Revision and reconstruction work at the Ziegler Paper Mill has been successfully completed.

This year several revision and reconstruction projects took place at Ziegler Paper Mill using substantial investments and following a long-term investment strategy by the family-owned company in CH-Grellingen, near Basel. The work focused on the reconstruction of the roll cutting machine which was equipped with a new control system and a cutter. With the additional replacement of the drive, significant performance and usability improvements can be achieved. The first dry section of the paper machine (PM3) has been rebuilt in order to improve product quality. With these investments and actions, also work safety has increased and a further contribution to environmental protection has been achieved.

Coinciding with this year's revision, the complete shutdown of SAPPI Biberist was announced by SAPPI. Ziegler Paper Mill and the entire Swiss paper industry lose a collegial firm and a recognised paper producer. With that shut down, Ziegler Paper Mill remains the last Swiss producer of premium-quality fine papers for the graphic industry.

Ziegler Paper Mill is, after successful completion of the revision work, newly and freshly ready for delivery and pleased to be able to supply its customers in the usual manner - with high quality Swiss paper products.

source: zeilger paper

The company Paper Mill Holding bought the share of 53 % from the biggest producer of paper and corrugated board – company Promstroykartontorg in the city Angren in Uzbekistan.

The production capacity of the company are 100.000 t of paper and 120.000.000 m² of corrugated board. PAPCEL, a.s. will be main supplier of the equipment for the projects in this paper mill.

Thanks to these projects PAPCEL, a.s. will reach the turnover in the amount of USD 8 mio in 2011 and is going to reach the turnover in the total amount of USD15 mio in 2012.

Sweco's industry consultants have signed a major contract from Stora Enso in connection to its investment in a new paper machine in Stora Enso Poland Ostroka Mill. The contract is worth approximately SEK 50 million.

Stora Enso is investing EUR 285 million in a new paper machine in order to increase the production of paper for corrugated packaging products at the pulp and paper mill in north western Poland. Recycled fibres will be used as raw materials in the new paper machine that will have an annual capacity of about 455 000 tonnes.

"We are pleased to have received this contract and that Stora Enso has chosen us in order to increase production capacity at the Ostroka Mill. This is also a sign that the market is beginning to turn upwards again after a long period of low industrial investments, particularly in the European based pulp and paper industry. This is the second major contract we have signed in a short time," says Kari Harsunen, President of Sweco Industry.

The scope of the work includes process, layout, piping, electrical, automation, HVAC and fire protection engineering and will be mainly executed by Sweco Industry in Finland but also partly by local sub engineering companies in Poland. The overall implementation of the project will take about two years.

Metso will supply two containerboard machines to Anhui Shanying Paper Industry Co. Ltd. in the City of Ma’anshan in Anhui Province, China. The start-up of PM 6 is scheduled for the second and that of PM 5 for the third quarter of 2013. The value of the order will not be disclosed. A typical value of two containerboard lines varies from EUR 100 to 150 million, depending on the scope of delivery and the production capacity.

Metso’s delivery will include two complete 8.60-m-wide (wire) containerboard machines from headbox to winder. The deliveries will also include machine clothing, automation systems and a wide range of process systems. This kind of an extensive overall delivery package from the same supplier enables the design of highly energy-efficient production lines.

Anhui Shanying Paper Industry Co. Ltd. was established in 1957 and is the biggest paper and board producer in the Anhui Province, with an annual capacity of 900,000 tonnes of kraftliner.

Technical information

The new PM 6 will be equipped with two winders. It utilizes gap technology which enables a new, higher production speed category for board. The production speed will be 1,500 m/min. PM 6 will produce fluting and testliner grades in the basis weight range of 50 –110 g/m². The daily production capacity will be approximately 1,540 tonnes.

The new PM 5 will be equipped with three headboxes. The production speed will be 1,100 m/min. The line will produce kraftliner and testliner grades in the basis weight range of 90 –175 g/m². The daily production capacity will be approximately 1,380 tonnes.

source: metso pulp and paper

Increasing input costs like raw materials and transportation have had a strong negative impact on the profitability of all paper producers. Arctic Paper now announces to its customers a price increase on all UWF and CWF paper grades, both in folio sheets and reels. The price increase will range from 5‐8% and will differ from the current price levels per country and paper grade.

