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CCE International
Company news
FachPack 2015
ZELLCHEMING-Expo 2014
ZELLCHEMING-Expo 2015
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05.12.2014 HEI Flexibility Days – new digital printing applications offer added value
Company news
-New generation of Linoprint C models unveiled to public for first time
-New Prinect digital front end for efficient color management and extensive integration options
-Over 250 international visitors across two-day event
Demand for creative applications, flexible print production, and cost-effective short-run production is continuing to grow. At the same time, print shops are looking for solutions to expand their existing business models with the help of the internet and unlock additional potential. These key issues served as the backdrop for the comprehensive digital printing and workflow portfolio showcased at the HEI Flexibility Days run by
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg)
. The major focus was on the great diversity of digital printing options. More than 250 visitors attended the event over the two days it was held.
(Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG)
05.12.2014 Södra: Laila Rogestedt appointed Senior Vice President Innovation and New Business
Company news
Laila Rogestedt (photo) has been appointed Head of Innovation and New Business at
. She will assume her position on 1 March, when she will also become a member of Group Senior Management reporting to the President and CEO Lars Idermark.
Laila Rogestedt has a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology, with a degree in Polymer Technology, and has held various positions in the international chemicals group Borealis since 1991. She is currently responsible for the Borealis Innovation Centre in Stenungsund, and for product and technology development in polyethylene plastic. She has also held various functions in such areas as production, investment projects, HR and marketing. Prior to joining Borealis, she worked with materials development at Volvo Cars.
"I am delighted that Södra has recruited Laila Rogestedt. Innovation and New Business are strategic future areas for Södra - in our work with product and process care for the existing pulp market, but also in the development of new products from wood," said CEO Lars Idermark.
"In a rapidly changing world with major global challenges - resource supply and climate change to name but a few - it is critical that innovation is high on the agenda of successful companies. Against this background, and with Södra's key role and clear ambition, I look forward to making a contribution to this effort," commented Rogestedt.
Rogestedt succeeds Karin Emilsson who, as previously announced, will be leaving Södra. Södra Innovation and New Business is located at Värö in southern Sweden in the same area as
Södra's pulp mill
(Södra Cell AB)
05.12.2014 Kodak Sets New Structure to Drive Growth
Company news
(NYSE: KODK) has established a new organizational structure to make the company faster-moving, more competitive and more entrepreneurial. The company will have five market-focused business divisions: Print Systems; Enterprise Inkjet Systems; Micro 3D Printing and Packaging; Software and Solutions; and Consumer and Film.
These divisions will be end-to-end operating units with responsibility and accountability for portfolio, product design, engineering, services, sales, purchasing and supply chain.
"Kodak has an extraordinary product and service portfolio, groundbreaking scientific and engineering expertise, and a world-famous and highly trusted brand," Kodak Chief Executive Officer Jeff Clarke said. "We now have the right organizational structure for deploying those strengths to drive growth. We designed this structure to sharpen our focus on performance, predictability and accountability for business results."
Kodak's new operating divisions, their markets and leaders are:
- Print Systems Division: Led by Brad Kruchten, President, Print Systems, and Senior Vice President, Kodak, this division will serve graphic arts and commercial print customers with printing plates (including the rapidly growing KODAK SONORA Process Free Plates), computer to plate (CTP) imaging solutions, electrophotographic printing solutions (EPS), OEM toner and all equipment services.
- Enterprise Inkjet Systems Division: Philip Cullimore, President, Enterprise Inkjet Systems, and Senior Vice President, Kodak, will lead this division, which will serve existing and future inkjet printing customers with KODAK PROSPER Systems (including the PROSPER 6000 Press, the world's fastest and most powerful commercial inkjet press); KODAK VERSAMARK Systems; Print on Demand Solutions (PODS); and ink OEM solutions.
- Micro 3D Printing and Packaging Division: Philip Cullimore will also lead this group on an interim basis as President, Micro 3D Printing and Packaging, which serves packaging customers and display OEM partners with products such as KODAK FLEXCEL NX Systems and Plates, legacy packaging solutions and touch sensor films.
- Software and Solutions Division: Eric-Yves Mahe, President, Software and Solutions, and Senior Vice President, Kodak, will lead this unit which includes Kodak Technology Solutions, Kodak's go-to-market engine to prioritize and monetize Kodak innovations in partnership with Kodak Research Labs; KODAK Unified Workflow Solutions; Brand Protection Solutions; Kodak Services for Business; and Design 2 Launch solutions to manage and coordinate use of brand assets.
- Consumer and Film Division: Steven Overman, President, Consumer and Film, and Senior Vice President, Kodak, who is also Kodak's Chief Marketing Officer, will lead Kodak's most consumer-facing division, with responsibility for consumer inkjet solutions, motion picture and commercial films, synthetic chemicals, and brand licensing. This division is responsible for the exploration of other potential initiatives in the consumer space.
Kodak is combining its current four regional sales organizations into two: Europe, United States and Canada, Australia and New Zealand (EUCAN) and Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa (ALMA). These will be led by John O'Grady, Managing Director, EUCAN, and Vice President, Kodak, and Lois Lebegue, Managing Director, ALMA, and Vice President, Kodak. Common service and back office support will be hosted in a shared service model in each region for all businesses.
The company also is optimizing its corporate functions by eliminating overlap and enhancing accountability. The corporate functional leaders are:
- John McMullen, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President;
- Mark Green, Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Vice President;
- Steven Overman, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President;
- Patrick Sheller, General Counsel, Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President;
- Terry Taber, Chief Technical Officer and Senior Vice President; and
- Kim VanGelder, Chief Information Officer and Vice President. VanGelder will now report to CEO Jeff Clarke.
These changes will be effective January 1, 2015
(Eastman Kodak Company)
05.12.2014 Xeikon Wall-Covering Suite brings a new dimension to wallpaper ...
Company news
... manufacturing at Heimtextil
Delivering outstanding quality combined with ultra-realistic special effects
, an innovator in digital color printing technology, will be showcasing a host of market-leading digital solutions for the very first time at Heimtextil. On display will be the most productive top quality digital printing press on the market and an 'all-in-one' solution that produces a finished product. The company will also be demonstrating wall-covering production and featuring its latest developments in toner technology. Heimtextil is the largest international trade fair for home and contract textiles and the global benchmark for quality design textiles with innovative functionality. It takes place January 14 to 17 at the Frankfurt Messe. Xeikon will be located in Hall 4, stand F25.
Danny Mertens, Xeikon's director of segment marketing and business development document printing comments: "Heimtextil shows an increased focus on digital production methods and, as such, has become an important milestone for Xeikon to attend. It is the major venue for manufacturers, retailers and designers of wall-coverings so we are absolutely thrilled about our first-time attendance. Digital printing, in general, and our solutions, in particular, have opened up exciting new opportunities that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago. Today, we already have a large installed customer base that is active into digital wall-covering applications. Exhibiting at this important event perfectly complements our on-going strategy to reach a growing number of vertical markets, in addition to the traditional printing shows we regularly attend."
Xeikon Wall-Covering Suite: where illusion flirts with reality
Visitors at Heimtextil will be able to see wallpaper depicting images with a 3D illusion that can only be put to the test by touching the flat surface. The Xeikon Wall-Covering Suite is part of the recently FESPA-launched Xeikon Document Suite that allows cost-efficient production of high-quality wall decorations for commercial, retail and residential purposes. This short-run friendly 'all-in-one' solution responds to the increasing demand for more customized and personalized print jobs and enables the production of a small roll of finished wallpaper from a large roll of paper. It integrates four major components that customers can tailor to meet their own specific requirements. These four components include a Xeikon Digital Press printing on the widest media range available, with dedicated workflows and software, application-specific toners and process optimization tools plus pre- and post-press equipment.
At the show, the Wall-Covering Suite will produce wallpaper rolls using a Xeikon 3500 Digital Press equipped with a Jumbo unwinder, a Weko humidifier for non-woven substrates and a Web Varnishing unit. In the final production stage, the roll will be slit and cut into separate rolls with a unit from Tecnau. The rolls will be picked up and rewound by a Fotoba rewinder. Feel free to view the full configuration on display here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6HwlgjqI24
The ability of the 3500 to print full-rotary and endless patterns without any breaks makes it ideal for producing any kind of wall-coverings, from short-run wallpapers of standard lengths to large murals. With an output speed of 600 m²/hr, the Xeikon 3500 press is the fastest digital printing press on the market. The Alpine fuser drum guarantees the "matte" finish required for wall-covering applications. Xeikon toners are odor-free and the print work comply with EN15102 standards, while the inline finishing systems available with the Wall-Covering Suite ensure accurate cutting in both process and cross directions and output a finished roll ready to be wrapped and sent out. An alternative to the Xeikon 3500 Press is the Xeikon 8000-Series duplex press which allows to print not only wall-coverings but also enables customers to print sheets that can then be combined as sample books.
At Heimtextil, the company will also showcase the SuperBlack toner, its latest development in toner technology. Normal black toner produces a density of 1.8 microns, while the new SuperBlack provides a density of 2.2-2.4. SuperBlack is a spot color that can be applied using the fifth color station of a Xeikon digital press.
"Xeikon is constantly looking at ways to expand the scope of digital printing. We are extremely happy to show the benefits and opportunities offered by the new SuperBlack toner to visitors at Heimtextil," concludes Mertens.
(Xeikon Manufacturing NV)
05.12.2014 BASF and Schuster develop recycled cardboard for fast food packaging
Company news
-Biopolymer ecovio® as a combined migration and greaseproof barrier makes the use of recycled cardboard in fast food packaging materials safe and environment friendly
-BASF ecovio® PS 1606 is biodegradable and biobased
"Feinpappenwerk Gebr. Schuster GmbH & Co. KG"
are working jointly on a solution for a combined migration and grease barrier on recycled cardboard. The biopolymer ecovio® PS 1606 is applied to recycled cardboard in an extrusion coating process. This enables the proportion of recycled paper fibers in fast food packaging to be increased while simultaneously making it industrially compostable.
Greaseproof, liquid tight and migration resistant due to ecovio® PS 1606
This is possible through the use of ecovio® PS 1606, a high-quality and versatile biopolymer from BASF. The special advantage: ecovio® is bio-based and biodegradable according to American Standard ASTM 6400 and European Standard EN 13432. The polymer coating applied to the cardboard is many times thinner than a human hair, but nevertheless provides the packaging with outstanding protection against potential migration of undesired substances while simultaneously offering high greaseproofness and liquid tightness. Cardboard packaging produced on this basis is more than 90 percent biobased, recyclable and industrially compostable.
Traditional barrier coatings are increasingly losing acceptance among customers because they hinder recycling or composting of used fast food packaging. The use of recycled cardboard for fast food packaging, however, is limited by the fact that substances can migrate from the packaging into the food. Many printing inks contain mineral oils, plasticizers or even residues of UV printing ink components. Since the printing ink residues are not removed completely when recycling the paper fibers, residues remain. When these substrates are used for food packaging, residues can migrate from the cardboard into the food especially when the foods are packaged hot or if they are greasy or liquid. This is why fast food packaging has so far been produced mainly from fresh fiber materials.
A study by the Cantonal Laboratory of Zurich from the year 2011 has shown that significant amounts of undesired substances can migrate into food from fast food packaging with migration potential. Classical coatings of polyethylene or polypropylene do not offer adequate protection. Here, ecovio® PS 1606 provides outstanding protection as a coating for the fast food packaging produced from recycled fibers. Measurements at an independent food laboratory have shown that there is no leaching of contaminants from the recycled fiber-based packaging into hot, greasy or liquid foods.
Migration resistant and environment friendly recycled cardboard
From the wide range of cardboard qualities used by the Schuster-Karton company, coating with ecovio® allows all possible types of fast food packaging to be manufactured in conformity with food safety and environment friendly standards. Many consumers' wish for new, sustainable and above all resource conserving fast food packaging materials is thereby fulfilled.
(Feinpappenwerk Gebr. Schuster GmbH & Co KG)
04.12.2014 A new CKB grade from Stora Enso
Company news
Stora Enso is introducing CKB 195 g/m2 board, specially developed for use as a top liner for corrugated materials, boxes and displays. The new 195 g/m2 grade is ideal in combination with other materials, thanks to its sleek surface and high efficiency in converting processes. Improved resource efficiency makes it a sustainable choice.
