweight coated (LWC) shipments were -14.0% y/y.

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As expected, North American NBSK (northern bleached softwood kraft) list prices have dropped $30 to $990/metric ton, Wilde reports. Hardwood grades also declined $20 - $30/metric ton (August NBHK = $820/metric ton). Spot prices remain quite weak, Wilde says, adding that there are reports of NBSK in the $760 - $810/metric ton range and NBHK (northern bleached hardwood kraft) in the low- to mid-$600s. "Trade contacts have reported spot BEK (bleached eucalyptus kraft) deals at ˜$600/metric ton in Europe. In China, weak demand and rising inventories have pulled prices down," he says.

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In the domestic U.S. market, August OCC was up $2/ton to $179/ton (+42% y/y), Wilde reports. However, he notes, "we've received trade reports over the past week suggesting that domestic may be starting to ease. OCC has now been above the $150/ton level for 10 months in a row. It's not hard to see why OCC prices have been so healthy in 2011(through May U.S. OCC exports were up ˜43%). There has also been modest easing in export OCC price to Asia/China. August prices were down $5/ton to $205 - $220/ton FOB. YTD export OCC prices have been at record levels. The recent decline is due to slower packaging demand in China," Wilde says.

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Domtar Corp., Montreal, Que., Canada, this week agreed to acquire the privately-held Attends Healthcare Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of incontinence products, from KPS Capital Partners, L.P. for $315 million. The closing of the transaction is expected during the third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions.

Attends produces a complete line of incontinence care products and washcloths marketed primarily under the Attends brand name. The company has a wide product offering encompassing more than 170 SKUs, and it serves a diversified customer base in multiple channels throughout the U.S. and Canada. It operates a 775,000 sq ft facility with nine production lines and a state-of-the-art distribution center in Greenville, N.C. Attends has approximately 330 employees, annual sales of approximately $200 million, and an estimated run-rate EBITDA of $39 million.

"This is a good transaction that allows us to take measured steps into the consumer products market in a product area where high single-digit global growth is expected," said John D. Williams, president and CEO of Domtar. "We believe there is the potential to double Attends' earnings within five years and we are committed to unleashing the great organic growth potential. With this acquisition, we will consume internally some of our high quality Lighthouse fluff pulp produced in our nearby Plymouth, N.C., mill. Domtar will continue to look for innovative ways to build growing businesses based on sustainable wood fiber."

Michael Fagan, currently president and CEO of Attends Healthcare Inc., will continue in his functions. "I am delighted to join Domtar and to take the business to the next level of success. With strong commitment and support, the new ownership structure will allow us to realize the full potential of Attends," Fagan noted.

The acquired business will be presented as a new reportable segment in Domtar's financial statements filed to the Securities and Exchange Commission starting in the quarter following the closing of the transaction. Domtar will use cash on hand to pay for the acquisition and intends to redeem most of Attends' outstanding debt upon closing of the transaction.

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Fibria Cellulose, Sao Paulo, Brazil, the world's largest pulp producer, this past week said that it may sell its Piracicaba mill in Brazil to OJI Paper Co. of Tokyo, Japan, for $313 million. In a "term sheet" agreement, OJI has been granted exclusive acquisition rights until September 29. Fibria reportedly will use proceeds from the sale to pay off debt.

The Piracicaba mill has a production capacity of 160,000 metric tpy of carbonless and uncoated woodfree papers. Fibria operates five mills with a combined annual production capacity of 5.25 million metric tpy of pulp and 179,000 metric tpy of thermal, carbonless, and printing papers. The company also has a 50% stake in Veracel, a pulp mill joint-venture with Stora Enso of Finland, in Bahia.

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Millar Western Forest Products Ltd. is launching a bioenergy project to convert organic materials in wastewater at its Whitecourt, Alberta, Canada, pulp mill into biogas that will fuel reciprocating engines to generate green electricity. Captured waste heat from the process will be used to lower the mill's natural gas requirements. The company is currently pursuing necessary permits and, if approved, then project will take two years to complete.

The project will involve the use of an anaerobic hybrid digester, or AHD, to pre-treat pulp mill waste water before it enters the mill's existing aerobic treatment system. Though widely used in other industries, AHD technology is new to the pulp and paper sector.

