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FM Global to be Featured in Multiple Segments on The Weather Channel
Following the costliest year in history for world natural disasters, including more than a dozen billion-dollar weather-related events in the United States alone, The Weather Channel will feature FM Global, one of the world’s largest business property insurers, in five monthly broadcast segments, plus online-only exclusives, geared toward helping viewers better prepare for when Mother Nature strikes.
The first segment, which focuses on protecting property from earthquakes, airs this week on the cable television network. It showcases FM Global’s Natural Hazards Laboratory, which is capable, among other things, of replicating the intensity of the largest earthquakes. The laboratory is located at the company’s US$125 million Research Campus in West Glocester, Rhode Island, USA.
In the coming months, The Weather Channel will examine how FM Global re-creates other extreme forces of nature and uses scientific research and product testing to help property owners protect against disasters.
For the latest updates on when segments will air and be posted online, follow FM Global on Twitter.
Founded in 1835, FM Global (www.fmglobal.com) helps more than one of every three FORTUNE 1000 companies and similar-size organizations worldwide, develop cost-effective property insurance and engineering solutions to protect their business operations from fire, natural disasters and other types of property risk.
Buckeye Technologies Florida Facility Resuming Operation Following Power Failure
Buckeye Technologies Inc. has announced that its Foley Plant in Perry, Florida, which manufactures specialty wood cellulose and fluff pulp, is returning to normal operation following a power failure and electrical surge that occurred last Friday, February 17. The power failure was triggered by a malfunction in a high voltage electrical line and subsequent transformer failure in its power house. This resulted in the unplanned, complete shutdown of the facility. Power has been fully restored to the facility, and one of the plant’s two production lines resumed operation at normal rates on Sunday. Company officials are targeting for the second line to resume normal operation on Wednesday, February 22.
Buckeye Chairman and CEO John B. Crowe said, "While this is an unfortunate event, I appreciate the efforts of our employees and contractors with a rapid and around the clock effort to return the plant to normal operations. Resources have performed in a safe manner to identify the damaged equipment and make the necessary repairs. We are working with all of our customers and anticipate no major customer issues from this event. The Foley Plant remains in a sold out position and we believe current inventory levels are adequate to cover the production losses for the near term. Our highest priority is to safely return the plant to full operation.”
The Company indicated that it presently is unable to fully quantify the financial impact of the event. However, depending on the timing of returning to full production, the Company estimates that the financial impact of the outage, excluding the effect of any insurance proceeds, could be in the range of a $5 to $6 million reduction in pretax operating income, most of which would impact the quarter ending March 31. The Company reported that it has property loss and business interruption insurance with a single $2 million deductible and believes based on discussions with its insurance broker that this event is a covered loss.
Buckeye, a leading manufacturer and marketer of specialty fibers and nonwoven materials, is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The Company currently operates facilities in the United States, Germany, and Canada. Its products are sold worldwide to makers of consumer and industrial goods.
Source: Buckeye Technologies Inc.
Emerson introduces two-wire liquid transmitters
The Rosemount® Analytical 1066 Series offers cost-effective measurement solutions for a wide range of industry applications
Emerson Process Management announces a new family of two-wire liquid instruments featuring the broadest range of measurement parameters available, advanced communications capabilities and unique ease-of-use features. The Rosemount® Analytical 1066 transmitters are suitable for many industrial applications including those with exacting performance requirements such as pharmaceutical and food and beverage, and in harsh environments such as chemical plants, metals processing, and effluent monitoring. The 1066 Series has the latest version of HART® 7, and they are the industry’s first pH transmitters to be registered under the Interoperability Test Kit 6 (ITK6) from FOUNDATION fieldbus.
The Rosemount Analytical 1066 family of transmitters can measure pH, ORP, resistivity/conductivity, per-cent concentration, total dissolved solids, total chlorine, free chlorine, monochloramine, dissolved oxygen and dissolved ozone. A second sensor input allows continuous pH correction for free chlorine measurement.
According to Dave Anderson, Marketing Director, Emerson Process Management, Rosemount Analytical, "The 1066 transmitters are feature-rich and cost-effective, and include many capabilities that we have implemented into our high-end instruments such as SMART pH sensor capability, which eliminates the need for field calibration. The instruments’ SMART capabilities also enable them to accept pre-calibrated Rosemount Analytical SMART pH sensors, saving time and money for field technicians."
