AFT is pleased to announce three new advanced POM systems to be delivered for Klabin Puma II Project PM28, a multi-ply containerboard application in Brazil, South America. The POM system will help to provide superior cleanliness and fast response to grade changes on a new flex-board machine with multiple and frequent changes planned. 

The new wet end includes a complete POM approach flow system for three plies with a capacity of 1,700 TPD, including POMix stock processors, POMp degassers, POMLock drop legs, basic engineering and mill site services.  

Compared to traditional systems with silos and tanks, the compact POM system runs efficiently with much lower water volume, less energy in a compact space. This enhances environmental performance by using less water and providing fast grade changes, process stability and sheet cleanliness.

“AFT is proud to have been selected to participate in this project” says Orlando Matteoni, Director of AFT do Brazil.  “We are committed to delivering innovative technologies for the South American market that help our mills in reaching their sustainability goals.”

ABOUT AFT

AFT is a global supplier specialized in stock preparation, screening, refining and paper machine approach flow systems. With over 100 years of experience, we offer expert solutions that help mills produce more while using less energy, water and chemicals.  Our solutions are tailored to the customer’s furnish, their application and the end-product being produced in order to optimize their return on investment.  For more information, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

How can manufacturers significantly improve product quality and process runnability in paper production and converting? This is exactly the question German manufacturer of specialized testing technology, emtec Electronic, addresses at booth 163 at the MIAC 2021 convention in Lucca, Italy from October 13-15.

Leipzig, Germany, 13.09.2021 – After MIAC 2020 was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, technicians of paper mills and converting sites worldwide once again get the opportunity to update their professional knowledge and experience the charm of Tuscany for three days at the MIAC Exhibition in Lucca, Italy. This year, 250 international exhibitors will present new technologies, machinery, and cutting-edge technical solutions for paper and board production and converting to visitors on-site at the Lucca Exhibition Centre.

Visitors to the convention can visit emtec Electronic at Booth 163 to discover more about emtec’s devices, all of which are self-developed and unique on the market. The assortment includes the device that launched the company, the PDA Penetration Dynamics Analyzer, which measures liquid penetration to predict the gluing, printing, and coating behavior of paper and board.

One of emtec’s most recent devices, the ACA Ash Content Analyzer, will be on display at the event. The ACA allows for a quick and reliable determination of the composition of fillers and fines within a sample without destroying the sample. This process leads to an immense time-saving compared to traditional combustion methods.

In addition, the CAS touch! and FPA touch! will be on location and available for demonstrations. The latter two are improved and more easily portable versions of the original one-of-a-kind testing technology, the Charge Analyzing System and Fiber Potential Analyzer.

Using standard titration techniques, the CAS touch! technology allows technicians to measure the cationic/anionic and acid/base demands of water-based charge systems, easily determine isoelectric and flocculation points of a sample and examine the correlation between pH, titrant demand and streaming potential. The FPA touch! enables the correct dosage of chemically charged additives by providing accurate information regarding the charge of fibers and fillers in a sample based on proven methods of Zeta Potential measurement.

One emtec device not on display due to its size but with video and informational material readily available is the FPO, the Fiber Potential Analyzer Online, which has the added benefit of being connected directly to the process and is so able to constantly monitor the fiber charge, allowing for immediate changes to be made if necessary.

“We’re excited to participate in the MIAC event again this year after last year’s hiatus, and are looking forward to lively discussions and demonstrations with visitors, as well as meeting up with our Italian representatives once more,” says Alexander Gruener, Global Marketing and Business Development Manager for emtec.

Visitors are welcome to stop by the emtec Booth 163 to view the entire emtec palette, exchange ideas, ask questions, see a demonstration of the devices, get their own samples tested onsite, or simply clink glasses with the representatives.

For more information about the MIAC 2021 event and the opportunity to register with no entry fee, visit miac.info.

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 25 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 Kemi bioproduct mill project of Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, is progressing according to plan and the mill’s foundation stone was laid today, 13 September 2021.

The foundation stone was laid to the area of fibre line of the new mill by Ismo Nousiainen, CEO of Metsä Fibre, Jari-Pekka Johansson, Project Director of the Kemi bioproduct mill project, and Mika Vuoti, the on-site contact person. To ensure safety in terms of the coronavirus, the foundation stone was laid without the presence of guests.

Totalling EUR 1.6 billion, the investment in Metsä Group’s Kemi bioproduct mill is the largest in the history of the Finnish forest industry. Through its direct value chain, the new bioproduct mill will employ around 2,500 people in Finland once it is completed. This translates into some 1,500 more than the employment effect of the current Kemi pulp mill. The bioproduct mill project has a high degree of Finnish origin, approximately 70 per cent.