Receiving C$17.5 million in funding from the province, the project will produce enough green energy to allow the company to draw 6.2 fewer megawatts from the grid to operate its mill. The system will produce enough green electricity to power some 6,500 homes annually.

The AHD technology will also lower the mill's direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by about 50,000 metric ton per year, reduce water consumption, improve the quality of treated wastewater discharges, and cut the production of solid organic waste in half. Once proven at the Whitecourt pulp mill, the technology used in this project has the potential to make significant environmental improvements in pulp and paper mills across the country.

"Turning wood waste into renewable energy is an excellent example of how we can efficiently use our natural resources," said Environment Minister Rob Renner. "By promoting innovation, we are continually raising the bar for environmental performance in Alberta."

Provincial funding for the project comes from Alberta's share of the Canada ecoTrust for Clean Air and Climate Change. The ecoTrust distributed C$1.5 billion among all the provinces and territories to assist with clean air and climate change initiatives. Alberta's share is C$155.9 million.

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Mohawk Fine Papers Inc., Cohoes, N.Y., USA, this week finalized the acquisition of Bravo Solutions Inc. of Elmira, N.Y. Bravo is a supplier of specialty synthetic and paper substrates for digital printing. The acquisition includes all brands and certain assets, including manufacturing capacity for converted products, which will remain in Elmira.

Bravo substrates are designed and engineered for both dry toner presses as well as HP Indigo presses. Mohawk plans to fully integrate the Bravo portfolio, including pressure sensitive, synthetic substrates, integrated products, embedded card sheets, and magnetic materials, into the existing Mohawk digital product offering, creating the most extensive portfolio of digital substrates in the world.

Thomas D. O'Connor Jr., Mohawk's chairman and CEO, noted earlier this week that "this acquisition is a strategic opportunity for Mohawk and its customers. We are committed to expanding our offerings to the growing digital print market. These premium substrates represent high value, high volume opportunities for printers, merchants, and their customers and we expect Bravo sales and customer service to transition smoothly to Mohawk starting today."

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Sappi Fine Paper Europe has ordered from Metso, Finland, four modern Metso IQ systems to replace four aging quality control systems in three separate Sappi mills in Europe. The delivery includes a total of 12 scanners for three paper machines in Stockstadt, Germany, and Maastricht, Netherlands, as well as one coater in Alfeld, Germany, the latter also including four Metso IQ Coating Profilers.

The goal of Sappi's investments is to further enhance end product quality and increase raw material savings which, among other benefits, will also have a positive environmental impact.

The replacements are planned for this month, September, and December.

Sappi Fine Paper Europe is a producer of coated fine paper in Europe, with an annual capacity of approximately 4 million metric tons of coated and uncoated paper brands.

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Södra, Sweden, reports that last Friday, August 12, a fire broke out in a chip conveyor at the company's pulp mill in Mönsterås, Sweden. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but according to Södra, the prevailing wind caused it to spread rapidly to the mill's three chip stacks. Firefighters battled to contain the fire over the weekend, and it is now under control, being restricted to the chip stacks.

Putting out the fire is expected to take a few more days, the company says, adding that "it is difficult to say with any certainty when production will resume at the mill until the fire has been put out and it is possible to inspect the equipment. We are currently expecting the mill to resume operations within a few weeks. Nobody was injured in the fire."

Södra's sawmill in Mönsterås was also closed due to the fire. Operations at the sawmill are expected to resume midweek.

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UPM, Helsinki, Finland, will establish four regional jointly owned forests in Finland using some 2,000 hectares of company forests as an original asset. The company's jointly owned forests will be located in Western, Eastern, and Central Finland as well as in Ostrobothnia next to UPM mills using significant volumes of wood.

By establishing the jointly owned forests UPM aims at promoting active forest ownership to improve stable wood supply to the market, and to improve the profitability of forestry. Additionally the aim is to prevent splitting up of the forest properties.

The forest owner can incorporate his/her own forest estate into to the jointly owned forest. In exchange he/she will receive shares of the jointly owned forest equivalent to the value of his/her estate. In jointly owned forests, efficient wood production, sustainable forest management, and recreational use of the forests are combined. The income from wood sales will be divided up regularly among the owners.

Marketing of UPM's jointly owned forests will start in autumn 2011. This is the point when negotiations to incorporate new forest areas into the jointly owned forests will start.

