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Birkner 2012 - NEW: Complete updated edition in 2 compact volumes

2012-01-12T00:00:00+01:00

Within a short time the new completely revised book and internet editions of Birkner 2012 – International PaperWorld will be published. With more than 28.000 updated company profiles of the international paper industry from 155 countries the Birkner media offer a unique overview of the international paper industry. Apart from producers, converters and raw material suppliers also company profiles of service companies, suppliers and merchants are presented. Approximately 23,000 internet addresses facilitate direct contacts to companies. The new book edition in 2 volumes of Birkner 2012 – International PaperWorld supports research in the structured company profiles in a compact way. The professional version of the regularly updated internet database www.paper-world.com with detailed research opportunities, data export function and current news service edition for maintenance of existing and new business contacts complements the new book edition in an ideal way. Use the economic subscription and combination prices and fill in the order form. Of course we gladly accept your orders per e-mail at info@paper-world.com so you can receive your personal copies and database accesses immediately after publication. (Birkner International PaperWorld)

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC. ANNOUNCES DIRECTOR'S RESIGNATION

2012-02-06T00:00:00+01:00

Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC, TSX:MRI.U) ("Mercer" or the "Company") announced that Ken Shields has resigned as a director of the Company. Mr. Shields stated: "It has been a great pleasure to serve as a director and vice-chairman of Mercer but, due to demands from my other business interests, including the potential for increasing overlap between them and the Company in the energy segment, I felt it was appropriate to resign at this time. I wish the Company every success in the future." Jimmy Lee, President and CEO, stated: "We regretfully accepted Ken's resignation as a director and, on behalf of the whole board and myself, wish to thank him for his invaluable service and contribution to the Company over the past eight years. We will miss his guidance and contribution and wish Ken all the best in all his future endeavours." (Mercer International Inc.)

Metso's complete automation package ensures improved performance and reliability for ...

2012-02-06T00:00:00+01:00

...Allimand’s new paper machine in Spain The latest generation automation technology will allow the plant expand its product range and develop new products. Metso has won an order to supply an extensive automation package to French supplier Allimand for the new paper machine to be erected in the new Miquel y Costas’ plant in la Pobla de Claramunt, Spain. The new production line, which is the latest generation, will allow Miquel y Costas expand its range of papers and develop new products. Metso automation’s highly reliable and proven technology was selected both by Allimand and Miquel y Costas as the best answer to the high technical and performances expectations of this new production line. Metso automation’s delivery will comprise Metso DNA automation system for machine, process and drive controls, Metso Process and Quality Vision for web inspection and web break analysis and Metso IQ quality control system including MD and CD quality controls with Metso IQ Moisturizer. Commissioning is scheduled for the last four-month period of 2012. (Metso Oyj)

Italian Del Chiese Mill started up the SMARNIP® Shoe Press in Montichiari (BS)

2012-02-06T00:00:00+01:00

PMT Italia S.p.A. supplied, installed and started up a SMARNIP® Shoe Press at Cartiera del Chiese S.p.A. - Montichiari Mill. The SMARNIP® Shoe Press was selected in order to optimise the production of smooth and semi-extensible sack kraft paper aiming production increase and quality improvement. Also in this case the modularity and the compactness of the SMARNIP® Shoe Press resulted to be the key factor in applying the shoe press technology in a Press section rebuild, also improving the geometry of the first dryer group. On January the 16th the SMARNIP® has been started up and the paper machine is now in its optimisation phase. The SMARNIP® will achieve, thanks to its flexibility, the right balance among dry content after press, density, porosity and other typical sack kraft peculiarities. This new project, developed by PMT, represents the confirmation of the market perception of PMT Italia as a reliable supplier amongst the leading paper machinery producers. (PMT Italia S.p.A.)

