Ian Melin-Jones
Sappi Fine Paper North America Launches eQTool
As part of Sappi Fine Paper North America's ongoing commitment to sustainability, Sappi announces the launch of its eQ Tool - an interactive Web based tool that allows you to explore a full range of factors behind choosing a sustainable paper. The eQ Tool illustrates Sappi's industry leading approach to carbon management, explores the best use of recycled fiber, and brings to life our progress in forest certification and waste reduction. To develop the eQ Tool, Sappi worked with IDEO, a global design and innovative consultancy.
"Our newly launched eQ tool is an engaging demonstration of our core commitment to sustainability," commented Jennifer Miller, Executive Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Chief Sustainability 
Officer. "This interactive tool reflects our dedication to transparency, reporting measurable results and stating publicly the goals we have set for future progress. We recognize that the environmental performance of a paper supplier is an increasingly relevant and critical factor in choosing a product brand. The eQ tool responds to that need and allows us to have a meaningful dialogue with our customers on a range of issues."
"IDEO was pleased to collaborate with Sappi in the development of their eQ Tool. This strategic design work demonstrates how a complex organization can effectively communicate their holistic values and activities with regards to sustainability. To understand and affect the environmental impact of print, one must take a systems approach. The eQ Tool provides stakeholders with the foundation to engage with the broader environmental considerations when choosing a paper supplier," said Beto Lopez, Design Director of Sustainability, IDEO.
Check out Sappi Fine Paper North America's new eQ Tool at www.sappi.com/eQTool, where you can explore:
1. 1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
2. 2. Renewable Energy
3. 3. Managing Process to Minimize Waste
4. 4. Carbon Offsets
5. 5. Sustainably-Harvested Wood
6. 6. Initiatives for Sustainability
7. 7. Recycled Fiber
The eQ Tool also provides you with the ability to generate a customized product statement that summarizes the environmental benefits of choosing Sappi Fine Paper North America's papers for your job.
"Our eQ Tool reflects Sappi Fine Paper North America's commitment to providing clarity on the issues associated with the sustainability of paper, by providing audiences with reliable, accurate information that is grounded in science," said Laura Thompson, Ph.D., Director of Sustainability and Technical Marketing, Sappi Fine Paper North America
In addition, the second issue of Sappi Fine Paper North America's eQ Journal on sustainability is now available online and in print. The eQ Journal presents Sappi Fine Paper North America's initiatives in sustainability, and highlights best practices in this area among the printing, graphic design and publishing fields, and more. In the second issue of the eQ Journal, you'll get a first-hand look at: Sappi's carbon management strategies; how companies are raising the bar in sustainability; and a snapshot of the new eQ Tool. To request a printed copy of the eQ Journal, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 800-882-4332.
About Sappi Fine Paper North America
Sappi Fine Paper North America is a preeminent North American producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Sappi Fine Paper North America is known for innovation and quality. Its brand names, including McCoy, Opus, Somerset and Flo, are some of the industry's most widely recognized and specified. Sappi's mills in North America are triple chain of custody certified to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI), and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Over 80% of the energy used by Sappi's North American mills comes from renewable resources, resulting in one of the lowest carbon footprints of any major North American coated paper supplier. Sappi Fine Paper North America is a division of Sappi Limited (NYSE and JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with manufacturing operations on four continents in 10 countries, sales offices in over 40 countries, and customers in over 100 countries around the world. For more information about Sappi Fine Paper North America, visit: www.sappi.com/na.
Sappi to increase prices of coated fine papers by at least 10%
Input costs have continued to rise further in the last months as a result of pulp, chemicals and oil prices all going up substantially, with the weaker Euro exacerbating the effect. This is hitting both manufacturing and distribution costs and is reducing margins on Sappi’s coated fine papers to unacceptable levels, despite the selling price rise implemented by Sappi as from march 8th. There is no sign of these rising cost trends being reversed in the coming months.
Sappi will therefore implement a further price increase of at least 10% on its coated fine paper grades. Prices for these grades in Europe have not yet recovered from their all-time lows reached at the beginning of this year and are still low in world terms at a time of brisk order intake and increasingly high operating rates. We expect operating rates to remain strong for the foreseeable future.
This price increase will apply to woodfree coated sheets and reels for deliveries as from 1st of June 2010 onwards.
Carsten Dybevig new vice president corporate communications in Norske Skog
Carsten Dybevig has been appointed vice president corporate communication in Norske Skog. Dybevig has 11 years' experience in the company, most recently as company secretary and financial manager at Norske Skog's Oxenøen headquarters.
