Ian Melin-Jones
International Paper To Release Third Quarter 2010 Earnings on Wednesday, October 27
International Paper will release third quarter 2010 earnings on Wednesday, October 27, before the opening of the New York Stock Exchange. The company will host a webcast to discuss earnings and current market conditions at 9 a.m. EDT (8 a.m. CDT) that day.
All interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast via the company's Internet site at www.internationalpaper.com by clicking on the Investors tab and going to the Webcasts and Presentations page. A replay of the webcast will also be on the Web site beginning approximately two hours after the call.
Parties who wish to participate in the webcast via teleconference may dial +1 (706) 679-8242 or, within the U.S. only, (877) 316-2541, and ask to be connected to the International Paper Third Quarter Earnings Call. The conference ID number is 11919083. Participants should call in no later than 8:45 a.m. EDT (7:45 a.m. CDT). An audio-only replay will be available for four weeks following the call. To access the replay, dial +1 (706) 645-9291 or, within the U.S. only, (800) 642-1687, and when prompted for the conference ID, enter "11919083."
About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers, industrial and consumer packaging and distribution. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., the company employs about 60,000 people in more than 20 countries and serves customers worldwide. 2009 net sales were more than $23 billion. For more information about International Paper, its products and stewardship efforts, visit internationalpaper.com.
SOURCE International Paper
BASF joins a BMBF nanomaterial safety research program
BASF is a participant in a research project called NanoGEM (Nanostructured materials – Health, Exposure and Material Properties). The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) initiated project is taking place with the involvement of 19 research institutions and companies. The project will receive approximately €4.9 million in BMBF funding over the next three years, with industry to contribute around another €1.5 million. The project is headed by the Duisburg-based Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology (IUTA).
NanoGEM will investigate absorption and distribution of nanoparticles in the human body as a function of their size, structure and surface properties. The project is the first of its kind to evaluate industrially relevant nanoparticles and nanomaterials in processed products. NanoGEM is intended in this manner to make an important contribution to the systematic assessment of risk in association with nanomaterial use.
NanoGEM is just one example of BASF's commitment to safety research. Last year alone, BASF took part in approximately 20 projects, cooperations and partnerships.
Another example of BASF's commitment is the EU project CellNanoTox (Cellular Interaction and Toxicology with Engineered Nanoparticles) which came to a successful conclusion in 2010. Again, the project took place with the collaboration of a number of research institutions and companies. The main question CellNanoTox set out to answer was: What happens when nanoparticles meet cells? Are they absorbed, distributed, stored, or expelled? And what effects do they produce in cells? Dr. Robert Landsiedel, head of nanotoxicology research at BASF, commented: "The results show that every nanomaterial works differently. Just because a substance contains small particles doesn't automatically make it toxic. While some nanomaterials produced inflammatory responses even at low doses, others have no harmful effects." The project also used a method to investigate toxicity to the lungs. The method is now being refined by BASF research scientists. A new BMBF-funded project to be launched to that end. The aim is to establish whether the method is suitable for standard practice.
Detailed knowledge of the behavior and effects of nanomaterials is enormously important in the risk assessment process for new products. "Safety research is basically about finding out which methods are genuinely suitable for assessing the potential risks of nanomaterials," Landsiedel stated. The goal is to develop intelligent test strategies for nanomaterials. BASF publishes all the results of its safety research on the company's home page and makes the data available to other project and research partners. Hence, it can serve as a repository of information for further research or as a basis for designing a regulatory framework for handling nanomaterials.
BASF sees nanotechnology as one of the most important technologies for the future. For that reason, BASF has devoted one of five research clusters to nanotechnology. "Nanotechnology is an interface technology and innovation driver for sustainable growth, especially in key markets such as the automotive industry, construction, electronics and health care," said Dr. Christian Fischer, head of polymer research and responsible for the nanotechnology growth cluster. Nanotechnology can be used to develop products with clear benefits for customers and end users, many of which can help to serve energy and in that way make an important contribution toward climate protection. "We recognized at an early stage that our responsibility for our products begins with safety research. That is the reason for our involvement in this area," Fischer said.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
Québec Forest Industry Council Appoints New CEO
Mr. Claude Perron, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Québec Forest Industry Council (CIFQ), announced the appointment of Mr. André Tremblay, attorney, to the position of Chief Executive Officer beginning on January 1, 2011.
