BillerudKorsnäs has just announced that Mikael Andersson is appointed Senior Vice President for Board, one of the company's three divisions in the new organisation. The new organisation takes effect on the 1st of October.

Earlier this year, BillerudKorsnäs announced that the company will create three divisions with full profit and loss responsibility in order to more effectively realise the company's growth strategy. The three divisions will be Board, Paper and Solutions.

Mikael AnderssonMikael Andersson, today Senior Vice President for the current business area Corrugated Solutions, is appointed Senior Vice President Board. Corrugated Solutions will when the new organisation takes effect be split and the parts integrated in respectively Board and Solutions. Mikael Andersson will be, and is already today, part of the company's senior management team.

- "I am very happy that Mikael Andersson has accepted the offer to assume the role of Senior Vice President Board, one of our three divisions. Mikael has proven to be a strong leader as well as team player in the role of head of the business area Corrugated Solutions. I am convinced that Mikael is the right person to continue to develop and create growth in the Board division," says Petra Einarsson, President and CEO BillerudKorsnäs.

- "It is with great excitement I take on the role as Senior Vice President for the Board division. BillerudKorsnäs is on a journey to challenge conventional packaging for a sustainable future and hence also a growth journey. On this journey, liquid board, carton board, liner, fluting and other product categories included in the Board division are essential pieces. I am looking forward to developing this part of BillerudKorsnäs´ business together with my new team", says Mikael Andersson.

Mikael will take up his new position on October 1st, when the new organisation takes effect. The other two divisions´ Senior Vice Presidents are expected to be appointed within short.

Valmet has been chosen as a supplier by Ahlstrom-Munksjö for the upgrade of the recovery boiler and surrounding systems in the Billingsfors mill in Sweden. The main objective is to increase the capacity of the recovery boiler. The upgrade will also result in a better boiler availability and environmental performance.

The order was included in Valmet's second quarter 2018 orders received. The value of this kind of order is typically above EUR 10 million. The upgraded recovery boiler is planned to be started in the second half of 2019.

Valmet will bring major upgrades to the pulp mill's recovery boiler. The lower part will be replaced with a new pressure vessel based on the latest designs for Valmet's high-performing RECOX recovery boilers. New heating surfaces will be installed to increase the boiler's heat economy and enable a higher production of steam. Surrounding systems for combustion air, black liquor, smelt and green liquor will be upgraded.

Valmet has a very high focus on the management of health, safety and environment (HSE) and the delivery to Billingsfors also includes improvements that focus on worker safety and a better working environment in the boiler building.

"We are very happy and proud to have been chosen as supplier for this important upgrade and are really looking forward to working together with Billingsfors. We will bring the knowledge and technology of Valmet and will combine this with a solid partnership approach that brings the mill's performance forward," says Marcus Grundevik, Sales Manager at Valmet.

"We at Ahlstrom-Munksjö Billingsfors look forward to work with Valmet in the upgrade of our recovery boiler. This project is an important step for Billingsfors to meet the stricter environmental regulations through improved process combustion, reducing local air emissions. This investment is also key for improved efficiency in the mill including lower maintenance costs and higher pulp and insulation paper production," says Jonas Lindqvist, Plant Manager, Ahlstrom-Munksjö Paper AB Billingsfors.

Information about the customer Ahlstrom Munksjö

Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in fiber-based materials, supplying innovative and sustainable solutions to customers worldwide. Its offerings include decor paper, filter media, release liners, abrasive backings, nonwovens, electrotechnical paper, glass fiber materials, food packaging and labeling, tape, medical fiber materials and solutions for diagnostics. Ahlstrom-Munksjö's annual net sales are about EUR 2.2 billion and it employs 6,000 people. The Ahlstrom-Munksjö share is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and Stockholm. Read more at www.ahlstrom-munksjo.com

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Taison Pulp (Group) Co., Ltd. to supply two PrimeLineST W8 tissue machines, including stock preparation and automation systems, for their mill in Suzhou, Anhui province, China. The machines will produce up to 120,000 tons of tissue per year and are designed for grammages from 12 to 42 g/m² used for facial and toilet paper. Start-up is scheduled for 2019.

The two tissue machines have a design speed of 1,800 meters per minute and a paper width on reel of 5.6 meters, and they are equipped with the ANDRITZ PrimeControl automation system for an optimized production process.

