Ian Melin-Jones
Paper Excellence to buy Domtar's Prince Albert site for dissolving pulp conversion
Domtar Corp. has announced an agreement with Paper Excellence Canada Holdings Corporation for the sale of its Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, assets.
Paper Excellence will convert the former pulp and paper mill to the production of dissolving pulp, a product intended for the viscose textile market.
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2011, but is contingent on a few conditions. Paper Excellence and the government of Saskatchewan must reach agreement on fibre allocation, the purchase of excess power, and the division of responsibilities between the government and the buyer for past environmental liabilities. Also, the buyer must negotiate a new collective agreement with the local labour union.
According to a statement from the government of Saskatchewan, Paper Excellence will be investing more than $200 million in the conversion of the mill and creating hundreds of construction jobs in addition to the projected 200 mill jobs. The conversion is expected to take between 18 and 24 months to complete.
The Prince Albert mill was permanently closed in the second quarter of 2006 and has not been operated since. Domtar acquired the assets in 2007 as part of a transaction with Weyerhaeuser Company. Domtar completed the dismantling of the mill's paper machine and converting equipment in 2008.
The pulp mill portion of the facility was built in 1966. At the time it was shut down in 2006 it had an annual capacity of 145,000 t/y of bleached softwood and hardwood kraft pulp.
Based in the Netherlands, Paper Excellence also owns Meadow Lake Mechanical Pulp (BCTMP) in Saskatchewan and two mills in B.C., Mackenzie Pulp Mill (kraft pulp) and Howe Sound Pulp & Paper (kraft, TMP and newsprint).
Mondi showcases new digital products at Graphispag 2011 in Barcelona, March 22-26
At Spain’s largest graphics fair, Mondi will introduce its latest digital printing products, Color Copy indigo and DNS® indigo, to the Spanish printing industry.
With Graphispag’s growing focus on the digital printing market, visitors can look forward to seeing the latest papers in Mondi’s digital printing portfolio. Launched for the first time within the Spanish market, DNS® indigo and Color Copy indigo will be highlighted at Mondi booth 470, Hall 2, along with the rest of Mondi’s digital portfolio, which includes Color Copy, BIO TOP 3®, DNS® and NAUTILUS®.
“The growing interest in digital printing at trade fairs like Graphispag is a clear indication of the latest markets trends and the future needs of printers,” says Johannes Klumpp, Marketing and Sales Director for Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper. “DNS® indigo and Color Copy indigo are our newest papers for professional printers who use HP Indigo digital presses, and we are already preparing for the upcoming launch of DNS® high-speed inkjet.”
DNS® indigo and Color Copy indigo received HP’s 3-star approval, which is the highest performance rating for HP Indigo digital presses and indicates the best performance in terms of runnability, fixing and blanket compatibility.During the production process of these papers a special primer is applied to ensure perfect adhesion of HP’s ElectroInk.
“Because of our primering method, our Indigo papers have an unlimited shelf life, which means that printers will still achieve exceptional results on Indigo machines even after several years of storage,” explains Mr. Klumpp.
Mondi´s digital printing papers: a greener shade of white
Mondi’s complete digital printing portfolio consists of papers that are also part of Mondi’s Green Range of eco-friendly papers. All Green Range papers are FSC® certified, bleached without chlorine, or 100% recycled. This extensive digital range consists of numerous brands and sub-brands tailored for specific digital applications.
Since its launch in 1989, Color Copy has earned its reputation for delivering high quality full-colour results. An FSC certified paper, it is now fully CO2 Neutral and certified with the EU Ecolabel. BIO TOP 3® digiprint is an eco-friendly favourite for digital print publishing. Produced without optical brightening agents, its shade and opacity is ideal for book printing.
DNS® premium was the first paper launched in the DNS® range in 2010. It is FSC and EU Ecolabel certified. The hybrid nature of the DNS® premium offers professional printers a single solution for any application on digital production machines and offset printing presses.
Mondi’s 100% recycled NAUTILUS® Universal and NAUTILUS® SuperWhite also offer a complete professional range of grammages and formats that appeal to the end customers’ growing demand for high quality recycled papers. Moreover, NAUTILUS® Universal is Blue Angel certified and NAUTILUS® SuperWhite is also offered with a CO2 Neutral option.
Please visit www.mondigroup.com/digital for more information on Mondi’s digital printing range and environmental accreditations.
Wood pellet exports from the US and Canada to Europe reached 1.6 million tons in 2010
Wood pellet exports from the US and Canada to Europe reached 1.6 million tons in 2010, a doubling of shipments in just two years, reports the North American Wood Fiber Review
Over the past two years, North America has become a major supplier of wood pellets to Europe. In 2010, an estimated 1.6 million tons of pellets were shipped from the US and Canada to the Netherlands, the UK and Belgium, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review. This is a doubling of volume compared to 2008.
