Metsä Board to ensure quick supply of white kraftliners

Metsä Board recently announced the launch of a new WKL Common Stock Service to help streamline and enhance the order-delivery processes of white kraftliners in continental Europe.

“As part of the commitment to develop customer focused services, Metsä Board created this new service to improve the availability of white kraftliners and help corrugated converters be more responsive and competitive. The new Common Stock service, which was started in March, provides the converters with easy access and

Staff Writer, 12 September 2019

Asia Pulp & Paper launches new label paper at Expo Pack, Mexico

The new Acadia 2000 is a premium one-side coated paper claimed to have superior bulk and excellent smoothness. The wet strength label resists disintegration and rupture when exposed to water or other moisture build-up, making it suited to replacing the plastic-type label. The material is aimed at soft drinks, juice, coffee, beer, wine and other cold liquid food packaging, where it can withstand varied temperatures and humidity.

All pulp and fibre used in the making of APP’s paper products are

Staff Writer, 31 July 2019

Wigston launches its new paper match tool

Wigston Paper in May launched an online paper matching tool to enable designers to identify the closest match for brand identities and corporate colours.

Using the new Paper Lookup Tool, designers and marketers can upload a logo or brand visual identity.  The free-to-use software then searches the company’s coloured paper ranges for the closest match against the three dominant colours in the image that has been uploaded.

Designers can either work from the information given or can fill in an

Staff Writer, 31 July 2019

Japan pulp and paper company acquires Premier Paper Group

Japan Pulp and Paper (JPP) in the first week of July this year acquired the entire share capital of RADMS Paper Limited, Premier’s holding company.

Turning over $5bn (£4bn), JPP is a global company that employed 3,900 people prior to the acquisition across a raft of sectors, including property, ICT systems, renewable energy, recycling, paper manufacturing – mainly tissue and packaging papers – and paper distribution.

The business has operations in North America, Central America, Asia, the Middle

Staff Writer, 22 July 2019

Fujifilm shows off its Acuity Ultra at Fespa

Fujifilm showcased its upgraded Acuity Ultra at Fespa, with new features including a big speed increase to 400m²/hr.

The new Acuity Ultra 5044 model can be configured with an eight channel, dual-CMYK setup that “boosts productivity, and also offers a choice of one- or two-pass printing, producing almost photographic levels of quality”.

“The 400 metre square per hour speed is 60% faster than the previous model, and users can select a level of speed versus quality via the smoothing function.”

Staff Writer, 20 June 2019

OKI Europe launches smallest A3 printer

OKI Europe has announced the launch of its new C800 Series of compact, cost effective A3 colour printers for organisations that typically outsource print jobs.

The C800 Series can handle a range of media in HD colour, from pre-cut media to posters and expansive banners as required by retailers.
“The launch of the new C800 series of A3 colour printers marks an exciting step for in-house printing,” said Anna Emilia Dorrington, senior product marketing manager, OKI Europe Ltd. “Further pushing

Staff Writer, 22 May 2019

Sappi, Borregaard celebrate 20 years of biorefinery investment

LignoTech South Africa (LignoTech) is an equal partnership joint venture between Sappi Southern Africa Limited (“Sappi”) and Borregaard AS of Norway (“Borregaard”). The lignin extraction plant in Umkomaas, KwaZulu Natal was first commissioned in December 1998 and officially opened in 1999. The plant at LignoTech was designed to generate revenue from a previously-unused component of the effluent stream from Sappi’s Saiccor mill. These are used as binding and dispersing agents in a wide range of

Staff Writer, 22 May 2019

UPM culls magazine paper machine in Germany, cutting 160 jobs of 590

UPM plans to take out around 155,000 tonnes of magazine paper capacity by closing down a paper machine at its Plattling mill in Bavaria.

Plattling makes coated and uncoated LWC and SC magazine papers and currently runs three paper machines. Its capacity at present is 785,000tpa.

UPM intends to permanently close PM10, which it said was the lowest capacity coated mechanical machine across all of its European papermaking operations. It was also described as having the “highest technical age”.

Around

Staff Writer, 22 May 2019

International Paper to expand its business

DS Smith has agreed the proposed sale of two of its packaging businesses to International Paper for €63m.

The London-headquartered packaging giant said the sales of the businesses, based in north-west France and Portugal, would fulfil the commitment it made to the European Commission in relation to the clearance of its acquisition of Europac, which was completed in January.

Completion of the two sales is subject to customary closing conditions including works council consultation and regulatory

Staff Writer, 22 May 2019

Papcel signs Saudi deal

Czech paper machine maker Papcel has secured a deal with a paper industry player from Saudi Arabia. Papcel production range also includes complete services related to “used papermaking machinery” rebuilds and refurbishments and relocation of the machinery anywhere in the world.

Under the plan, Papcel will supply a new tissue paper production line to a new plant operated by the unnamed Saudi business, the Czech company said in a statement.

