Stora Enso has decided to invest approximately EUR 1 billion to convert the remaining idle paper machine at the Group’s Oulu site in Finland into a high-volume consumer board production line. The investment supports the Group’s growth strategy in renewable packaging by providing new volume for growing packaging segments. Production on the converted machine is estimated to start in early 2025.

Following the first machine conversion at the Oulu site in 2021 from paper to kraftliner, the remaining idle paper line will be converted into a state-of-the-art highly flexible consumer board line for folding box board (FBB) and coated unbleached kraft (CUK). The total annual capacity will be 750,000 tonnes of consumer board. The target end-use segments are food and beverage packaging, especially frozen and chilled, and dry and fast food, mainly in Europe and North America.

Oulu Stora Enso

“Renewable packaging continues to be our largest strategic growth area. It’s also a market that is now, for the first time, growing faster than plastics-based alternatives. Through this conversion we can build on existing assets for quick and cost-effective time-to-market compared to other investment alternatives. This puts us in a strong position to drive revenue growth and build market share,” says Stora Enso’s President and CEO Annica Bresky.

The total investment will be approximately EUR 1 billion during 2022–2025. At full capacity, the investment is expected to meet the profitability target of the Packaging Materials division: operational return on operating capital (ROOC) of 20%. Annual sales are expected to be approximately EUR 800 million.

“This investment represents a step change in the European market and will develop our Oulu unit into a mega site, improving profitability and competitiveness for both our consumer board and containerboard offerings. The converted line will be the most cost-competitive FBB machine in Europe, also enabling us to optimise production at other sites to unlock further growth,” says Hannu Kasurinen, EVP and Head of the Packaging Materials division.

The investment is fully aligned with Stora Enso’s sustainability commitments. It will support circularity by further enhancing the recycling performance of the Packaging Materials division’s product portfolio. The Oulu site’s total scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions will remain at a low level as they were already reduced by 80% during the first conversion in 2021.

The investment will create approximately 300 new jobs at the Oulu site and support functions, and an additional 1,500 indirect employment opportunities overall. The wood consumption of the new line will be approximately one million cubic metres of pulp wood. After the investment, the Group's market pulp position will be reduced by approximately 250,000 tonnes annually.

Part of the global bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable products in packaging, biomaterials, wooden construction and paper, and one of the largest private forest owners in the world. We believe that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. Stora Enso has approximately 22,000 employees and our sales in 2021 were EUR 10.2 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm AB (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). storaenso.com/investors

Germany’s emtec Electronic GmbH will present its product line of automatic digital solutions for the pulp, paper, tissue and board industry at the Technical Association of the Paper Industry (ATIP) at La Grande Crypte in Paris, France on December 8-9.

Leipzig, Germany, 19.10.2022 – Given a global pandemic, an energy crisis, and rising environmental concerns, the push to digitalize the pulp and paper industry has never been stronger. Market trends show that demand for tissue products and paper packaging, especially, continues to increase globally. However, rising costs of raw materials and energy are leading many companies to turn to digital solutions to optimize operations.

The automatization and digitalization of the paper industry go hand in hand — both lead to quicker, more efficient, and less costly processing conditions. To support manufacturers in this pursuit, emtec Electronic will showcase its specialized measuring and testing devices for the pulp, paper, tissue and board industry at the ATIP convention in Paris.

These include the ACA Ash Content Analyzer, a portable lab device that delivers a percentage breakdown of individual mineral filler components as well as the total mineral filler content non-destructively (without combustion) and within seconds. The new measuring principle allows for a quick determination of industry-typical fillers such as calcium carbonate, clay, talcum, titanium dioxide, barium sulfate and iron oxide.

ACA Ash Content Analyzer in action

Also in focus at the exhibit, but not onsite due to its large size: The FPO Fiber Potential Analyzer Online. An innovative measuring device based on the proven measuring principle of known laboratory instruments. Once installed in the process, it determines the zeta potential of fibers in the wet end fully automatically, precisely and continuously. Using two possible, independent sampling points, it then transfers the results directly to the process control system or any web server. This enables an immediate intervention to the production process, if necessary, as well as remote access to the data from anywhere in the world. The FPO is capable of sampling different paper types (e. g. tissue, decor paper), is easy to trouble-shoot, and requires little maintenance.

Other devices on display will be the EST12 Surface & Sizing Tester, the TSA Tissue Softness Analyzer, and emtec’s “yellow twins” — the CAS touch! Charge Analyzing System and the FPA touch! Fiber Potential Analyzer, two portable lab devices best used in tandem.