The full article can be found in the attached PDF file.....
Verso Paper Corp. to Present at Goldman Sachs 2011 Paper and Forest Products Investor Event
Verso Paper Corp. has announced that Michael A. Jackson, President and Chief Executive Officer, will be providing a company overview to investors at the Goldman Sachs 2011 Paper and Forest Products Investor Event on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
A copy of the company's presentation materials will be available following the conference at www.versopaper.com/investorrelations on the Events page.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this press release all statements that are not purely historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "estimate," "intend," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available business, economic, financial and other information and reflect management's current beliefs, expectations and views with respect to future developments and their potential effects on Verso. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties that may affect Verso and its business. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to Verso's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Verso assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement made in this press release to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or actual outcomes.
Source: Verso Paper Corp.
Xerium Technologies Unveils Advanced Rolls Product Series
Xerium Technologies, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of industrial textiles and rolls used primarily in the paper production process, today announced full commercial availability of a technologically advanced new series of roll cover products designed for improved machine performance, better wear and longer, more efficient product life. The latest range of roll cover products are designed to reduce operational costs and maximize the output of existing equipment, while enhancing product customization capabilities for each individual customer.
Roll covers, which are used to coat the large machine cylinders that transport raw paper along the lengthy belts while the paper is formed, pressed, and dried, are critical to the quality of paper as it is produced. With this latest series of advanced technology roll covers, Xerium continues to work with its paper manufacturing customers to maximize output and reduce operational costs.
"We continue to work very closely with our customers to advance the technology of paper manufacturing by enabling greater efficiency, leaner inventories, and lower costs," said Stephen R. Light, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. "The high-ROI class of products that we're developing is in direct response to manufacturers' demands for higher performance at lower costs."
Developed by Stowe Woodward's global research and product engineering team, the latest family of roll cover products from Xerium include:
Quantum R and Aquarius R: Quantum R and Aquarius R covers incorporate high release additives into high performance polyurethane covers. Utilizing these special formulas, Stowe Woodward has taken polyurethane roll covers to new performance levels in sheet release and non-stick applications. Combined with Stowe Woodward's SMART(R) Technology, Quantum R and Aquarius R provide the ultimate value to machine operations giving on-the-run nip profile data for maximum papermaking efficiency. Designed for paper machine pressing applications, Quantum R provides superior release performance in soft press, smoothing press, and calendar positions. The unique surface properties of Quantum R can release the sheet when other polyurethane or high release rubber covers fail to perform. Aquarius R provides the ultimate cover release surface for Lumpbreakers and other extra soft sheet release cover applications. Combining high release additives to the natural superior release characteristics of Aquarius polyurethane, Aquarius R covers are a level above all others.
Embrace: Embrace polyurethane roll covers deliver superior performance in tissue embossing, paper converting, laminating, film, textile and other industrial applications. Embrace is manufactured with the most advanced manufacturing methods and material science. This cool running high-strength cover will run in the toughest high speed applications. When additional insurance is required against abuse and failure, Embrace can be supplied with Stowe Woodward's superior Lifegard bonding system.
SOURCE: Xerium Technologies, Inc.
Staples and Domtar unveil Dontar earthchoice office paper by Staples
To help promote forest conservation and environmental responsibility, Staples will launch a new brand of paper supplied by Domtar Corporation marking the first time the office products company's brand of paper carries the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ Seal.
The new Domtar EarthChoice Office Paper by Staples, available to Staples Advantage and Staples.com customers in the U.S., will be manufactured by Domtar, whose EarthChoice(R) products are the broadest and most flexible collection of environmentally responsible papers available in the marketplace. Since its launch, more than a million tons of EarthChoice papers have been sold, all of which have been certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC(R)) and are publicly supported by the Rainforest Alliance.
The Rainforest Alliance pioneered the concept of responsible forestry certification in 1989 and has since certified to FSC standards more than 65 million hectares (155 million acres) of forestland in 70 countries around the world. By encouraging better on-the-ground forestry practices, which benefit the environment and protect the rights and welfare of workers and their communities, the Rainforest Alliance helps meet the ever-increasing demand for responsibly harvested forest products.
"We are proud to expand our environmentally responsible portfolio to include paper that not only meets FSC standards but also is certified by the Rainforest Alliance," said Mark Buckley, Staples' Vice President of Sustainability. "We have a strong partnership with Domtar, and this is another example of how Domtar is helping Staples work toward our sustainability goals."