The announcement was made today during a meeting of the Board of Directors, following the appointment of Mr. Tremblay yesterday by the members of the Executive Committee. He will take over from Mr. Guy Chevrette, the outgoing CEO, while also overseeing the CIFQ’s Communications and Public Affairs Direction. Mr. Chevrette will be retiring after a five-year stint at the helm of the Council during a period of upheaval for the industry.
The Executive Committee was tasked with finding a trustworthy candidate having not only the management capacities and strategic vision required to promote the CIFQ’s notoriety in various files but also thorough knowledge of the challenges facing the forest sector – all to the benefit of CIFQ members.
Mr. Chevrette’s successor made a point of thanking him for the work he accomplished during his term of office: “On behalf of the entire industry, I wish to express our gratitude to Mr. Chevrette for the great dedication he demonstrated in his capacity as CEO during this difficult period. He not only oversaw downsizing of the organization but also, and despite the crises affecting our sector, secured solid visibility for the CIFQ throughout his term.”
Active in the forest industry since 2004, in the capacity of general manager of Produits Forestiers Saguenay inc., Mr. André Tremblay previously pursued a career centred on labour and employment law as well as administrative law. Mr. Tremblay acquired broad legal experience as a partner of the firm known as Cain, Lamarre, Casgrain, Wells from 1978 to 2004. “Mr. Tremblay comes to this position with a recognized record of success and a wealth of experience acquired as a negotiator and spokesman in various files involving both the public and private sectors. He enjoys an outstanding reputation,” noted Mr. Claude Perron.
A stalwart volunteer, Mr. Tremblay has simultaneously chaired several boards of directors, including that of Scieries Saguenay, the Fédération des Chambres de commerce du Québec and the Administration portuaire du Saguenay. A man of many commitments, he has, in the capacity of member, actively contributed to the Fondation de l’Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC), the Fondation des Amis des Écrivains and several other organizations. Mr. Tremblay’s record of involvement has garnered him the honorary presidency of several prestigious events, including the Randonnée des Gouverneurs. In 2005, the Conférence des Coopératives du Québec gave him that year’s corporate merit award.
By way of conclusion, Mr. Perron emphasized that “Mr. André Tremblay is quite familiar with the forest and forestry operations on account of his experience in the family business.”
source:- Québec Forest Industry Council
Mondi completes major Russian mill modernisation project
Mondi announced today the completion of its STEP project, the largest mill modernisation project in the Russian pulp and paper industry. The EUR 545 million expansion and modernisation of the Syktyvkar mill in Russia began on July 1, 2008.
David Hathorn, Group CEO of Mondi, comments, “We are proud to announce the successful completion of the STEP project. The project serves as a prime example of Mondi’s strategic approach to invest in assets which will yield great benefits for our customers allowing us to better service the Russian domestic market and export markets in particular.”
The main targets of the investment were to replace obsolete technologies, enhance mill safety, employ additional environmental measures and increase the quality and competitiveness of Mondi’s products.
Peter J. Oswald, CEO Mondi Europe & International, comments on the project’s success: “We are proud to be a part of the new economic rise of Russia and our contribution to Russia’s modernisation with state-of-the-art technology and diversification into value added products. We first presented this project to the Russian government on 6, April 2006. Today, four and a half years later, it has been successfully completed on schedule.”
The investment has enabled Mondi to increase its product quality and output for containerboard, uncoated woodfree and newsprint paper. The wood yard has the capacity to debark and chip four million cubic meters of soft and hardwood logs annually – an increase of 25% – with a projected fibre production of 900 thousand tonnes. Production of board, paper and market pulp is expected to increase by more than 20% to over a million tonnes per year.
Some of the most impressive upgrades are the installation of a new lime kiln with daily burnt lime production of up to 700 tonnes, a new recovery boiler that burns 3,560 tonnes of dry solids per day and a 100MW turbo generator. The mill has also been fitted with modern equipment of the highest possible environmental standards that will reduce daily water consumption by 40% to 206,000m³, trap 99.9% of dust and odorous gases arising from the burning process.
“The investment is a notable industry achievement,” says Gerhard Kornfeld, Managing Director of Mondi Syktyvkar. “STEP has modernised and increased production in nearly all areas of the production chain. For example, the installation of modern equipment for the processes of chip reception, production and transportation has dramatically increased the mill output.”
