Kemira has decided to discontinue deliveries to Russia and Belarus starting March 1, 2022 until further notice due to the ongoing situation in the region.

The decision to discontinue deliveries will primarily impact pulp and paper customers in Russia. In 2021, Russia represented around 3% of Kemira’s total revenue. 

For more information, please contact:
Kemira Oyj
Terhi Kivinen, Chief Communications Officer
Tel. +358 40 848 4001

Mikko Pohjala, Vice President, Investor Relations
Tel. +358 40 838 0709

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 

Valmet will deliver two second-generation EVO Defibrator systems to the new insulation materials plant at STEICO Sp. z o.o’s Gromadka site in Poland. The installation is scheduled for the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023.

The order is included in Valmet’s orders received of the fourth quarter 2021. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

Valmet second-generation EVO Defibrator system

“Since we are very content with our existing Valmet supplied defibrators in all our sites, we are looking forward to running the latest generation of defibrators in our new site in Gromadka,” says Uwe Lange, CTO at STEICO.

“We are very pleased that we have been trusted to deliver this order. STEICO and Valmet already have a strong cooperation in the service business for the existing lines, and now we are taking the collaboration to the next level,” says Leif Sundberg, Sales Manager, Valmet.

Information about Valmet’s delivery

Valmet’s scope of supply includes the second-generation EVO Defibrator systems. The EVO Defibrators are known for the reliable performance and low operating cost.

With the supply of two EVO 46 defibrator systems to STEICO, Valmet will further strengthen its position as a supplier of the highest performing fiberboard front-end system also for insulation board.

Information about the customer STEICO Sp. z o.o.

STEICO was founded in 1986 as a timber trading company "Gesellschaft für Bau- und Industriebedarf Steinmann & Co GmbH". Today, STEICO is the world market leader for ecological wood fibre insulation materials, uniquely complemented by its integrated timber construction system.

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

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is likely to impact global trade in the coming months. Increased sanctions against trading with Russia and difficulty with financial transactions will probably interrupt and re-direct shipments of forest products throughout the world. As a result, trade with Russia will likely decline, impacting long-established international trade flows of forest products.

Countries like China and India, who have reluctantly supported Russia in the conflict, may also be affected by limited trade sanctions. This development would mainly affect China, which relies on the importation of forest products, including logs, wood chips, lumber, pulp, and paper from North America, Europe, Oceania, and Latin America for domestic use. These world regions are considering expanded sanctions for Russia and countries that directly or indirectly support Russia’s attack on Ukraine. 

Governments in North America and Europe are also seriously considering locking Russia out of the international SWIFT money transaction system. If this occurs, Russian companies will find it challenging to trade with the world.

Russia exported forest products were valued at over 12 billion dollars in 2021, and imports of paper products (mainly) are valued at about 2 billion dollars, according to Wood Resource Quarterly. Much of this trade is in jeopardy.

Russia is the largest lumber exporter globally and ranks as the seventh biggest exporter of forest products worldwide. Forest products exports from Russia have increased rapidly in the past five years, led by softwood lumber and paper products (see table).

                             Export value in 2021       Change 2017-2021

                                (Billion US $)                         (%)

Softwood lumber            5.8                                  24

Paper products                2.0                                  11

Wood panels                   1.9                                  15

Wood pulp                      1.3                                  19

Hardwood logs               0.5                                  15

Softwood logs                 0.5                                -52

Wood pellets                   0.3                                102

Total                              12.2                                24

Note. An estimated 40% of exports were destined for China, while the remainder was predominantly shipped to European markets.

Russia has vastly under-utilized forest resources and has the potential to increase timber harvests to supply its domestic industry. To meet increased global demand for forest products, the Russian government recently initiated programs to encourage investments in the sector to both expand/modernize existing manufacturing plants and build greenfield facilities.

However, it is likely that many investments projects in the forest products manufacturing sector in Russia will grind to a halt as the growing list of sanctions and financial transaction restrictions take effect. 

