Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, will increase prices by up to 15 percent on all wet strength resins globally, effective immediately.

The price increase is necessary due to the significant increase in key raw material costs combined with a tightening of available supply.

About Solenis

Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for water intensive industries, including the pulp, paper, oil and gas, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power and municipal markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of process, functional and water treatment chemistries as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets and minimize environmental impact. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 34 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of approximately 3,700 professionals in 118 countries across five continents. For additional information about Solenis, please visit www.solenis.com

British master papermaker James Cropper is showcasing a selection of its most sustainable packaging solutions in the latest exhibition at London’s Museum of Brands. The new display – Packaging Innovation Series: Sustainable Packaging – is based at the museum in Notting Hill and opens in partnership with ThePackHub on Thursday 22 February 2018.

Exploring the latest innovations in sustainable packaging, the exhibition presents the ideal opportunity for James Cropper to demonstrate its credentials in an area that has become a major challenge for brands and consumers alike.

Based in the English Lake District, James Cropper is renowned for providing custom-made, prestige papers and packaging for brands from a variety of sectors. On display at the museum are solutions developed for Selfridges, Lush, Floral Street and GF Smith – all created with sustainability at their core.

Both Selfridges and GF Smith have benefitted from James Cropper’s CupCycling™ technology – the world’s first recycling process dedicated to upcycling take-away cups and turning them into beautiful papers.

In a unique, closed-loop solution, Selfridges is recycling cups from its food hall and offices, with the resulting paper being used to create its iconic yellow shopping bags. Meanwhile, GF Smith has worked with James Cropper to create Extract, a range of papers available in 10 colours, with a minimum of five 8oz cups per sheet of 380gsm board.

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics worked with James Cropper 3D Products as part of the brand’s commitment to finding ethically sourced packaging that can either be reused, recycled or composted. Using COLOURFORM™, plastic-free packaging, the companies collaborated to create a bespoke piece of packaging for Lush’s solid bath oils. The end result is a unique product made from 100 per cent recycled coffee cup fibre.

New fine fragrance brand Floral Street has also used COLOURFORM™ to develop a striking and sustainable packaging solution in a sector notorious for plastic overuse. Bucking the trend of the typical lavish over-packaging used by existing brands, Floral Street opted instead for environmentally friendly elegance with a box made entirely from 100 per cent renewable natural wood fibres from well managed forests. This is a complete packaging solution made from one material which makes recycling very easy.

All of James Cropper’s products on display at the Museum of Brands are fully recyclable with household paper and naturally biodegradable, leaving no trace even if they do end up in landfill.

Matthew Miller, business director at James Cropper 3D Products, said: “Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact that certain materials and manufacturing methods are having on the environment. As a result, brands from all industries are looking for sustainable ways to package their products that don’t compromise on design or quality.

“This display shines a spotlight on the fantastic work brands are doing to limit their burden on the environment and we’re honoured to be a part of it.”

For more information about James Cropper’s innovation in the world of sustainable packaging, visit www.cupcycling.co.uk and www.colourformpackaging.com

About James Cropper

James Cropper is a prestige paper innovator based in the English Lake District, supplying distinct, custom-made paper products to many of the world’s leading luxury brands, art galleries and designers. Celebrating 170 years of high quality paper production in 2015, the business has been carefully stewarded and nurtured by six generations of the Cropper family and is renowned globally for individual expertise in colour, dedicated responses to the most challenging custom projects and award-winning commitment to the highest standards of sustainability.

A network of global sales and production facilities from Europe to the Far East provides local customer service to international clients, while its historic base in the village of Burneside retains nearly two centuries worth of papermaking expertise.

James Cropper is a member of the Paper Cup Recovery & Recycling Group (PCRRG), a cross-industry group that exists to develop collection and recycling opportunities for paper cups and identify and support solutions that sustainably transform used paper cups into a valuable resource. For more information, visit www.pcrrg.uk

About James Cropper 3D Products

• James Cropper 3D Products (JC3DP), a subsidiary of James Cropper PLC, is the innovator behind COLOURFORM™, the next generation of sustainable moulded fibre packaging
• COLOURFORM™ is made using 100 per cent renewable wood fibre from well managed forests, or alternatively from high quality recycled fibre from James Cropper’s own recycling plant. Both options are fully recyclable with household paper and are naturally biodegradable.
• It can be manufactured in any colour or shape, with guaranteed consistency and a quality, tactile finish
• COLOURFORM™ is helping global brands to enhance brand identity, product value and packaging integrity, while reducing environmental impact.