The STEP project also proved to be a model of industrial safety. Its safety record is the best ever achieved in the history of the Russian paper industry. At the peak of the project, around 2,000 employees were involved. In total, about 300 partners and mainly local contractors worked on the project.
UPM is engaged in discussions with Myllykoski Group concerning a potential transaction
UPM confirms that it is engaged in discussions with the Finnish publication paper company Myllykoski Group concerning a potential transaction of Myllykoski's operations in Finland, Germany and United States.
At the present time, the discussions continue and a number of significant issues remain unresolved. Therefore, there can be no certainty that the discussions between UPM, Myllykoski and its lenders will result in a transaction.
UPM will announce the result of the discussion if the discussions reach a conclusion where public disclosure is appropriate under applicable laws. UPM will also make an announcement would the discussions be terminated.
UPM will not comment on the negotiations in any further detail.
UPM, Corporate Communications
Media Desk, tel. +358 40 588 3284
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Stora Enso continues to expand in solid biofuels
Stora Enso is continuing to expand in solid biofuels by investing EUR 10 million in starting pellet production at Imavere Sawmill in Estonia. The pellet plant project will commence in the fourth quarter of 2010 and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2011.
“This investment is part of our strategy to grow in solid biofuels with the aim of becoming the leading integrated supplier of pellets in Northern Europe. With this investment we are targeting industrial and residential customers through our already established distribution and marketing channels, for example in Sweden, which is the largest pellet market in Europe. Imavere is also very well located to start serving the pellet market in southern Finland,” says Hannu Kasurinen, EVP, Stora Enso Wood Products.
The annual capacity of the plant will be 100 000 tonnes of pellets. The pellet production will be fully self-sufficient in raw material and will utilise by-products from the sawmill and further processing operations.
“Imavere is one of our core sawmill sites, with a strong business concept and good basis for future development. Through this investment we will further enhance the sawmill's long-term competitiveness,” says Hannu Kasurinen.
The annual capacity of Imavere Sawmill is 400 000 m3 of sawnwood, joinery components and glue-laminated beams. Stora Enso Wood Products already produces pellets at four sites in Sweden and Russia with total annual capacity 310 000 tonnes.
For further information, please contact:
Hannu Kasurinen, EVP, Stora Enso Wood Products, tel. +358 2046 21222
Matti Mikkola, SVP, Solid biofuels, Stora Enso Wood Products, tel. +358 2046 21710
Päivi Kauhanen, Director, Communications, tel. +358 50 598 9560
Ulla Paajanen-Sainio, Head of Investor Relations, tel. +358 2046 21242
BASF increases prices for polymer dispersions, polymer powders, resins and additives
Effective October 1, 2010 or as contracts allow, BASF will increase prices in Europe, Africa and Western Asia for polymer dispersions as well as additives by 100 Euro per metric ton, resins and redispersible powders by 170 Euro per metric ton. The price adjustments are necessary due to further significantly increased raw material costs. The products affected by the price increase are used as polymers for adhesives, fiberbonding, architectural coatings and construction chemicals.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com
U.S. Taxpayers' Black Liquor Tab Surpasses $30 Billion
The cost of "green" energy subsidies involving the pulp and paper industry shot well past $30 billion today -- with not a cent of it doing anything to help the environment.
President Obama today signed the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, a package of goodies that is supposedly deficit neutral partly because of nearly $1.9 billion in "savings" from closing the non-existent "Grandson of Black Liquor" loophole. The alleged savings come from making crude tall oil, a highly corrosive pulp byproduct, ineligible for Cellulosic Biofuel Producer credits, which are intended for alternative motor fuels.
Because crude tall oil has never qualified for such credits and by all rights never could have, the law's provision is just a Congressional ruse to add to the federal deficit while pretending not to do so.
The idea of using pulp byproducts to fleece taxpayers first came to light early last year when some paper companies revealed they had hijacked another biofuel program. Alternative Fuel Mixture Credits were supposed to encourage greater use of biofuels, but the paper companies snagged billions in such credits for burning black liquor as a fuel source, which they had been doing for decades anyway.
Despite howls of protest from Congressional leaders, Congress did nothing to plug this loophole and simply let the law expire at the end of 2009. Aided by friendly rulings from the IRS, publicly traded pulp manufacturers received well over $6 billion in black liquor tax credits, and privately held companies probably received a couple of billion more.