As a top liner, CKB offers exceptional strength, cracking resistance and stable performance in gluing. Its high bulk provides a sleek surface, which helps to avoid the washboard effect when laminated on top of fluting materials.
Stora Enso's development of CKB has targeted maximum resource efficiency by introducing specific lightweighting technology throughout the entire CKB grammage range this autumn. Capacity increases at
Stora Enso's Skoghall Mill
in Sweden secure availability. The entire CKB grammage range is now 175 to 380 g/m2. Thanks to lightweighting, CKB is more sustainable than before, as it takes less raw material to produce. CKB is a preferred packaging board for many wine, beer and beverage brand owners, who use it in cartons and multipacks.
"We have high expectations for CKB to take a bigger market share as a top liner, as the board is now more sustainable and competitive thanks to its lower weight," says Öystein Aksnes, Stora Enso's General Packaging Segment Director.
CKB is a multilayer kraft back board. A creative designer can use the brown back of the board to achieve a natural look and feel. Stora Enso offers CKB with several special coating options, which increase the designer's choices. Excellent protection of goods, logistics efficiency and branding power are consistent with CKB. The board is also known for its excellent runnability in printing and converting processes.
(Stora Enso Packaging Boards Skoghall Mill)
04.12.2014 Port Hawkesbury mill surpasses milestone: marks two-plus years without a lost time injury
Company news
Port Hawkesbury Mill
recently celebrated two years in business, since restarting the mill in September 2012; and has surpassed the two year mark of zero lost time workplace injuries.
The company tracks this key metric on a daily basis; it is the measurement of lost time any employee experiences as a result of a workplace injury. This information is also shared daily within the mill, and tracked weekly as a KPI – Key Performance Indicator. In an industrial environment, employees are working in and around heavy and highly technical equipment, moving machinery, steam and electricity. All of these factors increase the level of risk and reinforces the importance of working safely.
As of October 31st, 2014, PHP has achieved two years and one month lost time injury free; which has never been achieved in the history of mill at Port Hawkesbury (current and previous owners included).
"There are many benefits to achieving zero lost time and having a positive safety culture," says Marc Dube, Development Manager, PHP. Most importantly, our employees go home safely to their families everyday."
"We're really proud of our employees. This milestone is significant in that it places the mill in high standing, not only in the region, but across the country, when compared to other large mills," says Dube.
The Mill was also recently recognized by the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce with the 2014 Excellence in Safety Award.
(Port Hawkesbury Paper)
04.12.2014 MPS strengthens Düren site: New investments enable increase of capacity by up to 60 percent
Company news
The Multi Packaging Solutions (MPS) company, which specializes in high-quality sales and cardboard packaging, is expanding its machinery at the
Düren site
With a new model Speedmaster XL 106 printing machine from
and a model 106 CSB punching machine from Dymatrix, the site is expected to achieve up to 60 percent greater production capacity in the next few years. Both machines are used in production and complex processing of cardboard packaging for particular foods and confectionery. The total investment of around five million euros has enabled an increase of annual capacity from 50 million to 80 million prints. This is due to higher speeds, shorter setup times, improved sheet utilization and reduced washing times for ink rollers and cylinders of the XL 106. 150 staff are employed in Düren.
Further advantages: More finishing options, smaller print-runs
With the new Speedmaster XL, which sets new environmental standards and only uses low-migration inks and varnishes, the MPS Düren site now has two state-of-the-art Heidelberg XL printing machines of the latest generation (XL 105, XL 106). The eight colours and two coating units (double coating) allow maximum flexibility in production and offer a variety of finishing options, which are increasingly in demand on the market especially for confectionery packaging. "We meet our customer's desires for more smaller print-runs for certain, seasonal events with the new "in-press control technology". This allows setup processes to be automated and shortened", says MPS Managing Director of Operations Joachim Hoeltz. At the same time, "in-press control" measures the colours during the printing process automatically inline, which leads to a higher colour stability. So far, only a few companies have mastered this technique according to Hoeltz. The Düren site is proud of the new investments, which will help to improve the already high standard of customer service, security, sustainability and productivity.
(Multi Packaging Solutions Düren GmbH)
04.12.2014 Nordic Paper with a new majority owner
Company news
Special Situations Venture Partners III (SSVP), a private equity fund advised by Orlando Management AG, is the new majority owner of
Nordic Paper
SSVP acquired 60 percent of the shares of Nordic Paper from shareholders NorgesInvestor, Richard Heiberg Invest AS, JSR Invest AB, and Hartvig Wennberg AS. Current owner Petek GmbH, who has been a shareholder of the company for the last ten years, keeps a share of 40 percent. The change in ownership will not involve any structural changes for Nordic Paper's operations.
Change of CEO
Jan Runo, who retires as CEO in connection with the sale, says: "I am both happy and sad to hand over my post to the new CEO Per Bjurbom. Leading Nordic Paper has been a fantastic journey and looking back on the company's development over the past ten years, is a very positive memory. I am convinced that Per Bjurbom will lift the company to the next level, which is what Nordic Paper is equipped for."
Jan Runo will continue to support Nordic Paper ́s development as chairman of the board of directors.
Per Bjurbom has worked for over 25 years in the Scandinavian pulp and paper industry, holding senior positions at BillerudKorsnäs and Stora Enso, among others. "I am very glad to be trusted with this big task. I am also excited about the challenge of managing Nordic Paper and bringing in my extensive experience", he says.
Long-term experience
Founded in 2001, Orlando Management AG is the advisor of the SSVP funds on investments in medium-sized companies and corporate subsidiaries. With more than 70 years of investment experience shared amongst the four partners of Orlando Management AG and more than 30 acquisitions over the last 14 years, SSVP is one of the most experienced industrial investors in Europe.
SSVP has a long-term track record in creating sustainable value through a focus on portfolio companies' operational strengths. The majority of investments have been in production companies with a business-to-business model similar to Nordic Paper. SSVP funds have equity commitments of more than EUR 480 m. The current portfolio consists of eleven companies with annual worldwide revenues of more than EUR 1.6 billion.
(Nordic Paper Greåker AS)
04.12.2014 New representation for emtec in Benelux States
Company news
emtec Electronic
banks on a new representation in France and Benelux States
The Company emtec Electronic GmbH from Leipzig in Germany expands its worldwide representation network by a cooperation with the company
ODL Paper Service. As of now, Mr. Thierry Onder de Linden is the contact person for interests and questions concerning all products of the German producer of measuring devices. He took over the consulting and distribution
activities for emtec Electronic in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Further information at www.emtec-papertest.com
(emtec Electronic GmbH)
03.12.2014 KaMin LLC Announces Price Increase for Paper Grade Kaolin Clays
Company news
KaMin LLC
announced that it will increase prices for kaolin clay products for the global paper industry 5 to 7% depending on the product category, effective December 1, 2014, or as contracts allow.
KaMin is committed to investing the necessary resources in technology, innovation and people for long-term sustainability in order to continue to serve its paper customers at a high level.
KaMin's goal is to create the greatest value for its paper customers through partnerships geared towards delivering cost effective solutions designed to reduce coating formulation cost and to optimize paper and printing performance.
KaMin LLC also announces its 2015 energy surcharge policy, which will
be effective on January 1, 2015. The threshold will be $5/MMBTU and incremental surcharges by product type will remain the same. This policy applies to all slurry, spray-dried hydrous and calcined kaolin grades sold to the paper industry globally.
03.12.2014 Rottneros newly developed High Yield Pulp for tissue got a head start after the launch at ...
Company news
...London Pulp Week
The newly developed High Yield Pulp by Swedish pulp producer
, Absorption Express got a very good reception at London Pulp Week the other week. This was the perfect opportunity to meet the World market with a new product when the World's paper industry was present.
Tissue is a collection name for paper qualities used for paper napkins, kitchen towels and toilet paper. This area has a fast growing demand.
Absorption Express has been developed by Rottneros during last year and has been tested in full commercial scale at a number of paper mills. The product is a High Yield Pulp produced in one of Rottneros unique production lines.
The good thing about Absorption Express is that the product replaces much more expensive pulp in the production of tissue. At the same time it has twice the absorption capacity and twice the absorption speed and has an excellent bulk in relation to the pulps it replaces, says Olle Dahlin, Managing Director of the plant Rottneros Bruk.
The development of Absorption Express from idea to commercial success has been a team effort within Rottneros Bruk involving large parts of the work force. Nils Hauri, the production manager thinks the development routines at Rottneros gives a very good potential for further development and invention of new products and customer customized pulp.
The new Rottneros Group CEO, Per Lundeen, who was also present in London says that both the mills of the Rottneros Group, Rottneros Bruk and Vallviks Bruk have been very successful with their market positioning with highly specialized pulp.
(Rottneros AB)
03.12.2014 Sappi Gratkorn: Superior Quality Paper
Company news
Sappi is investing in
Gratkorn Mill's
future paper production with two large-scale projects
Global paper producer Sappi is ensuring its mill in Gratkorn is fit for the future with two technology upgrades: In November 2014, its PM11 paper machine has been upgraded. Furthermore the possible grammage range for coated paper has been increased. In March 2015 a general rebuild of critical parts of the liquor boiler and recovery plant will start. These are essential parts of the pulp production. Key to this upgrade is the positive environmental impact with a decrease in noise pollution and in NOX/SO2 emissions.
Max Oberhumer, Mill Director of Sappi Gratkorn, is very happy with the conclusion of the technology upgrade," We successfully finished the first of the two large-scale projects. With the upgraded PM11 we will remain an important Sappi Europe production facility for our global customers. With this new technological concept we have generated key success factors for our future."
Mat Quaedvlieg, Manufacturing Director of Sappi Europe, points out the importance of the project: " The only way for european production facilities to survive, is to use innovative technologies. The committed team assembled all of its experience to overcome the challenges faced in realizing the project. This is an important element in Sappi Europe's future developement."
Upgrade of the paper machine PM11
Project aims were to enhance paper quality and to increase the operating windows of Gratkorn's biggest paper machine. To achieve these aims, extensive rebuilding was required. More than 400 mechanics and engineers worked day and night for over three weeks. This was the only way that the complex and ambitious rebuilding of the 230 meter long paper machine could be managed. More than 100 truckloads of machine parts from Finland, Austria and other european countries were necessary to finish the project. The achieved quality enhancement completely meets expectations. The production of paper meeting all quality standards began almost immediately after the startup of the rebuilt machine.
General rebuild of liquor boiler and recovery plant
In spring 2015 the second large-scale project will commence. The general rebuild of the liquor boiler and recovery plant will take approximately three months. Within this project, essential parts of the liquor boiler and the flue gas cleaning will be replaced. Results of these actions will be a decrease in noise and NOX/SO2 pollutions, as well as assured continued pulp production for the longterm.
These two projects are two of the three large-scale projects that Sappi Europe is undertaking in the 2015 business year. A total investment of 120 million € will be realised.
(Sappi Austria Produktions-GmbH & Co KG)
03.12.2014 North American Papermaker Signs Commercial Agreement to Deploy Minerals Technologies' ...
Company news
... FulFill® High Filler Technology
Company's Sixth Commercial Agreement for the FulFill® Technology in North America
Minerals Technologies Inc.
, (NYSE: MTX) announced that it has signed a commercial agreement with a North American paper company to provide FulFill® E-325 High Filler Technology. This agreement, which will deploy the technology at a paper mill that produces woodfree paper, is Minerals Technologies' sixth in North America. The paper company wishes to remain unnamed for competitive reasons.
The company now has 18 agreements with paper mills that have adopted the unique FulFill® E-325 technology introduced in late 2010. The FulFill® technology provides papermakers significant cost savings in reduced fiber consumption by allowing papermakers to increase loading levels of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), which replaces higher cost pulp, and increases PCC usage.
"Our FulFill® technology continues to gain acceptance across the worldwide paper industry," said Joseph C. Muscari, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are extremely pleased that another paper company has elected to deploy our technology, which is a further verification of its broad-based effectiveness. Minerals Technologies now has commercial agreements with papermakers in Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and South Africa and are actively engaged with an additional 20 paper mills worldwide. We will continue our commitment to advance our technological leadership with papermakers around the globe."
