The Engineering News-Record (ENR) has presented the 2021 rankings for international top design firms in ENR Global Sourcebook. AFRY is ranked as #1 in the Pulp & Paper industry and #1 in the Power cogeneration sector, and has leading positions in several other sectors.

The ENR Global Sourcebook for 2021 is ranking companies based on an annual revenue of international businesses. A breakdown of sector rankings for AFRY in Industrial Processes and Power can be seen below:

Industrial Processes sector: AFRY #5

• Pulp & Paper: AFRY #1
• Food & Beverages: AFRY #2
• Chemicals (non-petroleum): AFRY #3
• Mining: AFRY #7
• Steel and non-ferrous metals: AFRY #9

Power sector: AFRY #6

• Cogeneration: AFRY #1
• Operations & Maintenance: AFRY #3
• Hydro: AFRY: #4
• Transmission & Distribution: AFRY #5
• Nuclear: AFRY #7

“These results showcase AFRY’s global market position as a key player in our core sectors. We are committed to support our clients in accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable society” says Jonas Gustavsson, President and CEO at AFRY.

Link to ENR global sourcebook 2021: https://www.enr.com/toplists/Sourcebook

About ENR:
Widely considered the industry benchmark, the annual ENR global sourcebook and top lists ranks international engineering and construction companies, based on revenue for industry sector and specific services performed in the previous year. ENR is an industry publication which focuses on providing news, data and analysis for industry professionals. The ENR outlet is well recognised throughout the construction and design industries. 

AFRY is a European leader in engineering, design, and advisory services, with a global reach. We accelerate the transition towards a sustainable society.

We are 16,000 devoted experts in infrastructure, industry, energy and digitalisation, creating sustainable solutions for generations to come.

Making Future

Verso Corporation (NYSE: VRS) ("Verso") has just announced the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for a special meeting of stockholders, at which Verso stockholders will consider and vote upon various items related to the proposed and previously announced transaction with BillerudKorsnäs AB ("BillerudKorsnäs"). If approved, all Verso stockholders will receive $27.00 per share in cash upon closing of the transaction, representing immediate and certain value at a significant premium.

The preliminary proxy statement provides detailed disclosure regarding, among other things, the robust process overseen by the Special Committee, the Special Committee's consideration of indications of value, the fairness opinion received from Rothschild & Co., its financial advisor, regarding the merger consideration and the analysis underlying that opinion, the Special Committee's efforts to seek the best price reasonably available for stockholders, and the Board and the Special Committee's rationale for accepting BillerudKorsnäs' offer as being in the best interests of stockholders.

As outlined in the preliminary proxy statement and as previously announced, Verso formed a Special Committee of the Board to review an unsolicited proposal from a stockholder in July 2021 and alternatives thereto. In addition to, and prompted by, the initial proposal from the stockholder, Verso received an indication of interest from BillerudKorsnäs, which, following careful negotiations and discussions led by the Special Committee and its advisors, ultimately resulted in a final offer of $27.00 per share in cash. The consideration corresponds to a premium of approximately 57% compared to the unaffected closing price of Verso's shares on July 9, 2021, the day prior to the submission of an unsolicited, non-binding proposal to acquire Verso for $20.00 per share in cash, and a 35% premium over that unsolicited proposal.

The Board and the Special Committee determined that this offer was clearly superior to any alternative transaction or the risk-adjusted value that could reasonably be achieved through continued execution of Verso's standalone plan and is confident that the proposed transaction provides the best alternative for all stockholders.

The Board encourages Verso stockholders to read the preliminary proxy statement which outlines the compelling rationale for consummating this transaction. When available, Verso will file its definitive proxy statement with the SEC, and will mail its definitive proxy statement and a proxy card to Verso's stockholders entitled to vote at a special meeting relating to the proposed merger, seeking their approval of the respective merger-related proposals.

