The decrease in consumption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered strong pressure on prices. In combination with cost increases in paper production and transport this has led to unsustainable profitability levels, especially felt in our overseas markets.

Sappi has therefore been forced to review its pricing per market and product segment, adjusting them accordingly. The increases will be applied as of shipments from January 2021 at the latest and will vary between 5 and 8%.

About Sappi

Sappi is a leading global provider of sustainable woodfibre products and solutions, in the fields of Dissolving wood pulp, Printing papers, Packaging and speciality papers, Casting and release papers, Biomaterials and Bio-energy. As a company that relies on renewable natural resources, sustainability is at our core. Sappi European mills hold chain of custody certifications under the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™ C015022) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC/07-32-76) systems. Our papers are produced in mills accredited with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50 001 and OHSAS 18001 certification. We have EMAS registration at 5 of our 10 mills in Europe. 

Sappi Europe SA is a division of Sappi Limited (JSE), headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with 12,500 employees and 19 production facilities on three continents in nine countries, 37 sales offices globally, and customers in over 150 countries around the world.

Learn more about Sappi at www.sappi.com.

In June 2020, Toscotec successfully rebuilt the approach flow and wet end of PM4 at Papeterie Le Bourray in Saint-Mars-la-Brière, France. After two months of stable production, PM4 exceeded the performance targets relating to the improvement of sheet formation quality and cross direction basis weight profile. After the rebuild, the operating speed of PM4 increased by up to 10%.

The project included a new fan pump and a fully hydraulic TT Headbox. Toscotec also supplied a complete service package, comprising detailed engineering, dismantling operations, erection, commissioning, start-up supervision, and training.

Through the joint effort of Toscotec and Papeterie Le Bourray, the project pushed ahead during the Covid-19 lockdown in France and Italy, and it was executed according to schedule.

Toscotec’s TT Headbox-SLT.

Alexandre Pappalardo, Head of Maintenance & TN at Papeterie Le Bourray, says, “We are very satisfied with the outcome of the project. Toscotec respected the time limits of machine shutdown and the new TT Headbox delivered on the performance targets. The restrictions in place during lockdown required extra efforts from both companies, but our good cooperation made it possible to complete the rebuild on schedule.”

Andrea Paganucci, Project Manager at Toscotec, says, “Papeterie Le Bourray provided Toscotec Service team with the best possible working conditions during lockdown. We were united by a common determination to achieve the project targets and we succeeded. The new TT Headbox features a tailor-made design that allows the mill to operate in the current Tisco Former configuration but also in Crescent Former configuration in the future.”

For further information, please contact: Marco Dalle Piagge, Sales Director, Toscotec Tissue division, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Riccardo Gennai, Sales Manager, Toscotec Tissue division, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There are more and more reasons to replace the plastic Bag for Life with one in paper when you go shopping. BillerudKorsnäs and AB Group Packaging therefore proudly present the reusable paper bag, one of the world´s strongest paper bags now available in UK Supermarkets.

The secret behind the power of the Reusable Paper bag is the raw material called FibreForm®“RPET, fabric or PP reusable bags have long been available for consumers but can now be replaced by a Reusable bag made of FibreForm®, says Veronica Fylkner, Sales Manager, Formable Solutions at BillerudKorsnäs.
“FibreForm® is one of the strongest kraft papers in the world. It’s been on the market for a while and we are still exploring its full potential. We see several new applications we can develop with FibreForm® and we are eager to replace less sustainable materials and solutions. It is a journey that we are pleased to be on as we can help decrease the amount of plastics and aluminium in different applications on the market” says Veronica Fylkner.

Laboratory tests have shown that the reusable paper bag can be reused over and over again.
“We tested one bag until breakdown and it lasted 43 cycles which is equivalent with 860 lifts and this with a high weight of 16 kg. We can really say that FibreForm® is suitable for reuse in all types of weather.” says Veronica Fylkner.

Today AB Group Packaging who manufactures in Ireland, the UK and Spain, is offering the ultra-strong paper bag to several major supermarkets in the United Kingdom. Compared to several other European countries, paper bags have not been an option in most UK retail stores, until recently.
The reason behind this have been due to cost, strong plastic industry and some misperceptions that papers are weak and have higher climate impact. With good virgin paper from integrated paper mills you actually can crush both of those myths.