PCC is a specialty pigment for filling and coating high-quality paper. By substituting Minerals Technologies' PCC for more expensive wood fiber, customers are able to produce brighter, higher quality paper at lower cost. In 1986, Minerals Technologies originated the satellite concept for making and delivering PCC on-site at paper mills and the concept was a major factor in revolutionizing papermaking in North America. Today, the company has 62 satellite plants in operation or under construction around the world and continues to lead the industry with consistent quality and technical innovation.
(MTI Minerals Technologies Inc.)
03.12.2014 Valmet to supply new winding technology for Stora Enso in Finland
Company news
will supply Stora Enso with a new winder (photo) and auxiliaries for its BM5 board machine located in the company's
Tainionkoski unit in Imatra Mills
in Finland. The target of the project is to increase the winding capacity and upgrade the winding technology for improved safety and more efficient maintenance operations. The rebuilt finishing section is scheduled to start up during the last quarter of 2015.
"This finishing area rebuild is a continuation of Valmet's and Stora Enso's cooperation and supports our strategy of offering competitive solutions to our customers that contributes both performance and sustainable operations in terms of safety", says Jari Vähäpesola, President of Paper business line, Valmet.
The order is included in Valmet's fourth quarter 2014 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed.
Valmet's high capacity winding technology with reliable throughput
In addition to the new OptiWin Drum two-drum winder, Valmet's delivery will include winder pulper, transfer rails, related dust control systems and core handling system. Installation supervision, commissioning, start-up and training services are also included in the finishing area rebuild delivery. The new OptiWin Drum winder combines high capacity with smooth and reliable operation and quick installation. The OptiWin Drum fully automated two-drum winder comprises parent roll transferring, core feeding, web splicing and tail end closing.
"The investment is in line with Stora Enso's transformation into a customer focused renewable materials company. Selected winder technology will enhance the quality and cost-competitiveness of our Tainionkoski unit in the global markets," says Marko Pekkola, Mill Director Imatra Mills, Stora Enso.
(Valmet Corporation)
03.12.2014 Contactless flow measurement for critical media
Company news
Reliability and precision are key characteristics of the C38 SonicLine® flowmeter from
. The device, which was originally developed for the semiconductor market, is perfectly suited to applications in other sectors of industry, thanks to the high standard of quality and versatile basic functions.
The ultrasonic sensors integrated in the SonicLine® log up to 250 measured values per second. This means that heavily fluctuating flow rates can also be precisely detected. All medium wetted components are manufactured from ultra-pure PFA. The electronic measuring equipment comprises a housing made of PP material and is encapsulated during production. This means that all electronic components are hermetically sealed to the outside. This type of manufacturing ensures that the device is especially insensitive to corrosive ambient conditions.
The GEMÜ C38 SonicLine® flowmeter is especially suitable for use in conjunction with ultra-pure media, such as DI water, for example. However, corrosive chemicals, such as sulphuric acid, caustic potash solution or hydrofluoric acid, can also be conducted without any problems. The device can also be used in processes which need to be completely metal-free. In addition to pure flow measurement, SonicLine® is also used for dosing applications. The valve actuation required for this can be carried out by the integrated electronic system. This also offers additional functions, such as an empty pipe signal or limit value alarm. Users can make use of an additional interface package, allowing connection to a PC, which can also serve as a power supply. Multilingual software is available to enable individual adaptations by the customer. In addition to an integrated totalizer, the current flow can also be displayed, and all of the basic settings that are required for the operation can be checked and changed.
(GEMÜ Gebr. Müller Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KG)
02.12.2014 Stora Enso completes the divestment of its coreboard and core manufacturer Corenso
Company news
Stora Enso
has completed the divestment announced 30 September 2014 of its
business operations to the Finnish packaging materials company
Powerflute Oyj
. The enterprise value of the transaction is approximately EUR 90 million, and the all cash consideration approximately EUR 102 million. The transaction is estimated to result in a capital gain of approximately EUR 12 million that will be reported as a positive non-recurring item in Stora Enso's fourth quarter 2014 operating profit.
Corenso was part of the Stora Enso Renewable Packaging Division. Stora Enso is focusing on select packaging segments in Packaging Solutions and Consumer Board, and further developing and investing in these businesses. The divestment is a natural step in streamlining the business and transforming Stora Enso into a customer-focused renewable materials company.
Corenso is one of the world's leading integrated producers of high-performance core and high-quality coreboard. It employs about 920 employees in 10 countries in Europe, Asia and North America, and has its head office in Lahti, Finland. In 2013, Corenso's net sales were EUR 211 million and operational EBIT EUR 26 million. In the first three quarters of 2014, Corenso's net sales were EUR 146 million and operational EBIT EUR 14 million.
(Stora Enso Oyj)
02.12.2014 The challenge of competitivity is investing in faster and more efficient napkins production lines
Company news
A brief interview with Armindo Marques, technical director of
Poppies Europe Limited
Will you introduce us to the history of Poppies Europe Limited?
Poppies Europe LTD was initially set up in 1996 to fill a gap in the disposable table cover sector, primarily with Damask banqueting rolls. Over the years, we expanded our product range to cover the needs of the catering industry.
In 2000 we started the manufacturing of napkins with one production line. Since then we have continually invested in the napkin range which now has 16 dedicated lines.
Last year, following feedback from our customers, we introduced the hygiene product range to create a one stop shop for catering disposables.
Today, Poppies Europe Limited has over 25 production lines operating 24 hours a day with 108 motivated members of staff from our factory based in St Helens in the North West of England, UK.
What is your core business?
Our core business is the production and distribution of disposable products for the catering industry (napkins, table covers, paper plates, plastic cutlery, hygiene rolls, etc.) where napkins are undoubtedly our best sellers in volumes.
We are mainly in the "Away from Home" market with a strong network of customers ranking from small independent wholesalers, to national distributors and blue chip corporations.
Nevertheless, increase our share of the retail market is part of our strategic development in the years to come.
What are the main trends of today's tissue converting market in your country?
The UK tissue market has always been very competitive in price, especially for the napkins. But on top of the price pressure the trend is now going to increasingly shorter delivery times. Availability of stock is the key to success.
Our strategy is to constantly monitor the cost of our raw material and invest in more efficient equipment to offer a quicker delivery time while maintaining a high quality product.
In 2012 to strengthen our market position we acquired one of our competitors, McNulty Wray LTD who were the bespoke printed napkin experts in the UK. By doing so we have enhanced our service and are now the UK leaders in the printed napkin sector.
Our marketing strategy is now focused on developing our three brands;
PoppiesTM - that covers the mainstream plain products; McNulty Wray - for the bespoke printed napkins; Poppysoft - for the hygiene range.
How do you describe the tissue market in your country?
The UK tissue market seems to have reached maturity in a very competitive environment that maintains a high pressure on prices. That situation drives us to always invest in faster and more efficient production lines.
What do you do to stay competitive in your specific market?
When we started producing napkins, 400 m/min was fast. With our last 3 OMET's TV 503 Lines, we are approaching the 600 m/min and truly can't wait for the day that Sergio will ring me saying "Armindo our new TV model is running at 800m/min!".
Engineers the pressure is on you!"
What made you decide to invest in OMET's machines and what is your evaluation of OMET's equipment?
Simple: OMET is the best all-rounder machine as far as napkin production is concerned. And efficiency is embedded in their DNA. That's what I appreciate the most.
How do you judge the relationship with OMET Company and staff and what are the expected developments of this partnership for the future?
Over the years we have built up a strong relationship centred on a mutual trust. Everyone that I have dealt with at OMET is extremely professional and friendly. I have to mention here Sergio Villa, whom I have known for years. He has always been passionate about our industry.
The future between Poppies and OMET is bright, as we are in the final stages of closing a deal for 3 new OMET production lines for 2015.
(Omet S.r.l.)
02.12.2014 Brigl & Bergmeister: Voith delivers SpeedSizer and contactless drying for Niklasdorf PM 3
Company news
Brigl & Bergmeister GmbH
in Niklasdorf, Austria, contracted with
for the delivery of a SpeedSizer applicator unit and a contactless dryer for the Niklasdorf PM 3. The startup of the rebuild is planned for summer 2015. The contract is the first step in a multi-stage development plan, with the goal of improving the quality and speed of the production line.
Because a broad range of wet-strength label papers are produced on the PM 3, there are a variety of demands on the applicator unit. The large number of different coating colors requires a high degree of flexibility in order to achieve excellent paper characteristics. SpeedSizer allows the targeted adjustment of the technical parameters to the individual specifications.
Along with the SpeedSizer, the delivery also includes a new CB-Turn for non-contact web turning, before it is dried using a space-saving combination of infrared heaters and downstream air hood. The high-performance, contactless dryer qDry Pro is especially energy-saving, because the air hood is heated exclusively from the hot exhaust air of the infrared heater.
The signing of the contract in mid-November capped off extensive and detailed project work, where the complete process was run on Voith pilot machines, consisting of SpeedSizer applicator unit, offline coating machine, and supercalender.
Brigl & Bergmeister chose Voith as a partner for this project, because Voith has many years of experience and the corresponding major expertise for specialty paper machines. Another factor is that the SpeedSizer applicator unit is one of the proven components in the Voith portfolio.
(Voith Paper GmbH & Co KG)
02.12.2014 Changes in Valmet's Executive Team
Company news
Mr. Bertel Karlstedt (MSc, age 52, photo) has been appointed President of Pulp and Energy business line at
as of 1 February, 2015. He will be a member of Valmet's Executive Team and report to the President and CEO Pasi Laine.
Bertel Karlstedt joins Valmet from Nordkalk Corporation, where he is currently employed as the President and CEO. During his career he has gained vast experience in line management and sales roles. Furthermore, he has a strong background in R&D both in Finland and internationally, having previously worked for Valmet and Metso (1988-2005).
Mr. Jyrki Holmala, the current President of Valmet's Pulp and Energy business line, leaves on Valmet 28 November 2014.
"It is a pleasure to get Bertel Karlstedt to our Executive Team with his strong industrial experience and established relations with many of our customers," says Valmet's President and CEO Pasi Laine.
(Valmet Corporation)
02.12.2014 Galipapel to distribute Sappi's Algro Design® in Spain
( Company news )
Sappi Europe
has reached a distribution agreement with
, a Spanish distributor offering first class service to the Spanish packaging & graphic sector, to market its Algro Design line of high white, silk coated premium SBB cartonboards.
Photo: From left to right: Agustín Malvido, CEO Galpapel; Andrea Riva, Sales Manager Sappi and Vitor Malvido, Sales Agent Galipapel.
Galipapel, with its extensive experience and expertise, is the ideal partner to support Sappi in offering exceptional service to the Spanish market. The agency has over twenty years of experience in helping suppliers to better connect with their customers. It comes as no surprise that Galipapel's client portfolio includes some of most important publishing and packaging groups in the country.
Galipapel has a team of expert sales people with more than 100 years of combined experience in the sector. It is this experience that guarantees the best customer service and increased opportunity for both Sappi and Galipapel to grow its presence in the Spanish SBB market.
Vitor Malvido, Galipapel Sales Representative, is confident about the cooperation. "This agreement means we can offer customers the proximity, accessibility, and agility that is needed for the highly flexible Spanish market. The Galipapel team is committed to ensuring the best possible sales growth for Sappi's product line, bringing all of its expertise and support in raising the Algro Design brand awareness in the Spanish market. I see a bright future for Sappi's products here."
Andrea Riva, Sappi's Sales Manager, Speciality Papers Italy & Spain, is convinced that the agreement will be a resounding success. "When I started managing sales in Spain last year, I noticed that direct customers needed additional service support in parallel to our factory-direct service to offer higher responsiveness and availability of frequently required short notice orders in smaller quantities. Now, with the Galipapel partnership and the ability to maintain local inventory we can offer a tailored quality and service offering dedicated to the Spanish market."
Riva concluded by saying, "The shared passion, dedication and commitment from Galipapel and Sappi to the Spanish market by offering outstanding quality products and local service is perfectly in line with Sappi's business philosophy. We're thrilled to share this mission with our new partner and distributor, Galipapel."
Galipapel will market Sappi's Algro Design product line, a premium solid bleached cartonboard (SBB) whose highly consistent surface, high UV light fastness, and soft silky touch make it an ideal base for every demanding packaging and graphic job.
