Valmet will supply Valmet DNA Automation System and Valmet IQ Quality Control System to Norske Skog’s paper machine PM 3 in its Bruck facility, located in Austria. Norske Skog Bruck selected Valmet’s automation systems based on good references in technology, service support and low ownership costs. The installation is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The order is included in Valmet's orders received of the first quarter 2022. The value of the order is not disclosed.

“We selected Valmet’s automation’s solution due to our long and reliable partnership with the company as our mill wide automation supplier,” says Christian Trieb, Maintenance Manager Electrical and Automation, Norske Skog Bruck GmbH.

“We are very proud to be selected as the automation solution supplier for Norske Skog Bruck’s project. It will ensure them an easier, more efficient and secure operation and maintenance through common user interface and engineering environment,” says Markus Kohl, Service Manager Austria & CEE, Automation business line, Valmet.

“Our latest technology will support the customer to reach its energy-efficiency targets with cost-leading and environmentally friendly capacities,” complements Udo Schober, Sales Manager Austria & CEE, Automation business line, Valmet.

Technical information about the delivery

Valmet’s delivery is part of Norske Skog’s major paper machine conversion project aiming at switching Bruck’s PM 3 production from newsprint to recycled containerboard which will introduce 210,000 tons of competitive containerboard capacity.

Valmet’s delivery includes the system design, engineering, manufacturing, factory acceptance test and installation of Valmet DNA Automation System. The distributed control system (DCS) will cover the PM 3 including OCC (Old Corrugated Container) and water treatment plant extension. All controls are in one platform that allows users an easy access to the data and efficient collaboration. The future-proof solution supports the extensions of Valmet Industrial Internet applications.

The Valmet IQ Quality Control System (QCS) will be supplied for PM 3 including scanners, related measurements, Valmet IQ Moisturizer and state-of-the-art multivariable MD (Machine Direction) and CD (Cross Direction) controls to provide accurate and stable sheet quality in demanding machine conditions, improving paper quality and efficiency while reducing costs. The system is completed with Valmet IQ Dilution profilers for advanced positioning of the headbox valves and with Valmet IQ Web Monitoring System for critical process area monitoring and helping the operators to analyse the root causes of web runnability disturbances.

About the customer Norske Skog Bruck

Norske Skog Bruck is situated in the Austrian state of Styria and produces both coated magazine paper (LWC) and newsprint. Norske Skog acquired the Bruck mill in January 1996 thus completing its product range with LWC. The Norske Skog group has approximately 2,100 employees in five countries, is headquartered in Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

Read more about Valmet’s Automation for OCC lines

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 2021 were approximately EUR 3.9 billion. Our more than 14,000 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

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from the Italian Burgo Group to rebuild the press section of its PM2, a test liner/white top liner machine, at the Avezzano mill, Italy. Start-up is scheduled for the first quarter of 2023. The new press section has a design speed of 1,200 m/min and a width of 5.32 m at the pope reel.

The aim of the rebuild is to significantly increase the dryness content after the press – while also saving energy – and to improve other paper properties. This new press section will enable Burgo to achieve a remarkable reduction in steam and specific energy consumption, resulting in a smaller CO₂ footprint.

Jani Hakola, Burgo, Technology and Investments; Alberto Sorge, Burgo, Operations; Gerald Steiner and Mario Bernasconi, ANDRITZ Paper and Board “Photo: ANDRITZ”.

The scope of supply includes a new PrimePress X shoe press for the 4^th nip, with a line load of 1,450 kN/m. With this type of shoe press, highest dry content levels are possible compared to the market standard. In addition, the runnability of the machine will be improved.

Over the past years, ANDRITZ has supplied various equipment items and services to Burgo, for example the conversion of its PM2 from graphic paper to containerboard grades, which also included the delivery of a new stock preparation line and a new top wire. This latest order once again confirms the long-term, successful relationship between the two companies.

With this rebuild, the Burgo Group is strengthening its ambition to constantly reduce energy consumption – one of the goals defined in the group’s sustainability strategy.

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 26,800 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.

Buckman, a privately-held, global company specializing in innovative chemistry and smart solutions, announced global price increases for all product offerings. The price increases will become effective April 1, 2022, or as customer contracts allow.

Price increases will vary depending on geographic region, solutions offered and market(s) served. In some areas, increases may be higher where local conditions may necessitate additional adjustments.

