Week of 6 April 2020: How appropriate--it is safety month!

No, I am not going to give you another COVID-19 advisory. You have no doubt already read countless admonishments on that subject. You do need to take them seriously, of course. But at this point, for the literate and sighted part of the population, I say let Darwinism take its course--you have been warned. For the infirm, the weak, the young and the very old -be generous and help them out. What is appropriate, though, in this first week of Safety Month, is to warn you about distractions. I can't think of another time in my nearly seventy years of life that I have ever seen the entire world focused on one subject as it is now. And, admit, it is a distraction. Distractions take our attention off safe practices.

Maintenance Outages and Safety

We all know that working in a paper mill can be hazardous in and of itself. Maintenance outages can be extremely hazardous as employees and contractors perform maintenance work on equipment.

Patent Applications and Patents

ABB launches new Optical Consistency Transmitter sensors

ABB has launched its KPM KC9 Optical Consistency Transmitter family, a new range of sensors that provide accurate measurement of total and/or ash consistency for better wet end measurement and control in pulp and paper processes.

Moisture Measurements to Suit Many Applications

MoistTech uses its 40 years of expertise to enhance clients' manufacturing processes and protect their products.

[Adv.] Pure Air Filtration

(Adv.) SAP offers you an easy direct link to their breaking developments

Fulton Systems: Critical Manufacturer to Essential Business

Since 1924, Fulton Systems, Inc. is a strategic manufacturer and supplier to the pulp and paper industry. We provide thermodynamic and heat transfer equipment to raw paper machine and paper mill operations. This industry is an essential business as identified by the Department of Homeland Security document "Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response, Version 1."

Businesses, including paper mill, provide toilet paper bonuses amid shortage

Clearwater paper, which produces toilet paper at its mill in Lewiston, confirmed that the company was gifting 36 rolls of bathroom tissue to each of its 3,300 employees.

Where is Jim this week?

As I travel, I am always looking for someone to go to dinner with, share a barbeque sandwich lunch and so forth.

Pratt Industries and Talo Analytic International celebrate 25 year relationship

Gary Byrd of Pratt Industries and Jim Thompson of Talo Analytic International recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the two companies' relationship. The relationship started in November of 1993.

For the occasion, Talo Analytic International commissioned a "tombstone" reminiscent of those typically prepared to celebrate a deal closing and presented it to Mr. Byrd.

Talo Analytic International began working with Pratt Industries when Pratt's Conyers, Georgia Mill was first financed. Talo Analytic International has been the principal technical adviser on the financing of every Pratt mill in the United States. Talo Analytic International was also a key adviser on the Visy Tumut Mill in Australia in the late 1990's.

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COVID-19: Mondi adapts production line in Germany to make much-needed face mask components

Mondi produces elastic, three-layer laminate straps using nonwoven material for one billion face masks.

Neenah Announces Vectorply Acquisition Not Completed

Neenah, Inc. announced that it had not closed on its agreement to acquire Vectorply Corporation on April 1 as originally contemplated. Neenah had agreed to acquire Vectorply from MSouth Equity Partners for $155 million in cash.

COVID-19: Conifex Timber to temporarily curtail operations at Mackenzie sawmill for two weeks

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting global demand for forest products. In response, effective April 6, 2020, Conifex Timber Inc. will temporarily curtail operations at its Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada sawmill for two weeks.

Japan International Cooperation Agency signs $72-million loan agreement with Klabin

In this project, Klabin S.A. is carrying out an expansion of its existing facility in Paraná State in southern Brazil. By further promoting the use of biofuel it is expected to control the GHG emission. This project will contribute to the development of Brazil's sustainable forest industry and to strengthening the supply chains.

Temporary furloughs at Södra Wood

Södra Wood is implementing temporary partial furloughs at its production facilities in Mönsterås and Orrefors due to a reduction in demand in the UK and the Republic of Ireland during the ongoing pandemic. Södra Wood Ltd in the UK and the production facility in Hamina, Finland, may also be affected by the decision.

P&G Charmin facility ramping back up after fire

A Procter & Gamble Co. manufacturing plant that makes Charmin toilet paper and Bounty paper towels suffered fire damage Monday, but workers are getting equipment affected by the blaze back into service.

PCA Announces Plans to Take Economic Downtime at its Jackson, Alabama Uncoated Freesheet Mill

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) has announced that it is idling one of its two uncoated white paper mills for two months (May-June).

J.D. Irving Nova Scotia facility closed following new COVID-19 cases

The J.D. Irving Sawmill near Truro, N.S., has reported that three of their staff members have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The first staff member to be diagnosed has received the appropriate medical care and is now self-isolating as recommended by health care professionals. Two more have since been diagnosed, leading to a temporary shut down of the mill.

Anthony Pratt to spend $1 million funding the trial of two drugs that may treat COVID-19

Mr Pratt, who is the billionaire chairman of packaging companies Visy Industries and Pratt Industries, also issued 'a call to arms' to Australia's wealthiest to join the fight against COVID-19, as the number of confirmed cases hit 4,514.

Canfor Revises Event Format for Annual General Meeting Due to COVID-19 and Announce First Quarter Results Conference Call

As the COVID-19 pandemic is quickly evolving, the companies will continue to monitor the circumstances of the virus and any recommendations or directives of government and health authorities and will advise shareholders as necessary of any further updates regarding the AGMs.