Sappi's Algro Design product range is available in three versions:
- Algro Design with a double-coated front and an uncoated reverse side, 160-400 g/m²
- Algro Design Card with a double-coated front and a single-coated reverse, 235-345 g/m²
- Algro Design Duo, with both sides symmetrically double coated, 250-380 g/m²
(Sappi Europe S.A.)
02.12.2014 Boosting efficiency and new ISO standard take center stage at Prinect User Days
Company news
-Over 300 participants from all over Europe obtain vital specialist know-how for their companies
-Total of 35 workshops on topics including automation, ganging, color management, multi-channel publishing, integration, and order management
Over 300 participants from twelve European countries attended the Prinect User Days 2014 in Heidelberg this fall. They found the concept of users organizing presentations and workshops for other users interesting and worthwhile.
The opening presentation by media and market research consultant Michael Pusler entitled "Communication in the 21st century: online & print – competition or cooperation?" confirmed that print still has a future and will retain its status as a key communication medium. However, the coexistence and cooperation of print and online media will shape new business models.
New possibilities for boosting efficiency provided by the latest version of the Prinect print shop workflow from
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
were a key focal point. The current version is much easier to operate and far faster, especially in the case of larger jobs with over 2,000 pages.
Some of the discussions relating to the new ISO 12647-2 standard were quite animated. Many questions remain as regards the outlay involved in rolling out the new standard and how it will be implemented. Participants were able to obtain valuable information during discussions with Karl Michael Meinecke from the bvdm (German Printing and Media Industries Federation), who heads up the German delegation on the ISO committee. The bvdm is aiming to supply the remaining new ICC profiles and a revised PSO (process standard for offset printing) complete with instructions by the end of the year.
The record number of 35 workshops covered an extremely wide range of topics – from new automation possibilities and multicolor technology in conjunction with Anicolor technology to the Prinect Business Manager. Innovations included the first Prinect digital front end, database-assisted publishing, and ISO-compliant reports. Information was also provided on how to deal with PDF/X-4, the integration status of Prinect, and web-to-print tools. Live Prinect demonstrations rounded off the agenda.
As always, there was plenty of time for networking and discussions with other participants/Prinect users and the developers. This close contact is particularly helpful for fast, targeted further development of Prinect and therefore works to the benefit of all Prinect users.
(Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG)
02.12.2014 BOBST presents latest developments at Plastindia 2015
Company news
announces its participation at Plastindia 2015 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from February 5 - 10. In hall 8, stand E12/ F13, visitors are invited to receive extensive information on the latest innovations and developments in BOBST market leading web-fed equipment and services for the processing of plastic film.
Representatives from all European BOBST web-fed product lines and from Bobst India Pvt. Ltd. are looking forward to meeting professionals from the industry to present to them BOBST's wide range printing and converting equipment including F&K CI flexo presses, Rotomec gravure presses, CL multi-technology and SL solventless laminators, the range of extrusion coating & laminating machines, the latest developments in coating lines, General vacuum metallizers, and the General Registron® Hawkeye pinhole detector.
Recognizing the great potential for development of the Indian flexible materials printing and converting industry BOBST has been attending Plastindia since the 1990s. Along with the dramatic growth of the Indian economy over the last decade, BOBST has experienced a constantly growing interest and as a consequence, a significant increase in sales of its equipment for the flexible packaging industry in South Asia.
(Bobst Bielefeld GmbH)
02.12.2014 Two exciting events for the global pulp, paper and biobased industries
Company news
Adforum is together with Mentor Communications AB, the leading media company in Sweden, launching two new events for the pulp, paper and biobased industries: International Pulp & Paper Week and Bioeconomy Innovation Forum. The events will be held at Stockholmsmässan May 24-26th 2016.
Adforum has during the recent year made a study among the visitors and exhibitors in order to find out what kind of meeting place they would like participate in and how they would like to develop the current meeting places. Two features were highly ranked:
- Integration of biobased innovations and products into the existing pulp and paper events.
- A cross industrial meeting place where different industries will meet together.
Strong focus on content and cross industrial meetings
The two new events International Pulp & Paper Week and Bioeconomy Innovation Forum will together offer a strong meeting platform for the entire forest industry. The events will be organized as two parallel happenings, making it easy to move between them. There will be strong focus on the content of the event. For both events there will be a conference in connection to the exhibition area, making it easy for conference delegates, event visitors and exhibitors to meet and network.
The most important feature is however, that event for the first time will be marketed to other industries interested in the products and innovations from the forest industry. According to the study done by Adforum the forest industry had a great interest to get in contact with other industries. In order to manage this challenge Mentor Communications is invited to be the co-organizer of the event. Mentor Communications is the leading media company in Sweden, reaching over half a million decision makers within different industries on a monthly basis. By integrating the Bioeconomy Innovation Forum and by marketing the events to other industries, it is expected that the visitor number will increase compared to former editions of pulp and paper events.
The new events will feature the latest trends and tools in the meeting business, aiming to offerefficient business contacts between the participants. Apart from the exhibition there will be inspiring conferences, matchmaking, social events and company visits.
Welcome to join us
Adforum is now inviting companies and partners to a co-operation for the new events that will take place at Stockholmsmässan, May 24-26th, 2016. More information about participation alternatives will follow shortly.
(Adforum AB)
Company news
-Appointment of Martin Sutherland as new CEO
-Bank of England 10 year print contract renewal signed in October 2014
-Group 12 month order book up £4m since year end at £222m, currency market share maintained
-Ongoing challenging market conditions adversely impact financial performance
-Banknote print volumes up 4% to 2.7bn notes, banknote paper volumes down 4% to 4,500 tonnes
-Operational efficiencies yield additional £3m savings in the first half
-Further site rationalisation commenced in June 2014
-Interim dividend reduced to 8.3p, as previously announced
Philip Rogerson, Chairman, commented:
"While market conditions have resulted in lower revenues, we have partially mitigated the impact in the first half through cost savings from operational efficiencies and have commenced a further rationalisation of our manufacturing footprint.
"As previously announced, we expect the challenging trading conditions within the currency market to continue and this, together with lower than expected new business in our Solutions division, has impacted our outlook for 2014/15 and 2015/16.
"The Board continues to believe that, while current conditions are tough, De La Rue remains a strong, profitable and cash generative business in a market with good medium and long term growth prospects."
Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive, commented:
"I am delighted to have joined
De La Rue
and I am confident that, notwithstanding the current challenging market conditions, the fundamental strengths of the business and the operational improvements achieved in recent years, position the Group well. Over the coming months I shall be evaluating the strategy of the Group and expect to report on this with the full year results in May 2015."
(De La Rue plc)
01.12.2014 Metsä Group appoints Jari Forss as SVP, Human Resources for Metsä Fibre
Company news
LL.M. Jari Forss (52) has been appointed Senior Vice President, Human Resources for
Metsä Fibre
as of 12 January 2015. He will join Metsä Group from the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, where he has been working as Labour Market Director.
(Metsä Fibre Oy)
01.12.2014 Two Valmet-supplied boardmaking lines successfully started up at Anhui Shanying Paper in China
Company news
has supplied two high quality containerboard machines for
Anhui Shanying Paper Industry Co., Ltd
in the City of Ma'anshan in Anhui Province, China. Both machines, paper machine 5 (PM 5) and paper machine 6 (PM 6), were recently successfully started up.
Record speed right after start up
The PM 5 and PM 6 start-ups were successful with good results. The new PM 6 machine set its 24 hour average machine speed record of 1,398 m/min already 12 days after the start-up.
"The Valmet board machine is very well equipped and has first-class performance. Our start-up has been very smooth. Valmet and Shanying have arranged targeted board machine training for the operators, which is also of great help for us," says Mr. Wang, Production Manager of Anhui Shanying PM6.
Lightweight containerboard with gap- and hybrid forming concepts
"Making lightweight containerboard using gap forming technology is new for Chinese containerboard makers. The most efficient European containerboard lines, making high quality lightweight end products, utilize gap forming concepts with excellent results. Now Anhui Shanying has taken this step with Valmet's technology and we are very pleased to cooperate with this forward-looking company," says Mark Singler, Director of Process Technology, Valmet.
Valmet's delivery for PM 6 included a complete 8.60-m-wide (wire) containerboard machine from headbox to winder. The delivery also included machine clothing and a wide range of process systems. This kind of an extensive overall delivery package from the same supplier enabled the design of highly energy-efficient production line.
The new PM 6 is equipped with a gap forming technology, OptiFormer Gap, which enables a new, higher production speed category for lightweight, high quality containerboard making. The production line also includes two winders. PM 6 produces fluting and testliner grades in the basis weight range of 50 -110 g/m2 and with design production speed of 1,500 m/min.
Valmet's delivery for PM 5 included a complete boardmaking line from headbox to reel with chemical systems, winder and roll handling equipment. The new PM 5 is equipped with three headboxes, multi-Fourdrinier forming section, center roll -based press section, sizing with film application as well as hard nip calender. The production line is completed with two-drum winder. The delivery also included machine clothing and a wide range of process systems.
The new 7.92-m-wide (reel) PM 5 produces recycled testliner and kraft top liner grades in the basis weight range of 90 to 175 g/m2. The design speed is 1,200 m/min.
(Valmet Corporation)
Company news
The "traditional" European Paper Making Industry has been declining and restructuring in Europe over recent years. Nonetheless there are opportunities which do appear in this industrial sector, thanks mainly to the development of new applications and product innovations. This is particularly apparent in the fields of tissue making, packaging and with specialty papers.
, a subsidiary of
has a 40 year history in the paper making industry: SYNTHRON – considers that innovation is a priority – and allocates 5% of its turnover for R&D in order to develop new applications and novel chemistries for paper making and to anticipate the future requirements of this particular market.
For Robert MOOR, CEO of SYNTHRON: "we have to anticipate the future requirements of paper making which is presently in transformation. To remain focused in the chemistry of this sector, our Center of Studies and Discoveries develops products and searches to innovate constantly".
SYNTHRON has refined and specializes its product range by launching a new auxiliary: SYNTHRO®STAB HE which is used in tissue making manufacturing process to remove bad odours. The tissue making sector produces paper for public and domestic sanitary use also products like disposable handkerchiefs, baby's diapers, temporary medical sheeting used for examinations, domestic kitchen roll, tablecloths and towels…), this market segment is growing.
The tissue making process can involve either virgin pulp fibres of cellulose or contain some recycled cellulose fibres. One of the main problems encountered by the producers of this type of paper is the presence of bad odours, often caused by residues of hexanal (or hexanaldehyde C6H120). SYNTHRO®-STAB HE, functions by interfering with the chemical reaction which releases the smell by blocking and the deactivating the catalysts of the reaction. SYNTHRO®-STAB HE meets the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
After 8 weeks, the background concentration of the treated product is 0,1 ppm versus 2,3 ppm this clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of SYNTHRO®-STAB HE as the bad odour has been eliminated from the tissue.
Generally paper tissue usage increases with rise of living standards, and for the Consumer it's important to improve the quality of the tissue and to offer an effective solution to eradicate bad odours from the product.
The SYNTHRO®-STAB HE manufactured at industrial site of Auzouer-en-Touraine in Indre et Loire and in Saint-Avold in Moselle (France).
(Protex International)
01.12.2014 The next generation events for the global pulp, paper and biobased industries
Company news
Adforum, the world leading organizer of trade fairs for the pulp and paper industry and Mentor Communications AB, the leading media company in Sweden, are together launching two new events for the pulp, paper and biobased industries: International Pulp & Paper Week and Bioeconomy Innovation Forum. The events will be held at Stockholmsmässan on May 24-26th 2016.
The new events are designed by the exhibitors and the visitors themselves and are organized in order to match the needs of the rapidly changing forest industry. According to customer surveys done by Adforum, the companies wanted to combine the traditional exhibitions for the pulp and paper industry with a totally new forum focusing on innovations and products for the biobased industries, which has been missing from the market. The Bioeconomy Innovation Forum will focus on Bioenergy, Biorefinery, Nanotechnology, Biopolymers and other products and innovations of tomorrow.
"The new events will together with the traditional pulp and paper event offer a very strong platform for the entire forest industry", says Marcus Bergström, CEO Adforum,and continues "There are a lot of synergies between the different product groups and it is time to integrate these into the existing event".
The new events will not only focus on traditional exhibitors and visitors from the forest industry.
