Membrana, a leading membrane and degassing device manufacturer, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its ability to service various water treatment sectors that require the NSF Mark for drinking water components. Liqui-Cel® High purity 10 x 28 Membrane Contactors and Liqui-Cel® 14 x 28 Membrane Contactors, both with X-40 and X-50 membrane, have successfully passed all testing requirements and document reviews at NSF. An official NSF listing can be found at www.nsf.org

Many Liqui-Cel® Contactors already meet FDA requirements pert title 21of the Federal Code of Regulations. Adding the NSF Mark to some of the Liqui-Cel® products now allows the contactors to be safely utilized in drinking water systems as well. Using Liqui-Cel® Contactors in Municipal Water applications is a new application of Membrane Contactors where the NSF Mark is required.

Liqui-Cel®, MicroModule®, MiniModule®, and SuperPhobic® Membrane Contactors are used around the world for adding or removing oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) to or from different liquids in digital printing, analytical/biotechnology, semiconductor, power, pharmaceutical, photographic, food and beverage, and many other industries. For example, O2 negatively impacts many processes; it is corrosive and can oxidize materials. In the power and industrial areas, piping and equipment are susceptible to corrosion. Specifically to the semiconductor and ink market, high levels of dissolved gases can cause lower yields and slower process speeds.

Liqui-Cel® Contactors are also used to add gasses to liquids to enhance megasonic cleaning. The beverage industry looks to membrane contactors for carbonation, nitrogenation and deoxygenation. These reflect only a few examples of the variety of applications where Membrana Membrane Contactors are used.

Membrana's Filtration Group also manufactures a variety of membranes and devices used for filtration in various industries and applications.

Polypore International, Inc. is a global high technology filtration company specializing in microporous membranes. Polypore's flat sheet and hollow fiber membranes are used in specialized applications that require the removal or separation of various materials from liquids, primarily in the ultrafiltration and microfiltration markets. Based in Charlotte, NC, Polypore International, Inc. is a global leader with manufacturing facilities or sales offices in nine countries serving six continents.

Sonoco will increase prices for all uncoated recycled paperboard grades in the United States and Canada by $60 per ton effective with shipments on April 5, 2010. In addition, the Company will increase prices on all paperboard industrial converted products in the U.S. and Canada by 5.5 percent effective with shipments on April 5, 2010.

"Recovered paper costs have continued to rise rapidly throughout the first quarter of 2010. Key grades, such as old corrugated cartons (OCC), are up by approximately $110 per ton, or 150 percent, since November 2009, according to published lists," said Harris DeLoach, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Actual marketplace prices for recovered paper are currently exceeding listed prices by another $20 to $30 per ton, due to scarcity of supply. As a result, we have no alternative but to pass on these higher raw material costs."

Sonoco is one of the largest producers of uncoated recycled paperboard in North America, and of paperboard tubes and cores, and protective packaging.

About Sonoco

Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a $3.6 billion global manufacturer of industrial and consumer products and provider of packaging services, with more than 300 operations in 35 countries, serving customers in some 85 nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. For more information on the Company, visit our Web site at http://www.sonoco.com.

SOURCE: Sonoco

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Ralph de Jong has joined EcoSynthetix Inc. as Director Product Development & Technical Support. He was with BASF for 21 years and most recently was Technical Service Manager, Dispersions and Paper Chemicals for North America. He has a BS degree in chemistry from University of Western Ontario. He will be based at the EcoSynthetix Center of Innovation and pilot manufacturing line in Burlington, ON.

For more info contact:
Charles P. Klass
Klass Associates Inc.
16326 Gulf Boulevard - Suite 300
Redington Beach, FL 33708
Phone: 727-395-9435
Fax: 727-394-2540

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web Site: http://www.klassassociates.com

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation's ethylene plant in Kashima, Japan, has been named 2009 HART Plant of the Year by the HART Communication Foundation. The plant, an Emerson Process Management customer, was recognized for innovative use of the advanced capabilities of HART Communication in real-time applications to improve operations, lower costs, and increase availability.

The plant's achievements included reducing maintenance costs by 10% and detecting device failures that might otherwise have led to unplanned shutdowns costing as much as $3 million USD in lost production.

"With HART, we have been shifting from time-based maintenance to condition-based maintenance," reported Takayuki Aoyama, instrumentation group team leader at the Kashima plant. "We have also been able to predict and prevent potential problems by monitoring advanced diagnostic information from field devices, such as the statistical process monitoring (SPM) capabilities of Emerson's Rosemount® 3051S transmitter."