Are you interested in the worldwide wood products market information? The Wood Resource Quarterly is a 75-page quarterly report established in 1988 and has subscribers in over 30 countries. The publication tracks prices for sawlog, pulpwood, lumber, and pellets and reports on trade and wood market developments in key regions worldwide. For more insights on the latest international forest product market trends, please visit  www.WoodPrices.com

Track global sawlog, pulpwood and lumber prices and trade - subscribe to the 75-page market report Wood Resource Quarterly - read by forest industry analysts and company executives in over 30 countries since 1988

New Focus Reports for 2021 (click for info):

Russian Log Export Ban in 2022 - Implications to the Global Forest Industry

European Pellet Outlook: Where will the raw material come from?

Global Lumber Market - The Growing Role of European Lumber

US South Softwood Industry – Outlook for the world’s most important softwood fiber basket (just released)

Teemu Salmi, CIO, Head of IT & Digitalisation and a member of the Group Leadership Team, has decided to leave his position at Stora Enso. After five years in the company, Teemu will assume the CEO position at Finnish cyber security company Nixu. Teemu will continue working in Stora Enso until 20 May 2022.

“Teemu has been instrumental in driving and accelerating Stora Enso’s digitalisation agenda, supporting our transformation to become the renewable materials company. I want to express my gratitude and thanks to Teemu for his contributions to Stora Enso, while also wishing him all the very best for his new exciting career opportunity,” says Annica Bresky, President and CEO at Stora Enso.   

As part of Stora Enso’s new operating model, IT & Digitalization will moving forward be part of the CFO organisation and report to CFO Seppo Parvi. Seppo and Teemu will immediately start the handover process to ensure a smooth transfer of the responsibilities.

"During 2022, we will continue to focus on implementing the decentralized and more efficient operating model in IT & Digitalization. In line with our strategy, this will create further value for all our stakeholders by enabling more empowered divisions and as a result strengthened customer-centricity," says Seppo Parvi.

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

This year, Rottneros Bruk has been awarded gold by the analysis company EcoVadis. This means that Rottneros Bruk's sustainability work is better than 94 percent of all companies that have been audited globally.

• Achieving gold we see as an important milestone and a recognition of our extensive commitment to sustainability issues. I am very proud of us, the diligent work of my colleagues and the company management. In addition to EcoVadis giving our customers an objective third-party valuation, we ourselves get a clear picture of how we can become even better, says Christin Pihlgren who is energy & environment manager at Rottneros Bruk.

EcoVadis has so far analyzed more than 75,000 companies worldwide and bases its evaluation on international CSR standards including the Global Reporting Initiative, the UN Global Compact and ISO 26000. The assessment is based on 21 criteria in the areas of environment, HR including employee rights, ethics and sustainability purchase. This is the third year in a row that Rottneros Bruk is participating in the survey. This year, the result was raised by 8 points - from 60 to 68 out of a total of 100 possible points, mainly in the environment and HR.

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.

The range and complexity of electrical and electronic equipment used in manufacturing environments has increased dramatically over the last few years. Here, John Mitchell, global business development manager of supply, repair and field service specialist CP Automation explains how to manage the increasing harmonic levels in the modern industrial landscape.

The introduction of variable speed drives, fluorescent lighting and transformers has brought a rise in the number of non-linear loads. One of the unwanted consequences of non-linear loads is the creation of harmonic currents, which can cause voltage distortion and quality problems.

To address the issues caused by high harmonics levels, including motor vibration, voltage notching, electromagnetic interference and overheating, companies can use harmonic filters.

Active or passive?

When choosing a harmonic filter, the first thing to consider is whether you need a passive or an active one. The traditional choice is a passive filter, used to minimise power quality problems in the network. These filters operate mainly on a fixed basis and are tuned to a harmonic order close to the order to be eliminated. One drawback of passive filters is that they are most efficient when the load is operating above 80 per cent and they cannot adapt the amount of compensation current they inject into the system.

On the other hand, active harmonic filters are the most flexible solution on the market. They monitor the network and inject the necessary amount of compensation current at any given time, which restores current waveform and lowers current consumption. This makes them ideal for installations in which current load changes constantly.

