Ianadmin
Change in Ahlstrom's Nomination Committee
Ahlstrom's Board of Directors has appointed Thomas Ahlström as a non-board member of its Nomination Committee. He will replace Carl Ahlström, who has informed the board that he is no longer available for the position.
Thomas Ahlström represents Antti Ahlström Perilliset Oy, which is the biggest shareholder of Ahlstrom. In addition to three board members, the Nomination Committee consists of two non-board members representing major shareholders. The composition of the committee aims at increasing shareholder influence in nomination matters.
As of June 18, 2012, the members of the Nomination Committee are Peter Seligson, Pertti Korhonen, Anders Moberg as well as the non-board members Risto Murto and Thomas Ahlström.
Resolute to Indefinitely Idle Mersey Mill in Nova Scotia
Resolute Forest Products has announced that it will indefinitely idle the Mersey newsprint mill located in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia. The facility, owned by Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited (BMPCL), is a joint venture between Resolute (51%) and the Washington Post (49%). The indefinite idling will be effective on Sunday, June 17, 2012.
"The mill produces newsprint primarily for export markets and is unable to compete due to declining prices in those markets, caused mainly by unfavorable currency fluctuations, stated Richard Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Resolute. "The decision to indefinitely idle production at the facility was difficult as we are mindful of the impact it will have on affected employees and local communities. We have worked diligently with the provincial government, our employees, union leadership and other stakeholders but simply could not overcome the inherent challenges."
The Company remains committed to customer service and delivery of high-quality products and will work closely with customers to ensure a smooth transition.
This indefinite idling will reduce capacity by approximately 250,000 metric tons of newsprint. Approximately 320 employees at the Mersey paper mill, associated woodlands, Oakhill sawmill and Brooklyn Power Corporation will be affected by this action. Resolute will continue to work collaboratively with governments to ensure that impacted employees are provided support during this transition.
The Company is currently assessing the feasibility of selling all of its assets in Nova Scotia, including its private timberlands, the paper mill, sawmill and Brooklyn Power.
upmpaper.com at your service also in German and French!
UPM’s paper website “upmpaper.com” is a one-stop-shop for all paper related topics. Now the versatile content, including the Online Paper Catalogue, is available also in the German and French languages:
“We are very happy to introduce the upmpaper.com website to our German and French speaking audiences," says Laura Kuusinen, Digital Communications Manager at UPM Paper Business Group.
“On the website the visitors can, for example, become familiar with the latest paper related news, access the Online Paper Catalogue and the broad selection of UPM services, such as Technical, Environmental and Training services. Moreover, upmpaper.com serves as a gateway to our renewed UPM Customer Online extranet," continues Kuusinen.
Mobile Paper Catalogue 0.1 complements UPM’s catalogue family
In addition to the printed as well as renewed Online Paper Catalogue, UPM Paper has taken the first step to enter into the constantly evolving mobile world by launching the 0.1 version of the Mobile Paper Catalogue – http://m.upmpaper.com.
The Mobile Paper Catalogue is currently available in English.
“We will both test the technical functionality of the mobile catalogue and collect feedback from the users. Based on the feedback we will specify functionalities for the next version to serve our customers even better than we do today,” concludes Kuusinen.
Metso's IQ Steam Profiler's remarkable customer benefits boost record level sales
Metso's fourth generation IQ Steam Profiler design has reduced maintenance needs and opened many new application areas. For example, a recent tissue machine installation at WEPA Leuna GmbH in Germany enabled an 8% increase in production on towel grades, a reduction in electrical energy driving the drying hood fans, and improved tissue quality as an added benefit.
Continuing the trend of last few years, this year has seen significant increase in interest for Metso IQ Steam Profilers resulting record level orders.
With more than 800 meters of IQ Steam Profilers in use on paper, board, pulp and tissue machines around the world, Metso's advanced solutions are reaping handsome rewards for users. Combined with Metso's multivariable CD control technology provides significantly flat moisture profiles, which is a requirement now for almost all grades.
Replacing 1990's technology in a Swedish mill resulted in a 40% better CD moisture profile, while a Chinese producer recently ordered IQ Steam Profilers for three separate machines in the quest for improved quality and economy.
