As part of the Industrial Internet offering, Valmet has developed winder diagnostics to help board and paper customers optimize the overall performance of their winder. Winder diagnostics is an essential part of a winder reliability agreement.

The service ensures better maintenance predictability which in turn means fewer unplanned stops and improved performance of the winder. It provides information from the winder enabling quick reactions to sudden abnormalities and prompt scheduling of maintenance actions.

Collaboration drives development forward

Valmet Winder Diagnostics has been developed in close collaboration with selected customer mills to ensure its usability and usefulness.

“The collaboration with mills was started at a very early stage of the development process. It has been very important to exchange ideas and development needs and receive feedback from genuine user experiences all along the way. We also used the Valmet Customer Portal as the common communication platform,” says Markku Savioja, Global Product Manager, Board and Paper Service Technology at Valmet.

Valmet Performance Center

Technical information about Valmet Winder Diagnostics

Valmet Winder Diagnostics is available for all types of winders, and any board or paper mill can be connected to the service. The application always comes with a Valmet Performance Center (VPC) remote support agreement as a minimum. Through the agreement, customers can consult Valmet’s experts and receive remote support to ensure winder runnability. The experts will take action based on the results of the data analysis as well as giving recommendations on value-adding services.

Winder Diagnostics runs in Valmet’s cloud environment and analyzes and visualizes the data received from the winder. The application is accessed through the Valmet Customer Portal, and both the customer and Valmet have the same view.

Valmet is continuously looking for new ways to utilize data efficiently to take the customers’ operations forward. Winder Diagnostics is part of Valmet Industrial Internet (VII) solutions for Machine Diagnostics. 

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 2020 were approximately EUR 3.7 billion. Our 14,000 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.  

Read more www.valmet.com

Resolute Forest Products Inc. (NYSE: RFP) (TSX: RFP) has just reported net income of $80 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, compared to net income of $57 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, in the same period in 2020. Sales were $817 million in the quarter, an increase of $87 million from the prior year. Excluding special items, the company reported net income of $67 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, compared to net income of $62 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2020.

• Q3 GAAP net income of $80 million / $0.99 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $144 million
• Liquidity of $930 million / net debt of $184 million at quarter-end
• Repurchased 1.2 million shares in Q3 (2%) / 5.5 million shares over the last twelve months (7%)
• Stephanie Leclaire appointed senior vice president, corporate affairs and chief legal officer, following announcement of Jacques P. Vachon's upcoming retirement 

"Coming off the record highs in benchmark lumber prices attained in May, this quarter's results reflect the sizeable impact of peak prices converging back toward trend," said Remi G. Lalonde, president and chief executive officer. "Our pulp and paper businesses built on the momentum of the second quarter, with strong pulp shipments and higher transaction prices in both segments. With our commitment to generate value for shareholders, this quarter we paid the $1 per share special dividend and repurchased 1.2 million shares at an average price of $10.95. The tissue business faced a slow recovery from commercial consumption and this year's consumer inventory rebalancing, in addition to pandemic-related logistics and labor challenges. This unfortunately overshadows the performance of Calhoun tissue, which was profitable in Q3."

Non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjustments for special items and adjusted EBITDA, are explained and reconciled below.

Quarterly Operating Income Variance Against Prior Period

Consolidated

The company reported operating income of $102 million in the quarter, compared to $406 million in the second quarter of 2021. The $304 million variation reflects lower realized prices and shipments in wood products ($342 million), partly offset by higher realized prices in the pulp and paper segments ($32 million), and higher volume in market pulp ($9 million).

Segment operating income variance against prior period

Wood Products

The wood products segment generated operating income of $64 million in the quarter, a decrease of $341 million from the previous quarter. With benchmark lumber prices falling from the record highs attained in May, the average transaction price fell to $573 per thousand board feet, a $583 per thousand board feet, or 50%, decrease from the previous quarter. Wood products shipments also slipped by 64 million board feet, to 511 million, reflecting lower demand, capital projects downtime, vacation accommodation and workforce availability constraints in the U.S. South in the pandemic. Finished goods inventory rose slightly to 129 million board feet. The operating cost per unit (or, the "delivered cost") decreased by $4 per thousand board feet, or 1%, with gradually decreasing stumpage fees. EBITDA in the segment decreased by $340 million, to $75 million.

