HS Manufacturing Group and parent company Greentech Global have just announced a partnership with speciality chemical company Amazon Papyrus Chemicals to promote PROTĒAN® plastic-and PFAS-free barrier solutions.

Key stakeholders increasingly dedicating their efforts to reduce or eliminate plastics and other environmentally harmful materials from product packaging. We understand that partnerships along the value chain play a critical role in achieving the goal of reducing the use of plastic. That is why HS Manufacturing Group, developer of the PROTĒAN line of biobased oil, water and grease barriers is delighted to announce a partnership with Amazon Papyrus Chemicals to accelerate the adoption of PROTĒAN solutions within the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region.

The PROTĒAN platform employs blends of plant-based derivatives that have been used for decades in foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other applications. HSMG’s discovery of the barrier properties of these materials launched an entirely new approach to displacing plastics and PFAS, both widely used classes of materials that are being replaced around the globe as quickly as possible due to environmental, health and safety concerns.

The applications of PROTĒAN include oil and grease takeaway papers and moulded fiber packaging. Agricultural mulches and containers are also significant opportunities.

“Plastic and PFAS have been effective and very easy to use” states Samuel Mikail, Chairman of HSMG parent company Greentech Global. “New, sustainable solutions can be equally effective and economically viable, but may also require new expertise in implementation. Amazon Papyrus is uniquely positioned to provide new materials and services to ensure success with PROTĒAN in the Asia-Pacific market.”

The Asia Pacific has been phasing out “non-recyclable” or single-use plastic due to the sustainability initiatives from governments & brand owners. The current market of fibre-based packaging widely uses PE film and aluminium foil which are hard to recycle and Fluorochemcial which is bio-accumulative. Alternatives to these current conventional packaging and food service formats such as sustainable barrier materials will assume a critical role and contribute to the circularity and carbon footprint reduction in the industry.

Carmen Wong, Group Corporate Strategy & Development Director of Amazon Papyrus Chemicals states that “Amazon Papyrus Chemicals together with HSMG strategic partnership offers a full range technology portfolio to improve the end-use fibre-based packaging performance and the efficiency of the production process through optimizing raw material and energy consumption.”

“Our company is committed to operating our business in a sustainable manner and contributing to the UN SDGs. We are extremely proud that we are able to help our customers meet their sustainability goals whilst also generating a substantial return on their investment.” States Mike Grundy, CEO of Amazon Papyrus Chemicals.

About Amazon Papyrus Chemicals

Amazon Papyrus Chemicals Ltd is a leading speciality chemical and process solution provider to the Pulp & Paper industry in Asia. Found in 2000 with headquarter located in Hong Kong, Amazon Papyrus Chemicals now has an established presence in 14 markets with over 450 employees, serving over 350 customers in Asia & Middle East. We offer sustainable solutions for paper & pulp packaging in the region. Together with our partners and customers, we create supportive, engaged customer service and support to clients. For additional information about Amazon Papyrus, please visit: http://www.amazon- papyrus.com/

About HSMG

HSMG LLC, a Greentech Global Pte. Ltd. company, develops and licenses its patented additive and barrier coating platform technology, PROTĒAN®, to paper and packaging manufacturers and speciality chemical companies. They offer water-resistant and/or oil- and grease-resistant alternatives to plastic coatings and fluorochemicals in a broad range of cellulose-based single-use products. To learn more, please visit www.hsmgrp.com.

Toscotec launches INGENIA, a new concept tissue machine to produce premium quality structured tissue paper. The quality generated by INGENIA line is substantially higher than textured tissue and close to Through Air Drying (TAD) produced paper, but using 35% less energy. 

With INGENIA Toscotec responds to the challenge of today’s paper market calling for premium quality tissue obtained with lower energy use and lower capital investment than TAD lines. INGENIA’s concept is based on consolidated technologies for premium tissue, building on vast internal know-how of Toscotec’s and Voith’s R&D, and field data validation on TAD and structured paper systems.

Paolo Raffaelli, Toscotec Chief Technology Officer, says: “The key factor for energy reduction compared to TAD, is that INGENIA achieves significantly higher dryness through non-thermal dewatering on a structured moulding fabric. With TAD, the thermal drying starts from 24-26%, whereas INGENIA achieves a much higher dryness level without using hot air or steam. This maintains the premium quality obtained through rush transfer and structured moulding fabric, but uses much less energy.”

