In the first quarter of 2012, a new metallizer will be started up that will increase production capacity by approximately 70%.

Torraspapel, part of the Lecta Group, has announced the installation of a new high-vacuum metallizer in its Leitza mill (Spain), scheduled to be operational at the beginning of 2012.

The goal is to meet the needs of an expanding market, particularly the labels and packaging sector, and to be a segment leader in the metallization of paper.

This new investment strengthens Torraspapel's and the Lecta Group's commitment to diversifying its product range, increasing the production of high added value products, and extending its leadership to different market segments.

Torraspapel, a manufacturer of pulp, coated and uncoated paper, base paper and specialty papers such as metallized, carbonless, thermal, cast-coated and self-adhesive papers, has a total production capacity of more than 1.1 million tons. The company has invested heavily in its seven Spanish manufacturing sites, all of which have been equipped to specialize in specific product lines, with a high level of integration and technological know-how, resulting in better product knowledge, higher quality and excellent environmental positioning.

For more information, visit www.torraspapel.com.

SOURCE: Torraspapel

New Facility Expected to Produce 700,000 Tons per Year to Help ZhanJiang Chenming Pulp and Paper Co. Improve Quality and Increase Planned Production

Zhanjiang, China - Honeywell will supply the integrated control system for ZhanJiang Chenming Pulp and Paper Company's new 700,000 ton-per-year pulp facility in China's Guangdong Province. The integrated solution – which includes an array of Honeywell's highest-profile technologies for the process industries – is expected to help Chenming increase its production while promoting the delivery of high-quality paper products.

Honeywell will provide its Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS), Da Vinci Quality Control System (QCS) and OptiVISION manufacturing execution system (MES) as part of the agreement. Additionally, Honeywell has agreed to provide its Safety Manager solution to manage safety subsystems at the site's power generation and chemical facilities.

The ZhanJiang Chenming Pulp and Paper Co. is part of Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings Ltd. and specializes in a variety of paper products such as light-weight coated paper, duplex press paper, writing paper, news press paper and paperboard. The new facility is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2011

"Fast and efficient production is important for today's pulp and paper mills, but even more critical is the ability to maintain excellent product quality," said Li Wei, assistant general manager of ZhanJiang Chenming Pulp and Paper Co. and the Zhenjiang project manager. "Honeywell's offerings are best suited for these challenges because its measurement and control solutions are proven to improve quality and productivity while reducing energy costs and waste."

The integrated system's advanced process control capabilities, for example, will help Chenming reduce additive costs and the amount of rework required for coatings and colors. Additionally, OptiVision will simplify order scheduling and overall workflow management.

The Da Vinci QCS system also enables online coating measurements, one of Chenming's key requirements for this project. The system provides the industry's most comprehensive suite of online sensors combined with fast scanner and data processing speeds to deliver precise, high-resolution measurements.

"In the face of increasing worldwide demand for pulp, we're continuing to see more of our customers in the pulp and paper industries turn to integrated systems to increase output while maintaining quality," said Jon Lippin, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Process Solutions Asia Pacific. "Chenming's new ZhanJiang facility is the latest example of this trend and illustrates how tight integration can reap a range of benefits from energy savings to more-precise coatings measurement."

For more information about Experion PKS, Da Vinci QCS, OptiVision MES, SMS and other Honeywell solutions that improve business performance in the pulp and paper industries, visit www.honeywell.com/ps.

SOURCE: Honeywell International

Shin-Chin Chen has been named a TAPPI Fellow for 2011. He is currently Corporate Executive Engineer with ABB Inc. in Westerville, Ohio, USA. Fellow is an honorary title bestowed upon a very small percentage of TAPPI’s membership. It is given to individuals who have made extraordinary technical or service contributions to the industry and/or the Association.

“Dr. Chen’s contributions to TAPPI and its Process Control Division have been most noteworthy over the years,” said Larry N. Montague, president and CEO of TAPPI. “He continues to interface on many levels with volunteers and is an innovator in generating ideas for the benefit of the organization.”

A graduate of National Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan with a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Chen earned his master of science degree in Power Mechanical Engineering from the National Tsing-Hua University in Taiwan. He holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.

He has held various positions at ABB Inc. since joining the company in 1984, currently serving as Corporate Executive Engineer. He holds 10 patents and has published more than 40 technical papers during his career. Dr. Chen has pioneered numerous initiatives to improve control of paper machines, reducing costs and enhancing quality. His recent paper on “VAP and new indices for quantifying sheet quality and trouble shooting” won the 2009 Jasper Mardon Award.