Domtar has previously earned the Staples Supplier Soul Award, which honors suppliers who help advance Staples' Soul by strengthening its four cornerstones - community, diversity, ethics and the environment. Part of the recognition stems from Domtar's environmental policies, its commitment to minimizing its environmental footprint, its responsible sourcing of fiber, and its work to promote credible forest certification.
"We work hard to keep the forests as forests," said Lewis Fix, Domtar's Vice-President of Brand Management and Sustainable Product Development. "Well-managed forests provide renewable resources, respect biodiversity and bring a wealth of socio-economic benefits to neighboring communities, including the potential for employment and recreational activities. Third-party certification is the best way to ensure that sound forest management practices are implemented and that all environmental and social aspects of forest use are considered."
"We are thrilled to continue our work with Staples and Domtar," said Tensie Whelan, President of the Rainforest Alliance. "Their commitments to FSC certification have helped the Rainforest Alliance work to ensure that thousands of acres of forests are responsibly managed. We're happy to see another product added to the EarthChoice line, making FSC certified paper more readily available to consumers."
Domtar EarthChoice Office Paper by Staples is a 20 lb., 92 brightness paper, ideal for everyday printing on inkjet and laser printers, and will feature ColorLok(R) Technology. HP's ColorLok Technology provides for a better printing surface, delivering more vivid colors, bolder blacks and faster drying times when printing on inkjet printers, consistent imaging and a longer printer life for laser printers1.
Full marks for Mizar
MIZAR is the two-side coated paper for digital printing distributed by Mosaico Specialty Papers.
Now it has also passed the exams: it has in fact passed the Testexpertise Océ and has been included in the Guide to certified supports for the brand new "Color Stream 10000 Flex" web-fed digital color press.
Printability and runability tests have been carried out by Océ Paper Lab at Poing (Germany) which proved that Mizar is suitable for OPS - High Performance Continuous Forms Printing System with Infrared fusing.
Océ ColorStream 10000 Flex is the fastest toner-based color-capable continuous feed printer in the market, offering an unmatched flexibility from maximum b/w productivity through to full color production.
Mondi’s digital colour laser paper Color Copy qualified for Océ ColorStream 10000 Flex Printers
Global paper and packaging manufacturer Mondi has received confirmation that Color Copy, its premium colour laser paper, has been qualified in 100 gsm and 160 gsm for Océ’s ColorStream 10000 Flex Printers Digital Production Color Presses.
Color Copy is engineered for maximum performance on dry toner colour laser technologies. “We are delighted to have received this qualification by Océ. It illustrates that we remain at the forefront of technology,” says Johannes Klumpp, Marketing & Sales Director, Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper. “Color Copy was ranked No. 1 in Western Europe for brand performance in the 2010 EMGE survey and this recommendation by Océ, which is a top OEM, further bolsters Color Copy’s position as a leading colour laser paper in Europe.”
Color Copy was the first paper specially developed for colour laser printing in 1989, the first colour laser paper to be FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified in 2005 and the first CO2 Neutral colour laser paper – a development in 2010.
The Océ Printing Systems Paper Laboratory in Poing, Germany qualified Color Copy in 100 gsm and 160 gsm for the ColorStream 10000 Flex – a high performance continuous forms printing system with infrared fusing. Color Copy, with its very smooth uncoated surface and brilliant colour reproduction is an ideal paper choice for a wide range of applications. According to Océ, the printing technology of the ColorStream 10000 Flex is perfectly aligned with the growing market need for flexible technology for printing TransPromo documents, direct mail, books and manuals. The Océ ColorStream 10000 Flex allows customers to apply color incrementally according to the specifics of each job, without compromising existing job requirements and budgets.
Color Copy is recommended by several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Mondi guarantees that it runs perfectly on all dry toner colour laser printers. For more information about Color Copy and Mondi’s other digital printing papers, please visit www.mondigroup.com/colorcopy
Innovative solutions from a single source
The comprehensive product portfolio of BASF provides customers with a complete toolbox of solutions to their needs. At the European Coatings Show (March 29 - 31) in Nuremberg, Germany, BASF will feature a range of established products and new solutions to formulate coatings for furniture and flooring applications. Further, the company will present its product offer for the printing and packaging industry ( booth 411 in hall 7A) .
Printing and packaging
Sharp, vibrant colors and innovative, durable finishes help to maximize consumer appeal and boost sales. With BASF, customers in the printing and packaging industry have a strong partner that provides attractive high-performance and eco-friendly solutions.