European cut-size paper brands, 13th annual survey

2012-02-06T00:00:00+01:00

Best Performance for European White Cut-size Papers, as rated by Merchants, Equipment Manufacturers and Stationary Distributors. Highest Brand Awareness among European buyers - more than 100 brands mentioned in over 20 European countries (including Germany, Russia and UK). Best Reliability, Price Competitiveness and Packaging & Environmental Credentials for all Mills supplying European Cut-size Paper buyers (including some non-European mills in Brazil, Indonesia, etc...) Over 220 pages of ratings, rankings, charts and analysis, in two reports. For further details on EMGE's most recent annual survey, please go to http://www.emge.com/, or contact me at iwan@emge.com / on +44 1872 581 000. (EMGE & Co. Ltd)

Marchesini Group S.p.A. announced the acquisition of Pharma and Cosmetic technology from...

2012-02-06T00:00:00+01:00

... PRB S.p.A. The acquisition includes technology for secondary packaging (wrappers, case packers, cartoners and palletizers) of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Although packaging is an integral part of Marchesini Group product line, this acquisition will allow additional packaging platforms to be offered as highly integrated system solutions inside pharmaceutical and cosmetic markets. (Marchesini Group)

Metso-supplied containerboard line starts up at Saica Containerboard in the UK

2012-02-03T00:00:00+01:00

The Metso-supplied complete containerboard production line, PM 11, for Saica Containerboard UK Ltd., successfully came on stream on January 15, 2012 at Partington, near Manchester in the United Kingdom. The record-breaking start-up speed was 1,105 m/min with a basis weight of 95 g/m2. Three days later, on January 18, the first sellable paper reels were produced and tested, leaving the mill and reaching the first customers shortly afterwards. Francisco Carilla, Industrial Projects Director, Saica, and Federico Asensio, Deputy Managing Director, Saica Paper, are both very satisfied with the Metso teams of all project stages:“In commercial proposals, design, construction, start-up and maintenance activities the Metso teams’ efforts responded to our requirements, taking into consideration our papermakers’ technical advice and previous projects experiences.” “We are sure the high level of cooperation achieved between Saica and Metso will create significant added value for the further optimization of the production line. This will allow Saica to deliver high-quality lightweight containerboard paper to our customers setting the standard for these grades in the UK and in Europe.” The new 8.2-m-wide PM 11 has an annual production capacity of approximately 400,000 tonnes of lightweight testliner and fluting grades in the basis weight range of 75 to 125 g/m2, out of 100% recycled raw material. The design speed is 1,700 m/min. Metso’s delivery included a complete OptiConcept board making line from headbox to reel with an approach flow system, pulpers, air systems, press section clothing as well as a high-capacity WinDrum Pro winder. A comprehensive Metso DNA automation package comprised process, machine and quality controls as well as machine condition monitoring. A Metso DNA process control system was also supplied for the mill’s new heat and power station and effluent treatment plant. Metso Mill Service will have full responsibility for the mill maintenance operations as well as for maintenance management of continuous improvement programs for the OCC stock preparation system, board production line, power stations and wastewater treatment plant at the Partington mill. (Metso Oyj)

