Due to low global softwood pulp stocks and solid demand, Södra will increase its market price for NBSK in Europe to USD 950, effective from September 1st 2014.

Kemira has awarded Pöyry with assignments for EPCM (Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management) services for a sodium chlorate plant in Brazil. 

The EPCM assignments relate to the new sodium chlorate plant that Kemira is building to serve the Brazilian markets, and in particular the plant will serve Klabin SA's new 1.5 million ton pulp mill. Sodium chlorate is used as a component in the bleaching process in the manufacturing of bleached pulp.

The assignments follow on from the pre-studies performed by Pöyry during 2012-2014.The EPCM services started in May 2014 and are scheduled to last until the start-up of the sodium chlorate plant in the first half of 2016. 

"We have selected Pöyry based upon their solid knowledge of process engineering combined with their proven experience and regional presence within Brazil", says Jarmo Savolainen, Project Manager, Kemira.

"This project is a continuation of the strong partnership between Kemira and Pöyry, which I am pleased that we can strengthen in Latin America. It contributes to Pöyry's strategic position as an EPCM service provider for the global chemicals industry", says Kay Radtke, Head of Chemicals & Biorefining in Pöyry.

The value of the order is not disclosed. The project order includes two contracts, specifically, a contract for Engineering and Procurement services, which was recognised within the Industry Business Group's order stock in Q2; and a contract for Construction Management Services, which will be recognised within Pöyry's Regional Operations Latin America Business Line order stock in Q3.

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has received an order for the delivery of process electrification at a new pulp mill to be built in South Sumatra, Indonesia. It will be the world's largest pulp mill.

ABB will deliver medium and low voltage switchgears, distribution transformers, motors, drives and project services. The drives are produced in the world's largest drive factory located in Helsinki with the project being managed by ABB's unit in Vaasa, Finland, in cooperation with ABB in Singapore.

Demand for paper products is rising steadily throughout Asia despite a highly fragmented global market. Older mills are being replaced by new, state-of-the-art facilities that deliver higher efficiency, cleaner production and improved balance between capacity and demand. The global trends are promising for the long term driven by sustainable supply chain practices, environmental regulation, urbanization and rising consumer demand in developing nations.

“ABB’s vast pulp & paper industry knowledge and project execution capabilities were important factors in winning this order. We are happy to be part of such a prestigious project and will deploy the latest technologies to maximize mill efficiency and reliability, while minimizing environmental impact,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division.

ABB has decades of experience in extensive global deliveries to the pulp and paper industries. Similar projects have been carried out to customers in Asia, Africa, Australia and South America, the most recent being the Stora Enso/Arauco pulp mill in Uruguay.

The annual production capacity of the new pulp mill will be more than 2 million tons of pulp. Commercial operation will begin in 2016.

Voith has brought a new IPV Rotor for virgin pulp onto the market. The new component has already proven itself for some months under mill conditions and shows its strengths here: energy consumption of the new rotor can be up to 30 per cent less than that of conventional technologies. This also enables energy costs to be lowered by up to 30,000 euros annually.

The IPV Rotor is part of the LowEnergy rotor family and was developed for application in the IntensaPulper (IP) by Voith as well as a retrofit component for existing Voith pulper and third party systems for processing virgin pulp (V). But the rotor can also be used to slush other clean raw materials like broke or fresh fiber.

The substantial reduction in energy consumption of up to 30 per cent is achieved by an innovative design that improves the flow characteristics inside the pulper. In addition, the pulping process can be further improved through integration of a so-called bale breaker. The bale breaker loosens the hard-pressed pulp bales before the actual dissolution in the pulper and thus disburdens the rotor, which has a further positive effect on energy consumption.

In practice, the new rotor has already proven itself in the IntensaPulper and in rebuilt pulpers of various paper manufacturers where they are delivering convincing results there. In the installations operating in the market, energy reductions range up to 4 kWh/t, depending on the raw material in use. This translates into savings in energy costs of up to 30,000 euros annually and the investment pays for itself within a very short period of time.

FutureMark Alsip (Alsip Acquisition, LLC) has announced that, due to increasingly challenging market conditions in the North American coated paper market, it will indefinitely idle its mill in early September. Alsip is the only facility in North America making coated publication and printing papers predominantly from recycled materials.

“We appreciate the tireless efforts of all of our Alsip employees and the warm support the community and local government has extended to us throughout our many years of operation in this region”

“This is an extremely difficult decision for us given the exceptional achievements of the Alsip mill in producing coated papers with unmatched levels of recycled content and the dedicated work of all of our employees,” said Stephen L. Silver, CEO of Alsip. “We explored many options to avoid this action, but the brutal reality for all coated paper manufacturers today is that falling demand and pricing pressure from lower-quality uncoated substitutes has driven prices to near historic lows. Combined with massive increases in energy costs over the winter, this pricing pressure has made it impossible for us to continue our Alsip operations at this time.”

