On 5 April 2017, less than 14 years after the start-up of the newsprint paper machine at Stora Enso Langerbrugge, the mill reached a milestone of 5 million tonnes of newsprint produced. The Giant of Ghent in Belgium is one of the most efficient newsprint machines in the world.

Stora Enso Langerbrugge is celebrating a true jubilee this year. The mill was founded in 1932 under the name “Papeterie de la Belgique” and it celebrates 85 years of operations this year. In addition to the 5 million milestone at PM4, the SC Paper Machine PM3 recently celebrated its 60th birthday.

The paper mill in Langerbrugge, Gent, produces 540,000 tonnes of recycled newsprint and SC magazine paper annually, on two paper machines. Langerbrugge production is exclusively based on PfR, Paper for Recycling. This used paper is collected from households and reaches the paper mill through municipalities. In the state of the art paper sorting lines, old paper is automatically separated from carton. The paper fraction is fully deployed as raw material for the two paper machines in Stora Enso Langerbrugge. The remaining carton is sold to the nearby cardboard industry.

Langerbrugge paper mill is a forerunner in sustainability and puts a lot of focus on the production of green energy. The mill has two biomass-fueled power plants that provide all the needed process heat and more than 70% of the total electricity need. Since autumn 2016, the mill has also delivered part of its green heat to Volvo Car Ghent. Thanks to this, the Volvo plant in Ghent can eliminate 15,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, which means a 40% drop in their total CO2 emission. In 2017, the mill will take the next step in renewable energy by building three wind turbines that will be producing electricity by the beginning of 2018.   The business model of the paper mill is a prime example of circular economy. In the last decade, Stora Enso Langerbrugge reduced its energy consumption in production with 14% by efficiency improvements on several installations. “Sustainable production and a maximal use of new technology are central in this process. Digitalization, automatization and increased production call for a big effort from our employees – a smart factory needs smart workers.” Mill Manager Chris De Hollander emphasizes.

In 2016, Stora Enso Paper Division had a production capacity of 5.5 million tonnes of paper, which makes Stora Enso the second biggest player in the European paper business.

Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper on global markets. Our aim is to replace fossil based materials by innovating and developing new products and services based on wood and other renewable materials. We employ some 25 000 people in more than 35 countries, and our sales in 2016 were EUR 9.8 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). storaenso.com

Pieces of steel wire cause machine damage and production downtime

Goudsmit Magnetics Group of Waalre has recently made a series of magnetic filters that are suitable for removing baling wire from paper pulp. These steel wires hold bales of cellulose together and –when everything goes as it should– are removed before the cellulose is processed into pulp. This is done in an automated process followed by human inspection. In practice, the process is never perfect and steel wire still occasionally ends up in the paper pulp. This causes damage to the pulp processing equipment, as well as production downtime. Placing a magnet in the paper line prevents equipment damage, downtime and therefore significant losses.

Magnetic filters remove baling wire from paper pulp and prevent damage to equipment and production downtime

Magnetic filter

The magnetic filters for paper pulp have a large bore for product flow, ranging from DN100 to DN400. This passage is completely surrounded with very strong magnetic bars with a high flux density (also referred to as the Gauss value), making it possible to capture the steel wire even at a relatively high flow rate. In addition, the magnetic insert is fitted with a sturdy guide and pneumatic rods, which simplifies handling for operators. This is not only ergonomic but also ensures that regular inspection takes place.” It is surprising that magnetic filters are not yet standard in paper lines. This seems to be an under-recognized problem that is often only considered after the first damage incident occurs. The investment for these filters is not small, but the payback time is short, since the cost of damage or downtime is many times greater than the purchase price of the filter.

Baling wire

In a nutshell, a magnetic filter removes iron baling wire from paper that is to be processed for cellulose, serves as protection for the installation and prevents downtime of the production process. Several large Dutch paper manufacturers have built a magnetic filter into their process. Currently this solution is gaining more and more attention abroad, especially from large paper producers in Sweden, France and Indonesia.

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: XRM), a leading global provider of industrial consumable products and services, announced today that Mr. Philipp Salmannshofer, Press Optimization & Application Manager for EMEA, will present a technical paper titled “Energy Savings from Advances in Tissue Suction Pressure Roll Venting” at Tissue World Milan on April 12, 2017.

Mr. Salmannshofer’s paper will focus on Xerium’s innovative and recently patented roll cover venting technology called EnerVent^TM. This new roll cover is enabling tissuemakers to significantly reduce energy consumption while optimizing production costs and enhancing end-product quality.

Mr. Salmannshofer has held a number of Application Engineering positions during his more than 10 years at Huyck.Wangner / Xerium in both press felt and roll cover applications.

