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Bio-Insight

WASHINGTON, DC, July 9, 2020 (Press Release) -American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) proposed rule:

“AF&PA is pleased the EPA has moved forward in proposing an achievable Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule. This is the result of more than two decades of work that gives the forest products industry regulatory certainty while encouraging the use of renewable, carbon-neutral fuel.

“While limits for several boiler types have become more stringent, we believe they are feasible and affordable. Already, to date, our industry has invested $1 billion in controls to meet Boiler MACT obligations.

“We also recognize the work of our members, who in the last two decades have achieved major reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions – two priority air pollutants identified by the EPA. Our industry has seen a dramatic three-quarters reduction of SO2 emissions from mills in their power boilers, as well as a significant one-third reduction in NOx. On average about two-thirds of the energy used to make paper comes from carbon-neutral biomass – not fossil fuels.

“We appreciate the work that EPA did to ensure that the rule is achievable while advancing our environmental stewardship.”

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. The forest products industry accounts for approximately four percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures nearly $300 billion in products annually and employs approximately 950,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $55 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states.

AF&PA applauds EPA‘s proposed Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology rule

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/10/2020 - 09:27

WASHINGTON, DC, July 9, 2020 (Press Release) -American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) proposed rule:

“AF&PA is pleased the EPA has moved forward in proposing an achievable Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule. This is the result of more than two decades of work that gives the forest products industry regulatory certainty while encouraging the use of renewable, carbon-neutral fuel.

“While limits for several boiler types have become more stringent, we believe they are feasible and affordable. Already, to date, our industry has invested $1 billion in controls to meet Boiler MACT obligations.

“We also recognize the work of our members, who in the last two decades have achieved major reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions – two priority air pollutants identified by the EPA. Our industry has seen a dramatic three-quarters reduction of SO2 emissions from mills in their power boilers, as well as a significant one-third reduction in NOx. On average about two-thirds of the energy used to make paper comes from carbon-neutral biomass – not fossil fuels.

“We appreciate the work that EPA did to ensure that the rule is achievable while advancing our environmental stewardship.”

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. The forest products industry accounts for approximately four percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures nearly $300 billion in products annually and employs approximately 950,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $55 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states.

BOSTON, July 9, 2020 (PRNewswire) -Sappi, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and dissolving pulp, today announced that it will permanently shut Paper Machine No. 9 (PM9) and major components of the energy complex at its Westbrook, Maine mill, impacting approximately 75 employees. The move is designed to improve the mill's overall cost structure and enable the company to operate more cost effectively in today's global marketplace. The company's product offerings will not change.

Sappi plans to shift all of PM9's base paper production to its mills in Cloquet, Minnesota and Skowhegan, Maine. This carousel of base paper leverages Sappi North America's premium paper making assets and continues to provide an integrated solution to our global Release Paper customer base.

"As a global manufacturer of innovative wood fiber products, a good cost position is important to our long-term success," said Mike Haws, President and CEO of Sappi North America. "Unfortunately, the Westbrook Mill's earnings have been under pressure as a result of widespread commoditization in the marketplace and legacy mill costs. This restructuring will enable Sappi to compete more effectively and allow the Westbrook facility to focus on its core competencies of specialty coating, texture application and customized product designs, restoring the site as a healthy financial contributor."

The mill's remaining assets, which support Sappi's Casting and Release Paper business, will continue to operate and produce a variety of release papers and films to meet the business' full range of customer needs. As a result of these actions, a restructuring charge of approximately US$14 million (US$11 million cash; US$3 million noncash) is expected during Sappi's fourth quarter, in addition to approximately US$8 million of accelerated depreciation to be recorded during the second half of calendar 2020.

The reconfiguration at the Mill will impact approximately 75 employees. The company will work closely with the impacted employees, local unions and various agencies to provide information, support and outplacement services. Sappi will also support all efforts to help affected employees find new employment.

"I want to thank our Westbrook Mill employees for their service to Sappi over the years," said Mike Schultz, Vice President Manufacturing, Sappi North America. "The restructuring at the mill serves to strengthen this business, however these decisions are never easy, and we do not take them lightly. We thank you for your outstanding contributions and we will do everything we can to support our affected employees during this transition."

The impacted assets are expected to close by end of calendar year 2020.

About Sappi North America, Inc.

