+++ IMPORTANT +++ Metso: Studying biocoal to replace coal in energy production UPM, Metso, Helsingin Energia and PVO-Lämpövoima are conducting the world’s first research program covering the entire value chain to investigate the possibilities of using biocoal, ie. torrefied bio-fuel, to replace coal in energy production. › more

Andritz: Record breaking start-up of greenfield pulp mill in China The greenfield pulp mill of Zhanjiang Chenming Pulp & Paper Co., Ltd reached its nominal production capacity of 700,000 t/y in world record time – only 121 days from start-up. It has also produced 100% of design capacity during the first full operating year, establishing another world record. All key production technologies and start-up supervision were provided by Andritz. › more

Eurocon Analyzer becomes PulpEye Eurocon Analyzer AB, provider of online measuring equipment like PulpEye, KappaEye and ScanChip to the pulp and paper industry, changes name to PulpEye AB. The name change provides clarity and enhances the expansion into more markets. › more

Papierfabrik August Koehler AG: Now doing business as SE At the beginning of November, Papierfabrik August Koehler AG, Oberkirch, Germany, will be transformed from AG to SE - Societas Europea. › more

BASF: New anionic surface sizing agent With Basoplast 450 P, BASF introduces a new and highly costefficient PSA for the packaging segment. The product is suited for linerboard grades and complements the company’s offer of anionic PSA in the graphical paper market. By replacing cationic PSA in packaging with Basoplast 450 P, paper manufacturers now can adjust the desired coloration in the surface with direct dyes, which can provide a more cost-efficient solution than incumbent systems. › more

Cenibra: Staying strong with Metso's new Control Loop Performance Solution Cenibra, a major Brazilian pulp and paper producer, has reached significant improvements in process efficiency and in end-product quality by using Metso’s new Control Loop Performance solution at their mill – with annual 1.2 million t capacity in two lines. › more

Metso: Cartonboard line started up at Shandong IP & Sun Food Packaging The Metso-supplied complete cartonboard production line, PM 26, for Shandong IP & Sun Food Packaging Co. Ltd., successfully came on stream on September 19 in Yanzhou City, Shandong Province in China. › more

Metso: Biomass power plant for Värnamo Energi, Sweden Metso will supply Värnamo Energi AB with a biomass power plant for combined heat and power production in Värnamo in Sweden. The start-up of the plant is scheduled for autumn 2014. The value of the order is approximately EUR 17 million. › more

Papyrus Prize for Paprec founder A “successful recycling entrepreneur” has become the latest winner of the Papyrus Prize awarded by the BIR Paper Division in recognition of outstanding service to the sector. Jean-Luc Petithuguenin, founder and President of the France-based Paprec group, was hailed by Paper Division President Ranjit Baxi of the UK’s J & H Sales International as a “role model” and “ambassador for the recycling industry”. › more

European Paper Recycling in 2011 at 70.4% The European paper recycling rate reached an impressive 70.4% as announced by the ERPC (European Recovered Paper Council) in their annual monitoring report. › more

UPM: Foundation stone for biofuel plant been laid On November 12, the foundation stone of UPM's new biodiesel plant in Lappeenranta, Finland, has been laid. The world's first biorefinery to produce wood-based biodiesel will be started up next year. › more

Metso: Helping predict paper properties The new Metso Pulp Analyzer (Metso MAP) features the first on-line measurement of micro-scale details of fiber properties. It provides pulp and papermakers a tool that helps to predict how fiber properties will affect final sheet strength properties. The new analyzer also enables precise furnish preparation and low consistency refining management resulting in better sheet runnability, higher machine efficiency and lower furnish costs. › more

Ahlstrom: Paper release liner recycling initiative in Europe Ahlstrom, a global high performance materials company, and a leading producer of release papers, has announced a new initiative for recycling silicone coated paper release liners used by the pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) label industry. › more

New Toscotec tissue line at Papeterie d’Annonay in France Recently, MP Hygiene started up their new Toscotec supplied complete tissue production line at their facility in Annonay, Ardeche Department on Rhone-Alps Region, France. › more

Andritz: Four additional tissue machines to Hengan, China Andritz received an order from the Hengan Group, China, to supply four tissue machines with Steel Yankees to mills in Changde and Chongqing. After the start-up of these machines, which is scheduled for 2014, the Hengan Group will be producing tissue on 13 Andritz tissue machines. › more

Metso: Valves for Sappi Ngodwana mill expansion project Metso will deliver all the automated process valves required for Sappi's fiberline expansion in the Ngodwana mill in South Africa. In this project, called Go-Cell, the existing fiberline is being expanded to produce chemical (specialised) cellulose, also known as dissolving pulp. In total, over 700 automated valves will be delivered during the final quarter of 2012, and the mill start-up is scheduled for early 2013. › more

OpTest: Launching new fiber quality analyzer The fourth generation of the Fiber Quality Analyzer will be launched in January 2013. Over a decade ago, the first FQA was developed jointly by FP Innovations, the University of British Columbia and OpTest. More than 160 units have been sold worldwide since then. The new FQA-360 retains all the advantages of the previous model. › more

Metso: Revolutionary kraft mill liquor cycle management The new Metso Recovery Analyzer represents the latest generation of fully automatic titrators for chemicals recovery optimization. In addition to the well proven causticizing measurements, the new Metso Recovery Analyzer also features unique on-line reduction degree measurement technology which together with process optimizing controls enables more environmentally friendly operation, higher process throughput and maximum uptime and savings in cleaning chemical and fresh lime costs. › more

Torraspapel: CreatorSilk shows best photographic creations of the year The Lux Awards chooses CreatorSilk to show the best photographic creations of the year and Torraspapel, part of the Lecta Group, thus reaffirms its connection to the world of art and culture as the paper of choice for innovative and emblematic artistic work. The LUX Photography Awards are a touchstone in Spain, recognizing the year’s best work by professional photographers with a special emphasis on the search for innovative techniques and the work’s ability to communicate. › more