More information on www.colourformpackaging.com

The launch of LineoTM by Stora Enso is another important step on the way to replacing fossil-based materials with renewable solutions. Lineo is available to companies seeking more sustainable, bio-based alternatives.

Lignin is one of the main building blocks of a tree and makes up 20-30% of the composition of wood. Yet it has traditionally been discarded by the pulp and paper industries. However, Stora Enso has recognised the potential of this versatile raw material, which can be used in a range of applications where fossil-based materials are currently used.

Lignin is a renewable replacement for oil-based phenolic materials which are used in resins for plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), paper lamination and insulation material.

Markus Mannström, Executive Vice President of the Stora Enso Biomaterials division, says, “Having increased our lignin focus in recent years, we’re delighted to launch Lineo. Lignin is a non-toxic raw material with traceable origin and stable cost structure, and bio-based Lineo is ideal for companies looking for alternatives to oil-based products. We believe that everything made from fossil-based materials today, can be made from a tree tomorrow.”

Stora Enso has been producing lignin at industrial scale since 2015 at its Sunila pulp mill in Finland. The mill’s capacity is 50 000 tonnes of lignin per year, making Stora Enso the largest kraft lignin producer in the world. Stora Enso is already selling Lineo to replace phenol, and the company is also looking at many other applications for this very versatile material.

A stable, free-flowing brown powder, Stora Enso’s lignin is separated during the kraft pulping process of Nordic softwood. Lineo has a high dry content, superior dispersibility and long storage time. With a higher reactivity and purity, Lineo is consistent from batch to batch and Stora Enso can supply different levels of dryness, according to customer demand.

Biomaterials division offers a variety of pulp grades to meet the demands of paper, board, tissue, textile and hygiene product producers. We also develop new ways to maximise the value extractable from wood, as well as other kinds of lignocellulosic biomasses. Sugars and lignin hold potential for use in applications in the specialty chemical, construction, personal care and food industries. We have a global presence with operations in Brazil, Finland, Sweden, Uruguay and the USA.

Part of the bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper globally. We believe that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. Stora Enso has some 26 000 employees in over 30 countries. Our sales in 2017 were EUR 10 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). www.storaenso.com 

Kemira, a global chemicals company serving customers in water intensive industries, announces price increases for all polymer products in the EMEA region.

The price increase of +8-10% for all applications, which will become effective on 1^st March 2018 or as contracts allow, is necessary due to a continuing increase in key raw materials and freight cost across Europe.

These significant cost increases need to be compensated for Kemira to be able to continue supplying our customers with quality products and investing into future growth.

Harri Eronen

Senior Vice President, Commercial, Pulp & Paper EMEA

tel. +49 17 1802 8790

harri.eronen (a) kemira.com

Kemira is a global chemicals company serving customers in water intensive industries. We provide expertise, application know-how and chemicals that improve our customers' product quality, process and resource efficiency. Our focus is on pulp & paper, oil & gas and water treatment. In 2017, Kemira had annual revenue of around EUR 2.5 billion and 4,732 employees. Kemira shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
www.kemira.com

Valmet will supply a wet end rebuild with installation for Sappi Gratkorn Mill in Austria. The goal of the rebuild is to improve paper machine (PM 9) efficiency, reliability and energy efficiency. The start-up of the rebuilt machine is scheduled for 2019.

The order is included in Valmet's first quarter of 2018 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The value of an order of this type is typically around EUR 10-20 million.

"Sappi has been relying firmly on Valmet in the past years. In addition to this new rebuild for Sappi Gratkorn, six other major ongoing or already started-up projects for Sappi are Valmet-supplied, the latest ones for Sappi Lanaken (start-up in 2019), Sappi Maastricht (2018), Sappi Sommerset (USA) (2018), Sappi Kirkniemi (start-up 2017) and Sappi Gratkorn PM 11 (2014). Our good OptiPress pressing technology references combined with the outcome of higher solids and better quality were success factors in this case, too," says Senior Paper Technology Manager Riikka Antikainen from Valmet.

Signing the contract. From left Max Oberhumer (Sappi), Marko Oinonen (Valmet) and Harri A. Heikkilä (Valmet).

