News

Voith is modernizing PM 3 at Smurfit Westrock Navarra to improve MG paper quality

Voith has received the order to modernize the PM 3 paper machine at Smurfit Westrock Navarra, S.A., in Sangüesa, Spain. Enrique Sanz, Industrial Manager at Smurfit Westrock Navarra, emphasizes: “Working with Voith on this project is another important milestone in our continuous improvement of production capabilities. We are confident in Voith's expertise as a leading full-line supplier and believe that the rebuild will deliver the desired production benefits to enable our continued strategic growth and delivery for our customers.”

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SCA signs service contracts with Andritz for pulp mill in Sweden

International technology group Andritz has been awarded significant service contracts by SCA, Europe’s largest private forest owner, to further improve the performance of the Östrand pulp mill in northern Sweden. The contracts include the replacement of an economizer in the recovery boiler and the implementation of the Synergy Services concept for the white liquor plant and pulp drying processes. These improvements will increase availability and efficiency, thus helping to deliver the mill’s primary objective of increasing pulp production.

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Efficiency significantly increased on the PM3 winder from Progroup Sandersdorf

IBS Papertech, a member of the IBS Paper Performance Group, has achieved another milestone with its iSTOP+™ technology. The camera-based process for increasing the efficiency of winders has been successfully in operation since 2023 on PM3 at Progroup AG in Sandersdorf-Brehna (Germany), one of the world's most modern and efficient paper mills. The winder with double unwinding is under great production pressure. With the iSTOP+, a contactless and low-maintenance solution is now available to fully meet the challenges.

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Oppboga Bruk nominated as partner for Ensocoat 2S™

Stora Enso has started a partnership with Oppboga Bruk AB, producer of multiply paperboard for signs, displays and packaging, for the lamination and sale of Ensocoat 2S™ in 450, 500 and 600gsm. “Our Scandinavian neighbour will ensure high-quality service thanks to their proximity to our manufacturing plant and the wide range of raw paper reels they hold at their site in Fellingsbro,” says Tomas Larsson, Head of Product Line SBS, FBB, Liner & Book Paper at Stora Enso.

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Creaset HGP: Lecta’s new paper for grease-proof flexible packaging

Lecta is firmly committed to delivering innovative and more sustainable products that support a circular economy. The broad range of flexible packaging papers, made from natural, recyclable, and renewable raw materials, is designed to protect product integrity with optimal barrier properties. The launch of Creaset HGP reflects this, creating packaging solutions that meet the evolving demands of today’s consumers.

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World’s first fully electric tissue machine operates at full speed at Fortissue

Portuguese tissue manufacturer Fortissue and Toscotec have started up PM1 after a groundbreaking upgrade at their Viana do Castelo production base in Portugal. This Toscotec-supplied Ahead 2.0 line, which first began production in 2015, is now the first tissue machine in the world to operate entirely on electricity at 2,000 m/min.

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Important statement regarding event name confusion

Al Furat Group would like to share an important announcement regarding recent confusion in the industry about an event name that closely resembles their internationally recognized Paper & Tissue Show, organized by Al Furat Group in Abu Dhabi.

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Andritz acquires A.Celli Paper

International technology group Andritz has signed an agreement to acquire the Italian company A.Celli Paper. A.Celli Paper has decades of experience in the supply of machinery and key equipment for the production of tissue, paper and board grades. In 2020, the company widened its portfolio of winders, rewinders, systems for roll handling and packaging, as well as tissue machines and services through the acquisition of PMT.

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GAW awarded Innovation Prize Styria in Sustainability category

GAW technologies GmbH has been recognized for its groundbreaking CreaSolv® technology, which has the potential to revolutionize plastic recycling. The Styrian Business Promotion Agency (Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung SFG) presented the award on March 31, 2025, in Graz. The prize was handed over by Regional Minister DI Willibald Ehrenhöfer who oversees Economy, Labor, Finance, Science, and Research in the Styrian Provincial Government.

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Impacts of the US trade policy tightening for Koehler Group

Last Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced a drastic tightening of his economic policy. Imports from the European Union will be subject to surcharges of 20 percent. Economists expect the drastic tariffs to have significant consequences for the USA, Germany and Europe.

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Research project discovers ways to convert forest industry’s carbon dioxide emissions into raw material for plastics

VTT Technical research centre of Finland and LUT University have completed a three-year research project on carbon capture and utilisation. The project investigated different technologies for producing renewable plastic raw materials from carbon dioxide and green hydrogen. Renewable energy, hydrogen economy and forest industry’s biogenic carbon dioxide emissions present significant opportunities for new sustainable industries.

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Andreas Batzer becomes new CFO at Voith Paper

Andreas Batzer was named the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and member of the management board at Voith Paper in March 2025. In this role, he is responsible for the company's financial strategy and will play a key role in the further development and optimization of processes. Reporting directly to Andreas Endters, President & CEO of Voith Paper, Batzer has taken over the position from Ralf Sorg, who was previously CFO of Voith Paper and has been President Projects since July 2024.

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