below please find a selection of the latest news from the world of pulp and paper.

ipw news

Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box and Vitop, experts in comprehensive Bag-in-Box^® packaging solutions, are official sponsors of the Concours International ‘Best Wine in Box’ contest once again this year. Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box has supported the prestigious wine contest since it began in 2015 when a strategic partnership was born. The innovative concept of this contest has proved to be a real success as it has become a benchmark for consumers from all over the world, bringing together over 100 producers from different countries.

JK Paper, pulp & paper producer in India, has selected BTG to supply all the specialty process measurements in the planned relocation of pulp mill and the new board machine project at their Central Pulp mill, Songadh, Gujarat site.

Valmet has been recognized for its actions and strategy to mitigate climate change by receiving the best A rating in CDP's climate program ranking for the second consecutive year. CDP's evaluation is based on the company's 2019 disclosure about its actions in the last reporting year to develop the low-carbon technology and solutions, cut emissions and mitigate climate risks.

Valmet launches a completely redesigned Valmet Microwave Consistency Measurement – Valmet MCA (patent pending) for pulp and paper makers. Valmet MCA is now provided by digital electronics and the new Direct Sweep Detection measurement to offer higher performance measurement sensitivity and accuracy than competing analog designs.

Lecta increases its extensive offer of Adestor self-adhesive materials for digital printing with the launch of Adestor Inkjet Matt LR FSC (C011032) SP123 White Glassine 62. This new product, specially indicated for logistics and retail labels, provides good absorption and uptake of inks, resulting in excellent drying times both for UV and waterbased inks.

For the sixth consecutive year, BillerudKorsnäs receives the highest rating level in EcoVadis, thus continuing to be in the top of the companies being evaluated. This is one of several sustainability assessments, such as Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, that confirms that BillerudKorsnäs is one of the leading companies in sustainability within the industry.

Malin Bendz, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, will leave her position at Stora Enso as of 15 January 2020. After 20 years in the company, she will now pursue new career opportunities outside Stora Enso.

Valmet will supply an Advantage DCT100HS tissue production line, including a de-inking plant and an extensive automation package, to Alas Doradas in El Salvador. The order also includes a Valmet Performance Center agreement to support efficient production with Industrial Internet. The new tissue line will fulfill Alas Doradas’ demand for new capacity of high-quality tissue products in the region. The start-up is planned for the first half of 2021. The order is included in Valmet's orders received of the fourth quarter 2019. The value of the order is not disclosed.

Mondi collaborates with Unilever to deliver innovative new polypropylene (PP) mono-material solution in Turkey for its Knorr dry soup powder range. Unilever approached Mondi Kalenobel in January 2018 with the challenge of replacing a multi material laminate, with a recyclable mono-material film alternative. The new packaging preserves the shelf-life of the food product and does not impact the runability on the production machines. Furthermore, the packaging material designed by Jindal is certified as recyclable by the Institut cyclos HTP.

By 2025 the specialty chemicals group Altana will reduce its CO₂ impact from production and energy procurement worldwide to zero. Already in 2020, the company’s entire power supply will be converted to renewable energies. Altana will compensate for the unavoidable use of natural gas until 2025 by financing equivalent climate protection projects in the regions where CO₂ emissions are generated. The same applies to offsetting CO₂ emissions arising from necessary business trips, company cars, and the transport of goods. The specialty chemicals group will thus achieve climate neutrality in its direct sphere of influence by 2025.

bio-fibre news

Kelheim’s premium tampon fibre Galaxy^® has proven effective in sanitary pads: It can substitute up to 70% of the synthetics in ADL (Acquisition-Distribution-Layers) in feminine hygiene pads. The amount of feminine hygiene waste is enormous – and often the time it takes for these products to degrade is “hundreds of years longer than the lifespan of the woman who used it” [sic], because the synthetic components are not bio-degradable. Changing consumer behavior drives the need for environmentally friendly yet safe alternatives.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. today announced the construction of a commercial plant specializing in the production of cellulose filaments, a new sustainable biomaterial derived from wood fiber, at its Kénogami paper mill in Quebec as well as the optimization of the mill, at a total cost of $38 million.

In the 2019 “Hot-Button” report issued by the forest conservation organisation Canopy, Kelheim Fibres attained a “green shirt” ranking. This result underlines the company‘s excellent performance as regards to raw material sourcing. Many fashion brands already value the “Hot-Button” report as a reliable indicator for sustainability for viscose fibre producers.