Ian Melin-Jones

Ian Melin-Jones

Friday, 24 November 2017 08:53

Södra invests in more forestry drones

Södra is now investing in more forestry drones. This digital technology speeds up the work of field staff at the same time as it makes it more comprehensive and safer.

“We have identified numerous applications where drones can enhance the efficiency of forestry work, not least when making inventories of storm-damaged forests. By purchasing equipment and investing in raising skills, we are taking another step towards the development of tomorrow’s digital forestry operations,” said Johan Malmqvist, Project Manager at Södra.

Since the end of 2015, Södra has trialled the use of drones for applications including inventories of forest damage. Test outcomes have been favourable and major potential has been identified for the digital technology moving forward. This summer, the Swedish Camera Monitoring Act was amended, which has simplified the use of drones in forestry.

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Södra is now taking further steps with digital development in the form of a considerable investment in drone technology and personnel skills development.

“We have purchased drone equipment for all our forestry operations areas and, in the autumn, we trained 51 of our forestry professionals as drone pilots. This means we are now well equipped to further develop use of the technology,” said Johan Malmqvist.

Drones are digital aids that enhance the efficiency of manual tasks for Södra’s field staff.

“The technology is extremely cost-efficient. It is possible to obtain a good overview of the forest in very little time. The major advantage is from not having to waste unnecessary amounts of time on checks. Drones enable you to quickly see if and where a manual inspection or action is required. This enables more efficient work methods that, by extension, benefit our forest owner members. Moreover, drones make work safer for forest inspectors, not least when making inventories of windfalls following a storm,” said Johan Malmqvist.

But drone technology is not only of great benefit when making inventories of forest damage.

“For example, another potentially useful application is planting and cleaning. Gathering decision data for deciding actions and planning is another. An eye in the sky provides a much-improved view of conditions than looking through dense forest at ground level,” said Johan Malmqvist.

For more information, please contact:
Johan Malmqvist, Project Manager at Södra Skog
Tel: +46 (0)470 893 69
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Södra was founded in 1938 and is the largest forest-owner association in Sweden, with a membership of more than 50,000 forest owners. We engage in modern and responsible forestry, and operate state-of-the-art mills in which we process our raw material. Through value-generating relationships and a long-term approach, Södra is leading the way for the next generation of forestry.

SKF's latest Rolling Bearings Catalogue is packed with new features to help customers choose the optimum bearing arrangement for their project

The latest edition of SKF's popular Rolling Bearings Catalogue is now available online. The authors have aimed to make this new publication an essential engineering reference for users of rolling bearings, covering their appropriate selection, configurations and applications, and providing detailed guidance on correct installation procedures to ensure long and trouble-free service life.

2017 11 24 084932The Engineering Section has been completely rewritten and now includes a step-by-step bearing selection guide - the 'Bearings Selection Process' - which makes it much easier for customers to select the right bearing arrangement for their particular machine or project. This innovative new tool, which benefits from SKF's extensive experience of rolling bearing design, installation and in-service care, is also available as an online engineering resource for OEMs, SKF approved distributors and other end-users.

The Engineering Section also includes a thermal analysis feature that can be used to highlight the influence of friction losses on clearance. A new 'Popular Items' feature has also been introduced; designed to speed and simplify the process of ordering bearings from SKF's commonly used product lines, this feature uses a special icon placed against products that are always available directly from stock due to their popularity.

The catalogue's online content is regularly updated to ensure that the very latest products are included along with the current SKF assortment, and that all obsolete items are removed from the Product Tables as soon as they are withdrawn from the catalogue.

As a global publication the new Rolling Bearings Catalogue is available in a number of languages, including German, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Portugese, Russian, Czech and Simplified Chinese. To Access the online copy in any of these languages, please visit www.skf.com

The new catalogue will be available in print in English during spring 2018.

SKF is a leading global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics, lubrication systems, and services which include technical support, maintenance and reliability services, engineering consulting and training. SKF is represented in more than 130 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2016 were SEK 72 787 million and the number of employees was 44 868. www.skf.com   

® SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group.

Stora Enso has signed an agreement to divest its sheeting centre business in Baienfurt, Germany to Pyroll, a Finnish converting firm. The sheeting centre operations started in April 2009 and is 100% owned by Stora Enso.

stora new 2017This divestment supports Stora Enso’s growth strategy for its consumer board business, where the focus is to generate value to customers by being the global benchmark in high quality virgin fibre carton board. Running sheeting centre operations is not part of Stora Enso’s core business. The new owner has sheeting operations as its core and is in a better position to further develop Baienfurt. Stora Enso will remain a key customer to the Baienfurt sheeting centre.