Takayuki presented examples of these capabilities at the 2009 Emerson Global Users Exchange conference in Orlando, Florida, describing how his team used advanced diagnostics to solve problems ranging from plugged impulse lines to entrained air in a pump intake. He also outlined HART benefits in a video available at www.emersonprocess.com/videos/Experts_Customers.asp.

Other HART-enabled products in use at the award-winning plant include Emerson's Rosemount radar level and vortex flow instruments, Micro Motion® Coriolis meters, Fisher® digital valve controllers, and AMS™ Suite predictive maintenance software.

"Because HART-based diagnostics can be used with existing assets, the initial investment was relatively small," said Takayuki. "We have quickly realized the benefits from the technology and will replace older devices with HART technology whenever we can. We look forward to working with Emerson as we extend these benefits throughout our operation."

The HART Plant of the Year Award is presented by the HART Communication Foundation to end-user companies who have demonstrated creativity in using the full capabilities of HART technology. This is the third consecutive year that Emerson products have played a key role at the winning plant. Additional information on this year's award is available at www.hartcomm.org.

The HART Communication Foundation is an international, not-for-profit, membership organization supported by more than 230 companies worldwide. Founded in 1993, the Foundation is the technology owner, standards setting body, and central authority on the HART Protocol and provides global support for application of the HART technology. The Foundation establishes and controls the HART Communication standards, including new developments and technology enhancements that benefit and support the needs of the industry. The HART Communication Protocol is the leading communication technology for intelligent process measurement and control field devices and systems, with more than 30 million devices installed worldwide.

About Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management (www.EmersonProcess.com), an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing, and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, power, water and wastewater treatment, mining and metals, food and beverage, life sciences, and other industries. The company combines superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management, and maintenance services. Its brands include PlantWeb®, Syncade™, DeltaV™, Fisher®, Micro Motion®, Rosemount®, Daniel®, Ovation®, and AMS™ Suite.

About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE:EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Emerson's sales in fiscal 2009 were $20.9 billion. The company is ranked 94th on the Fortune 500 list of America's largest companies. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.

The operator of three newsprint mills in Quebec, White Birch Paper Company, has filed for creditor protection in Canada and the U.S., to improve its capital structure.

White Birch Paper is the parent company of the F.F. Soucy mill in Rivière-du-Loup, the Stadacona mill in Quebec, and Papier Masson in Gatineau. The company's U.S. subsidiary, Bear Island Paper Company, also filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.

"This process is about fixing our capital structure," said Christopher Brant, president. "We remain committed to delivering the highest quality product to our many valued customers, and through this financial restructuring, we believe we will be better positioned to continue to do so well into the future."

White Birch expects operations to continue as usual during and after the restructuring process.

The company is seeking approval in Canada and the U.S. of a $140 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing.
White Birch Paper is the second largest newsprint producer in North America. It cites a decline in demand for newsprint, combined with a decline in prices, as well as the increased strength of the Canadian dollar, as having a negative impact on its business. AbitibiBowater, another large newsprint producer in North America, is also operating under bankruptcy protection

Feb. 2010 was a record month for Enessco Sales. More then ever before Enessco is being used not only in Tissue and Brown mills but in deinking plants for Newsprint......

For more info....>

NewPage Corporation announced today a significant upgrade in the appearance of its No. 4 coated groundwood paper brands, Escanaba ® and Dependoweb ® , effective immediately. In addition, NewPage is reintroducing its Capri ® line of No. 4.5 coated groundwood papers to augment a comprehensive selection of papers designed for magazine, catalog and retail customers.

The Escanaba ® brand has always provided a premium printing surface when compared to other coated groundwood products. Now the brand offers a higher brightness and pleasing blue-white shade to match its unparalleled print performance.

"Escanaba ® is a highly regarded, premium coated paper for the magazine, catalog and commercial printing industries. This improvement further solidifies its reputation," said Lee Bendtsen, general manager, medium weight web products.

In addition to the Escanaba ® product improvements, Dependoweb ® also has been enhanced to maintain its position as a reliable and competitive No. 4 coated groundwood paper. With a brighter, cleaner white shade, Dependoweb ® reproduces images accurately for every type of end use application.

For those customers looking to differentiate their publications while maintaining their budgets, NewPage is pleased announce the return of the Capri ® brand of coated groundwood papers. Capri ® is an ideal choice for catalogers, magazine publishers and retailers because it provides a 76 brightness for great appearance, a choice of gloss or silk finishes and a wide range of basis weights.