Sappi North America, Inc., headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. The success of our four diversified businesses – high-quality Coated Printing Papers, Dissolving Pulp, Packaging and Specialty Papers and Casting and Release Papers – is driven by strong customer relationships, best-in-class people and advantaged assets, products and services. Our high-quality Graphic Papers, including McCoy, Opus, Somerset, and Flo, are the key platform for premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of Dissolving Pulp with our Verve brand, a sustainable fiber, which is used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods. We deliver sustainable Packaging and Specialty Papers for luxury packaging and folding carton applications with our single-ply packaging brands, Spectro and Proto, and for the food and label industries with our specialty papers, LusterPrint and LusterCote. We are also one of the world's leading suppliers of Casting and Release Papers with our Ultracast, PolyEx and Classics lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries. Customers rely on Sappi for high technical, operational and market expertise; products and services delivered with consistently high quality and reliability; and, state-of-the-art and cost-competitive assets and innovative spirit.

Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries.

Sappi North America to permanently shut PM9 and major components of energy complex at its mill in Westbrook, ME

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/09/2020 - 12:18

BOSTON, July 9, 2020 (PRNewswire) -Sappi, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and dissolving pulp, today announced that it will permanently shut Paper Machine No. 9 (PM9) and major components of the energy complex at its Westbrook, Maine mill, impacting approximately 75 employees. The move is designed to improve the mill's overall cost structure and enable the company to operate more cost effectively in today's global marketplace. The company's product offerings will not change.

Sappi plans to shift all of PM9's base paper production to its mills in Cloquet, Minnesota and Skowhegan, Maine. This carousel of base paper leverages Sappi North America's premium paper making assets and continues to provide an integrated solution to our global Release Paper customer base.

"As a global manufacturer of innovative wood fiber products, a good cost position is important to our long-term success," said Mike Haws, President and CEO of Sappi North America. "Unfortunately, the Westbrook Mill's earnings have been under pressure as a result of widespread commoditization in the marketplace and legacy mill costs. This restructuring will enable Sappi to compete more effectively and allow the Westbrook facility to focus on its core competencies of specialty coating, texture application and customized product designs, restoring the site as a healthy financial contributor."

The mill's remaining assets, which support Sappi's Casting and Release Paper business, will continue to operate and produce a variety of release papers and films to meet the business' full range of customer needs. As a result of these actions, a restructuring charge of approximately US$14 million (US$11 million cash; US$3 million noncash) is expected during Sappi's fourth quarter, in addition to approximately US$8 million of accelerated depreciation to be recorded during the second half of calendar 2020.

The reconfiguration at the Mill will impact approximately 75 employees. The company will work closely with the impacted employees, local unions and various agencies to provide information, support and outplacement services. Sappi will also support all efforts to help affected employees find new employment.

"I want to thank our Westbrook Mill employees for their service to Sappi over the years," said Mike Schultz, Vice President Manufacturing, Sappi North America. "The restructuring at the mill serves to strengthen this business, however these decisions are never easy, and we do not take them lightly. We thank you for your outstanding contributions and we will do everything we can to support our affected employees during this transition."

The impacted assets are expected to close by end of calendar year 2020.

About Sappi North America, Inc.

Sappi North America, Inc., headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. The success of our four diversified businesses – high-quality Coated Printing Papers, Dissolving Pulp, Packaging and Specialty Papers and Casting and Release Papers – is driven by strong customer relationships, best-in-class people and advantaged assets, products and services. Our high-quality Graphic Papers, including McCoy, Opus, Somerset, and Flo, are the key platform for premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of Dissolving Pulp with our Verve brand, a sustainable fiber, which is used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods. We deliver sustainable Packaging and Specialty Papers for luxury packaging and folding carton applications with our single-ply packaging brands, Spectro and Proto, and for the food and label industries with our specialty papers, LusterPrint and LusterCote. We are also one of the world's leading suppliers of Casting and Release Papers with our Ultracast, PolyEx and Classics lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries. Customers rely on Sappi for high technical, operational and market expertise; products and services delivered with consistently high quality and reliability; and, state-of-the-art and cost-competitive assets and innovative spirit.

Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries.

JOHANNESBURG, July 9, 2020 (Press Release) -Sappi announces the closure of Paper Machine 2 (“PM2”) at its Stockstadt Mill in Germany as well as Paper Machine 9 (“PM9”) and the energy complex at its Westbrook Mill in the USA.

Sappi Limited today informed its employees and stakeholders of two decisions which will cumulatively remove capacity, reduce costs, improve machine utilization and increase competitiveness.

Sappi Stockstadt Mill

On 11 February 2020, Sappi Europe announced the initiation of a process to determine the future of PM2 at its Stockstadt Mill in Germany, in view of the continuing decline of the Coated Woodfree paper market. Following an exhaustive consultation process an agreement was reached with mill employee representatives to permanently close PM2, which has a Coated Woodfree paper production capacity of 240 000 tons per annum. Stockstadt will now focus on its strong and growing uncoated woodfree offering. Approximately 170 employees will leave the company with production expected to cease on 30 September 2020. The once-off restructuring charges amount to approximately €27 million (€15 million cash; € 12 million non-cash). The estimated annual saving will be approximately €15 million.