The application of the emtec measuring systems leads to enormous savings in material, personnel, time and energy, and supports the shift to industry 4.0.

Visitors to the ATIP can stop by the emtec booth number 29 and speak with sales reps Philipp Sievers (emtec) and Thierry Onder de Linden (ODL Paper) for more information.

About emtec Electronic

Emtec Electronic GmbH develops, produces and distributes worldwide testing and measuring devices for the detection of relevant processing properties of paper, board, nonwoven and textile materials. The portable measuring devices enable manufacturers and converters of paper, nonwoven and textile products for example, to control and optimize the manufacturing and converting processes during ongoing production. From the wet end to the final product, the application of the devices enables an efficient process to achieve and ensure the best possible quality with the least possible effort.

For 27 years, we have relied on innovative, highly specialized measuring instruments combined with a high degree of service orientation. Since the company was founded, we have been intensively involved in scientific cooperation with institutes and companies, further developing instruments for our customers and offering a broad network in over 80 countries from our Leipzig location.

For more information about emtec Electronic, please visit the website:

www.emtec-electronic.de

The Paper Excellence Group and Resolute Forest Products Inc. have just announced their intention to sell Resolute's Thunder Bay pulp and paper mill to further facilitate the regulatory review process.

On July 6, the Paper Excellence Group through its wholly-owned subsidiary Domtar Corporation ("Domtar"), a global diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing, and packaging papers, entered into an agreement with Resolute, a global forest products company, to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Resolute stock.

"Today's announcement is a clear demonstration of our commitment to timely complete the acquisition of Resolute," said Patrick Loulou, vice chair and chief strategy officer of the Paper Excellence Group.

"This is a very hard thing to do, but we believe it is necessary in order to accelerate our strategic combination with the Paper Excellence Group," stated Remi G. Lalonde, Resolute's president and chief executive officer. "The mill is an exceptional asset. I am confident that the dedicated and talented team in Thunder Bay will have a prosperous future with any company fortunate enough to have them as part of their organization."

Any sale of the Thunder Bay pulp and paper mill will be contingent upon closing of the announced acquisition of Resolute by Domtar, and to applicable regulatory approvals. The acquisition of Resolute by Domtar continues to be expected in the first half of 2023, following stockholder and regulatory approvals, and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, the receipt of which remain outstanding.

There can be no assurance that the required regulatory approvals will result from this process.  Resolute and Domtar each reaffirm their general policy not to comment upon or respond to market rumor or speculation regarding the regulatory process or the transaction. Resolute and Domtar will not comment further on this matter unless and until definitive resolutions of the regulatory process are achieved.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, Resolute filed with the SEC a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A on September 20, 2022. Beginning on September 20, 2022, Resolute mailed the definitive proxy statement and a proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting relating to the transaction. The definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials in connection with the proposed transaction filed by Resolute with the SEC may be obtained free of charge on Resolute's website at www.resolutefp.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Investors and security holders will also be able to obtain copies of the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Resolute at no charge through the website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com. Investors and stockholders of Resolute are urged to read the definitive proxy statement and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the proposed transaction because they contain important information about Resolute and the proposed transaction.

Participants in the Merger Solicitation

Resolute and its directors, executive officers, other members of its management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Resolute stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction under SEC rules. Investors and stockholders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of Resolute's executive officers and directors in the solicitation by reading Resolute's proxy statement for its 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and the definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials that have been or will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction when they become available. Information concerning the interests of Resolute's participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of Resolute's stockholders generally, are set forth in the definitive proxy statement relating to the proposed transaction.

About Resolute Forest Products

Resolute is a global leader in the forest products industry with a diverse range of products, including market pulp, tissue, wood products and papers, which are marketed in over 60 countries. The company owns or operates some 40 facilities, as well as power generation assets, in the United States and Canada. Resolute has third-party certified 100% of its managed woodlands to internationally recognized sustainable forest management standards. The shares of Resolute trade under the stock symbol RFP on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Resolute has received regional, North American and global recognition for its leadership in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, as well as for its business practices. Visit www.resolutefp.com for more information.

About Domtar

Domtar is a leading provider of a wide variety of fiber-based products including communication, specialty and packaging papers, market pulp and airlaid nonwovens. With approximately 6,400 employees serving more than 50 countries around the world, Domtar is driven by a commitment to turn sustainable wood fiber into useful products that people rely on every day. Domtar's principal executive office is in Fort Mill, South Carolina and Domtar is part of the Paper Excellence group of companies. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com.