These unprecedented increases are required due to additional market increases for raw materials, energy, packaging, fuel and logistics costs.  Current cost pressure is unlike anything that has been seen in the history of the specialty chemical sector.  Proper price management will ensure continued supply of Buckman products to its existing customer base.

Buckman continues to drive operational excellence throughout the organization with the goal of minimizing the impact of supply chain disruptions and cost increases.

About Buckman

Buckman is completely committed to helping our customers succeed, regardless of the challenges facing them, the industry they operate in or their location in the world. To fulfill that commitment, we surround our rigorously-trained industry experts with the highest-quality chemicals, the latest smart technology, and advanced data analysis. All focused on helping our customers’ operations improve productivity, increase profitability, and ensure safety, compliance, and sustainability. That is more than chemistry. That is Chemistry, connected.

Kemira to increase prices for all product lines in Pulp & Paper, Americas effective March 15, 2022.

Costs for all main raw materials, energy (direct and indirect), packaging materials and freight have massively increased during recent months and continue to rise.

Significant price increases in the range of 15% to 30% are necessary and will be effective March 15, 2022 or as contract terms allow. 

Kemira is closely monitoring further potential disruptions of the global supply chain due to the current geopolitical environment and actions are ongoing to secure supply to our customers.

Kemira remains a committed partner to the pulp and paper industry as demonstrated over the past 100 years.

Kemira is a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water intensive industries. We provide best suited products and expertise to improve our customers’ product quality, process and resource efficiency. Our focus is on pulp & paper, water treatment and energy industry. In 2021, Kemira had annual revenue of around EUR 2.7 billion and around 5,000 employees. Kemira shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. 
 www.kemira.com 

Under a new campaign name, “Recycling in the Bag”, Fibre Circle, the producer responsibility organisation for the paper sector, teamed up with food service and packaging producer Detpak and Remade Recycling (part of the Mpact Group) to show 200 recycling collectors that paper grocery bags and brown take-away food bags can be collected from households and sold with their wastepaper collections.

The circular waste economy is a thriving network of collectors, buyers and processors, using recyclables such as wastepaper to make new products. Every year, more than 1.1 million tonnes of paper and paper packaging are recovered in South Africa and recycled into new products that we use every day. These products can then be recycled again, in many cases up to 25 times.

Each collector then received a pie and soft drink, along with a paper goodie bag, naturally in the same material that makes grocery bags, containing a reflective T-shirt, sun hat, safety gloves, fresh fruit and a box of Smarties, also in a recyclable paper box. Paper recycling is largely based on different grades of paper. In industry speak cardboard boxes are termed K4 while used white office paper is termed as HL1 (heavy letter 1). Cereal boxes, egg cartons and other similar paper items are deemed common mixed waste (CMW).

Thankfully, citizens only need to know whether something is recyclable or not. Once packaging or a recyclable product leaves our home with a waste collector or recycling company, they tend not to think about where it goes.

For a waste collector who sells our recyclables to a buy-back centre or recycling branch, the type of paper – and the value they get for it – is significant.

It is important for the respective grades to be separated and baled together as they form the ingredients for the paper products they will be recycled into.

Samantha Choles, Fibre Circle communications manager, explains, “Old cardboard boxes and paper bags will be repulped into other paper types – these will become new cardboard boxes and paper bags, and so the cycle continues.”

Used white paper is recycled into tissue products such as toilet paper while several paper grades are recycled into common household packaging such as matchboxes, tooth paste boxes and cereal boxes.

“With paper bags now synonymous with suburban and city-based grocery deliveries after Covid kept many of us away from supermarkets, Detpak and its customers felt that it was important to close the loop with the production and recycling of paper bags,” explains Carla Breytenbach, marketing manager for Detpak.

At Remade Recycling’s Midrand branch, small groups of collectors were invited to a discussion and demonstration by Anele Sololo, manager for education and SMME development at Fibre Circle.

Each collector then received a pie and soft drink, along with a paper goodie bag, naturally in the same material that makes grocery bags, containing a reflective T-shirt, sun hat, safety gloves, fresh fruit and a box of Smarties, also in a recyclable paper box.

“Safety and visibility is a key aspect in the lives of collectors who navigate the busy streets of our suburbs daily making an honest living,” notes Donna-Mari Noble, communications manager for the Mpact Group’s Recycling business, which includes Remade Recycling.