Technical details about the delivery

Valmet's delivery includes number of modifications to the paper machine wet end. The press section will be rebuilt into an OptiPress Center with modern shoe press technology and the best runnability components available in the market. OptiPress Center provides higher solids and better runnability, thus, lowers energy consumption and improves efficiency. The off-machine coater will be equipped with Valmet Water Jet Turn-up Device for fast parent roll changes. All the equipment will be delivered with installation.

PM 9 produces coated fine paper grades in the design basis weight of 66 g/m². The mill has a total capacity of 980,000 tonnes/year.

Information about the Sappi Gratkorn Mill

Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, Sappi Europe is the leading European producer and supplier of coated fine paper, packaging and specialty papers. In Europe, the company has seven mills, 14 sales offices and 5,100 employees. Located in in Gratkorn, Austria, Sappi Gratkorn Mill is part of Sappi Europe. The mill produces 980,000 tonnes of high-quality double and triple coated papers annually which are used for premium quality publications all over the world. The mill produces 250,000 tonnes totally chlorine free (TCF) chemical pulp for own consumption and it has an annual sheet finishing capacity of 875,000 tonnes. About 95% of the mill's production is exported. Gratkorn Mill has around 1,240 employees.

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers.

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.

Valmet's net sales in 2017 were approximately EUR 3.2 billion. Our more than 12,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

International technology Group ANDRITZ has successfully started up the PrimeLineST W22 tissue machine with steel Yankee dryer and steam-heated hood delivered to Carta Fabril, for its mill in Anápolis, Brazil. Due to the outstanding and short commissioning period, paper production on the new tissue machine started well ahead of schedule.

The world’s largest steel Yankee for the Carta Fabril mill in Anápolis, Brazil, delivered by ANDRITZ. “Photo: ANDRITZ”.

The PrimeDry Steel Yankee delivered by ANDRITZ has a diameter of 22 ft. and thus is the largest in the world for tissue applications. The combination with the steam-heated hood enables highly efficient drying with substantial energy savings compared with conventional drying sections with cast Yankee dryers and gas-heated-hoods. The steam-heated hood is equipped with an innovative, automatic cleaning system to ensure easy maintenance and safe operations.

The ANDRITZ PrimeLineST W22 has a design speed of 2,100 m/min and a width of 5.55 m. It will produce tissue with grammage of 15 g/m² that is used for two-ply toilet paper.The scope of supply also included the complete stock preparation plant and approach flow system, which processes 100% short fiber (eucalyptus) as raw material. The centerpiece of the line is the ANDRITZ Papillon refiner, which treats fibers gently in the cylindrical refining zone in order to achieve superior fiber properties at low energy consumption.

“The early start-up was only possible because of our cooperation with ANDRITZ. We are now proud to have the world’s largest steel Yankee, which is predicted to enable efficient drying with substantial energy savings. Our target is “green production” by minimizing energy consumption, liquid and solid waste, effluents, and CO₂ emissions. The new tissue machine will use 100% renewable energy generated from biomass and converted into steam. The project presents a very good example of environmental, economic, and social sustainability,” says Victor Coutinho, CEO, Carta Fabril.

Start-up of the PrimeLineST W22 tissue machine on December 31, 2017. “Photo: ANDRITZ”.

The successful start-up of the world’s first tissue machine with a 22 ft. steel Yankee confirms ANDRITZ’s strong position as one of the global market leaders for supply of complete tissue production lines, key components, and services.

Carta Fabril ranks among the key players in the Brazilian tissue business, covering the complete product range for tissue.

ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper is a leading global supplier of complete plants, systems, equipment, and comprehensive services for the production and processing of all types of pulp, paper, tissue, and cardboard. The technologies cover the processing of logs, annual fibers, and waste paper; the production of chemical pulp, mechanical pulp, and recycled fibers; the recovery and reuse of chemicals; the preparation of paper machine furnish; the production of paper, tissue, and cardboard; the calendering and coating of paper; as well as the treatment of reject materials and sludge. The service offering includes system and machine modernization, rebuilds, spare and wear parts, on-site and workshop services, optimization of process performance, maintenance and automation solutions, as well as machine relocation and second-hand equipment. Biomass, steam, and recovery boilers, as well as gasification plants for power generation, flue gas cleaning plants, plants for the production of nonwovens, dissolving pulp, and panelboard (MDF), as well as recycling plants are also part of this business area.

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Metsä Tissue to modernize and upgrade the existing DIP line at the Metsä Tissue mill in Mänttä, Finland.