“We are really pleased to be working with BillerudKorsnäs - which we have done now for about 30 years. They are number one in all categories.” says Dermot Brady, Inc. founder and CEO at AB Group Packaging.

AB Group Packaging have developed this ultra-strong bag with one of the strongest papers from BillerudKorsnäs. The aim has been to launch a re-usable paper bag, and AB Group Packaging have some of the largest clients on-board to make this change.

“Reduce, reuse, recycle – this is my vision of how the industry should operate in the future. We are responsible for every product we put on the market, all should be renewable. We want zero negative influence when producing and using our products and we are so pleased to be able to offer this product to the market.” says Dermot Brady.

The future bag is one step towards a sustainable future is to abandon plastic bags and use bio-based and 100% recyclable material. A common misunderstanding on the market is that paper have a higher impact on the climate than plastic.  Several studies have shown that BillerudKorsnas packaging materials have a lower climate impact than other materials. When the Swedish environmental institute IVL made a life cycle assessment on a BillerudKorsnäs standard paper for carrier bags, the paper actually had lower climate impact than bio-based plastic, recycled plastic and fossil based plastic. The material used by AB Group Packaging for the supermarket chains in the UK is BillerudKorsnäs FibreForm® Kraft Paper – attaining both environmentally friendly criteria’s above.
The uniqueness of FibreForm® is the high stretch, and how tear resistant and strong it is.
For several types of strong paper bags normal kraft paper is enough, but if you want that extra level of strength to be able to reuse the bag several times - FibreForm® is a good option.

“The world is now ready for a shift - from plastics to renewable bio-based products.” says Dermot Brady.

https://www.billerudkorsnas.com/sustainability/life-cycle-assessment-and-environmental-product-declarations

If you would like to know more about BillerudKorsnäs different strong kraft papers please take at our homepage.
https://www.billerudkorsnas.com/our-offer/packaging-materials/

BillerudKorsnäs provides packaging materials and solutions that challenge conventional packaging for a sustainable future. We are a world-leading provider of primary fibre based packaging materials and have customers in over 100 countries. The company has 8 production units in Sweden, Finland and the UK and about 4500 employees in over 13 countries. BillerudKorsnäs has an annual turnover of about SEK 24 billion and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. www.billerudkorsnas.com

Moog Industrial Group, a division of Moog Inc., (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B) today announced the market introduction of the new Modular EAS System. The Modular EAS is a highly flexible system with excellent scalability and variability and can be easily adapted to most types of industrial manufacturing machinery.

Standardized Modular EAS Solution

The Moog Modular Electrohydrostatic Actuation System (Modular EAS) features standardized modules with a wide number of customization options available. This process allows for extensive application potential by meeting the specific requirements of the customer. The system’s smallest scope of delivery consists of a basic manifold and an Electrohydrostatic Pump Unit (EPU) which Moog delivers as an assembled and tested unit.

Moog Modular Electrohydrostatic Actuation System (Modular EAS).

To expand the system, the basic module can be combined with various options or adapted with additional standardized high-speed manifolds in order to build a complete motion control system. With the Modular EAS System the localized power allows for improved energy efficiency due to the elimination of the flow control valving and centralized piping, which reduces the amount of wasted energy commonly found on traditional hydraulic systems.

Modular EAS Benefits

• High force capability and force density that provide a compact and performant alternative to EH and EM actuation
• Environmentally clean due to up to 90% lower oil requirement compared to the standard systems and low noise emission for quiet machine operation
• Small number of components to reduce the risk of breakdown and allow for faster maintenance
• Decentralized system that eliminates the need for a large Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) and reduces piping
• 4-quadrant operation technology allows for universal suitability for a large range of challenging applications as well as for effective energy management with reduced consumption due to energy recuperation
• Low mass inertia of the EPU provides high system dynamics

Applications

The Modular EAS System is suitable for a wide range of industrial manufacturing machinery. It can be used on metal pressing applications from forging, powder and sheet metal presses to hot forming, punching and isostatic press machines. In wood and paper milling, testing and power generation applications the Modular EAS System allows for improved decentralization of the machine axes. Additional high-performance applications can be realised in the industrial marine sector, on operational mobile machinery and on injection and blow molding machinery in the plastics sector. The system simultaneously reduces oil requirements for HPU by 90%, thereby reducing machine cost of ownership significantly.