"Joining the jointly owned forest is a noteworthy option for many forest owners, for example when there is a wish to incorporate a small forest estate into a bigger entity. A jointly owned forest is also a good option for the heir to manage the inherited property or in change of generation situations to prevent splitting up of the estate," says Heikki Kalvila, manager, Legal Services, UPM's Northern Forestry Business. "The persons incorporating their estate into the jointly owned forest obtain regular income and are able to utilize a bigger area for recreation."

The administration and management of UPM's jointly owned forests is taken care by a forest professional. The aim is to secure as efficient wood production as possible and multiple use of the forest for the benefit of the shareowners.

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Anhui Shanying Paper Industry Co. in the City of Ma'anshan in Anhui Province, China, is installing two new containerboard machines. The first Metso (Finland) machine, PM 6, is scheduled to startup in the second quarter of 2013. The second Metso machine, PM 5, is to begin operations in the third quarter of 2013. The value of the order was not disclosed, but according to Metso, a typical value of two containerboard lines varies from EUR 100 to 150 million, depending on the scope of delivery and the production capacity.

Metso's delivery will include two complete 8.60-m-wide (wire) containerboard machines from headbox to winder. The deliveries will also include machine clothing, automation systems, and a wide range of process systems. This kind of an extensive overall delivery package from the same supplier enables the design of highly energy-efficient production lines.

The new PM 6 will be equipped with two winders. It utilizes gap technology which enables a new, higher production speed category for board. The production speed will be 1,500 m/min. PM 6 will produce fluting and testliner grades in the basis weight range of 50 –110 gsm. The daily production capacity will be approximately 1,540 metric tons.

The new PM 5 will be equipped with three headboxes. The production speed will be 1,100 m/min. The line will produce kraftliner and testliner grades in the basis weight range of 90 –175 gsm. The daily production capacity will be approximately 1,380 metric tons.

Anhui Shanying Paper Industry Co. was established in 1957 and is the biggest paper and board producer in the Anhui Province, with al capacity of 900,000 metric tpy of kraftliner.

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The Kemsley mill of DS SmithPaper in the U.K. has ordered a major board machine rebuild from Metso, Finland. Startup of the rebuilt machine is scheduled for the second quarter of 2012. The value of the order was not disclosed.

Metso's delivery will include rebuilds of the forming, press, and dryer sections. It additionally includes a new film sizer and a new softnip calender. The scope of supply also includes all installation work related to the rebuild, which will help the Kemsley mill ensure its top-quality board production.

DS SmithPaper is an international supplier of recycled packaging and a key European office products wholesaler with an annual turnover of about EUR 2.4 billion and more than 12,000 employees. The company operates in several European countries, the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.

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Grupak Hidalgo S.A. de C.V., Mexico, has ordered from Voith Fiber & Environmental Solutions, Germany, a complete OCC recovered fiber system, designed for 600 bone dry metric tpy, for its new mill site in the municipality of Emiliano Zapata in Mexico. Startup of the OCC system is scheduled for the first quarter of 2013.

Voith's scope of supply includes the new IntensaPulper R, TwinPulp III detrashing system, complete coarse cleaning and screening systems, fine cleaning with EcoMizer Technology, and fine slotted screening with C-bar slotted baskets and MF power-saving rotors. Voith-Meri will supply the pulper feed system including the Auto Wire Cutting machine plus the Compax reject press and other reject handling equipment.

Grupo Unipak, S.A. de C.V. PT. is a large Mexican company producing a variety of food packaging products. The company currently produces liner and fluting grades for its own integrated use on two machines located in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

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Stora Enso, Finland, has ordered a modern Metso IQ quality control system to be installed at its Heinola's Fluting Mill in Finland, near Helsinki. The project is scheduled for completion next month.

The rebuild and modernization includes replacement of the mill's aging QCS system, a retrodilution headbox rebuild, refiner, dilution water and short circulation screens, FoilForce tail threading, IQ Steam Profiler and Machine Control System (MCS) added with electrical and field instrumentation engineering, and refiner area and headbox instrumentation.

The Heinola Fluting Mill has been in operation since 1961. Currently it produces 300,000 tpy of semi-chemical fluting. About 90 % of its production is being exported for fruit and vegetable packaging as well as for packaging of consumer electronics and machine parts.