Ultra-premium tissue quality 
Through non-compressive water removal technologies and efficient fiber moulding, INGENIA produces much higher tissue quality properties than other technologies for textured or conventional DCT tissue. These properties include bulk, softness, stretch, and absorbency, which improve the tactile “hand” feel and the final paper characteristics that compete with premium segments for toilet, facial and towel tissue grades. 
The specific pattern of the structured fabric and the use of a calender can further enhance the quality of end products.

Energy Efficiency through Process Innovation
The process of this new concept machine begins with a dilution profiling layered TT Headbox-ML operating on a twin-wire forming section. Like TAD machines, INGENIA operates wire rush transfer at low consistency, but its key capability is an enhanced vacuum de-watering system without pressing the paper web, which ensures that dryness is greatly increased while fibers are being supported in the same shape as they originally formed when fully water saturated.
At the end of the wet section, TT NextPress shoe press uses low loading pressure to gently stabilize the web dryness content and transfer the paper to the drying section without bulk compression. The combined action of a third-generation design TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer and high-efficiency TT Hood achieves the final desired dryness. 
The process is completed by dry creping, sheet stabilization integrated with dust removal, and precision winding using an electro-mechanical TT BulkyReel fitted with a Center Wind Assist on the primary and the secondary arms. The Center Wind Assist fully preserves bulk by reducing the nip pressure against the reel drum during the winding process. 

Flexible Configuration 
The new INGENIA offers top flexibility, as it can easily swing from the production of premium quality structured tissue to conventional DCT. When in conventional mode, INGENIA delivers top machine speed and production capacity.
INGENIA features widths up to 6 m, a production capacity from 100 to 250 tpd, and operating speeds up to 1,500 m/min in structured tissue mode or 2,000 m/min in conventional mode, depending on machine size and customer requirements.

For further information, please contact:
Marco Dalle Piagge, Sales Director, Toscotec Tissue division, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABB has been awarded a software and service contract by Asia Symbol Group in China to provide the ABB Ability^™ Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for a new production line, with delivery and commissioning ongoing throughout 2022.

• ABB and pulp and paper producer Asia Symbol reinforce long-standing relationship with expansion of ABB Ability^™ Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to cover new production line
• Upgrade to extend productivity and profitability at the company’s mill in Guangdong, China
• MES is specifically designed to enable pulp and paper producers to optimize storage, energy and raw material usage

The expansion will help Asia Symbol to optimize its overall production process across all lines at its Guangdong mill, providing better oversight for planning, scheduling and continuously improving efficiency and reducing waste. A rich application experience will give operators greater real-time visibility across the entire manufacturing process, creating a visual factory to ensure the delivery of products of the right quality at the right time.

Specifically designed to enable pulp and paper producers achieve operational excellence and maximum performance, ABB’s MES helps optimize storage, energy and raw material usage, in turn improving product output and quality.

“ABB has been our trusted MES partner due to high competency and clear focus on the entire pulp and paper operation, from mill floor to enterprise level planning. We have benefited from their approach to convert digital data into world-class business results and are looking forward to the expanded use of ABB’s MES over our entire mill,” said Mr. Liang LiFu, IT Manager at Asia Symbol's Guangdong production base.

“Our operations team is commissioning the MES implementation while the other two production lines are still running,” said Shankar Singh, Digital Product Line Manager, Pulp and Paper, ABB. “We are pleased to be supporting Asia Symbol in reaching their operational goals through our MES which will provide transparency across the value chain and optimize material flow within their paper mill.”

This latest contract affirms the strong, long-standing relationship between ABB and Asia Symbol, a world leading producer of pulp and paper under the RGE Group. In recent years this has seen the provision of paper machine drives and QCS products, and the successful extension of ABB’s MES service to Asia Symbol’s three production lines at the Guangdong production base.

Last year, ABB secured another MES upgrade project from APRIL Group for its Kerinci mill in Indonesia, which is also part of RGE Group. The order covers three paper machine lines with 1.5 million tons of annual production and was delivered in Q1 2022.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

ABB’s Process Automation business is a leader in automation, electrification and digitalization for the process and hybrid industries. We serve our customers with a broad portfolio of products, systems, and end-to-end solutions, including our # 1 distributed control system, software, and lifecycle services, industry-specific products as well as measurement and analytics, marine and turbocharging offerings. As the global #2 in the market, we build on our deep domain expertise, diverse team and global footprint, and are dedicated to helping our customers increase competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations. go.abb/processautomation

With two new patent applications filed last week, PulPac continues to expand the Dry Molded Fiber patent portfolio. The new patent applications are directed to ejection elements in connection to the forming mold. The main purpose of the ejection elements is to release the product from mold parts for an easy removal of the products. The ejection elements can also be used for imprinting a pattern in the product, to be read or scanned for information purposes.

