Yearly Archives: 2016
Smurfit Kappa to acquire Saxon Packaging in the UK
(Dublin, Ireland, Nov. 07, 2016) Smurfit Kappa UK announced the acquisition of Saxon Packaging based in Lowestoft, Norfolk (UK).
Saxon Packaging is an independent converter of board into corrugated boxes and fitments.
According to Smurfit Kappa, Saxon has invested over the past three years in latest technology machinery which allows the company to meet the needs of its broad customer base in Suffolk, East Anglia and the Home Counties.
Clive Bowers, CEO of Smurfit Kappa UK stated, “I am delighted with this Read More...
Bracell completes $1.1 billion privatization
(Hong Kong, Nov. 06, 2016) Bracell Limited announced that the $1.1 billion privatisation by BHL Limited has been completed and its main board listing on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong will be withdrawn. Over the last three years, the Company has delivered total shareholder returns of 273%.
Bracell will be part of the Royal Golden Eagle group, which manages world-class companies operating in pulp and paper, palm oil, viscose staple fiber and energy, with combined assets exceeding $15 billion Read More...
Stora Enso installs Savcor Wedge at its Oulu mill
(Helsinki, Oct 28, 2016) Stora Enso installs Savcor Wedge at its pulp and paper mill in Oulu, Finland. The overall aim is to provide real-time and long-term history information for the mill personnel covering mill wide process data combining several source systems.
The online process diagnostics system Wedge consist of versatile tools for monitoring, analyzing and finding root causes and consequences of process events to improve productivity.
Savcor is a global high-tech company, which delivers advanced solutions for performance optimization. (Source: Read More...
UPM Paper ENA plans to reduce 305,000 tonnes of graphic paper capacity in Europe
(Helsinki, Finland, 3 November 2016) UPM is planning to permanently reduce its graphic paper capacity in Europe by 305,000 tonnes. The capacity reductions are planned to take place in Austria and Germany.
UPM plans to permanently close two paper machines:
• SC paper machine 3 at UPM Steyrermühl, Austria
• SC paper machine 2 at UPM Augsburg, Germany
Number of persons affected by the plan is estimated 150 for UPM Augsburg and 125 for UPM Steyrermühl. The employee consultation processes will start in Read More...
Mercer International reports Q3 2016 results; projects steady growth in NBSK deliveries
(Canada, Nov. 03, 2016) Mercer International Inc. recently reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016. Operating EBITDA in the third quarter of 2016 declined to $47.9 million from $61.1 million in the third quarter of 2015, primarily due to lower pulp sales realizations and sales volumes, partially offset by lower fiber prices, but increased from $34.7 million in the prior quarter of 2016.
Mr. David M. Gandossi, Chief Executive Officer, stated:
“In the current quarter, our mills generally Read More...
Resolute Reports Preliminary Third Quarter 2016 Results
(Montréal, Canada, Nov. 3, 2016) Resolute Forest Products Inc. (NYSE: RFP) (TSX: RFP) today reported net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, of $14 million, or $0.15 per share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $6 million, or $0.07 per share, in the same period in 2015. Sales were $888 million in the quarter, down $17 million, or 2%, from the third quarter of 2015. Excluding special items, the company reported net income of $19 million, Read More...
Kimberly-Clark 3Q net sales down 3 per cent
(USA, Nov. 03, 2016) Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported 3Q 2016 results. Sales of $4.6 billion in the 3Q 2016 were down approximately 3% compared to the year-ago period. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced sales by more than 2%. Organic sales were essentially even with the prior year.
3Q operating profit was $836 million in 2016 and $779 million in 2015. Adjusted operating profit of $836 million in the 3Q 2016 increased 1% compared to $826 million in the year-ago Read More...
Valmet to supply a headbox upgrade for QingXin Paper
(Helsinki, Nov 03, 2016) Valmet will supply a headbox upgrade and two headbox recondition service packages to Green Forest (QingXin) Paper Industrial Limited paper mill in Qingxin County, Qingyuan, China. The delivery is scheduled to take place in September 2017, and the start-up to be in October and November 2017.
