Bekaert Solaronics will supply Hangzhou Dongda Paper Co. Ltd with a 3-rows infrared GemDryer® and one Energy Recovery System (ERS) for coat drying on its PM2. This order comes just after the installation in 2016 of two GemDryer® and two ERS after-press and existing coater on the PM1 of Zhejiang Dongda Paper Co., Ltd.  Dongda Paper manufactures coated recycled board.

Bekaert Solaronics has a long-lasting experience in the optimization of non-contact drying systems. The combination of the GemDryer® with the ERS will help to increase the machine speed-up after press and coating stations and realize significant energy savings by using directly the exhaust from the infrared dryers as an energy source for the air dryer.

Moreover, thanks to their compactness and coupled with the high performance Gem12+ emitters, the GemDryer® systems meet the customer needs in terms of high power density, drying flexibility and efficiency and ease of maintenance.

About Zhejiang Dongda Paper Co.,Ltd
Zhejiang Dongda Paper Co. Ltd is a major producer of coated white cartonboard and paper in Zhejiang Province. The company was founded in 1999, and its annual production capacity is 400,000 tons.

About Hangzhou Dongda Paper Co., Ltd
Founded in 2003, Hangzhou Dongda Paper Co., Ltd is a top-grade coating white paper board’s manufacturer located at Spring River Street, Fuyang City in China. The paper mill produces duplex board with white or grey back and coated duplex board. Covering an area of more than 70,000 square meters, the annual production capacity is more than 100,000 tons.

About Bekaert and Bekaert Solaronics
Bekaert is a world market and technology leader in steel wire transformation and coating technologies. We pursue to be the preferred supplier for our steel wire products and solutions by continuously delivering superior value to our customers worldwide. Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is a global company with almost 30 000 employees worldwide, headquarters in Belgium and € 4.4 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1967, Bekaert Solaronics supplies customized drying and heating systems based on gas and electrical infrared technology to a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1 000 systems have been installed worldwide. The company also provides maintenance services and is available to assist on upgrades or improved energy efficiency of existing systems.

International technology Group ANDRITZ has combined its innovative IoT (Internet of Things) solutions, which are field-proven in many reference plants, with immediate effect under the technology brand “Metris – Industrial IoT Solutions”. Metris technologies are the very latest state-of-the-art in the IoT/Industry 4.0 sector and can be fully tailored to individual customer requirements.

Substantial customer benefits

Based on extensive and long-term experience as a supplier of technologies and systems for various industries, ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of intelligent, digital solutions that provide significant support to customers in achieving their production and corporate goals:

• Enhancing plant efficiency and profitability
• Optimizing the use of resources
• Constant and highest product quality
• Avoiding production downtime
• Maximum user-friendliness, for example easy control via smartphone or tablet PC

Metris is based on three pillars of technology: Smart Sensors, Big Data, and Augmented Reality.
In addition to the use of conventional Smart Sensor technologies for analysis of measurements and signals, ANDRITZ offers micro and wireless sensors as well. This can be used to optimize operation of the plants or systems by analyzing specific parameters that are freely selected by the customer.

Metris – Industrial IoT Solutions: technology brand of the ANDRITZ GROUP for innovative IoT solutions for various industries Photo - Andritz

In the Big Data sector, Metris products calculate any deviations in production in advance by means of field-proven simulation processes and use them to derive the control actions required. In this way, for example, production downtime can be avoided or the use of consumables reduced.

With Augmented Reality applications, information is made visible where it is needed, which is on the spot at the plant itself. The technology focuses on showing the information in context so that the operating personnel gets the best possible support, particularly for complex control actions.

ANDRITZ OPP: successful IoT solution already in use for many years

Over ten years ago, ANDRITZ developed OPP (Optimization of Process Performance) – a system to optimize equipment and plants in the pulp and paper industry – for the PULP & PAPER business area and has continued to improve it further on the basis of customer experience. The OPP system detects any anomalies and deviations in pulp and paper production at an early stage by analyzing production data. Sheet breaks or other adverse effects on production can thus be predicted at an early stage.

As a result, countermeasures can be implemented in good time, guaranteeing reliable production and also optimizing operations and the use of resources. ANDRITZ OPP systems are being used successfully all over the world. Large corporations like Metsä Fibre, Smurfit Kappa, or Fibria have relied on the success of the OPP system for many years.