With Global Recycling Day coming up on Friday 18 March, what better way to contribute to the circular economy than by adding your paper bags to your recycling?” If you are not recycling yet, start simple by putting out recyclables such as cardboard boxes, pizza boxes, grocery bags and other similar packaging on your pavement for recycling collectors.

For more information on what is recyclable, visit https://fibrecircle.co.za/promotional-material/

ABOUT FIBRE CIRCLE

As a government recognised producer responsibility organisation, Fibre Circle manages extended producer responsibility programmes to keep paper and paper packaging – a renewable and recyclable product - out of South Africa’s landfills. It currently has 180 registered producers including paper manufacturers, importers, brand owners and retailers. 

https://fibrecircle.co.za/members/

Toscotec is pleased to announce the purchase of a TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer for Shawano Specialty Papers, a division of Little Rapids Corporation. The dryer will be installed on PM3 at their paper mill in Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. The installation is scheduled for the third quarter of 2022. 

The new TT SYD is Toscotec’s latest generation Steel Yankee and will replace Shawano Specialty Papers existing cast-iron dryer. It will deliver multiple benefits, including significant production increase and thermal energy savings. The new SYD will cut back the operating costs of the tissue machine and guarantee higher safety for their associates. 

Toscotec is the leading global manufacturer of Steel Yankee dryers counting more than 240 TT SYDs sold worldwide. With this new order, it strengthens its position in the US market as top supplier of Steel Yankee dryers with the largest market share. 

“The decision to choose Toscotec for this replacement is based on our trust in their first-rate technology and Toscotec’s years of experience with SYDs,” said Shawano Specialty Papers Engineering Manager Jeff Wolf. “We have two main focuses: first to provide high quality solutions for our customers and second to continuously reduce our energy consumption and overall environmental impact utilizing state-of-the-art technology.”

Michael Drage, President of Toscotec North America, Inc., says, “We expect Shawano Specialty Papers to start reaping the benefits of our latest-generation design Steel Yankee dryer right after start-up. Drying efficiency is key in the tissue industry. A high-tech, energy-efficient component such as TT SYD will give them an important competitive advantage to further expand their business in North America.”  

About Little Rapids Corporation
Founded by Charles Egan in 1947, they remain a family-owned business, celebrating 75 years in 2022. The company’s core product lines serve the medical and beauty market segments, flexographic printing for a variety of packaging markets, and tissue, MG paper, and wet crepe paper for the specialty paper market. The company proudly employs over 450 people in its Green Bay and Shawano, Wisconsin locations. 

For more information, please contact:
Michael Drage, President of Toscotec North America, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kemira will implement a price increase of 10-30% for selected AKD (alkyl ketene dimer) wax based sizing products in APAC. The price adjustment will be effective immediately or as the existing AKD contracts allow. The decision is triggered by continuous cost increases of main raw materials, energy, logistics and HSE regulatory compliance requirements. AKD wax is the main raw material for AKD sizing products.

Kemira remains committed to mitigating the impact of these challenging market conditions while providing the highest quality products and services to its customers.

Kemira Oyj
Nichlas Kavander, SVP, Pulp & Paper, APAC
Tel. +86 185 2131 9966
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Zhao Hua, Director, Sales, AKD wax,  Pulp & Paper, APAC
Tel. +86 159 2100 5826
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kemira is a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water intensive industries. We provide best suited products and expertise to improve our customers’ product quality, process and resource efficiency. Our focus is on pulp & paper, water treatment and energy industry. In 2021, Kemira had annual revenue of around EUR 2.7 billion and around 5,000 employees. Kemira shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. 
 www.kemira.com 

International Paper (NYSE: IP) announced its intention to explore strategic options, including the possible sale, of its 50% ownership interest in Ilim Group. International Paper has no intention to seek suspension of operations or initiate any liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings with respect to Ilim Group.

About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com.

SOURCE International Paper

As earlier communicated, BillerudKorsnäs entered into a merger agreement with Verso Corporation (Verso) under which BillerudKorsnäs agreed to acquire Verso for a purchase price of approximately USD 825 million in cash. Verso is a leading producer of coated papers in North America with reported net sales for 2021 of USD 1 278 million and adjusted EBITDA of USD 223 million.