The 1066 FOUNDATION fieldbus transmitter can use analogue output function blocks to link to temperature and pressure measurements from the bus for temperature and pressure compensation, which can increase the accuracy and responsiveness of the measurement. The 1066 also has a full complement of analogue control and math function blocks for use by the 1066 or other devices on the bus to facilitate control in the field. ITK 6 compliance also brings with it new features including field diagnostics, which provide user configurable alerts and common software downloads, which makes transmitter software upgrades possible without taking the transmitter out of service.
The HART version of the 1066 is switchable between HART 5 and 7, allowing the 1066 to be used with HART 7 capable hosts, as well as legacy hosts. The added features of HART 7 include publishing status and a time stamp with live measurements, and long tag names (32 characters) which makes it possible to describe the location and application of a transmitter more completely.
Housed in a 1/2 DIN enclosure, the 1066 Series features a large display with exceptional ease of use and an intuitive menu system. A diagnostic key allows for immediate troubleshooting. A few keystrokes on simple menu screens guide the operator through any function quickly and easily.
Anderson stated, "Users will recognise the simple, big-screen display from our most popular four-wire transmitter, the 1056. The new 1066 Series is compatible with the same key measurements as our four-wire units, so customers can stock the same sensor for both two-wire and four-wire installations. And it is extremely easy to wire and install, which is a huge benefit in difficult field environments."
The 1066 HART configuration is fully compatible with the Smart Wireless THUM™ adapter for immediate commissioning to Emerson wireless networks. For the highest performance, the 1066 uses patented low frequency noise reduction and includes cable capacitance and series resistance compensation for improved accuracy and reliability. The straightforward architecture, fully integrated electronics and automatic self-test, further assure the reliability that a workhorse analyser requires.
For more information on the Rosemount Analytical 1066 series, go to www.RosemountAnalytical.com
Resolute Forest Products to Present at the Credit Suisse
Richard Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer of AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products, will speak at the 2012 Credit Suisse Global Paper and Packaging Conference in New York City on Thursday, February 23, at 9:35 a.m. ET.
A copy of the presentation and a link to a live audio webcast will be available on the Company's website shortly before the presentation under "Presentations and Webcasts" at www.resolutefp.com/investors. A replay of the presentation will be available for six months.
About Resolute Forest Products
Resolute is a global leader in the forest products industry with a diverse range of products, including newsprint, commercial printing papers, market pulp and wood products. Resolute owns or operates 18 pulp and paper mills and 23 wood product facilities in the United States, Canada and South Korea. Marketing its products in close to 90 countries, Resolute has third-party certified 100% of its managed woodlands to sustainable forest management standards. The shares of Resolute trade under the stock symbol ABH on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Resolute and other member companies of the Forest Products Association of Canada, as well as a number of environmental organizations, are partners in the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement. The group works to identify solutions to conservation issues that meet the goal of balancing equally the three pillars of sustainability linked to human activities: economic, social and environmental. Resolute is also a member of the World Wildlife Fund's Climate Savers program, in which businesses establish ambitious targets to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions and work aggressively toward achieving them.
Wood fiber costs for pulp manufacturers declined in the 4Q/11 as pulp prices fell
Wood fiber costs for pulp manufacturers declined in the 4Q/11 as pulp prices fell – with Global Wood Fiber Price Indices dropping 3.5%, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly
Global demand for pulp has declined and pulp prices fell during the second half of 2011. As a consequence, prices for wood fiber, the highest cost component when producing pulp, were down throughout the world, as reported by the Wood Resource Quarterly. The Global Wood Fiber Indices for softwood and hardwood fiber declined 3.5% from the 3Q/11.
Global pulp prices fell by about 20 percent from July to December last year. Weakening demand for pulp and lower product prices squeezed pulp company profit margins, so many companies tried to reduce their costs for wood fiber, which represents the largest cost component when manufacturing pulp.
There has been a long-term trend in the pulp industry of wood costs increasing as a percentage of the total production costs. In the 3Q/2011, this share had reached 63.5 percent on a worldwide basis, up from only 53 percent in 2005, according to Fisher International. However, this share can vary substantially, from a current low of 52 percent in Eastern Canada to as high as 73 percent in China. For this reason, tracking wood fiber prices over time has become more important when comparing competitiveness of different regions worldwide.