Now ANDRITZ has developed OPP further for use in other business areas and is offering solutions for different sectors. The technologies used are adapted to the requirements and needs of each individual customer.

Gerhard Schiefer, head of ANDRITZ AUTOMATION: “With Metris, we are combining all of the ANDRITZ GROUP’s IoT solutions under a single technology brand that stands for innovation and know-how. We offer scalable, multi-branch IoT solutions down to machine level that can be used for new and also existing machines and systems and support our customers substantially in achieving their goals in terms of productivity and efficiency in the best possible way.”

The ANDRITZ GROUP

ANDRITZ is a globally leading supplier of plants, equipment, and services for hydropower stations, the pulp and paper industry, the metalworking and steel industries, and for solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors as well as for animal feed and biomass pelleting. Other important business segments include automation and service business. In addition, the international group is also active in the energy generating sector (steam boiler plants, biomass boilers, recovery boilers, and gasification plants) and in environmental technology (flue gas cleaning plants), and offers equipment for the production of nonwovens, dissolving pulp, and panelboard (MDF). The publicly listed technology Group is headquartered in Graz, Austria, and has a staff of approximately 25,200 employees. ANDRITZ operates more than 250 sites in over 40 countries.

ANDRITZ AUTOMATION

More than 2,000 ANDRITZ employees worldwide develop automation solutions and products for digitization and
networking of systems and components. ANDRITZ AUTOMATION helps industrial facilities around the world to realize their full potential by maximizing output, minimizing costs, and optimizing operations. The experienced ANDRITZ
AUTOMATION team focuses on the design of electrical, control, and instrumentation systems, drawing on some of the world’s leading simulation, advanced process control, and operator training tools.

International technology Group ANDRITZ has signed a contract for acquisition of Paperchine, Inc., owned by AstenJohnson Holdings Ltd., headquartered in Charleston, SC. Paperchine and its subsidiaries have approximately 180 employees in total and manufacturing facilities in the USA (Rockton, IL, Springfield, MA, and Tucker, GA), Canada (Vancouver), Thailand (Bangkok), and Germany (Maintal). The purchase is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities and is expected to be closed by the end of June 2017.

Paperchine is a global supplier of highly engineered equipment and services to the paper industry’s leading manufacturers. For ANDRITZ, the acquisition of Paperchine strengthens its presence in North America and adds new products, such as the horizontal GapFormer, SigmaPro headbox, dewatering elements (former Johnson Foils), moisturizer (former VIB), and related service to its offerings for international clients. “We are very excited about this complementary acquisition that extends the ANDRITZ product range for paper and board machines,” says Michael Pichler, SVP ANDRITZ Global Pulp Drying and Paper Division Manager.

AstenJohnson CEO, Kevin Frank, comments: “The sale of Paperchine fits with our strategy to focus on growth in technical textiles, including paper machine clothing, advanced fabric, and nonwovens. Our friends and associates at Paperchine have successfully positioned the company as a leading global brand. They will have the opportunity to continue to grow with the support of ANDRITZ, while building on the strong foundation they have established as a part of the AstenJohnson family.”

The two companies are excited to be working together on a formal marketing alliance with the equipment supplied by Paperchine and ANDRITZ to better support paper industry customers. More details will be forthcoming as the agreement is finalized.

The ANDRITZ GROUP

ANDRITZ is a globally leading supplier of plants, equipment, and services for hydropower stations, the pulp and paper industry, the metalworking and steel industries, and for solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors as well as for animal feed and biomass pelleting. Other important business segments include automation and service business. In addition, the international Group is also active in the power generating sector (steam boiler plants, biomass boilers, recovery boilers, and gasification plants) and in environmental technology (flue gas cleaning plants) and offers equipment for the production of nonwovens, dissolving pulp, and panelboard as well as recycling plants. The publicly listed technology Group is headquartered in Graz, Austria, and has a staff of approximately 25,200 employees. ANDRITZ operates more than 250 sites in over 40 countries.