Color for printing
As the No. 1 pigment supplier for the coatings, plastics and printing industries BASF is fully committed to foster its position in high-end printing applications. At the ECS, BASF will present its consolidated portfolio of pigments, dyes and preparations for printing. The offer is specifically targeted at the high-quality segments of packaging as well as industrial and digital printing. With Irgalite® Yellow BXFL, Irgalite® Rubine 4BGL and the industry benchmark Irgalite® Blue GLVO, BASF offers high-end azo and phthalocyanine pigments. In addition, BASF provides the most complete range of high-performance pigments, available in many colors and suitable for many applications such as high-end packaging and industrial printing applications. In these areas differentiated colors and good fastness properties are especially important.
Pigments for digital printing
The future of printing is digital. The pigments Cinquasia® Jet and Cromophtal® Jet from BASF for inkjet applications are products with very fine and narrow particle size distribution and provide high levels of quality consistency. Highly transparent Microlith® preparations as well as the high-quality dyes Basacid® and Orasol® complete the offer and make BASF the leading supplier of color to the digital printing industry.
Effects for printing and packaging
At the ECS, BASF will also present its range of the high-end metallic pigment Metasheen® and the complete portfolio of pearlescent pigments including Glacier™ Frost White, the whitest pearlescent pigment. Further, BASF will feature the effect pigment Lumina® which enables beautiful sparkling effects in different colors with high chromaticity and transparency.
Microlith® preparations
Life can be a lot easier when using pigment preparations. They can save production time and reduce costs and waste. With Microlith®, BASF offers a range of powder pigment preparations with suitable grades for water, solvent and energy-curing inks for all printing applications. Microlith® is easy to disperse and available in many colors, providing high transparency and brilliance. In combination with metallic or pearlescent pigments, stunning effects can easily be achieved. BASF’s Microlith® K pigment preparations are the state-of-the-art color solutions for inkjet inks. The particle size distribution of these pre-dispersed pigments is extremely narrow and fine. This leads to high brilliance while at the same time the demands for the use in digital printing are met.
Pigments for sustainable solutions
Sustainability is presently a focus for BASF and will become even more important in the future. With its broad range of pigments, BASF can provide solutions to future requirements. As an example of its contribution to eco-friendly applications such as compostable plastic bags, BASF will present Heliogen® Blue D 7460, a metal-free phthalocyanine pigment.
Joncryl® FLX line, water-based technology for medium-duty film printing
Joncryl styrene-acrylic resins and emulsions are the key components of high-performance inks and coatings. In Nuremberg, BASF will feature its broad Joncryl® FLX line. Joncryl® FLX products are successfully used in water-based inks for film-printing applications. With BASF’s Joncryl® FLX line the conversion from solvent-based to water-based printing inks for medium-duty film applications is a high-quality, cost-effective alternative.
Irgacure® photoinitiators and Laromer® resins
BASF will also feature its Irgacure® photoinitiators and Laromer® resins product line for printing and packaging applications. The Laromer® product line offers high-performance binders resulting in emission-free energy curing of printing inks and overprint varnishes. BASF’s Irgacure® photoinitiators are essential components for the UV curing process and set the industry standard for initiating the polymerization process to quickly reach the final cross-linked printing ink and overprint varnish. Curing faster and more economically than traditional methods, UV- and electron-beam curing lead to a higher efficiency with substantial savings in energy, time and labor. At the same time, higher gloss and resistance improve the overall quality of the print.
Efka® dispersing agents
In Nuremberg, BASF will also launch its new range of high- performance dispersing agents. Efka® 7701, Efka® 7731 and Efka® 7732 are tailor-made for high-performance printing applications and provide superior rheological properties as well as unmatched pigment dispersion stability. This allows best-in-class inkjet inks that set new performance benchmarks for the whole industry.
Liquid rather than solid: liquid N-vinyl caprolactam (NVC) from BASF
BASF has developed an interesting alternative form of the well-known, tried and tested reactive diluent N-vinyl caprolactam (NVC): the product is now available in liquid form as well for use in formulating UV-curable screen and digital printing inks. Not only does the liquid product feature easier handling than solid NVC, it even enhances the well-known performance of NVC such as high cure speed, adhesion to plastics and film flexibility. In processing, the new product offers the benefits of greater process reliability at reduced production costs. Using the liquid NVC variety is a recommended option in particular for industrial inkjet printers that produce weatherproof advertising posters for outdoor display.
source: www.basf.com
Dr. Uwe Liebelt to become President of BASF’s Paper Chemicals division
Dr. Uwe Liebelt (44) will become President of BASF’s Paper Chemicals division, located in Basel, Switzerland, effective April 1, 2011. Liebelt is currently Senior Vice President, Dispersions and Pigments North America located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Dr. Ehrenfried Baumgartner (59), current President of the Paper Chemicals division, is retiring.