Dependable and reliable electromechanical actuators provide accurate steam flow control to heat the water in the sheet, reducing its viscosity and allowing it to drain more readily. In a well designed configuration the improved dewatering can be translated directly to steam savings and, on a dryer limited machine, increased production. The IQ Steam Profiler can provide a more uniform moisture profile and avoid the need to over dry the sheet to eliminate moisture streaks.
Metso steambox designs are compact and engineering design has eliminated many of the problems experienced with conventional constructions leading to the increased uptake in usage. "Steamboxes have 
become an indispensible tool on many paper machines to improve drying efficiency and cross directional moisture profiles," says Mikko Talonen, Product Manager, Metso Automation.
The IQ Steam Profiler (www.metso.com/profilers) is part of the Metso IQ quality management portfolio of solutions for paper, tissue and board machines. Using innovative solutions and cutting edge technologies provide effective quality management, resulting in better paper and printing properties with improved productivity and runnability. All Metso IQ profilers feature compact designs and advanced self-diagnostics for easier installation and maintenance.
Metso Process and Quality Vision system achieves 200th order
With high-resolution, high-speed digital imaging technology, Metso PQV system helps to improve runnability and ensures flawless quality.
Metso recently received an order for the 200th Metso Process and Quality Vision (Metso PQV) system. The system will be delivered for the Metsä Board Simpele mill in southeast Finland. The Metso PQV system helps to improve runnability and ensures the best quality for the customer through an integrated web break analysis and web inspection system. The delivery is scheduled for June 2012.
The new system in Simpele will replace two separate systems on the machine and provide the ability to detect and follow possible faults and interrelated breaks back to their source. A web break analysis system is used to find the origins of web breaks, and a web inspection system is in charge of demanding board structure and surface quality analyses.
Metso Process and Quality Vision integrates web break analysis capabilities and web quality inspection using high-frequency camera images to produce a continuous view of the moving web. Three different geometries are typically used in web inspection system installations. Transmission geometry is used to detect flaws in the sheet, high angle geometry is used for surface defects and low angle geometry is used to detect coating imperfections. The web break analysis camera images and web inspection information are combined into a common operator interface. This allows the operators to detect key quality faults at well-defined CD and MD locations in the paper web and to track their origins in the process. (www.metso.com/machinevision)
Metsä Board is Europe's leading producer of fresh forest fiber cartonboards. It is also a leading manufacturer of coated white-top kraftliners in the world, and a major paper supplier. The Simpele mill produces folding boxboard for the health care, food and general packaging. The Simpele board machine, rebuilt by Metso in 2011, has an annual capacity of 300,000 tonnes, thus being the largest folding boxboard machine in Europe.
International Paper announces winner of PRO-DESIGN™ 2012
International Paper, the world’s largest paper and packaging company, has announced the winner of its PRO-DESIGN™ 2012 Olympics competition prize offering, which was supported by leading national paper merchant group, PaperCo.
PRO-DESIGN™ is International Paper’s flagship colour laser paper from its Saillat Mill, and the 2012 Olympics competition prize was offered through a new listing for the PRO-DESIGN™ range contained within the new NEMO Buying Group catalogue for 2012.
The winners of the once in a lifetime prize offering are Mike Woodhead, Operations Director of Manchester-based dealer Entwistle Group, who will share the prize winning event tickets together with fellow Director, Ben Entwistle. As the competition winners, Mike and Ben will enjoy the fantastic Olympics prize package, including a trip to London for two people, with tickets for two events at the London Olympics 2012 event, as well as two nights hotel accommodation.
The competition saw entrants placed into the prize draw every time an order was placed for PRO-DESIGN™. The prize promotion ran across all NEMO Buying Group dealers, and Group members, such as GDL (Graphic Dealers Ltd).
Tim Beaumont, Nemo Buying Group Commercial Director stated; “This is a perfect example of successful collaboration, and the reason why the Nexus Group works so well. We have brought several joint contracts to our partner groups across a range of products and services.”
He continued, “The sense of community that runs through NEMO and Nexus allows us to work with suppliers closely, and enables promotions such as this one to generate great interest. We are delighted for Jason and the team at Entwistle’s and hope they enjoy the prize at the Olympics.”