About AstenJohnson

AstenJohnson is a global manufacturer of pulp & paper machine clothing, advanced and filtration fabrics, filaments, and nonwoven fabrics for filtration, automotive, cure-in-place piping and composites. As a supplier to the paper industry since 1790, it has a thorough knowledge of technical textiles and processes – and knows how to apply its expertise to help customers be more profitable. The company employs approximately 2,000 people. Its corporate headquarters are in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER is a leading global supplier of complete plants, systems, equipment, and comprehensive services for the production and processing of all types of pulp, paper, tissue, and cardboard. The technologies cover the processing of logs, annual fibers, and waste paper; the production of chemical pulp, mechanical pulp, and recycled fibers; the recovery and reuse of chemicals; the preparation of paper machine furnish; the production of paper, tissue, and cardboard; the calendering and coating of paper; as well as the treatment of reject materials and sludge. The service offering includes system and machine modernization, rebuilds, spare and wear parts, on-site and workshop services, optimization of process performance, maintenance and automation solutions, as well as machine relocation and second-hand equipment. Biomass, steam, and recovery boilers, as well as gasification plants for power generation, flue gas cleaning plants, plants for the production of nonwovens, dissolving pulp, and panelboard (MDF), as well as recycling plants are also part of this business area.

Valmet will supply a moisturizer system to Schumacher Poledno's corrugated line in Bukowiec, Poland. The Valmet IQ Moisturizer with two beams will enable the mill to improve corrugated board quality and reduce production losses caused by warped board. The system will be started up in July 2017.

The order is included in Valmet's second quarter 2017 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed. Typically, the order value of these kinds of automation system deliveries is below EUR one million.

The order was preceded by a successful trial of the Valmet moisturizer beams in late 2016 on the customer's 2.8-meter-wide production line.

"We had good experience with re-moisturizing high-grammage 5-ply boards with another device. However, the patented nozzles of the Valmet IQ Moisturizer provide a fine water mist instead of a water jet onto the board and thus offer better controllability. We can now use the device for all board grades without having the negative impact of water stripes," comments Slawomir Kubinski, Maintenance Manager at Schumacher Poledno.

"We are very pleased that the Schumacher team gave us the opportunity to present the advantages of Valmet IQ quality controls for the first time in Poland. Poland has a strong corrugated board market, consisting of both liner production and a high number of corrugated lines. It was great to get positive feedback from the Schumacher team about the improvements already during the first trials," states Christian Kallich, Country Manager, Central and Eastern Europe, Automation, Valmet.       

Technical information about Valmet IQ Moisturizer

Valmet IQ Moisturizer is the industry's most advanced family of moisturizing systems. The air-atomized micro-droplet nozzle, combined with a linear water control valve and an electromechanical actuator with position feedback, is an application-matched solution for corrugated board makers to correct all kinds of warping, decrease cracking tendency and optimize glue consumption.

Information about the customer Schumacher Group

Schumacher Poledno is part of Schumacher Packaging Group, one of the largest family-run manufacturers of corrugated and solid boards. It operates 15 plants at 13 locations in Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. In 2016, the group had an annual turnover of EUR 500 million.

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 2016 were approximately EUR 2.9 billion. Our 12,000 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.

Global demand for functional and barrier coatings in paper and paperboard applications, is forecast to grow by 4.9% year-on-year to $5.18 billion by 2022.

Exclusive data from the new Smithers Pira report – The Future of Functional and Barrier Coatings for Paper and Board to 2022 [http://www.smitherspira.com/industry-market-reports/paper/paper-packaging/the-future-of-functional-and-barrier-coatings] determines that future growth will be driven by a resurgent global outlook and the greater penetration of into transition economies. The Asia-Pacific market will represent over 54% of worldwide functional and barrier coatings use by 2022, up from 46% in 2012, with Japan the only major economy in the region expected to have a reduced demand. China leads the way with 34.2% of world consumption.

Peter A. Signoretti, author of the report, comments: “There are many demands from the market that require a growing number of substantial advances in technology, leading to greater innovation at numerous levels. Market demands for more sustainable packaging are increasing, as are regulatory requirements that are forcing companies to consider new alternatives.

“The rate of technology change continues to challenge the industry, and the packaging industry continues to demand new solutions from functional and barrier coating suppliers. When implementing new and innovative technologies suppliers will be required to stay relevant to the market.”