Dry Molded Fiber is invented, patented and licensed to packaging manufacturers by PulPac. The game-changing technology is up to ten times faster than traditional fiber forming methods and offers highly competitive unit economics. In addition, being a dry process, it saves significant amounts of valuable water and energy, resulting in up to 80% lower CO2 emissions compared to alternatives.

Dry Molded Fiber - the fiber forming technology that can transform the industry and establish a new global standard for sustainable fiber-based packaging and single-use items.

To date, PulPac holds 28 patent families with 85 granted national patents and plus 50 pending patent applications. New patent applications are filed continuously. In addition, PulPac has a substantive body of know-how and trade secrets that are shared only within the Dry Molded Fiber network. Based on the core IP, PulPac has developed a complete technology platform covering multiple areas of fiber application manufacturing. All driven by the need of disruptive technical solutions that enable a sustainable packaging industry.

Peter Ekwall, CIPO, comments, “Innovations are detected and harvested every week, which gives us the possibility to rapidly expand our patent portfolio with good quality. We also see an increased interest from our partners to contribute to the patent and technology pool. All things considered; this is beneficial for everyone that wants to join us in our mission to replace single-use plastic as soon as possible.” 

About PulPac
PulPac provides the packaging industry with a groundbreaking manufacturing technology for low-cost, high-performance fiber-based packaging and single-use products. By pioneering the technology of cellulose molding PulPac enables their customers to replace single-use plastics with a sustainable and cost competitive alternative globally. 

For additional information about PulPac, please visit www.pulpac.com

At the beginning of June, the XcelLine PM 6 supplied by Voith was successfully started up at the Jinzhong site in the central Chinese province of Shanxi by the paper manufacturer Shanxi Qiangwei Paper. As the leading full-line supplier, Voith delivered the entire production line. The machine has a wire width of 7 m, a design speed of 1,200 m/min and produces plasterboard liner and containerboard with a basis weight of 90 to 160 gsm. Annual production of over 300,000 tons is possible. Voith's latest solutions enable highly efficient, resource-saving and sustainable production.

• The XcelLine paper machine supplied by Voith was successfully started up at the Jinzhong Shanxi Qiangwei Paper´s site
• The new PM 6 will produce over 300,000 tons of plasterboard liner and containerboard per year at a design speed of 1,200 m/min
• Leading Voith technologies enable highly efficient and optimized production

Thanks to the joint efforts and cooperation of the Voith and Shanxi Qiangwei Paper teams, a fast installation and start-up of the entire line was achieved. The PM 6 has a high degree of automation, and the paper features a low tensile ratio, excellent surface quality and uniformity, as well as high breaking and folding strength. The dryness after the press is also very high, which leads to low specific steam consumption. The first paper web has thus fully achieved the customer´s expected quality level.   

Latest technologies for optimum results
As the leading full-line supplier, Voith supplied the entire XcelLine paper machine. The customer-oriented concept is especially designed for maximum efficiency, robustness and sustainability. After Voith had cooperated very successfully with Shanxi Qiangwei Paper on the key equipment for PM 5, the papermaker had ordered the supply of the entire PM 6 from Voith. Voith's advanced technologies and concepts will help Shanxi Qiangwei Paper to secure its leading position in the plasterboard industry and further expand its market share in the packaging paper industry. Thus, a positive contribution can be made to the development of the surrounding region and the economy of Shanxi.

The full-line supplier Voith delivered two highly efficient MasterJet Pro headboxes, a Tandem NipcoFlex press section and a CombiDuoRun dryer section including a hood and machine air system. Optimum paper properties are ensured by a SpeedSizer AT and an EcoCal Hard calender. The reliable MasterReel reeling concept, including a parent roll handling system and discfilters for fiber recovery, is used for smooth production. Shanxi Qiangwei also relies on the latest automation solutions from the Voith Papermaking 4.0 portfolio to achieve additional efficiency increases and cost reductions. A control and information system (DCS) as well as the quality management system (QCS) OnQuality are integrated in the plant.

Successful cooperation between Voith and Shanxi Qiangwei
To ensure a smooth start-up of the paper machine, both sides worked closely together throughout the project. Lin Jiangbo, Vice President Order Execution at Voith Paper Asia, confirms: "With the challenges posed by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Voith worked with a high degree of flexibility and in close cooperation with Shanxi Qiangwei to ensure an optimal start-up of PM 6. In the future, we will continue to provide comprehensive services for PM 6 throughout its life cycle with our technical expertise and take further steps together with Shanxi Qiangwei Paper."