The transaction is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2018 and it is not expected to have any significant effect on the net debt or financials of Stora Enso. The sheeting centre employs approximately 60 people excluding outsourced personnel and had sales of EUR 15 million in 2016.

About the buyer
Pyroll is one of the leading paper, cardboard, paperboard, and plastic converters in the Nordic countries. Today Pyroll employs nearly 600 people, and turnover is about 100 million euros. Operations are divided into three business branches: Pyroll Packages, Pyroll Paper Merchant, and Pyroll Converting.

Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper on global markets. Our aim is to replace fossil-based materials by innovating and developing new products and services based on wood and other renewable materials. We employ some 25 000 people in more than 35 countries, and our sales in 2016 were EUR 9.8 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). storaenso.com

2017 11 24 084244Drenik ND d.o.o., a company headquartered in Belgrade and very strong not only on the Serbian market but also in the Balkan and Eastern European territories, renews its trust in Recard for the fourth time with the order of PM3: a complete turnkey plant with a production capacity of 120 tpd.

The Crescent Former, in a 1850-mpm speed, 2850-mm format, will be fed by two stock preparation lines for virgin fibers and equipped with a hydraulic rewinder with 4 backstands, complete electrical plant, all ancillary equipment, DAF system, mist and dust extraction systems and hall and roof ventilation.

Recard thus confirms itself sole provider of PMs for the Serbian company. In 2004 it had installed PM1 for Drenik, later modified by Recard at the company’s request to increase its speed and production capacity and started up in February 2017, while in 2007 it manufactured PM2 for the company.

http://www.recard.it

Pyroll Converting Oy’s recently established subsidiary Pyroll Germany GmbH has made an agreement with Stora Enso Baienfurt GmbH, where Pyroll takes over the sheeting service business in Baienfurt, Germany. The transaction is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2018.

2017 11 22 164508The sheeting service centre in Baienfurt is located in Southern Germany. The location in Baienfurt will expand the coverage of Pyroll Converting’s service network for the future. Since 2015 this has been the second noteworthy investment for Pyroll Converting, and is therefore a natural step in a growth strategy for Pyroll Converting. Availability of the service in Baienfurt opens up exceptional access to several important market areas for Pyroll Converting’s customers.

The future development of the sheeting service centre in Baienfurt is one of the key issues in meeting ever tightening requirements. This business transfer has a positive influence on the future development of the sheeting service centre in Baienfurt – and also on the whole Pyroll Converting business.

“We are very happy to add the Baienfurt sheeting service centre to the group which already contains four service centres. Availability of the service in the right locations plays an important role when reaction times are getting shorter. Therefore, expanding our service network will open new possibilities for all of our customers. Our previous investment in Winschoten in the Netherlands shows especially that service sheeting for paper and paperboard producers in their main market area has increased, and therefore we were encouraged to take this step as well”, says Mr Reino Uusitalo, the owner and chairman of the board of the Pyroll Group.

More Information:

Ilkka Haitti, Vice President of Pyroll Converting
Mobile +358 400 639 445, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tero Karstikko, Director of Pyroll Converting
Mobile +31 6 1920 2668, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pyroll is one of the leading paper, cardboard, paperboard, and plastic converters in the Nordic countries being established in 1973 by Reino Uusitalo. Today Pyroll employs nearly 500 people, and turnover is about 100 million euros. Operations are divided into three business branches: Pyroll Packages, Pyroll Paper Merchant, and Pyroll Converting.

Pyroll Converting brings added value for customers by offering flexible solutions for paper and paperboard converting. Pyroll operates as a flexible link between the paper and paperboard industry and their clients. Services include paper and paperboard sheeting, rewinding, embossing, and ream wrapping, as well as related logistics services. Pyroll is the leading independent contract converter in Europe. Service Centres are located in Siltakyla (Finland), Valkeakoski (Finland), Strykow (Poland) and in Winschoten (the Netherlands).

Tomi Seppä, Mill Availability Manager at Metsä Fibre's Kemi pulp mill, has been appointed manager of the Kemi mills as of 1 January 2018. Seppä will be responsible for managing Metsä Fibre’s pulp mill and Metsä Board’s board mill in Kemi. In his new position, Tomi Seppä will report to Harri Pihlajaniemi, SVP, Production at Metsä Board, with regard to the board mill, and to Camilla Wikström, SVP, Production of Metsä Fibre’s pulp business, with regard to the pulp mill.

Metsä Board Kemi MillMetsä Board Kemi Mill

Ari-Pekka Vanamo, Manager of Metsä Group’s mills in Kemi, will start as the manager of Metsä Group’s pulp mill in Rauma as of 1 January 2018. In his new position, Vanamo will report to Camilla Wikström, SVP, Production of Metsä Fibre’s pulp business.