Dr. Chen has served in a number of offices within TAPPI, including PaperCon Steering Committee, PaperCon Track Manager, PCE&I Division Technical Program Chair, PC Division Vice Chair and PC Division Chair. He has developed a plan for the Process Control Division focusing on member involvement, contributions from the Common Interest Groups and networking with local chapters and student sections.

Dr. Chen and the other new TAPPI Fellows will be honored at the TAPPI Fellows Luncheon, Sunday, May 1, 2011, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in conjunction with the 2011 PaperCon meeting in Covington, Ky. USA.  www.papercon.org

Paper Excellence has extended its network of mills in Canada to the East Coast with the purchase of Northern Pulp Nova Scotia. Specifically, Paper Excellence Canada Holdings Corp of Vancouver, B.C. has reached an agreement to acquire Northern Resources, the parent company of Northern Pulp Nova Scotia and Northern Timber, Abercrombie Point, Nova Scotia.

"The agreement is good news for the company's 230 employees, 400 timberlands contract employees, suppliers and community and business partners as it strengthens the mill's economic position over the long-term," says Wayne Gosse, president and chief financial officer, Northern Resources. "A strong demand for the mill's product globally presents a great opportunity for the mill to be part of a large international network of pulp mills and to diversify and expand its markets."

Northern Pulp produces 275,000 tonnes per year of northern bleached softwood kraft pulp.

Gosse says Paper Excellence Group has a good track record in Canada in terms of business leadership, labour and First Nations partnerships, and environmental stewardship. Paper Excellence operates three mills in Canada: Meadow Lake in Saskatchewan and Howe Sound and Mackenzie in British Columbia, and is in the process of acquiring the long-closed Prince Albert mill in Saskatchewan. The company currently employs more than 800 Canadians.

"We have been impressed by Northern Pulp's operations, employees, and the quality of stakeholder relationships and partnerships," says Ed Roste, vice-president operations, Paper Excellence Canada. "We welcome Northern Resources into the Paper Excellence family. The Northern Resources team will continue to operate the mill and land holdings under the Northern Pulp name, and there are no job impacts as a result of the transaction.

"We're committed to continuing to build productive relationships with labour, First Nations, NGOs, and community partners to achieve balance of social, environmental and economic priorities in industry and forest management," he continued.

Northern Pulp was sold by Neenah Paper three years ago amidst uncertainty about the mill's future as a result of very difficult business conditions in the forestry sector worldwide. Since then, Northern Pulp's workforce has improved efficiency and productivity and local management has worked closely with stakeholders to stabilize the business. A $1-million investment in R&D, the acquisition of 422,000 acres of forest land for active management, and a commitment to work with Pictou Landing First Nation on economic development have been instrumental in the mill's resurgence.

In January, Natural Resources Canada through the Green Transformation Program announced investments of $28 million in three clean-tech programs to benefit Northern Pulp mill operations and the surrounding community.

Stora Enso has signed a loan facility agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to extend the maturity of USD 128 million in syndicated loans under its existing facility with IFC. IFC is a member of the World Bank Group focussed on private sector development in emerging markets. The extension prolongs the maturity by three years to June 2014. The loan will be used to finance Stora Enso’s current and future investments in China.

The participating international commercial banks are Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank, Handelsbanken, HSBC, Nordea, SEB and The Royal Bank of Scotland. The initial loan facility for China was signed between Stora Enso and IFC in June 2005. The amount was increased to USD 300 million in June 2006, of which USD 128 million is now extended.

In line with its growth markets strategy, Stora Enso is focusing on profitable expansion in China by prioritising local sustainable supplies of fibre and by targeting investments in growth markets and selected product segments.

“We have a long relationship with IFC, which has been our primary strategic financing partner in China. We are pleased to note that investors such as IFC appreciate our sustainability approach. They have also provided important guidance on how to enhance the sustainability of our operations,” says Stora Enso CFO Markus Rauramo.

Paul H Stenson (born 1962), Ph.D, Organic Chemistry, is appointed Executive Vice President, Business Development, and member of the Executive Management Team as of May 30, 2011, at Ahlstrom Corporation. Stenson will report to Jan Lång, President and CEO, Ahlstrom.

In his new role, Stenson will be responsible for managing business development related processes and exploring new business opportunities within Ahlstrom. He will be based in Windsor Locks, CT, USA.

Prior to joining Ahlstrom, Stenson has been holding various senior executive technology positions at Valspar Corporation since 1993 in the United States and Europe, last as Divisional Vice President Technology, Global Packaging and Industrial Coatings ( Europe ) based in Zürich, Switzerland.