About Verso Corporation
Verso Corporation is a leading American owned and operated producer of graphic, specialty and packaging paper and market pulp, with a long-standing reputation for quality and reliability. Verso's graphic paper products are designed primarily for commercial printing, advertising and marketing applications, including direct mail, catalogs, corporate collateral, books and magazines. Verso's specialty paper products include release liner papers and label face stock for pressure sensitive, glue-applied and laminate applications. Verso produces packaging paper used in higher-end packaging and printing applications such as greeting cards, book covers, folders, labels and point-of-purchase displays. Verso also makes market pulp used in printing, writing, specialty and packaging papers, facial and toilet tissue, and paper towels. For more information, visit us online at versoco.com.

From March 1, 2022, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper will increase the prices for all speciality papers (thermoscript, jetscript, giroform, supercote, barricote) by 10% worldwide. The reason for this is the continued increase in the cost of gas, chemical raw materials and logistics services.

Customers will be contacted directly by the Mitsubishi sales team.

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.

Metso Outotec is proud to introduce the Metso Outotec MDM900 mill discharge slurry pump, the latest addition to its flagship Mill Discharge (MD) Pump Series. The massive MDM900 is one of the world’s largest mill discharge slurry pumps, designed for heavy-duty use in concentrator plants, where capacity and wear-resistance are of essence. The MDM900 is an all-metal, thick-walled, extra heavy-duty pump designed specifically for extremely arduous mill duty applications.

“Slurry handling is vital in maximizing a minerals processing plant’s productivity and efficiency. The advanced design of the MDM900 enables minimized slurry velocities in the pumps, thus reducing the rate of wear significantly. This translates to increased uptime and productivity for our customers. We are also proud to have implemented many environmentally sustainable design initiatives in the MDM900 pump, which is part of our Planet Positive offering, as are all our MD Series pumps. As examples of its environmentally sustainable features, I would like to mention the reduced footprint of this massive pump, and its standard low-flow shaft seal to minimize the pump’s freshwater requirement during operation,” says Diwakar Aduri, Product Manager for MD Pumps at Metso Outotec.

Metso Outotec MDM900 pump

Specifications of the MDM900 mill discharge slurry pump

• Flows up to 13,500 m³/h (60,000 gpm)
• Heads up to 40 m (132 ft)
• Frame: FR2100
• Impeller diameter: 2100 mm (83 inches)
• Inlet size: 900 mm (36 inches)

Metso Outotec MD Series pumps offer outstanding uptime and sustained efficiencies. The MD pumps have been designed for efficient operation and long wear life to match the mill’s uptime. Metso Outotec’s MD Series pumps come in two tailored solutions, MDM and MDR. The MDM (Mill Discharge Metal) pumps are available in size ranges of 250-900, and the MDR (Mill Discharge Rubber) models come in size ranges of 250-700. Both pump types are suited for heavy-duty use in concentrator plants offering excellent resistance to abrasion and erosion.

Find out more about the Metso Outotec MD Series mill discharge pumps on our website.

Metso Outotec is a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. By improving our customers’ energy and water efficiency, increasing their productivity, and reducing environmental risks with our product and process expertise, we are the partner for positive change. Metso Outotec is committed to limiting global warming to 1.5°C with Science Based Targets.

Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Metso Outotec employs over 15,000 people in more than 50 countries and its sales for 2020 were about EUR 3.9 billion. The company is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. mogroup.com

Valmet introduces the Valmet Fiber Furnish Control application package for board and papermakers to stabilize refiner operation for maximized production efficiency with ensured furnish quality. Based on real time measurements of multiple fiber properties and freeness, the control features advanced feedback and feedforward solutions together with model predictive control.

The Valmet Fiber Furnish Control application can be fully integrated into an existing Valmet DNA Automation System or Valmet IQ Quality Control System. The solution is also available as a stand-alone version including all necessary basic licenses and hardware if required.

Demonstrated results

In the development phase, the control performance of the Valmet Fiber Furnish Control was followed closely for 18 months at a mill in Finland, where the solution ensured that stock production and quality targets were met from two fiber lines, while providing energy savings. In the fiber refining lines, freeness variability was reduced by 30% to almost 70% compared to the time before the control was introduced.

“In the one and a half years since the project started, the reduction in web breaks due to the more homogenous fiber furnish resulted of several extra days of production. The best thing was the positive feedback from the operators on how they were able to focus more on controlling the machine when making grade changes,” says Ismo Joensuu, Manager, Board & Paper Analyzers, Automation business line, Valmet.