“Photo: ANDRITZ”.

The combination of an 18ft PrimeDry Steel Yankee with the steam-heated hood enables highly efficient drying with substantial energy savings compared to conventional dryer sections with cast Yankee dryers and gas-heated hoods. The steel Yankee will be manufactured at ANDRITZ China’s Yankee business center in Foshan, which offers customers state-of-the-art manufacturing, local field service, and quality management.

The scope of supply also includes the stock preparation system, comprising two lines to process short fiber pulp and a mixture of bamboo and long fiber pulp as raw materials, as well as the approach system and Disc Filter Savealls for fiber recovery. Market pulp bales are dissolved in ANDRITZ FibreSolve FSV pulpers, which enable efficient slushing without damaging the fibers. Six ANDRITZ TwinFlo double disc refiners achieve superior fiber properties with regard to fiber length and fibrillation. ModuScreen HBE screens protect the tissue machine and ensure highest runability.

This order once again confirms ANDRITZ’s strong market position as one of the leading suppliers of machines and systems to the Chinese tissue industry.

Asia Symbol Paper Company has once again entrusted Pasaban with the design and manufacture of 2 paper sheeting machines which will become a part of the paper converting equipment at one of its plants.  

This is not the first time that Pasaban manufactures a folio sheeter for this factory located in the province of Guangdong, south-east of China. Therefore, for one of their latest projects (PM12), the factory has once again chosen Pasaban's technology and machinery.  

The Guangdong factory belongs to the April group, one of the largest cellulose and paper manufacturers in the world. It has a cut-size conversion line for the production and sale of high-quality copy paper. In 2017, due to the purchase of a new paper machine capable of producing 1,700 tons of paper a day, they found it necessary to complete the equipment with the latest technology conversion machinery that ensured a high-quality finished product.  

Pasaban's KB sheeters are the right solution for paper and cardboard factories.  

For the design of the cutters for the Asia Symbol factory, the characteristics of the manufactured paper were considered; high-quality copy and offset paper of 50 to 150 gsm. The result, a solution tailored to their needs, 2 KB 2000 cutters with 8 unwinders capable of producing at a speed of 320 m/min.  

Once again Asia Symbol banks on Pasaban's paper converting equipment in order to continue offering a high-quality product that places them among the world's largest cellulose and paper producers.

Valmet has received an order from Estonian Cell which will be delivered in two stages. In the first stage, Valmet will supply a conversion of the existing bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp plant, which will increase production and reduce steam, fresh water and chemical consumption. In the second stage, Valmet will deliver a slab press and conveyor systems with connecting control system. The new machinery will boost production capacity and make the line more cost-efficient. The second stage will increase the annual production volume.

Valmet's delivery is part of Estonian Cell's EUR 20 million growth investment program that will enable the company to achieve an annual production capacity of 185,000 tons and improve the plant's efficiency. In 2017, the production capacity of Estonian Cell was 171,708 tons of aspen pulp and all production was exported.

The order was included in Valmet's second quarter of 2018 orders received. A project of this size and scope is typically valued at EUR 5-10 million. The start-up is planned for the second quarter of 2019.

"We are ready to start with the first stage of the investment program which focuses on liquidating the bottlenecks of the production and wastewater treatment and improving efficiency. In the second stage, we have chosen to invest in another slab press from Valmet to increase our production capacity. The good experience from the earlier installed slab press, which increased availability and stabilized production, makes us confident that this investment will make us reach our set production target," says Lauri Raid, Mill Manager at Estonian Cell.

"We appreciate the long cooperation we have had around the BCTMP plant and the repeat order of a slab press. To see the plans being realized is something we are really looking forward to, as well as to be working together again in this new project," says Mikael Ehrnholm, Senior Product Specialist, Mechanical Fiber at Valmet.

Details about Valmet's delivery

The BCTMP plant conversion includes a mechanical steam separator, a new washing stage by a screw press with medium consistency pump and a new final washing stage before the flash dryer with heavy duty TwinRoll presses. Reconfiguration and reprogramming of the existing bleaching system with detailed automation engineering is also included. The new slab press is replacing the original slab press, which was a prototype that did not meet stability expectations. Mechanical installation of the slab press is included. Commissioning and start-up supervision are included for both stages.

