Toscotec will participate in the 30^th International Conference and ExpoAcotepac 2022 organized by the Colombian Association of Technicians of the Cellulose, Paper and Cardboard Industry (ACOTEPAC) from 16^th to 18^th February in Cali, Colombia. 

At the conference, Toscotec will present its innovative technology for superior energy efficiency with two technical speeches on 17^th February:

• 4.15 pm: Enrico Fazio, Sales Director of Toscotec Paper & Board division, will illustrate the advantages of two paper machine rebuilding projects in the case study analysis titled “Even small rebuilds bring great benefits.”

• 5.15 pm: Gabriele Romanini, Sales Manager of Toscotec Tissue division, will talk about the “Strategic roadmap to energy-efficient tissue machines”. The presentation focuses on the superior drying efficiency of the shoe press of new generation TT NextPress paired with the third-generation design TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer.  

Contacts to book an appointment at Toscotec’s booths 25-26-27: 
Enrico Fazio, Sales Director, Paper & Board division, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Marco Dalle Piagge, Sales Director, Tissue division, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gabriele Romanini, Sales Manager, Tissue division, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

With just two months until the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) is introduced (1 April) in the UK to encourage the use of recycled plastic in product packaging, Andrew Thurston, Customs Duty Consultant at MHA, argues the process of proving compliance, or exemption, to this new tax will be especially burdensome for businesses reliant on imports for packaging:

“There are good intentions behind the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) but, while it should work well for UK businesses who source their plastic packaging domestically, it will create a very cumbersome administrative burden for those that rely on imports and could potentially prove self-defeating.

“The tax is designed to encourage UK businesses to increase the recycled content of single-use plastic packaging. It will apply to finished plastic packaging manufactured in, or imported into, the UK if the plastic is less than 30% recycled. It means companies will need to meticulously calculate and report their recycled packaging plastic to ensure they remain tax complaint.

“The administrative burden will be felt most acutely by those businesses who purchase goods and packaging materials from outside the UK. To ensure they are compliant with, or exempt from PPT, they must obtain evidence from their international suppliers of the recycled content of packaging. Obtaining the necessary evidence could be a difficult and costly request, potentially rendering any attempts to claim tax exemption cost-prohibitive. Ironically, this could result in businesses ignoring the call to use more sustainable materials as meeting the exemption-threshold might not be worth it financially, defeating the purpose of the tax.

“In addition, any companies purchasing goods from outside the UK will need to review individual products for the weight of the plastic packaging to be able to accurately report quantities and account for PPT. This is a dauntingly long and complex process, especially as hundreds of different products enter the UK through today’s complex supply chains.  The additional costs will ultimately be passed through to the end consumer, resulting in increased retail prices.

“All in all the PPT could prove a huge headache for certain kinds of business, in particular those who package goods and fresh produce for retail, such as supermarkets. More taxes designed to promote sustainability are also likely to be introduced in the near future. UK businesses would be wise to adapt to the new tax landscape as quickly as possible to ensure they are prepared.”

About MHA

MHA is a network of independent accountancy firms, ranked the 12^th largest accountancy group in the UK*. It comprises four member firms with a strong reputation for specialist industry knowledge, which collaborate and share best practice to provide outstanding client service. These include: MHA MacIntyre Hudson, MHA Moore & Smalley, MHA Monahans and MHA Tait Walker. The network has 136 partners and 1,375 staff across the UK.

The MHA Network is the UK independent member of Baker Tilly International, one of the world’s largest leading international networks of independently owned and managed accountancy and business advisory firms, operating across 148 territories.

Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, will increase prices by 8 to 15 percent on all polyacrylamide polymers and retention aids across the EMEA region, effective February 1, 2022, or as customer contracts allow.

The price increase is required to offset cost increases in raw materials, packaging, energy and transportation. In addition, Solenis continues to face shutdowns and force majeure declarations from key suppliers.

“Solenis is committed to keeping its customers supplied,” said Naama Lilach, Vice President Commercial Operations, Eurasia, Solenis. “Our recent acquisition of the SCL GmbH business, a leading global producer of primary raw materials for cationic polyacrylamide production, is one of many activities we are currently undertaking that will enable us to secure materials and continue serving our customers.”

About Solenis

Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, focused on delivering sustainable solutions for water-intensive industries, including the pulp, packaging paper and board, tissue and towel, oil and gas, petroleum refining, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power, municipal and pool and spa markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids and functional additives, as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact and maintain healthy water. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 47 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over 6,000 professionals in 120 countries across five continents. Solenis is a 2021 US Best Managed Company.