The food and beverage market will continue to dominate demand for paper and paperboard packaging, and the need for functional and barrier properties. Aseptic packaging continues to expand the use of aluminium foil as a barrier coating for paperboard packaging, while water-based, other high-barrier coatings and biopolymers are expected to make inroads into more traditional petroleum-based wax and plastic laminate paperboard products for fresh food bakery, frozen food and takeaway applications. Novel water-based alternative solutions to silicone in baked goods markets and safer solutions to replace fluorochemicals will continue to be active.

Cost will continue to drive the market to search for innovative approaches to replace fibre content. The use of micro-fibrillated cellulose and functional coatings will reduce the amount of fibre needed, while maintaining package strength and integrity. Paper and paperboard laminations will be looked at harder for these types of applications. Paper converters are under pressure from consumer brands to reduce waste,

emissions, volatile chemicals and any hazardous processes. This is putting pressure on packaging companies to provide products with safer and more sustainable functional and barrier coating options.

The ever-growing e-commerce market will also play a role in future growth, and functional and barrier coating technology will be expected to provide the properties needed to ship more products directly to shoppers worldwide. Food products in particular will need insulating, and lower cost and sustainable products are being sought to replace non-sustainable materials like expanded polystyrene, wax, polyethylene, and polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC). The potentially expanded use of drone delivery will also require tougher and innovative packaging alternatives.

The Future of Functional and Barrier Coatings for Paper and Board to 2022 [http://www.smitherspira.com/industry-market-reports/paper/paper-packaging/the-future-of-functional-and-barrier-coatings] is based on a combination of in-depth primary and secondary research. Primary research included refinement of Smithers Pira’s databases on paper and board packaging throughout the world and interviews targeting key decision makers.

This exclusive content was contextualized and integrated and integrated with secondary research drawn from third-party databases and historical data – including official statistics, trade associations, trade directories, market reports, journals, websites, and industry contacts – and detailed analyses of economic data.

Smithers Pira is the worldwide authority on packaging, paper and print industry supply chains. Established in 1930, Smithers Pira provides strategic and technical consulting, testing, intelligence and events to help clients gain market insights, identify opportunities, evaluate product performance and manage compliance. For more information please visit www.smitherspira.com

‘Paper for Perfectionists’ in graphic design and fine printing

The PERGRAPHICA® portfolio of premium uncoated fine papers from Mondi is now available in Spain through paper merchant SET. PERGRAPHICA® is designed for the exacting needs of the creative and commercial print industries. It provides excellent printability on a choice of textures, shades and weights. Produced by the Mondi Neusiedler mill in Austria, PERGRAPHICA® is FSC® and EU Ecolabel certified.
 
PERGRAPHICA® complements Mondi’s offering at the high end of its professional print portfolio. It is called ‘Paper for Perfectionists’ because it fulfils the most demanding requirements for sophisticated and elegant printed documents. Graphic designers, advertising agencies and fine book publishers are just a few of the creative industries that will appreciate PERGRAPHICA®’s variety of options: two textures (Rough and Smooth), three shades (High White, Classic and Natural) and six grammages between 90 and 300 g/m2.

Joan Saliner, Managing Director of SET, commented on the decision to offer this portfolio for the first time in Spain: “PERGRAPHICA® arrived at the right moment when our sales force was asking for a design paper to present to the market. I fell in love with all the marketing created around PERGRAPHICA®: very elegant and charming catalogues that send the right message to the market of what PERGRAPHICA® represents.”
 
As a hybrid paper, PERGRAPHICA® works well with all printing technologies. It delivers consistent, high-quality results whether used for offset or digital printing. It is also well-suited to a variety of post-print processing such as cellophaning, embossing, creasing, die-cutting and more. PERGRAPHICA® is available in standard folio formats 64x90 cm SG/LG, 72x102 cm SG/LG and other folio formats upon request.
 
PERGRAPHICA® is a Mondi Green Range product – one of many that support customers in going green. It is FSC® certified for responsible forestry, bears the EU’s Ecolabel and is produced exclusively in an ISO 14001-certified mill. It is also the only design paper brand included in the WWF’s ‘Check Your Paper’ resource for third-party audited, environmentally friendly pulp and paper products (checkyourpaper.panda.org).
 