"We have listened to our customers and their need for more choices in the coated groundwood category. Whether they are looking for a premium printing surface or a cost saving solution, NewPage has the right paper for their job," added Bendtsen.

The Obama Administration announced today that it wants to close the non-existent "Son of Black Liquor" loophole to help "pay" for new healthcare legislation.

A few hours later, Senate Democrats won a key vote on jobs legislation that, in some versions, would be paid for partly with the "savings" from closing the same mythical loophole.

Meanwhile, the watchdogs of the news media acted more like lapdogs, taking Administration and Congressional statements at face value without bothering to check the facts. For example, a New York Times article on Obama's proposal states flatly, and falsely,: "Rescinding the 'black liquor' tax credit could generate as much as $24 billion in revenue over 10 years, helping to pay for a chunk of the health care legislation."

The Hill went further astray by saying the Obama proposal "rescinds the 'black liquor' tax break abused by paper companies that claim undeserved alternative fuel tax credits."

"Current law provides a tax credit for the production of cellulosic biofuels," notes the Obama Administration's summary of its new healthcare bill. "The credit was designed to promote the production and use of renewable fuels. Certain liquid byproducts derived from processing paper or pulp (known as 'black liquor' when derived from the kraft process) were not intended to be covered by this credit. The President's Proposal adopts the House bill's policy to clarify that they are not eligible for the tax credit."

Paper2010 will feature two expert panels and unique programming that allows for live feedback from attendees on the issues that matter most to paper executives. Paper2010 is being held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Towers in New York City, March 21-23, 2010.

The Breakfast General Session, Part 1: Innovating for a New Era, will feature a panel of paper and packaging industry CEOs and other thought leaders who will provide insights into the impact of paper and packaging substitution, industry innovations, the business of sustainability and much more.

Panelists include:

* Mark Gardner, President and CEO, Sappi Fine Paper North America
* James Hannan, CEO & President, Georgia-Pacific, LLC
* Mary Laschinger, President, xpedx
* James Rubright, Chairman & CEO, RockTenn
* Peter Vogel, Executive Vice President, The Millcraft Group

The Paper2010 Luncheon Session, Part 2: Achieving Customer and Marketplace Driven Success, will continue the dialogue as leading paper industry customers react to industry initiatives and share insights into their business drivers and future consumer demand.

Panelists include:

* James F. Conway III, Chairman & CEO, Courier Corporation
* Guy Gleysteen, Senior Vice President, Production, Time Inc.

Both expert panels will open with a dialogue then address audience questions and respond to audience surveys and polling. New industry research will supply additional material for the discussion.

"The program will feature a two-part series of discussions to examine the most important current and future business issues from the perspective of both the industry and our customers," said American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman.

Newell Holt, CEO of the NPTA Alliance (NPTA), added, "In order to provide a unique and interactive experience, the format will allow the audience to provide electronic feedback to our expert panelists in real time."

Paper2010 is an innovative new approach to providing paper industry leaders with a comprehensive look at opportunities and challenges across the value chain from the manufacturer, to the merchant, to the customer. By combining forces and bringing together our major annual events, AF&PA and the NPTA have created a single new convention that allows paper industry leaders to gather more intelligence, make more connections, and generate more business than ever before.

Visit www.paper2010.com for the complete schedule of events and additional information on attendee registration, becoming an official suite holder and advertising in the Paper2010 Convention Daily.

Members of the press who are interested in attending Paper2010 should contact Carlton Carroll at +1 202-463-2587 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), is increasing the price of its complete portfolio of unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, gelcoats, pigments and additives sold in North America by 5 cents per pound effective March 1, or as agreements allow.

"Ashland makes every effort to mitigate the impact of continued rising raw material costs and other factors that influence product pricing," said Gary Landsettle, commercial vice president for North America, Ashland Performance Materials. "Responding to changing market conditions allows Ashland to continue to provide innovative products and industry-leading product support that add value for customers."

Ashland Performance Materials is the global leader in unsaturated polyester resins and epoxy vinyl ester resins. In addition, it provides customers with leading technologies in gelcoats, pressure-sensitive and structural adhesives, coatings and metal casting consumables and design services.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provides specialty chemical products, services and solutions for many of the world's most essential industries. Serving customers in more than 100 countries, it operates through five commercial units: Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.