"Also other industry sectors will be invited to discuss and learn about the products andopportunities in the biobased industries. To guarantee a true mixture between different industry sectors, the leading media company in Sweden, Mentor Communications, is invited to be the co-organizer of the event. Through its different publications, Mentor is reaching over half a million decision makers within different industries on a monthly basis. According to the surveys done within companies in the forest industry, it is clear that the companies want to meet with professionals from different industry sectors. We can offer a lot of opportunities to make different industry sectors connect", says Mikael Heinig, CEO of Mentor Communications.
The new events will feature the latest trends and tools in the meeting business, aiming to offer efficient business contacts between the participants. Apart from the exhibition there will be inspiring conferences, matchmaking, social events and company visits.
The last event held in Stockholm was organized in cooperation with a Swedish organization within the paper and pulp industry and was held in May 2011. The event gathered 650 exhibiting companies from 30 countries in 230 stands, and 9,064 visitors from 56 different countries. In 2016 the International Pulp & Paper Week and Bioeconomy Innovation will take place at Stockholmsmässan, May 24-26th.
(Adforum AB)
28.11.2014 Xerium Celebrates 500th SMART Technology Order
Company news
Xerium Technologies, Inc.
(NYSE:XRM), a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, recently received its 500th order for its proprietary SMART® Technology system. The globally successful and patented machine automation system continues rapid growth on traditional paper, paperboard, and tissue machines but also has now been successfully applied on numerous other nipped applications in nonwovens and the building products industries. The latest generation of SMART Technology dynamically measures and displays: machine direction nip width, machine direction pressure profile, and cross machine direction pressure profile. It also includes enhanced connectivity software for mill computer systems and supports multi-nip roll positions for unprecedented simultaneous analysis. SMART Technology has been equally successful across all paper grades, including tissue, and even on the most demanding shoe press applications. In addition, SMART Technology is now being successfully applied on suction roll applications which customers have long been requesting.
"SMART Technology continues to provide our customers with critical information they need to instantly monitor, adjust, and troubleshoot their machines which historically was a static process requiring costly machine downtime," said Mr. Bill Butterfield, EVP and CTO of Xerium. " Xerium has developed SMART technology to benefit its customers by lowering their operational cost while improving operational efficiency. Together we are always discovering more potential for SMART Technology applications and are excited at the way our customers have embraced this innovative approach to machine automation."
(Xerium Technologies Inc.)
28.11.2014 10 year Anniversary - IPI celebrates 10 years as packaging industry's Competence Centre
Company news
IPI International Packaging Institute
in Schaffhausen is celebrating its 10th Anniversary as an international Competence Centre for the packaging industry. IPI's portfolio includes
professional development programmes for technical specialists and the
managers of tomorrow and also connects sector businesses with each other and with university academics and researchers.
The 10th Anniversary was celebrated at a gathering of packaging experts from the business and academic communities on Wednesday, 19th November in Schaffhausen.
Since its launch in 2004, IPI has grown steadily and established itself as one of the world's leading Competence Centres for the packaging industry.
"Every year, around 400 packaging experts attend events and programmes organised by IPI", Ernst Landolt explained in his opening address at the anniversary celebrations. Landolt is a member of the Governing Council of Canton Schaffhausen which has supported IPI from the start.
He is proud to have such an innovative institution in Schaffhausen: "IPI is a compelling example of what can be achieved when business, the academic and research communities and politicians work together."
The sector needs highly trained staff
IPI International Packaging Institute was conceived when a number of leading companies in the packaging and foodstuffs sector got together to resolve an issue confronting all of them.
"The packaging sector faces a lack of suitably trained specialists", according to Ingo Büren, Director of Science and Technology at IPI in his talk. "IPI addresses that by offering a wide range of professional development programmes."
The specialist programmes include the part-time Master of Engineering in Packaging Technology, worldwide the only Masters programme focussed on this discipline, as well as a raft of seminars on packaging-related topics.
IPI also offers bespoke in-company training programmes which are tailored to the specific requirements of business. 10 years after its formation, IPI remains closely aligned with the rapidly changing sector, as the President of Bosch Packaging Technology – and current President of IPI - Friedbert Klefenz set out in his speech.
He explained why knowledge and the capability to innovate are important success criteria for packaging businesses in particular. "The packaging industry is constantly confronted with new challenges. New technologies, increasing requirements in terms of user-friendliness and sustainability, increasing regulation: if you want to survive in this space, you have to constantly develop your knowledge and maintain a network of contact with others in the sector".
These were the reasons behind Bosch Packaging's decision to make extensive use of the services available from IPI International Packaging Institute, according to Klefenz.
Supporting the Packaging Industry
Since first taking the stage, IPI has developed into a hub linking technological expertise from the different segments which make up the packaging industry on the one hand with the academic and research communities dedicated to packaging on the other. That powerful combination is at the core of the latest project under development at IPI: «INNO-PACK.NET is networking the packaging sector in the cantons of Schaffhausen, Thurgau and St. Gallen, helping SMEs to identify opportunities to innovate and then supporting them to implement and commercialise those openings», as IPI Managing Director Stephan Schüle explains.
This service is mainly targeted at SMEs, since tracking new technologies and market trends is a particular challenge for smaller businesses, Stephan Schüle comments.
Indeed, the range and scale of challenges facing the packaging industry in future was set out in the final speech of the evening by
Anke Leighty from the packaging sector research specialists Gesellschaft für Verpackungsmarktforschung, based in Mainz, Germany.
Innovation is elementary to success
New technological opportunities, increasing demands in terms of user-friendliness and the growing demand for sustainable materials: with these and other forces in play, the packaging sector finds itself in a state of constant change. Anke Leighty invited the guests to survey the current and future situation confronting the packaging sector. Long-term survival in the saturated markets of Western Europe and North America is assured only if companies can develop innovative packaging with additional benefits beyond core functionality. The requirement for packaging to fulfil ever more requirements is having a significant influence on the packaging sector. Examples of this trend are intelligent packaging which monitors the quality of the fillgoods and packaging which provides interactive information for the consumer.
"By constantly updating its range of courses and networking opportunities for sector businesses, IPI is the ideal partner to help companies to master both current and future challenges", Stephan Schüle summed up when drawing the formal celebrations to a close. Guests were then invited to continue their discussions at a drinks reception.
(IPI International Packaging Institute)
28.11.2014 Iggesund Paperboard: 22,000 unique covers
Company news
Iggesund Paperboard
planned the first digitally printed cover for its inspirational magazine Inspire, the ambition level was high. The whole issue was devoted to the possibilities of digital print, and one of the goals was to produce 22,000 unique covers in a way never done before.
Just adding a recipient's name or a serial number was a bit too easy. More interesting was to start from Inspire's tradition of using graphics on its cover. The Inspire editorial team created a 16-minute-long film where each frame was then used as a cover.
"It might seem like a roundabout procedure but it was far simpler than creating 22,000 individual print files using layout software," Thomas Idebäck, Motion Graphic Designer, says.
The variation in the printed covers lies partly in the colour fields but also in the spot varnish. The colour field variations by themselves make each cover unique but the varnish patterns also vary. Each cover is also marked with the time code of the particular film frame on which it is based.
Digaloo digital printers in Stockholm were sent the 1.4 TB of raw data that had to be processed into pages. As the work progressed, the amount of data being processed grew to between 3.5 and 4 TB. Fortunately the printers had invested in a new press and a RIP (Raster Image Processor) IN-100 to increase their processing capacity.
"This print run is totally unique. I've talked with colleagues in my international network of digital printers and no one has heard of anything similar," says Jannes Dahlgren, CEO of Digaloo. The company took 27 hours of active printing time to complete the project.
(Iggesund Paperboard AB)
28.11.2014 Production interruption at Tembec's Temiscaming, Quebec industrial complex
Company news
In response to UNIFOR Union Local 233's decision to go on strike effective as of 6:30 p.m. last night, Tembec ceases the operations at its
, Quebec industrial complex, which comprises four main facilities manufacturing specialty pulp, high-yield pulp, multi-ply coated bleached board and powder and liquid phenolic resins. In addition to the production interruption, the strike will delay the commissioning activities now taking place on the high-pressure boiler and turbine.
The work stoppage involves approximately 650 unionized employees out of the 850 employees working at the Temiscaming complex. Negotiations between Tembec and the union began in August 2014. The four-year collective agreement expired on September 30, 2014.
The Company is monitoring the situation very closely and is putting into place measures to minimize the impact on its customers.
(Tembec Inc.)
28.11.2014 FINAT Thirty Fifth International Labelling Competition
Company news
Competition 2015 now open for entries
announces that label converters can start selecting their best examples of label print as the 2015 FINAT Labelling Competition is now open and will accept entries till 5th March 2015.
The annual FINAT competition showcases the best of self-adhesive label print. It recognizes and rewards achievement in terms of both end use/marketing impact and print and converting quality. Awards are given in the main segments where self-adhesive labels are used: alcoholic beverages, food, household, industrial, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, security labels, (self-) promotion, and booklet/coupon labels and for the major reel-fed print processes.
"The objective of this annual labelling competition is threefold," says Kurt Walker, FINAT president. "It not only helps highlight the advantages of self-adhesive labels and related products as effective marketing, promotional or identification tools, but definitely also encourages converters to extend their technical and quality boundaries. And last but not least, it promotes labels and labelling techniques on a world-wide basis and this to the benefit of the label and associated industries. I therefore invite all label converters to participate in this prestigious competition and to take advantage of the benefits it has to offer."
Award winners will receive their prize on the occasion of the annual congress which will take place 11-13 June 2015 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The winning entries will be displayed at the congress and at Labelexpo Europe 2015. Selected winners of the FINAT Label Competition 2015 will be entered in the 2015 World Label Awards (WLA) Competition.
New category added
FINAT has revamped the participation details and entry form and has introduced a new, fifth category under Group E: Digital. This group has been added to recognize the significant part that digital printing is playing in the modern label industry. Three categories have been included to cover the main digital printing technologies: solvent toner, dry toner and ink jet. The category digital is complementary to other categories, which include marketing/end-uses, printing processes, non-adhesive applications and innovation.
28.11.2014 IMPS 2015 - International Munich Paper Symposium
Company news
For the 24 time, one of the major annual European conferences in paper technology, the IMPS 2015 — INTERNATIONAL MUNICH PAPER SYMPOSIUM is going to take place in the modern Sheraton Munich Arabellapark Conference Center from 11-13 March 2015. The Symposium focuses on technical presentations related to paper and board manufacturing and will be offered in the German and English language through a superb simultaneous translation. In addition to the presentations, the IMPS also features an exhibition and a cultural programme.
The theme of the meeting is "Progress in Board and Paper Technology", and while many of the papers are going to be presented by board mills and paper mills, it will be clear that papermaking equipment and innovations designed to improve the performance of paper, board and printing machines, play a very important role.
Most presentations will deal with first time reports and take an analytical, rather than a commercial approach. The speakers will share their experiences with relatively new systems, and will also take a look at some future developments.
The IMPS has been held annually for more than 23 years and is always focused on current topics related to the paper manufacturing and paper supplying industry. In contrast to many very large conferences, the IMPS will host not more than about 500 participants in a first class atmosphere. It is intended to provide an international platform for people working in the field of board, paper and printing technology.
The fee includes a number of options: simultaneous translation German/English, internet access to abstracts, presentations as pdf-files, coffee breaks with snacks, superb lunches as well as a gala dinner on Wednesday evening. As far as places are available, a fascinating cultural event on Thursday evening and an interesting mill tour or a visit to the well known paper institute of Munich University of Applied Sciences on Friday, are also included.
The last two years the IMPS was completely booked out well before the start of the symposium. We therefore recommend that you book early.
(IMPS Management Ltd & Co. KG)
28.11.2014 Stora Enso CKB upgraded
Company news
Stora Enso's CKB board has been improved to enable lightweighting. CKB is primarily used for multipacks and folding cartons for food and beverages, where strength, durability and food safety are the most important requirements for the packaging material. Despite the reduced weight, CKB will provide the same high performance as before, as no other technical properties have been changed. The product is more sustainable than before, as it requires less raw material to produce.
