International technology Group ANDRITZ has received the Final Acceptance Certificate from Jiangsu Bohui Paper Industry Co., Ltd in Yancheng, Dafeng, China, for its chemi-thermo-mechanical pulping system. With a total capacity of 2,250 admt/d, this system is the largest worldwide.

ANDRITZ installed its well-proven P-RC APMP (Pre-Conditioning Refiner Chemical Alkaline Peroxide Mechanical Pulp) technology to ensure optimum pulp quality in terms of high bulk and low shive content at lowest energy consumption and highest availability. The system processes eucalyptus wood chips for the production of folding boxboard (specifically coated ivory board), and consists of the world’s largest single P-RC APMP fiberline with a capacity of 1,500 admt/d and a second fiberline with a capacity of 750 admt/d.

The ANDRITZ TX68 refiner with an advanced feeding system is the centerpiece of the process and the latest innovation in high-consistency (HC) refining. The new feeding system combines the proven concepts of ANDRITZ’s Side Entry Plug Feeder (SEPF) with a Constant Feeder (C-Feeder) on each side of the twin refiner. The “DoubleSEPF” feed system ensures constant chip feeding and excellent steam control thanks to the exact and adjustable split of incoming wood chips and thus by far exceeds the capacities so far achieved with a single HC refiner.

ANDRITZ TX68 refiner with newly developed feeding system. Photo: ANDRITZ

ANDRITZ also supplied basic engineering, supervision of mechanical installation, training, commissioning and start-up services. The latest ANDRITZ Metris IIoT technologies feature a connection to the ANDRITZ DCS system to collect and analyze statistical mill data for continuous optimization of both fiberlines.

Jin Xiaoshan, Production Manager at Jiangsu Bohui Paper Industry confirms: “The Final Acceptance Certificate was achieved in superior cooperation, even in the challenging situation of Covid-19. Our ANDRITZ key contacts in Europe provided professional and efficient remote support. At the same time, we were able to count on highly committed and experienced engineers from ANDRITZ China on site. We are very proud of our folding boxboard production line with its P-RC APMP fiberlines and the excellent performance already achieved.”

Jiangsu Bohui Paper Industry Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Shandong Bohui Paper Industrial Co., Ltd., a listed company established in 1994 that focuses on the production of ivory board, culture paper, linerboard, paper for gypsum plasterboard, and market pulp for the papermaking industry.

Siegwerk, one of the leading suppliers of printing inks for packaging applications and labels, has launched their new Circular Economy website. The company strongly believes in the needs of a Circular Economy (CE) and is committed to contribute to creating a circular packaging industry. The new website provides information about the company’s CE approach.

Siegwerk is committed to the principle of sustainability: Achieving a sensible balance between ecological, social and economic needs without compromising the resources of future generations. The growing demand for environmentally friendly solutions and sustainable packaging has strongly influenced the packaging market. “It is time to rethink packaging and move from a linear to a Circular Economy model,

“ said Alina Marm, Head of Circular Economy Hub at Siegwerk.

Inks and coatings play an important enabler role in a Circular Economy. In addition to the branding of the packaging, the technical functionalities of inks support all three levers of a Circular Economy in terms of reduction, re-use and recycling. To that end, Siegwerk is purposefully investing in additional resources to become a circular and digital packaging solutions company, driving the positive developments in the industry with its functional and technical understanding of inks and coatings that support innovative packaging solutions.

New website for comprehensive overview

The new Siegwerk Circular Economy website offers a comprehensive overview of the company’s commitment to drive the development of circular packaging solutions. One particular website chapter provides information on in-depth circular solutions from Siegwerk such as:

• Inks, varnishes and barrier coatings for creating packaging designed for the paper recycling stream
• Inks, varnishes and barrier coatings for recyclable mono-plastic packaging
• Driving deinking solutions with inks and primers and value chain collaborations for deinking process standards

Siegwerk believes that cooperation and sharing knowledge are key on the way to a Circular Economy. That is why website visitors can also learn about Siegwerk’s strong partnership network that helps drive the development of new circular packaging solutions.

For more information please visit https://www.siegwerk.com/en/circular-economy.html

SCA has confirmed a new harvesting plan which shows that the harvesting level in the own forest will increase over the coming five years by an additional one million cubic meters per year more than the current level. The increased harvesting level gives an increased cash flow of 300-400 MSEK per year with full effect from 2025.

In 2019, SCA made a new forest survey which showed that the company’s forests had a higher standing volume and a higher growth rate than previously estimated. A higher growth rate gives higher long term harvesting potential.