The price increase will be implemented for all markets and deliveries from 15 September 2011 will be affected.

The local sales teams of Arctic Paper will give customers further details and information.

North America's largest manufacturer of coated paper acknowledged today that it may be forced to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization because of its crushing debt load.

NewPage made was no reference to reorganization in the news release this morning announcing another quarter of losses. But the 10-Q quarterly financial report it filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission later in the day contained this statement:

"We have retained advisors to assist us in exploring various restructuring alternatives and are engaged in discussions with various stakeholders to address our ongoing capital needs. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, or that we will be able to do so on commercially reasonable terms. If we are unable to refinance our debt or generate sufficient cash flow to service our obligations, we will be required to seek to restructure our existing debt or to voluntarily seek, or be forced to seek, protection under the Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and applicable Canadian laws."

The report noted that the company's current liabilities (payments due in the next 12 months) exceed current assets by $2.5 billion because of bonds that come due early next year.

Because of higher paper prices and a better mix of products, the news release said, NewPage's 2nd quarter of 2011 was better than last year. The quarterly loss decreased from $174 million to $132 million. But it also said that the information in the 10-Q would be "sufficient to answer questions, and no conference call is planned."

S&P lowered its credit ratings on NewPage and its debt issues today, citing the paper manufacturer's "constrained near-term liquidity after the company posted weaker-than-expected second-quarter results and decided to hold off on previously announced asset sales."

source: deadtreeedition.blogspot.com

Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of privately-held Attends Healthcare, Inc. ("Attends"), manufacturer and supplier of incontinence products, from KPS Capital Partners, L.P. for $315 million. The closing of the transaction is expected during the third quarter 2011, subject to customary closing conditions.

"This is a good transaction that allows us to take measured steps into the consumer products market in a product area where high single-digit global growth is expected," said John D. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Domtar. "We believe there is the potential to double Attends' earnings within five years and we are committed to unleashing the great organic growth potential. With this acquisition, we will consume internally some of our high quality Lighthouse™ fluff pulp produced in our nearby Plymouth, North Carolina mill. Domtar will continue to look for innovative ways to build growing businesses based on sustainable wood fiber."

Attends produces a complete line of incontinence care products and washcloths marketed primarily under the Attends® brand name. The company has a wide product offering encompassing over 170 SKUs and it serves a diversified customer base in multiple channels throughout the United States and Canada. The company operates a 775,000 square foot facility with nine production lines and a state-of-the-art distribution center in Greenville, North Carolina. Attends has approximately 330 employees, annual sales of approximately $200 million, and an estimated run-rate EBITDA of $39 million.

Michael Fagan, currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Attends Healthcare, Inc., will continue in his functions. Commenting on the transaction, Mr. Fagan said, "I am delighted to join Domtar and to take the business to the next level of success. With strong commitment and support, the new ownership structure will allow us to realize the full potential of Attends."

The acquired business will be presented as a new reportable segment in Domtar's financial statements filed to the Securities and Exchange Commission starting in the quarter following the closing of the transaction. Domtar will use cash on hand to pay for the acquisition and intends to redeem most of Attends' outstanding debt upon closing of the transaction.

Please refer to the attached fact sheet for further information.

Buckeye Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BKI) announced the release today of its 2011 Sustainability Report. This report (which summarizes calendar year 2010 results) highlights continuing efforts on reducing fossil fuels, water, solid waste, and air emissions. Buckeye has reduced its Greenhouse Gas emissions (from fossil fuels and purchased electricity) by over 5% per ton of production since 2007, while generating 80% of its total energy needs from renewable biomass.

