Monthly Archives: August 2016

Volga pioneers production of higher brightness paper

(Russia, August 01, 2016) Russian newsprint manufacturer Volga with technical support from BASF (Germany) conducted a production experiment in pulp bleaching — the first of its kind in Russia -- whereby a mixture of sodium dithionite and some modifying agents was added to the refiner to manufacture TMP with high brightness level. This TMP was then used in trial production of newsprint. As a result, Volga produced 45 g/m2 newsprint (900 tonnes) with a brightness gain of 66% against standard Read More...

U.S. Department of Justice concludes review of International Paper’s acquisition of Weyerhaeuser pulp business; approves acquisition

(Memphis, Tenn., USA, Aug. 5, 2016) The U.S. Department of Justice has concluded its Hart-Scott-Rodino review of International Paper’s (NYSE: IP) announced acquisition of Weyerhaeuser’s pulp business without taking any action. Regulatory reviews in other non-U.S. jurisdictions are ongoing. Completion of the transaction is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2016. On May 2, 2016, International Paper announced it had signed a definitive agreement with Weyerhaeuser to acquire its pulp business. Under terms of the agreement, IP will Read More...

Ratings: S&P upgrades Ence’s outlook

(Spain, August 01, 2016) Standard & Poor’s has upgraded its outlook on Ence - Energía y Celulosa - from stable to positive and maintains its BB- corporate credit rating. The outlook improvement reflects the potential for a credit rating upgrade in the next 12 months due to Ence´s strong profitability and cash flow generation, along with its sustained low leverage, high credit ratios and liquidity position, even in lower pulp price scenarios. Standard & Poors expects Ence´s operating margins and return Read More...

Case Paper’s Sunshine Opaque Swatchbook Updated

(USA, August 4, 2016) Case Paper Co. recently updated the swatchbook for its popular line of Sunshine Opaque™ papers, a premium line of uncoated paper in both text and cover weights. Sunshine Opaque is available in standard sheet sizes. With crisp, bright whites, superior stability, and high color fidelity, Sunshine Opaque has a smooth surface and excellent printability. “We are pleased to release this updated swatchbook for a line of uncoated paper that has been in high demand for a Read More...

Sappi North America Invests $25 Million in its Somerset Mill Woodyard

(Boston, USA, August 03, 2016) Sappi North America today announced that it will move forward with a $25 million capital project to update its Somerset Mill woodyard. This strategic plan will allow the company to modernize the wood debarking, chipping and chip distribution systems. According to the company, the capital investment will improve reliability, reduce white wood losses and costs as well as enhance efficiency gains through the increased production of wood chips. “Continually investing in our operations, processes and people Read More...

ABB to supply automation to new tissue mill in Maine

(USA, August 05, 2016) ABB commissioned the electrical and automation systems and equipment for the two new tissue production machines at St. Croix Tissue’s newly constructed mill in Baileyville, Maine. The first machine started production earlier this year. ABB’s delivery for both machines at the new mill includes quality control systems, tissue machine drive systems, 800xA control systems, collaborative production management, as well as motors, drives, and electrification equipment and infrastructure, and a resident service contract. The integrated systems will provide Read More...

AF&PA CEO Says U.S. EPA Lagging Behind Europe in Recognizing Benefits of Biomass Energy

(Washington DC, August 4, 2016) American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding the European Commission’s recent proposal to integrate land use and forestry sector into its Climate and Energy Framework. “The European Commission (EC) recently released its proposal to integrate the land use and forestry sector (LULUCF) into the European Union’s 2030 Climate and Energy Framework. The EC’s proposal, released on July 20, reiterates its current accounting practice for bioenergy, Read More...

2Q/16 Global HW Pulp Market Review: improved market; widening HW – SW gap supported hardwood price hikes

(Sao Paulo, Brazil, July 25, 2016) Following a challenging beginning of year, demand for hardwood pulp in China began to pick up, confirmed by the pulp sales figures presented by Global 100 Report of PPPC (+7% year-on-year in the first five months). Unscheduled maintenance downtimes and the widening gap between hardwood and softwood pulp prices also contributed to the more balanced market fundamentals. Thanks to the improved scenario, Fibria announced a price increase in all regions (Europe: US$710/t, North Read More...