Key fiber properties taken into account

Typically, refiner controls have been based on specific energy or freeness targets where key fiber properties such as fiber length, fines, shives and fibrillation are followed. Valmet Fiber Furnish Control can be connected to a Valmet Fiber Furnish Analyzer, which continuously measures these properties in adjusting the specific energy setpoint for target freeness. Another key element of the control are Valmet’s consistency measurements which provide reliable and accurate measurements essential for the stabilizing control functions.

Read more: www.valmet.com/fiber-furnish-control

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

Nouryon, a global specialty chemicals leader, has signed a 15-year agreement with Suzano, a world leading eucalyptus pulp producer. Under the long-term agreement, Nouryon will commission its sustainable Integrated Manufacturing Model for the new Suzano eucalyptus pulp mill in the municipality of Ribas do Rio Pardo, located in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The project, called the “Cerrado Project”, is a $2.8 billion pulp mill with annual production capacity of 2.55 million tons per year and one of the largest private-sector investments currently under development in Brazil. The pulp mill production is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2024.

“At Nouryon, we are committed to providing our customers innovative and sustainable solutions while continuously optimizing our own operations and environmental footprint. We are pleased to build on our long-term relationship with Suzano as they embark on this significant investment to meet the world’s growing demand for sustainable end-products developed from renewable materials,” said Johan Landfors, Executive Vice President and President, Technology Solutions and Europe at Nouryon.

Nouryon has successfully operated its Integrated Manufacturing Model in Brazil since 2005 with four existing pulp mill installations that support the country’s fast-growing pulp industry. The concept provides Suzano with tailor-made onsite solutions to manage essential raw materials needed in pulp production. Nouryon will invest in a hydrogen peroxide and a sodium chlorate manufacturing facility at the site and will construct and sell a chlorine dioxide manufacturing facility and tank farm to Suzano. Nouryon will be using renewable electricity from Suzano’s new pulp mill to produce sodium chlorate. Additionally, the production process will generate green hydrogen, which is used to sustainably manufacture hydrogen peroxide. It will provide important sustainability benefits as the onsite facilities reduce transportation of raw materials, improve overall safety and maximize available resources.

“Nouryon is proud to partner with Suzano on this important project and grow our Renewable Fibers business in South America – where the market continues to grow at nearly twice the global average,” said Antonio Carlos Francisco, Vice President, Technology Solutions South America at Nouryon. “Supplying both hydrogen peroxide and sodium chlorate in the region for the first time strengthens our leading position in specialty chemicals and underscores our commitment to growing with our customers.”

Read more about Nouryon’s work in the pulp, tissue and packaging industry, about other investments that Nouryon has made to grow with its customers and about our commitment and contribution to a sustainable future.

International technology group ANDRITZ has successfully started up a new 950 t/d HERB chemical recovery boiler at JK Paper Limited, Unit: CPM at Fort Songadh, in the Tapi District of Gujarat state, India.

The boiler is designed to process hardwood black liquor and enables environmentally friendly and more energy-efficient operation compared to the direct-contact evaporator boiler currently used at the mill. This will significantly increase the mill’s pulp production and power-to-heat-ratio. The boiler also features a unique air system to minimize air emissions.

The scope of supply also included:

• Engineering for the entire system except for the civil works and the electrical and automation equipment
• Complete pressure parts
• Auxiliaries such as start-up oil burners, black liquor burners, smelt spouts and high-pressure steam valves and piping
• Safety-related system (SRS)

New HERB recovery boiler from ANDRITZ at JK Paper Limited, Unit: CPM © ANDRITZ

AS Mehta, President & Director of JK Paper Ltd, says: “The entire ANDRITZ team has worked tirelessly and zealously to see that the commissioning was trouble-free and fast. This has been achieved despite many constraints during the COVID-19 pandemic. Team JK Paper conveys its warmest gratitude to the ANDRITZ team for this wonderful support.”

This is the fourth HERB recovery boiler ANDRITZ is currently installing in India, demonstrating ANDRITZ’s strong presence in the Indian pulp and paper market.