Metsä Board
www.metsaboard.com

Metsä Board is a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards including folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners. Our lightweight paperboards are developed to provide better, safer and more sustainable solutions for consumer goods as well as retail-ready and food service applications. We work together with our customers on a global scale to innovate solutions for better consumer experiences with less environmental impact. The pure fresh fibres Metsä Board uses are a renewable resource, traceable to origin in sustainably managed northern forests.

The global sales network of Metsä Board supports customers worldwide, including brand owners, retailers, converters and merchants. In 2016, the company’s sales totalled EUR 1.7 billion, and it has approximately 2,500 employees. Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

Metsä Group
www.metsagroup.com

Metsä Group is a forerunner in bioeconomy utilising renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. Metsä Group focuses on wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards and tissue and cooking papers.

Metsä Group’s sales totalled EUR 4.7 billion in 2016, and it employs approximately 9,300 people. The Group operates in some 30 countries. Metsäliitto Cooperative is the parent company of Metsä Group and owned by approximately 104,000 Finnish forest owners.

On Sunday, 1 October 2017, the new Universal Paper Machine TM5 reached its first milestone of 10 000 tons of paper produced. The significant milestone was reached within 7 months after the plant was commissioned. This would not have been possible without the continued collaboration between the PMP team and UPM stakeholders.

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The project of a turn-key green field tissue mill was designed and delivered by PMP (Paper Machinery Producer) and started-up successfully on the 19th February 2017 at UPM’s Ga-Rankuwa mill in South Africa.

The goal of the new tissue line, TM5, was to double the annual capacity of UPM and to widen its product portfolio adding ultra-premium tissue products. The investment in tissue production was a logical step in the development of Universal Papers business, which started a new era not only for the company, but also for whole country’s tissue market. Today “Gold Eagle” is first new state-of-the-art tissue machine installed in South Africa in the last 20 years and at the same time it is the fastest tissue machine in the whole country!

About UPM:

Universal Paper Manufacturers (UPM) – is one of Universal Paper’s business units and is the sister company to Universal paper & Plastics (UPP). Both companies are still family owned. UPP was established by the Sher family in 1950 and has operated successfully for over 67 years. The company started as a manufacturer of various paper and plastic products, and has grown significantly since inception. However, during this time, its direction has changed – with the discontinuation of product lines in the plastics industry, while continuing to supply the tissue paper industry. The company has vertically integrated, by manufacturing raw materials within the inks and paper industry. Today, the focus is on high quality printed serviettes and napkins, bathroom tissue, household towels and hankies. (learn more: www.upap.co.za)

About PMP:

PMP – a global provider of tissue, paper & board technology, has been supporting pulp and paper industry for over 160 years, executing projects on 6 continents, in 34 countries. Company with headquarters in Jelenia Góra, Poland, owns 6 facilities in 4 countries (Poland, USA, China, Italy). (learn more: www.pmpgroup.com)

Xinjiang Hengan Paper’s tissue machine (PM25) was successfully started up at the company's Changji mill.

The new line is part of Hengan’s expansion plan, according to which Toscotec supplied two new MODULO-PLUS ES tissue lines to the leading Chinese producer. This start-up marks a success based on the great cooperation between the two technical teams.

The installation and commissioning were performed in record time, the shortest in Hengan’s long history, and one of the most difficult ones, considering the environmental hardship of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in which the mill is located.

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The MODULO-PLUS is one Toscotec’s ES line tissue machines and it includes the TT DOES (Drying Optimization for Energy Saving) solution, ensuring enhanced production at low energy consumption. The line will add 25.000 tons per year of high quality tissue to Hengan’s current production.

Hengan Team would like to express its gratitude to all members of the Toscotec team. The professional skills and high dedication for work of the people involved led to the successful and very fast start up of this new machine.

"We have developed great experience in managing installations, start -up and assistance services, in close partnership with the customer. Our Company is glad to support Hengan and be part of their expansion project." says Marco Dalle Piagge, Sales director of Toscotec.

In January 2016, Smurfit Kappa signed another contract with PMP for a press part rebuild of PM1 in its Mill in Barbosa (Colombia). PMP (Paper Machinery Producer) has been chosen again as a strategic partner supporting Smurfit Kappa’s development. Thus, it is our pleasure to announce that PM1 has started-up successfully on 18th July 2017, at 21:45 of local time.