Market Pulp

The company generated operating income of $46 million in the market pulp segment, an increase of $16 million from the previous quarter. The average transaction price increased by $39 per metric ton, or 5%, to $826 per metric ton, with gains in all grades. The delivered cost was unchanged from the previous quarter at $665 per metric ton, as shipments rose by 30,000 metric tons as a result of inventory changes. Finished goods inventory fell by 11,000 metric tons, to 52,000. EBITDA in the segment improved by $16 million, to $52 million.

Tissue

The tissue segment incurred an operating loss of $9 million in the quarter, $2 million wider than the previous quarter. The average transaction price decreased by $60 per short ton, or 3%, due to unfavorable product mix, while delivered costs decreased by $109 per short ton, or 5%, with less downtime than in the previous quarter. Despite pandemic-related headwinds such as labor availability and logistics constraints, shipments increased by 4,000 short tons in the gradually improving retail market and a slowly recovering away-from-home market. Finished goods inventory was 6,000 short tons, down by 2,000 short tons compared to the prior period. Segment EBITDA fell by $1 million, to negative $4 million. 

Paper

The company generated an operating income of $16 million in the paper segment in the quarter, an increase of $23 million from the previous quarter. The average transaction price rose by $54 per metric ton, or 9%, with price recovery reflecting tightening global markets. Shipments decreased by 18,000 metric tons and finished goods inventory remained unchanged at 72,000 metric tons, in both cases reflecting a destocking effort over prior periods. The delivered cost was unchanged, reflecting lower maintenance costs related to planned outages in the previous quarter offset by higher chemical and energy prices. Segment EBITDA improved by $22 million, to $31 million.

Consolidated quarterly operating income variance against year-ago period

Compared to operating income of $97 million in the third quarter of 2020, the $102 million operating income in this quarter reflects stronger selling prices in the pulp and paper segments ($99 million), offset by higher fiber and energy costs ($40 million), lower realized prices and shipments in wood products ($23 million), higher maintenance costs ($8 million) and a stronger Canadian dollar ($14 million). At $144 million, adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter was $4 million higher than the third quarter of 2020.

Corporate, Cash and Liquidity

The company generated $105 million of cash from operating activities in the quarter and invested $32 million, net, in fixed assets. It repurchased 1.2 million shares of common stock in the quarter, or 2% of the amount outstanding, for $14 million, and paid a special cash dividend of $1 per share of common stock, or $79 million in aggregate, on July 7 to holders of record at the close of business on June 28.

With $119 million of quarter-end cash, liquidity stood at $930 million, and net debt was $184 million. By quarter-end, the company had recorded cumulative softwood lumber duty deposits of $371 million on the balance sheet, including $39 million paid in the quarter.

Jacques P. Vachon has announced his intention to retire from his role as Resolute's senior vice president, corporate affairs and chief legal officer. His retirement is effective December 31, 2021. Mr. Vachon has been with Resolute for over 36 years, beginning his career as a lawyer at the company's offices in Québec City. As a member of the executive team for almost 25 years, Jacques has played an instrumental role in building the Resolute of today. "On behalf of the board and the executive team, past and present, I want to thank Jacques for his many years of loyal service to the company. As an executive, he has been the guardian of this company's moral compass for decades. We all join to wish him a happy, healthy and well-deserved retirement. Jacques has agreed to serve as a special advisor to me on a part-time basis for the next year," said Mr. Lalonde.

"By the same token, I'm thrilled to welcome Stephanie Leclaire to the executive team. She has outstanding credentials and, as our vice president for legal affairs for nearly 15 years, her experience covers the full range of practice areas, including transactional, governance, litigation, commercial and public policy. She is equal parts brilliant lawyer and practical businessperson, and, as such, there is no better candidate to succeed Jacques as our next senior vice president for corporate affairs and chief legal officer," added Mr. Lalonde.

Prior to joining the company as legal counsel in 2001, Ms. Leclaire was in private practice for five years at the law firms of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP in New York and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in Paris. She holds bachelor's degrees in civil and common law from Université de Montréal and Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, as well as a master of laws from New York University School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in New York and Quebec.