“The impact of this large-scale industrial investment is significant. The Kemi bioproduct mill will increase Finland’s annual exports by around EUR 0.5 billion and its annual positive income effect through the value of the wood raw material and the purchasing of Finnish labour is likewise roughly EUR 0.5 billion,” says Ismo Nousiainen, CEO of Metsä Fibre.

During the construction phase, the bioproduct mill’s employment effect will be approximately 10,000 person-years, more than half of which will be seen in Kemi. The total number of employees working during the construction phase is estimated to be about 15,000.

“We are proceeding purposefully towards the start-up of the new mill in the third quarter of 2023. At the moment, the project is focused on earthworks and this autumn, we will be moving on to the first equipment installations. Some 450 people are currently working on the site,” says Jari-Pekka Johansson, Project Director.

Operating entirely without fossil fuels, the Kemi bioproduct mill will produce annually some 1.5 million tonnes of softwood and hardwood pulp, as well as many other bioproducts. It will also produce 2.0 TWh of renewable energy a year, which is equal to approximately 2.5% of Finland’s total annual electricity production.

Progress on the bioproduct mill’s construction site can be followed via real-time webcams at www.metsafibre.com/webcamskemi.

Metsä Fibre  
www.metsafibre.com

Metsä Fibre is a leading producer of bioproducts, biochemicals and bioenergy. We are the world’s largest producer of softwood market pulp and a globally significant manufacturer of sawn timber. There is a growing demand for our high-quality products, as renewable wood provides a responsible alternative to fossil-based materials.

In 2020 our sales totalled approximately EUR 1.8 billion, and we have around 1,300 employees. Metsä Fibre is part of Metsä Group. 

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 5.5 billion, and we have around 9,200 employees in 30 countries. Our international Group has its roots in the Finnish forests: our parent company is Metsäliitto Cooperative which is owned by 100,000 forest owners.

ABB and Södra have entered a long-term, strategic partnership to co-develop a roadmap to drive new levels of efficiency, engagement and digitalization across Södra’s enterprise to ultimately define the next generation mill.

• Södra, Sweden's largest forest owners association and an international forest industry group , appoints ABB to optimize performance, efficiency and sustainability across its millsDigital transformation project to set new benchmark for the next generation mill
• Together, Södra and ABB will lead the way in successful digital transformation with the aim of creating a new benchmark for both the forest and pulp industry, and the broader industry, globally.

The contract, effective from September 2021, is designed as a continuous engagement model, with ongoing reviews of short and long-term goals to ensure the digitalization of Södra’s operations. Södra’s intent is to build its digital capabilities and increase efficiency, sustainability and circular resource utilization throughout the value chain.

“ABB’s collaborative approach, global technology leadership and digital expertise was key to our decision to choose them as our partner,” said Magnus Björkman, President of Södra Cell Business Area. “Their foresight of what we want to achieve through this digitalization project will bring new levels of efficiency in our operations and create an even more desirable workplace of continuous learning for this and the next generation of workers.”

The scope will be jointly defined using the full industrial digitalization technology stack based on the foundation of ABB’s Ability ™ portfolio, including:

• ABB’s 800xA Distributed Control System (DCS), an integration platform with unparalleled connectivity to enterprise and plant systems providing a collaborative environment where real-time decision making is a reality
• ABB’s Pulp and Paper digital solutions which supply advanced software applications that enable modern mills to maximize visibility, reliability, productivity and energy efficiency
• ABB Ability ™ Genix Industrial Analytics and AI Suite, a platform with the ability to collate and contextualize data from diverse sources

“Digitalization is an invaluable enabler for the growth and advancement of our industry, and we are committed to the transformation of traditional mills into the optimal mill of the future,” said Björn Jonsson, Hub Manager, Process Industries at ABB. “Our vision is for operators and the industry to benefit from fully-automated, optimized and connected mill settings, with digital solutions and real-time insights allowing them to reach the highest quality standards. This collaboration with Södra is a perfect example of how our digital portfolio, coupled with our proven track record of industry collaboration and support, can help mills reach new heights of efficiency.”

The project framework will be shaped based on ABB’s proven approach of working with each customer on their specific journey to identify their objectives and what works to best address their challenges, and then to co-develop and verify solutions as needed to encourage adaption and continued progress.

ABB is working across more than 50 countries to provide its comprehensive portfolio of integrated digital solutions, automation and electrification systems, industry-focused products and services to help customers optimize all phases of the papermaking process. The company works across packaging, paper, tissue and pulp disciplines to help drive availability, performance, cost and quality improvements.

