Week of 3 August 2020: Corruption Month

Since last year, the Great Mother has passed on to Rat Heaven and we have a new cadre in charge. The word came out early in the year that we will be convening in a big city on a big lake in the middle of the country. There is a lot of pulp and paper business there and so many rats live fairly close at hand.

Fraud Prevention

In a recent article, Fraud Magazine, discusses an overlooked component of fraud - twisted rationalizations.

Patent Applications and Patents

Appvion Announces Antimicrobial Technology

SafeShield technology prevents the replication of DNA and new cell formation! Independent lab tests demonstrate up to 99.99% reduction in non-pathogenic bacteria on the paper's surface even after printing and post processing.

Essity Leans on Digital Tools to Fortify Their Manufacturing Supply Chain While Improving Machine Health and Productivity

Augury, a leading AI-based Machine Health solution provider, announced that Essity, an innovative global leader in professional hygiene, consumer tissue and personal care products, has chosen Augury's machine health solutions to help drive the digital transformation of its supply chain.

[Adv.] Pure Air Filtration

(Adv.) SAP offers you an easy direct link to their breaking developments

Coronavirus and papermaking woes bring tough times to Maine's logging industry

'This is probably the lowest point that I've ever seen,' says one logging industry veteran and association president.

Domino's teams with WestRock to encourage more recycling of pizza boxes

In an effort to encourage more recycling, Domino's and its primary box supplier, WestRock, have launched recycling.dominos.com to encourage and educate pizza lovers about their recyclables. Domino's worked with WestRock earlier this year to increase the recycled content in its pizza boxes from 40 percent to 72 percent and says they are designed for at least seven recycling cycles.

Where is Jim this week?

As I travel, I am always looking for someone to go to dinner with, share a barbeque sandwich lunch and so forth.

Pratt Industries and Talo Analytic International celebrate 25 year relationship

Gary Byrd of Pratt Industries and Jim Thompson of Talo Analytic International recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the two companies' relationship. The relationship started in November of 1993.

For the occasion, Talo Analytic International commissioned a "tombstone" reminiscent of those typically prepared to celebrate a deal closing and presented it to Mr. Byrd.

Talo Analytic International began working with Pratt Industries when Pratt's Conyers, Georgia Mill was first financed. Talo Analytic International has been the principal technical adviser on the financing of every Pratt mill in the United States. Talo Analytic International was also a key adviser on the Visy Tumut Mill in Australia in the late 1990's.

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O-I Glass Completes the Sale of ANZ Business Unit to Visy

Gross proceeds approximated AUD $947 million including a related sale-leaseback agreement which approximated AUD $214 million.

Work continues to secure future of Verso mill in Wisconsin Rapids as layoffs loom

The Verso mill is in the process of idling this week in Wisconsin Rapids, but task force leaders say they have to continue to endeavor to find solutions for the future of the site.

UPM begins construction of new nursery in Central Uruguay

UPM has begun the construction of its third nursery in Uruguay, located in Central Uruguay, about 10 kilometers from Sarandí del Yí, Durazno. The investment is approximately $25 million.

Saica Group Announces first US location in Southwest Ohio

Saica Group is establishing its first North American facility near Cincinnati, Ohio.

Skowhegan, Maine firefighters respond to call at Sappi's Somerset Mill

Overheating machinery is thought to be the cause of a minor fire at Sappi's Somerset Mill.

CNG's Kelly/Spicers Continues Packaging Expansion, Acquires Northern California's American Packaging

Central National Gottesman Inc. (CNG), which owns sales and distribution businesses in the global pulp, paper, tissue, packaging, wood products and metals industries, announced that its Kelly/Spicers division has acquired Northern California-based American Packaging, further expanding its packaging business throughout the Western U.S.

Northern Pulp cried poor while paying parent company nearly $60 million, Nova Scotia officials argue in court documents

The province has accused Northern Pulp of misappropriating taxpayer funds and misrepresenting its financial state to allow it to funnel more money back to its parent company.

Mondi launches gaming app about workplace safety

Mondi Corrugated Solutions has launched the app to raise awareness of workplace safety rules in an accessible and entertaining way. The app entitled HEADS UP! is free to download for all Mondi employees and the general public.

Duluth, Minnesota scrambles to find future for idled Verso mill

Government and business leaders are working to save or find a buyer for a Verso Corp. paper mill that shut down in June, laying off hundreds of workers.

Cascades to close Ontario containerboard packaging facility

Cascades Inc. announced that it will close its Etobicoke, Ontario Containerboard packaging facility as part of the strategic repositioning of its Containerboard platform in Ontario and the Corporation's continuing global optimization initiatives.