The amount of the latest deal was not disclosed by

Staff Writer, 22 May 2019

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper initiates new system

Coated specialty paper manufacturer Mitsubishi HiTec Paper has introduced a new quality control system to ensure production at its site in Bielefeld, Germany meets future market needs.
As part of the company’s new business development programme, the new quality control system has been initiated on the CM 21 coating machine. The recently commissioned, modern Honeywell quality control system includes several measuring frames of different equipment and system peripherals for precise process

Staff Writer, 14 April 2019

Mondi launches 2018 Report: Sustainable Packaging & Paper by Design

Mondi Group has released its 2018 reporting suite Sustainable Packaging and Paper by Design, including its full Sustainable Development report and Integrated report and financial statements.
The Sustainable Development report shows positive progress on climate change achieved through the introduction of biomass and recovery boilers in Mondi’s mills leading to 100% electricity self-sufficiency, with 64% of fuel from renewable sources. In total, there has been a 14.5% reduction in specific CO2e

Staff Writer, 14 April 2019

Smurfit Kappa launches premium papers for digital, flexographic

Smurfit Kappa has launched an innovative new range of premium papers that are suitable for both digital and flexographic printers.
The DigiStar paper was developed in response to a growing demand in the market for a multi-purpose premium solution delivering high quality printing results.
Smurfit Kappa harnessed its expertise and experience in paper to develop a unique and sustainable solution that can maximise the capabilities of digital print and work hand-in-hand with both digital and

Staff Writer, 14 April 2019

Andritz launches new PrimeLineTEX tissue machine for textured tissue

ANDRITZ announced that it has officially launched its new tissue machine for textured tissue, the “PrimeLineTEX”, enabling customers to produce textured tissue of a quality superior to dry crepe and very close to structured (TAD) tissue, while at the same time achieving significant cost savings.

PrimeLineTEX is available with widths of 5.6 or 2.8 meters and produces high-quality tissue for towel and sanitary applications. The machine offers up to 25% fiber savings compared to dry crepe and

Staff Writer, 28 March 2019

The Navigator Company to unveil Navigator UHD paper at Paperworld Middle East 2019

The Navigator Company will be present at the 9th edition of Paperworld Middle East, which will be held from 18 to 20 March 2019, in Dubai, to launch the new Navigator paper quality. The world's best-selling premium brand of office paper will be presented in the Middle East with its improved quality, Navigator UHD, which translates in a special surface treatment allowing an even better printing quality, with an improved machine performance. Printed samples will be available to visitors, so that

Staff Writer, 14 March 2019

Sappi joins Sustainable Apparel Coalition to drive environment

Sappi Limited announces that it has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and will use the group’s sustainability measurement suite of tools, the Higg Index, to drive environmental and social responsibility throughout its supply chain.
With its membership in the SAC, Sappi joins more than 240 global brands, retailers, and manufacturers, as well as government, non-profit environmental organizations, and academic institutions, which are collectively committed to improving supply chain

Staff Writer, 04 March 2019

Flint Group introduces AquaCode

Flint Group introduces AquaCode, a full technology range and an ink system that it says goes beyond conventional chemistries to deliver 21st century print quality while providing environmental stewardship opportunities.

Kim Melander, VP & GM EMEA and global strategy for Paper & Board, said, “With AquaCode, we present a global water-based technology designed to reduce the total cost of print.  Flint Group experts from around the world worked jointly using combined best practices to

Staff Writer, 13 February 2019

Stora Enso completes negotiations on possible temporary layoffs at Oulu

Stora Enso has completed co-determination negotiations on possible temporary layoffs with employees at its Oulu Mill in Finland.

As a result of the negotiations, Stora Enso can, if needed, temporarily lay off employees at the mill, excluding the personnel at its adjacent Oulu pulp mill, for a maximum of 90 days during the first half of 2019.

“Basically, there are 500 employees in the scope of the temporary layoffs, which can be used as a precautionary measure to adapt production to possible

Staff Writer, 22 January 2019

Asia Pulp & Paper signs corrugated container joint venture agreement with Japan's Oji Holdings

PT Purinusa Ekapersada, an Asia Pulp & Paper company, and Oji Holdings Corporation have agreed to enter into a US$35 million joint venture to set up a new converting factory in Indonesia. The new venture, PT Oji Sinar Mas Packaging, will produce corrugated cardboard and containers to meet growing domestic demand in Indonesia.
The new factory will be based in Bekasi City, West Java, and is expected to come online in January 2020. It is expected to produce 5,000 tons of cardboard from recycled

Staff Writer, 25 December 2018

Paperworld Middle East expands offerings to reflect ‘More than Paper’ theme

A whole new world of potential business opportunities awaits thousands of regional trade buyers, distributors, retailers, corporations, and educational institutes at the upcoming edition of the Paperworld Middle East 2019 exhibition in Dubai.