Outlook

Mr. Lalonde added: "After a peak to trough swing of roughly $1,000 per thousand board feet in the third quarter, lumber prices seem to have stabilized at above-trend levels on a pre-duties basis. In the coming quarter, we are looking for higher lumber shipments and slightly lower fiber costs, but considering the path of market prices, we could see a quarter-over-quarter reduction in average transaction price. We expect paper realized prices to build on their third quarter momentum in the seasonally busier fourth quarter. Even as market pulp conditions have been very strong, particularly in North America and Europe, energy-related downtime in China is slowing global pulp demand and adding downward pressure on prices. In tissue, we will continue to focus on driving improvements and to leverage our integrated pulp advantage and bring to light the value of the assets as the market continues on its path to recovery."

On 2 November, the Flensburg mill of Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH received the "Environmental Award of the Economy 2021" by the Society for Study and Development of the Economy in Schleswig-Holstein for the production of sustainable barricote® barrier papers. This environmental award has been presented since 1984 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious of its kind in Germany. It consists of a bronze relief created by Georg Engst and a certificate.

The reason given by the independent jury responsible for selecting the award winners reads: "The barrier paper for direct food packaging developed and produced at Mitsubishi HiTec Paper's Flensburg mill can be recycled via the waste paper cycle and thus makes an innovative contribution to waste avoidance and sustainability."

"Since 1984, the Society has been able to award the "Environmental Award of the Economy" a total of 74 times. We are pleased about this high number of award winners, which is proof of the importance of environmental protection in our companies. The example of Mitsubishi HiTec Paper in Flensburg, with its development and production of environmentally friendly paper-based packaging material for foodstuffs, is proof of the high innovative strength of our economy." This was said by the Chairman of the Society, Dr. Philipp Murmann, at the end of this event held in the State Parliament, which was attended by about 100 guests from all areas of public life. The welcome address of the Ministry of the Environment of the State of Schleswig-Holstein was given by State Secretary Dr. Dorit Kuhnt.

from left to right: Nic Holmer (Director Sales & Marketing | Mitsubishi HiTec Paper), Ulrich Wachholtz (Honorary President | Vereinigung der Unternehmerverbände in Hamburg und Schleswig Holstein), Joachim Küster (Head of Production Flensburg Mill | Mitsubishi HiTec Paper), Dr. Dieter Becker (Director New Business Development | Mitsubishi HiTec Paper), Dr. Dorit Kuhnt (State Secretary | Ministry of the Environment of Schleswig-Holstein), Karsten Lerius (Environmental Officer Flensburg Mill | Mitsubishi HiTec Paper)

With barricote, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper offers a whole range of barrier papers that have been developed in close cooperation with major food manufacturers, packaging machine manufacturers and processors. The fully recyclable papers can be used as bag packaging, wrapping paper and laminating paper. With effective combinable barriers against water vapour, grease & oil, oxygen & aroma as well as mineral oil migration, barricote papers are suitable for both primary and secondary packaging. In this way, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper makes a significant contribution to waste avoidance, recycling management and the reuse of valuable raw materials.

"We are very pleased to receive this award for our commitment to sustainability and innovation. Because with our barricote papers, we are fully contributing to the vision of a waste-free future" says Dr. Dieter Becker, Director New Business Development at Mitsubishi HiTec Paper. "Not only do they offer excellent barriers and outstanding heat sealing capabilities, but they are also fully recyclable and 100% suitable for the circular economy. We rely on water-based coatings and a high proportion of biodegradable ingredients. At the same time, our barrier papers are 100% free of plastic films, fluorocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and optical brighteners. We are proud to work with the development teams of major brand owners on successful product transformation projects from plastic packaging to paper packaging. In doing so, we are making a valuable contribution to sustainable, environmentally friendly packaging solutions of the future."

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 770 employees at Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe produce high-quality direct thermal, inkjet, carbonless, label and barrier papers for flexible packaging 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 Europe supplies a full range of specialty papers for many applications and printing technologies – and is a highly capable partner whenever customized coated paper solutions are required.

Toscotec will complete the dryer section rebuild of PM2 at Cartiere Saci’s paper mill in Verona, Italy. With this new order, Toscotec will carry through the modification of PM2 it started performing in 2015 through different steps supplying a new calender and rebuilding part of the dryer section followed by the rebuild of the entire press section. 