About Shanxi Qiangwei Paper
Shanxi Qiangwei Paper Co. is a company integrating research and development, production and sales of surface protection plasterboard. The company is based on the concept of sustainable development "low carbon, environmental protection, high efficiency and energy-saving", and puts energy saving, emission reduction and environmental protection at the first place of the company's strategic planning. Advanced equipment, first-class technology, quality and brand in the first place - this is the company's business philosophy. The quality of Shanxi Qiangwei's products has long been a market leader and occupies a top position in this industry.

About the Voith Group
The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has around 20,000 employees, sales of € 4.3 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

The Group Division Voith Paper is part of the Voith Group. As the full-line supplier to the paper industry, it provides the largest range of technologies, services and products on the market and offers paper manufacturers holistic solutions from a single source. The company’s continuous stream of innovations facilitates resource-conserving production and helps customers minimize their carbon footprint. With its leading automation products and digitalization solutions from the Papermaking 4.0 portfolio, Voith offers its customers state-of-the-art digital technologies to improve plant availability and efficiency for all sections of the production process.

Collaboration, sustainability, and innovation:  these are the topics around which the Körber Italian Supplier Day is centered

The pandemic has changed the dynamics of all markets, highlighting the criticalities issue of the economies but at the same time opening up new opportunities. Supply Chain is one of the business sectors that have been affected significantly and companies and suppliers alike are facing new challenges.

Paolo Sodero, Head of Purchasing of Körber Business Area TissueKörber thanks to its experience in the sector and its cutting-edge research and development centre, is evolving from a simple machinery supplier to a strategic partner of technologically advanced solutions through the Körber ecosystem. With an ear to the market, the company shares all critical issues with customers and suppliers and understands the demands imposed by the tissue sector by comparing individual expertise to offer innovative, advanced, and sustainable solutions.

"In order to strengthen ties and further refine the collaboration for the future, we have created this day dedicated to Körber suppliers to continue to create value together and dive into dialogue about current and future challenges of the sector" comments Paolo Sodero, Head of Purchasing of Körber Business Area Tissue.

During this day, selected partners will have the opportunity to participate in thematic workshops and learn about the ecosystem with the Körber Business Area Tissue representatives. A revolutionary market approach that allows all the technologies involved in the tissue converting process to be integrated into a single solution: from raw material to finished product, all the way up to distribution logistics.

"Synergy: this is the key word for a day which aims to be a moment of discussion on the present but at the same time a moment to discuss new ideas, express needs and challenges to develop joint new strategies for the future. The value and voice of suppliers are essential stimuli to further innovate and offer the market solutions that are even more performing, efficient, and sustainable than the current ones ". concludes Paolo Sodero.

The day will end with the Safety Contractor Awards, an acknowledgement to those suppliers who were the most outstanding in terms of compliance with safety and control procedures. The goal of the event is to focus on the issue of sustainability, a key element in the supply chain. To gain a better understanding of social, environmental as well as governance practices and activities and elaborate joint initiatives for a better future, Körber, is currently introducing a digital platform for collecting sustainability data from suppliers. as part of the next steps to achieve the sustainability target of the Group.

Körber Business Area Tissue

At Körber, our ultimate goal is to empower our customers’ ongoing success. We are the only truly integrated and global provider of advanced solutions for the tissue business. We offer the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of tissue technology to support customers across the entire value chain — from roll to fold, from converting to packaging. Our advanced, automated, and easy-to-use integrated solutions are a fundamental asset to shape the success in tissue, take our customers' operations to the next level, and strengthen their overall financial performance while optimizing their total cost of ownership.

About Körber

We are Körber – an international technology group with about 10,000 employees, more than 100 locations worldwide and a common goal: We turn entrepreneurial thinking into customer success and shape technological change. In the Business Areas of Digital, Pharma, Supply Chain, Tissue and Tobacco, we offer products, solutions and services that inspire. We act fast to customer needs, we execute ideas seamlessly, and with our innovations, we create added value for our customers. In doing so, we are increasingly building on ecosystems that solve the challenges of today and tomorrow. Körber AG is the holding company of the Körber Group.

At the beginning of 2021 VTT started to buy renewable electricity verified with a guarantee of origin for its premises. The change significantly reduced the annual greenhouse gas emissions from VTT's operations. Meanwhile, it is an important step toward VTT's goal of carbon neutrality.

Sustainability is at the core of VTT's strategy, and with respect to environmental responsibility, the goals include carbon neutrality by 2030. This requires significant action aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Consumption of electricity has been the overwhelming source of emissions caused by VTT activities. The transition to renewable electricity verified by a guarantee of origin changed the situation.