The order was included in Valmet’s third quarter 2016 orders received. The value of an upgrade of this scope is usually valued around EUR 1 million.
“Valmet has proven technology, products Read More...
Weyerhaeuser completes divestment of its Longview mill
(Federal Way, USA, Nov. 02, 2016) Weyerhaeuser Company recently announced the completion of the sale of North Pacific Paper Company to an affiliate of One Rock Capital Partners, LLC.
The transaction includes the printing papers mill located in Longview, Washington. The mill has the capacity to produce 750,000 tons per year.
Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Weyerhaeuser operated Norpac through a 50-50 joint venture that was originally formed in 1979 with Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
Norpac products include printing and Read More...
Sappi Europe to hike graphic paper prices by 10 per cent in the UK market
(London, UK, Nov 03, 2016) Sappi Europe intends to increase prices for all graphic papers grades, reels and sheets, in the UK market by 10% effective 1st December for all new and non contracted business. For existing contracts, new pricing will apply from 2 January 2017 latest.
Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, Sappi Europe is the leading European producer and supplier of coated fine paper, packaging and speciality papers. (Source: press release)
Read More...
Q3/2016 Global HW Market Review: 1.031MT growth in global demand for BEKP; HW vs. SW spread at a high US$148/t in Europe & US$105/t in China
(Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 31, 2016) Highlights:
• Sales volume of 1,442 million tons in the quarter
• Hardwood pulp operating rate reached 92% in August
• Growth of 1.031 million t in global demand for BEKP (8M16 vs. 8M15)(4)
• Hardwood and softwood spread of US$148/t in Europe and US$105/t in China
Even though the seasonality has marked the period, an improved sales volume performance was observed when compared to 2Q16, especially in August and September. This growth, coupled with a scenario of depreciated prices especially in Read More...
Fibria reports third-quarter net revenue of R$2.3 billion, EBITDA of R$758 million and lower production cash cost
(Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 31, 2016) Highlights:
• Net income in the quarter of R$32 million, bringing net income in the first nine months to R$1.755 billion
• Sales volume in the quarter of 1,442 million tons
• Production cash cost of R$638 per ton
• Pulp production of 1,311 million tons, increasing 3%
• Construction on the Horizonte 2 Project reaches 60% completion
• The project is ahead of schedule and R$1.2 billion under budget
Fibria, a Brazilian forestry company and the world’s leading eucalyptus pulp producer, reported net revenue of Read More...
Fitch: Latam Pulp and Paper’s Low Cost Position Helps to Weather Negative Trends
(Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Oct 31, 2016) Brazilian and Chilean pulp companies’ excellent position on the production cost curve supports investment grade ratings despite negative market trends, according a new Fitch Ratings report.
“Because of very productive forests, a favorable climate for growing trees, and modern pulp mills, these pulp producers enjoy low costs,” said Fernanda Rezende, Director at Fitch. “The plantations are extremely efficient by global standards and give Latin American producers sustainable advantages in the cost of fiber Read More...
Leipa (Germany) contracts Voith to convert newsprint machine for the production of white top testliner
(Germany, Nov. 01, 2016) Leipa Georg Leinfelder GmbH has contracted Voith to reconstruct its PM11 comprehensively to become its future PM5, as well as a new OCC stock preparation and an extension of the DIP facility in its Leipa plant in Schwedt.
While the PM11 is currently producing 280,000 metric tons of newsprint annually, the machine with a wire width of 9,200 mm will be rebuilt to become one of the most modern and largest production lines for white Read More...
Stora Enso’s 3Q sales down 4.3%
(Helsinki, Oct 26, 2016) Stora Enso’s 3Q 2016 sales at Euro 2 393 million were Euro 107 million, or 4.3% lower than a year ago mainly due to divestments and capacity closures.
Sales excluding the structurally declining paper business and divested Barcelona Mill increased 1.8%, primarily due to the ramp-ups at Varkaus kraftliner and Beihai consumer board mills. Paper division sales excluding restructurings remained stable. Biomaterials division was impacted by lower hardwood pulp prices
3Q 2016 operational EBIT was Euro 219 Read More...