In addition, significant reductions of water used daily were achieved (down 7% since 2007) while reducing landfill wastes by 18% since 2007. The report also shares information about Buckeye's social impacts, including the impressive response to a renewed corporate-wide commitment to safety, reducing the Total Incidence Rate from 3.5 to 2.5 during the reporting period, with an additional reduction to 1.8 by the end of June.

John Crowe, Chairman and CEO, emphasized that "Buckeye has embarked on a sustainability strategy that embraces the importance of protecting the environment and resources for future generations while leveraging long-term business and shareholder value."

For more information about Buckeye Technologies and its sustainability efforts, and for a downloadable copy of the 2011 Sustainability Report, please visit our website at www.bkitech.com.

Buckeye, a leading manufacturer and marketer of specialty fibers and nonwoven materials, is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The Company currently operates facilities in the United States, Germany, Canada, and Brazil. Its products are sold worldwide to makers of consumer and industrial goods.


SOURCE: Buckeye Technologies Inc.

Tieto Corporation’s Board of Directors has appointed Kimmo Alkio President and CEO as of 1 November 2011. Alkio joins Tieto from F-Secure Corporation where he has been working as the President and CEO since 2006.

Kimmo Alkio (born 1963) is a Finnish citizen and holds a BBA degree from Texas A&M University and Executive MBA degree from Helsinki University of Technology. Alkio has been a member of Tieto’s Board of Directors and its Remuneration Committee since 2009. He will resign from the Remuneration Committee immediately.

Kimmo Alkio has over 20-years experience from senior positions in various large and smaller product- and service-oriented technology companies. Prior to his current position as the President and CEO of F-Secure, he has worked in Nokia Corporation (2005–2006) as the Vice President for the Consulting & System Integration business and as a member of the Global Services Business Unit management team within Networks. Between 2001 and 2005, Alkio worked in F-Secure as the Chief Operating Officer and before 2001, he worked 14 years in Digital Equipment Corporation and Compaq Computer in numerous management positions with both European and global responsibilities in the headquarter operations in Switzerland, Germany and the United States.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Kimmo Alkio as Tieto’s new President and CEO. Kimmo has vast experience from the IT industry in various global management positions. He has also gained experience as a CEO of a listed company, which was one of the key criteria in our CEO selection process. Furthermore, Kimmo has an excellent track record as a leader. Having been a Board member in Tieto for two years he already knows the company well, which is a clear advantage,” says Markku Pohjola, Chairman of the Board.

“I take on my new role as the President and CEO of Tieto with a great deal of enthusiasm. The company has a well established position in the Northern European IT services market, which serves as a solid foundation for future results and expansion. I also expect to personally bring a good degree of global experience for our future competitiveness and operational execution. I look forward to working with our customers and employees in creating customer experiences that take us to a successful and innovative future,” states Kimmo Alkio.

Voith Paper has enabled the long-time customer Norske Skog Bruck, Austria, to achieve success through the application of SkyTop doctor blades on their PM 4 as well as during the shift internal kart race. In the early summer "Team E" of line 4 organized a kart race in the Austrian city of Graz, where the tires squeaked and the focus laid firmly on having fun. The well-established cooperation between Norske Skog and Voith was evident on the racetrack, where even on the roughest of asphalt surfaces both high performance and speed were achieved.

This also applies to the success on PM 4. For more than three years Voith SkyTop doctor blades have been used on the center press roll of the paper machine in Bruck an der Mur where wood-containing graphic paper is produced. The application of SkyTop on the center roll significantly helps in achieving improved paper machine performance. Doctor contamination was greatly reduced and the running time was considerably extended.

Moreover SkyTop achieves a constant roughness of the roll surface affecting the paper quality in a positive way. "With SkyTop blades we succeed in maintaining the roughness of the center ceramic roll for the entire roll cover width on the designated high level over several years", explains Gernot Christöfl, Assistant Line Manager PM 4. The performances on the racetrack and the increase in doctor blade efficiency together demonstrate the close and trustful cooperation between Norske Skog and Voith Paper.

Norske Skog Bruck PM 4 manufactures 57 to 90 g/m² wood-containing graphic paper at machine speeds of up to 1500 m/min.