The NEMO Purchasing and Marketing Group have 53 independent members, all of which offer a wide range of office/IT products on a national basis. NEMO have around 7,000 products available in its Office Style catalogue, with the majority available on next day delivery. Some 14,000 additional products are also located in many depots in the UK & Ireland.
Speaking about the success of the competition, PaperCo’s National Account Director, Mike Rust stated, “We are delighted with the support that was given to the competition, and particularly pleased for both Mike and Ben who will enjoy a fantastic time at the Olympics.”
PRO-DESIGN™ is produced at International Paper’s Saillat mill in France, which is one of the world’s best performing sites in terms of CO2 emissions. Since 1990, Saillat has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 78%.
The Saillat mill uses thinning from certified forests or those that are in the process of becoming certified, with its main forestry supplies located within just 150km of the mill, reducing any transport related environmental impacts such as CO2 emissions.
Saillat also recovers by-products from the furniture and framing industries which represents 27% of its wood supply. In terms of energy efficiencies and performance, some 88% of Saillat's energy requirements are met by the on-site production of green energy (biomass).
Commenting on the PRO-DESIGN™ Olympics prize winner, Mike Robertson, International Paper’s Country Manager UK stated, “This promotion, for this very special event being held in the UK has really helped us launch Pro Design with the Nemo and GDL buying groups following our selection for their 2012 Catalogue.”
PRO-DESIGN™ is International Paper’s colour laser range for professional laser printing, used by graphic reproduction houses, digital printers and copy centres. Its significant features include improved high whiteness 168 CIE quality. This provides sharper contrasts for excellent reproduction, whilst other features include better sheet formation, smooth surface, optimal stiffness for jam-free runnability and ISO 9706 providing an anti-ageing guarantee.
PRO-DESIGN’s™ outstanding environmental credentials, such as its environmentally friendly manufacturing process and accreditations to both PEFC and EU Ecolabel certifications, provide an environmental guarantee and endorsement of the product’s high sustainable standards.
AkzoNobel completes demerger of Pakistan activities
AkzoNobel has completed the restructuring of its activities in Pakistan by formally establishing AkzoNobel Pakistan Limited as a separate legal entity from ICI Pakistan. As previously announced, the split means that the company has started the formal sale process to divest its 75.81% shareholding in ICI Pakistan.
The new AkzoNobel Pakistan Limited business is focused on three core areas – Decorative Paints, Performance Coatings and Specialty Chemicals. An appropriate management and organizational structure is currently being finalized, with Jehanzeb Khan having been appointed as its CEO.
"Pakistan offers clear opportunities for the future and we are committed to realizing our growth ambitions through these more strategically focused activities," explained Leif Darner, AkzoNobel’s Executive Committee member responsible for the Middle East. "ICI Pakistan remains an attractive proposition with a number of strong businesses and we are confident that we will find a new owner better suited to achieving their obvious potential."
The coatings activities of ICI Pakistan were transferred to the newly-formed AkzoNobel Pakistan Limited through a legal process of demerger. ICI Pakistan’s business now comprises polyester fiber, soda ash, life sciences and chemicals.
Ecolab Statement Supporting Introduction of Bipartisan Russia PNTR Legislation
Ecolab Inc. welcomes the introduction of bipartisan legislation in the Senate to establish permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia and repeal the Jackson-Vanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974.
Russia joins theWorld Trade Organization (WTO) this summer, and this legislation is vital for U.S. companies to realize the full potential ofRussia's WTO commitments. This legislation is necessary to ensure that U.S. companies are on a level playing field when competing with other global companies in this important market.
We support the passage of this legislation, and applaud Senators Baucus, Kerry, Thune and McCain for their leadership on this important issue.
Source: Ecolab Inc.
Domtar signs Definitive Purchase and Sale Agreement for sale of Ottawa/Gatineau hydro assets
Domtar Corporation has announced the signing by its Canadian subsidiary, Domtar Inc.("Domtar"), of a Definitive Purchase and Sale Agreement ("the agreement") for the sale of its hydro assets in Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Québec for $45 million. The purchaser is Energy Ottawa Inc. ("Energy Ottawa"), the renewable energy subsidiary of Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. The agreement with Energy Ottawa signed on April 4, 2012 is subject to customary closing conditions, including certain third party approvals, with closing expected by August 31, 2012.