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Gamajet Cleaning Systems, Exton, Pa., USA, has introduced its new Intrepid tank rinsing machine that provides fast tank rinsing with 80% less water than a standard spray ball at the same pressure. This type of fast, thorough cleaning without the use of chemicals is ideal for cleaning light liquids and powders, the company notes. A 500-gal tank, for example, that once took 10 min at 60 psi and 60 gpm with a spray ball, with the Intrepid takes 4 minutes with only 15 gpm at the same pressure. In addition to the 510 gal of water saved, the tank is thoroughly cleaned without clogging.

Unlike traditional Gamajet rotary impingement tank cleaners, the Intrepid uses a unique "direct-drive" design, requiring no gear reduction. However, the machine still applies concentrated streams in a complete, 360-degree pattern, like all other Gamajet machines.

Average operating conditions for the Intrepid are between 10 and 80 psi and 5 and 20 gpm. The unit also incorporates a sanitary design, including FDA compliant materials, self-cleaning and draining capabilities, and a high polish, sanitary finish, making it highly effective for both sanitary and industrial applications.

"Although 19 times out of 20 we find that Impingement tank cleaning is the most efficient tank cleaning method, our customers told us we needed something to deliver a ‘lighter,' less expensive alternative for light residues that would significantly reduce the resources used by spray balls," said Bob Delaney, chairman of Gamajet Cleaning Systems.

The Intrepid is a direct change-out for spray balls. Facilities can trial or purchase the unit through any authorized Gamajet distributor, or directly through Gamajet Cleaning Systems.

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Arctic Paper, Poland, has announced a price increase on all UWF (uncoated woodfree) and CWF (coated woodfree) paper grades, both in folio sheets and reels. The price increase will range from 5% - 8% and will differ from the current price levels per country and paper grade. The price increase will be implemented for all markets and deliveries beginning September 15.

The company attributes the price hike to increasing input costs such as raw materials and transportation. Arctic Paper local sales teams will provide customers further details and information.

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Papierfabrik August Koehler AG, Oberkirch, Germany, this week announced a 4% price increase for thermal paper in the U.S. and Canada. The price hike becomes effective with shipments beginning October 1.

The company attributes the increase to continuing cost pressures in several key production areas.

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Washington, D.C., USA, this week released a report titled 2011 U.S. Billion-Ton Update: Biomass Supply for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry that details U.S. biomass feedstock potential nationwide. The report examines the nation's capacity to produce a billion dry tons of biomass resources annually for energy uses without impacting other vital U.S. farm and forest products, such as food, feed, and fiber crops. The study provides industry, policymakers, and the agricultural community with county-level data and includes analyses of current U.S. feedstock capacity and the potential for growth in crops and agricultural products for clean energy applications.

Biomass resources identified in the report could be used to produce clean, renewable biofuels, biopower, or bioproducts. For example, with continued developments in biorefinery capacity and technology, the feedstock resources identified could produce about 85 billion gal of biofuels—enough to replace approximately 30% of the nation's current petroleum consumption. This data will be used by both the public and private sector to grow the bioenergy industry and help achieve President Obama's goals of dramatically expanding renewable energy resources and developing alternative fuels for America's transportation sector.

The report supports conclusion of the original 2005 Billion-Ton Study with added in-depth production and costs analyses and sustainability studies. The 2011 report uses more rigorous models and data analysis to test the feasibility of increasing biomass production to help meet the nation's renewable energy needs. The new report also conducts in-depth analyses of land-use changes and competition among food, feed, and energy crops.

The report's findings demonstrate that increases in biomass-derived energy sources can be produced in a sustainable manner through the use of widely-accepted conservation practices, such as no-till farming and crop rotation. In fact, in some cases increased production may contribute to environmental improvements. For example, removing tree portions that are unfit for market in the forest industry can reduce forest fire risk, and planting energy crops on marginal lands can reduce soil erosion. The baseline scenario in the newly released report shows that biomass resources could be increased from a current 473 million dry tons annually to nearly 1.1 billion dry tons by 2030, under a conservative set of assumptions about future increases in crop yield.