Sappi Westbrook Mill

After a period of review, Sappi North America has decided to permanently shut PM9 and the majority of the energy complex at its Westbrook Mill in the State of Maine. Sappi will shift PM9’s base paper production to its state-of-the-art mills in Cloquet, Minnesota and Skowhegan, Maine. Approximately 75 employees will be impacted. The impacted assets are expected to close by end of calendar year 2020. As a result of these actions, a restructuring charge of approximately US$14 million (US$11 million cash; US$3 million non-cash) is expected during Sappi’s fourth quarter, in addition to approximately US$8 million of accelerated depreciation to be recorded during the second half of calendar 2020. The estimated annual saving will be approximately US$10 million.

Commenting on the decisions, Sappi CEO Steve Binnie said: “These steps demonstrate our commitment to taking decisive action to reduce costs and respond to market dynamics. These mills will now be better placed to compete in the marketplace and deliver increased returns.”

About Sappi

A global leader in dissolving pulp and paper-based solutions, Sappi Limited is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa; has over 12,000 employees; manufacturing facilities on three continents, in seven countries (eight operations in Europe, four operations in North America and five operations in South Africa) and customers in over 150 countries worldwide

Sappi works closely with customers to provide relevant and sustainable dissolving pulp, paper (speciality, packaging and graphic), paper pulp, and biomaterial products and related services and innovations. Our market-leading range of paper products includes: flexible packaging, label, release liner, containerboard, graphic papers, casting release papers and in our Southern African region newsprint, uncoated graphic and business papers. These products serve the fashion, FMCG and industrial sectors. Our dissolving pulp products are used worldwide by converters to produce viscose fibre, pharmaceutical products as well as a wide range of household and consumer products.

Sappi drives product innovation and the development of new uses for its renewable resource (woodfibre) as well as for the biomass and other residues from its production processes. One such area is in the field of biomaterials (cellulose composites, nanocellulose and lignins), biochemicals including hemi-cellulose sugars and bio-energy forest products materials which Sappi believes will play a key role in its future range of products, both as commercial products and for applications within Sappi.

We continue to grow into a profitable and cash-generative diversified business with an exciting future in woodfibre, a renewable resource.

Sappi to close PM2 at its Stockstadt mill in Germany, PM9 and energy complex at its mill in Westbrook, ME

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/09/2020 - 10:17

JOHANNESBURG, July 9, 2020 (Press Release) -Sappi announces the closure of Paper Machine 2 (“PM2”) at its Stockstadt Mill in Germany as well as Paper Machine 9 (“PM9”) and the energy complex at its Westbrook Mill in the USA.

Sappi Limited today informed its employees and stakeholders of two decisions which will cumulatively remove capacity, reduce costs, improve machine utilization and increase competitiveness.

Sappi Stockstadt Mill

On 11 February 2020, Sappi Europe announced the initiation of a process to determine the future of PM2 at its Stockstadt Mill in Germany, in view of the continuing decline of the Coated Woodfree paper market. Following an exhaustive consultation process an agreement was reached with mill employee representatives to permanently close PM2, which has a Coated Woodfree paper production capacity of 240 000 tons per annum. Stockstadt will now focus on its strong and growing uncoated woodfree offering. Approximately 170 employees will leave the company with production expected to cease on 30 September 2020. The once-off restructuring charges amount to approximately €27 million (€15 million cash; € 12 million non-cash). The estimated annual saving will be approximately €15 million.

Sappi Westbrook Mill

After a period of review, Sappi North America has decided to permanently shut PM9 and the majority of the energy complex at its Westbrook Mill in the State of Maine. Sappi will shift PM9’s base paper production to its state-of-the-art mills in Cloquet, Minnesota and Skowhegan, Maine. Approximately 75 employees will be impacted. The impacted assets are expected to close by end of calendar year 2020. As a result of these actions, a restructuring charge of approximately US$14 million (US$11 million cash; US$3 million non-cash) is expected during Sappi’s fourth quarter, in addition to approximately US$8 million of accelerated depreciation to be recorded during the second half of calendar 2020. The estimated annual saving will be approximately US$10 million.

Commenting on the decisions, Sappi CEO Steve Binnie said: “These steps demonstrate our commitment to taking decisive action to reduce costs and respond to market dynamics. These mills will now be better placed to compete in the marketplace and deliver increased returns.”