JK Paper Ltd. is one of the leading integrated pulp, paper, and packaging board manufacturers in India, offering quality paper and packaging board products through innovative and state-of-the-art technology from mixed hardwood raw material.

ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems and services for the pulp and paper industry, the hydropower sector, the metals processing and forming industry, pumps, solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors, as well as animal feed and biomass pelleting. Plants for power generation, flue gas cleaning, recycling, and the production of nonwovens and panelboard complete the global product and service offering. Innovative products and services in the industrial digitalization sector are offered under the brand name Metris and help customers to make their plants more user-friendly, efficient and profitable. The publicly listed group has around 26,800 employees and more than 280 locations in over 40 countries.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER
ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides equipment, systems, complete plants and services for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The technologies and services focus on maximum utilization of raw materials, increased production efficiency and sustainability as well as lower overall operating costs. Boilers for power generation, flue gas cleaning systems, plants for the production of nonwovens and panelboard (MDF), as well as recycling and shredding solutions for various waste materials also forma part of this business area. State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.

Voith has achieved an ambitious sustainability goal: As of the beginning of 2022, Voith has successfully reduced the CO₂ emissions at all its sites to “net zero.” Therefore, the Group’s operations will be climate neutral from January onwards.

• Climate neutral production confirms Voith’s role at the forefront of industry
• Voith products contribute to reducing carbon footprint
• Independent rating agency ISS ESG gives Voith an excellent sustainability performance rating

This success confirms Voith’s pioneering role in the decarbonization of industrial production. All Voith sites worldwide undertook enormous efforts to achieve this major accomplishment. Increased energy efficiency and the comprehensive use of renewable energy sources were key factors in reaching the Group’s CO₂ reduction goals.

Enhanced energy efficiency and energy from renewable sources
Since fiscal 2011/12, Voith has successfully reduced its energy consumption by 28 percent. In addition, the Group relies on energy from renewable sources. Until the beginning of fiscal 2021/22, the proportion of renewable energies in the Voith-wide electricity mix could be increased from 44 percent in the previous year to 87 percent. In addition, the Voith sites are generating more and more energy from solar and hydropower – currently approximately 6 GWh/a. CO₂ emissions, which are still unavoidable at the moment, are voluntarily mitigated through carbon offsets.

Sustainable Voith technologies contribute to the decarbonization of industry
Voith also supports its customers in reducing their carbon footprint and achieving their sustainability and climate protection goals. “Developing sustainable technologies for future generations is at the core of Voith’s DNA. We have already achieved our goal of climate neutral production today. This clearly demonstrates the Voith team’s strong implementation skills,” emphasized Voith Group CEO Dr. Toralf Haag. “Our customers can also rely on this strength. We combine our expertise to support them in meeting their climate protection goals.”

Voith products are already saving more CO₂ emissions than they produce. This is confirmed by a TÜV-verified analysis of the Voith products launched in 2019/20 and their potential deployment. According to the report, Voith products achieve annual CO₂ savings of almost 3 million tons compared to 2.2 million tons produced. The Group is continuously striving to further reduce the carbon footprint of its products during their service life at customer sites.

Independent rating confirms leadership position
Sustainability is a core element of Voith’s corporate strategy. This includes various measures for the improvement of companies, society and the environment. Their success is monitored and controlled at regular intervals. In 2021, the independent rating agency ISS ESG rated Voith’s sustainability contribution a B minus for the first time. Voith is thus among the three best companies in its industry worldwide and continues to maintain the “Prime Status.”

About the Voith Group
The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of plants, products, services, and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets for energy, paper, raw materials, and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith today has around 20,000 employees and earns 4.3 billion euros in sales. It has locations in more than 60 countries and is one of Europe's major family-owned companies.

Dynamic inventory management system ensures timely delivery of packaging materials to keep manufacturing and distribution flowing

AGE Industries, Ltd, a leading supplier of innovative and custom packaging and shipping solutions for industry and government agencies, offers Just-in-time (JIT) delivery of corrugated boxes, fiber tubes, and packaging materials. During the current supply chain challenges, customers rely on AGE Industries’ dynamic inventory management system and efficient operations for timely delivery of packaging materials to keep manufacturing and distribution flowing.