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

Valmet and UPM have signed an extension of the existing maintenance operations agreement for UPM’s Platting mill in Germany, for an additional three years. The value of the agreement will not be disclosed.

“Since the start-up of the Valmet-delivered paper machine PM1 in 2007, Valmet’s maintenance team has been present at the site, providing outsourced maintenance operations services. Thanks to the extraordinary performance of the entire maintenance team during the years and the corona crisis, upcoming challenges have been mastered exceptionally well to this day. The maintenance team adapts quickly and professionally to changes, and, thus, actively contributes to good results. It was a logical choice to extend the agreement and team collaboration with Valmet,” says Sebastian Loewenberg, General Manager, UPM Plattling.

“The extension of the agreement is the best acknowledgement for the achievements reached together at the site over the years. We will continue to support the mill in reaching their goals by bringing efficiency, availability and profitability to the best possible level during the coming years,” says Yrjö Ylitalo, Director, EMEA Mill Maintenance Operations, Valmet.

In addition to the daily presence at the site, Valmet’s maintenance development and outsourcing services offering allows the customer an access to Valmet’s global network of technology and process experts 24 hours a day through Valmet Performance Centers and various industrial internet applications.

Technical information about the delivery

The agreement includes maintenance development and outsourcing services, such as daily maintenance, development of the maintenance processes and adjustments according to the customer’s expectations and agreed targets for PM1 and PM11.

About UPM

UPM delivers renewable and responsible solutions and innovates for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. UPM employs 18,000 people worldwide and the company’s annual sales are approximately EUR 8.6 billion.

UPM Plattling is located in Bavaria, Germany, about 135 kilometres from Munich. Founded in 1982, the mill employs nearly 480 people and produces coated and uncoated magazine papers with a capacity of 615,000 t/a.

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 2020 were approximately EUR 3.7 billion. Our 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.  

www.valmet.com

Valmet will supply Valmet IQ Scanners and Valmet IQ Dilution Profiler to Xinxiang Xinya Paper Co., Ltd. in China. The systems will be installed on Xinxiang Xinya Paper’s paper machine PM2 to improve production runnability and end-product quality.

The order was included in Valmet's orders received of the second quarter 2021. The delivery will take place in the fourth quarter of 2021.

“Valmet has advanced and innovative technology, and their service is very professional. Cooperation with Valmet has been a very nice experience. We have full confidence in Valmet’s technology and the solution offered. We believe that this is a reliable and smart choice for us,” says Baoshi Qin, General Engineer, Xinya Paper Group.

“We are pleased to provide Valmet IQ quality management solutions to our customer. With our combination of process know-how and service, we will support Xinya Paper to develop their automation level,” says Richard Sui, China, Automation, Valmet. 

Information about Valmet's delivery

Valmet’s delivery for Xinxiang Xinya Paper consists of  Valmet IQ Quality Control System with scanner and related measurements and controls. With more accurate data available and new control technology, the machine can be controlled much better than before resulting in improved machine performance and end-product quality.

Valmet IQ Dilution Profiler is a profile control system for advanced positioning of the headbox valves. It has been specially designed for achieving the best possible weight profile that a headbox can produce.

Information about the customer Xinxiang Xinya Paper Co., Ltd.

Xinxiang Xinya Paper is a leading enterprise in the papermaking industry in Henan Province and a pilot enterprise of circular economy in China. The group has pulp and papermaking as its main business and also a comprehensive business scope of heat and power cogeneration, pharmaceutical and chemical engineering, logistics and trade, machinery manufacturing, forest base development and environmental protection. With an annual papermaking capacity of 800,000 tons and total assets of t 478 million euros, it ranks the first in Henan, and 22nd in China’s pulp and paper industry. 

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 2020 were approximately EUR 3.7 billion. Our 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

Kemira, a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water intensive industries, announces a significant investment in the production of alkenyl succinic anhydride sizing agent (ASA) in China. ASA is one of the most effective and cost-efficient sizing agents for improving water-resistance in paper and packaging board.

This investment into an additional, third production line at the company’s state-of-the-art Nanjing site in the Jiangsu province, will expand Kemira’s ASA production capacity substantially. Earlier this year, Kemira announced the start-up of a new dry polymer production plant in Ulsan, South Korea. These investments are part of Kemira’s growth strategy implementation.

“Kemira is the leading producer and supplier of ASA in the Asia Pacific region. We are committed to the industry and want to ensure security of supply and high quality products in the long term, supporting our customers’ expansion plans. The capacity ramp-up will take place during 2022-2023,” states Alexander Wahl, Director of the global sizing product line at Kemira.