The project includes the full replacement of PM2’s existing cast-iron dryers with Toscotec’s TT SteelDryers designed for a maximum operating pressure of 10 barg. The new steel dryer cans will be customized with a diameter of 1,600 mm, instead of the standard 1,500 mm, in order to maximise the machine’s drying capacity inside the available space of the existing dryer section. The scope of supply of this last order is on a turnkey basis and it includes the complete electrification and control systems, the optimization of the auxiliary systems, and a comprehensive service package with design, on-site erection, commissioning, and start-up assistance. 

The cooperation between Cartiere Saci and Toscotec began almost ten years ago with the supply of single components and small modifications, and it gradually grew into an important partnership leading to major rebuilding projects of PM1 and PM2 at Verona paper mill. The modification of PM1 started in 2014 with part of the dryer section, which was then entirely rebuilt in 2018 on a full-on turnkey rebuilding operation. The most recent project was successfully accomplished last year during the Covid-19 pandemic where Toscotec rebuilt the entire press section of PM2. 

Lorenzo Poli, CEO of Cartiere Saci, says: “We are very satisfied with our partnership with Toscotec, step by step we are driving our paper machine to adopt a modern mechanical concept.
Both speed and efficiency have been increasing with each rebuilding project, and Toscotec is the right partner to improve different sections of the paper machine with a complete view of a modern paper mill.” 

Enrico Fazio, Sales Director of Toscotec’s Paper & Board division, says: “Toscotec considers Cartiere Saci a key customer, because it gives us the opportunity of delivering technological rebuilds and continuously develop a trust-based cooperation through repeated orders. Our technology will support their growth providing them with the tools to achieve their targets of efficiency, quality and energy savings.”

About Cartiere Saci
Founded by Mr. Mario Poli in 1959, Cartiere Saci operates in the flexible packaging paper market. It runs three paper machines at two production facilities in Verona and Carmignano di Brenta near Padua in Italy. It manufactures 130,000 tons/year of recycled papers of a broad range. 

For more information, please contact:
Enrico Fazio, Sales Director, Paper & Board division, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Buckman, the specialty chemical company known for its relentless focus to deliver innovative solutions for customers in paper manufacturing, water treatment, process chemistry, and leather processing, announced a new suite of immersive digital technology that combines artificial, augmented, and mixed reality capabilities. Supported by Buckman’s expanding Ackumen™ platform, Ackumen Connected Reality enables Buckman personnel and customers to see, collaborate and solve problems remotely, dramatically reducing response time, errors, costs, and downtime.

“The pandemic only magnified the need for us to be able to collaborate and solve problems remotely,” said Dr. NM Rao, chief digital officer of Buckman. “Ackumen Connected Reality enables us to provide our customers with access to subject matter experts anywhere in the world to resolve, in just hours, issues that may have otherwise taken weeks with an in-person visit.”

Beyond collaborating remotely, Ackumen Connected Reality leverages 3D models and holograms that enable customers to make accurate space planning and logistical decisions prior to equipment installation, ensuring a smooth and surprise-free set-up which saves time and money from the start. Additionally, Ackumen Connected Reality provides documented guidance and access to expert advice via augmented reality technology so customers can solve routine maintenance, repairs, and operations (MRO) issues faster.

“We anticipate the continued need for remote collaboration post-pandemic and are excited about being able to offer this to our customers.” said Rao.

To learn more about Ackumen Connected Reality from Buckman, visit

https://www.buckman.com/smart-technology/ackumen-connected-reality/

About Buckman

Buckman is completely committed to helping our customers succeed, regardless of the challenges facing them, the industry they operate in or their location in the world. To fulfill that commitment, we surround our rigorously trained industry experts with the highest-quality chemicals, the latest smart technology, and advanced data analysis. All focused on helping our customers’ operations improve productivity, increase profitability, and ensure safety, compliance, and sustainability. That is more than chemistry. That is Chemistry, connected.

Smurfit Kappa Group plc (‘SKG’, 'Smurfit Kappa' or ‘the Group’) has just announced a trading update for the 9 months to 30 September 2021.