Local distribution partners add to customer convenience
 
Mondi uses a network of distribution partners to sell PERGRAPHICA® in certain European markets. Customers can obtain samples and place orders through their local paper merchant. In many European countries clients can obtain samples and purchase PERGRAPHICA® through local distribution companies. In central and eastern Europe, it is sold through Europapier. It is available in Germany from Paper Union, in Italy from Burgo Distribuzione, in Russia from Double V, and now in Spain from SET.

We are Mondi: IN TOUCH EVERY DAY

Mondi is an international packaging and paper Group, employing around 25,000 people across more than 30 countries. Our key operations are located in central Europe, Russia, North America and South Africa. In 2016, Mondi had revenues of €6.7 billion and a return on capital employed of 20.3%.

We are fully integrated across the packaging and paper value chain - from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and compound plastics, to developing effective and innovative industrial and consumer packaging solutions. With over 100 products customised into more than 100,000 solutions, we offer more than you may expect. Leading brands around the world rely on our innovative technologies and products across a variety of industries such as agriculture; automotive; building and construction; chemicals and dangerous goods; food and beverages; graphic and photographic; home and personal care; medical and pharmaceutical; office and professional printing; packaging and paper converting; pet care; retail and e-commerce; and shipping and transport.

We believe sustainable development makes good business sense. It's integral to our responsible and profitable growth, and embedded in everything we do, every day. We continue to look for ways to do more with less, promote the responsible management of ecosystems, develop and inspire our people, and enhance the value that our sustainable product solutions create.

Mondi has a dual listed company structure, with a primary listing on the JSE Limited for Mondi Limited under the ticker code MND and a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange for Mondi plc, under the ticker code MNDI. We have been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2008 and the JSE's Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index since 2007.

About Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper

Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper is part of Mondi Group. In 4 paper mills in Austria, Slovakia, and Russia Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper produces environmentally sound office and professional printing papers tailored to the latest professional digital print technology. The company complies with the strictest international certification standards to support sustainable production processes through the responsible management of forest, water and air resources. All Mondi uncoated fine papers belong to the Green Range of papers that are FSC^® or PEFC™ certified, 100% recycled or bleached entirely without chlorine.

Its renowned brands such as Color Copy, DNS^®, IQ, MAESTRO^®, NAUTILUS^®, BIO TOP 3^®, PERGRAPHICA^® or Snegurochka are used in office environments on laser or inkjet printers and by professional printers on digital or offset presses to create brochures, transactional material, folders, invitations, business cards, letterheads or other high-impact communication.

At the Pulire exhibition, Lucart presents an example of circular economy unprecedented in Italy 

The sustainability and innovation of this product have allowed Lucart to win the coveted EU Ecolabel award

Can a recycled paper product be supplied inside a dispenser made with reclaimed materials? Now it can: this is the successful case history presented by Lucart at Pulire, the largest professional cleaning industry trade show in Italy, a world-leading event in the sector held in Verona from 23rd to 25th May.

Thanks to the Fiberpack® project, the innovative and sustainable project developed in collaboration with Tetra Pak®, Lucart can now recycle 100% of the components of a beverage carton, allocating 74% of cellulose fibres to the production of recycled paper products and the remaining 26%, consisting of 22% polyethylene and 4% aluminium, to the production of AL.PE.®, a recovered material intended for industries that produce building materials, urban furniture elements and objects of everyday use. Lucart used this material to create a full range of washroom area dispensers, combining the concept of sustainability with the three key elements that are most in-demand on the market: manageability, design and reliability.

This way, Lucart achieved a major goal: offering a superior quality recycled paper product contained in a dispenser made from recycled materials, thus providing an actual example of circular economy also for beverage cartons.

“Circular economics: The Future of Production, Consumption and the Entire Life Cycle. A Challenge for Businesses and the Community": this is the title of the conference promoted by Afidamp (the Italian Association of Professional Cleaning Equipment Manufacturers), which saw the participation of Lucart with a speech by Francesco Pasquini, Sales and Marketing Director of Lucart's Away From Home Business Unit.

"Our aim was to provide a practical example of sustainable innovation through solutions that stand out for being both original and effective. Two innovative raw materials have been combined to create two product ranges, which, as a single system, are capable of bringing the sustainability of the Lucart Professional brand in the daily business of customers in the Away From Home market," said Francesco Pasquini, Sales and Marketing Director of Lucart’s Away From Home Business Unit.