The new harvesting plan is now confirmed and it is based on calculations of the development of the forest over more than one hundred years into the future. It shows that harvesting over the coming five year period can successively increase from todays level of 4.3 million cubics meter solid wood under bark (m3sub) to 5.4 million m3sub per year.

Core board manufacturer Papertech exceeded the targets of production increase originally set for the rebuild of its PM1 at Tudela mill, Spain.   
At the end of 2018, Toscotec carried out a turnkey rebuild of the dryer section, installing 20 new TT SteelDryers. The supply included TT AirTail, an advanced rope-less tail threading system, which features a simple air flow regulation that guarantees stable tail threading for any basis weight. PM1 came online at the beginning of 2019 and successively exceeded the production targets Papertech originally set for this rebuild. 
Mr. David Rubio, General Manager of Papertech and Dr. Luis Miguel Calvo, Mill Manager, openly discussed what they achieved with their rebuild project.

Who is Papertech? 
Mr. Rubio: Founded in 1952, Papertech is a core board specialist in Spain. The Group has four paper mills in Europe and Asia: Tudela mill in Northern Spain, two mills in Indonesia and one in China. A couple of years ago, Sonoco Corporation, the global packaging company, bought 100% of the company’s shares. The group manufactures paper tubes and cores and other industrial applications such as cones for the textile industry, laminates, composite cans and dividers. 
Currently, Tudela mill has an annual capacity of 60,000 tonnes, and the group total production is approximately 300,000 t/y.

PM1’s rebuild was your first cooperation with Toscotec. Why did you select Toscotec? 
Mr. Rubio & Dr. Calvo: Our goal was to increase production. Out of the various technical solutions we evaluated, Toscotec gave us the most advantages. Firstly, with TT SteelDryers you can customize the diameter, and they offered a larger diameter than that of the cast iron cans we had; secondly, TT SteelDryers feature a bigger drying surface than cast iron dryers of the same face length. Basically, maintaining unchanged the overall length of the dryer section of the paper machine, we significantly increased our drying capacity, due to the larger diameter and drying surface of the new steel dryers. As a result, we were also able to preserve our existing hood, which is still working well. Toscotec had many successful references of similar rebuild projects and we were rather impressed with their extensive experience. 

Why did you choose a turnkey supply? 
Mr. Rubio & Dr. Calvo: This has been a key part of our growth strategy and we wanted to have one single company in charge and responsible for every aspect of the supply, including the mechanical and electrical part and services. Toscotec supplied all of the equipment and provided erection, supervision, commissioning and start-up assistance. They did a great job, we are very satisfied with their management of this turnkey supply.  

Let’s focus on the project implementation. Are you satisfied with time management? 
Mr. Rubio & Dr. Calvo: We were very focused on the machine downtime, because any delay would have put us in the difficult position of handling unplanned downtime, which is very costly. Toscotec’s team managed the project schedule beautifully. Our machine downtime was executed exactly as planned. It was perfect!

Did you achieve your production targets? 
Mr. Rubio & Dr. Calvo: Yes, we achieved our targets of production increase. Actually, we surpassed the targets we had originally set for this project. TT SteelDryer lived up to our expectations and delivered a high drying capacity, which allowed for this production increase. 
Toscotec’s rope-less tail threading system has been another upgrade of our existing line. It was specifically designed for low speed and high basis weight, because we were to apply it also to our higher basis weight range. As we went along, the expertise of our operators increased, which contributed to improve its final efficiency. Now, we are happy with it. 

How would you describe the cooperation with Toscotec? 
Mr. Rubio & Dr. Calvo: The cooperation has been very profitable. Toscotec is a very professional and flexible supplier, who delivered and implemented a successful rebuild. Their team provided fast responses and assistance whenever needed, solved problems and coordinated all the involved parties in the best possible way. 

Clearwater Paper Corporation has just introduced ReMagine™, a folding carton paperboard brand with up to 30 percent post-consumer recycled fiber. Inspired by circular economy principles, ReMagine provides high definition print capability and superior converting performance. The new folding carton brand is now available to the company’s customers.

“We are excited to introduce ReMagine to our customers, with a quality standard that we believe stands apart from other folding carton options in the market,” said Steve Bowden, senior vice president and general manager of the pulp and paperboard division. “Our newly-branded ReMagine is an important part of Clearwater Paper’s value proposition, positioning our customers to address growing trends in sustainable packaging.”

ReMagine is distinct, offering up to 30 percent post-consumer recycled fiber that is Food and Drug Administration compliant for all types of food contact. This new brand of solid bleached sulphate (SBS) provides an optimized balance of post-consumer recycled fiber and renewable virgin fiber, converting speed, and high definition print capability. The brand also offers Forest Stewardship Council® FSC-C008402 chain of custody certification.