About Paper Excellence

The Paper Excellence Group is a privately-held holding company that oversees individual pulp and paper business units. Its operations include the manufacturing of pulp and specialty, printing and writing, and packaging papers, producing over 7 million tons annually with a workforce of over 10,000 in its nearly 40 locations across the Americas and Europe. For more information on Paper Excellence, please visit www.paperexcellence.com.

SOURCE Resolute Forest Products Inc.

The decision to shut down the groundwood pulp line for printing paper at Rottneros Mill, led to a notice to reduce the number of employees by 40 people. The negotiations are finalized and 35 people will be made redundant. Of these, 17 employees have agreed to a pension solution and 18 have been dismissed.

We have had a very good climate in the negotiations and have together found solutions, says the group's COO Peter Sävelin.

A total of 35 people will be made redundant when the new organization will be in effect from the turn of the year.. The parties also agreed that those who turn 60 in 2022, or are older, would be offered a pension solution. An offer that all 17 concerned have accepted. This has led to only 18 people being made redundant.

It is not pleasant to have to dismiss employees who have done a good job and contributed to the Group's fine development. But we have received signals that other employers in Värmland are interested in the skills our employees have, says Peter Sävelin.

In connection with the notice given to the municipal Employment Service, Rottneros also initiated contact with the employment transition fund Trygghetsfonden. Those who have been made redundant will now be offered support to move on to another job or further studies. Trygghetsfonden provides individually adapted solutions.

Between 85 and 90 percent of those who receive help from coaches at Trygghetsfonden have a new solution within a year, says Ida Mörtsell, HR director.

Rottneros is an independent producer of market pulp. The Group comprises the parent company Rottneros AB, listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, and its subsidiaries Rottneros Bruk AB and Vallviks Bruk AB with operations involving the production and sale of market pulp. The Group also includes Rottneros Packaging AB, which manufactures fibre trays, the wood procurement company Rottneros Baltic SIA in Latvia and the forest operator Nykvist Skogs AB. The Group has about 316 employees and had a turnover of approximately 2,3 billion SEK in the 2021 financial year.

Valmet has been ranked as the third top employer among engineering professionals in Finland according to a new study by Universum. The ranking was published in Universum’s annual survey, the most extensive employer attractiveness survey in Finland. Earlier this year, in another study by Universum, Valmet was ranked as the third top employer among engineering students in Finland.  

“It is an exciting time to be working at Valmet. Valmet employs more than 6,000 people in Finland and being recognized as a top three employer in one of our main fields is important for us. I want to thank the entire Valmet team for their positive energy, great teamwork and continued collaboration. This is an achievement we can all celebrate. We currently have a lot of interesting open positions which we want to fill with talented professionals, and I am sure this type of recognition will support our efforts,” says Julia Macharey, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Operational Development.

Valmet is a global technology company with 17,500 people working in more than 40 countries. In 2021, Valmet hired globally roughly 1,525 new employees, which is in addition to filling nearly 950 positions internally. Earlier this year, Valmet welcomed about 3,000 employees to the Valmet team as part of the merger with Neles. 

About Universum

Universum is a global leader in employer branding. Its services include actionable research, strategic consulting, data-driven communications and social media solutions for talent branding, sourcing, and analytics. On an annual basis, Universum surveys over 1,000,000 students and professionals worldwide.

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With our automation systems and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries. Our 17,500 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers’ performance forward – every day.

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. In 2022, a major milestone was achieved when the flow control company Neles was merged into Valmet. The combined company’s net sales in 2021 were approximately EUR 4.5 billion based on the respective company figures.

Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.   

Follow us on valmet.com

Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, has won international recognition in the EFQM Excellence Award competition. The company achieved EFQM Global Award 2022 7 Diamonds rating and has been awarded the Outstanding Achievement for Future Focus recognition. The company was again able to improve its results compared to previous years. Metsä Fibre received special praise from the EFQM assessors for a strong focus on the future and the outstanding ability to combine long-term vision and strategy with the daily operations in the short term as well.

“We’re happy and proud to have received this award. Following our vision, we want to be our customers’ preferred partner and the most profitable producer of bioproducts that generate sustainable growth. We aim for sustainable excellence through industrial efficiency, long-term customer relationships and new solutions promoting sustainability. We take responsibility into account in all our operations and actively develop sustainable solutions to mitigate climate change and promote the circular economy. The basis for the implementation of the company’s strategy is our personnel’s commitment and know-how – the work we all carry out daily. Examples of our investments in the future are the world’s most modern pine sawmill, which has started up in Rauma, and the new bioproduct mill under construction in Kemi. These investments contribute to the achievement of our strategic objectives,” says CEO of Metsä Fibre, Ismo Nousiainen.  