As a result of Stora Enso's investments in the board machines at
Skoghall Mill
in Sweden, the lightweighting technology can now be used throughout the entire CKB grammage range. The new CKB grammage range will be from 175 to 380 g/m2, which means that the highest grammages are reduced by 10 g/m2. The number of trees used for the production of CKB is today 135 000 less than what was required in 2010; that equals 600 less incoming lorries to the mill.
"CKB is the quality leader in the solid unbleached board category, and now its environmental efficiency will be higher than ever. This will make CKB very attractive and competitive in a wide range of end use applications where strength, stiffness, purity and runnability are the key properties," says Fredrik Werner, Stora Enso's Segment Development Manager for food, beer and beverage packaging.
Special coatings increase versatility
CKB is a multilayer kraft back board. Besides its strength and good printability, the board's natural brown back increases packaging designers' possibilities to create distinctive designs from CKB. A good example of how CKB's properties were used to achieve outstanding structural design is the award-winning chocolate advent calendar of Confiserie Reber, a winner in the 2014 Pro Carton ECMA Awards. Stora Enso can also offer several special barrier coatings and laminates to improve the functionality of packaging.
"Yet one of the most important reasons to choose CKB is its proven food safety, which is based on pure virgin fibres, strictly controlled production and the elimination of all contamination risks, compliance with existing EU food contact material legislation and certified hygiene management systems on our production sites," says Werner.
CKB is also known for its excellent runnability in converting and packaging processes. The board is also used in non-food packaging applications that require exceptional strength or special coatings. "Lightweighting is a continuous development objective and we are already starting to look into the next steps. The global population will exceed eight billion in the next twenty years, and we will need 35% more food. Proper packaging plays a role in saving food from being wasted; at the same time, we must also develop the resource efficiency of producing packaging materials," concludes Werner.
(Stora Enso Packaging Boards Skoghall Mill)
27.11.2014 Elopak launches the Pure-Pak® Sense carton
Company news
The Pure-Pak® Sense carton is the latest innovation from
continuous research and development. It is a result of thorough market research and analysis, internal workshops across Elopak's technical, design and development departments.
Reflecting the global trend to combat food waste, the Pure-Pak® Sense carton features new easy-to-fold lines. The feature enables consumers to fold the carton and squeeze out more of the product from the pack which is ideal for high viscosity products. The easy-to-fold lines also enable convenient flattening of the empty carton reducing volume in waste or recycling facilities.
The carton features an arched top fin with a print option that provides a tool for better range navigation and enhanced communication of promotional messages.
The rounded smooth front of the carton provides a seamless print area and a new form and shape. This carton both looks and feels different with an embossed 'first touch' zone on the top sides of the pack giving consumers a new tactile experience with better handling.
"Today a carton has to be more than just a generic package for liquid food," explains Dr. Christoph Schönig, Elopak's Director Global Marketing. "Packaging is an important element of the marketing mix for our customers and as such it must enable business growth. Therefore, Elopak's goal is to consistently improve its packaging solutions to meet current needs in terms of appearance and functionality, as well as cost and flexibility."
Elopak has developed its latest carton to be a cost-efficient and flexible option running on existing filling lines with a minimal investment in a retrofit kit. Products can currently be filled in one litre Pure-Pak Sense® cartons with a 500ml carton size available from early 2015.
(Elopak AS)
27.11.2014 technotrans remains on growth trajectory – revenue and earnings continue to rise
Company news
Revenue climbs 5.7 percent to € 82.2 million / Earnings per share reach € 0.47 at nine-month mark / Positive outlook for 2014 financial year
Photo: Dirk Engel, CFO of
technotrans AG
In a generally rather subdued macroeconomic environment, the technotrans Group increased its revenue by 5.7 percent to € 82.2 million in the first nine months of the current financial year (previous year: € 77.8 million). Meanwhile the operating result (EBIT) rose by 56.2 percent to € 4.7 million (previous year: € 3.0 million). Compared with the prior-year period (3.9 percent) technotrans thus improved its EBIT margin to 5.8 percent, at the top end of its expectations for the 2014 financial year (EBIT margin of between 4 and 6 percent).
"The first nine months are behind us, and technotrans is strategically on track. As expected, the technotrans Group once again enjoyed success in the third quarter of 2014. At € 27.9 million and an EBIT margin of 6.3 percent for Q3, we again succeeded in increasing both revenue and earnings compared with the previous year, but also when measured against our performance throughout 2014 itself. Our share of revenue from outside the printing industry is growing steadily," explained Henry Brickenkamp, Chief Executive Officer of technotrans AG.
Profit after tax rose as the year progressed to € 3.0 million, representing an increase of 74.2 percent on the 2013 figure (previous year: € 1.7 million). After deduction of the minority interests there is a € 1.2 million improvement in the net income for the period to € 3.0 million compared with the first nine months of 2013 (previous year: € 1.8 million). This represents earnings per share outstanding of € 0.47 (previous year € 0.27).
The companies of the technotrans Group had an average of 769 (previous year: 768) employees in the current financial year of 2014.
The Segments
In the Technology segment, revenue increased from € 48.2 million in the previous year to € 53.5 million in the current year. The increase of around € 5.3 million or 11.1 percent compared with the prior-year period is mainly attributable to the successful expansion of business in the non-print area. Here, the segment profited both from accelerating business in the laser industry and from a growing revenue share for the self-developed technologies for temperature control, filtration, cooling lubricant preparation and spray lubrication. In addition, the printing industry likewise delivered higher revenue in the third quarter of 2014 than in the weak third quarter of 2013. Positive factors affecting the revenue performance included our increased market shares for offset printing and the arrival of new production models for digital and flexographic printing. As a result, the technotrans Group realises 65 percent of its revenue in this segment.
The financial performance in the Technology segment thus showed a palpable improvement in the first nine months of the 2014 financial year. Whereas a loss of € 1.8 million had been reported for the corresponding period of the previous year, the segment achieved a balanced overall result in the year in progress. The segment ended the third quarter of 2014 with its first positive result since the end of 2012: € 0.2 million (previous year: € -0.9 million).
The Services segment was unable to repeat the business performance of the previous two quarters in 2014, and the revenue figure of € 9.5 million was also down compared with the prior-year quarter (€ 10.5 million). Over the nine‑month period, revenue for the segment therefore showed a slight decrease of 3.2 percent on the 2013 figure (previous year: € 29.6 million). On the one hand the downturn in business stems from weaker demand due to the smaller installed base in the print sector, and on the other hand from a continuing reluctance to invest that is affecting the Technical Documentation business area.
The financial performance in the Services segment was again stable in the period under review and the healthy level of recent quarters was maintained. At the nine-month mark the result for the segment of € 4.8 million (previous year: € 4.8 million) is unchanged from the prior-year level; the return for the segment over this period is 16.6 percent, compared with 16.2 percent in the previous year.
Financial Position
Financial Position – Free Cash Flow Up
technotrans is able to present a strong balance sheet at September 30, 2014: equity rose 4.5 percent to € 45.7 million in the period under review, taking the equity ratio to 59.0 percent. Net liquidity for the group improved again and remained positive at € 3.2 million. Cash and cash equivalents were up slightly at € 17.6 million compared with the end of 2013.
Based on profit after tax of € 3.0 million (previous year: € 1.7 million) the operating cash flow in the first nine months of 2014 improved as expected to € 7.4 million (previous year: € 3.6 million). Net cash from operating activities reached a total of € 6.0 million (previous year: € 2.2 million). The cash outflow from investing activities showed a year-on-year fall as expected, amounting to
€ -2.3 million (previous year: € -5.6 million). The free cash flow at the end of the third quarter of 2014 was consequently again outstanding at € 3.7 million (previous year: € -3.4 million).
The cash flow from financing activities of € -2.8 million (previous year: € +2.7 million) comprises the scheduled repayment and the raising of short-term bank loans as well as the dividend distribution to technotrans shareholders.
The moderate economic development remains in line with the original expectations for the current financial year. technotrans has good prospects of making the current financial year a success under its own momentum. By systematically continuing to pursue our growth strategy, we will achieve a further slight increase in revenue assuming business goes according to plan in 2014.
For the Technology segment, the Board of Management expects to achieve revenue growth of between five and eight percent in 2014. It has built a slight drop in the printing industry's revenue share into this assumption, because demand for offset presses worldwide has showed a renewed fall in 2014 compared with 2013. On the other hand it expects robust demand for digital and flexographic printing presses. technotrans' own development projects are also making a substantial contribution to revenue in the new markets. Alongside the laser segment, mechanical engineering as well as stamping and forming technology, medical technology is another driver of growth. Over the coming quarters the Board of Management is expecting energy storage technology and scanner technology to make additional contributions to revenue. The Services segment generates a relatively high proportion of overall revenue and thus plays an important part in keeping business stable. As matters stand revenue for 2014 is expected to be roughly on a par with the previous year.
Despite the slight economic slowdown, technotrans stands by its targets. "We are aiming for revenue of € 110 million in 2014 with EBIT in the region of 6 percent; these figures are at the upper end of our guidance for the financial year," declared Dirk Engel, CFO of technotrans AG. "The earnings situation depends substantially on how the revenue volume and revenue mix develop further. From the present perspective we also expect to be able to increase revenue and earnings still further in the next financial year."
(technotrans AG)
27.11.2014 Tembec reports financial results for its fourth quarter ended September 27, 2014
Company news
Consolidated sales for the three-month period ended September 27, 2014, were $371 million, as compared to $352 million in the same quarter a year ago.
The Company
generated net earnings of $5 million or $0.05 per share in the September 2014 quarter compared to net earnings of $14 million or $0.14 per share in the September 2013 quarter. Operating earnings before depreciation, amortization and other items (adjusted EBITDA) was $29 million for the three-month period ended September 27, 2014, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $24 million a year ago and adjusted EBITDA of $30 million in the prior quarter.
For the fiscal year ended September 27, 2014, consolidated sales were $1.5 billion, unchanged from the prior year. The Company generated net earnings of $9 million or $0.09 per share compared to a net loss of $39 million or $0.39 per share in fiscal 2013. Adjusted EBITDA was $90 million compared to $97 million in the prior year.
Business Segment Results
The Specialty Cellulose Pulp segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $16 million on sales of $123 million for the quarter ended September 2014, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $19 million on sales of $126 million in the prior quarter. The pulp sales increase of $1 million was due to higher shipments of specialty grades. Demand for specialty grades was flat while US and euro prices were relatively unchanged quarter-over-quarter. The euro weakened by 3.5% versus the Canadian dollar, reducing the reported sales of the
Tartas, France mill
by $2 million. Canadian dollar equivalent pricing for specialty grades declined by $28 per tonne. US dollar prices for viscose grades were relatively unchanged and prices increased by $11 per tonne. The viscose market remains oversupplied and prices are relatively low. Overall, pricing reduced adjusted EBITDA by $1 million. Shipments were equal to 80% of capacity in both quarters. Costs increased by $3 million due to net realizable value write downs as the
Temiscaming mill
produced more viscose grade pulp than it shipped.
The Forest Products segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $11 million on sales of $113 million for the quarter ended September 2014, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $5 million on sales of $108 million in the prior quarter. Sales increased by $5 million due to higher selling prices. Lumber shipments were equal to 83% of capacity versus 84% in the prior quarter. During the September 2014 quarter, the random length lumber reference price increased by US $13 per mbf while the reference price for stud lumber increased by US $28 per mbf. The price gap between the two grades narrowed as expected. Currency did not impact selling prices as the Canadian dollar averaged US $0.918, relatively unchanged from US $0.917 in the prior quarter. The net effect increased sales and adjusted EBITDA by $4 million or $23 per mbf. Costs decreased by $2 million. The spring and summer months are seasonally lower operating cost periods.
The Paper Pulp segment generated nil adjusted EBITDA on sales of $73 million for the quarter ended September 2014, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $3 million on sales of $102 million in the prior quarter. The $29 million decrease in sales was due to lower shipments and selling prices. Market conditions for paper pulp remained relatively weak although demand was stable. Pulp shipments were equal to 89% of capacity as compared to 117% in the prior quarter. Shipments in the prior quarter were unusually high as the Company dealt with a backlog created by winter storms that led to delays and congestion at several East Coast ports. The benchmark price (delivered China) for bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK) decreased by US $13 per tonne, and the decline impacted high-yield pulp prices. Average selling prices declined by $32 per tonne, reducing adjusted EBITDA by $4 million. Manufacturing costs were relatively unchanged quarter-over-quarter.