For additional information about Solenis, please visit www.solenis.com

Valmet will supply a board machine rebuild to Stora Enso’s Skoghall mill in Sweden. The main goal of the project is to increase the production capacity of the board machine 8 (BM 8). The two-step project is planned to be completed at the second half of 2023.

The order is included in Valmet's orders received of the fourth quarter 2021. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The total value of an order of this type and delivery scope is typically around EUR 30-40 million.

In October 2021, Stora Enso announced the investment to expand the board production at Skoghall. Following the investment, the annual packaging board production at Skoghall can be increased by approximately 100,000 tonnes, to a total capacity of the mill exceeding 900,000 tonnes, subject to environmental permits. The project will be implemented through debottlenecking of one of the existing production lines, and executed in two steps, utilizing the scheduled maintenance breaks.

“The investment strengthens Stora Enso’s capability to produce high-quality and cost-competitive consumer board grades within the growing core segments of liquid and food packaging,” says Marie Morin, Mill Director, Stora Enso’s Skoghall Mill.

“We have developed the BM 8 at Skoghall with Stora Enso for a long time; Valmet completed a forming section rebuild with several steps at the same machine line in 2017-2020. We are happy to continue our cooperation in this project,” says Per Holm, Vice President, Sales, Scandinavia, Valmet.

Valmet’s delivery in the two-step project will include upgrades in the stock preparation system and multiple improvements in several parts of the board machine. All the machines and equipment included in Valmet’s delivery will be delivered installed.

About the customer Stora Enso

Part of the bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading global provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper. Stora Enso believes that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow, and it has some 23,000 employees, and sales in over 50 countries. Stora Enso’s Skoghall site in western Sweden is a modern, world-class producer of consumer packaging board, for liquid packaging and dry food packaging. Total annual production currently exceeds 800,000 tonnes of board. 

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers.

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.  

Valmet's net sales in 2020 were approximately EUR 3.7 billion. Our 14,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.  

Read more www.valmet.com

AFT recently had another successful refiner start-up with the BillerudKorsnäs group, world leader in packaging grades.  Our new pulp mill reject refiner started-up in December at the 460 000 t/d Skärblacka mill in Sweden, designed to defiberize knots, shives and fiber bundles coming from pulp screening. Combined with Finebar® technology, AFT refiners deliver optimized performance and energy savings which will help support BillerudKorsnäs’ sustainability goals through resource-efficient production.

AFT refining at BK Skarblacka

The Skärblacka installation also includes an AFTLinx integration unit for monitoring refiner performance remotely.  Our optional IoT gateway collects equipment-specific operating data to address customer needs for remote product support and service. The data access allows AFT specialists to assist with start-ups, conduct comprehensive real-time machine diagnostics, and provide advice for optimized refiner operation. 

About AFT:

AFT is a global supplier specialized in stock preparation, screening, refining and paper machine approach flow systems. With over 100 years of experience, we offer expert solutions that help mills produce more while using less energy, water and chemicals.  Our solutions are tailored to the customer’s furnish, their application, and the end-product being produced in order to optimize their return on investment. 

For more on AFT refining products and services, contact us at http://ow.ly/6u4m50HtSAb

PulPac has just announced the filing of an additional patent application, further refining its pioneering cellulose forming technology for competitive fiber-based packaging and single-use products. 

The new patent application comprises a hybrid tool that uses the pressing force to work in mould parts both in a pressing direction and in a lateral direction. The hybrid tool efficiently uses one pressing stroke for manufacturing a product having a general form in the pressing direction and a special feature such as for example undercut in the lateral direction. This is especially advantageous when manufacturing products like lids and other applications where e.g. stacking and denesting features are important. The hybrid tool also brings possibility of enhanced surface quality and improved tool life.

“Innovation is a core function at PulPac. It is at our heart and how we drive change for a sustainable future together with our clients. This patent application is a good example on how we continuously can refine and make Dry Molded Fiber even more effective or adapt it to specific demands or product applications” says Peter Ekwall, IP Manager at PulPac

Dry Molded Fiber is a fiber forming technology that can replace single-use plastic with sustainable fiber-based alternatives at low cost.