First Nine Months Overview:  

• Revenue growth year-on-year of 15% to €7,287 million
• EBITDA growth year-on-year of 10% to €1,235 million with a margin of 17%
• Third quarter EBITDA growth year-on-year of 16% to €454 million
• Issued €1 billion in bonds under our Green Finance Framework

Tony Smurfit, Group CEO, commented:

“I am pleased to report a strong first nine months for the Group with corrugated growth of 9% in Europe and 11% in the Americas versus 2020. Our integrated paper and corrugated system is effectively sold out and I am very proud of our people who are ensuring that customers, for the most part, are supplied securely and efficiently despite many supply chain disruptions. Materially higher input costs, principally, but not limited to, recovered fibre and energy are being progressively recovered through corrugated price increases.

“To meet growing customer demand, in the first nine months of the year, we approved approximately €600 million in projects across the Group. In our corrugated business, we have approved 48 new converting machines and six new corrugators across Europe and the Americas. I am delighted to report that we completed the acquisition of the Verzuolo mill in early October bringing 600,000 tonnes of paper into our integrated system. In addition, we also approved two major paper projects in Germany and Mexico, ensuring future security of supply to our over 65,000 customers. This continued investment will ensure that Smurfit Kappa remains best placed to satisfy our customers’ needs with the most innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.

“Reflecting our continuing focus on sustainability was the recent launch of our Green Finance Framework and issuance of green bonds of €500 million with a coupon of 0.5% and €500 million with a coupon of 1.0%, with 8 and 12 year maturities respectively. Setting up this framework is a further significant step in our sustainability strategy, embedding sustainability into our capital structure alongside our sustainability linked Revolving Credit Facility.

“SKG continues to deliver against all performance metrics with EBITDA for the nine months of €1,235 million and a margin of 17%. This shows the continuing strength of our integrated business model; the benefits of geographic diversity; and the quality and dedication of the SKG team. We expect to deliver significant EBITDA growth for the full year in line with current market expectations. With the many growth opportunities and the significant ongoing investment in our business, we are excited about our future prospects.”

About Smurfit Kappa

Smurfit Kappa, a FTSE 100 company, is one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging solutions in the world, with approximately 46,000 employees in over 350 production sites across 36 countries and with revenue of €8.5 billion in 2020. We are located in 23 countries in Europe, and 13 in the Americas. We are the only large-scale pan-regional player in Latin America. Our products, which are 100% renewable and produced sustainably, improve the environmental footprint of our customers. 

With our proactive team, we relentlessly use our extensive experience and expertise, supported by our scale, to open up opportunities for our customers. We collaborate with forward-thinking customers by sharing superior product knowledge, market understanding and insights in packaging trends to ensure business success in their markets. We have an unrivalled portfolio of paper-based packaging solutions, which is constantly updated with our market-leading innovations. This is enhanced through the benefits of our integration, with optimal paper design, logistics, timeliness of service, and our packaging plants sourcing most of their raw materials from our own paper mills.

We have a proud tradition supporting social, environmental and community initiatives in the countries where we operate. Through these projects we support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on where we believe we can have the greatest impact.

smurfitkappa.com

Company Receives 14 Awards at Annual Paperboard Packaging Competition, Including Sustainability Award of the Year

WestRock Company (NYSE: WRK), a leading provider of differentiated paper and packaging solutions, was recognized for packaging design excellence at the 78th Annual North American Paperboard Packaging Competition. The company won a total of 14 awards, including Sustainability Award of the Year, reinforcing its commitment to imagining and delivering on the promise of a more sustainable future.

Sponsored by the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) and judged by packaging experts, the awards recognize best-in-class innovative and sustainable packaging designs in the North American folding carton industry.

WestRock CanCollar^®, with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and LERVIG Brewing, received the Sustainability Award of the Year. CanCollar is an innovative family of fiber-based multipack solutions for canned beverages that enables brands to transition from single-use plastic rings and shrink film into recyclable paperboard solutions. Whether they require minimal material usage, lid coverage for hygiene, or bar-code masking and billboard space for brand messages, the CanCollar family of designs and the CanCollar Fortuna^® packaging machinery platform offer brands an array of sustainable packaging options.

WestRock was recognized with 14 awards for packaging design excellence at the 78th Annual North American Paperboard Packaging Competition. Pictured: WestRock CanCollar®, with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and LERVIG Brewing, received the Sustainability Award of the Year. (Photo: Business Wire)

“We’re honored to be recognized by the Paperboard Packaging Council for our innovativepackaging designs,” said Patrick Kivits, president of Consumer Packaging at WestRock. “We celebrate this achievement alongside our customers, who were instrumental in bringing our winning solutions to markets. Working together, we are delivering on our promise of a more sustainable future.”