This project focused on sustainability and innovation is the reason why Lucart was chosen by Ecolabel – which, today, celebrates its 25 years of activity at a European level – as the winner of the Ecolabel Award on the occasion of the second edition of the EU Ecolabel National Awards. 
EU Ecolabel is the ecological quality brand of the European Union (EU Ecolabel) for products and services, which, in addition to guaranteeing high performance standards, are characterised by a low environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle.

Lucart Professional received this prestigious award for category B, which is dedicated to the most innovative products and/or services from an environmental point of view, in terms of design, use or initiatives taken.

"We are very proud to receive this prestigious award, which is also a reward for our determination in pursuing the circular business model. It is no surprise that in 1998 we were the first Italian company to obtain the Ecolabel certification and, therefore, to believe that product sustainability should be achieved by taking into account the entire life cycle of a product," stated Guido Pasquini, Lucart’s Commercial Director - "We sincerely hope that the Ecolabel certification will increasingly become a benchmark for this type of economy.”

Lucart 
Lucart, a multinational Italian industrial group founded in 1953 by the initiative of Pasquini’s family, is leader in Europe of mono-glazed paper, tissue products (paper articles intended for daily consumption, such as toilet paper, kitchen paper, napkins, tablecloths, handkerchiefs, etc.) and airlaid products. The company's production activities are distributed over 3 Business Units (Business to Business, Away from Home and Consumer) operating in the development and sales of various products with distinctive brands such as Tenderly, Tutto, Grazie Natural and Smile (Consumer area), Lucart Professional, Tenderly Professional, Fato and Velo (Away from Home area). Lucart's production capacity is more than 300,000 tons of paper/year, split over 10 continuous machines and 58 converting lines. The consolidated turnover is equal to about € 400 million, with a total workforce of 1,300 employees, 7 production plants (5 in Italy, 1 in France and 1 in Hungary). For further information, please visit the website www.lucartgroup.com

The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) announced Jane Molony as its new president. Molony, executive director of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), will serve in this capacity for the next two years.    

“Across the world, wood, paper and tissue products touch lives every day in ways that often go unnoticed. Without our industries’ products, many people would not be able to teach, read or learn; businesses would not be able to ship merchandise, or protect goods; nor would people be able to improve their lives through the basics of personal hygiene.

“Forest and paper products also have a great environmental and economic story to tell. It is a story that has been proudly told by the ICFPA for 15 years. I am particularly honoured to take charge of this group of leaders,” says Molony.

Molony was elected at the ICFPA’s annual meeting in Berlin, Germany last week. The meeting of 18 representatives from ICFPA members associations discussed future activities, cooperation and sustainability-related issues. 

Molony succeeds Elizabeth de Carvalhaes, president and CEO of the Brazilian Tree Industry, who served as ICFPA president for the past three years.

“It has been a privilege to help the ICFPA continue its legacy of advocacy on important issues of interest of this global industry, and I have put significant efforts in communication. I believe this industry has a remarkable story to tell and we are just scratching the surface when it comes to public awareness and understanding of the sustainable benefits of the global forest products industry,” said Carvalhaes. “It was a great pleasure and honour to be part of this important forum and network of leaders and Ibá will continue to advocate towards the global forest industry and the plantations based industry locally and globally.”

“On behalf of the entire ICFPA, I would like to thank Elizabeth for her leadership and guidance,” adds Molony. “I look forward to continuing to work with her and the other members of the steering committee to ensure a strong global forest products industry.”

The ICFPA represents more than 30 national and regional forest and paper associations around the world.

For more information about the sustainability of the forest and paper industry, visit www.thepaperstory.co.za and icfpa.org. www.forestryexplained.co.za is also worth a visit.

ABOUT PAMSA

The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) is the local industry association for manufacturers of pulp, paper, board, tissue and recycled paper. PAMSA promotes the production, consumption and recovery of the renewable fibre that is paper, both locally and in collaboration with industry associations around the world.

Key to PAMSA’s agenda is upholding sustainable forest management and paper production as an efficient and cost-effective solution to climate change mitigation. Core focus areas include lobbying for fair and applicable legislation, boosting education and skills development as well as investing in research and innovation.

