Ian Melin-Jones
M-real starts a new internal profit improvement programme for 2011
M-real Corporation, part of Metsäliitto Group, starts a new profit improvement programme for the year 2011. The programme focuses on improving the paper business profitability as well as decreasing variable costs of all businesses. The earlier announced profit improvement impact of Simpele and Kemi cartonboard investments and the closure of the speciality paper production at Simpele are included in the new profit improvement programme.
The planned measures are expected to improve M-real's annual operating result by EUR 70 million with full effect from 2012 onwards. The planned measures would improve 2011 result by approximately EUR 30 million. The result in 2011 is thus expected to improve in total by approximately EUR 90 million including the impact of the new programme and the previous years' profit improvement programmes.
“M-real has good possibility to mostly cover the accelerated cost inflation by own profit improvement measures. In addition to the earlier implemented measures and this new programme, further profit improvement actions will be searched. The focus of the earlier profit improvement programmes has been on decreasing fixed costs. M-real has, in upcoming years, significant profit improvement potential especially in variable costs, concerning primarily chemical, energy and logistic costs”, says Mikko Helander, CEO of M-real.
M-real will continue the actions to eliminate the losses of its paper businesses that would result as a rise in the company’s profitability to a new improved level.
M-REAL CORPORATION
M-real shows wallpaper bases ideal for all design and decorating trends at Heimtextil 2011
M-real, the world’s leading producer of wallpaper base, will show its full range at Heimtextil 2011 with products ideal for current design trends as well as making decorating easy.
M-real’s Cresta range includes duplex and simplex wallpaper base as well as non-woven products, meeting the demands of all printing and converting processes as well as the functionality of paste-the-wall, washable and peelable wall coverings. There are bases suitable for both expanded vinyl wallcoverings and paper wallcoverings, and specialist products that offer resistance to high temperatures in converting or are suitable for inks containing pearlescent pigments.
“There are exciting trends in wallpaper design at the moment, including big, bold colours and patterns,” says Risto Auero, VP Sales, Linerboards & Speciality Papers in M-real Consumer Packaging. “Our non-woven grades, Cresta NG, NG2 and NGX, are ideal for this sort of design as they ensure perfect colour reproduction. There is also demand for ‘retro’ designs, but without a return to the bad old days of paper hanging. Today’s wallcoverings offer easy hanging, and can be removed simply by peeling – perfect for locations such children’s bedrooms where frequent changes may be expected.”
Together with its partners M-real is planning to invest in a new biopower plant at its Kyro mill, expected to be ready in autumn 2012, when also providing electricity and heat for the Hämeenkyro neighbourhood. It would replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, primarily wood from sustainable, managed forests. The biopower plant is expected to make a dramatic reduction in the mill’s CO2 emissions by around 100,000 tonnes a year - equivalent to the annual emissions of 60,000 cars.
Risto Auero adds: “As the Kyro mill’s PM3 (paper machine 3) is dedicated completely to wallpaper base production, capable of making 105,000 tonnes per year, the new biopower plant would enable our customers to offer wallcoverings that combine top quality and performance with improved environmental credentials.”
The full range of M-real wallpaper bases includes:
- Cresta D: Uncoated peelable and spongeable wallpaper base
- Cresta D OBA: Uncoated peelable and spongeable FWA-containing wallpaper base
- Cresta D1: Single-coated peelable and spongeable wallpaper base
- Cresta D2: Double-coated peelable and washable wallpaper base
- Cresta M: ingle-layer mechanical wallpaper base
- Cresta MB: Single-layer high-bulk mechanical wallpaper base
- Cresta NG: Uncoated wood-containing non-woven
- Cresta NGX: Both sides coated wood-containing non-woven
- Cresta NG2: Triple-coated wood-containing non-woven
For further information please contact in M-real Consumer Packaging:
Risto Auero, Vice President, Sales, Linerboards & Speciality Papers
Mobile +358 50 598 8828
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
International Paper Announces Increase in Quarterly Dividend
International Paper has announced that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in its quarterly common stock dividend from twelve and one-half cents ($0.125) per share to eighteen and three-quarter cents ($0.1875) per share, effective for the dividend payable March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on February 15, 2011.
"This second dividend increase reflects our intent to restore our dividend to pre-recession levels," said John Faraci, Chairman and chief executive officer. "Today, International Paper is a much stronger company and we remain committed to creating sustainable returns for our shareholders."
Record and Payment Date Information for First-Quarter Dividend
The company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.1875 per share for the period from January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011, inclusive, on its common stock, par value $1. This dividend is payable on March 15, 2011, to holders of record at the close of business on February 15, 2011.
The company also declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1 per share for the period from January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011, inclusive, on the cumulative $4 preferred stock of the company. This dividend is also payable on March 15, 2011, to holders of record at the close of business on February 15, 2011.
