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

ipw news

A global packaging and paper manufacturer has commissioned Voith to rebuild its production line into a state-of-the-art production facility for recycled packaging papers. Commissioning of the rebuilt production line is scheduled for 2025. Voith will deliver a customized solution that includes a resource-saving BlueLine stock preparation system, the rebuild of the existing machine into an efficient XcelLine paper machine, as well as comprehensive service agreements and a fabrics package. The project also involves the technologically complex rebuild of the existing winder for processing packaging papers.

Voting on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the EU Parliament’s ENVI Committee endorsed definitions of ‘recyclability’ and ‘high quality of recycling’ that still needs to take into account both scientific evidence and the practical experience of a well-functioning recycling system for paper and board.

International technology group Andritz will rebuild a paper machine at Holmen Paper’s Braviken mill in Sweden to provide maximum production flexibility. Start-up is planned for autumn 2024. This order follows Holmen Paper’s recent successful entry into the packaging market with an innovative lightweight corrugated board product. The rebuild of PM52 will enable Holmen Paper to increase the production of fluting for corrugated boxes. Andritz will implement a sophisticated technology concept allowing to easily switch production between the different paper grades.

Mondi Grünburg has partnered with NKE, a prominent manufacturer of bearing solutions for wind, railway and industrial applications, to create a new packaging solution for wind power components. With the rising demand for renewable energy sources, the wind power sector has gained significant attention. The challenging operating conditions of wind turbines necessitate components that deliver exceptional efficiency and uncompromising reliability.

Enstra Paper, member of the Corruseal Group and one of the largest producers of recycled containerboard grades in South Africa, has engaged Voith to rebuild its PM 6 for packaging paper in Springs, close to Johannesburg, in South Africa. Voith will supply a new BlueLine OCC stock preparation line to improve efficiency, runability and paper quality. The leading full-line supplier will also undertake substantial rebuild measures on the existing paper machine that was converted from newsprint to packaging papers in 2015.

Softys has selected Toscotec for the supply of a complete tissue line at their facility in Altamira, Mexico. Scheduled for start-up in the first quarter of 2025, the new Ahead 2.2 line (PM5) will be supplied on a turnkey basis.

The persistent global economic downturn is proving to be much tougher than anticipated with depressed markets, geopolitical instability and weak economic growth combining to put significant pressure on Sappi, particularly in Europe. In response, Sappi announced on 6 July 2023 the start of a consultation process on the possible closure of Stockstadt Mill. “We have completed this process and agreed on the social plan for the employees. In addition, an agreement has been signed for the sale of the site. The closure of the site should be completed during the first calendar quarter of 2024. Once all closure elements are taken into account, the impact is expected to be cash neutral.”

The Nomination Committee of SCA proposes that Helena Stjernholm be elected as chairman and member of the SCA board at the annual general meeting on March 22, 2024. SCA's current chairman, Pär Boman, as previously communicated, has declined re-election. Helena Stjernholm is the CEO and group CEO of AB Industrivärden, SCA's largest shareholder. Helena Stjernholm has many years of experience in board work across a wide range of industries, as well as deep knowledge regarding the capital market.

bio-fibre news

Valmet will supply a biomass plant to Göteborg Energi AB in Gothenburg, Sweden. Göteborg Energi is building a new plant to produce energy and district heat from renewable and recovered sources by 2025. The order will be included in Valmet’s orders received of the fourth quarter 2023. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

The 4evergreen Alliance unveils five selected projects from its first “Circularity Success Stories” initiative, which showcases members' remarkable efforts to increase the recycling rate of fibre-based packaging to 90% by 2030. Three years on from its inception, 4evergreen invited members to share groundbreaking projects, whether developed individually or collaboratively, that have been spurred by the alliance and can serve as inspiring examples of fibre-based packaging circularity and sustainability.