About PulPac
PulPac provides the packaging industry with a groundbreaking manufacturing technology for low-cost, high-performance fiber-based packaging and single-use products. By pioneering the technology of cellulose molding PulPac enables their customers to replace single-use plastics with a sustainable and cost competitive alternative globally. www.pulpac.com

About Dry Molded Fiber
Dry Molded Fiber, invented and patented by PulPac, is a manufacturing technology designed for the circular economy – using renewable pulp and cellulose resources to produce low cost, high performance, fiber-based packaging, and single-use products. Dry Molded Fiber gives up to 80-90% lower CO2 footprint at similar cost as plastic. It is up to ten times as efficient as conventional fiber molding invented over 100 years ago. The dry process also saves massive amounts of valuable water resources. In addition, energy savings are significant - as the molded products need no drying.

Dynamic inventory management system ensures timely delivery of packaging materials to keep manufacturing and distribution flowing

AGE Industries, Ltd, a leading supplier of innovative and custom packaging and shipping solutions for industry and government agencies, offers Just-in-time (JIT) delivery of corrugated boxes, fiber tubes, and packaging materials. During the current supply chain challenges, customers rely on AGE Industries’ dynamic inventory management system and efficient operations for timely delivery of packaging materials to keep manufacturing and distribution flowing.

AGE Industries offers a comprehensive one-stop shop for corrugated boxes, fiber tubes, and ancillary shipping items including stretch wrap, bubble tape, and labels. An in-house design and engineering team works with customers to develop custom solutions and ensure that exact specifications are met. 

Custom design solutions enhance the protection of products and reduce shipping costs, and custom printing increases brand awareness and supports point-of-purchase marketing campaigns. Options for custom boxes are limitless which allows you to tailor your packaging for its market.

With six manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Mexico, AGE Industries ships to any location in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Products can also be delivered to anywhere in the world by AGE Industries or one of its affiliated partners, providing customers with an integrated program for satisfying all their custom design and packaging needs.

For more information about the AGE Industries, Ltd, visit www.ageindustries.com.

About AGE Industries, Ltd.

Founded by Arthur G. Eltzroth in 1974, AGE offers innovative custom packaging and shipping solutions for private industry and governmental agencies. AGE designs and manufactures corrugated boxes, fiber tubes, and wood crating for Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico in the United States. AGE Box de Mexico, based out of Reynosa, Tamps. Mexico, provides custom corrugated packaging and overall packaging solutions for Mexico. AGE meets WBENC, Tx HUB, and CMBL certifications.

Clearwater Paper Corporation (NYSE: CLW) has just introduced NuVo® withBioPBS™, a sustainable cup stock that provides foodservice operators with a compostable alternative to hot cups coated with low-density polyethylene.

NuVo® withBioPBS™ is the first cup stock to combine a compostable barrier, 35% post-consumer fiber, Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) chain-of-custody certification (FSC-C008402), and a high-definition print surface.

“When we launched the NuVo® brand in 2019, we made a promise to continually innovate to maximize product differentiation and sustainability. We are pleased to continue delivering on that commitment by introducing NuVo® withBioPBS™, a next-generation cup stock that we believe will allow our customers to be at the forefront of growing trends in sustainability,” said Steve Bowden, senior vice president and general manager of the pulp and paperboard division.

You can find additional information about NuVo® on the Clearwater Paper website at Clearwater Paper Corporation - Paperboard Products.

ABOUT BioPBS™

BioPBS™ is supplied to Clearwater Paper by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and PTTMCC Biochem Company Limited, a 50-50 joint venture between MCC and PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited.

ABOUT CLEARWATER PAPER

Clearwater Paper is a premier supplier of private-branded tissue to major retailers, including grocery, drug, mass merchants and discount stores. In addition, the company produces bleached paperboard used by quality-conscious printers and packaging converters, and offers services that include custom sheeting, slitting, and cutting. Clearwater Paper's employees build shareholder value by developing strong relationships through quality and service.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements regarding product quality, attributes, and development; sustainability and customers. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that are subject to change, and actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include those risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements based on new developments or changes to the company’s expectations.

For additional information on Clearwater Paper, please visit our website at www.clearwaterpaper.com.

A plastic-reducing alternative to potato packaging has been introduced by Finnish Tuorekartano Oy when it recently launched its special potatoes in paperboard packaging. Tuorekartano Oy's premium quality La Ratte potatoes will now be packed in easily recyclable and biodegradable packaging made of a lightweight and durable paperboard produced by Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group. The paperboard is ideally suited to protect the potatoes from damage and sunlight. The small package size will also help to reduce food waste.

"Tuorekartano is a company committed to Agenda 2030 and Commitment 2050 and has set itself clear sustainability targets. Plastic-free packaging, such as La Ratte cartons, is part of these goals. We have already reduced the amount of plastic in our packaging materials by 25%," says Kari Kastari, CEO of Tuorekartano Oy.