For ReMagine, the company uses Sustana Fiber’s Envirolife™ 100% recycled fiber. It has similar characteristics to non-recycled hardwood pulp.

ReMagine is a brand promise that Clearwater Paper will continually evolve to provide customers innovative choices for the circular economy.

Saica Group improves its offer of 100% recycled and sustainable papers.

• Nature Kraft, is a 100% recycled paper that is an alternative to traditional kraftliners due to its high physical-mechanical performance and similar appearance to virgin fibre.
• The new basis weights satisfy the increasing demand for sustainable packaging, with high print quality, whilst also promoting the circular economy.

Saica Paper, the Saica Group business division that produces recycled paper for corrugated, expands the basis weights of Nature Kraft from 115 g/m2 to 245 g/m2.  Nature Kraft, a 100% recycled paper is an alternative to traditional kraftliners due to its high physical-mechanical performance and similar appearance to virgin fibre.   With this product development Saica signals its commitment to sustainable and innovative solutions, that respond to the increasing demand for environmentally friendly products which, at the same time, provide high print quality.

The extension of basis weights is the result of innovative technology, designed specifically to engineer new solutions in a market in constant change, whilst also offering a solution to the needs of high-quality sustainable packaging that will help progress in the aims of the circular economy.

These papers respond to the environmental requirements of final customers-brands, helping reinforce their image while moving towards environmentally friendly and sustainable goals. The Nature Kraft range is characterised by:

• Ease of use in corrugating and exceptional performance
• Suitable for dry food contact
• FSC® certified
• Optimal print quality, allowing a wide range of finishing and packaging customisation.

The new higher basis weights are suitable for more demanding applications, such as the agriculture sector.  The new lower basis weight, 115g/m2, is designed to be broadly used in the food and retail sectors and allows a higher optimisation of resources by substantially reducing the weight of packaging whilst providing equivalent, or better, performance than papers of higher basis weights.

More than a quarter of a billion CZK will be invested in expanding the production of food packaging

• Restructuring of Slovenian paper mill Vipap Videm Krško under the leadership of the new Czech owner RIDG Holding continues, despite the coronavirus circumstances. 

• A greater production flexibility and a wider range of products should help to make the company more competitive. It will be achieved by a quarter-billion investment in modern technologies for the production of food packaging. On the contrary, the share of newsprint is to fall.

• The improving prospects of the company are supported by the expected end of sharp fluctuations in the recycled paper market, which is Vipap Videm Krško paper mill's main input raw material.

While until now newsprint and magazine paper accounted for 90% of the production of Slovenian paper mill Vipap Videm Krško, its share will fall by half within three years. As a part of the already started restructuring, the new Czech owner RIDG Holding wants to reorient the company more towards the production of food packaging paper. It invests more than a quarter of a billion Czech crowns in the modern technologies that will enable it.

Vipap also goes the way of greater specialization and flexibility. Unlike the competition will be able to meet clients´ specific demands better. "The correctness of the new strategy with a greater emphasis on food packaging paper was confirmed during the coronavirus crisis, when this segment maintained stable market demand," describes Petr Domin, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Vipap Videm Krško.

RIDG Holding took over Slovenian paper mill last year and the company under its leadership ended the calendar year with a significantly positive operating profit EBITDA of € 7 million and a positive cash flow. The new owner, in addition to redesigning the company's processes, also immediately started investing in technology modernization and employees development, in order to make the company more flexible. “We see the acquisition of Vipap Videm Krško paper mill as a strategic and long-term matter. That´s why we´ve decided to make structural changes and invest in modern technologies, that will help the company respond better to market development and provide it enough opportunities for sustainable growth,” says Pavel Svoreň, Executive Director of the Portiva Investment Group, which together with the IPIDC Group, the Investment Club and the KRPA Holding Group forms a consortium of RIDG Holding.

One of the key innovations in Vipap paper mill is the expansion of the product range. In addition to newsprint, magazines and advertising leaflets, currently also paper bags, carrier bags and laminated paper is being added. This segment of production is on the rise due to the fact that a number of European countries have decided to replace the plastic packaging with paper. In addition, new technologies will make it possible to bring to the market the food packaging, that is durable and at the same time fully recyclable.

In addition to the expanding product portfolio, the Slovenian government's support programs also helped Vipap Videm Krško to maintain employment during the coronavirus crisis. Like many other countries, including the Czech Republic, it has introduced the so-called kurzarbeit. The extraordinary commitment of employees also played an important role. "Probably as the only newsprint mill in Europe, we have kept production uninterrupted and helped our customers maintain production in difficult times," says Domin.