One of the core principles of Metsä Group’s operations is continuous improvement. We apply the EFQM excellence model for the long-term development. In this work, the external feedback received from the experienced assessors is very valuable.

Tens of thousands of organisations around the world use the EFQM Excellence model to assess and develop their operations in both the private and public sectors. The goal of the EFQM competition is to identify front-running organisations that can demonstrate solid results of their strategy implementation and continuous improvement of operations.

Metsä Group
www.metsagroup.com

Metsä Group is leading the way in advancing the bioeconomy. We invest in growth, bioproduct development and a fossil free future. The raw material for our products is renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. We focus on the growth sectors of the forest industry: wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards, as well as tissue and greaseproof papers.

Metsä Group’s annual sales amount to approximately EUR 6 billion, and we have around 9,500 employees in 30 countries. Our international Group has its roots in the Finnish forests: our parent company is Metsäliitto Cooperative which is owned by nearly 100,000 forest owners. 

Nordic Paper has adopted new targets for reduction of its climate impact. The total emissions of fossil greenhouse gases from Nordic Paper activities, including indirect emissions from purchased goods and services, are to be reduced by 50% to 2030 compared with 2020. In addition, the direct emissions from the company’s own activity and from purchased energy are to be reduced by at least 50% for the same period of time.

Nordic Paper manufactures specialised kraft papers and natural greaseproof papers for use primarily in the food sector. The papers are produced from locally sourced renewable raw materials from sustainably managed forests. Many of the products of the company are supporting a more sustainable society as they replace products made of other materials such as fossil based plastics. The activity of Nordic Paper has climate impact from its own operations, from purchased energy and from other purchased goods and services. After a thorough work carried out over the past decade, the direct emissions from own operations have been reduced so that these emissions are significantly smaller than the indirect climate impact from purchased energy and from other purchased goods and services.

The new climate targets are results of a review of the sustainability strategy carried out by the company. The review also resulted in an updating of the focus areas for the Nordic Paper sustainability work. The updated focus areas are to secure a safe work environment, to reduce climate impact and to deliver products supporting sustainability.

"Sustainability performance and high ambitions within the sustainability area are important parts of our operations and a business driver of increasing importance for us. Our new climate targets signal that we, through our products, contribute to a change to a more sustainable society", says Anita Sjölander, Nordic Paper CEO.

"We have made improvements over the past decade in our operations where we have reduced the use of fossil fuels and also reviewed the use of for example chemicals with high climate impact. A good example over the past year is the focused work carried out at our plant in Säffle to reduce its climate impact. We see that there is potential to do more and we look forward to this work, says Christian Persson", COO of Nordic Paper.

The new targets are applied as of today.

Nordic Paper is a leading specialty paper producer with its base in Scandinavia. We have been manufacturing top-quality kraft papers and natural greaseproof papers since the 19th century. Our products are based on renewable raw material from local forests. From our five paper mills, four in Scandinavia and one in Canada, we supply customers in about 80 countries. Nordic Paper had in 2021 net sales of approximately SEK 3,100m, about 690 employees and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. www.nordic-paper.com

Talk, listen, debate with our expert Carlos Gallo, Director Tissue Technology and R&D, at Tissue World Talks in the online panel discussion on the future direction of the tissue market.

• Challenges for tissue manufacturers are rising substantially
• How can machine suppliers like ANDRITZ help to mitigates these challenges?
• Is sustainability at risk?

Tissue World Talks – the online panel discussion on November 3, 2022

Interrupted supply chains, the threat of discontinued gas supply in several countries, and peak values for main cost components like fiber, gas and electricity - the challenges for operating tissue mills - not only, but especially in Europe – are becoming ever greater. Demand for tissue is expected to remain strong, but how can tissue manufacturers cope with these challenges when the pressure is coming from so many directions? How can tissue machine suppliers help to mitigate these challenges? Is now the time to pro-actively invest in new machines? What about sustainability?

It’s time to talk about implications and potential consequences, but also about possible solutions. Carlos Gallo, together with key industry leaders and you in the audience, will discuss the best way forward during Tissue World’s virtual panel discussion on November 3, 2022 at 11 AM CET (Central European Time).