Voith breakthrough with startup of Sun Paper’s new testliner project

(Heidenheim, Germany, July 28, 2016) Sun Paper, one of the leading paper makers in China, recently successfully started up its new kraft liner paper machines with an annual capacity of 800,000 metric tons at its location in Zoucheng. The main paper machine, the right-hand machine PM 31 and the left-hand machine PM 32, are both provided by Voith. The PM 31 has successfully started up, marking a milestone in China’s papermaking sector, as it is the first time that Read More...
A Film Press (courtesy Czech Papcel)

Czech Papcel inks deal with China’s KingDecor

(Litovel, Czech Republic, August 02, 2016) Czech paper machine maker Papcel a.s. has signed a deal with China’s decorative paper producer KingDecor under which it will supply the Chinese firm with a new film press for its decorative paper production line. Papcel said in a statement that the procurement will bolster KingDecor’s production of decorative papers with a width of up to 2860 mm. The amount of the latest contract was not disclosed by the Czech manufacturer. KingDecor is the Read More...
pulp wood

Brazil’s pulp exports increased by 16.1 per cent in 1H 2016

(Sao Paulo, Brazil, August 01, 2016) The balance of trade for the Brazilian planted tree industry totaled $3.3 billion in the first half of 2016, recording a high of 12% year-over-year. The revenues of pulp, wood panels and paper exports totaled $3.8 billion, 3.8% higher year-over-year, when the total was $3.7 billion, according to the Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibá). “Brazilian pulp exports are still on the rise, with noteworthy mention to China, who is currently the main destination of this Read More...
Green Bay Packaging’s Retail Ready PDQ

Report: Retail Ready Packaging Offers Advantages over Traditional Packaging

(Cleveland, USA, July 20, 2016) Demand for retail ready packaging is forecast to increase 5.2 percent annually to $6.2 billion in 2020, outpacing the overall packaging market average, according to a new study from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry research firm. Retail ready packaging (RRP), also known as shelf ready packaging, display ready packaging, and pallet ready packaging, refers to secondary packaging for retail products that arrives in a manner enabling items to go directly onto the shelf or Read More...
Valmet Advantage TAD tissue machine

Kruger Products to Invest $55 Million in New Tissue Machine at Its Crabtree Mill

(Canada, July 25, 2016) Kruger Products L.P. today announced it is investing $55 million to add a new tissue machine at its Crabtree Plant, in the Lanaudière region of Quebec, Canada. The project will increase the plant’s overall production by approximately 20,000 metric tonnes annually and will help to consolidate approximately 600 jobs. According to Kruger, the investment was made possible due to a $39.5-million loan from Investissement Québec, which is acting as an agent of the Government of Québec Read More...
Valmet OptiConcept M containerboard machine

Kotkamills starts up new consumer board machine, BM2, in Finland; capacity 400,000 t/yr of Nordic folding boxboard and recyclable barrier board

(Helsinki, July 22, 2016) Kotkamills’ new consumer board machine, BM2, has started production in Kotka, Finland. A range of folding boxboards will be produced under the brand name AEGLE and a range of food service boards under the brand name ISLA. BM2 is the first machine in the world to have the capability to produce dispersion barrier coatings directly on the machine, producing barrier boards that can be recycled with normal paper waste due to having zero plastic content. The Consumer Read More...
Lignocellulosic Sugars and Lignin Flasks

U.S. Department of Energy seeks information on existing capabilities to produce cellulosic sugar and lignin

(Washington DC, July 26, 2016) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks input from industry, academia, national laboratories and other biofuels and bioproducts stakeholders to identify existing capabilities to produce lignocellulosic sugars and lignin for use by the research community. Background The mission of DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is to develop and transform the country’s biomass resources into commercially-viable high performance biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower through targeted research, development, demonstration and deployment (RD&D) supported through public and private partnerships. To Read More...
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