About International Paper
International Paper is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers, industrial and consumer packaging and distribution. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., the company employs about 60,000 people in more than 20 countries and serves customers worldwide. 2009 net sales were more than $23 billion. For more information about International Paper, its products and stewardship efforts, visit internationalpaper.com .
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current views and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ relate to business and credit market conditions which could cause the Company to maintain this new dividend rate for an extended period of time, or in the future decide to increase, reduce or suspend the dividend. These and other factors that could cause or contribute to actual results differing materially from such forward looking statements are discussed in greater detail in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
SOURCE International Paper
Pöyry awarded EUR 8.4 million pulp mill engineering contract in Brazil
Pöyry's Industry Business Group has been awarded a basic and detailed engineering contract by Eldorado Celulose e Papel Ltda for the Balance of Plant(BOP) of the 1.5 million t/a bleached eucalyptus market pulp mill to be built in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. The assignment also includes the suppliers' document management. The value of Pöyry's contract is about 8.4 million EUR. The duration of Pöyry's engineering services is about 14 months.
The contract is a continuation of the pre-engineering and preparatory work for the mill infrastructure that Pöyry was awarded in early 2010 (see stock exchange release of 31 March, 2010).
The concept of the mill is based on the use of the best available technologies and the best environmental practices, which constitute the state-of-the-art level. The technical-environmental criteria established for this project are based on international norms and standards and, mainly, on the Brazilian experience, which will make it possible for the mill to produce more with less use of natural resources, low production costs, progressive environmental impact reduction and minimum work accident risks.
The contract strengthens Pöyry's position as the leading engineering solutions provider for the pulp and paper sector in the world.
PÖYRY PLC
Additional information by:
Martin Kuzaj, President, Industry Business Group, Finland
Tel. +358 10 33 21179
Marcelo Handro Cordaro, President, Pöyry Tecnologia Ltda., Brasilia
puh. +55 11 3472 7399
Norske Skog sells properties
Norske Skog has entered into an agreement concerning sale of Klosterøya to a consortium consisting of Conceptor Eiendomsutvikling AS and Bratsberg Gruppen AS, and has at the same time also finalised sale of a property at Nedre Ranheim. The total proceeds are approximately NOK 240 million.
After the shut down of Union mill, Norske Skog has devoted considerable resources to clearing up and developing Klosterøya, and the company sees it as a good solution that others now will take over the further development.
"This is a milestone for the development of Skien and the entire Grenland area. In cooperation with local authorities and businesses, Norske Skog has emphasised the development of residential, business and outdoor recreation areas. We consider the Bratsberg group and Conceptor Eiendomsutvikling to be ideal partners in moving this work forward", says Norske Skog's President and CEO Sven Ombudstvedt.
Parts of the proceeds from the sale have been granted as seller's credit and will be paid off during a five-year period. Norske Skog will also retain a minority ownership share in Bratsberg Holding AS, which in addition to Klosterøya, will have a portfolio including several development properties in the cities of Porsgrunn and Skien.
The sale of Nedre Ranheim (Trondheim) to Maja Eiendom AS was finalised at the end of December.
Sale of the two properties will ensure a total accounting gain of around NOK 80 million. Most of this will be booked in the fourth quarter of 2010.
With the sale of Klosterøya and Nedre Ranheim, Norske Skog has sold properties in Norway for approx. NOK 280 million during 2010.
Oxenøen, 12 January 2011
Norske Skog
Communication and Corporate affairs
Visit BTG at Tissue World Nice 2011
SEE HOW BTG CAN HELP IMPROVE BOTTOM LINE!
BTG: helping the tissue maker improve economic performance and quality, thanks to in-depth process- and customer knowledge and advanced technologies. We work hand-in-hand with the customer to develop innovative, cost-effective ways of improving his operation, replying to his specific demands and needs.
Visit booth E45 to discuss how we can help you improve your bottom line:
* Reduced fiber costs, reduced consumable costs, improved tissue machine uptime and converting plant yield: all of these are possible through the application of the industry's most widely used particle charge detector, zeta potential measurement and our highly efficient equipment for the evaluation of retention aids.
* Web breaks, edge build-up, flying sheet: to significantly reduce these production constraints we introduce our fines management concept based on new generation optical consistency transmitters for fiber, ash and fines.
* Bulk improvement, improved fiber yield, enhanced softness and consistent quality: all possible thanks to our range of high-performance creping doctors and our unique creping blade holder, which allows for independent adjustment of linear load and creping pocket angle - while running!
* Our collaborative project approach to tissue mill economic enhancement (TTC, Total Tissue Capability) drawing on a comprehensive package of equipment, specialist know-how and consumables - all geared to optimizing your tissue operation
For more information please contact
---------------------------------------------------
Lena Coquerand-Werner Communications Mgr BTG Eclépens S.A.