WestRock Company (NYSE:WRK) has just announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire certain operations of U.S. Corrugated, a large independent manufacturer of corrugated products for packaging and displays.

WestRock will acquire five corrugated converting facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana from U.S. Corrugated, through which it provides a comprehensive suite of products and services to customers in a variety of end markets, including food & beverage, pharmaceuticals and consumer electronics. WestRock will not acquire U.S. Corrugated’s facilities in California, Georgia, and in Ashland, Ohio, nor its affiliates in New Jersey and Tennessee.

“This acquisition will enhance our capabilities to serve customers across the Midwest, increase our integration and improve the margins of our corrugated packaging business,” said Steve Voorhees, chief executive officer of WestRock.  “We will be pleased to have the U.S. Corrugated employees at these five facilities join WestRock.”

“When the transaction closes, we expect to realize significant synergies from supply chain optimization, better procurement, and integrating approximately 105,000 tons of the containerboard converted annually by the acquired facilities and another 50,000 tons under a long-term contract with a newly created company formed from the remaining assets of U.S. Corrugated,” said Jeff Chalovich, president, Corrugated Packaging, WestRock.

WestRock will pay a total consideration of approximately $192 million, representing an EBITDA multiple of 5 times on a post-synergy basis. The consideration includes a combination of cash and WestRock common stock. The transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings in year one, and is expected to close in June 2017.

About WestRock
WestRock (NYSE:WRK) partners with our customers to provide differentiated paper and packaging solutions that help them win in the marketplace. WestRock’s 36,000 team members support customers around the world from more than 250 operating and business locations spanning North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Learn more at www.westrock.com

Technological expertise will be on display as Fabio Perini Brazil demonstrates its complete solution capabilities for the South American tissue converting market when Tissue World convenes in Sao Paulo, Brazil from May 31 to June 2. Fabio Perini Brazil is the only supplier of tissue converting and packaging equipment with full-scale capabilities in South America. Its customer service and replacement part staff are unrivaled and ready to support manufacturers in Brazil and the rest of South America.

Constellation™, the company’s newest converting technology will be available at the conference. Launched in June 2015, Constellation™ introduced a new era in tissue technology and has quickly become a success on a global scale: in just 18 months, over 50 lines have been sold throughout the 5 continents. Constellation™ is a solution that offers unprecedented winding quality and opportunities for product differentiation. Log growth during winding is managed by an innovative algorithm that characterizes Constellation™ technology, which result in greater control, quality and production efficiencies, previously unavailable in the industry.

Technology is not limited to Fabio Perini Brazil’s products as the company expands customer service capabilities with its Weareable remote support service. While technical support is always available to customers, reality makes it difficult to send a technician to every location regardless of distance in a timely manner. The Weareable technology changes this. All that is required is an Internet connection. The Weareable helmet uses bi-directional audio-visual capabilities, allowing a Fabio Perini Brazil technician to remotely examine the issue and offer a solution in real time. The innovative approach to addressing service issues demonstrates Fabio Perini Brazil’s commitment to superior technical support while actively pursuing solutions in keeping with Industry 4.0 technology.

Lastly, technology’s impact on the global tissue market is in the midst of a new era. Fabio Perini Director of Sales for South America, Dineo Silverio, will deliver the conference’s keynote address: “The Global Tissue Market has Entered a New and Exciting Phase,” on June 2. Innovations such as Constellation™, remote wearables and other technology are changing the tissue converting industry. These will allow manufacturers to remain competitive on the shelf, decrease manufacturing costs while maintaining a positive customer experience and brand image. Silverio noted this paradigm shift began 20 months ago and his address will narrate how Fabio Perini is changing the way tissue rolls are produced in new and exciting ways all around the world.

COMPANY PROFILE

Fabio Perini S.p.A. was born in 1966 in Lucca, Italian hub and world tissue production and converting technology center. Today, with its 5 production facilities in Italy, the United States, Brazil and China, it helps its customers stay competitive and grow thanks to complete production solutions for converting and packaging. Technology, globalization and ongoing, continuous investments in research have led the company to stand out internationally and to be acknowledged as a true excellence in the world of tissue.

www.fabioperini.com