According to him, the company also takes advantage of the opportunity to accelerate structural changes, to speed up the setting up of new processes and even more intensively focuses on a team building and the development of key employees. All this despite the fact, that the shortage of recycled paper, which is one of the main raw materials for production, has gradually started in Europe. "What´s not produced and not sold cannot be later collected and recycled. From one extreme, when during January and February it was not even worthy for collectors to carry paper to buyers due to its low price, the market shifted to the opposite situation due to fears of coronavirus infection, where the price rose sharply and recycled paper was temporarily unavailable," describes Domin, according to which the market situation has already improved and the prices and availability of recycled paper are gradually stabilizing. The director of the paper mill expresses a slight optimism about the future development and reckons, that the next four weeks should show the real condition of the market.

Management of Vipap Videm Krško now estimates that in the event of a favorable development, the company could return to pre-crisis level at the end of this year. Completion of the restructuring, which is to direct the paper mill towards long-term competitiveness and growth, is planned for the turn of 2021 and 2022.

Södra’s operating profit during Q2 was stable given current market conditions. Deliveries were higher year-on-year, but prices for Södra’s core products were considerably weaker than in 2019. For the first half of 2020, operating profit totalled SEK 449 million (2,009), return on capital employed was 4 per cent (19) and the equity ratio was 57 per cent. Sales for the second quarter amounted to SEK 5,416 million (6,199) and operating profit totalled SEK 221 million (861). 
 
Peter Karlsson, Interim President and CEO“The global outbreak of COVID-19 has led to a serious global crisis. The extent of the economic impact is uncertain, since both production and demand have declined globally. It is with great respect and gratitude that I see how we are continuing to work together to slow the spread of the virus, while simultaneously managing our day-to-day operations,” said Peter Karlsson, Interim President and CEO. “We are also looking ahead and the Board has decided to make additional investments as part of the plan to increase the annual production capacity of our pulp mill at Värö to 850,000 tonnes so that Södra can continue to grow profitability as we move forward.
 
“Given the current market conditions, Södra posted a stable result in line with expectations for the first half of the year,” Karlsson added. “Net sales amounted to SEK 10,993 million (12,517) and operating profit totalled SEK 449 million (2,009). Demand for Södra’s core products was favourable, although prices for paper pulp and sawn timber were considerably lower year-on-year, albeit slightly higher at the end of the six-month period than at the beginning of the year. 

“The management of storm-damaged and spruce-bark-beetle infested forests has been a priority, but there will still be challenges to deal with in the coming quarters,” Karlsson continued.

“A key element of Södra’s strategy for sustainable and profitable growth is the efficient use of wood raw material. One example is the pilot facility that is now under construction in Tofte, Norway. The facility aims to develop both the process and the technology for liquid biofuel,” Karlsson added. “A full-scale facility for liquid biofuel production has then been planned. With this initiative, we are taking further steps towards a fossil-free future by processing forest products. At the same time, it is also important that politicians facilitate the use of the potential of forests in the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy.”

In the second quarter of 2020, Södra’s consolidated net sales declined 13 per cent to SEK 5,416 million (6,199) and operating profit totalled SEK 221 million (861). The lower profitability was due to lower price levels for paper pulp and sawn timber compared with the year-earlier period. The operating margin was 4 per cent (14).  During the first six months, sales declined 12 per cent to SEK 10,993 million (12,517) and operating profit totalled SEK 449 million (2,009). The operating margin was 4 per cent (16). Return on capital employed was 4 per cent (19) and the equity ratio was 57 per cent. 

Södra Skog’s operating profit for the period totalled SEK 51 million (79). The result was due to weaker margins. During the same period, Södra Skog acquired 4.3 million m³sub, comprising 59 per cent pulpwood and cellulose chips, 31 per cent saw logs and 10 per cent biofuels. 

Södra Wood’s operating profit for the period totalled SEK 62 million (118) and reflects the lower price trend for sawn timber. Underlying demand for sawn timber remained favourable. Deliveries from Södra Wood rose to 569,000 m³ sawn wood compared with 542,000 m³ sawn wood in the year-earlier period. Sales for the quarter amounted to SEK 1,580 million (1,592).

Södra Cell’s operating profit for the period totalled SEK 250 million (753). The earnings decline was attributable to considerably lower prices. Sales for the quarter amounted to SEK 2,626 million (3,250). Production totalled 483,000 tonnes, comprising 412,000 tonnes of NBSK, 33,000 tonnes of NBHK and 38,000 tonnes of dissolving pulp.