“The estimated greenhouse gas emissions from electricity bought by VTT were more than 9,000 tons in 2020. In 2021 this had gone down to about 600 tons. The change is truly significant”, says Senior Scientist Hanna Pihkola. In 2021 93% of the electricity consumed by VTT was under a guarantee of origin.

As the production of renewable energy also produces greenhouse gas emissions, the shift to renewable energy raised indirect emissions connected with VTT operations to some degree. However, the increase is fairly small compared with the reduction of emissions from the use of electricity.

Next attention to heating, air travel, and procurements

The reduction in emissions from the use of electricity is taking VTT closer to its carbon neutrality goal, but much work remains to be done. After the use of electricity, the greatest emissions caused by VTT come from the heating of buildings and air travel.

VTT's next development targets on the way to the carbon neutrality goal of 2030 are:

• ascertaining the possibilities of procuring low-emission, or carbon neutral district heating
• improving energy efficiency
• reducing flight emissions
• taking climate impact into account in the procurement of goods and services.

“Carbon neutrality by 2030 is an ambitious goal. To achieve the goal, much work needs to be done and many stones need to be turned in different parts of the organisation. When all possible measures to reduce them have been implemented, we will also have to ponder how best to compensate for the emissions that remain”, Pihkola says.

VTT's annual greenhouse gas emissions have been evaluated according to the principles of the ISO14064-1:2018 (carbon footprint calculations for an organisation) standard since 2018. The emissions are reported as part of VTT's annual and corporate responsibility report.

VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner. We drive sustainable growth and tackle the biggest global challenges of our time, and turn them into growth opportunities. We go beyond the obvious to help the society and companies to grow through technological innovations. We have 80 years of experience of top-level research and science-based results. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together.

VTT – beyond the obvious

www.vttresearch.com

Stora Enso has started a feasibility study at its paper production site in Langerbrugge, Belgium, for the conversion of one of the two paper lines into a high-volume recycled containerboard line. Aligned with Stora Enso’s strategic focus on renewable materials, the investment would support the growth opportunity created by the increasing demand for recycled packaging board.

Stora Enso’s Langerbrugge site currently has two paper lines in production, one for newsprint and one for supercalendared (SC) magazine paper. The feasibility study will focus on the conversion of the site’s newsprint paper line. The conversion would enable Stora Enso to further grow its recycled and recyclable packaging materials capacity and to meet the growing demand in end-use segments such as industrials, e-commerce, furniture and electronics.

The feasibility study is expected to be finalised in the first half of 2023. Depending on an investment decision, the converted line is expected to be in production during 2025. The annual capacity would be 700,000 tonnes of testliner and recycled fluting grades and would generate annual sales of approximately EUR 350 million when run at full capacity. The total investment for the conversion is estimated to be approximately EUR 400 million.

“Today we produce recycled containerboard in Poland, mainly for the Eastern European market. A conversion in Langerbrugge would establish a competitive position for us in Western Europe as well. In addition to sourcing materials for recycled containerboard, the study will also assess the handling of different incoming recycling streams, including laminated grades. Having successfully completed conversions at other sites, we would be able to leverage important learnings from those projects,” says Hannu Kasurinen, Executive Vice President, Packaging Materials division.

Stora Enso announced in March this year that it was initiating a sales process for possible divestment of four of its five paper production sites. The Langerbrugge site has been excluded from this process and will be retained within the Group. The future of the Langerbrugge site’s SC paper line will be evaluated if a decision is made regarding the conversion of the newsprint paper line.

“If an investment decision is made, the Langerbrugge site will continue to serve our paper customers as usual until at least the end of 2024. The central location, experienced personnel and good access to recycled fiber remain core strengths of the site,” says Kati ter Horst, Executive Vice President, Paper division.

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

Valmet has progressed in reviewing its operations in Russia and implementing its exit plan.

Already in the spring, the company decided not to make any new sales projects in Russia. In addition, it cancelled EUR 70 million of its order backlog on March 31, 2022.

During the latter part of the spring, the evaluation of the options related to the withdrawal has progressed, and the company has initiated employee reductions, which will result in a 50 percent reduction in the number of employees in Russia in this first implementation phase.

Valmet will withdraw from Russia completely and will continue to implement the withdrawal in stages as the review of implementation options is fully completed.

Approximately 2 percent of Valmet's total net sales came from its Russian operations in 2021. In the spring of 2022, Valmet had a total of approximately 140 employees in Russia, working primarily in sales, engineering, maintenance and financial administration. Valmet does not have production in Russia. 

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.

We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers. Our 17,000 professionals work close to our customers and are committed to improving our customers’ performance – 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.    

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