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

ipw news

Preliminary statistics for 2022 released by Cepi, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, show the impact of high energy prices and of an eroding EU and global economic growth. The sector can, however, capitalise on positive long-term trends, which the EU Green Deal Industrial Plan could accelerate.

Stora Enso, global provider of renewable solutions, has contracted ABB to upgrade two of their mills in Sweden to ABB Ability™ Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for pulp and paper to manage and streamline end-to-end production and improve overall mill efficiency. Migrating to ABB’s MES will offer new functionalities and customized features that meet Stora Enso’s specific site requirements. Most importantly, the system will interface with the mill’s ERP, DCS, QCS, WIS, laboratory devices and more for true integration and greater visibility over systems and processes across the entire manufacturing chain. This will give operators, supervisors, production engineers and plant managers the insights to act and optimize, in turn improving productivity and end-product quality while reducing waste.

As an addition to the proven OceanCoat roll cover, Voith has now developed the OceanCoat P. The new coater backing roll cover is specially made for high-demand positions in blade coater applications. Due to its new polyurethane chemistry and unique filler concept, OceanCoat P is optimized to meet the requirements of stable profile conditions and highest wear resistance.

The 3rd international exhibition of machinery and equipment for pulp, paper and cardboard, SPAPER, will take place from March 7-9, 2023 in Zaragoza, Spain. Emtec Electronic GmbH will be represented at the event by IDM Test.

Stora Enso has entrusted full-line supplier Voith with the conversion of a former paper machine. The machine at the northern Finnish site in Oulu previously produced coated graphic papers. After the successful conversion, the machine will produce high-quality folding boxboard and coated kraft back (CKB). With a production volume of 750,000 tons per year, the plant will be the largest board machine in Europe. Start-up is scheduled for early 2025.

Sustainable solutions provider Perstorp has added new corporate sustainability targets, for water and waste, to its sustainability strategy. Its long-term sustainability ambition is to become Finite Material Neutral, which involves water and waste, along with raw materials, energy and catalysts. In 2021 the company set its first 2030 targets, for greenhouse gas emissions (using approved science-based targets) and (eco) toxic impact. Now Perstorp has added new sustainability targets that will address its long-term ambition.

International technology group Andritz has received an order from Klingele Paper & Packaging Group in Nova Campina, Brazil, to supply automated threading systems for paper machines PM1 and PM3 producing various paper packaging grades. The systems will be installed in 2023.

Paper is an extraordinary material. The climate-friendly, renewable material is strong, flexible and extremely versatile. With these properties, paper offers endless potential and plays an important often unrecognized role in everyday life. Felix Schoeller combines the experience of more than 100 years of paper manufacturing with the know-how to develop solutions for life from this material together with customers and partners. Paper Made For Life - that's what the Felix Schoeller brand stands for. This is the result of an extensive process in which the company, led and accompanied by CEO Hans-Christoph Gallenkamp, explored what contribution Felix Schoeller wants to make to society today and in the future.

From 14 – 16 March 2023 the converting community will meet for the 13th International Converting Exhibition in Munich, Germany. This key industry event offers contemporary expertise revolving around bespoke product and processing solutions, investment opportunities, and much more. With the show approaching fast visitors can expect a strong exhibitor line-up, the latest technology and industry trends. Once again, best practice and outstanding performances will be honoured with the prestigious ICE Awards.

A recent collaboration between associations representing the paper manufacturing and heat pump sectors, Cepi and EHPA, has resulted in innovation which could produce energy savings of 50% in paper manufacturing. It could also be key in decarbonising one of Europe’s energy-intensive sectors. But EU regulators need to speed up incentives for affordable clean energy.

bio-fibre news

Stora Enso Oyj and AFRY have agreed an engineering assignment for converting a decommissioned paper machine into a consumer board production line at the company’s mill in Oulu, Finland. The rapid growth of the renewable packaging sector continues due to demographic changes and overall long-term economic growth, while the increasing focus on sustainability, particularly in the consumer goods industry, is contributing to wider adoption of fibre-based packaging solutions.