A good whipping boy
But Congress didn't completely ignore the black liquor tax credits. Smart politicians know a good whipping boy when they see one, especially when they can whip up money for pet programs.
Riding public disgust with the original black liquor tax credits, Congressional Democrats proposed closing the "Son of Black Liquor" loophole. That is, they made black liquor ineligible for CBP credits starting this year. Never mind that even pulp makers didn't think black liquor would qualify for the credits.
A compliant Joint Committee on Taxation said that closing the non-existent loophole would save a bit more than $23 billion, and Congress then applied the "savings" toward "paying for" ObamaCare this past spring. The watchdogs of the press mostly chewed on and regurgitated Congressional press releases touting the resulting savings that supposedly helped make ObamaCare deficit-neutral.
The IRS got back into the act this summer with an odd ruling that made black liquor burned prior to this year eligible for CBP credits. It has already approved two pulp manufacturers for the credits, while others that have lined up at the trough are awaiting word on their applications. Preliminary indications are that the net value of the credits to paper companies will be "only" in the hundreds of millions -- unless Congressional bill writers decide to close this latest loophole and use the savings for another new project.
So let's recap the tab -- probably $8 billion-plus for the original black liquor credits (the only money in this story that actually went to the paper industry), $23.6 billion for Son of Black Liquor in ObamaCare, untold millions for pre-2010 Son of Black Liquor, and nearly $1.9 billion for Grandson of Black Liquor.
So when your daughter or granddaughter asks you in a few years why the U.S. didn't do more to wean itself from dirty energy sources and foreign oil imports, just tell her we were too busy adding to the federal deficit while pretending to be fiscally responsible.
UPM papers part of the winning formula
The WAN-IFRA International Newspaper Color Quality Club membership winners for the years 2010-2012 have been chosen.
According to the global organisation of the world's newspapers and news publishers 109 different titles achieved the membership this time. Out of these the 109 titles 31 were printed on UPM paper. This makes UPM the largest paper supplier in the competition.
Altogether 162 titles were competing for the membership. During the four months evaluation period the successful newspaper titles demonstrated their capacity to produce quality print products in accordance with the demanding ISO standards. Membership requires reliably reproduced colour images and advertisement contents consistently, worldwide, and with the intended colour effect.
According to WAN-IFRA the International Color Quality Club quality initiative helps ensure that the reader receives an attractive, high-quality product and the advertiser an outstanding advertising carrier. Paper plays a significant role in the newspaper quality and is also an important factor influencing the character of the newspaper. UPM encourages interactive communication with its customers and partners in order to enable best quality printed products.
"UPM wants to congratulate all winners, and is especially proud to be the supplier of so many successful titles," says Erik Ohls, Director, Technical Sales at UPM Paper Business Group.
The award ceremony will take place at IFRA Expo 2010 in Hamburg in October. List of the winning titles printed on UPM paper is enclosed.
For further information please contact:
Mr Erik Ohls, Technical Sales Director, UPM, Paper Business Group, tel. +358 20 415 0442
***
The International Color Quality Club winning titles printed on UPM paper:
Aichacher Zeitung, Mayer & Söhne Druck- & Mediengruppe GmbH, Aichach, Germany
Allgäuer Zeitung, Allgäuer Zeitungsverlag GmbH, Kempten, Germany
Augsburger Allgemeine, Presse-Druck- und Verlags-GmbH, Augsburg, Germany
Badische Zeitung, Freiburger Druck GmbH + Co. KG, Freiburg, Germany
Berner Zeitung Büchler-Grafino AG Druckzentrum Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Bresciaoggi, Edizioni Brescia S.p.a., Brescia, Italy
Deister- und Weserzeitung, DeWeZet - Deister- & Weserzeitung Verlagsges, Hameln, Germany
Der Sonntag, Freiburger Druck GmbH + Co. KG, Freiburg, Germany
Dolomiten, Athesia Druck GmbH, Bozen, Italien
Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, FAZ -Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH, Germany
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung FAZ -Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH, Potsdam, Germany
Helsingin Sanomat, Sanomala Oy, Vantaa, Finland
HINDI HINDUSTAN, HT Media Limited, Greater Noida, India
HINDUSTAN TIMES, HT Media Limited, Mumbai, India
Il Giornale di Vicenza, Società Athesis S.p.a., Vicenza, Italy
Il Sole 24 Ore, Il Sole 24 ORE Spa – Editrice, Milano, Italy
Kauppalehti, Kustannus Oy Aamulehti, Helsinki, Finland
L'Arena, Società Athesis S.p.a., Verona, Italy
La Stampa, Editrice La Stampa Spa, Torino, Italy