From sustainability benefits and vibrant colors to enhanced printing and whiteness, Clariant presents its range of value-creating solutions to meet the challenges of the paper, pulp and cardboard sectors at Maqpaper 2011 (Booth 21).

The Business Unit Paper Specialties is a leading supplier of Optical Brighteners, Colorants and Chemicals for the paper market. Its focused product range enhances both optical and functional properties of all kinds of paper and board.

“In an evolving industry, we are constantly striving to help our customers meet the challenges set by market demands and legislation. Be it enhanced optical and functional properties, Clariant can offer solutions and develop new alternatives through extensive technical support.” comments Ricard Llebaria, Country Sales Manager - BU Paper Specialties.

Whiteness, color, coating and strengt solutions will be among the solutions on show at Clariant’s Booth #21.

Clariant is one of few companies to offer papermakers the complete range of colorants, including exclusive and standard colorants in optimized formulations with higher stability. Other highlights at Maqpaper 2011 include innovative coating concepts that eliminate the potential for printing defects, and Optical Brightening Agents (OBAs) that achieve high whiteness and brightness levels alongside maximum efficiency.

Clariant works extensively to support its customers in the paper industry in their efforts to improve the sustainability of their own products and processes.

It is at the forefront of REACH registration for its OBAs and other paper chemicals. Clariant also offers more than 140 dyes, OBAs and chemicals which are in line with EU Ecolabel “EU Flower” for copying and graphic paper. A similar number of products are compliant with Nordic Swan eco-label requirements certified by ISEGA. Many products have been developed in line with standards and recommendations for food contact applications (FDA and BfR), and with the regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

For more information visit Booth 21 or www.paper.clariant.com.

Lydia Bley, Vice President & General Manager – BTG Instruments, is pleased to announce the appointment of Elke Winter in a new position as the Global MarCom Manager for the Instruments Division, effective as of the 1st of April, 2011.

Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, announced today that the 16th Annual General Meeting adopted each of the resolutions proposed by the Board of Directors.

515 shareholders, representing roughly 31% of the share capital recorded in Clariant's share register attended the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on March 31, 2011 in Basel.

The AGM approved the Annual Report of the company and discharged the corporate bodies of the company for their actions in the business year 2010. In view of the funds to be used for the acquisition of Süd-Chemie AG, the shareholders voted for the proposal to forego payment of a dividend and to allocate the available net profit to the free reserves. For the first time, the AGM voted on the compensation policy and approved the policy by means of a consultative vote.

The Board of Directors was authorized by the AGM to create share capital for the acquisition of Süd-Chemie AG, Munich, Germany. Share capital can be increased to a maximum of
CHF 340 000 000 by issuing a maximum of 85 000 000 fully paid up registered shares, each with a par value of CHF 4.00. The part of the capital increase not allocated to the family shareholders will be executed in the form of an at-market rights issue announced on or around April 7, 2011.

The AGM elected and respectively re-elected several members of the board of directors. For the first time, the current Süd-Chemie board members Dr. Dolf Stockhausen and
Konstantin Winterstein as well as Süd-Chemie CEO Dr. Günter von Au were elected to the Board of Directors. The elections remain under the condition precedent that those newly-elected members will step down from their current roles at Süd-Chemie AG.

Dr. Peter Isler, member of the Board of Directors since 2004, Dr. Dominik Koechlin, member since 2008, Dr. Hariolf Kottmann, member since 2008, Carlo G. Soave, member since 2008, Dr. Rudolf Wehrli, member and Vice-Chairman since 2007 and Dr. Jürg Witmer, Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2007, were all re-elected individually.

Södra has appointed Carina Olson as its new Chief Financial Officer as of 1 June.

Carina Olson has many years of experience in leading positions at Södra, where she has been employed since 2001. She has been part of the Södra Group executive since 2009 and is currently the HR Director for the Group. She was previously the Chief Financial Officer for the Södra Cell and Södra Timber business areas. She is 45, a graduate in Business Administration, and she also holds an MBA from the School of Business, Economics and Law in Stockholm.

As Chief Financial Officer, Carina Olson will continue to be part of Södra's Group Executive and report to CEO and Group President Leif Brodén. Carina Olson will retain responsibility for HR in her new position.

At the same time, Gustav Tibblin, Business Development Director, will take over responsibility for acquisitions (M&A) and the Group teams IT and Environment and Energy. The Productivity department is organised in parallel with the Purchasing department and reports to Beatrice Kämpe Nikolausson, Director of Purchasing.