More details about the product under: https://www.mooginfo.com/ModularEAS.

Having survived fires, The Great Depression, two world wars and now in the midst of a global pandemic, this year marks a milestone 175th anniversary for James Cropper, one of the world’s most innovative papermakers.  

As well as being globally renowned for supplying custom made and specialist paper products to well-known brands such as Selfridges, Burberry and Mulberry, the papermaker is also known for its passion for innovation. 

James Cropper invented the world's first technology to upcycle coffee cups. Since launching CupCycling in 2017, it has upcycled more than 120 million cups and given them a second life as beautiful paper products instead. 

Continuing with its commitment to creating sustainable alternatives, the group launched COLOURFORM, a thermoformed, plastic free, moulded fibre packaging solution meeting the needs of complex and high-end design, while blazing a trail for sustainable luxury packaging. A recent partnership with Maison Ruinart saw a ground-breaking ‘Second Skin’ concept come to life; not only reducing the carbon footprint by 60% by reducing the weight of the packaging by nine times, but it amplifies the aesthetic appeal of the luxury brand too.  

The company’s Technical Fibre Products division also makes a valuable contribution to the emerging hydrogen economy.  Material from James Cropper can be found in fuel cells for cars, buses, trucks and trains, as well as static power generation. 

With countless examples of innovations spanning three centuries in history, Chairman Mark Cropper, the sixth generation of the Cropper family to be at the helm, puts the business’ longevity down to the fact that It has never stood still.  

Mark says: “Surviving the impact of world events outside of our control for nearly two centuries is not about looking to the past, but rather to the future. We have always come up with new ideas which started with coloured papermaking, 175 years ago.  

“We made use of dyes and chemicals which were just emerging to create samples of coloured paper. At the time it was world leading and we’ve not stopped creating exciting things since. 

“This is why, in the midst of a global pandemic, we have continued to push our capabilities. With hygiene being front-of-mind for government, business leaders and the public alike, we put our papers with PaperGard antimicrobial technology to the test against a strain of Coronavirus, with favourable results. This product allows paper products exposed to high touch volumes to in effect ‘self-sanitise’, without affecting the appearance or performance of the paper itself.” 

The business is still based at its location on the edge of the English Lake District where it all began in 1845, and most recently launched the Rydal Packaging Collection; a premium range of papers that can be made from 100% post-consumer waste. The latest range aims to address the demand from brands who are looking to demonstrate the positive social and environmental impact of their products. 

Mark says: “While we are all ready to hear more good news, we are realistic about the fact that our 175th year has been and will continue to be challenging. While we can learn from other key moments from our history, such as the devastating fires in 1886 and 1903, world wars and stock-market crashes, we also recognise that each is different and requires a unique response. 

“Looking forward, our focus will be on how we grow our way out of the current economic situation in a way that respects our environment, people and communities like never before.” 

About James Cropper  

James Cropper is a prestige paper innovator based in the English Lake District, supplying distinct, custom-made paper products to many of the world’s leading luxury brands, art galleries and designers.    

Throughout 175 years of high-quality paper production, the business has been carefully stewarded and nurtured by six generations of the Cropper family and is renowned globally for individual expertise in colour and fibre innovation.        

VPK Group came to an agreement with COPI Holding to buy Encase Ltd, manufacturer and designer of corrugated cardboard packaging. Encase Ltd operates two integrated corrugated packaging plants in England and one sheet plant in Scotland. It is VPK’s intention to merge Encase with its UK corrugated operations, formerly known as Rigid.

Two decades of continued business growth

VPK’s corrugated operations in UK and Ireland, formerly known as Rigid Containers and recently rebranded as VPK Packaging, experienced impressive and consistent yearly growth since it entered the VPK Group in 2000. Under its ownership, VPK invested more than £100 million into the division. Desborough was transformed into the UK flagship site, whereas greenfield sites in Wellington and Selby gradually increased capacity to fully mirror operations on all three sites.