The new DIP line is to supply the furnish for all three tissue machines at the Mänttä mill and will process medium- to high-quality recycled paper grades to be used as raw material for production of various tissue products.

ANDRITZ SelectaFlot flotation unit. “Photo: ANDRITZ”

ANDRITZ will upgrade the pulping process with a new detrashing system – comprising a FibreGuard Detrasher, a FibreWash Drum, and a Detrashing Pump – to increase pulp quality through early removal of non-disintegrated reject materials.

In the three-stage coarse screening process, three new screens – type ModuScreen F and TC – with the latest slotted screen baskets and an AhlCleaner RB will be installed to ensure efficient removal of coarse contaminants at minimum fiber loss.

An ANDRITZ SpeedWasher will separate inorganic material, such as filler and coating pigments, from the fiber suspension to enable low ash content at the end of the line. An ANDRITZ Pulp Screw Press further dewaters pulp that is suitable for subsequent dispersing.

In order to meet the high quality requirements of certain tissue products, Metsä Tissue opted for installation of an ANDRITZ SelectaFlot flotation unit to improve brightness and remove ink particles at low fiber loss and energy consumption.

Basic engineering, dismantling of the existing equipment, erection, commissioning, start-up, and training will likewise be supplied by ANDRITZ to minimize the shutdown period.

Metsä Tissue is part of the Metsä Group, one of the largest forest industry groups in the world. The Mänttä mill has approximately 400 employees and produces toilet tissue, household towels, paper tissues, industrial tissue rolls, and greaseproof paper for baking and cooking. Mänttä was the first mill in Finland to use recycled fibre in tissue paper.

ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper is a leading global supplier of complete plants, systems, equipment, and comprehensive services for the production and processing of all types of pulp, paper, tissue, and cardboard. The technologies cover the processing of logs, annual fibers, and waste paper; the production of chemical pulp, mechanical pulp, and recycled fibers; the recovery and reuse of chemicals; the preparation of paper machine furnish; the production of paper, tissue, and cardboard; the calendering and coating of paper; as well as the treatment of reject materials and sludge. The service offering includes system and machine modernization, rebuilds, spare and wear parts, on-site and workshop services, optimization of process performance, maintenance and automation solutions, as well as machine relocation and second-hand equipment. Biomass, steam, and recovery boilers, as well as gasification plants for power generation, flue gas cleaning plants, plants for the production of nonwovens, dissolving pulp, and panelboard (MDF), as well as recycling plants are also part of this business area.

Pratt Industries has been America’s leading recycled paper and packaging company for over 25 years – dedicated to the sustainability of our planet, our customers and our people, and is recognized around the world for its environmental stewardship. This cornerstone of sustainability on which Pratt Industries, USA is based began with our Australian sister company Visy. From its inception, Visy steadily built its customer base by establishing a reputation for strong customer service, competitive prices and innovation. These were the key pillars that guaranteed a sustainable foundation from which the Visy business could expand.

In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Visy opened its first paper recycling mills. It was an investment that not only recognized the need to use resources more sustainably, but also put Visy at the forefront of the recycling movement.

In the 1990’s, Visy began acquiring box plants and building a paper recycling mill in the United States. This led to Pratt Industries USA and a paper recycling contract with the City of New York in 1995, making them responsible for recycling 150,000 tonnes of the city’s waste paper every year. Our focus is on reclaiming fiber through recycling OCC (Old Corrugated Containers) and Mixed Paper and converting that discarded fiber into 100 percent recycled packaging, thereby reducing our impact and our customer’s impact on the environment. Landfill avoidance and minimizing the amount of useable fiber that goes to the landfill is essential for environmental stewardship – whether that is reusing discarded paper or gasifying materials that are otherwise destined for the landfill in our clean energy plant.

Pratt Industries, which was born into a family heritage of sustainability and sustainable packaging, remains at the forefront of these sustainability efforts to this day due to a long record of engineering the best containerboard machines to meet the precise packaging needs for a wide range of markets. Our corrugated packaging is proudly made from post-consumer recycled fiber and most lines are completely recyclable. We use the most modern technology to manufacture advanced containerboard grade structures which had often been previously unavailable, using less material to create packaging that is equal or better than anything in the marketplace. Our commitment to lightweight packaging is resonating as an expanding customer base seeks to optimize its packaging needs. We continually strive to reduce paper weights to eliminate costly over-packaging as well as reduce the environmental impact.