The coated paper market is under increasing pressure as coated mechanical paper prices continue to decline and energy prices remain high following a winter with record cold weather. Aggravating an already weak market, the Canadian government’s estimated $200 million subsidy of the previously bankrupt Port Hawkesbury paper mill in Nova Scotia in 2012 enabled that mill to reopen and flood the market with 40,000 tons per month of low-cost supercalendered paper, creating an overcapacity that has most U.S. coated players operating at a loss.

Alsip will remain open for up to two weeks to fulfill orders and support customer efforts to transition to new suppliers. The mill presently employs 170 workers, and the announcement will affect all positions at the mill. After running out customer orders, a closure team will remain on site for a period of time to shut down the machine, maintain the facility and infrastructure, and support customers in the smooth transition of products and services.

FutureMark Alsip participates in joint marketing activities with a separate and independent company, FutureMark Manistique (MPI-Acquisition, LLC) under the FutureMark Paper Group brand. FutureMark Manistique will continue to operate.

Alsip explored all alternatives for avoiding this shutdown, including expanded debt facilities, attempts to locate new investment and possible sale of the company. Alsip also received cooperation from its union and salaried employees in the form of wage concessions, however, some recent operational issues on top of continued poor market conditions led to a severe liquidity crisis.

“We appreciate the tireless efforts of all of our Alsip employees and the warm support the community and local government has extended to us throughout our many years of operation in this region,” said Silver. “We deeply regret the impact this will have on all involved. We fought as long and hard as we could.”

The company is currently working with an investment bank with an extensive background in the paper industry to assist in evaluating alternatives for maximizing the value of Alsip in a sale – including converting the facility to a stand-alone de-ink pulp mill for the sale of recycled fiber; using the site to manufacture tissue; converting the mill for the manufacture of packaging papers, or continuing its current line of coated papers. The company is actively engaged in a number of conversations with interested parties to explore these options with the ultimate goal of finding the best value for this facility for the creditors and recalling the workforce as soon as possible. At this time, the company has received expressions of interest from several potential buyers.

ANDRITZ AUTOMATION, part of international technology Group ANDRITZ, has received an order to supply dynamic simulation solutions for Klabin’s Puma pulp mill project in Ortigueira, Paraná State, Brazil. The scope of supply encompasses the dynamics models, DCS checkout, and Operator Training Simulator (OTS). These solutions will be used to test and verify process design concepts, identify and correct errors in the control logic, and provide realistic, hands-on training modules for the operators, helping Klabin to achieve a fast and smooth start-up. Start of pulp production is scheduled for the end of the first quarter of 2016.

3D model of Klabin’s new mill in Brazil. “Photo: ANDRITZ”.

ANDRITZ AUTOMATION will use its proprietary simulation tool IDEAS to model the key process areas of the pulp mill: two digesters, two fiber lines, two bleach plants, and the white liquor plant supplied by ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER, as well as the recovery boiler, evaporation plant, and power boiler delivered by other companies.

The order to supply major production equipment for Klabin’s Puma project was awarded to ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER in March 2014. Established in 1899, Klabin is the biggest producer and exporter of packaging paper in Brazil. Considered as the largest integrated pulp and paper company in the country, it exports to over 60 countries.The Puma project will demand total investments of about two billion euros, not including forest assets, improvements to infrastructure, and taxes.The new mill will have an annual production capacity of 1.5 million tons of pulp, of which 1.1 million tons in short fiber and 400 thousand tons in long fiber, part of which is to be converted into fluff pulp.

Valmet will supply the second tissue production line to Aktül Kagit Üretim Pazarlama A.S., Turkey. The new Advantage DCT 200 tissue line will be installed at the company's mill in Pamukova, Sakarya Province, Turkey. The start-up is planned for the first quarter of 2016.

The order is included in Valmet's second quarter orders received 2014. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

Valmet has previously supplied the same mill with an Advantage DCT 200TS tissue line which started up 2011.

"In order to be competitive, we want to operate with cutting edge technology. Valmet's Advantage DCT 200 concept combined with Advantage ViscoNip pressing technology has proven to meet our expectations and provides high quality tissue products appreciated by the Turkish consumers", says Erkan Tirnavali, General Manager, Aktül Kagit Üretim Pazarlama A.S.

"Aktül Kagit was an early adopter of the Advantage ViscoNip pressing technology, which has turned out to be an excellent contributor for improved bulk and softness combined with high press dryness. It is always a pleasure to cooperate with companies heading for the best and Aktül Kagit is an excellent example", says Jan Erikson, VP Sales Manager, Tissue Mills business unit, Valmet.