In addition to the Sustainability Award of the Year, WestRock received seven Gold awards and six Excellence awards for a variety of packaging solutions. For more information, including photos of the winning packaging innovation, visit https://www.westrock.com/ppcawards2021.

A full list of the winners is included below:

• WestRock CanCollar® with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, LERVIG Brewing, Sustainability Award of the Year
• WestRock Cluster-Wing™ with Kraft Heinz, Gold Award, Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability and Innovation
• TAO Sushi Carton, Gold Award, Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability and Innovation
• Columbia Classics Collection, Gold Award, Outstanding Achievement in Innovation
• Sally Hansen Mentos Gift Pack, Gold Award
• Raasay Single Malt Whisky, Gold Award
• Nestlé Smarties Hexatube, Gold Award
• WestRock EcoPush™ with Chagrin Valley, Gold Award
• Colgate Optic White, Excellence Award, Achievement in Sustainability
• Stella Artois Midnight Lager, Excellence Award
• Oozlefinch/Hop Culture FML Fest Shipper & Photo Box Set, Excellence Award, Achievement in Innovation
• Sleeman Bag Toss Hack Pack, Excellence Award
• Die Besten von Ferrero Adventskalender, Excellence Award
• The Hershey Company Reese's Holiday Miniatures, Excellence Award

About WestRock

WestRock (NYSE: WRK) partners with our customers to provide differentiated, sustainable paper and packaging solutions that help them win in the marketplace. WestRock’s team members support customers around the world from locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Learn more at www.westrock.com.

Source: WestRock Company

Following a highly successful upgrade to its wastewater process, Glatfelter, the leading global supplier of engineered materials, has made further investments in mixers made by Landia.

Manufacturers of quality key products for industries such as food & beverage, electrical, building and medical, Glatfelter first sought to address downtime, as well as health and safety issues caused by an ageing and very awkward effluent mixing system.

An open-topped 1000m³ above-ground (7m) glass-lined steel tank used for pH correction was fitted with an internal propeller mixer that for repair and servicing, was only accessible via vertical ladders and then use of a cumbersome mechanical winch - but as Glatfelter’s Project Manager, Howard Williams, explains, the problems were manyfold.

“Failures with the mixer had become all too frequent, so on top of the arduous process of having to retrieve it, it meant downtime in having to wait for it to be repaired, and sometimes replaced altogether with a brand-new unit. This had become a costly, ongoing exercise that was no longer viable”.

‘A new mixing system that was easier to manage, but could also deliver on performance in a very aggressive application’

He added: “No matter how careful you are, working at height, especially outdoors in winter or in strong winds, is not brilliant, so we had to find a new mixing system that was not only easier to manage, but could also deliver on performance in a very aggressive application with pH levels from three, right up to 13. Our old internal mixer also couldn’t prevent crust building up in the centre of the tank – and when the vessel was drained down, we also discovered that the mixer had been scouring the bottom of the unit. We could see the rebars, which wasn’t good at all, so it was time for a replacement tank”.

This is where Hayes GFS came in; experts in the installation and refurbishment of glass-fused-to-steel tanks. The Devizes-based tank specialist suggested Glatfelter try an externally-mounted mixer from Landia.

“Having the mixer on the outside of the tank was always going to be so much better for us”, continued Howard Williams, “but to be perfectly honest, we were a little sceptical about how any mixer could deal with the range of different fibres used in our manufacturing process, where the dewatering rate can vary significantly. Our old internal mixer couldn’t stop some fibres from settling in the middle of the tank, which with the significant effluent volume we handle, led to a small mountain building up in the centre. The mixer became completely blocked and the crust was so thick it wouldn’t disperse, so several times over the years, we had to drain everything down and pay for contractors with cranes to come in and dig it all out.