The Paper segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $7 million on sales of $86 million for the quarter ended September 2014, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $8 million on sales of $89 million in the prior quarter. Lower shipments of coated bleached board led to the $3 million reduction in sales. The coated bleached board market was stable. The shipment to capacity ratio was 91% compared to 96% in the prior quarter. The US $ benchmark price for coated bleached board was unchanged at US $1,195 per short ton. Overall, average selling prices for coated bleached board were unchanged quarter-over-quarter. Bleached board costs were also unchanged quarter-over-quarter. The newsprint market remained weak with continued decreases in North American demand. The shipment to capacity ratio was 92% compared to 89% in the prior quarter. The US $ benchmark price for newsprint was unchanged at US $605 per tonne. Manufacturing costs at the
Kapuskasing newsprint mill
were similar in both quarters.
BC Land Sales Initiative
The Company made further progress on the BC Lands Sale Initiative. The objective is to realize up to $70 million in total sales by December 2014. As at the end of September 2014, the Company had generated sales of $60 million from the BC Land Sales Initiative. To date, the Company has sold approximately 59,800 hectares, representing 91% of the land area included in the BC Land Sales Initiative. The remaining 6,100 hectares to be sold relate to several small properties of various estimated values, which total approximately $10 million in aggregate. Given the characteristics of these properties, the Company considers it unlikely that they will all be sold by December 2014. It will take a longer period of time to ensure fair value is received for the remaining properties. Future sales of BC lands will be disclosed as they occur.
Temiscaming Cogen Project Update
The Company had previously indicated that the total construction cost of the Temiscaming Cogen project would be approximately $255 million. Updated projections now indicate that the total construction cost will be approximately $265 million. The increase is largely due to higher labour costs. The prior estimate contemplated total direct labour man-hours of 927,000. To the end of September 2014, labour man-hours had reached 933,000 and projections indicate a further 57,000 man-hours will be required to complete the construction work, for a projected total of 990,000 man-hours. The boiler and turbine installation are essentially complete and the remaining work will focus on commissioning and start-up. The turbine was previously scheduled to produce contract power by late-November 2014. This is now expected to occur in mid-December, a delay of approximately two weeks. The Company anticipates that the Temiscaming specialty cellulose project will improve annual adjusted EBITDA by approximately $48 million. The improvement will include approximately $28 million of incremental electricity revenues, $7 million of operating and maintenance cost reduction and $13 million of productivity and margin enhancements associated with the production increase of 15,000 tonnes of specialty pulp per year. While the increased electricity revenues and lower operating costs will occur when the boiler and turbine become operational, the productivity and margin enhancement will be dependent on the Company's ability to generate additional specialty pulp sales volumes, which may require an extended period of time.
Overall, the September 2014 quarterly results were better than anticipated. Higher lumber prices accounted for a significant portion of the outperformance. The Specialty Cellulose segment results were as expected. The recovery in specialty grade volumes has been relatively slow, increasing by approximately 4% year-over-year. The Company has had to place greater reliance on the less profitable viscose grade market, which is negatively impacting segment results. Similar market conditions are expected in the coming quarter. The improved results in the Forest Products segment were driven by higher prices for lumber. Stud lumber prices increased by a larger margin, closing the gap with random lumber. We anticipate seasonally weaker prices in the coming quarter. The Paper Pulp segment results declined as a result of lower high-yield pulp prices. The new South American hardwood paper pulp capacity is impacting prices and we anticipate marginal profitability from this segment until the market absorbs this new capacity. The Paper segment results were relatively unchanged. The coated bleached board market is stable, but the export market for newsprint, on which North American producers are placing greater reliance, is under pressure.
(Tembec Inc.)
27.11.2014 Metso received its largest ever pulp industry valve order from PT OKI Pulp & Paper Mills in ...
Company news
... Indonesia
will supply several thousand valves with accessories and spare parts for PT OKI Pulp & Paper Mills
, located in Southern Sumatra, Indonesia. The order is Metso's largest ever flow control products delivery for a pulp and paper industry customer. When commissioned during 2016, the new plant will be the biggest single pulp plant in the world.
The extensive delivery consists of valves for control and on-off use, including segment, ball, butterfly (photo) and standard and severe service globe valves complemented with intelligent valve controllers.
"Metso's reliable valves and intelligent valve controllers are designed to eliminate emissions and increase process efficiency. When using Metso's valves effectively the customer can increase sustainability and safety in the pulp making process", says See Hoe Lau, Vice President Sales and Services, Flow Control, Asia Pacific market area, Metso.
Metso and Asia Pulp and Paper Group have long-term customer relationship and Metso's flow control solutions are contributing to efficient processes at several plants in Indonesia and China.
The order is booked to Metso's fourth quarter 2014 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed.
(Metso Corporation)
27.11.2014 Mimaki scores Viscom Best of 2014 Award for Two Class Leading Solutions
Company news
, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers, is delighted its portfolio of solutions is continuing to collect industry accolades. Viscom has recently presented the company with a Best of 2014 Award in the Large Format Printing category to not one, but two, Mimaki solutions - the JFX200-2513 and the UJV500-160.
Photo: Mike Horsten (GM Marketing EMEA) and Johan Spies (Product Manager EMEA) accepting the Best of 2014 awards at Viscom 2014
Mimaki collected the latest recognition as it continued its European-wide "Let's Create… Together" showcase at the three-day Viscom Frankfurt show earlier this month, which was combined with My Mimaki Days all over Germany in the course of October and November. The award is another 2014 highlight following the European Digital Press Association (EDP) awards at FESPA Digital 2014 for the Mimaki JFX200-2513 wide format printer and KEBAB option for 360-degree direct printing on cylindrical objects.
"Clearly the judges could not decide between the large format solution and the entry level model and so picked both," comments Mike Horsten, General Manager Marketing EMEA, Mimaki Europe. "These newly-launched and market responsive solutions demonstrate perfectly how new technology can be readily adopted to support existing market segments or help businesses embrace new opportunities. They were our key focus at the Viscom show and the award clearly demonstrates we were spot-on with this decision. Viscom 2014 has been an excellent show for the Mimaki team in terms of sales leads and customer care. Winning the Viscom Best of 2014 Award is the cherry on the cake."
The JFX200-2513 offers a choice of inks, including white and clear, and an array of substrates for unlimited creative opportunities to deliver unparalleled results to expand the potential for professional sign and graphics companies. It is easy to use, with a compact footprint, and maximizes productivity by using industry standard-sized media.
Energy-saving UV-LED curing with long-lasting UV-LED units, is just one feature of the Mimaki UJV500-160. It also offers fast throughput, cost-effective and environmentally friendly curing, and 3M MCS warranted inks. The availability of white inks for roll-to-roll printing further enhances the possibilities.
Adds Mr. Horsten: "When the production environment evolves so diverse as it has, Mimaki understands that customers demand a varied choice in the solutions they invest in. That is why our portfolio has become so broad, making it unfortunately harder for the judging panel to identify just one clear winner. We could not be prouder that both solutions are recognised equally in value they can bring to the market."
Mimaki's technologically responsive and fast expanding portfolio includes both the above mentioned award winning solutions as the new CJV300-130/160 inkjet printer/cutter, the functional entry-level Mimaki CJV150 inkjet printer/cutter and the Mimaki JV150 inkjet printer. These were all on show at Viscom.
(Mimaki Europe B.V.)
27.11.2014 SCA launches Solo Print, one-side coated paper
Company news
SCA has developed Solo Print, a one-side coated paper as part of its Sustainable Packaging product family. This paper gives printability in the same class as upmarket magazines, with the market's best environmental profile.
The new product, Solo Print, is specially developed for flexible packaging, well suited for bags, wrapping paper, flowpack and banners. Solo Print is characterised by a very high print quality and very high opacity (less transparent). Solo Print is certified for direct contact with dry and fatty food. Solo Print is also suitable for lamination base or PE/PP coating on the inside to allow for heat sealing and to provide moisture protection. Solo Print can also be used in board applications. Its high opacity and brightness provides a perfect surface for various types of board applications. Thanks to its good profiles and dimensional stability, Solo Print is also suitable as a lightweight liner in corrugated applications.
"Our new Sustainable Packaging products have been well received by converters and brand owners," says Rolf Johannesson, Marketing Director at SCA Forest Products. "We have identified strong demand for a one-side coated paper and we have therefore decided to launch one."
The coating is of the same high quality as the printing paper that SCA produces for magazines and advertising. The paper is based entirely on fresh fibre and is therefore highly suitable for applications within the food sector.
Solo Print complements SPLENDO, OPERIO and PURO, three product lines that have already been launched within Sustainable Packaging. They include both coated and uncoated grades and combine a resource-efficient and light packaging material with excellent printability. They also offer attractive features in terms of product safety and environmental performance, such as low carbon footprint, fresh fibre from sustainably managed forests and environmentally compatible production.
"We have applied our extensive knowledge of both printing on paper and packaging solutions in the development of our new products, to combine printing performance with efficient resource management and low cost. We are also proud of our world-class environmental performance," says Rolf Johannesson, Marketing Director at SCA Forest Products.
SCA Ortviken
in Sundsvall has an annual production capacity of 900,000 tonnes of coated and uncoated paper for printing and packaging and has around 700 employees.
(SCA Graphic Sundsvall AB)
26.11.2014 Great news: one scented coating system for all kinds of offset printing!
Company news
Oil-based scented coatings from
can now be used universally for sheet-fed and web offset applications / No additional drying agent required / Less frequent roller washing than with conventional scented coatings
Scent is one of the most important elements in multi-sensory marketing. Numerous studies have shown that information that smells good can make the advertising message much more effective. The creative possibilities are unlimited: from scented packaging that instantly affects the decision to buy at the point of sale, to scented pages in a magazine which leave you wanting to buy the new fabric softener or shower gel.
The newly developed oil-based Folco Scent scented coatings from Follmann, available as of January 2015, will make it even easier to print scented coatings. The secret: the scented coating can be used universally for both sheet-fed offset printing and web offset printing. When used in sheet-fed offset printing, no additional drying agent is needed. The coating has great machinability, and requires less frequent roller washing, especially with high-volume print runs. This makes the coating particularly efficient. The Folco Scent scented coatings are based on microcapsules specially developed by Follmann. The fragrances to be encapsulated are packed in microscopic balls, hermetically sealed and printed directly onto mailings, flyers, postcards and the pages of magazines in the form of a scented coating. Microencapsulation confers a choice of when and how the scent is to be released: for example, by rubbing the indicated spot to break the microcapsules and release the scent.
"The new Folco Scent scented coatings are the product of more than 20 years of experience in the microencapsulation of scents. We focus on their application in practice: we have made it possible for the first time to use the same scented coating – without modification – for both sheet-fed and web offset printing. This brings about greater flexibility for high-volume scented print jobs. The new generation of Folco Scent scented coatings also helps the printer to make scented printing efficient, as much less frequent washing is required and the coatings have excellent drying properties," explains Falk-Arnold Schlutter, Head of Sales at Follmann. "Of course, a scent true to the original is ensured. When done well, scented advertising at the point of sale, in a magazine or mailing, significantly increases sales figures and, the best thing is, it works instantly!"
Firms that have no experience with scented printing can make use of the services of Follmann's team of experts. The team will train employees on the machine to guarantee the best possible olfactory experience with printed scent.
(Follmann & Co. Gesellschaft für Chemiewerkstoffe und Verfahrenstechnik mbH & Co. KG)
26.11.2014 Smurfit Kappa expands operations with opening of new Bag-in-Box® plant
Company news
Smurfit Kappa celebrated on November 19 the opening of a
new Bag-in-Box® plant in Ibi
, Spain, meeting a growing demand in the Mediterranean region.
The ultra-modern facility, which has seen an investment of €28m by the company, boasts itself as one of the world's leading Bag-in-Box® plants, integrating the production of taps and bags under one roof.
In addition, it offers a showcase of the world's newest and some of the best performing features in Bag-in-Box® production, while meeting the highest standards of hygiene, safety and quality.
The plant's strongly automated production lines and dedicated team produce millions of taps and bags every month in order to meet growing demand in the region.
The needs of Smurfit Kappa's customers have been at the centre of the creation of this new facility, and today's official inauguration will allow those customers to gain a more in-depth understanding of the process, with the chance to discover the company's solutions in a showroom, and to upskill in the training centre.