In the 4Q/11, the US dollar continued to strengthen against the local currencies of all of the countries covered by the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ) except Japan. This development, together with the downward price pressure on pulplog and wood chips in local currencies in practically all of the 18 regions in the world covered by the WRQ resulted in a decline of both global wood fiber indices. The Softwood Wood Fiber Price Index fell for the second straight quarter to US$105.30 per oven-dry tons (odmt) in the 4Q/11. This was down 3.3 percent from the previous quarter, but 1.6 percent higher than 4Q/10. The biggest price declines took place in Western Canada, Brazil, Spain, Germany and Finland.
The Hardwood Wood Fiber Price Index fell by 3.6 percent from the 3Q/11 to US$113.69/odmt. Despite this drop, this was still 5.0 percent higher than during the 4Q/10 and the third highest level ever recorded. The biggest 3rd and 4th quarter price reductions occurred in Spain, Finland, Brazil and Chile.
Wood fiber costs are likely to continue downward in a number of markets in 1Q/2012, particularly in the Nordic countries, Western Canada and the US as pulp prices continue to be substantially below the record-high levels from last summer.
Stora Enso’s Annual Report 2011 published
Stora Enso’s Annual Report 2011 is published today as PDF documents. Stora Enso’s Annual Report is comprised of four separate publications: Stora Enso Rethink 2011, Financial Report 2011, Corporate Governance Report 2011 and Global Responsibility Report 2011.
Stora Enso Rethink 2011 is available in English, Finnish and Swedish. Financial Report 2011, Corporate Governance Report 2011 and Global Responsibility Report 2011 are available in English.
Printed publications will be published during the week commencing Monday 5 March 2012. Stora Enso Rethink 2011, including Stora Enso Facts & Figures 2011 insert, will be distributed to shareholders registered with Euroclear Finland and Euroclear Sweden who have requested a copy. Printed copies of Stora Enso Rethink 2011, Financial Report 2011 and Global Responsibility Report 2011 can be ordered at www.storaenso.com/order or by sending an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Corporate Governance Report 2011 will be available only as a PDF.
Stora Enso has today also published the following separate PDF documents:
- The official Financial Statements in Finnish
- English translation of the Parent Company Financial Statements for 2011
- Finnish translation of the Corporate Governance Report 2011
- Global Responsibility Stakeholder Magazine in English
All of these publications and documents can be downloaded at the Group's website at www.storaenso.com/annualreport.
Ahlstrom the first metalized poster paper for billboards at Fespa Digital 2012
Ahlstrom, a global high performance materials company, announced today it will launch a new metalized poster paper for outdoor billboards at Fespa Digital 2012, the largest European event for digital wide format print industry, held in Barcelona on February 21-24.
Advertising today requires companies and brand owners to continuously develop innovative marketing activities for maximum impact. Out-of-home advertising is no exception.
To help companies making their brands stand out boldly from the crowd, Ahlstrom has developed Ahlstrom ChantafficheTM Metalized, the first metalized poster paper for outdoor billboard. This new one-side coated paper provides a premium metallic effect to posters for enhanced brand image. It is a supreme medium for advertising high-end cars, watches, perfumes, beers or fashion lines.
To develop the new paper, Ahlstrom combined two unique areas of competence: expertise in base paper for metalization and know-how in blueback poster paper for optimal visual impact, easy posting and lasting stand-out.
"As a leading producer of base paper for metalization, which we traditionally produce for labeling and packaging end-use, we cooperate with the biggest key players of the metalizing industry for product development. At Ahlstrom we've been using progressive technology for over 50 years to advance the standards of the poster paper industry. This newly developed metalized poster paper demonstrates our readiness to continue providing with new solutions to the market. We believe that this development will bring a new impulse in the outdoor billboard market with new opportunities for outstanding advertising campaigns, in particular for demanding high-end products." explains Jan Witt, Product Manager, Poster paper.
Ahlstrom is the leading producer of poster papers offering the widest product range for all printing methods and applications, indoor and outdoor. Ahlstrom poster papers are produced in Germany and France and are part of the Label and Processing business area.
Ahlstrom booth at Fespa Digital is Hall 3, stand F22.
UPM launches a new service for all-in-one colour and workflow management
UPM will introduce a new service UPM ColorCTRL at drupa in May. The new workflow management application is developed to support users in reaching the best possible print result on UPM Papers – each time. It is created in co-operation with market leading supply chain partners including the expertise of UPM’s technical field team, the best-in-class workflow system by Dalim Software and award-winning ColorServer technology by GMG in one application.