- We will remain open and accessible to both the outside world and to our organization. Carsten Dybevig knows the company well and has a broad political background. I look forward to continuing our good cooperation with Carsten, and wish him luck in his new role, says Sven Ombudstvedt, CEO of Norske Skog.
Carsten Dybevig holds an MBA in strategic management from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH), and a BSc in business administration from the University of Tulsa, USA. Dybevig also has broad political experience. He was Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party from 2001-2004, and mayor of Halden from 1995-2001.
Carsten Dybevig replaces Tom Bratlie, who leaves Norske Skog to become communications director of DNO International. Dybevig will take up his new position effective immediately.
Albany International Reports First-Quarter Results
First-Quarter Highlights
Net income per share was $0.14 in the first quarter of 2010, including restructuring charges of $0.07 per share.
Net loss per share was $0.63 in the first quarter of 2009, including restructuring charges of $0.51, and a gain of $0.06 related to an extinguishment of debt.
Q1 2010 net sales were $213.9 million, an increase of 2.2 percent compared to Q1 2009.
EBITDA was $26.2 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared to $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2009. Q1 2010 EBITDA was reduced by restructuring charges of $3.1 million. EBITDA in Q1 2009 was reduced by $17.2 million related to restructuring charges, while a gain on extinguishment of debt improved EBITDA by $2.8 million.
See attached file for entire release
New Metso Technology Center opens in Shanghai
The official inauguration of the Metso Technology Center will take place on May 28, 2010 in Shanghai. The opening of the center brings facilities for the world’s newest and most modern valve factory and supply center as well as facilities for the production, assembly and testing of process automation systems. In addition to the office premises, the center also comprises premises for Automation business line’s sales, project and engineering units in China. All of Automation business line’s units in the Shanghai area will be operating at the new center.
The Metso Technology Center, located in the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, comprises 20,000 square meters of floor space for manufacturing and 9,500 square meters of office area. Initially, the center will employ about 250 people. Later, in 2013, the number of employees forming a functional entity is estimated to increase to 650. Metso’s applications, solutions and knowledge-based services are designed to improve customers’ process performance and profitability by increasing productivity, quality, process availability and environmental friendliness.
With a strong presence in China, Metso can provide better service to energy, oil and gas, and pulp and paper customers, especially in China and Asia Pacific. It also enables the development of a global supply chain for valve production.
One of the most notable transactions over the course of some years has been the delivery of more than 3,000 rotary control valves and 1,000 automated valves and 3,500 intelligent valve controllers to one of the world’s largest ethylene project in China.
Metso is also the leading supplier of automation solutions to the pulp and paper industry in the Chinese markets. Metso is a clear industry leader in flow control devices for the pulp and paper industry, with a 60% share of the markets served. Metso has supplied over 100 control systems to the power industry and well over 100 control systems to the pulp and paper industry.
Metso made its first deliveries to China back in the 1950s. It started its own operations in China through a joint venture in the 1980s. Today, Metso operates in 16 different localities in China, where it has about 2,600 employees.
Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have about 27,000 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com/automation
Metso Automation
Esa Lumme, Director Shanghai Plant, Metso’s Automation business line Tel: +86 1391 865 8049
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.metso.com/automation
Metso’s tissue pilot plant in Karlstad, Sweden, hit by fire
The Tissue Technology Center of Metso, situated in Karlstad, Sweden, was hit by fire on April 28, 2010.
The fire caused damages to the roof of the Technology Center building. The personnel was not endangered, nor were the tissue pilot machine itself or any other vital systems affected by the fire. Cleaning up and repairs were started immediately after the fire was extinguished.
The company now focuses on minimizing downtime of the tissue pilot machine due to the roof repair. At the moment the machine is expected to be back in operation within a few weeks.
Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have about 27,000 employees in more than 50 countries.www.metso.com
For further information, please contact:
Anders Björn
President, Metso Paper Karlstad AB
Cell phone +46 705 1713 38
Jan Erikson
Vice President, Sales, Tissue business line, Metso
Cell phone +46 70 517 14 90
Fortress Paper announces agreement with Hydro Québec
Fortress Paper Ltd. ("Fortress Paper" or the "Corporation") announced today that it has signed, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Fortress Specialty Cellulose Inc. ("FSC"), an Energy Supply Agreement (the "Agreement") with Hydro Québec for the sale of green electricity to be produced at the Thurso Mill upon completion of a biomass-based cogeneration facility.