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TAPPI will be performing its fiscal year end inventory counting starting August 30th. As a result, TAPPI will not be processing TAPPI PRESS orders from August 30th through September 5th. Orders received during this time will be shipped in the order they have been received during the week of September 5th. All payment processing will resume the week of September 5th.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience. This process allows us to better serve our members.
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The EPA's Boiler MACT legislation could push environmental spending, as a percentage of capital spending, to 40% - 50% and "over the edge" for many pulp and paper mills still off-balance and struggling in the wake of the 2008-10 economic downturn. This year's environmental sessions at the TAPPI PEERS Conference will explore the impact of Boiler MACT from both the compliance and equipment perspectives, and also examine modern investment strategies that factor in environmental considerations as well as insurance costs and benefits.

The TAPPI PEERS Conference also includes workshops, a mill tour, excellent networking opportunities, exhibits and a peer-reviewed technical program featuring more than 30 sessions. Held in conjunction with the International Pulp Bleaching Conference this year, attending this event is a sound business decision for anyone that needs to focus on making operations more efficient and effective.

Learn more about the TAPPI PEERS Conference 

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This conference is dedicated to all chemical and engineering aspects of pulp bleaching. Not held since 2008, it is the most important meeting on this subject and attracts a global audience to meet, learn and exchange ideas.

This year's program will include a Weyerhaeuser Mill Tour. Space is limited on this tour, so make your reservations early!

For more information on the conference, including the technical program and registration visit Pulp Bleaching Conference.

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This upcoming TAPPI course will give students the tools needed to evaluate the performance of paper machines against industry standards. By measurement and comparison, the student will be able to evaluate ways to improve performance and optimize the efficiency of the paper machine operation.

The course will be led by James W. Atkins, president of Atkins, Inc., a consulting company. Mr. Atkins has over forty years in the paper industry and has held the titles of Manager Paper Manufacturing, Mill Manager, and VP/General Manager in several paper companies. He has a Bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina.

Joining the instructor team will be Charles P. Klass, President of Klass Associates, Inc.

To find out more, go to Paper Machine Performance Course

 

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The Call for Papers is underway for Papermakers Program, the Coating and Graphic Arts Program and Control Systems 2012. PaperCon 2012, April 22-25 in New Orleans, offers the world's largest program for the pulp and paper industry. Invitations to present have been issued for TAPPI's Papermakers Program, and the TAPPI Coating and Graphic Arts Program. Control Systems 2012 (being held in conjunction with PaperCon) has also issued an invitation and all Control Systems sessions will be open to PaperCon attendees.

More information about all three programs, along with submission guidelines and deadlines can be found at PaperCon 2012.

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The Paper Industry International Hall of Fame's membership roster will expand to 105 on October 6, 2011 with the induction of five paper industry notables who have been chosen as the 17th anniversary induction class. Daniel Kevill Brown, Chester Carlson, Georg Jayme, Jori Eino Pesonen, and John Stoveken will join 100 previous members of the Paper Hall during induction ceremonies at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.A. John D. Williams, CEO and President of Domtar Corporation,  a paper industry leader in environmental responsibility and sustainable growth, will be the keynote speaker at the event.

The Paper Industry International Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who, through their inventions, initiative and efforts, built or improved paper and allied industries worldwide. Four of the five inductees are being recognized in multiple categories, including Founders, Leadership, Research & Development, Inventor and Entrepreneur. One inductee is retired.

More information is available at the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame 

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One of Scott Frasca's first managers in the pulp and paper industry was adamant about one thing: join TAPPI! Taking that advice to heart, Scott not only joined, he instantly became an actively engaged member and leader in TAPPI, PIMA and several Local Sections. A firm believer that you get way more than you give Scott has been involved in multiple committees and assignments since joining 25 years ago. Those activities were recently recognized when he was named the 2010 Paul Magnabosco Outstanding TAPPI Local Section Member Award winner.

A skiing devotee and Harley rider, Scott is also a real fan when it comes to being involved in TAPPI as a way to develop leadership skills and technical knowledge. He recommends committee volunteering as a fast-track to involvement and skill development, noting that "new volunteers are always welcome and generally put to work right away!" Says Scott, "It's amazing what you can get out of membership with just a small investment of your time and how much benefit you derive for both you and your company!" Find out how by reading this month's Member Spotlight .  Spotlight participants are recommended by fellow members and staff. If you would like to nominate a member (or even yourself!) just send their name (or names) to Member Spotlight. We will forward a Spotlight Questionnaire  to fill out and return.

We look forward to seeing you in the Spotlight!

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