"The opening of this new plant shows how Smurfit Kappa continuously strives to work with our customers to meet their needs. By investing in such an ultra-modern and high-performing facility, we can ensure a promising future for our customers in this growing market," said Tony Smurfit, Group President and COO. "Congratulations to everyone involved in getting this state-of-the-art facility off the ground."
"This new plant is a big step up for Bag-in-Box® activities both within our company and within the Mediterranean region. It couldn't have come at a better time, when the demand for top-class Bag-in-Box® packaging products from a reliable partner is bigger," said Pascual Martinez, General Manager.
(Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box® Mediterranean Plásticos Vicent)
26.11.2014 Successful opening ceremony for Mondi Syktyvkar pulp dryer
Company news
Mondi Syktyvkar
officially opened its €30 million pulp dryer with an event hosting 150 prominent attendees last week.
The official ceremony was attended by representatives of Komi Republic Government and Mondi leaders. The estimated 150 visitors of the event included customers, partners and contractors who had been involved in the project implementation, as well as members of the project team and journalists from the Russian trade press and local media representatives.
"We are proud of Mondi Syktyvkar's 45 year heritage in the Komi Republic of Russia. Our new pulp dryer project illustrates Mondi's continued commitment to ensuring the success of the mill for years to come," concluded Peter Orisich, CEO of Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper, at yesterday's event.
"Our mill keeps progressing and mastering new business activities, as demonstrated by this most recent investment into the installation of the new pulp dryer. This project also creates employment for about 30 people in the mill," said Klaus Peller, Mondi Syktyvkar Managing Director, at the opening ceremony.
Guests of the event were invited for a mill tour, including an opportunity to visit the wood yard, paper production, and the finishing line. Following the tour, representatives of Mondi's top management and Komi regional government cut a red ribbon in front of the pulp dryer to symbolise the launch of the new machine. All the guests received samples of Mondi Syktyvkar's new 'KOMICELL' product, which is an FSC® certified market pulp that is produced without the use of elemental chlorine (ECF).
(Mondi Syktyvkar OAO)
26.11.2014 Esko Announces Leadership Transition
Company news
Udo Panenka (photo) to succeed Carsten Knudsen as President of
in January 2015
Esko announced that Udo Panenka, Senior Vice President for Global Sales & Marketing will succeed Carsten Knudsen as President on 1 January 2015. Over the near term, Carsten Knudsen will continue to support Esko and Danaher in an advisory role.
"Under Carsten's leadership, Esko has built a loyal and growing customer group, created world class technology, and with a strong team, driven excellent growth and established itself as a leader in its served markets", said Joakim Weidemanis, Vice President and Group Executive for the Product Identification Platform, Danaher Corporation.
Udo Panenka joined Esko from Kollmorgen, another Danaher business, earlier this year, where he was Vice President & General Manager for Industrial Automation in Europe and India. Udo joined Kollmorgen in 2008 and has served in several key leadership roles with increasing responsibility.
"We want to thank Carsten for his leadership and tremendous impact on the success of Esko" said Joakim Weidemanis.
(Esko Belgium)
26.11.2014 Valmet and Nokianvirran Energia sign a letter of intent regarding a boiler plant delivery to Nokia
Company news
and Nokianvirran Energia Oy have signed a letter of intent for a delivery of a biomass-fired boiler plant to a new steam heating station in Nokia, Finland. The new heating station will supply process steam to
SCA Hygiene Products' paper mill
, Nokian Tyres' factory, and district heat to Leppäkosken Sähkö's customers.
Photo: Valmet's boiler solution HYBEX that utilizes fluidized bed technology (BFB)
The investment enables the currently used natural gas to be replaced with more cost efficient biofuels, such as forest residue and wood chips. In addition, it is possible to utilize peat and sludge from the paper mill.
The installation work is scheduled to start in May 2015. The start-up of steam production is scheduled for the spring of 2016. The total value of the investment by Nokianvirran Energia is approximately 45 million euros, out of which the share of Valmet's delivery is slightly more than a half.
The new boiler plant will use local fuels
"With this investment we will be able to reduce the CO2 emissions and to secure competitive energy production for the owners of the company. We trust Valmet's long experience in combustion of demanding biomasses and their ability as a local company to deliver the plant within the very tight schedule," says Leppäkosken Sähkö Oy's Managing Director Juha Koskinen. "This investment will create wellbeing within the entire Pirkanmaa area. Employment created during the building work is estimated at 200-300 man-years. After the plant start-up fuels for the power plant will be acquired in the Pirkanmaa area," Koskinen continues.
"Replacing fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal with domestic biofuels is an essential factor in several ongoing energy production projects in Finland. Fuel flexibility is an essential factor in this type of investment decisions. This concerns also the boiler plant that will be delivered to Nokia. The design also takes into consideration a situation in which the boiler needs to be integrated to a steam turbine in order to enable combined electricity and heat production," says Jari Niemelä, Sales Director, Valmet.
Valmet's delivery includes a HYBEX fluidized bed boiler, the steam value of which is 68 megawatt, flue gas cleaning equipment, electrification and Metso DNA automation system. The boiler plant will be built in an existing boiler building, in which a coal-fired boiler delivered by Tampella and in operation since 1963, will be disassembled.
Valmet's boiler solution
Valmet's boiler solution that utilizes fluidized bed technology (BFB) is called HYBEX. Due to its good fuel flexibility, high combustion efficiency, reliability, operability, and low emissions it is one of the leading boilers in the market. Valmet has delivered more than 200 HYBEX boilers and boiler conversions worldwide.
(Valmet Corporation)
25.11.2014 UPM Kymi celebrated its pulp mill production expansion investment topping out ceremony
Company news
On November 20
UPM Kymi
celebrated the topping out ceremony for its pulp mill production expansion project, KYMI700: the new pulp drying machine, debarking plant and modernisation of the softwood fibre line. A total of around 200 participants are invited in the celebrations including those working on the project and guests.
UPM invests € 160 million into the Kymi pulp mill to strengthen its position in the growing end use sectors of the global pulp market, namely tissue, speciality papers and packaging board. Following this investment, Kymi's annual pulp production capacity will increase by 170,000 tonnes to 700,000 tonnes of bleached northern softwood and birch pulp.
The investment at Kymi mill will comprise a new pulp drying machine, modernisation of the softwood fibre line, a new debarking plant as well as improvements in the energy balance of the Kymi integrate consisting of pulp and paper mills.
Construction progressing well alongside normal production
The construction work that began in June is on schedule. At the moment, around 150 people are working in different project sites. The current and initial jobs are, among others, laying foundations, steel construction installation, painting, tank and pulp tower installations, as well as demolition work at the softwood fibre line. Machine installation will take place in January. The most significant construction contracts have been given to businesses located in the northern part of the Kymenlaakso region.
"The biggest challenge has been the pulp drying machine. The demolition of the old machine hall, including land construction work and implosions, has been successful, while paper production has been ongoing in the same location. We can be especially pleased that we have achieved this with no accidents in any project area that would have resulted in sick leave. We emphasise the importance of safety measures at our sites, and the construction firms take it seriously," says project manager Tero Ojala.
At its largest, the construction team will number 800 people next summer when the new facilities become operational. The project will be completed in the autumn of 2015.
The investment and construction works have a positive effect on the employment and businesses in the region. The increasing use of wood in the mill integrate will bring wood harvest and transportation work for forest industry professionals and earnings for forest owners.
After its completion, UPM Kymi will be one of the most modern pulp mills in Finland, together with the € 360 million pulp mill chemical recovery plant completed in 2008.
(UPM Group - Paper Industry)
25.11.2014 Heidelberg systematically gears portfolio toward profitability and growth
Company news
Clearly positive EBITDA for first half of financial year 2014/2015
-Restructuring of Group continued for sustained profitable growth:
- Postpress business realigned
- Leaner, more flexible production structures in sheetfed offset equipment sector
- Targeted takeovers to invest in growth areas of consumables and digital
-Half-year EBITDA, including income from Gallus transaction, climbs to € 53 million – decline in sales in line with expectations
-Outlook: Restructuring of portfolio emphasizes target EBITDA margin of at least 8 percent in financial year 2015/2016
As announced at the Annual Press Conference in June,
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg)
is systematically gearing its portfolio toward profitability and growth. The company has completed the realignment of its postpress business as planned and on schedule. At the end of October, Heidelberg signed a cooperation agreement with Masterwork Machinery Co., Ltd in China covering postpress packaging equipment. Under this agreement, the Chinese company Masterwork will develop and manufacture future products and solutions for this market segment; marketing and service outside China and Japan will remain in the hands of Heidelberg. The two companies have also agreed to consider joint production of components in China. Negotiations with employee representatives regarding a reduction in the workforce at the Ludwigsburg site have been completed and agreement has been reached on the closure of the Leipzig site. The aim is to place postpress on a profitable footing by focusing on competitive products and to improve the result by approximately € 30 million from the next financial year onward by adapting the business model.
(Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG)
25.11.2014 Social Plan at Scheufelen Paper Mill Signed Nov 20, 2014
Company news
Scheufelen Paper Company's
CEO Peter Bright and the Labour Council's Leader of Papierfabrik Scheufelen GmbH & Co. KG, Mehmet Simsek, as well as Ralf Gökeler from Lenninger Instandhaltungsgesellschaft mbH Worker Council's have reported after intense and constructive negotiations that we have jointly signed a social plan for the paper company situated in Lenningen, Germany.
A comprehensive Transfer Company has been established for the employees who will leave the company.
Scheufelen is part of the Paper Excellence Group which is headquartered in the Netherlands. Last year Scheufelen had a turnover of EUR 195 Millions with a production of 277,000 tons.
Scheufelen has focused on coated woodfree papers (CWF) with the two grades premium coated and standard coated.
Mainly in standard coated there is a decrease of volume by the digital media and this has placed strong price pressure on this segment.
As a direct result, one of the two paper machines will be idled to decrease the production of standard coated paper. The capacity will be reduced from 300,000 annual tons to 140,000 tons.
In future Scheufelen will focus more on premium papers, like phoenixmotion and heaven 42. In addition Scheufelen has recently introduced a 1/side coated SBS/GZ board for Luxury Packaging. The new high quality board is branded under the name phoenolux. Furthermore the mill is currently working to develop other new and innovative products, e.g. for digital print.
The standard coated range will be sold mainly in defined core markets. With this realignment Scheufelen expects a good future.
(Papierfabrik Scheufelen GmbH + Co. KG)
Buyers' Guide of Producers' and Converters' Products:
Base papers and boards
Board for packaging use
Board, misc.
Boxes, packages, etc.
Corrugated boards
Household and sanitary paper goods
Household and sanitary papers for converting
Office and exercise goods, general stationery
Other converted paper and board products
Paper and board for technical use
Paper rolls all kinds
Papers all kinds
Papers and boards; coated, laminated, impregnated
Papers for packaging use
Printing, fine and writing board
Printing, fine and writing papers
Pulps and mechanical groundwood pulps
Sacks, bags, carrier bags
Buyers' Guide of Merchants:
Base papers and boards
Board for packaging use
Board, misc.
Boxes, packages, etc.
Corrugated boards
Household and sanitary paper goods
Household and sanitary papers for converting
Office and exercise goods, general stationery
Other converted paper and board products
Paper and board for technical use
Paper rolls all kinds
Papers all kinds
Papers and boards; coated, laminated, impregnated
Papers for packaging use
Printing, fine and writing board
Printing, fine and writing papers
Pulps and mechanical groundwood pulps
Sacks, bags, carrier bags
Buyers' Guide of Suppliers' Products:
Assembly and handling equipment
Associations and institutions
Chemicals and raw materials
Cleaning plants, filtres and filtrations systems
Drives, gears and motors
Energy production, energy management
Machine knives and accessories
Machines and plants for the wood and pulp industry
Machines and plants, misc. and printing machines
Paper and board converting machines
Paper and board machines and plants
Paper machine felts and wires, woven wires, screens
Planning, development and organisation, trade services
Plants for preparation, dissolving, combusting, recovery
Pumps all kinds
Rollers and cylinders
Test, measuring and control equipments
Trade journals, magazines
Ventilation systems; Drying plants
Publishing house products
Publishing house
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