Regardless of what type of harmonic filter you decide to use, make sure it has the relevant UL certifications for the environment in which it is going to run. If unsure, you should always refer to an expert.

Another option is a mixed solution. You could use a passive filter on some applications and add a smaller active filter overall, which will help you save costs in the long run.

Excess heat?

Another thing to consider when choosing a harmonic filter is that harmonic currents can induce additional heating in generators. Harmonics can also lead to heating of busbars, cables and equipment, cause thermal damage to induction motors and generators and thermal tripping of safety devices, like fuses or sensors in breakers. These relatively minor issues can have a negative effect on the entire system and can increase maintenance costs.

Luckily, some active filters produce up to a third less heat than competitor products due to the switching techniques of the insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). Equally, the REVCON RHF Series of passive filters offer up to 99.5 per cent efficiency.

When comparing filters, active or passive, you should look closely at the total cost of ownership for the end user. After all, heat loss is a direct cost in energy bills. This is particularly important on the shop floor, in marine and offshore applications or any other environments where space and heat is particularly precious.

Before choosing a harmonic filter, it is important to assess the entire system and size the right solution for your specific needs. It is not enough to look at one troublesome application individually. Instead, you should have an accurate representation at the entire operation as a whole. Often what looks like the cause of a problem can actually be an effect.

CP Automation suggests performing a plant survey and collecting data over several days. After the initial analysis, we can recommend the most appropriate product and install it without significant disruptions.

Once the harmonic filter has been live for a few weeks, another survey is necessary to check if all problems have been resolved. This ensures the product is appropriate and it gives companies real peace of mind.

Unfortunately, harmonics are not going anywhere, so businesses can’t afford to just ignore them. Instead, the best solution is to tackle the problem head on and if you are unsure of anything, always consult an expert.

About CP Automation: CP Automation is a specialist in the repair and replacement of automation equipment including electronic boards, PLCs and Ac and DC drives. It was established to provide an independent maintenance service, without exclusive ties to any manufacturer. However, it does have strong relationships with the principal inverter, encoder, resistors and motor manufacturers.

International technology group ANDRITZ has successfully started up a complete OCC line delivered on EPS (Engineering, Procurement, Supervision) basis to SCGP’s subsidiary, United Pulp and Paper Co., Inc. (UPPC) for its mill in Bulacan, the Philippines.

The stock preparation system features an ANDRITZ pulping system comprising a FibreSolve FSR pulper with FibreGuard detrashing system to provide top performance, even when handling highly contaminated furnish. Fractionators and fine screens are equipped with innovative PrimeRotors for excellent removal of stickies with lower energy consumption than conventional rotor types.

The new OCC line has a design capacity of 870 admt/d and processes OCC (Old Corrugated Container) and mixed wastepaper as raw material to produce corrugated medium. Detailed engineering and supply of all auxiliaries for the line were also part of the scope. 

Successful start-up of the OCC line at UPPC, the Philippines “Photo: ANDRITZ”

Pornchai Kumpeesirivutikul, Project Manager, United Pulp and Paper Co., Inc., says: “Despite the pandemic, our new line was started up successfully. ANDRITZ supervised the installation remotely and managed to support the start-up on site – this worked exceptionally well! We are absolutely convinced that we will achieve our profitability and sustainability goals in the very near future.”

SCGP is a leading multinational provider of top-quality consumer packaging solutions and is well known for its innovative and sustainable offerings such as fiber-based packaging, performance and polymer packaging (PPP) and foodservice packaging, as well as various pulp and paper products. SCGP operates production sites in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, UK, and Spain.

ANDRITZ GROUP

International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems and services for the pulp and paper industry, the hydropower sector, the metals processing and forming industry, pumps, solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors, as well as animal feed and biomass pelleting. Plants for power generation, flue gas cleaning, recycling, and the production of nonwovens and panelboard complete the global product and service offering. Innovative products and services in the industrial digitalization sector are offered under the brand name Metris and help customers to make their plants more user-friendly, efficient and profitable. The publicly listed group has around 26,800 employees and more than 280 locations in over 40 countries.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER

ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides equipment, systems, complete plants and services 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 and sustainability as well as lower overall operating costs. Boilers for power generation, flue gas cleaning systems, plants for the production of nonwovens and panelboard (MDF), as well as recycling and shredding solutions for various 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.

