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

ipw news

Sappi Europe received a platinum score in the latest EcoVadis rating. The global provider of sustainable woodfibre products and solutions retained its top position from the previous year among the leading one per cent of all companies assessed which exhibit high activity and responsibility with regard to corporate social responsibility (CSR).

International technology group ANDRITZ and Metsä Fibre, part of the Metsä Group, have signed a preliminary agreement under which ANDRITZ will supply two fully autonomous logyard cranes to the planned Metsä Fibre bioproduct mill in Kemi, Finland

Stora Enso is making an investment in dispersion barrier technology at its Forshaga site in Sweden, as a step in its innovation agenda. The investment of approximately EUR 10 million enables the development and production of paperboard with barrier properties that are easier to handle in a recycling process, have a lower carbon footprint and can be compostable in industrial facilities. The new equipment is expected to come into use during the second quarter of 2021.

Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), part of Barry-Wehmiller, has launched an innovative online documentation portal, designed to elevate customer trust and ensure the safe operation, maintenance and ownership of all PCMC machines.

ABB has launched its L&W Tearing Tester with enhancements to ease operator use and safe handling, expand on tearing resistance testing capabilities and improve digital connectivity.

Iggesund Paperboard’s mill in Workington, England, where the leading paperboard brand Incada is made, has been awarded the Platinum level by the international assessment company EcoVadis. EcoVadis assesses companies' sustainability achievements and has performed more than 65,000 assessments in over 200 sectors in 160 countries.

Voith has added a new tool for remote video support to its service portfolio, offering customers access to expert support at any time and from any location. OnCall.Video enables fast problem-solving and cuts downtimes, resulting in improved machine availability and productivity. With this tool, Voith is playing an important role in making processes even more efficient and sustainable through the use of digital solutions.

Sappi has joined forces with VIGC (Flemish Innovation Center for the Graphic Communication) and EY in their endeavor to launch one of the first Graphic Arts Industry Hackathons. A Hackathon is a method of creative problem solving designed to boost disruptive innovation. The target of this event is to create synergies, foster innovation and trigger ideas that will future-proof the print industry by tackling and contributing solutions to its most pressing challenges.

Toscotec successfully completed a hood rebuild on PM 1 at WEPA Mainz in Germany. After a tight shutdown timeframe, PM 1 started up on schedule last year. Following a period of stable running conditions, it successfully completed the performance test, and outperformed the technical guarantees of the rebuild by having excellent results for drying capacity and gas consumption.

Stora Enso will start codetermination negotiations with employees at its Hylte Mill in Sweden regarding a plan to reorganise the mill, including permanent closure of paper machine PM3 and the deinking plant (DIP). After the planned restructuring, the mill would run on 100% thermomechanical pulp (TMP), improving the competitiveness of the mill. The planned closure of PM3 and the reorganisation of the mill would impact a maximum of 140 persons. PM3 is planned to be closed by the end of 2020 and the DIP latest in Q2 2021.

bio-fibre news

Last week, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave her first state of the union speech and proposed a revision of the EU emissions reduction target from 40% to 55% by 2030. This target is the central piece of the EU’s 2030 Climate Target Plan, together with the revised ETS state aid rules.