The packaging is made of lightweight MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB paperboard, which is made from pure fresh fibres and is suitable for direct contact with food. The dispersion coating of the board improves the moisture and grease resistance of the board, and the packaging can be easily recycled and is also suitable for home composting.

"Environmental issues are important to us, which is why we are constantly improving our operations and production processes to make them more environmentally friendly. It is therefore important that the materials we use are recyclable and suitable for food contact. Metsä Board's paperboard meets our requirements both in terms of the environment and providing excellent printability," says Kalle Hurttila, Production Director at Hurtti-Paino Oy, the producer of the La Ratte packaging.

Metsä Board

www.metsaboard.com

Metsä Board is a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards. We focus on lightweight and high-quality folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners. The pure fresh fibres we use in our products are a renewable resource, traceable to origin in sustainably managed northern forests. We are a forerunner in sustainability, and  we aim for completely fossil free mills and raw materials by 2030.

Together with our customers we develop innovative packaging solutions to create better consumer experiences with less environmental impact. In 2020, our sales totalled EUR 1.9 billion, and we have about 2,400 employees. Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

Metsä Group

www.metsagroup.com
 

Metsä Group leads the way in the bioeconomy. We invest in growth, developing bioproducts and a fossil free future. The raw material for our products is renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. We focus on the growth sectors of the forest industry: wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards, and tissue and greaseproof papers.

Metsä Group’s annual sales is approximately EUR 5.5 billion, and we have around 9,200 employees in 30 countries. Our international Group has its roots in the Finnish forest: our parent company is Metsäliitto Cooperative owned by 100,000 forest owners.  

Stora Enso is extending its packaging offering with a new portfolio of bio-based foams from wood. The products are fully recyclable and can be used for protective and thermal packaging. Lightweight wood foams address the need for climate-friendly, renewable and circular cushioning materials in inner packaging.

Stora Enso’s offering consists of Fibrease™ by Stora Enso and Papira^® by Stora Enso. Both foams come with versatile technical and sustainability properties, and customers can select a suitable foam based on their specific packaging requirements. The foams can be used for protecting fragile goods and are optimal for thermal packaging of temperature sensitive products. Fibrease is commercially available now, while the pilot plant for producing Papira has started operations at the Fors site in Sweden, following the investment announced in August 2020.

Fossil-based packaging is a major contributor to pollution, accounting for 40% of the world’s plastics. Today fossil-based materials, such as plastic wrap or polystyrene foams, are widely used as cushioning and insulating materials in packaging. With Fibrease and Papira, Stora Enso now introduces renewable and climate-friendly alternatives to fossil-based packaging protection. The bio-based foams come from certified wood and are recyclable in paper recycling streams.

“Consumers of today are pushing to minimise the use of plastic and maximise recyclability. At the same time, the need for packaging protection is increasing due to growing demands in e-commerce and cold-chain logistics. With our bio-based foams we help customers create eco-friendly and circular packaging solutions, while also meeting material performance needs to protect and insulate the goods,” says Markus Mannström, EVP Biomaterials at Stora Enso.

Stora Enso’s new pilot plant aims to evaluate and validate Papira as a packaging foam in customer tests. Stora Enso’s Fors site in Sweden, where the Papira pilot facility is located, produces lightweight paperboards for consumer packaging.

About Stora Enso’s wood foam products

Fibrease™ by Stora Enso is made with up to 98% renewable materials and designed to replace polyurethane (PU) foams and polystyrene (EPS) as well as formed in-place fossil-based solutions. Fibrease is a soft yet resilient material with a memory foam-like behaviour and can be fabricated by using different foam cutting techniques and thermoforming. It comes with a high insulating capacity and is suitable for thermal packaging, for example in online grocery sales and medicine shipments. The foam is recyclable in the paper and board stream and optimal for recycling in closed loops to new material and products.

Papira® by Stora Enso is a fully bio-based and biodegradable foam that is fully recyclable in any paper stream. It is a rigid yet flexible foam that provides high protection against shock and offers a plastic-free alternative to polymeric foams such polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane (PU). Papira is designed for optimal protection of fragile, sensitive and high-value consumer goods such as electronics as well as industrial appliances. It can be fabricated by using different foam cutting techniques and lamination.

Part of the bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading global provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper. We believe that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. Stora Enso has some 23 000 employees, and its sales in 2020 were EUR 8.6 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm AB (STE A, STE R). storaenso.com