With an extensive background in press optimization, Mr. Salmannshofer is skilled in analyzing conditions and identifying opportunities for improved performance. Utilizing proprietary systems to simulate machine operation, Mr. Salmannshofer can evaluate machine configurations and production variables to quickly understand how to maximize performance and achieve the greatest potential for improved quality, machine speeds, and reduced operating costs.

During his session, Mr. Salmannshofer will review several case studies highlighting this new technology.

“As global tissuemakers face increasing demands for higher efficiency, improved tissue sheet quality, and reduced energy consumption, our engineering team responded by developing the highly successful EnerVent concept to help them achieve their goals,” said Bill Butterfield, the Company’s EVP & CTO.

“Speeds continue to increase as do the requirements for roll covers and machine clothing to handle the high water loads on modern tissue machines. Our customers have been very pleased to experience a new-concept roll cover technology that is performing at a very high level on these very demanding positions. Unlike conventional covers, EnerVent is uniquely engineered with various combinations of drilled and grooved patterns that prevent problematic degradation of performance during the cover’s running life,” said Butterfield.

The presentation will not only highlight EnerVent technology, but also Xerium’s unique Rezolve^TM machine simulation system. Rezolve combines sophisticated predictive analysis with real-time process monitoring to provide tissuemakers with innovative decision-making tools to significantly enhance machine performance while minimizing downtime and cost-per-ton.

“The Rezolve system utilizes hundreds of variables on a paper machine to develop fact-based technical recommendations on clothing and roll cover technology, rather than relying merely on subjective opinions. Ultimately, our technologies create customized solutions for each machine, delivering documented improved machine performance, while also supporting sustainability and reductions in energy, fiber and specialty chemicals,” said Butterfield.

Learn more about Mr. Salmannshofer’s session at:
http://www.tissueworld.com/milan/en-us/philippsalmannshofer

Learn more about EnerVent, and watch the video at:
http://www.xerium.com/markets-products/pulp-paper-tissue/roll-covers/

ABOUT XERIUM TECHNOLOGIES

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (XRM) is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of consumable products used primarily in the production of containerboard, tissue, consumer packaging, pulp and paper. In addition, the Company also services nonwoven fabric manufacturers, building products producers, and other specialty industrial sectors. The Company’s products, machine clothing and roll covers, are installed on machines and perform critical roles in the manufacturing process by which raw materials are converted into finished products. The Company employs a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary product and manufacturing technologies, as well as extensive industry experience, to provide customers with tailored solutions designed to optimize the performance of their equipment and reduce the costs of their operations. XRM is a global enterprise selling to customers in 63 countries, with 28 manufacturing facilities in 13 countries and approximately 2,950 employees.

In December 2016, PMP (Paper Machinery Producer) signed a contract with Sappi North America for delivery of an Intelli-Jet V^® hydraulic headbox for their paper machine 12 (PM12), located in Cloquet, Minnesota, USA.

The project goal is to improve headbox functionality and to improve product quality and production. Sappi chose PMP’s Intelli-Jet V^® hydraulic headbox due to its high performance and impressive references. The project’s driving force is based on machine maintenance and quality, achieved through the application of state-of-the-art technology.

The scope of delivery includes a 212” (5.38M) Intelli-Jet V^® hydraulic headbox that will significantly improve paper quality, including excellent formation. Other benefits of PMP’s technology include hydraulic and thermal stability, sheet edge quality, clean operation, improved headbox access and more. The headbox will be supplied with a sophisticated Consistency Profiling System to ensure excellent basis weight control, resulting in uniform paper web structure and better CD basis weight profiles. PMP’s Intelli-Jet V^® hydraulic headbox technology has become an iconic solution in the Pulp & Paper industry. It is a part of PMP’s Intelli-Paper^® platform for papermakers. There are over 130 Intelli-Jet V^® headboxes working successfully on 6 continents.

In addition to the headbox, PMP will provide stock approach equipment including the CP Pump and Screen, as well as basic engineering of stock approach items. The delivery also includes a thermal compensation system which will stabilize the thermal performance of the headbox by maintaining a uniform temperature of the most crucial headbox parts. The control of temperature of these parts will have a direct impact on CD flow profiles and will help minimize the time required to obtain quality production after start-up. PMP looks forward to supporting Sappi through the entire project process of engineering, installation, start-up, operator training, maintenance training and optimization. The delivery, erection, and start-up are scheduled for October 2017.

About Sappi:

About Sappi North America

Sappi North America, headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. The success of our four diversified businesses – high quality Coated Printing Papers, Specialised Cellulose, Release Papers and Specialty Packaging – is driven by strong customer relationships, best-in-class people and advantaged assets, products and services. Our high quality Coated Printing Papers, including McCoy, Opus, Somerset and Flo, are the key platform for premium magazines, catalogs, books and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of Specialised Cellulose used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods, and one of the world's leading suppliers of Release Papers with our Ultracast, PolyEX, Classics and Neoterix lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries. Our Specialty Packaging products, such as LusterPrint and LusterCote, represent an important asset in the food packaging and labeling industries. Customers rely on Sappi for high technical, operational and market expertise; products and services delivered with consistently high quality and reliability; and, state-of-the-art and cost-competitive assets and innovative spirit.

Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries around the world. Learn more about Sappi at: www.sappi.com.

About PMP:

PMP – PMP is a global provider of tissue, paper & board technology and has been supporting the pulp and paper industry for over 160 years, executing projects on 6 continents, in 34 countries. The Company has its headquarters in Jelenia Góra, Poland and has 6 facilities in 4 countries (Poland, USA, China, Italy). PMP is a recognized international player in both the paper & tissue industry. At the end of December 2015, PMP introduced a new branding initiative including launching of a new logo & a new visual identity. Learn more about PMP at: www.pmpgroup.com.

Toscotec has received in total 8 (eight) Tissue Machine order from APP. Two of the Tissue Machines are scheduled to come on stream in Q4 2017 and Q1 2018, respectively. In the meantime, the Italian supplier is manufacturing other 6 tissue machines which are planned for delivery between the Q3 2017 and the first half of 2018. Each tissue machine is capable of producing, among other tissue grades, 300 tpd or about 100,000 tpa of high gsm tissue.

Based on a continued strategic expansion, APP has decided to choose Toscotec’s state of the art technology, with the objective of using the most “green solution” available on the market and reducing energy costs. The scope of supply of this major order  includes AHEAD-2.0L crescent former tissue machines, with a net trim width of 5.6m, 22 FT diameter Steel Yankee Dryer TT SYD-22FT and Steam Heated Yankee Hoods.

This is Toscotec’s most recent innovation, PRODERGY, a new concept developed from the Company’s successful line, the AHEAD-2.0, which significantly boosts production and cuts down on the energy costs. In fact, PRODERGY is the 1st tissue machine to combine top production performance and top product quality, with energy efficiency. Its unique configuration of the drying section has taken tissue technology to a whole new level and has set new records for the industry. The first record to be broken is the diameter of the Steel Yankee: 22 feet, the largest Steel Yankee Dryer ever built for tissue production. The second record pertains to the speed, and therefore to the production output, as Prodergy is the first tissue machine relying on steam energy only that can achieve a maximum operation speed of 2000 m/min. These features make Prodergy the most green cutting-edge technology available on the tissue market nowadays. Its use of steam energy in the hoods guarantees the lowest possible emissions and environmental impact.

This major order confirms the long-standing cooperation between APP and Toscotec, which in the past has already provided APP with a significant number of Steel Yankee Dryers.

About Toscotec S.p.A.
Toscotec is a turnkey supplier to the global tissue industry. Since 1948, Toscotec offers complete production lines, plant retrofits, turnkey projects, and individual machineries. Headquartered in Lucca, the nerve center of the Italian paper district, with offices in China and North America, the Group serves all the leading paper producers with customized solutions, leveraging on the experience gained in more than 60 years of activities. Key to the Group’s success is the engineering and R&D department, run by a team of highly qualified engineers.

International Paper's Pensacola Mill in Cantonment, Fla., has successfully resumed full operations following a digester incident that occurred on January 22, 2017. The company, with the assistance of independent third-party experts, has implemented enhanced procedures and protections across the enterprise to prevent the recurrence of such an incident.

"We are pleased to report that full operations at our Pensacola site have resumed," said Tim Nicholls, senior vice president, International Paper. "Our primary focus remains on ensuring the health and safety of our employees, contractors and community members – along with providing our customers the excellent service they have come to expect," added Nicholls.

Including capital expenses, the company estimates total costs related to the incident will be between $80 and $120 million. The majority of these costs are expected to be recovered through insurance coverage.

About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Asia and Russia.  We produce packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable world-wide commerce; pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness; papers that facilitate education and communication; and paper bags, cups and food containers that provide convenience and portability. We are headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., and employ approximately 55,000 colleagues located in more than 24 countries.  Net sales for 2016 were $21 billion.  For more information about International Paper, our products and global citizenship efforts, please visit internationalpaper.com

SOURCE International Paper

Valmet has been included in the Ethibel Sustainability Index (ESI) Excellence Europe for 2017. The index contains 200 of the European stock listed companies that display the best performance in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Ethibel is constantly looking out for companies which may be eligible for ethical investments and to be included in its ethical investment register. From the investment register 200 of the best companies are selected to the Ethibel Sustainability Index. Main areas of assessment are human capital, environmental management, market ethics, governance, social impact and human rights. The assessment is based on external information sources such as sustainability reporting and company web sites.

