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

ipw news

Packaging and speciality paper manufacturer Sappi Europe has invested a double-digit million euro sum in a new plant to produce innovative high-barrier papers – including an all-new type of barrier coating machine. Recently put into operation at the company’s Alfeld site in Germany, the in-house solution will produce high-barrier papers for recyclable packaging for food and non-food applications.

MG TEC Industry successfully started up its second complete tissue production line from Andritz at its mill in Dej, Romania. The first line went into operation in 2021. Dorin Mocan, CEO of MG TEC Industry, says: “Energy-efficient production and perfect end-product quality – those were our key targets and together with Andritz we achieved them. I am proud to hold the first tissue in my hands now.” Simion Buburuz, Technical Manager of MG TEC Industry, adds: “With their great team on site and their support in all areas Andritz perfectly met the challenging start-up schedule. Our second line was started up on the dot.”

Mondi is investing in innovative technologies to increase FunctionalBarrier Paper capacity in order to meet the growing demand for sustainable paper-based packaging solutions. Mondi's range of FunctionalBarrier Paper offers tailored barrier properties that reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging, supporting the development of a circular economy. The range is being supported with an investment in a new extruder at Mondi Coating Štetí (Czech Republic). This will comprise the construction of a production building which will house state-of-the-art machinery such as an extrusion coater and a slitting machine. Production is expected to start in 2024.

Valmet has signed an extension of the service agreement with AS Estonian Cell aspen pulp mill in Kunda, Estonia. The previous three-year agreement between Estonian Cell and Valmet was extended to an additional five years. The order is included in Valmet’s orders received of the first quarter 2023. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

Archroma, a global player in sustainable specialty chemicals and solutions for the textiles, packaging & paper, paints and coatings industries, announced its transition plan for the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Heike van de Kerkhof, CEO of Archroma since January 2020, will step down effective April 30, 2023, to focus on other career opportunities. Mark Garrett, a seasoned industry executive, will assume the role of interim CEO. Archroma’s Board of Directors has initiated a comprehensive search process for installing a permanent CEO and has retained a leading executive search firm to evaluate both internal and external candidates.

International technology Group Andritz received an order from Swedish pulp and paper manfufacturer Billerud AB to supply a flue gas treatment system for its Gruvön mill. The system will allow the mill to increase the output of its soda recovery boiler while at the same time reducing emissions. The recovered soda is reused in the pulp manufacturing process.

German-based testing device manufacturer emtec Electronic will exhibit an innovative product portfolio designed to improve processes and product quality, reduce waste and save energy at the Paper & Biorefinery trade conference from May 24-25 in Graz, Austria.

Sappi Limited announced today that the intended sale to Aurelius Group of its Maastricht Mill in the Netherlands, its Stockstadt Mill in Germany and its Kirkniemi Mill in Finland has not materialised within the agreed timeframe of the contractual agreement and therefore the agreement has lapsed.

Mondi has adopted a future-focused product portfolio for its Neusiedler mill in Austria and will invest to optimise the performance of the operation. The mill will focus on the strategic growth markets of Luxury Packaging, Professional Print, and Technical & Converting Papers, while utilising the strength of its asset base to deliver high quality and diversified products.

bio-fibre news

SCA owns around 71,000 hectares of land in the Baltics, of which approximately 59,000 hectares is forest land. The forest holding is vital for supplying SCA’s industries with raw materials and increasing SCA’s climate benefit. “We manage the forests to ensure that they grow well. This means that they bind large amounts of carbon dioxide and provide substantial amounts of raw materials for renewable products, which replace products with a larger carbon footprint,” says Jonas Mårtensson, Director SCA Forest.

The traditional PulPaper event has been fully redesigned. The next generation for PulPaper, Pulp & Beyond 2024 is the leading forum, bringing together the latest forest-based bioeconomy innovations, products, services and technologies as well as key people throughout the ecosystem. It offers new encounters, inspiration, networking and business possibilities for marketing global and sustainable solutions. The event provides the widest available showcase on the latest trends, and supports learning, employer branding and competence development. The new event format will have a strong focus on sustainability, efficiency and functionality. Pulp & Beyond will be arranged on 10-11 April 2024 at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre in Finland.