As the 5th Largest Corrugated Packaging Company in the USA and the world’s largest, privately-held 100% recycled paper and packaging company, our series of corrugating facilities strategically placed throughout the United States and Mexico continue to fulfill Pratt’s mission to be the best vertically-integrated paper, packaging and resource recovery company in the western hemisphere.

Valmet will replace the first-ever Damatic Classic automation system delivered with a Valmet DNA automation system at Pankaboard's board mill in Lieksa, Eastern Finland. The system has been operating since 1979. Additionally, Valmet will also upgrade the mill's existing Valmet Damatic XD automation system to Valmet DNA. The new system will increase process availability and improve its performance. 

The order was included in Valmet's fourth quarter 2017 orders received. The project will be executed in several stages and completed by mid-2019.

"At Pankaboard, we regard this project as an all-important business development project, and one that an advanced automation system supports well. The new system will enable us to develop our customer need-based and flexible operating model more cost efficiently," says Lauri Junnila, Managing Director, Pankaboard Oyj.

"New information management tools will provide the mill with a whole new dimension to process operations, giving operators access to the trend and event history straight from the operator interface. Together with functional descriptions linked to the controls, this will enable faster troubleshooting," says Juha Mykkänen, Sales Manager, Automation, Valmet.

Information about Valmet's delivery

The new Valmet DNA automation system will replace the current control systems in the stock preparation, on board machines BM2 and BM3, and in the integrated biofuel plant. Pankaboard currently has three generations of Valmet-supplied automation systems: Damatic Classic, Damatic XD and Valmet DNA.

In addition to the automation replacement, Valmet will upgrade the biofuel plant control room. Startup, commissioning, training and spare parts are included in the delivery scope.

Information about Pankaboard

Pankaboard produces high-quality specialty cartonboards for food, luxury beverage, pharmaceutical, food service, graphics and display, as well as laminate industries. The mill is specialized in high-thickness folding boxboards and uncoated cartonboards produced with two distinctly different board machines, BM2 and BM3. Through its own sales offices and sales agent network, Pankaboard has more than 500 customers in 65 countries. The company employs 160 people.

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers.

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.

Valmet's net sales in 2017 were approximately EUR 3.2 billion. Our more than 12,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

Read more www.valmet.com

Metsä Board, a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboard, have just announced that its North American customers can now use Metsä Board’s products with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) on-product label that recognises global PEFC™ certifications. Metsä Board is the first European paperboard manufacturer to be approved to use this opportunity. A new rule under the SFI allows PEFC™ chain of custody manufacturers, with PEFC™ certified content from countries outside of the United States and Canada, to be able to use an SFI ‘global’ on-product label. SFI® is an independent North American forest certification programme endorsed by PEFC™.

The whole Metsä Group, including Metsä Board, supports forest certification schemes and encourages their adoption worldwide. Nina Happonen, VP Sales Americas, says: “The wood we procure always comes from certified or controlled forests, which means that we ensure its legality as well as the responsibility and sustainability of the whole supply chain. Of the wood we use, 80% is certified forest content according to the world's leading forest certification systems: PEFC™ or FSC®. We are happy now to be able to offer, in addition, the use of SFI on-product label to our customers in North America.”

For further information:
Anne Uusitalo, Product Safety & Sustainability Director, Metsä Board
Mobile: +358 (0)50 313 0420
E-mail: anne.uusitalo[at]metsagroup.com

Metsä Board
www.metsaboard.com

Metsä Board is a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards including folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners. Our lightweight paperboards are developed to provide better, safer and more sustainable solutions for consumer goods as well as retail-ready and food service applications. We work together with our customers on a global scale to innovate solutions for better consumer experiences with less environmental impact. The pure fresh fibres Metsä Board uses are a renewable resource, traceable to origin in sustainably managed northern forests.

The global sales network of Metsä Board supports customers worldwide, including brand owners, retailers, converters and merchants. In 2016, the company’s sales totalled EUR 1.7 billion, and it has approximately 2,500 employees. Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

Metsä Group
www.metsagroup.com

Metsä Group is a forerunner in bioeconomy utilising renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. Metsä Group focuses on wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards and tissue and cooking papers.

Metsä Group’s sales totalled EUR 4.7 billion in 2016, and it employs approximately 9,300 people. The Group operates in some 30 countries. Metsäliitto Cooperative is the parent company of Metsä Group and owned by approximately 104,000 Finnish forest owners.