About Sappi

A global leader in dissolving pulp and paper-based solutions, Sappi Limited is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa; has over 12,000 employees; manufacturing facilities on three continents, in seven countries (eight operations in Europe, four operations in North America and five operations in South Africa) and customers in over 150 countries worldwide

Sappi works closely with customers to provide relevant and sustainable dissolving pulp, paper (speciality, packaging and graphic), paper pulp, and biomaterial products and related services and innovations. Our market-leading range of paper products includes: flexible packaging, label, release liner, containerboard, graphic papers, casting release papers and in our Southern African region newsprint, uncoated graphic and business papers. These products serve the fashion, FMCG and industrial sectors. Our dissolving pulp products are used worldwide by converters to produce viscose fibre, pharmaceutical products as well as a wide range of household and consumer products.

Sappi drives product innovation and the development of new uses for its renewable resource (woodfibre) as well as for the biomass and other residues from its production processes. One such area is in the field of biomaterials (cellulose composites, nanocellulose and lignins), biochemicals including hemi-cellulose sugars and bio-energy forest products materials which Sappi believes will play a key role in its future range of products, both as commercial products and for applications within Sappi.

We continue to grow into a profitable and cash-generative diversified business with an exciting future in woodfibre, a renewable resource.

VELSEN, The Netherlands, July 6, 2020 (Press Release) -Crown Van Gelder is investigating together with Eneco a next step into a sustainable future by maybe building an electrical boiler of 25 megawatt onsite! (big water cooker). This boiler can be powered by electricity provided by an offshore wind farm close to the factory. With the boiler Crown Van Gelder is able to power down the gas burning turbine during days with enough wind! Hopefully there is enough wind and funding to make this happen.

Crown Van Gelder may build onsite electrical boiler of 25 megawatt together with Eneco

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/09/2020 - 06:10

VELSEN, The Netherlands, July 6, 2020 (Press Release) -Crown Van Gelder is investigating together with Eneco a next step into a sustainable future by maybe building an electrical boiler of 25 megawatt onsite! (big water cooker). This boiler can be powered by electricity provided by an offshore wind farm close to the factory. With the boiler Crown Van Gelder is able to power down the gas burning turbine during days with enough wind! Hopefully there is enough wind and funding to make this happen.

LUCCA, ITALY, July 6, 2020 (Press Release) -Lucart, Europe's leading manufacturer of tissue, airlaid and MG paper for flexible packaging, announces a 10 million Euro investment for the installation of a new high-efficiency cogeneration plant at the company's time-honoured Porcari factory in the province of Lucca, Italy.

The project will come into fruition with the collaboration of Baker Hughes that will supply NovaLT12 technology entirely designed and produced in Italy.

The NovaLT12 gas turbine to be installed in Porcari can supply a power of 12.5 MW, with cogeneration efficiency of up to 85%.

At the same time, compared to older generation turbines, the NovaLT12 achieves a reduction of CO2 and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions of 11% and 40%, respectively.

The new machinery will make it possible to explore the use of hydrogen, when it will become available, and of other renewable sources in the best way possible.

"Now that the Italian Government and Confindustria have finally agreed on a shared strategy for industrial policy guidelines and investments to be put in place to make Italy a leader in Europe, we can start investing again to harmonise sustainability and industrial growth, factors that have always been in our corporate DNA”, said Massimo Pasquini, CEO of Lucart. "The announcement of a plan for the Green New Deal, energy transition and real measures for industrial supply chain competitiveness puts us in the position look to the future with more tranquillity, security and stability".

The investment at the Porcari plant is part of broader industrial strategy of Lucart, which has always been consistent with the logic of protecting environmental and now considers the European Green Deal as an important new opportunity to relaunch a key industry, such as that of paper, exploiting the potential offered by decarbonisation.

The new plant completes the energy renewal plan of the Group with the total self-generated power in Italian factories reaching 32 MW.

The first cogeneration plant of the paper-making Group was installed at the Porcari site back in 1989 and kicked off a long history of development and collaboration between Lucart and Baker Hughes.

As early as December 2019, the two companies had already concluded the construction of similar machinery at the Diecimo plant.

High-efficiency cogeneration plants are universally regarded as the best technology available for the paper industry. A constant supply of electricity, day and night, and of thermal energy, used in various stages of the process, such as drying paper and sludge dewatering, are needed to make paper with modern technologies. Pending the development of other renewable sources, gas remains the only energy source that can be employed.

Lucart announces Euro 10 million investment to install new high-efficiency cogeneration plant at its Porcari mill in Italy

Posted in: Bio-Insight 07/06/2020 - 09:14