+++ IMPORTANT +++ Cellynne Paper: Sale to Italian Sofidel group Sofidel and Cellynne Corporation have announced that they have reached an agreement for the sale of Cellynne Paper to the Italian group. › more

+++ IMPORTANT +++ ZELLCHEMING: Another change in set up for Expo 2013 After a couple of exhibitors complained about the new concept of the ZELLCHEMING Annual Meeting and Expo, the association reconsidered its plans and announced that the next Expo might already start on Wednesday June 12. › more

+++ IMPORTANT +++ UPM: Exclusive negotiations for sale of Stracel paper mill, France UPM is entering into exclusive negotiations with VPK Packaging Group NV and Klingele Papierwerke through their newly created joint venture company, for the sale of assets and part of the land at the UPM Stracel paper mill site in Strasbourg, France. › more

+++ IMPORTANT +++ ZELLCHEMING: Annual Meeting and Expo will get new format On the last day of this year’s fair, the ZELLCHEMING board and management presented a completely new concept for the Annual Meeting and Expo from next year on. › more

European paper industry: 2011 key statistics published › more

BASF: Expanding manufacturing plants in Germany and China BASF is planning to expand the manufacturing plant for vinylformamide (VFA) in Ludwigshafen. In addition, BASF intends to increase the polymerization capacity in Ludwigshafen and build a new polymerization line for VFA in China for further processing of the feedstock from Ludwigshafen. This facility will be built at the Zhenjiang site, Jiangsu province. › more

SCA's acquisition of Georgia-Pacifics European tissue business approved The European Commission has approved SCA's acquisition of Georgia-Pacific's European tissue business. The purchase price amounts to EUR 1.32 billion on a debt free basis. The operations have approximately 4,700 employees. › more

Metso: Acquisition of full ownership of MW Power completed Metso and Wärtsilä have received the necessary regulatory approvals from the European Commission to close the initiated ownership changes of MW Power Oy. › more

Voith: ScreenFitNavigator online tool meets with a good response Just a few weeks after the launch of the tool, many paper manufacturers from all over the world had performed the test at www.ScreenFitNavigator.com and received a quick and nonbinding energy assessment of their fine screening system. › more

Siemens: Most accurate ultrasonic level measurement controller Siemens Industry Automation Division presents Sitrans LUT400 series ultrasonic controllers with one-millimeter (0.04-inch) measuring accuracy. These new controllers offer the highest accuracy available on the market and ensure consistently precise measurements. › more

UPM: Restructuring its sawmill operations UPM has made a contract to sell its Kajaani sawmill to Pölkky Oy. Pölkky will continue sawn timber operations in Kajaani and all UPM sawmill personnel in Kajaani will continue working for Pölkky as permanent employees. › more

UPM redeems Myllykoski power plant from Vamy Oy UPM redeems the Myllykoski power plant from Vamy Oy in accordance with a previous commitment. The redemption is included in the reserves made in connection of the Myllykoski paper mill restructuring plans. › more

UPM: ‘Most Innovative Company’ at Ethical Corporation Awards UPM has been awarded ‘Most Innovative Company’ at the 2012 Ethical Corporation Awards held in London. UPM was highlighted for its Eco Design approach and overall sustainable thinking. › more

Buckman: Winning Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award At ceremonies in Washington D.C., Buckman was presented with the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) for its Maximyze enzymes. › more

Cellwood Machinery: Acquiring Algas AS and daughter companies Cellwood Machinery announced the acquisition of Algas AS and its subsidiaries Algas Fluid Technology Systems and Algas GmbH. › more

Holmen: Introducing new magazine paper Holmen Paper proudly presents the latest addition to is product range: Holmen TRND, an uncoated, matt paper with high bulk and stability. › more

Andritz: Biomass boiler island to Karlstads Energi in Sweden Andritz has received an order from the municipal energy company Karlstads Energi AB, Sweden, for the supply of a new biomass-fueled boiler for the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant at Hedenverket. Start-up is scheduled for the end of 2014. › more

Rio+20: Role of forests in global economy and sustainability At the Rio+20 side-event titled “Forests: The Heart of a Green Economy”, a range of high-level speakers and experts participated in panels highlighting the potential of forests. › more

Noss: Approach flow system to Egyptian linerboard producer ETAP Noss has received an order for an approach flow system from Egyptian ETAP Paper & Carton for their PM2 in Borg El Arab industrial city, close to Alexandria, Egypt. The start-up is scheduled for September 2012. › more

Mondi: Ruzomberok PM 18 optimizes tail threading process Mondi SCP Ruzomberok in Slovakia resolved their difficulties in the tail threading process of its PM 18 with the assistance of Voith Paper. The problem had emerged due to unequal gap differences between pope reel and tambour. › more

Hayat Kimya: Metso-supplied tissue machine sets world record Hayat Kimya A.S. have succeeded to break the world speed record for tissue machines. The record of 2,210 m/min was set on June 1 during a 24-hour production run by their TM 2 tissue machine at the mill in Yeniköy in Turkey. › more