Information about Valmet's delivery

Valmet's scope of delivery will comprise of a complete tissue production line including a stock preparation system and an Advantage DCT 200TS tissue machine. The tissue machine will be equipped with an OptiFlo headbox, an Advantage ViscoNip press and a cast alloy Yankee cylinder. It will also be featured with the Advantage tissue technology including an AirCap hood, a WetDust dust management system and a SoftReel reel. The stock preparation system will comprise of OptiSlush pulpers, OptiFiner conical refiners and OptiScreen machine screens.

Complete engineering, installation supervision, training, start-up and commissioning are also included in the delivery. The delivery will also include an extensive automation package from Metso, with Metso DNA machine and process controls, a PaperIQ Plus scanner and quality controls.

With a width of 5.6 m and a design speed of 2,200 m/min, the new line will add 60,000 tons a year of high-quality facial, handkerchief, toilet and towel grades to Aktül Kagit's current production. The raw material for the new line will be virgin fiber. The production line will be optimized to save energy and enhance final product quality.

Information about Aktül Kagit

Aktül Kagit Üretim Pazarlama A.S. has a production plant in Pamukova, Sakarya province which covers 140,000 m² of production area. The mill provides high quality tissue products for consumers and the Away from Home market.

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Resolute Forest Products to supply equipment, engineering, and field services for a new Lo-Solids continuous digester including ANDRITZ’s patented TurboFeed chip feeding system, which will replace an existing displacement batch pulping process at Resolute’s Calhoun pulp mill, Tennessee, USA. Start-up is scheduled for the third quarter of 2015.

ANDRITZ TurboFeed’s layout flexibility is well suited for moderni­zations. ANDRITZ’s chip pumping technology solves many of the challenges faced by existing installations and traditional solutions. “Photo: ANDRITZ”.

The Lo-Solids digester will be designed to switch between hardwood and softwood pulp production, producing 1,400 ADST of bleachable softwood and 1,659 ADST of bleachable hardwood pulp per day.

ANDRITZ will also supply a blowline pressure diffuser and will upgrade the mill’s oxygen delignification and bleaching systems. In terms of automation, the order also includes Advanced Process Control and IDEAS dynamic simulation software.

With Jade from the CleanWeave product line, Voith is bringing innovative dryer fabrics onto the market that translate reduced contamination to increased drying capacity due to their special design.

Jade dryer fabrics have minimal internal void volume and so carry significantly fewer deposits than conventional dryer fabrics. The high number of contact points and the flat yarns facilitate effective heat transfer and paper sheet handling. The compactness of the fabric structure makes both manual cleaning as well as on-line cleaning systems such as DuoCleaner Express from Voith more effective.

The SynStron yarn material used in Jade makes the dryer fabric especially effective in resisting fibrilation and so facilitates easy cleaning. Synstron is used in the entire CleanWeave product line and is noticeably more effective than conventional polyester yarns in resisting abrasion.

Jade^High expands the product line with a more open surface ensuring stronger air flows for increased evaporation. Like all dryer fabrics in the CleanWeave product line, Jade and Jade^High show measurable differences in their ability to maintain an easy clean structure which contribute to a more efficient drying process.

Voith Paper is a division of the Voith Group and the leading partner to and pioneer in the paper industry. Through constant innovations, Voith Paper is optimizing the paper manufacturing process, focusing on developing resource-saving products to reduce the use of energy, water, and fibers. Furthermore, Voith Paper offers a broad service portfolio for all sections of the paper manufacturing process.

Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 43,000 people, generates € 5.7 billion in sales, operates in about 50 countries around the world and is today one of the biggest family-owned companies in Europe.

NewYield(TM) Integrated Process Technology Converts a Papermaking Waste Stream into a Useable Filler Pigment

Generates Savings for Papermakers by Eliminating the Need to Landfill the Waste Product

Minerals Technologies Inc. (NYSE: MTX) has announced that it has signed an agreement with Sun Paper Group to deploy the newly introduced NewYield(TM) Integrated Process Technology at Sun's pulp and paper operations in Shandong Province, China.

NewYield(TM) Process Technology is a breakthrough technology that converts a paper and pulp mill waste stream into a functional pigment for filling paper. NewYield(TM) process technology eliminates the cost of environmental disposal and remediation of certain waste streams to papermakers. The facility, which will be operational in the third quarter of next year, will produce 60,000 tons of filler pigment from Sun's waste stream.

"We are extremely pleased to be working with such a fine papermaker as the Sun Paper Group, which is the largest privately owned paper business in China, to deploy our NewYield(TM) technology at their papermaking operations in Shandong Province," said Joseph C. Muscari, chairman and chief executive officer. "This technology provides papermakers with both cost savings and reduced environmental impact, while at the same time providing them with a filler pigment for their paper."

By utilizing Minerals Technologies' NewYield(TM) Integrated Process Technology, papermakers can eliminate the costs associated with landfill disposal or energy, and in return will receive a filler pigment that can be used in papermaking. MTI and the papermaker will both benefit, as will the environment.