Four years on, Williams describes the installation of the 11kW Jet Mix system as a ‘resounding success’; so much so that Glatfelter decided to invest in three more Landia mixers. Two further JetMix systems now serve a 1500m³ vessel, with another JetMix installed in a 500m³ unit. Both containers work as balancing tanks before the wastewater goes on to other treatment processes at the Gloucestershire plant, including two DAF systems. For each tank, the pump outlets are horizontal, allowing mixing to continue, even if tank levels are low.

‘We get excellent performance from the Landia mixers, which run almost 24/7’.

“Investing again in Landia was a no brainer”, added Williams.

“Despite all the variables in our wastewater, we get excellent performance from the Landia mixers, which run almost 24/7.  We also benefit from their professional in-house service team who come to our facility in Lydney to carry out preventative maintenance.  All of the health and safety issues have been removed, including working in confined spaces. Despite the high pH levels, the first Landia mixer still looks in very good condition – four years on from its installation. Overall, they are excellent value for money”.

Landia:+44 (0) 1948 661 200

BillerudKorsnäs has today agreed with the British investment firm Inspirit regarding the divestment of the Beetham mill. The transaction is completed today. The purchase price corresponds to an equity value of around SEK 30 million.

“The strategic importance of the Beetham mill for the rest of the group has been reduced since the investments in machine glazed (MG) paper production at Skärblacka a couple of years ago. With Inspirit, the Beetham mill gets an owner with the intention and resources to develop the business further,” comments Christoph Michalski, President and CEO. 

The transaction results in a capital loss of around SEK 120 million that will have a negative impact on BillerudKorsnäs’ 2021 fourth quarter results.

The Beetham mill, acquired by Billerud in 2004, produces paper for medical equipment, food packaging and industrial applications. During the last twelve months, Beetham had net sales of around SEK 480 million and an operating profit of around SEK 13 million. The mill has an annual production capacity of 45 000 tonnes kraft paper and around 140 employees. 

For further information, please contact: 
Ivar Vatne, CFO, +46 8 553 335 07
Lena Schattauer, Head of Investor Relations, +46 8 553 335 10

This information constituted inside information prior to publication. This is information that BillerudKorsnäs AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 10:30 CET on 31 October, 2021.

The European pulp and paper industry fully supports the European Commission’s initiative to plant three billion additional trees in the EU by 2030. Cepi is ready to contribute to the long-term sustainable growth of forests. We believe this is the right strategy: forests need to be grown more, rather than their use limited.

Together with the forest owning and managing companies from our sector, we are committing to reinforce our efforts towards the objective of the initiative, from our own forests to those managed by our suppliers. Cepi’s contribution to the Three Billion Trees Objective offers concrete ways in which our industry can support: through our experience in ensuring regeneration of harvested areas, afforestation and reforestation, climate-smart forest integration, and our expertise on digitalisation and information systems, the European pulp and paper industry has the necessary “tools” to help make the initiative a success.

”Our companies, operating in the European forest-based sector have a longstanding history in owning and managing forest land in Europe and have a strategic interest on keeping forests healthy and growing,” says Jori Ringman, Cepi Director General. “The European Pulp and Paper industry is ready to contribute to the Three Billion Trees Initiative and to continue to provide the wider society with forest fibre-based products which replace fossil-based alternatives that are harmful in terms of climate and environment.”

We need more forests in Europe but a short-term tree-planting exercise will not be sufficient to reach the EU’s climate objectives. A consistent EU and national policy framework for forests and the forest-based sector enable us to fully contribute to a successful transition towards fossil-free and sustainable solutions for everyday needs of the citizens.

Cepi’s contribution to the Three Billion Trees Objective is available here.

About Cepi : Cepi is the European association representing the paper industry. We offer a wide range of renewable and recyclable wood-based fibre solutions to EU citizens: from packaging to textile, hygiene and tissue products, printing and graphic papers as well as speciality papers, but also bio-chemicals for food and pharmaceuticals, bio-composites and bioenergy.

We are a responsible industry: 92% of our raw materials are sourced in Europe and certified as sustainable, 91% of the water we use is returned to the environment, in good condition. We are the world champion in recycling at the rate of 72%. At the forefront of the decarbonisation and industrial transformation of our economy, we embrace digitalisation and bring 20 billion value addition to the European economy and €5.5 billion investments annually.

More information about our sustainability performance here.

Through its 18 national associations, Cepi gathers 500 companies operating 895 mills across Europe and directly employing more than 180,000 people.