In 2015, the acquisition of ICS Europaks in Limerick, Ireland, further strengthened the geographical spread. With a strong focus on high quality printing capacities, the UK and Ireland divisions enjoy a solid reputation with high service requirement customers. Earlier this year, VPK acquired a majority stake in Corrboard UK Ltd,  a leading supplier of corrugated cardboard sheets located in Scunthorpe, operating a 320,000 sq ft modern factory and equipped with a new fast order-change Fosber 2.80m corrugator, using a CO₂ neutral production process.

As part of its long-term strategy, it is now VPK’s intention to fully merge Encase with the existing VPK UK corrugated operations. The combined businesses are expected to achieve yearly sales of more than 200 million GBP in corrugated packaging and sheets. All six corrugators combine a yearly containerboard consumption of 300.000 Tons, which represents a major part of the non-integrated recycled containerboard consumption in UK.

VPK has a proven track record of successful investments and acquisitions in corrugated manufacturing assets. These include four sheet feeding plants in Poland and Germany – known under the brand name Aquila, an ultra-modern greenfield investment project in Halden (Norway) which was recently put into operation and the acquisition of Viallon Emballages in France. With regards to containerboard production, the pioneering conversion in Strasbourg, France, of the former UPM Stracel assets by Blue Paper, set a new standard for the recycled containerboard industry.

About VPK Group

VPK produces recycled paper, corrugated cardboard packaging, solid board packaging and cores. In addition to VPK Packaging, VPK Group’s overall brand portfolio includes Corex for core board, cores and tubes production and Smart Packaging Solutions for the production of solid board packaging. Employing over 6200 people across 65 locations in 20 countries, the group records a turnover of €1.5 billion. For more information about our activities please visit: www.vpkgroup.com.

About Encase

Encase is a family owned business established in the UK during the 1960’s and is now one of the UK’s largest independent multisite manufacturers of corrugated packaging. Encase operates two integrated corrugated packaging plants in England and one sheet plant in Scotland.

With the foundation of ZELLCHEMING Service GmbH, the reorientation of the ZELLCHEMING Association with a clear separation between voluntary association life and economic activities is now officially completed.

Behind the scenes, work has already been going on for several weeks to prepare the starting signal for the ZELLCHEMING-Expo in June 2021, which is organized and handled by the GmbH as organizer, in the best possible way. Information material and documents are available and the starting signal for the exhibitor acquisition has already been given. The Expo website has also gone live for visitors and exhibitors from Germany and abroad.

Positive Response

"The initial response has been very positive: A number of exhibitors have already confirmed their participation and the reserved area is already higher than that which was booked for the Expo planned for 2020 in the same period," explains Petra Hanke, Managing Director of ZELLCHEMING Service GmbH.

"We are experiencing that many representatives of our industry feel the desire to meet again with suppliers and industry colleagues in personal discussions and are confident that we will be able to meet this need, also in view of our sophisticated hygiene concept".

The multifunctional RheinMain CongressCenter in Wiesbaden offers plenty of space for a wide variety of events and functions such as trade fairs, congresses, and conferences as well as digital formats and is advertised as a "feel-good location". Petra Hanke: "The fact that we are returning to a proven and popular location, which at the same time presents itself in a completely new and contemporary way, also generates a great deal of positive interest".

Over two full days, on June 9 and 10, 2021, visitors to the ZELLCHEMING-Expo will be able to follow practice-oriented presentations and obtain information and further training on specific topics and applications. The lectures, which will be presented in the course of the event, pick up current approaches of the paper- and cellulose-based industry on the way to a climate-friendly bio-economy and give further impetus to ideas and initiatives beyond the event. Exhibitors are involved via best-practice applications and the latest technologies for process and product innovation. The detailed program will be presented in the coming weeks.

Stronger integration of scientific and technical work

A further aspect of the spin-off of the economic business activities into the GmbH was the desire to re-focus the association on scientific and technical work and thus sharpen its profile as an important link between research and industry.

In this context, the link with the ZELLCHEMING-Expo is also to be strengthened - in which the results of the ZELLCHEMING working groups will be presented to a broad expert audience for the first time in the context of a forum at the Expo. Which steps could be taken for this purpose in the technical committees and district groups has already been discussed in a future workshop", explained Gerrit Lund, 1st Chairman of the ZELLCHEMING Association.