ANDRITZ is looking forward to meeting you at Tissue World Talks! To register free of charge, please visit https://www.tissueworldmagazine.com/webinar/webinar-series-tissue-world-talks-the-road-to-dusseldorf/ or contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ANDRITZ GROUP

International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems, services and digital solutions for a wide range of industries and end markets. ANDRITZ is a global market leader in all four of its business areas – Pulp & Paper, Metals, Hydro, and Separation. Technological leadership, global presence and sustainability are the cornerstones of the group’s strategy, which is focused on long-term profitable growth. The publicly listed group has around 27,400 employees and over 280 locations in more than 40 countries.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER

ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides sustainable technology, automation, and service solutions for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The technologies and services focus on maximum utilization of raw materials, increased production efficiency, lower overall operating costs as well as innovative decarbonization strategies and autonomous plant operation. Boilers for power generation, flue gas cleaning systems, various nonwoven technologies, panelboard (MDF) production systems, as well as recycling and shredding solutions for numerous waste materials also form a part of this business area. State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.

Valmet will supply an Advantage DCT 100TS tissue production machine to Papel San Francisco in Mexico. The new machine will be installed at the company's mill in Mexicali and the start-up is planned for the first half of 2024.

The order is included in Valmet's orders received for the third quarter of 2022. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

The new tissue line will fulfil Papel San Francisco's need for new capacity for standard tissue products. Valmet has previously delivered five tissue machines to the company. Four Advantage DCT machines started up in 2006, 2009, 2018 and 2020. In addition, Papel San Francisco was the first to start up an Advantage NTT line in 2013, which fulfils the company's demand for textured tissue.

“In today’s business environment it is crucial to operating equipment at maximum productivity and efficiency consistently. Our continued partnership with Valmet has provided us with world-class equipment that not only achieves this but also ensures we have the latest available technology in sustainability standards,” says Dario Palma y Meza Espinoza, Operational Director, Papel San Francisco.

“It has always been a pleasure to work with the Papel San Francisco team that has been the same for all five machines. Papel San Francisco is dedicated to details and demand excellence. Valmet is glad to live up to their high expectations and help them continuously improve. We are grateful to be a part of yet another expansion in a strong and trustful relationship,” says Jan Larsson, Director of Sales, Tissue Mills business unit, North America, Valmet.

Technical information about the delivery

The new tissue machine will have a width of 2.8 m and a design speed of 2,200 m/min. It will add 30,000 tons of tissue paper per year to Papel San Francisco's current production of toilet tissue, kitchen towels and napkins.

Valmet's scope of delivery will comprise an Advantage DCT 100TS tissue machine. The machine will be equipped with an OptiFlo headbox and cast alloy Yankee cylinder. The machine will also feature the well proven Advantage tissue technology including a ViscoNip press, an AirCap hood and the WetDust dust system. Start-up and commissioning are included in the delivery.

About Papel San Francisco

Papel San Francisco started up their first tissue machine in 1980. In the past 40 years, the company has grown steadily and is today operating seven tissue machines with a yearly capacity of 210,000 tons of tissue products.

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With our automation systems and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries. Our 17,500 professionals around the world work closely with our customers and are committed to moving our customers’ performance forward – every day. 

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. In 2022, a major milestone was achieved when the flow control company Neles was merged into Valmet. The combined company’s net sales in 2021 were approximately EUR 4.5 billion based on the respective company figures.  

Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.     

Follow us on valmet.com

Engraving Solutions, the Körber Group company that specializes in designing and engraving embossing rolls, presents two innovative services that meet tissue manufacturers’ demand for products with a low environmental impact.

Giacomo Tambellini, Sales Account and Product Engineer comments: "We have long been witnessing two needs in our customers: on the one hand, the demand for solutions that are able to contain the waste of energy and raw materials, and on the other hand, to "cost saving" with a view to eco-sustainability. The rolls used in the production process, over time, may be subject to degradation or sudden damage. In addition, the changing needs of the market fan that rolls may go out of production because the eimbossing pattern became old fashion. Through these two Buy-Back and Roll-Cycling services, we believe, in our role as a strategic all-round solution partner, that we have responded to customer and market demands.”

Indeed, embossed rolls are a strategic element of a tissue converting line that can not only help manufacturers differentiate their products but also improve their technical characteristics and aesthetic .

Buy-Back and Roll-Cycling are complementary: the first is in fact a buy-back service, conceived after a careful evaluation of the unused embossing rollers by the Körber purchasing department; the engraved pattern on the roller is immediately destroyed and the surface regenerated to be used again.

The second service is Roll-Cycling, thanks to which a new roller is made starting from the one regenerated. The result is a product with the same performance as the new one, but at a lower cost with less environmental impact.

Tambellini concludes: "This is a truly circular economy: thanks to the buy-back service, unused rollers are recycled, while with Roll-Cycling products are created as new, safeguarding the environment by reducing the emissions necessary to build new ones".