Ian Melin-Jones
Northern Pulp union shows goodwill to NewPage neighbors
Unionized workers at the now-idled NewPage Port Hawkesbury mill in Nova Scotia received a welcome Christmas present from fellow workers at the nearby Northern Pulp Nova Scotia mill. Local 440 of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union delivered a $20,000 donation from its members to the former NewPage Port Hawkesbury employees, according to a story in the Chronicle Herald on Dec. 13.
"We're making this donation to support our brothers who are out of work and we're trying to help them with the Christmas season," MacLaughlin said in a news release.
The donation works out to about $50 per recipient.
The NewPage newsprint and supercalendered mill has been closed since September, and is currently up for sale.
Metso introduces a solution for world’s wastewater treatment
Metso has developed a new technology with which municipal and industrial wastewater plants are able to improve their performance and reduce the amount of chemicals used in sludge drying process by even up to one third. The potential users of this innovation include all large wastewater treatment plants in the world.
The new technology features an advanced online measurement system for processing sludge, which is an integral part of wastewater treatment. Thanks to a measurement system based on LED and laser technologies, it is now possible to separate dry solids and water from each other more accurately and efficiently than before. In this way, the amount of water treated at a plant can be significantly increased and the amount of chemicals used in the sludge drying process can be decreased by 30%.
In addition to higher capacity and lower chemical costs, savings are gained as the transportation costs of the dry solids separated from sludge decrease. The further use of the dewatered sludge in energy production is also significantly more efficient, as dewatered sludge contains less water than before.
“The new technology developed by Metso offers the world’s water treatment plants an opportunity to improve their performance and thus gain major cost savings. A large North American wastewater treatment plant has calculated that it saves even up to 30% in its annual USD 2.5 million chemical costs,” says Timo Rantala, Product Manager, Metso’s Automation business line.
Global potential
“In the first phase, the new technology will most probably interest especially large wastewater plants in Western Europe and North America, where the level of automation is already high. It is these plants that often have major capacity issues and are under pressure to save costs. Interest in these kinds of solutions is growing in Asia, too,” Rantala comments.
In the past five years, Metso has strengthened its role as an expert in wastewater treatment, and is now the market leader in microwave technology measurements used in treatment processes. The know-how is partly backed by decade-long development work, which Metso has carried out in the paper industry and whose results can also be utilized in wastewater treatment.
Stora Enso signs EUR 150 million loan agreement
Stora Enso has signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for a EUR 150 million loan to be used for the new container board machine investment project at Ostrołęka Mill in Poland. The loan matures in 2023.
“Our co-operation with EIB is good and we are delighted with EIB’s continuing support for our strategically important investments. The investment at Ostrołęka will strengthen our competitive position in corrugated packaging in the growing markets of Central and Eastern Europe, and is one more step in building sustainable and profitable growth for the Group. The new container board machine with a modern product and greater capacity than the machine it replaces will not only renew our product offering, it will also improve our overall cost position through efficient internal supply of light-weight containerboard made from recycled fibre,” says Mats Nordlander, Executive Vice President, Packaging Business Area.
The main items for the Ostrołęka project have been procured and construction work is progressing as planned. The EUR 285 million container board machine investment project at Ostrołęka is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2013, as announced on 11 January 2011.
Kemira introduces new brand named products
Kemira is pleased to introduce KemEcal™ brand for its dispersant product line, in an effort to harmonize product names used in water-intensive industries. The change to the KemEcal™ name will also facilitate a reduction in the number of active trade names in the product line, thus improving product portfolio management and service to our customers.
“Kemira’s KemEcal dispersant technology has been used in the white pigments industry for over 40 years and is recognized as the leading technology for dispersion of pigments and mineral slurries,” says Kasia Millan, Product Line Manager from Kemira’s Oil & Mining segment. “Our broad product line offering and value-added technology serves not only the white pigments industry but also other mining operations where mineral dispersion and viscosity control can greatly benefit our customers’ processes.”
The KemEcal™ name will be applied to all Kemira dispersants including those used for Municipal & Industrial water treatment and Paper coating formulations.
Ecolab to Relocate German Offices
Ecolab today announced plans to relocate its German offices and research center in Düsseldorf to a new innovation hub in the city of Monheim am Rhein, 10 kilometers south of Düsseldorf. The new location, Im Weidental, will house Ecolab's European RD&E facility as well as its local sales and marketing functions.
The Monheim am Rhein facility will feature a customer innovation center, where Ecolab's innovative program and service solutions will be featured. Ecolab expects to begin relocating employees in November 2012 and finish in the first quarter of 2013.
"As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our business in Germany, it is an ideal time to announce our plans to move to an efficient new Innovation Center in Monheim am Rhein," said Phil Mason, president Europe, Middle East, Africa. "We chose the Monheim am Rhein location for its technical capabilities and for the additional space the facility will provide, which will enable us to co-locate key functions. This will help Ecolab promote further collaboration among our innovation teams and with customers to develop high-performing and sustainable solutions."
With 2011 annualized sales of $11 billion and more than 38,000 employees, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that provide and protect clean water, safe food, abundant energy and healthy environments. Ecolab delivers comprehensive programs and services to the food, energy, healthcare, industrial and hospitality markets in more than 160 countries. More Ecolab news and information are available at www.ecolab.com.
Adforum adds Paper Arabia to portfolio of events
Adforum, the world’s leading organiser of pulp and paper exhibitions, is teaming up with the well renowned organisers of Paper Arabia to become their Overseas Associate in Europe and the Americas. Paper Arabia is the most important pulp and paper event in the Middle East and is organised by Al Fajer Information & Services (AFIS). The next edition of Paper Arabia takes place in Dubai on October 1-3, 2012.