“This expansion decision comes at a time when customers are concerned about the current tight supply situation coupled with rapidly growing demand. It shows our commitment to the region as well as to building future growth for the paper and board industry together with our customers. Even in the current challenging market situation, we take pride in making every possible effort to continue to supply our customers without significant delays or availability issues,” says Nichlas Kavander, Senior Vice President of the Kemira Pulp & Paper commercial organization in APAC.  

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 oil & gas. In 2020, Kemira had annual revenue of around EUR 2.4 billion and around 5,000 employees. Kemira shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.

www.kemira.com

The global pandemic has caused major unpredictable challenges in both public and private areas. One of these effects is enormous cost increases in many industrial sectors, for example raw materials, packaging and transport.

• Due to continuing significant cost increases in many industrial sectors, Voith has to make price adjustments in the paper industry
• The adjustments pertain to paper machine clothing, shoe press sleeves, roll covers, mechanical roll service and doctoring solutions
• The increases will apply to new orders placed starting this autumn and range between 2.8% and 4.8%

Over a period of time, Voith was able to offset this development through various measures, thus avoiding significant price increases for its customers. Due to the ongoing development, it is now unfortunately no longer possible to compensate all increased costs. In line with the current tense market situation, Voith is therefore forced to make price adjustments for some products and services in the paper industry.

In the product areas of paper machine clothing, shoe press sleeves, roll covers, mechanical roll service and doctoring solutions, prices will increase between 2.8% and 4.2%. Further details will be announced in autumn and will then apply to newly placed orders.

The target of Voith remains unchanged: to support its customers and business partners with leading expertise, outstanding service and innovative products and solutions – in an increasingly complex and challenging business world.

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, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has more than 20,000 employees, sales of € 4.2 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.

Kemira, a global chemicals company, announces 10-15% price increases across pulp bleaching chemicals hydrogen peroxide and sodium chlorate in the EMEA region. The adjustments will be effective immediately or as contracts allow.

The price adjustments are necessary due to continuous cost increases in the business environment, including factors such as energy, logistics, safety measures and security of supply.

Kemira remains committed to mitigating the impact of increasing costs while ensuring the supply of high-quality products to its customers. 

For more information, please contact:

Harri Eronen
Senior Vice President, Commercial, Pulp & Paper EMEA
Kemira
harri.eronen (a) kemira.com

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 oil & gas. In 2020, Kemira had annual revenue of around EUR 2.4 billion and around 5,000 employees. Kemira shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
www.kemira.com

An innovative corrugated bin for face masks by Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, has been awarded a ScanStar in a Nordic packaging design competition organised by the Scandinavian Packaging Association. The mask bin, made of lightweight and durable corrugated board, helps to collect and dispose of used face masks easily and safely. Metsä Board developed the concept together with packaging design agency Futupack and corrugated board converter Capertum.

The competition jury commented: “A simple but clever solution for a new problem – mask littering. The bin is made from corrugated material, and is easy to assemble even without the instructions which have been printed on the bin itself. The lid makes the light packaging more rigid and, if you turn the lid, it closes the package when it is full. Good printing supports the product. The bin is also accessible to those who have disabilities.”

“The Covid-19 pandemic has brought its own challenges to waste management and together with Futupack and Capertum we wanted to develop a solution to this. In our design, we paid special attention to the lightness of the material, its durability and the ease of use and consumer guidance,” said Ilkka Harju, Packaging Services Director EMEA and APAC at Metsä Board.

MetsäBoard Pro WKL 160 g/m2 coated white kraftliner was used as the top liner of the mask bin. The Finnish corrugated board converter Capertum printed the E-flute corrugated board in silk screen. Thanks to fresh fibre board the waste bin is strong but light, which reduces the carbon footprint.

Metsä Board

www.metsaboard.com

Metsä Board is a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards. We focus on lightweight and high-quality folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners. The pure fresh fibres we use in our products are a renewable resource, traceable to origin in sustainably managed northern forests. We are a forerunner in sustainability, and  we aim for completely fossil free mills and raw materials by 2030.

Together with our customers we develop innovative packaging solutions to create better consumer experiences with less environmental impact. In 2020, our sales totalled EUR 1.9 billion, and we have about 2,400 employees. Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

Metsä Group

www.metsagroup.com

Metsä Group leads the way in the bioeconomy. We invest in growth, developing bioproducts 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, and tissue and greaseproof papers.

Metsä Group’s annual sales is approximately EUR 5.5 billion, and we have around 9,200 employees in 30 countries. Our international Group has its roots in the Finnish forest: our parent company is Metsäliitto Cooperative owned by 100,000 forest owners.