"The inclusion in the Ethibel Sustainability Index further strengthens Valmet's position as one of the global sustainability leaders. For investors Valmet's inclusion in this index provides further assurance of the company as an ethical investment target. In its assessment, Ethibel is using only external information sources, and thus the inclusion in the index is also a recognition for Valmet's transparent and comprehensive reporting and communications around sustainability," says Anu Salonsaari-Posti, SVP, Marketing, Communications and Sustainability at Valmet.    

In 2016, Valmet was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World and Europe indices for the third consecutive year with a record high result, and in the CDP Climate A-list for its actions and strategy to mitigate climate change.  

About the Ethibel Sustainability Index Excellence Europe
The Ethibel Sustainability Index Excellence Europe includes the 200 best performing European companies in the field of corporate social responsibility. The analysis is based on research carried out by the rating agency Vigeo Eiris. Ethibel actively promotes socially responsible investing and corporate social responsibility on the financial markets. Read more

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 2016 were approximately EUR 2.9 billion. Our 12,000 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.

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper, the Bielefeld based manufacturer of coated speciality papers, is increasing its prices for deliveries from 1st June 2017, by 6 – 8 % worldwide.

Rising costs of pulp, chemicals and logistics make this price increase essential.

Customers will be contacted directly by the Mitsubishi sales team.

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH is a German subsidiary of Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd., Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty paper. The roughly 700 employees at Mitsubishi HiTec Paper produce high-quality direct thermal, digital imaging, carbonless, label and barrier papers at two tradition-rich locations in Bielefeld and Flensburg.

Each factory stands out for own base paper production, state-of-the-art production machinery and innovative coating technologies. Through its dense global sales network, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper supplies a full range of specialty papers featuring a modular system for every application and printing technology – and is a highly capable partner whenever customized coated paper solutions are required.

Kemira, a global chemicals company serving customers in water intensive industries, announces price increase for its polymer product line across all European countries.

The price increase is necessary due to overall significant cost increase and global tight supply of many key raw materials across our entire polymer product line:

• Increases in price of major raw materials for polymer manufacturing
• Several building block chemicals on shortage due to force majeure of chemical plants, low stock situations, and unplanned maintenance / outages
• Increased cost of sea freight due to supply reduction and reduction of available shipping routes
• Fluctuating currencies and exchange rates, as well as changes in trade conditions

The adjustment will be effective immediately or as customer contracts allow. The increase will be an average of 4-8 %.

For more information:

Olli Turunen
Vice President, Investor Relations Kemira Oyj
Tel. +358 10 862 1255
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kemira is a global chemicals company serving customers in water-intensive industries. We provide expertise, application know-how and chemicals that improve our customers' product quality, process and resource efficiency. Our focus is on pulp & paper, oil & gas, mining and water treatment. In 2016, Kemira had annual revenue of around EUR 2.4 billion and 4,800 employees. Kemira shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
www.kemira.com

The Omnia will offer customers flexibility and safety in a small footprint

Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), part of the Barry-Wehmiller family and a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of tissue converting and packaging equipment, have just announced it will unveil the Omnia, a new tissue embosser-laminator, this summer.

The Omnia, which in Latin means “all, everything,” marks a new era for PCMC in the embossing and laminating market. This full-featured machine will deliver safety, flexibility, fast changeovers and productivity for customers, all in a compact footprint. Other highlights include an open design for accessibility and ergonomics, the elimination of hydraulics, modularity for easy upgrades and automatic roll changes.

“The Omnia proves that customers really can have it all in their embosser-laminator,” said Jason Hilsberg, Tissue Sales Director at PCMC. “Fueled by the desire for more simplicity and safety, our design meets those needs on all levels. The accessibility of the rolls from one location makes roll changes and maintenance easier and safer, and the Omnia takes up 25 percent less floor space than our previous designs. Despite its smaller size, it still delivers all the features our customers need to compete in the marketplace today without sacrificing quality.”

The first Omnia is currently in production, and will be available for demonstration in June 2017.

ABOUT PAPER CONVERTING MACHINE COMPANY (PCMC)

Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC) specializes in the design and manufacture of high-performance converting machinery for the tissue, nonwovens, package-printing and envelope-manufacturing industries worldwide. Our comprehensive product offerings include rewinding, laminating, printing, embossing, perforating and packaging equipment for tissue and towels; folding and converting machines; and a complete range of flexographic printing presses, serving the flexible-packaging, prime-label and carton-converting industries. For more about PCMC, which is part of Barry-Wehmiller, go to pcmc.com.

ABOUT BARRY-WEHMILLER

Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $2.5 billion organization with more than 11,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world. CEO Bob Chapman shares the story of the company’s transformation in his new book, Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family. To learn more, go to barrywehmiller.com.