The transaction includes Domtar's three power stations (21 MW of installed capacity), Domtar's water rights in the area, as well as the company's equity stake in the Chaudière Water Power Inc. (CWPI) ring dam consortium. Domtar currently has 12 workers operating its hydro assets in Ottawa/Gatineau and all employees are to become employees of a subsidiary of Energy Ottawa upon closing of the transaction.
Domtar Corporation designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of fiber-based products including communication papers, specialty and packaging papers and adult incontinence products. The foundation of its business is a network of world class wood fiber converting assets that produce papergrade, fluff and specialty pulps. The majority of its pulp production is consumed internally to manufacture paper and consumer products. Domtar is the largest integrated marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America with recognized brands such as Cougar®, Lynx® Opaque Ultra, Husky® Opaque Offset, First Choice® and Domtar EarthChoice®. Domtar is also a leading marketer and producer of a complete line of incontinence care products marketed primarily under the Attends® brand name. Domtar owns and operates ArivaTM, an extensive network of strategically located paper and printing supplies distribution facilities. In 2011, Domtar had sales of US$5.6 billion from nearly 50 countries. The Company employs approximately 9,100 people. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com.
SOURCE DOMTAR CORPORATION
Catalyst Paper announces Amended Plan of Arrangement and Creditor Meetings
Catalyst Paper has announced that it is seeking approval of a further amended Plan of Arrangement (the Amended Plan) under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and will file tomorrow for approval from the Court to set meetings of its secured and unsecured creditors to consider the Amended Plan (the Meetings). Subject to Court approval, the Meetings are tentatively scheduled for June 25, 2012.
“We have received consent from a requisite number of our secured noteholders to move forward to a vote on the Amended Plan,” said Kevin J. Clarke, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This reflects the dedication of all parties to work toward a consensual deal that incorporates the many interests involved and that puts our company on better financial footing for the future.”
Catalyst Paper’s Board of Directors is unanimously recommending that all holders of First Lien Notes, Unsecured Notes and General Unsecured Claims vote in favour of the Amended Plan at the Meetings.
For more information please refer to Catalyst Paper’s management proxy circular dated March 23, 2012 (the Circular) available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), EDGAR (www.sec.gov) and Catalyst Paper’s web page (www.catalystpaper.com). Terms used in this news release that are defined in the Circular have corresponding meanings.
The Amendments to the Plan of Arrangement
As described in Catalyst’s press release dated June 11, 2012, the principal change to the plan of arrangement is the compromise of certain extended health benefits plans for former salaried employees of Catalyst that were not to be compromised under the prior plan of arrangement. Other changes to the plan of arrangement are changes necessary to reflect the new timing for creditor approval of the Amended Plan.
Pursuant to the Amended Plan, all claims in connection with the elimination of the extended health benefits will be General Unsecured Claims and will receive the same treatment (other than that they will not be considered Convenience Creditors and are not entitled to file a Cash Election) as and will be entitled to vote with all other General Unsecured Claims under the Amended Plan. Catalyst has been advised that there is substantial support for the Amended Plan by the holders of the extended health benefits claims that will be compromised under the Amended Plan. In addition, certain holders of Unsecured Notes who previously voted against the plan of arrangement or did not vote on the plan of arrangement have indicated that they will support the Amended Plan.
Also as described in Catalyst’s June 11, 2012 press release, Catalyst has proposed modifications to its salaried pension plan to provide for a special portability election option and solvency funding relief which require provincial government approval. The Minister of Finance has confirmed that he is prepared to submit the proposal to Cabinet for its consideration with a recommendation in favour. The implementation of the Amended Plan is conditional on obtaining regulatory approval to the above modification. The company estimates that it would save approximately $7 million annually if these modifications were implemented following a successful plan of arrangement.
A copy of the Amended Plan is available on the Monitor’s website at http://www.pwc.com/ca/en/car/catalyst-paper-corporation/index.jhtml.