As a Biofore Company UPM strives for continues development and innovative solutions with added value. “UPM’s services are tailored to improve our customers’ business processes and to help them to reach their business targets – from efficiency and also environmental point of view. UPM ColorCTRL is an excellent example of this,” says Thomas Ehrnrooth, Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
UPM ColorCTRL is a web based pdf workflow management application. It is the first full turnkey solution in the market which covers the whole process from the creation of the print ready pdf page to the final colour accurate print product. It is enabled through the use of optimised paper profiles by GMG.
UPM ColorCTRL is a cost effective and easy to use cloud based solution. With a service based fee the user will get an access to an online tool, which enables them to control workflows between different collaborators.
The service comes with consultancy and has everything in one package including pdf approval collaboration, version control, pre-flight checking, collaborative softproofing and colour optimisation. No investment or maintenance cost in local servers, hardware or software is needed.
“UPM ColorCTRL is an online service which allows easy collaboration with all partners in the value chain - from brand owner to advertising agency, publisher and printing house,” explains Gerd Carl, Project Manager for UPM ColorCTRL, and continues: “UPM ColorCTRL cuts down the time to market for quality print products and gives users savings in time, materials and investment costs.”
DALIM SOFTWARE provides its ES workflow technology for the UPM ColorCTRL workflow online platform and the GMG ColorServer engine secures the optimal print ready pdf quality. Proof to print match is obtained using the optimized GMG ColorProof software within the package. Colour accuracy of the final print product will be achieved by always up-to-date UPM paper profiles, service setup and consultancy.
UPM is piloting the new service with selected customers during the spring and will introduce UPM ColorCTRL at the UPM stand in drupa.
Turn the page with UPM at drupa 2012
It’s time to turn the page and write the next chapter in the story of paper. UPM will do it at drupa 2012.
The acquisition of Myllykoski has made UPM the undisputed leader in publication papers. We can now serve our customers even better than before with a best in class offering - products, services, reliable and accessible supplies and sustainable operations. Along with the acquisition UPM has put even stronger focus on publication papers by allocating more dedicated resources to both the magazine and newspaper publisher segments.
At drupa you can familiarise yourself with UPM's wide range of papers for every end use and printing method. New solutions, like UPM SwanBarrier, for the packaging industry, wide DIGI paper offering or low basis weights products, such UPM Eco product family, are just some of the interesting product examples and innovations presented by UPM at drupa 2012.
UPM believes in co-operation throughout the value chain. By joining the expertise of UPM Paper and visionary cooperatives we’ve created inspiring features and solutions for modern print media. Come and see how codes, tags and augmented reality truly add new dimensions to print. You’ll also discover how they help to measure printed media effectivity. Check out our demo sessions and take a peek into the future of paper.
UPM is known for the know-how and expertise of its technical sales team. At drupa we will launch a new service for web based pdf workflow and colour management. It has been developed to produce colour accurate print products on UPM paper quicker and easier than ever. Come and hear more about UPM ColorCTRL and other UPM services at our stand.
UPM is exhibiting in PrintCity hall 6 as part of the joint PrintCity Alliance and is also sharing expertise in PrintCity’s Hot Topic clusters. UPM is presenting technical innovations improving runnability, printability and the latest value added solutions in newspaper printing. New UPM Seminars and Workshops for printing industry players will be introduced at the PrintCity area. Alliance members have also produced new value added printed materials.
UPM sees a bright future for paper as part of the modern media palette. Come and meet us at our stand in hall 6 and see how paper works as the gateway to exiting experiences.
Stay tuned for UPM drupa news by following us at www.upmpaper.com and www.twitter.com/UPM_Papers.
Turn the page with UPM Paper - the gateway to exciting experiences.
ÅF wins project for Stora Enso to construct a new bleaching plant
ÅF has signed a contract with Stora Enso to conduct a pre-project prior to the construction of a new bleaching plant at the Skutskär Pulp Mill, and other reconstruction work in connection with related aspects of the process.
The initial order value for ÅF amounts to approx. SEK 6 million.
Most of the work will be carried out by consultants from ÅF's office in nearby Gävle, but additional specialist resources and competence will be called in from other ÅF offices. The work will be integrated with that undertaken by Stora Enso Skutskär's own project organisation.
The project is scheduled for completion by the end of June 2012, after which a formal decision will be taken about future implementation.
ÅF has secured the initial order thanks to its proven ability to offer high levels of competence, its strong local organisation and its reference portfolio of major industrial projects that demonstrate the breadth and depth of the company's expertise in the pulp and paper industry. This new assignment further consolidates ÅF's position as the leading supplier of technical consulting services to the Swedish forest industry.