ZELLCHEMING-Expo Website

Visitors and exhibitors can obtain information about the event on the website: www.zellcheming-expo.com

ZELLCHEMING Service GmbH conducts trade fairs, congresses, online events, web seminars in the field of pulp and paper production and the associated circular bioeconomy. In addition, the GmbH provides consulting and other services for associations (especially the ZELLCHEMING association) and foundations such as, for example, member administration, member management, member communication and member promotion. Furthermore, the purpose of the company is the promotion of scientific projects in cooperation with colleges and universities.

As a new age of consumer behaviour emerges, and governments are distracted by the pandemic - environmental concerns have fallen from the political and public agenda.

The dramatic increase in e-commerce and home deliveries has caused a sharp rise in packaging waste, which comes with high environmental costs. At current rates, 12 billion metric tons of plastic waste will end up in landfill and the natural environment by 2050[1]. As countries experience further restrictions on movement and a second wave of Covid-19, consumer behaviour is unlikely to rapidly revert to its pre-lockdown state.

Kaushal ShahHence, sustainable packaging and paper solutions must be adopted so the global community can protect the planet effectively. There is no time to waste.

Plastics are the most common and wide-ranging materials used for packaging. They are central to FMCG and global industrial supply chains, protecting goods in transit and extending their shelf lives. Their ubiquity means a serious plastic packaging waste crisis must be addressed before irreversible damage is done.

According to the UN, 300 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced every year. Since the early 1950s, 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic has been produced and c. 60% has ended up in landfill or the natural environment[2].

Plastic waste is a primary contributor to global ocean pollution with rivers carrying waste from far inland to the sea. Each year, eight million tonnes of plastic ends up in the world’s oceans and 100 million marine animals die from entanglement, ingestion, or interaction with this waste[3]. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that, by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea[4].

The issue extends beyond the environment; plastic waste comes with a significant human cost. In 2019, Tearfund, Fauna & Flora International and Waste Aid reported between 400,000 and one million people die each year from preventable diseases linked to mismanagement and burning of plastic waste in developing countries[5].

Plastic waste pollution also impacts people’s livelihoods and the economic development of developing countries. The UN Environment Programme reports ocean-based plastic pollution has an annual economic cost of US$13 billion due to revenue losses in fisheries, agriculture, and tourism[6].

We have a collective responsibility to tackle this plastic pollution crisis. The environmental and human toll is too great to ignore. Sustainable alternatives to traditional packaging and paper exist. It is time for multinationals, manufacturers, and retailers to integrate them into their working practices to help reduce global pollution; protect marine and wildlife species; and those in developing countries.

The growing consumer awareness of this crisis is promising. A recent study of 2,000 UK shoppers revealed 62% are thinking more about sustainability now than five years ago and increasingly looking for environmentally friendly options[7].

Popular culture is also playing a major role in raising awareness of packaging choices. Notably, David Attenborough’s ‘Blue Planet II’ series focused on ocean waste and triggered a passionate global response. Consumers are more aware nowadays that a product’s lifecycle does not end after consumption – rather after its proper disposal.

Nonetheless, the pandemic and the new normal means individuals are more reliant on e-commerce and delivery services than ever before. Manufacturing environmentally friendly packaging and paper is therefore essential. It will help protect the planet and maintain business profitability as consumers increasingly look for eco-friendly choices.

Political and tax incentives for incorporating environmentally friendly packaging and paper are also evident. From 1 January 2021, the EU will tax non-recycle packaging waste through national contributions. In April 2022, the UK will introduce a tax on plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled content. These plastic reduction policies and public appetite make environmentally friendly packaging and paper attractive for business.