‘More than Paper’ is the underlying theme of the region’s foremost trade fair for stationery, office supplies, toys and games, and organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East is staying on course with an expanded product line-up and special programme of

Press Release, 04 December 2018

Zanders under new ownership led by Terje Haglund

German papermaker Zanders is set to be acquired, with the loss of 150 jobs.
The firm, based in Bergisch Gladbach near Cologne, will be taken over by new company Zanders-Paper, headed up by Norwegian pulp and paper businessman Terje Haglund.
Haglund is also the chief executive of new start-up company Virginal Paper which earlier this year bought a Belgian paper mill, formerly the home of insolvent Idempapers. He described Zanders-Paper as a “continuation” of its predecessor that will operate as a

Staff Writer, 04 December 2018

Stora Enso to acquire forest assets in Bergvik Skog

Stora Enso has signed an agreement to acquire the forest assets in Bergvik Skog. The forest assets of Swedish forest holding company Bergvik Skog are owned by its subsidiaries Bergvik Väst and Bergvik Öst, split 83/17 percent of these shares, respectively. As a result of this transaction, Stora Enso will transform its current ownership of 49.8% in Bergvik Skog, to a direct holding of 69.8% of the value of the forest assets in Bergvik Väst.
Stora Enso’s forest holdings in Sweden will increase to

Staff Writer, 04 December 2018

Sappi introduces sustainable dissolving wood pulp brand

Wood pulp and paper Sappi recently said it had moved to strengthen its leadership in the dissolving wood pulp (DWP) market with the launch of the Verve brand.
Sappi said demand for DWP continued to grow with rising consumer preference for products made from renewable, sustainably sourced and processed woodfibre.
As a significant producer of DWP, Sappi produces close to 1.4 million tonnes  per annum, with a 16% share of the market.
Commenting on the launch of the Sappi Verve brand, Steve Binnie

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018

Antalis introduces digital stock management service

Antalis has launched easystock; a Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) system specifically developed for printing professionals and industrial packagers.
The new stock management application is tailored for each customer to optimise inventory levels and automate repetitive orders, to save time and money while reducing the risk of wastage and errors.
easystock works by automating inventory management of frequently used items; typically a product a customer would usually order at least twice a month. A

Staff Writer, 28 October 2018

Mondi to invest €340m in new kraft top white machine in Slovakia

International packaging and paper group Mondi has revised its investment in a new 300,000t kraft top white machine at its Ruzomberok plant in Slovakia to €340m.
The company has also recently received the necessary permitting, allowing it to proceed with the investment.
The investment has been revised from €310m to €340m following refinements to the machine’s technical concept and higher construction costs. The machine is expected to be operational by the end of 2020.
Mondi Group CEO Peter Oswald

Staff Writer, 17 October 2018

Metsä Group and Itochu establish a joint venture for textile fibres

Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring Ltd. and Japanese Itochu Corporation establish a joint venture, which invests approximately EUR 40 million in building and operating a test plant, with the aim to demonstrate a new technology for converting paper-grade pulp into textile fibres. Business Finland, a Finnish governmental funding agency, participates in the financing of the demo project with an R&D loan.

The textile fibre demo plant will be located next to Metsä Group’s bioproduct

Staff Writer, 02 October 2018

Metsä’s Mänttä mill switches to LNG

At the mill in Mänttä, Finland, LNG will replace liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the paper drying process. The fuel switch from LPG to LNG will improve competitiveness and cut the company’s carbon dioxide emissions. LNG will be delivered to the Mänttä mill by road tanker from the Skangas Pori LNG terminal. Before being used, LNG will be regasified at the mill. In cooperation with the Technical Services of its parent company, Gasum, Skangas will carry out the modification and equipment

Staff Writer, 01 October 2018

Sappi reports gains from Cham integration

Sappi sees its takeover of the specialty paper business of Swiss-based Cham Paper Group (CPG) as offering big opportunities for the two companies and their combined customer base.

In late 2017, Sappi, one of the global producer of dissolving wood pulp, specialty and packaging papers, graphic (printing and writing) paper and biomaterials, entered into an agreement to acquire the specialty paper business of CPG. This included the acquisition of CPG’s Carmignano and Condino Mills in Italy, its

Staff Writer, 11 September 2018

Zanders invests €7m in plant conversion to natural gas

German paper mill Zanders has invested around €7m (£6.27m) in converting its on-site power plant from hard coal to natural gas.
Part of a long-term investment programme targeting sustainable increases in efficiency, the business said the gas has been flowing since the end of July and the commissioning of the first boiler is expected to be completed by the end of August.
“We will probably no longer need coal for the steam supply of our plant during normal operation by the end of September,” said

Staff Writer, 25 August 2018

Neenah introduces new 100% pure cotton paper range

Neenah announces its recent investment to reinvigorate the cotton fiber paper category with its new NEENAH® Cotton Papers, a 100% cotton paper expertly manufactured by the mill that has been crafting the finest, pure cotton papers since the late 1870’s.
Available in four shades of white and three colours (Mint, Blush and Gray), Neenah describes the new offering as the “perfect palette for modern design applications as well as personal and business correspondence.” The new cotton papers boast the

Staff Writer, 16 August 2018