AGE Industries offers a comprehensive one-stop shop for corrugated boxes, fiber tubes, and ancillary shipping items including stretch wrap, bubble tape, and labels. An in-house design and engineering team works with customers to develop custom solutions and ensure that exact specifications are met. 

Custom design solutions enhance the protection of products and reduce shipping costs, and custom printing increases brand awareness and supports point-of-purchase marketing campaigns. Options for custom boxes are limitless which allows you to tailor your packaging for its market.

With six manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Mexico, AGE Industries ships to any location in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Products can also be delivered to anywhere in the world by AGE Industries or one of its affiliated partners, providing customers with an integrated program for satisfying all their custom design and packaging needs.

For more information about the AGE Industries, Ltd, visit www.ageindustries.com.

About AGE Industries, Ltd.

Founded by Arthur G. Eltzroth in 1974, AGE offers innovative custom packaging and shipping solutions for private industry and governmental agencies. AGE designs and manufactures corrugated boxes, fiber tubes, and wood crating for Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico in the United States. AGE Box de Mexico, based out of Reynosa, Tamps. Mexico, provides custom corrugated packaging and overall packaging solutions for Mexico. AGE meets WBENC, Tx HUB, and CMBL certifications.

International technology group ANDRITZ has received a repeat order from HKB-Hoa Lu Paper Joint Stock Company to supply a complete OCC line including reject treatment system for its mill in Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam.

Start-up is scheduled for the third quarter of 2022.

The OCC line will have a design capacity of 500 t/d and process mixed OCC (Old Corrugated Containers) as raw material to produce high-quality testliner and corrugated medium for the Vietnamese and Chinese markets.

PrimeScreen X with highly efficient PrimeFoil rotor foils © ANDRITZ

ANDRITZ’s scope of supply comprises the complete stock preparation equipment including the approach flow, fiber recovery, and reject treatment systems, featuring the following technological highlights:

• PrimePulping LC system with innovative design for lowest fiber loss in slushing and reject removal
• PrimeScreen X equipped with patented PrimeFoil rotor foils for optimum efficiency and lower power consumption
• Dispersing system with CompaDis disperser allowing superior fiber strength development and excellent final paper properties
• ModuScreen HBE for efficient and low-pulsation screening in the approach flow
• DiscFilter Saveall for high fiber recovery rate and superior filtrate quality at high availability
• Reject treatment line with ReSed separator for efficient removal of heavy solids from the liquid streams and ReCo Reject Compactor ensuring highest possible reject dryness.

ANDRITZ will also provide the detail engineering and erection as well as operation and maintenance (EOM) support.

In 2008, Phuong Dong Packaging Paper Manufacturing Co., Ltd, the parent company of HKB-Hoa Lu Paper Join Stock, and ANDRITZ collaborated the first time to build an OCC line at Phuong Dong Packaging Paper mill. The excellent performance of this line, especially in terms of product quality and energy consumption, was the decisive criterion for the customer to award the contract for the second OCC line to ANDRITZ.

HKB-Hoa Lu Paper Joint Stock Company was established in 2020 as an affiliate of Phuong Dong Packaging Paper Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and focuses on the production of various board products.

ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems and services for the pulp and paper industry, the hydropower sector, the metals processing and forming industry, pumps, solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors, as well as animal feed and biomass pelleting. Plants for power generation, flue gas cleaning, recycling, and the production of nonwovens and panelboard complete the global product and service offering. Innovative products and services in the industrial digitalization sector are offered under the brand name Metris and help customers to make their plants more user-friendly, efficient and profitable. The publicly listed group has around 26,800 employees and more than 280 locations in over 40 countries.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER
ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides equipment, systems, complete plants and services for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The technologies and services focus on maximum utilization of raw materials, increased production efficiency and sustainability as well as lower overall operating costs. Boilers for power generation, flue gas cleaning systems, plants for the production of nonwovens and panelboard (MDF), as well as recycling and shredding solutions for various waste materials also form a part of this business area. State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.