Manufacturing environmentally friendly packaging and paper is vital for the future – on an environmental, human, and corporate level. There is no time to waste.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7324921/

[2] https://www.unenvironment.org/interactive/beat-plastic-pollution/#

[3] https://www.condorferries.co.uk/marine-ocean-pollution-statistics-facts#

[4] https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/New-Plastics-Economy_Catalysing-Action_13-1-17.pdf

[5] https://wasteaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-Tearfund-Consortium-No-time-to-waste-En.pdf

[6] https://wasteaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-Tearfund-Consortium-No-time-to-waste-En.pdf

[7] https://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/time-to-prioritise-eco-friendly-packaging-say-shoppers-in-new-survey-13-10-2020/#

The current market conditions had a significant impact on Södra’s operating profit in the third quarter. Despite higher year-on-year delivery volumes for Södra’s core products, the price formation for market pulp was weaker. For the third quarter, Södra’s sales amounted to SEK 4,925 million (5,391) and operating profit to SEK 93 million (512). For the first nine months of the year, operating profit totalled SEK 541 million (2,520). Return on capital employed was 3 percent (16) and the equity ratio was 57 percent.

“The global economy is projected to contract this year due to COVID-19, despite a slight and recent recovery. A more stable and sustainable turnaround in the years ahead will require an easing of the uncertainty created by the pandemic. In view of the current market conditions and geopolitical uncertainty, Södra’s operating profit to date this year can be considered stable,” said Peter Karlsson, Interim President and CEO.

Peter Karlsson, Interim President and CEO

“Both the decrease in sales and decline in earnings were due to considerably lower prices for market pulp compared with the year-earlier period. A weak upward trajectory meant that prices were slightly higher at the end of the quarter compared with the beginning of the year. To date this year, the price of sawn timber is lower year-on-year. Demand for Södra’s core products remained favourable, while production was stable at a high level,” said Peter Karlsson.

A mobilisation of Södra’s entire chain – from owners, contractors and employees to the mills – combined with favourable weather conditions minimised the negative effects of the spruce bark beetle outbreaks. Despite a 50-percent reduction compared with last year, the level of damage is 1 million m³sub on Södra members’ estates, which is still extremely high.

“A key element of Södra’s strategy for sustainable and profitable growth is efficient use of forest products. We are therefore proud to have inaugurated the world’s first fossil-free biomethanol plant at the pulp mill in Mönsterås in early October. The facility is one the forest industry’s many contributions to the transition to a bioeconomy,” said Peter Karlsson. 

The biomethanol is made from the crude methanol recovered from the pulp manufacturing process and is part of the circular process that already exists at the pulp mill. The facility was inaugurated by the Swedish Minister for Enterprise, Ibrahim Baylan, at a virtual ceremony. 

Financial key indicators:
During the quarter, consolidated net sales declined 9 percent to SEK 4,925 million (5,391). The operating margin was 2 percent (9). The negative sales trend was due to considerably lower prices for market pulp, while delivery volumes for Södra’s core products were higher year-on-year, both during the quarter and cumulative. Cumulative net sales amounted to SEK 15,918 million (17,908). Return on capital employed was 3 percent (16) and the equity ratio was 57 percent.

Södra Skog
Södra Skog’s operating profit for the period totalled SEK 35 million (26). The result is attributable to favourable volumes from field operations and reduced imports. During the period, Södra Skog acquired 3.7 million m³sub, comprising 62 percent pulpwood and cellulose chips, 31 percent saw logs and 7 percent biofuels. Cumulative operating profit amounted to SEK 88 million (161).

Södra Wood
Södra Wood’s operating profit for the period totalled SEK 128 million (39), reflecting the positive price formation for sawn timber and continued high demand for sawn timber. The delivery volume from Södra Wood rose to 520 thousand m³sw, compared with 490 thousand m³sw in the year-earlier period. Sales for the quarter amounted to SEK 1,524 million (1,395). Cumulative sales amounted to SEK 4,611 million (4,485) and operating profit was SEK 212 million (304).

Södra Cell
Södra Cell’s operating loss for the period totalled SEK 8 million (profit: 551). The earnings decline was due to lower prices for market pulp. Sales for the quarter amounted to SEK 2,545 million (3,054). The production volume totalled 468 ktonnes, comprising 401 ktonnes of softwood sulphate pulp, 29 ktonnes of hardwood sulphate pulp and 38 ktonnes of dissolving pulp. Cumulative sales amounted to SEK 8,039 million (9,804) and operating profit to SEK 544 million (2,416). 