- This really strengthens our portfolio of world leading pulp and paper events and I am pleased that Adforum can now offer another important trade show to our customers. The Middle East is an exciting and up and coming market for many of the companies we know, says Mr Marcus Bergström, CEO of Adforum.
Adforum will be the Overseas Associate for Paper Arabia in Europe and Russia, as well as North and South America.
- Working together with Adforum is an excellent strategic move for us and I believe that this can only make Paper Arabia a bigger and better show, says Mr Satish Khanna, General Manager of AFIS. Adforum has the experience and the contacts that we require to get a good number of European and American companies to exhibit in Dubai.
Paper Arabia, the international exhibition for the paper, tissue and converting industries, held its 4th successful edition in 2011, attracting 126 exhibitors and nearly 6,000 visitors from 74 countries.
Al Fajer Information & Services (AFIS) was established in 1973 and is now the market leading exhibition organiser and provider of exhibition services in the Middle East. AFIS is currently organising and managing some of the premier shows in Dubai and has 25 international exhibitions in seven countries in its portfolio, as well as offices and agent networks worldwide.
Founded in 1968, Adforum organises some of the world’s largest pulp and paper events, such as SPCI (Stockholm), PulPaper (Helsinki) and China Paper (Beijing/Shanghai), as well as IPX India (Mumbai) and IPX Russia (Moscow). Adforum is owned by Stockholm International Fairs and the Finnish Fair Corporation.
Pyroll Group restructuring
Pmt to rebuild PM3 at Stora Enso Langerbrugge
Stora Enso Langerbrugge Mill located in Gent, Belgium has selected PMT Italia S.p.A. as the supplier for the PM 3 Press Section Upgrade.
The start-up is planned for March 2012. PM3, a 6,5 m wide machine producing SC paper, will be rebuilt by partly replacing the existing Press Section steel framework with a completely new stainless steel one, giving PM3 a longer life time and providing the necessary flexibility for future implementations as well as the development in press technology.
The existing Top Former will also be equipped with a new Cleaning and Mist Removal System.
OMNOVA Solutions for Actions to Reduce Energy Usage
OMNOVA Solutions received a letter of commendation from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the Company's achievement of a 5.8% reduction in energy usage for 2010. As a partner in DOE's Better Buildings, Better Plants program, OMNOVA has voluntarily developed internal targets to reduce its energy consumption by 25% over a ten-year period for all of its U.S.-based manufacturing locations.
"OMNOVA Solutions' most recent annual report showed a 5.8% reduction in energy intensity in 2010, placing the company well on its way to meeting the pledge target," wrote Dr. Leo Christodoulou, Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Energy. "We specifically acknowledge Mr. Doug Fox of OMNOVA's LEAN SixSigma organization, who has worked closely with the Department on this pubic/private partnership initiative."
Under requirements of the program, OMNOVA has established energy baselines, developed an energy-management plan and designated an energy leader/manager. The Company must also report its progress to DOE on an annual basis.
"We are proud to be a participant in the Better Buildings, Better Plants program in our Performance Chemicals and Decorative Products businesses," said Kevin McMullen, OMNOVA Solutions Chairman and CEO. "As a leader in our served markets and responsible neighbor in the communities in which we operate, it is great to see the progress we've made in pursuit of this energy reduction goal. This is an important element of our Vision 2014 sustainability effort to reduce our environmental footprint. The leadership efforts of Doug Fox and other associates across our Company have enabled us to identify potential areas for change and to enact sustainable practices."
OMNOVA is participating in the Better Buildings, Better Plants program concurrently with its own Vision 2014 sustainability effort. The establishment of baseline metrics and integration of process improvements, which were already underway within the framework of the OMNOVA program, are included as part of the Company's involvement with the Department of Energy program.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings, Better Plants program, formerly the Save Energy Now LEADER initiative, has been renamed to better reflect DOE's emphasis on advancing and coordinating energy efficiency strategies across multiple fronts. Key program elements will remain unchanged, including the 10-year, 25% energy intensity improvement target.
OMNOVA Solutions is a Responsible Care® company, with a strong, long-standing commitment to the American Chemistry Council's environmental, health, safety and security initiative that covers nearly every aspect of chemical development, manufacturing, transportation and disposal.
OMNOVA Solutions Inc. is a technology-based company with pro forma sales for the twelve months ending August 31, 2011 of $1.2 billion and a global workforce of approximately 2,700. OMNOVA is an innovator of emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals, and decorative and functional surfaces for a variety of commercial, industrial and residential end uses. Visit OMNOVA Solutions on the internet at www.omnova.com.
RESPONSIBLE CARE is a registered trademark of the American Chemistry Council
SOURCE OMNOVA Solutions Inc.
Papcel Successful start-up of SPL 210 TPD
PAPCEL and its sales representative (Chemitex for Trading & Agencies) proudly announces the successful start-up and commissioning of Upgrading the existing SPL and Approach System of 210 TPD by PAPCEL's specialists for our important business partner in Egypt, ETAP Co.
New Coarse Screening System, Fractionating System and finally LDC for Approach systems (Top & Bottom Layers) were implemented.
Due to the success, efficient and smooth start-up, our customer satisfaction lead courageously to an agreement that fulfills his final target to have an optimum SPL.
Next stage will be realized at the earliest possible to conduct the latest Advanced Full Automation System and upgrading of the Fine Screening System.