About the customer Estonian Cell

Estonian Cell's Kunda aspen pulp mill launched production in 2006. With EUR 185 million, the facility boasts one of the biggest foreign greenfield investments made in Estonia over the course of the last decade. The company produces a high quality chemi-thermomechanical aspen pulp that is fully exported to different countries in Europe and Asia. The company employs 89 people directly and generates work for around 500 employees within its value chain. The sole owner of Estonian Cell is Heinzel Holding GmbH, a leading producer of market pulp and packaging papers from Austria.

Two of Toscotec’s AHEAD-2.0M tissue machines started up at Vinda Personal Care (Guangdong) in Yangjiang, Guangdong, PRC. They will increase the group’s annual production by over 60,000 tons. With these start-ups, Vinda kicked off production at its new Yangjiang mill, strategically located by Yangjiang Port in south-west Guangdong.

Toscotec’s AHEAD-2.0M lines feature a second generation TT SYD-18FT of 5,486 mm diameter and state-of-the-art energy saving technology included in the profitable TT DOES package (Drying Optimization for Energy Savings). The two tissue machines started up on the same day at the same time, proving the high degree of proficiency of the start-up teams.

Throughout six years of close collaboration, Toscotec and Vinda have honed their synergy and consolidated their partnership. Toscotec’s Customer Care and Project Manager Stefano Raffaelli said, “Our teams have reached a very high efficiency of cooperation. Together we have optimized the project timing, during both installation and commissioning. We cut down the duration of tests at the mill, thanks to the thorough checks we perform during pre-assembly at our factory, as an integral part of our quality guarantee”.

Vinda International’s Project Development Center Director, Mr. Liang Weixiong commented, “After three months of intensive work on site, it is a great satisfaction to see these start-ups hit the targets of the scheduled date and time. It is indeed the result of very careful preparation on all the machine’s functions”.

Stefano Raffaelli added, “For all our Vinda’s machines we implemented an efficient use of steam and condensate with different levels of energy recovery. This carefully balanced system ensures the lowest possible energy consumptions. The dedication and competence of the Vinda and Toscotec teams bring out the best of our technology. We achieved good results in terms of energy usage, as well as production increase with speed-ups and optimizations, all of which exceed the original objectives of the projects”.

Toscotec’s tissue lines are currently running at six of Vinda’s production bases across China, in Shandong, Hubei, Sichuan, Zhejiang and Guangdong.

In the coming months, Vinda will fire up another four Toscotec’s lines at its new paper mill in Xiaogan, Hubei province.

Valmet has been chosen as the supplier of a complete tissue production line by CMPC Tissue S.A. The tissue line will be installed at CMPC's Zarate mill in Argentina.

The new production line is planned to be started up in the fourth quarter of 2019, and it will add over 50,000 tons of high quality toilet and towel grades to the company's annual production. Valmet has previously delivered a Valmet Advantage DCT200 tissue line to the Talagante mill in Chile, a tissue machine to Altamira in Mexico and an Advantage ViscoNip rebuild to CMPC's Caieiras mill in Brazil.

The value of the order will not be disclosed. The order was included in Valmet's second quarter 2018 orders received.

"Our experience of running the Advantage DCT concept has been very good in terms of energy efficiency, production capacity and tissue quality. We are convinced that the new tissue line will support our market leading position in Argentina," says Pedro Muzzio Castelletto, Corporate Development Manager, Industrial & Supply Chain, CMPC Tissue.

"The Latin American tissue market is growing both in respect of capacity and quality. Valmet has the tissue making technologies to meet current and future demands of the market," says Johan Björn, Sales Director, Valmet. "We are very pleased that CMPC chose us as their supplier and selected Valmet's Advantage tissue technology to increase their current production in means of quality and capacity."

Technical information about the delivery

Valmet's delivery will comprise of a complete Advantage DCT200 tissue production line with stock preparation equipment and tissue machine including the most advanced technology options focused on a superior consistent quality, an energy and water efficient operation and cost competitive manufacturing setup. The scope will also include control systems, electrification, mill engineering as well as installation. The production line will be optimized to enhance final product quality and reduce energy consumption. The raw material for the new line will be virgin and DIP pulp.

About CMPC Tissue

CMPC is one of the leading pulp and paper companies in Latin America with operations in the fields of forestry products, wood pulp, paper and tissue. CMPC runs 23 tissue machines in seven countries with an annual production capacity of 700,000 tonnes of tissue products for the Latin American consumer and away from home market.