Founded in 1938, Södra is Sweden’s largest forest-owner association, with 53,000 forest owners as its members. We conduct modern and responsible forestry, and operate state-of-the-art mills in which we process our raw material. In 2019, net sales amounted to SEK 23 billion and employees totalled 3,100. Through value-generating relationships and a long-term approach, Södra shows the way for the next generation of forestry.

Valmet will supply a fine paper making line with stock preparation and an extensive scope of automation to Asia Symbol (Guangdong) Paper in XinHui, China. The new high-capacity fine paper making line will be designed to produce top-quality woodfree uncoated paper (WFU) grades. The start-up of PM 13 is scheduled for 2022.

The order is included in Valmet's orders received of the third quarter 2020. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The total value of an order of this type and delivery scope is typically around EUR 80-100 million.

PM 13 follows the long sequence of Valmet-supplied fine paper making lines deliveries to RGE Group, Asia Symbol’s parent company. In 2012, Valmet-delivered PM 11 was started-up in XinHui, and PM 12 in 2017. Also, three other machines have been delivered to PT Riau Andalan in Indonesia.

“We chose Valmet to deliver the third paper machine to XinHui PM 13 project, because Valmet is not only a professional paper machine designer and manufacturer but also a reliable partner. We rely on Valmet’s experience and the team’s expertise to achieve a successful start-up of PM 13, as that is what we did together on the previous projects,” says Steven Hung, Managing Director of Asia Symbol (Guangdong).

“The project is representing the long-lasting and good cooperation between Asia Symbol and Valmet. The XinHui references have been operating reliably, and the performance is excellent. The know-how of Asia Symbol is supported by our expertise and the technology that suits these types of fast and wide machines. Together we have built the world leading WFU lines both in productivity and quality,” says Mika Ollikainen, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Valmet.

Technical information about Valmet’s delivery

Xinhui PM 13 will be quite similar to its predecessor, the very well performing PM 11 and PM 12. The delivery for PM 13 will include a high-speed fine paper making line from stock preparation to reel and winders with air systems and clothing for the whole machine line. The stock preparation delivery will include stock lines for softwood, hardwood and BCTMP (bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp), bale handling with automatic dewiring system, broke, white water and approach flow systems.

The delivery will also include an OptiFlo Gap headbox and an OptiFormer Gap with shoe and blade technology for the best paper quality, OptiPress Linear with two shoe presses for excellent profiles and dewatering capacity, and OptiRun Single and Hybrid drying sections with Valmet Hirun Web Stabilizers to ensure runnability at high speeds. The drying section will be followed by an OptiSizer Film surface sizing unit with a supply system and air turning device, an OptiCalender Hard calender for finalizing the end quality, an OptiReel Center center-driven reel and two OptiWin Drum two-drum winders. The delivery will also include runnability equipment and closed hood for the paper machine.

The wide automation package includes Valmet DNA Automation System for process and drive controls as well as runnability and condition monitoring and Valmet IQ Quality Management Solution with a full-scale quality control, moisturizing profiler, and machine vision systems consisting of web monitoring (WMS) and web inspection systems (WIS). The delivery will also include comprehensive Paper Machine Clothing, spare parts and consumables packages.

The 9,350-mm-wide (wire) fine paper machine will produce woodfree uncoated, offset and copy paper grades with the basis weight range of 50-120 g/m². The design speed of the machine will be 1,800 m/min.

Information about the customer Asia Symbol

Asia Symbol, established in China in 2005, is a leading producer of pulp and paper under the RGE (Royal Golden Eagle) Group. Using renewable fiber that is sourced responsibly, Asia Symbol has an annual production of 2 million tons of pulp, 1 million tons of fine paper and 530,000 tons of paper board at its plants in Shandong (Rizhao) and Guangdong (Xinhui) provinces in China. Its main products are BHKP, NBKP, liquid packaging board, high grade ivory board and uncoated woodfree printing and office paper.

For further information, please contact: 
Jari Vähäpesola, President, Paper business line, Valmet, tel. +358 40 558 6555
Fan Ze, Vice President, Capital Sales in China, Valmet, tel. +86 10 6566 6600 3108  

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 2019 were approximately EUR 3.5 billion. Our more than 13,000 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