Stora Enso has just announced that it has signed a letter of intent to divest the Kvarnsveden site in Sweden to Northvolt. Due to structural decline in demand for graphical paper, in April 2021 Stora Enso announced a plan to close its Kvarnsveden paper production site. Founded in 1900, Kvarnsveden produced pulp and paper for over 120 years until production ended in September 2021.

Northvolt is a European supplier of sustainable battery cells and will develop the site into a battery manufacturing plant, reusing and refurbishing the existing facilities and site infrastructure. According to Northvolt, the gigafactory is expected to start the first part of its operations in late 2024, and will employ up to 1,000 people.

“Sustainability is the main priority for Stora Enso, and this also has to be addressed in difficult times. Hence, a key focus since our decision to close the site has been to find a new owner that can continue Stora Enso’s long and sustainability-driven legacy at Kvarnsveden, to the benefit of the local society. Like Stora Enso, Northvolt delivers modern and innovative solutions that contribute to a climate-friendly future. Through this agreement, Kvarnsveden will become a foundation for continued growth, both for Northvolt and the city of Borlänge,” says Per Lyrvall, Sweden country manager at Stora Enso.

Kvarnsveden

The Kvarnsveden site has many advantages including availability of skilled workforce as well as a railway link, a connection to the national electricity grid, and the availability of clean water. According to Northvolt, the site will be powered using 100 percent clean energy, and will feature both cathode material and cell production.

Peter Carlsson, Co-Founder and CEO of Northvolt, comments: “Since Northvolt was founded, we have focused on circular battery production, but this is the first time we are reusing an entire production site. With its access to energy, industrial water and the broad production know-how in the region, Kvarnsveden is an optimal site for a gigafactory. We are thrilled to be able to open a new chapter in Borlänge’s history as a global industrial hub.”

The final agreement regarding the transaction is expected to be signed in the next few months. Certain infrastructure and equipment, including the boiler, are subject to separate processes and are not included in the Northvolt scope. The transaction impact on Stora Enso's operational EBIT or net debt is not considered material. 

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

On 15 February 2022, the Final Conference marked the conclusion of the two-year EU project “Turn the Page” – Recruitment strategies to attract young talents in the paper industry (project VS/2020/0016).

“Turn the Page” was launched in March 2020 by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) in cooperation with IndustriAll European Trade Union. Supported by national partners in Belgium, Finland, Germany, Italy and Poland and by Spin360 as technical partner, its main goal was to develop an overall strategy to attract and retain young people to the pulp and paper sector.

"The European pulp & paper industry is a green, highly innovative and increasingly digital sector, offering many exciting job and career opportunities. However, this is not commonly known. Turn The Page allowed us to develop solutions and tools to communicate in a way that is matching the needs and expectations of the young generation” said Jori Ringman, Director General of Cepi at the opening of the event.

Luc Triangle, General Secretary of industriAll Europe added: “Attractive and future-proof jobs in the pulp and paper sector are a common concern for employers and trade unions. Strong social dialogue will be key for quality working conditions and attractive workplaces, and for addressing skills needs. As social partners, we will continue our work on this at the different levels.”

During the two years, the project has achieved important outcomesthat can be used across all Europe, such as:

• The creation of an interactive Best Practice Toolkit for paper companies, education and training providers, unions and associations providing recommendations and concrete best practices to attract and retain young workers.

•  A dedicated  website with information on the sector, including a list of paper related schools and courses across the EU, descriptions of job profiles specific for the paper industry, as well as video testimonials of young people working in the industry.

• Success stories from dedicated events organised in the four partner countries that brought young students in contact with the industry, outlining job opportunities and sharing experiences about working in the paper industry.