Mondi acquires two paper bag lines and signs exclusive supplier agreements with leading cement producers in Egypt

The acquired production lines will increase Mondi's capacity by approximately 60-80 million bags annually and strengthen Mondi's position in the Middle Eastern bag market, particularly in supporting suppliers to the construction industry.

Colleges partner with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper to expand Corner Brook operations

The new centre will be operated by Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic, with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited putting up a vacant building and signing on to handle the maintenance of it in the future.

Ex-Appvion officers, directors win dismissal of fraud suit

More than 30 former officers and directors of bankrupt paper company Appvion Inc have won dismissal of a lawsuit by a company employee benefit plan accusing them of inflating the value of its stock.

Mondi completes Euro 135 million upgrade of power plant at its Syktyvkar mill in Russia

The investment in the power plant, including a new bark boiler, new steam turbine and upgrade of power distribution network, further improves the environmental performance of the mill.

Grand Rapids UPM paper mill fined in death of former NHLer Scot Kleinendorst

A federal investigation showed that Kleinendorst wasn't wearing a seat belt when a log loader rolled.

Avery Dennison First to Certify BOPP Films for HDPE Recycling Under APR Guidance

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials announced that its Clear Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) film portfolio has been certified to comply with the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) Critical Guidance Protocol for HDPE recycling.

Ilim Group's new evaporation plant construction nearly complete

As part of a large-scale investment program, Ilim Group is finalizing its environmental project worth $91 million that involves construction of a new Evaporation Plant (EVAP 8) with the highest capacity in Russia at Ilim's Mill in Bratsk, Russia.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö to invest in its facility in Binzhou, China

Ahlstrom-Munksjö announces a further investment in its Binzhou plant to be able to produce abrasive backing papers locally in China.

Mondi introduces NextLiner - the world's first sustainable PCK release liner

Mondi, global leader in packaging and paper, has developed the world's first sustainable polycoated kraft (PCK) paper release liner, which is being launched on a global scale.

PotlatchDeltic Corporation Announces Campfire Burn Ban on Idaho Properties

The burning ban on PotlatchDeltic's Idaho properties will remain in effect until conditions improve.

Weyerhaeuser Announces New Sustainability Strategy

Weyerhaeuser Company announced the launch of a new sustainability strategy that maps out ambitious commitments and goals for the next decade and beyond.

Ilim Group fires up new woodroom at its Bratsk mill in Russia

The new woodroom includes three lines with an aggregate capacity of 5 million cubic meters of chips per year.

Sonoco Releases Corporate Responsibility Report

The report highlights several key environmental milestones accomplished over the past year, including reducing normalized greenhouse gas emissions by 1.0 percent and water usage by 2.0 percent.

Irving's Ashland Sawmill Invests in Renewable Energy

The turbine will allow the site to limit their purchase of electricity, by choosing a greener option.

DS Smith Survey: Swapping Shopping Carts for a Laptop, Online Buyers Say They Are Hooked for Good

New research shows Americans overwhelmingly have flocked to online shopping during pandemic.

Student Spotlight: Geordin Craun of Western Michigan

Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Geordin Craun, a senior in the program. We asked her a few questions about her experiences at Western Michigan.

NC State Names New Dean of College of Natural Resources

Myron Floyd has been named dean of the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University after a nationwide search. His appointment becomes effective April 1.

As Paper Days approaches, we catch up with University of Maine Senior Eliza Hosford

Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Eliza Hosford, a senior in the program. Miss Hosford is from Bucksport, Maine and graduated in 2016 from Bucksport High School as valedictorian. We asked her a few questions about her experiences at UMaine.

The Light Green Machine Institute

Ideas you can use now.

Saving energy

Saving energy was a topic Jim Thompson discussed a few weeks back. With fuel prices at record lows, it seems a weird time to discuss saving energy. But back in the day, when Union Camp was an entity in the 70s and 80s, the company leadership were geniuses at forecasting the paper industry fortunes six months to a year in advance. It seemed when everyone else was doing one thing we were doing another. And some time later, our approach was usually proven the best.

Capital Arguments for July 2020

Check out TALOtech groups on LinkedIn

The purpose of the TALOtech groups on LinkedIn is to provide a convenient forum for people working within the manufacturing part of this industry to share technical and operating related dialog to promote safe and competitive operations.

Energy & the Environment News

Your contributions are welcome in this department, regardless of point of view. A few criteria--if you send us a copyrighted piece, also provide a permission to publish statement from the owner. We will not publish overtly political pieces or anonymous pieces.

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March 2020

Download Audio File of the March 2020 Nip Impressions columns.

February 2020

Download Audio File of the February 2020 Nip Impressions columns.