Project goals were focused on generating energy savings, improving PM1’s runnability, and increasing paper properties as well as its annual capacity by 31%. The main idea was to apply a state-of-the-art Intelli-TriNip® Press Section with an Intelli-Nip® Shoe Press. The shoe press technology played a key role in the final success, bringing ultra-high dryness (from 43.5% before rebuild, up to 52% after press). It is important to mention that 1% more dryness after press brings 4% steam saving in the dryer section. The shoe press technology enables significant improvement of paper properties (especially bulk & bursting strength) and significantly supports PM1’s runnability increase.

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PMP’s scope of delivery included the Intelli-TriNip® Press section with the Intelli-Nip® Shoe Module (design nip load 1400 kN/m, shoe press module type 1300). A compact design of a new press section IntelliTriNip® is ensuring reduction of open draws and is significantly increasing PM1’s runnability. Intelli-Nip® shoe press has been already appreciated by paper mills worldwide (just to mention recent PMP projects in USA, Mexico, China, Russia and Poland), due to its reliable performance confirmed by patented solutions, top sheet dryness level (up to 53%) resulting in significant steam consumption savings and user-friendliness. Scope of delivery in the case of the Smurfit Kappa project covered also Intelli-DCR® (Deflection-Compensation Roll), PM auxiliaries systems such as PM controls & panels, mechanical drives, press pulper, as well as base plates and spare parts. Structural machine components are designed for a design speed of 1000 m/min. PMP was also responsible for on-site services, including on-site erection and start-up supervision.

This particular project is an example where PMP’s technological knowledge combined with high-tech equipment can become a key factor to achieve common success. This project is also another step forward in partnership development between PMP and Smurfit Kappa.

About Smurfit Kappa:

Smurfit Kappa is one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging solutions in the world, with around 45,000 employees in approximately 370 production sites across 34 countries and with revenue of €8.2 billion in 2016. Smurfit Kappa is located in 21 countries in Europe, and 13 in The Americas. The Company is the only large-scale pan-regional player in Latin America. With their pro-active team, they relentlessly use extensive experience and expertise, supported by their scale, to open up opportunities for customers. Smurfit Kappa collaborates with forward thinking customers by sharing superior product knowledge, market understanding and insights in packaging trends to ensure business success in their markets. The Company has an unrivalled portfolio of paper-packaging solutions, which is constantly updated with our market-leading innovations. This is enhanced through the benefits of their integration, with optimal paper design, logistics, timeliness of service, and packaging plants sourcing most of their raw materials from their own paper mills. Smurfit Kappa products, which are 100% renewable and produced sustainably, improve the environmental footprint of their customers. (learn more: www.smurfitkappa.com)

About PMP:

PMP – a global provider of tissue, paper & board technology, has been supporting pulp and paper industry for over 160 years, executing projects on 6 continents, in 34 countries. Company with headquarters in Jelenia Góra, Poland, owns 6 facilities in 4 countries (Poland, USA, China, Italy). (learn more: www.pmpgroup.com)

The renewable materials company Stora Enso will be the Presenting Sponsor for FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2019 in Seefeld, Austria. The sponsorship gives Stora Enso the possibility to contribute to a sustainable sports event and showcase its renewable solutions in various applications.

stora new1Throughout the event, Stora Enso wants to increase the participants’, viewers’ and visitors’ awareness of the benefits of sustainable products. Stora Enso’s products provide a climate-friendly alternative to many products made from fossil based materials, and have a smaller carbon footprint. During the World Ski Championships, a variety of products and solutions based on renewable raw materials will be show casted, such as wood for temporary buildings, carton board packaging, paper, effective waste management systems, and renewable materials for arenas.

This marks the third time Stora Enso will be sponsoring the Nordic World Ski Championships, after being the Presenting Sponsor for the 2017 event in Lahti, Finland, and a main sponsor of the event in Falun, Sweden in 2015.

This is a good opportunity for Stora Enso to be present close to its main markets. The group employs approximately 5 000 people in Central Europe. In Austria, the group operates sawmills and plants for wooden construction elements, CLT.

“We are very happy to be sponsoring the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships for the third time,” commented Stora Enso CEO Karl-Henrik Sundström. “Sustainability is the core of our business in the bioeconomy. Our products substitute fossil based products, such as plastics. In Seefeld, our renewable materials and expertise will be combined in many special products and solutions. We will lead the way in promoting and supporting a sustainable event, by using renewable raw materials derived from wood and by maximising the recycling and reuse of products.”

Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper on global markets. Our aim is to replace fossil-based materials by innovating and developing new products and services based on wood and other renewable materials. We employ some 25 000 people in more than 35 countries, and our sales in 2016 were EUR 9.8 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). storaenso.com