The final conference was attended by 100 representatives of the European Commission, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP), paper producers, trade unions, VET providers as well as young people working in the industry. During the conference, project results were presented and discussed with sectoral stakeholders on how to further enhance the attractiveness of the paper sector and set the way forward.

To find out more, visit the Turn the Page project website: www.turnthepageproject.eu.

About industriAll Europe:

IndustriAll Europe represents the voice of 7 million working men and women across supply chains in manufacturing, mining and energy sectors across Europe. We aim to protect and advance the rights of workers. Our federation has 181 trade union affiliates in 38 European countries. Our objective is to be a powerful player in the European political arena visà-vis European companies, European industries, employers’ associations and European institutions.

IndustriAll Europe website.

About Cepi :

Cepi is the European association representing the paper industry. We offer a wide range of renewable and recyclable wood-based fibre solutions to EU citizens: from packaging to textile, hygiene and tissue products, printing and graphic papers as well as speciality papers, but also bio-chemicals for food and pharmaceuticals, bio-composites and bioenergy.

Cepi is the European association representing the paper industry. We offer a wide range of renewable and recyclable wood-based fibre solutions to EU citizens: from packaging to textile, hygiene and tissue products, printing and graphic papers as well as speciality papers, but also bio-chemicals for food and pharmaceuticals, bio-composites and bioenergy. We are a responsible industry: 85% of our raw materials are sourced in Europe and certified as sustainable, 92% of the water we use is returned in good condition to the environment. We are the world champion in recycling at the rate of 73.9%. At the forefront of the decarbonisation and industrial transformation of our economy, we embrace digitalisation and bring 18.5 billion value addition to the European economy and €4.5 billion investments annually. Through its 18 national associations, Cepi gathers 495 companies operating 895 mills across Europe and directly employing more than 180,000 people.

More information about our sustainability performance here.

Walki is answering to the market's growing demand for materials made from recycled plastics by introducing Lamibel®Recycled, a non-food monomaterial packaging material.

Making the plastics stream become more circular is critical to reduce the use of plastics. It has been particularly challenging to find ways to put post-consumer plastic waste to good use. Walki is introducing Lamibel®Recycled, a non-consumer material that uses up to 70 % post-consumer plastic waste. Typically, non-food packaging products only has between 30 and 50% recycled material, mainly from industrial processes.

 “We transform post-consumer plastic waste into valuable objects, using recycled materials to create high-quality packaging", explains Juan Pedro Hernández, Head of sales South-West, Films & Bags with Walki Plasbel.

The demand for packaging material made from recycled plastics is spurred by the European Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan, one of the key components of the European Green Deal. It includes a revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) that seeks to ensure that all the packaging on the EU market will be recyclable or reusable in an economically viable way by 2030.

"Flexible packaging products made from fully recyclable monomaterials like Lamibel®Recycled, will play an important part in achieving the ambitious European goals", says Juan Pedro Hernández.

The post-consumer material used to make Lamibel® Recycled typically comes from three main sources: stretch film for pallet wrapping, PE packaging material, and film used to bundle bottles, cans and Tetra Briks. These products are all collected by certified suppliers from supermarkets, warehouses, shops and so on. They then go through a careful selection process through which the materials suitable to continue into the production process are identified.

Made at Walki Plasbel’s plant in Murcia, Spain, Lamibel®Recycled is primarily used to package non-food household products like toilet rolls, hand rolls and hand towels.

Lamibel®Recycled, being a monomaterial, is also a fully recyclable.

“By being both recycled and recyclable, this material enables a true circular economy."

At Walki, we believe in a sustainable and circular tomorrow. Our mission is to accelerate the world’s transition into a zero waste future in packaging and promote the use of energy efficient materials across industries. Walki’s product solutions are designed to bring value to customers in many different markets; from sustainable materials for packaging applications to energy saving performance materials. Walki is a growing international group organized in three business areas: Consumer Packaging, Industrial Packaging and Engineered Materials, with operations in twelve different countries, both in Europe and Asia. In 2020, the Group’s annual turnover was approx. 355 million euros employing around 1000 people.

www.walki.com