Under the Agreement, the Company will construct a cogeneration facility to provide net 18.8 megawatts of green power to Hydro Québec over a 15 year term, with deliveries estimated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Chadwick Wasilenkoff, CEO of Fortress Paper, states, "The signing of the Agreement represents an important step in achieving our business plan at the Thurso Mill, which includes the building of a cogeneration plant that produces green electricity that in turn will ultimately benefit Québec residents. We believe that the results of this partnership with Hydro Québec will be beneficial to the environment and the economy of Québec, as well as providing net energy savings (income) to Fortress Paper."
The Agreement is subject to final approval by the Régie de l'énergie in Québec which is expected to be received in the third quarter of 2010.
PulPaper is opening soon!
Welcome to the international PulPaper Exhibition and Conference at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre
For the 7th time the global pulp-, paper-, board-, and converting industry will meet in Helsinki for the PulPaper exhibition and conference.
The event, organized by Adforum in cooperation with the Paper Engineers’ Association, AEL and The Finnish Fair Corporation will be the largest and most important show for the pulp, paper, board and converting industry worldwide in 2010. Exhibitors and visitors travel from all over the world to take part in this international event. The last PulPaper show in 2007 attracted 16102 visitors from 78 countries!
Along with the exhibition there will be a high class conference under the theme "Implementing the new rise" – the theme will cover topics that the forest cluster has to deal with to maintain its position and improve results in the changing environment.
Below you will find the Visitor Survey produced by the independent Scandinavian Survey Group. In total 410 interviews were conducted during PulPaper 2007. You will find a lot of interesting results in the survey. 67% or the visitors had current purchasing needs and planned to place an order witin the next 12 months. A full 65% of the visitors stated that they had a direct influence over purchasing decisions.
If your company has not already applied for PulPaper 2010, 1-3 June, now is the time to do so.
Solvay Chemicals, Inc. Commissions New SOLVAir Select 300 Facility
Solvay Chemicals, Inc. has commissioned and brought online one of the world's only dedciated manufacturing facilities that reclaims and transforms sodium carbonate waste streams into a marketable grade of sodium bicarbonate. The new product, SOLVAir® Select 300, is ideally suited for flue gas and emission control aplications.
"Today represents more than five years of hard work and collaboration across two continents between a talented group of Solvay engineering and manufacturing professionals," commented Vincent De Cuyper, General Manager of the Solvay Group's Chemicals Sector and member of the executive committee. "We achieved an environmental and technical milestone within our industry and underscored Solvay's commitment to being at the forefront of sustainable Chemistry."
The patent pending manufacturing process delivers a two-for-one environmental benefit by reclaiming wastes that would otherwise be shipped to a detention pond, and also by creating product that directly helps coal-fired power plants reduce SO2 and other acid gas emissions. The unique process remanufactures the waste stream and economically recovers the sodium carbonate, transforming it into a sodium bicarbonate product with performance characteristics that are well suited for desulfurization applications.
"With ever tightening emission control standards and even greater demand for energy, our power generation customers are seeking new and cost-effective solutions for their operations," explained Mike Wood, SOLVAir Products Senior Business Manager. "The new SOLVAir Select 300 grade of sodium bicarbonate gives our customers the performance attributes required for demanding pollution control applications."
There are currently 29 coal-fired power plants under construction in the US with another 25 in development.* For these generators and existing operators, there is a great deal of interest in and demand for a wider array of pollution control options. SOLVAir Select 300 extends Solvay Chemicals'portfolio of SOLVAir pollution control solutions. This suite of products based in trona, soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sulfite and hydrogen peroxide chemistries targets SO2, SO3, NOx, mercury, HCL and particulate emissions.
Södra Cell Värö: the world's first fossil-fuel-free pulp mill
Södra Cell has now completed the investments which make its Värö mill the world's first fossil-fuel-free pulp mill.
Södra has made extensive energy investments at Södra Cell Värö over the past few years. These investments mean that the pulp mill will now be free from fossil fuels.
Of late, we have spent SEK 600 million building:
. New evaporation plant - for a more energy-efficient mill
. Feed water preheating - to produce more electricity
. Flue gas cooling - for more district heating
. Bark drying - for optimum fuel for district heating supplies
These investments have just been completed this spring and form part of an investment programme which has been ongoing since 2002, worth SEK 1.7 billion to date.
For further information, please contact:
Gunilla Saltin, CEO Södra Cell, +46 (0) 470 894 26
Jonas Eriksson, Site Manager, Södra Cell Värö, +46 (0) 340 62 81 02
Per Braconier, Director of Information Södra, +46 (0) 70 534 51 66