+41 21 866 00 61 / Fax. +41 21 866 00 61
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or go to: www.btg.com
Destroyed Southern Plug Plant to Permanently Close
Southern Plug and Manufacturing, Inc., a unit of Sonoco Products Company, today announced that it will permanently close its Bastrop molded plug manufacturing plant. The plant, located at 6566 Mer Rouge Road, has been shut down since it was destroyed by fire on November 5, 2010. The Southern Plug plant, which began operation in 1978, employed 50 full-time workers and primarily produced molded plugs used in tubes and cores for the paper industry.
"This was an extremely difficult decision, particularly considering the impact it will have on the plant's employees and their families," said James Harrell, vice president, North American Converting for Sonoco. "Since fire destroyed the plant, we have been working with our customers to provide alternative supply sources while developing a longer-term solution. However, the loss of the Bastrop supply is transforming the market for molded plugs. Given these changes and the risk to supply created by a single large site, it is clear that development of a new dedicated manufacturing facility will no long meet the needs of the market.
"Sonoco will remain in the molded plug business," Harrell emphasized. "However, to meet the future needs of our customers, we will be developing a more diversified supply system, which includes using existing Sonoco plant sites as well as joint production and supply agreements with other producers. This strategy will allow us to reduce the risk to supply and better meet the broad geographic needs of our customers throughout North America."
As a result of the permanent closure, Bastrop employees will receive severance payments, extended benefits and career outplacement services. After the plant was shut down, the Company provided employees with two weeks of additional pay, bonus pay, plus accrued vacation and holiday pay. Under the plant closure program, employees will receive severance pay that is equal to one week's pay for each year of employment, with a minimum of four weeks pay. As a bridge during the holidays, employees also will receive one additional week of pay in addition to the severance payment. During the paid severance period, each individual will receive extended employee benefits as well as outplacement services and career counseling. Qualified workers will be able to apply for certain open positions within Sonoco's U.S. operations.
"We worked quickly to make a decision so that Bastrop employees knew where they stood and could make future plans. We realize that nothing will replace an existing job, but we do want to provide these workers with a bridge to a new career or, if eligible, into retirement," said Harrell. "We also want to thank everyone in the Bastrop community who has reached out to our employees and to Southern Plug. State, parish and city economic development personnel worked hard with local officials to help develop a competitive local redevelopment opportunity. Unfortunately, the market has changed, and our customers' needs call for a new supply solution."
About Sonoco
Based in Hartsville, S.C., and founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global manufacturer of consumer and industrial packaging and provider of packaging services, with more than 300 operations in 35 countries, serving some 85 nations. For more information on the Company, visit our Web site at www.sonoco.com.
SOURCE: Sonoco
Revision of PEFC Requirements for Tropical Natural Forests; Inivitation to Nominate
PEFC International, the world's largest forest certification scheme, is calling on all stakeholders to nominate candidates for a working group dedicated to the revision of PEFC requirements for the sustainable management of tropical natural forests.
Over the past two years, the PEFC Revision Working Group has revised PEFC’s requirements sustainable forest management, standard setting, and group certification, which were approved in November 2010.
The remaining task of the Revision Working Group is to develop an interpretative Appendix for the application of the new PEFC standard for sustainable forest management in tropical natural forests. This includes issues such as the recognition of free, prior and informed consent, the respect for property and land tenure rights as well as customary and traditional rights, prohibition of forest conversions and genetically modified trees, and the protection of ecologically important forest areas.
In order to better address this remaining task, the current WG will be recomposed to include individuals and organisations with interest and expertise in tropical natural forests and trade with products of those forests.
PEFC members and external parties are eligible to nominate candidates for the working group for the following five stakeholder categories:
- Forest owners/managers
- Forest based industry
- Consumers and customers
- Civil society
- PEFC members
Participation is aimed to include representatives from the CSD Major Groups, which include Business & Industry, Children & Youth, Farmers, Indigenous Peoples, Local Authorities, NGOs, Scientific & Technological Community, Women, and Workers & Trade Unions.
The revision process will be complemented by open dialogues, expert workshops, and public consultations at various stages of the revision process and anticipated to result in the submission of a revised PEFC requirements for tropical natural forests to the PEFC General Assembly in November 2011 in Montreux, Switzerland.
Terms and References
The working group:
- is governed by PEFC GD 1003:2009,
- has 25 seats equally distributed amongst the stakeholder categories (see above), decisions of the working group are following principles of consensus,
- is anticipated to meet three times in 2011, in early February 2011, end of May 2011 and in Autumn (September-October 2011), in Geneva, Switzerland. Telephone conference facilities will be provided, though direct participation is strongly encouraged.