Just like two years ago, Emtec will attend the Tissue World Trade Show and Conference to be held at Istanbul Congress Center in September 2018. The German producer of innovative laboratory and online testing machines will be based on floor B5 at booth no. D171 together with its Turkish representative LABTEK.

Centerpiece of the booth will be the well-known TSA – Tissue Softness Analyzer which is used to reliably assess the Softness, Smoothness/Roughness and Stiffness as well as the overall Hand Feel of tissue and nonwoven materials.

Alongside with the TSA, Emtec will have the CAS touch! and FPA touch! on display. These instruments represent the most-modern charge measuring systems for the wet-end in tissue and paper production and are used to measure the interaction between particles or fibers with additives and process chemicals in the pulp suspension. The use of both instruments in the production process helps to optimize the utilization of chemicals with the objective to stabilize the process, to improve the product quality and to reduce cost.

Voith recently reached a deal with Copamex of Monterrey, México, for the installation of a BlueLine stock preparation system at their mill in Anáhuac, which is being converted to drive Copamex’s growth into the containerboard and packaging markets in México.

• New BlueLine stock preparation system from Voith is a key step in Copamex’s expansion plans
• After the new stock preparation system starts up in early 2019, the mill will output 260,000 metric tons of testliner and corrugated medium
• The system will utilize a variety of raw material including Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) and mixed waste

Previously, Copamex focused on printing and writing grade paper, but the new BlueLine stock preparation system from Voith is a key step in their expansion plans. The system will utilize a variety of raw material including Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) and mixed waste.

With its BlueLine Portfolio Voith is a full-line supplier of stock preparation components.

“By partnering with Voith, we’re working with the company that has the most knowledge in processing highly contaminated furnish, and this will assist us with successfully launching our growth in the containerboard and packaging markets in México,” said Alonso González, CEO, Copamex. “The Voith team consistently understands the needs of our projects and customizes our stock preparation systems accordingly.”

As the a full-line supplier, Voith and MERI will be providing Copamex with all of the elements of the stock preparation system, including reliable material handling with automatic wire cutting, reject compactors, sludge handling, water clarification and effluent treatment. Realizing the project different steps have been taken to limit energy and water consumption, as well as making waste management improvements.

When the new stock preparation system starts up in early 2019, the mill will output 260,000 metric tons of testliner and corrugated medium per year for use in containerboard production.

“Copamex is known for their quality, innovation and versatility. Earning their continued business speaks volumes about our relationship and our experience with this type of raw material,” said Michael Hmielewski, Vice President of Project Sales, Stock Preparation, Voith North America. “When we worked together on other projects, we worked beside Copamex throughout every step of the process and we look forward to supporting them again as we all bring our expertise to this new facility in Anáhuac.” 

Fabio Perini S.p.A. obtained by the Customs Authority the award of the status of AEO F -– Authorized Economic Operator Full for customs simplifications and safety/security.

The AEO authorization grants Fabio Perini the recognition of its status of customs reliability, valid at European level (but internationally recognized); the appointment is the result of a process of adjustment of internal procedures and successful audits, carried out by the certifying body, of the regulatory requirements related to customs compliance, keeping of accounting records, financial solvency and safety/security standards.

The direct and indirect benefits provided by AEO have an immediate, positive impact on the whole international logistic chain operated by Fabio Perini and its customers, such as:

• fewer document and safety controls
• priority shipment treatment
• better relations with Customs authorities
• rapidity in procedures
• fewer delays of shipments at borders, resulting in less time and costs and also less risk of theft and loss of goods, and of safety-related accidents

All this results in greater efficiency in customs procedures and, consequently, in the offer of customer services.

“The path to this achievement has been going on for about a year - said Paolo Sodero, Fabio Perini S.p.A’s responsible for Digitalization and Export Control Manager – involving almost all the company departments, and aligning all employees to this key world-class goal.”

This authorization, allowing the offer of better customer assistance, represents a major strength for Fabio Perini to keep its leading position in the global market of machinery for tissue production. In fact, Paolo Sodero commented: “Our Company is the only one in our sector to have achieved this type of authorization”.

In fact, as of today, the recipients of AEO F authorizations - excluding companies exclusively dealing in shipments and logistic and customs services operators – amounts to 400 companies, all representative of Italian excellence.