FORTRESS PAPER ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF LEBEL-SUR-QUEVILLON PULP MILL ASSETS

2012-02-03T00:00:00+01:00

Fortress Paper Ltd. ("Fortress Paper" or the "Corporation") (TSX:FTP), is pleased to announce that it has, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Fortress Global Cellulose Ltd. ("Fortress Global"), signed an asset purchase agreement (the "APA") with 9109-3294 Quebec Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Quebec Ministere du Developpement economique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation ("9109"), and Domtar Inc., whereby Fortress Global will acquire the buildings, equipment and other ancillary property relating to the non-operating pulp mill located at Lebel-sur-Quevillon, Quebec (the "LSQ Mill") and 9109 will acquire the lands relating thereto. In connection with the acquisition, Fortress Global intends to enter into arrangements with 9109 whereby Fortress Global will have full and unconditional ownership and access rights to the LSQ Mill assets. Fortress Global intends to convert the LSQ Mill into a low cost dissolving pulp operation. Concurrently, Fortress Global will acquire a 30 megawatt non-operating cogeneration facility at the LSQ Mill which it intends to restart which will result in material net energy savings (income). An additional cogeneration project will provide up to 50 megawatts of total power for which the company is seeking a long-term power supply agreement with Hydro Quebec. Upon completion of the acquisition of the LSQ Mill, the Corporation intends to invest estimated capital expenditures of approximately $222 million to convert the non-operating northern bleached softwood kraft pulp mill into a low cost, high quality dissolving pulp mill and to increase the capacity of the cogeneration facility. In connection with the proposed capital expenditures, Fortress Paper has arranged certain financing initiatives to fund the conversion and cogeneration projects. The LSQ Mill is planned to have an annual production capacity of approximately 236,000 air dried metric tonnes (ADMT) and is expected to be completed in late 2013. The LSQ Mill would significantly increase Fortress Paper's annual dissolving pulp production capacity to over 437,000 ADMT, initially targeting viscose fibre (rayon) products. Chad Wasilenkoff, Chief Executive Officer of Fortress Paper, states, "The acquisition of the LSQ Mill and its planned conversion into a dissolving pulp operation represents an important milestone towards Fortress Paper becoming a leader in the global dissolving pulp industry. This project demonstrates the insight and perseverance of the Quebec Government and Fortress Paper in developing a unique opportunity which has been latent for several years, but when completed will revitalize the community of Lebel-sur-Quevillon and the surrounding areas of Northern Quebec. We are very pleased to be able to partner with Investissement Quebec on this project to build from our recent successful conversion of the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill, and also look forward to working closely with the city of Lebel-sur-Quevillon." (Fortress Paper Ltd)

Metsä Tissue receives EU grant for low carbon manufacturing

2012-02-03T00:00:00+01:00

Metsä Tissue has been awarded a grant of over €400 000 by the European Commission as part of its Sustainable Industry Low Carbon (SILC) Scheme. Metsä Tissue is participating in the scheme with its Sustainable Low Carbon Tissue Manufacturing Project. The project’s main target is to analyse and develop concepts for the optimisation of heat recovery systems at all tissue paper mills operated by Metsä Tissue. The mills will adopt the template successfully established at two German mills in 2009-2010. The project is part of the company’s Tissue 20 project, which aims to implement energy-saving actions to achieve a combined saving equal to 20 per cent of the company’s 2007-level energy consumption by the end of 2012. Metsä Tissue’s project was one of only two projects to pass all the strict thresholds defined by the European Commission. The Commission confirms that the requirements were extremely strict in order to assure the quality of the accepted projects. “This grant enables us to radically speed up the project realisation time,” says Rudi Staszewski, Project Manager and Energy Efficiency Coordinator at Metsä Tissue. “The forthcoming efficiency improvements are important steps mitigating climate change. This grant will give us an extra boost, enabling us to channel more resources into the valuable energy efficiency work being done at Metsä Tissue,” confirms Jarkko Kaplin, Vice President, Purchasing and Energy at Metsä Tissue. Metsä Tissue will be publishing the project results and will consult other companies and organisations on themes related to energy efficiency. The final report will be published at the end of the project. (Metsä Tissue Corp.)

CORNER BROOK PULP AND PAPER INITIATES RIGHTSIZING PLAN

2012-02-03T00:00:00+01:00

As previously announced, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper started implementing a rightsizing plan as part of its strategy to improve its competitiveness. Throughout the day yesterday, the Company met with union executives to announce the immediate layoff of nine employees, as well as a gradual reduction of 33 additional positions and four vacancies that will not be filled. This announcement is the first step in an ongoing process to reduce labour costs. In order for the Mill to survive and be competitive, it must rank within the first quartile of the industry. To achieve this goal, it must reduce its workforce accordingly. Therefore, the Company will reassess its manning needs in the coming weeks and months to make further labour force adjustments. Corner Brook Pulp and Paper will make every effort to minimize the impact of its rightsizing process on employees and their families. (Kruger Inc.)