- participation is voluntary, the members are responsible for covering their own costs (reimbursement of the travel costs may be provided in exceptional circumstances)
Please submit nominations by 31 December 2010.
Further Information
Nominations Form (all fields are required)
OTHER ONGOING PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
Stora Enso's Global Responsibility web pages win prestigious European Excellence Award
Stora Enso's www.storaenso.com/globalresponsibility web pages have won the European Excellence Award 2010 in the category of websites. The European Excellence Award competition focuses on outstanding achievements in different fields of communications. This year's Awards attracted an unprecedented number of over 1 450 entries. The paper,packaging,woodaward was handed over on 9 December 2010 in Prague.
Stora Enso's Global Responsibility website and a related Facebook page were launched in April 2010 to offer an open forum for straight talk about corporate responsibility. One of the highlights of the website is a dialogue between Sini Harkki of Greenpeace and Stora Enso's CEO Jouko Karvinen. The site also features comments from a CarrotMob representative, a forest owner, and a plantation specialist discussing various challenging topics related to responsibility.
"People have a lot of questions and concerns about how wood and paper are used today, the future fate of forests, and human rights in the context of plantations. We want to address these questions openly, and this is why we created the Global Responsibility web pages," says Lauri Peltola, Stora Enso's Head of Global Responsibility and Group Communications."We're extremely pleased with this recognition. For us it is a sign that our open way of communicating with our stakeholders is the right way to go forward."
Please visit:
www.storaenso.com/globalresponsibility
www.facebook.com/globalresponsibility
Read more about the European Excellence Awards
http://www.excellence-awards.eu/
Stora Enso is a global paper, packaging and wood products company producing newsprint and book paper, magazine paper, fine paper, consumer board, industrial packaging and wood products. The Group is the world leader in forest industry sustainability. We offer our customers solutions based on renewable raw materials. Our products provide a climate-friendly alternative to many non-renewable materials, and have a smaller carbon footprint. Stora Enso is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the FTSE4Good Index. Stora Enso employs some 27 000 people worldwide, and our sales in 2009 amounted to EUR 8.9 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY) in the International OTCQX over-the-counter market.
source:STORA ENSO OYJ
Kemira and VTT to open a joint research and development center in Brazil
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Kemira Oyj are opening a new joint R&D center in São Paulo, Brazil. The research and development center will focus primarily on water chemistry and biomass utilisation applications. The center will start operations in the end of 2010.
The new center is a continuum for the Center of Water Efficiency Excellence, which Kemira initially established together with VTT in Finland. The center in São Paulo aims to implement the newest water technology research in the growing South American market. Important focus areas will be biomass, bioethanol, pulp and applications for the oil and mining industries.
“This research and development center in São Paulo is the fourth part in Kemira’s R&D center network that we need for executing our growth strategy. Kemira has been investing in building a strong technology platform and developing new water chemistry applications for various industries. A strong presence in emerging markets is essential for technology transfer and extracting signals from the market. Now we will have a network capable of conducting focused research and development for the South American market”, says Harri Kerminen, President and CEO of Kemira.
“Our cooperation round the Center of Water Efficiency Excellence ensures a strong platform for serving our customers in South America. It is also a possibility to work together with one of the most important European Research Institutes, improving our local capabilities to develop customized solutions. In the long-term perspective, we can jointly develop new solutions in areas with high market potential, such as applications for biomass, mining, forestry and oil industry”, says Hilton Casas de Almeida, Region Head for South America, Kemira Oyj.
"An on-site research facility in São Paulo enables VTT to support Finnish businesses in the growing South American market as well as develop its research collaboration in a very efficient way. This can’t be done without being present in local markets in South America. Here in South America, Kemira is an important partner for VTT, and establishing research facilities in Brazil supports VTT’s internationalization strategy especially in the fields of industrial biotechnology and the forest sector”, says Erkki KM Leppävuori, CEO of VTT.
The primary function of VTT’s new unit in Brazil will be to form partnerships with local enterprises and research institutions in turning biomass into chemicals, energy (biofuels), and pulp-based products. In addition to Kemira, VTT also hopes to form close partnerships with other Finnish enterprises in Brazil. Finnish industrial companies are already operating in the country and many have invested heavily in the local market.
VTT aims to grow the new unit into a team of 10 research scientists by the end of 2011 and a genuine research centre of 15 - 20 employees by the end of 2012. The Brazilian unit will operate under VTT International Ltd as part of VTT Group.
For more info contact:
Erkki Leppävuori
President & CEO
+358 20 722 4100
Petri Kalliokoski
VTT International Ltd, CEO
+358 20 722 4767
Johan Grön
Kemira Oyj, Executive Vice President, R&D and Technology
+358 10 862 1058
Source: VTT