Mid Day, Mid-Day Multimedia Ltd Rabale, Navi, Mumbai, India
MINT, HT Media Limited, Noida, India
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Neue Zürcher Zeitung AG, Zürich-Schlieren, Switzerland
Nordkurier, Nordost-Druck GmbH & Co. KG, Neubrandenburg, Germany
Nürnberger Nachrichten, Verlag Nürnberger Presse Druckhaus Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
Nürnberger Zeitung, Verlag Nürnberger Presse Druckhaus Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
OÖNachrichten, OÖN Druckzentrum GmbH & Co KG, Pasching, Austria
STUDIO, Vjesnik d.d., Zagreb, Croatia
Tages – Anzeiger, Tamedia AG, Zürich, Switzerland
Westdeutsche Zeitung, Rheinisch-Bergische Druckerei GmbH & Co. KG, Wuppertal, Germany
Wetzlarer Neue Zeitung, Wetzlardruck GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany
Wilhelmshavener Zeitung, Brune-Mettcker Druck- und Verlags GmbH, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
DHL new product campaign manifests global leadership in cross-border express shipping
DHL Express today announced that it will launch a new product campaign on October 4 that underlines its time-critical shipping capabilities. As trade volumes are surpassing pre-economic crisis levels on key international trade lanes, DHL is highlighting its cross-border shipping expertise for export oriented businesses.
The "No One Knows" advertising campaign targets small- and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) around the world, as well as key industry companies, and focuses on DHL's unique knowledge of markets worldwide, regional and on local country levels. A trade facilitator that invented cross-border express shipping more than 40 years ago, DHL serves customers in more than 220 countries and territories with global capabilities and unrivalled local knowledge.
Relevance becomes clear
Ken Allen, CEO, DHL Express, who presented the campaign at a press conference in Beijing, China, today, said: "The relevance of cross-border express services becomes clear to companies when they look into opportunities abroad. DHL's global capabilities and local knowledge can help companies set up fast-to-market delivery systems, everywhere around the world. This is a central element of the campaign."
The campaign starts at a time when recent trade data signals continuously strong export figures. According to recent data released by the Transport Research Center of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), airborne trade between Europe and Asia, Europe and the Middle East as well as Europe and the Americas has gained momentum in recent months, despite the recent global economic downturn.
On particular trade lanes, such as trade routes from Germany, the UK and France to destinations outside the European Union, trade volumes have now surpassed pre-crisis levels in both directions. The data suggests a strong structural demand for higher-value fast-to-market goods, which typically travel by express.
Campaign to manifest and stress
DHL will run a series of advertisements to manifest its time-critical cross-border express shipping capabilities. In addition, it will also stress its competencies in specialized full-range services for industries, such as Health Care/Life Sciences, Technology, Oil & Energy and the Automotive industry. DHL offers fully integrated solutions for companies in various industries by combining the expertise of its three business units - Express, Global Forwarding and Supply Chain.
The company operates as a single partner, providing air, ocean and land transportation services, in addition to offering flexibility and easy access to a broad range of services around the world through a local and personalized contact. Individual customer demand can thus be met more efficiently.
360 approach
In China, the campaign will be focused on the theme, 'No One Knows China Like We Do', which highlights the fact that DHL knows China better, and can help unlock its customers' business potential. The campaign is based on a 360 approach, which includes TV, print and online ads, and below-the-line promotion to communicate the "No One Knows" message to both key decision makers in high potential industries as well as the daily end consumers. Online media will be one of the important channels of the campaign to drive awareness of DHL's market-leading position.
Jerry Hsu, President, DHL Express Greater China Area and Executive Vice President, Deutsche Post DHL said: "The "No One Knows" campaign can be easily adapted for any country and industry that DHL supports through our service portfolio. DHL was the first international express company to begin operations in China and our 24-year successful developments in China have certainly proved that no one knows China like we do. Coupled with our time-critical international shipping expertise, we will continue to help our customers expand their footprint and gain access into global markets."
The DHL campaign, which was conceived by the agency 180 Amsterdam, will run as a global campaign in 30 countries including key markets such as China, India, Brazil, Mexico, UK and Germany starting October 4th through December.