Monthly Archives: March 2017
Finnpulp granted environmental permit; first intelligent bioproduct plant in the world
(Helsinki, March 31, 2017) The Regional State Administrative Agency has granted the environmental permit for Finnpulp’s bioproduct plant, which is to be built in Sorsasalo, Kuopio, and the wastewater treatment facility connected to the plant. The environmental permit defines the terms for the pulp plant’s operation in the production phase, as well as for pipeline installation work and changes made to the shore line during the construction phase.
Production is planned to start in 2020, and the plant’s annual production Read More...
Ittihad International Investment orders fine paper machine
(Helsinki, March 29, 2017) Valmet will supply a fine paper line for Ittihad International Investment L.L.C. in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The new greenfield production line (PM 1) with a wide automation package will be producing high-quality printing and writing paper grades for the growing domestic markets and the Middle East and North Africa region. The start-up of the machine is scheduled for the end of year 2018.
The order is included in Valmet’s first quarter of 2017 orders Read More...
UPM Kymi pulp mill expansion project targets reach rooftop
(Helsinki, March 30, 2017) Today’s the day of the UPM Kymi pulp mill Kymi-870 expansion project roof-wetting party, which celebrates the project’s main construction targets. There will be a total of 130 attendees at the event, including those working on the project and invited guests.
UPM’s investment project is worth EUR 98 million, and involves a renewal of the Kymi pulp mill wood handling, birch fibre line, recovery island and waste water treatment. As a result of this investment, UPM Read More...
Resolute Forest Products Starts-up New Tissue Machine at Calhoun Mill in Tennessee
(USA, March 29, 2017) Resolute Forest Products today announced the successful start-up of its new tissue machine in Calhoun (Tennessee, USA). The first tissue parent roll was produced on February 28, 2017.
The machine will continue its scheduled ramp-up through 2017 and is expected to be producing at maximum capacity toward mid-2018. With its fully operational converting facility, converted tissue products sold from Calhoun are now manufactured entirely from parent rolls produced on-site.
The Calhoun tissue operation, built at Resolute’s pulp Read More...
CMPC reports 2% sales increase in 4Q
(Chile, March 29, 2017) Empresas CMPC S.A. (CMPC) announced its audited results for 4Q 2016. Consolidated sales were $1,271 million for the 4Q 2016, 2% higher compared to 3Q 2016 and to 4Q 2015.
EBITDA totaled $220 million during the 4Q 2016, down 17% quarter-on-quarter and 30% year-on-year.
4Q net loss of $162 million, compared to net income of $37 million in 3Q 2016 and $82 million in 4Q 2015.
4Q operating costs, excluding depreciation, stumpage and decrease due to harvest, were Read More...
EuroVast has chosen Toscotec to expand its Botticino plant; the new TM with a maximum production capacity up to 30,000 tonnes/year
(Italy, March 24, 2017) The new machine, a MODULO-PLUS crescent former with single press configuration, TT SYD-3200MM and TT MilltechHood, is the perfect solution to meet Eurovast’s need: high quality tissue product, attention to energy saving and eco-sustainability were determining factors in choosing advanced Toscotec’s technology for this project .
The new TM with a maximum production capacity up to 30,000 tonnes/year and a paper trim width of 2740 mm will replace the existing suction breast roll machine and will Read More...
Estonian investors eye €1 billion pulp mill
(Estonia, March 27, 2017) A group of Estonian investors have unveiled plans to build a new pulp mill under an investment worth some €1 billion. The investors have applied for a permission to launch the investment to the Estonian Ministry of Finance, reports local broadcaster ERR. Under the plan, the new facility is to be located close to Tartu, the country’s second largest city, in Estonia’s eastern part.
The pulp mill is scheduled to begin manufacturing operations in 2022. The Read More...
Pratt Industries Officially Opens New Corrugated Box Factory in Beloit, Wisconsin
(USA, March 23, 2017) Pratt Industries on March 20 officially opened its newest corrugated box factory -- a $60 million investment in Beloit, Wisconsin.
Governor Scott Walker, who was on hand for the ribbon cutting and a tour of the 350,000 sq. foot facility, hailed the company for creating “good paying jobs here and across the United States.”
“We’re thrilled at this commitment,” the Governor told more than 150 customers and employees. “As an international leader in paper and packaging, Pratt Read More...
Tembec to invest $136 million in Quebec operations
(Canada, March 24, 2017) Tembec today announced a four-year $136 million capital investment program in its Quebec facilities to improve competitiveness, centered on its specialty cellulose pulp operation at the Temiscaming manufacturing site.
According to Tembec, this investment qualifies the company to benefit from electricity rebates applicable to large industrial power users under the Electricity Discount Program for Consumers Billed at Rate “L”. Tembec will be reimbursed for an amount of up to $55 million, representing 40% of the $136 Read More...
Rondo Ganahl to take over German packaging specialist
(Germany, March 24, 2017) Rondo Ganahl AG is to fully take over the German packaging specialist company Walz Verpackungen in Langenenslingen / Ittenhausen.
Walz has made a name for itself, above all with special packaging solutions for demanding applications and in the service sector.
Walz employs around 100 people and has a turnover of € 22 million.
The takeover will result in a close liaison between both companies. As a result of the fusion, Rondo Ganahl AG will expand its product range Read More...
Holledau plant has started operations
(Germany, March 27, 2017) The new Holledau plant for Thimm Verpackung in Bavaria, Germany, has started production, meeting all scheduled deadlines as planned. An official opening ceremony is due to take place in May.
The ground-breaking ceremony for one of Europe’s most advanced corrugated cardboard plants took place in Wolnzach in September 2015. The first construction phase covering 26,000 square metres of the 90,000-square-metre site is now complete. Following a test run, series production has been under way at the Read More...
Huntsman to close remaining operations at its plant in Calais, France
(France, March 27, 2017) Huntsman Corporation has announced a plan to close the white end finishing and packaging operation of its titanium dioxide (TiO2) manufacturing facility based in Calais, France, during the 3Q 2017.
The announced plan follows the 2015 closure of the black end manufacturing operations and would result in the closure of the entire facility. 108 positions on the site will be affected.
The plan to close the Calais white end is structured to allow completion of any remaining Read More...
Pöyry Awarded Detailed Design Contract for Paper Machine Rebuild at Sappi’s Somerset Mill
(Johannesburg, South Africa, March 21, 2017) Pöyry announced that it has been awarded a contract from Sappi for a detailed design for the rebuild of Sappi North America’s No. 1 Paper Machine at its Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Maine (USA).
According to Pöyry, the rebuild will impact nearly every component of the machine -- from pulp makedown to finishing and shipping.
The $165 million capital project will expand Sappi North America’s manufacturing capabilities and flexibility to include a variety of consumer Read More...
Total U.S. Printing-Writing Paper Shipments Decreased 8 Percent in February 2017
(Washington DC, USA, March 22, 2017) The American Forest & Paper Association has released its February 2017 Printing-Writing Paper Report, which said total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 8% in February compared to February 2016. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels were flat from January 2017.
Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 6% year-over-year in February. UFS imports increased 9% in January compared to January 2016, with exports decreasing 5% year-over-year in January.
February coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 8% Read More...
Papyrus Holding becomes OptiGroup
(March 31, 2017) Papyrus Group today announced a new identity and the way it will communicate with investors and other external stakeholders in the future. Papyrus Holding AB, the parent company in the Papyrus Group, will change its name to OptiGroup AB and the group will be referred to as the OptiGroup.
“The natural extension of our strategy to strengthen our businesses and diversify into new sectors leads us to re-name our Holding company the OptiGroup. It fits well with Read More...