Huhtamaki has completed the acquisition of full ownership of its Brazilian joint venture company Laminor

Huhtamaki has completed the acquisition of full ownership of its joint venture company Laminor S.A. in Brazil.

COVID-19: Kruger Announces the Temporary Shutdown of its Brompton Mill

Kruger Specialty Papers announced the temporary shutdown of its Brompton facility, effective Friday, April 3, for an indefinite period of time.

Have you tried the Paperitalo Supplier Directory lately?

If you are looking for goods and services in the pulp and paper industry, you need to check out the Paperitalo Directory!

Weyerhaeuser provides COVID-19 business update

Weyerhaeuser Company provided an update on actions it is taking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: Norske Skog provides Operational Update

In Norway, Saugbrugs will cease production on one paper machine due to negative market developments as a result of the corona virus restrictions. As a result of this, there will be given notice of temporary layoffs. In addition, administrative personnel at headquarters has been temporarily laid off as a result of the corona situation. The Skogn mill will delay temporary layoffs as earlier announced.

Cascades collaborates with partners to manufacture medical visors

This comes in response to an initiative led by the Tristan and Bauer companies, which will ensure the final assembly of the components.

Molpus Woodlands Group Purchases 66,946 Acres in Southeast Mississippi

The Molpus Woodlands Group, LLC, a timberland investment management organization headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, has, on behalf of two clients, successfully purchased approximately 66,946 acres of timberland in southeast Mississippi.

Appvion Announces FDA Certification

Appvion Operations, Inc., a leading manufacturer of specialty, high value-added coating solutions and coated paper products, announces that it is now certified compliant with FDA cGMP regulations for the manufacture of food packaging.

Quad Provides Business Update Related to COVID-19

Given the uncertainty of the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, Quad is withdrawing its full-year 2020 financial guidance issued on February 18, 2020.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö's Liquid Technologies business response to COVID-19

The rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world has exposed major gaps in the abilities of most countries to respond to a virulent new pathogen. This has inevitably led to an increase in the demand for healthcare goods in general and particularly protective medical products made of fabrics, medical devices, diagnostics and screening tools.

Greif completes sale of Consumer Packaging Group to Graphic Packaging

Greif, Inc. has completed its previously announced divestiture of the Consumer Packaging Group business for $85 million in cash to Graphic Packaging Holding Company.

Resolute to Hold its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 12, 2020

Resolute officials are actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and are being respectful of the public health and travel concerns shareholders have and the protocols that federal, state, provincial and local governments have imposed. Considering it is not possible to hold an in-person annual meeting, the company will hold a virtual meeting.

J.D. Irving donates $1 Million to Food Depot Alimentaire to help New Brunswickers in Need

J.D. Irving, Limited announced that the company is donating $1 million to the Food Depot Alimentaire. The donation is to help offset the growing demand on New Brunswick's network of 60 food banks across the province due to the financial hardships caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Huggies to Donate Five Million Diapers to National Diaper Bank Network and $1 Million to United Way For COVID-19 Relief Efforts

Kimberly-Clark's Huggies® brand announced that it will donate five million diapers to the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) to meet this growing need, and $1 million to United Way COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund to support community social services.

Essity acquires smart ultrasound technology for incontinence care

Hygiene and health company Essity is strengthening its offering in incontinence products through the acquisition of the Dutch company Novioscan. The company develops a wearable ultrasound technology that monitors the bladder and enables continence control. The purchase price is approximately SEK 70m (EUR 6.5m) on a debt-free basis.

NC State Names New Dean of College of Natural Resources

Myron Floyd has been named dean of the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University after a nationwide search. His appointment becomes effective April 1.

As Paper Days approaches, we catch up with University of Maine Senior Eliza Hosford

Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Eliza Hosford, a senior in the program. Miss Hosford is from Bucksport, Maine and graduated in 2016 from Bucksport High School as valedictorian. We asked her a few questions about her experiences at UMaine.

With N.C. State foundation's annual meeting and banquet nearing, we interview junior Claire Hammontree

The foundation's annual Spring Advisory Board Meeting and Pulp and Paper Celebration Banquet is coming up on Thursday, March 26. Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Claire Hammontree, a junior in the program and we asked her a few questions about her experiences at N.C. State.

The Light Green Machine Institute

Ideas you can use now.

Testing...

I’ve been working with kids preparing for the ACT/SAT for over 10 years. Through this time, I’ve come to some conclusions. I hope you find them of interest.

Capital Arguments for March 2020

Check out TALOtech groups on LinkedIn

The purpose of the TALOtech groups on LinkedIn is to provide a convenient forum for people working within the manufacturing part of this industry to share technical and operating related dialog to promote safe and competitive operations.

Energy & the Environment News

Your contributions are welcome in this department, regardless of point of view. A few criteria--if you send us a copyrighted piece, also provide a permission to publish statement from the owner. We will not publish overtly political pieces or anonymous pieces.

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March 2020

Download Audio File of the March 2020 Nip Impressions columns.

February 2020

Download Audio File of the February 2020 Nip Impressions columns.