At a special meeting of Verso’s shareholders held today, holders of the requisite majority of Verso’s outstanding shares of common stock voted to adopt the merger agreement and approve the transaction.

BillerudKorsnäs expects the transaction to close in late-March or April of 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of remaining regulatory approvals from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

Finland is among the world leaders in drone research. Researchers’ next goal is to develop the technology and test how a swarm of coordinating drones equipped with AI can detect and prevent forest fires.

How can a forest fire be detected early enough? How can up-to-date information on the progress of the fire and a forecast of how it will spread in the next hour be obtained? Geospatial data is crucial in preventing, monitoring and extinguishing forest fires. Information on current forest fires is already available using satellites, but there are no efficient methods to quickly detect small and recently started forest fires and monitor the fire in real time. The FireMan consortium formed by the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI) of the National Land Survey of Finland (NLS), the University of Jyväskylä, the University of Oulu and the researchers from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is taking up the challenge. The project will run from 2022 to 2024, funded by the Academy of Finland. 

“We’re developing a new AI-based drone technology to quickly detect forest fires and provide situational awareness when extinguishing the fires,” says Professor Eija Honkavaara from NLS, who is leading the project. 

There is a global demand for innovative solutions for preventing forest fires. According to statistics, more than 400,000 hectares of forest burned down in 2019, which was the worst year for forest fires in Europe. This grim record was broken last year: by the end of October, half a million hectares of forest had already burned down in Europe. Forest fires are expected to increase due to global warming. So forest fire control is also of interest in Finland – 75 per cent of our land area is forest. 

The National Land Survey of Finland

Communication must work even in remote areas

In the FireMan project, universities and research centres are developing solutions for forest fire control and simultaneously conducting scientific research in autonomous flying, digital modelling and communication. 

The task of the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI) is to develop a decision support system based on digital twins for controlling forest fires, i.e. a real-time digital modelling of the forest fire area. It also offers accurate data on how the fire is progressing. 

“Drones can help us in providing real-time information on how the fire front is progressing, and how high and hot the flames are. We’re developing methods to locate a swarm of drones and produce remote sensing data in real time. In addition, we’re developing sensor technology that surpasses the ability of the human eye in terms of seeing through smoke,” says Eija Honkavaara. 

The University of Jyväskylä is researching forecast models for fire progression and ways to optimise AI algorithms in real-time analytics. 
“Forest fire progression can be modelled numerically, considering topographical features, vegetation and wind direction. In this project, we use forecast models to teach the AI so that it can assess the fire progression based on remote sensing data collected in real time,” says Associate Professor Ilkka Pölönen from the University of Jyväskylä.

The researchers from the University of Oulu are focusing on crisis communication and determining the possibilities of 5G and 6G networks. 
“Drones will form a new device category in the future and create new requirements for mobile networks. The performance of the broadband connection from the device to the network will be crucial. The connections will also have to work reliably in remote areas and at typical flight altitudes,” explains Tuomo Hänninen from the University of Oulu.

The goal: independent fire drones that work as a team

Drones must be able to monitor wide forest areas and react and act independently as required in fire situations. It is essential that drones operate as a group in a fire situation. 

In the project, the researchers will test how a swarm of drones will cooperate in a forest fire situation.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is responsible for optimising the swarm of drones in crisis situations and developing operating concepts in cooperation with various stakeholders. 
“The study of the FireMan consortium aims to combine various AI technologies from self-correcting forecast models to autonomous cyber-physical systems,” says Research Professor Fabrice Saffre from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

“In practice, the research conducted in this project focuses on seamless cooperation between humans and autonomous systems. We need to consider all the existing knowledge and the needs of users. We will therefore invite all interested parties to jointly develop all of this with us,” says Hannu Karvonen from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, who is leading the project team responsible for planning operating concepts.  

Drones tested during prescribed burning

In the FireMan project, the researchers will test the drones in practice. Material is collected during prescribed burning by Metsähallitus and the Finnish Forest Centre. The first drone flights will take place as early as the spring of 2022. 

A demonstration will be held at the end of the project in which drones are operating as a group in observing and monitoring a situation such as a forest fire. 

The FireMan project enhances the Finnish top research of drones. In a recent comparison, the knowledge cluster unmanned aerial vehicles, remote sensing was ranked as the fourth in scientific impact in Finland among more than 1000 identified knowledge clusters.

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