Over the Wire

P&W paper shipments decreased 8% in July, compared with July 2015, according to the AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) "July 2016 Printing-Writing Paper Report" released this week.

 

The value of logs and lumber exported from North America to Asia fell by 33% from 2013 to 2015, with the 2016 export value on pace to reach the lowest level since 2010.

 

Demand growth has remained insipid recently as a result of fierce competition from rigid plastic packaging, microflute, and flexible packaging, according to a new report by Commodity Inside, London, U.K.

 

It should be noted that Appleton Coated is not discontinuing Utopia U1X® – the brightest Utopia that the company makes. U1X is FSC certified and also features 20% post-consumer recovered fiber and Green-E® Green Power – all of these features are standard, with no upcharge. Inventory to be sold until stocks are depleted.

 

Sheila North Wilson, grand chief of Manitoba, Canada's Keewatinowi Okimakanak, said the mill is too important to northern First Nations to let it close. She is calling "for an urgent meeting" involving Premier Brian Pallister, Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox, and northern First Nations leaders about a buyout of the mill.

 

USDA instruction (effective Aug. 23, 2016) clarifies its policy regarding the organic certification of industrial hemp production by certifying agents accredited by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). This instruction applies to all NOP-accredited certifying agents, and replaces the February 2016 version of NOP 2040.

 

Specialty paper and tissue manufacturer quadruples revenue, increases EBITDA by 8x since 2010.

 

Rebuild included a 12 ft. steel yankee dryer designed and manufactured by PMP (2,420 mm sheet width on the yankee), a high efficiency yankee hood supplied with an air fan – Intelli-Hood, and steam and condensate equipment.

 

In addition, the manufacturer will receive a $400,000 performance-based grant from Empire State Development to buy new machinery and equipment. The company has promised to create 10 new jobs and retain 70. It will take about a year to purchase new equipment, install it, and getting it running.

 

Company's Invercote and Incada brands are again among the three most valuable brands on the European paperboard market, according to a newly released brand survey of European paperboard converters and brand owners.

 

"This acquisition, while relatively small, aligns with our strategy to extend our reach in key markets and to expand our value added offering in packaging and specialty products," said Stewart Emerson, president and CEO of Supremex.

 

Rebuild in the forming, drying, and reeling sections will boost PM 6's production capacity from approximately 185,000 metric tpy to some 200,000 metric tpy of high quality packaging grades.

 

Funding for the acquisition of the corrugated producer came from a new $385 million five-year term loan facility.

 

The company is investing a total of EUR 6.6 million in the corrugated packaging business in Sweden. The investment encompasses a new corrugated cutting machine with high-quality printing in the Jönköping factory, and a smaller upgrade of the cutting system in the Skene factory. The new machinery is scheduled for operation in 2017.

 

Weyerhaeuser expects to use a substantial portion of the approximately $225 million of after-tax proceeds for repayment of debt.

 

The Japanese papermaker will spend more than 1 billion yen ($9.96 million) constructing the facility with an annual output capacity of 30 metric tons at its Gotsu Mill in Shimane Prefecture. Production is slated to begin in September 2017. The company may eventually expand output at the facility to 100 metric tpy.

 

Surface of packaging papers were coated with cellulose nanofibers saturated with silver nanoparticles. Results showed the optimum amount of silver nanoparticles is 5 and 10 ppm to prevent growth of bacteria. Produced papers have higher resistance to tension due to the presence of cellulose nanofibers with high flexibility.

 

Company is set to take a bite of the food packaging industry by unveiling its first ever food contact-approved range of papers at this year’s Luxe Pack exhibition in Monaco

 

New electronic knifeholders deliver superior slit quality, ease of use, and increased blade life.

 

The company has begun informing U.S. customers of a $50/ton containerboard price increase for October 1.

 

The study will be publicly available at Labelexpo Americas in Chicago, Ill., USA, from September 13-15.

 

The 2015 report is organized according to Verso’s five sustainability principles, which focus on responsible sourcing, environmental and safety improvement, product stewardship, stakeholder partnerships, and transparency.

 

IP has set up 12 goals as part of the company's Vision 2020 Program. Energy efficiency is planned to be raised by 15% from 2015-2020 .The company reported to have already met their anticipated water conservation targets. The goal of reducing waste to landfills by 30%, and ultimately to zero by 2020, is currently at an 11% reduction.

 

The Swan ecolabel guarantees that the product is designed and manufactured in a best possible way for the environment, taking into account the entire product life cycle. Only the most carefully made products can receive the right to use the Swan logo. Criteria for obtaining the Nordic Ecolabel is tight.

 

"In the U.S., there`s no greenfield pulp mill built for nearly 30 years. We know that Pöyry can utilize their global expertise and in-depth know-how to help us to build the world-class, energy-efficient, operating cost-effective, and environmental-friendly, state-of-the-art bio-refining mill," said the deputy GM, Sun Paper.

 

Karin Hågfeldt, at her own request, is leaving the company after five years as SVP, corporate human resources, and a member of the BillerudKorsnäs Senior Management Team.

 

Tom Polaski is a respected industry veteran who comes to Coldwater after serving in similar roles the past 26 years with GL&V, Weavexx, and Huyck.

 

John Mark Russell joined Mac Papers as an account manager in Charlotte in 2007. Since then, he has consistently been named to Mac Papers’ annual sales club, an honor reserved for the company’s highest-performing account managers.

 

Ulrika Spåls, currently VP Operational Excellence for BillerudKorsnäs, is appointed Acting SVP Corporate Human Resources. A process to recruit Karin Hågfeldts permanent replacement has been initiated.

 

Register and reserve your hotel room by Friday (September 2) for the best rates and unrivaled networking opportunities.

 

As bioenergy emerges as a more common energy source, companies need to stay informed about the latest Bio-Trends in order to stay competitive. What new bio-technologies have emerged? Who is leading the way in mill to biorefinery conversions? What is the forest industry’s role in meeting the world’s growing biomass needs?

 

The association would like to remind everyone who receives this newsletter that all items in the TAPPI News section are available in full detail for both members and non-members! Just remember to click the link to "learn more..." to get full information about each TAPPI News story.

 

TAPPI Academy eLearning.ONline access to high-quality, Peer-Reviewed, and Subject Matter Expert (SME) developed industry training in Paper Manufacturing, Pulping, Tissue, and Corrugated Packaging.

 

Discover how additives today are influencing paper and performance at the WIST Introduction to Paper Making Additives course held November 3-4.

 

The TAPPI Tissue 202 Course, October 4-6, is ideal for anyone who wishes to improve their knowledge and understanding of converting operations. Register by Friday to save!