Import disruptions minimal to date: COVID-19 Update
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30 March 2020 - IndustryEdge
IndustryEdge reports imports of Printing, Communication and Packaging grades in January 2020 were relatively strong on a value basis, albeit after a lacklustre December. At AUD109.4M, January 2020 saw imports 5.6% higher than in January 2019. Perhaps more telling is that in US dollars, the value of imports was down 2.3% over the same period and amounted to USD73.5M in January 2020.
It is less obvious, but if it were not for January 2020, the year-long decline in the value of imports – in both Australian and US dollars – would be more evident. Read more.
China turns shipping back on, but that’s just a start
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30 March 2020 - IndustryEdge
As the COVID-19 pandemic crisis continues and deepens globally, shipping and freight continue to be the life-blood for many nations. Beyond mere economics and trade, it is shipping and freight that delivers food and medical supplies to much of the world, every month.
All eyes were turned to China as the pandemic commenced, and so too have they been glued for what might be the first fluttering signs of recovery, almost five months, since the novel coronavirus first began to spread in Wuhan. Read more.
AFPA
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27 March 2020 - AFPA
Australian Forest products industries essential for food and medicine production and transport Australian Forest Products Industries must continue to operate to ensure Australians continue to receive essential products and services including sanitary products, food packaging, and freight packaging used by all supermarkets and hospitals. In a brief sent to Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers today, AFPA outlines why the forest product industries must be recognised as essential service providers if further restrictions are put in place to contain CoVid-19. Read more.
Coronavirus fires up production at Australia's only medical mask factory
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27 March 2020 - ABC News
Med-Con has been operating in Australia for decades but was only supplying a very small percentage of Australia's medical industry due to competition from China.
"We need to have more industry here so we don't face this situation again, particularly if it happens in the future," Mr Csiszar said. Read more.
COVID-19: PEFC extends transition period for 2020 standards
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27 March 2020 - Paper News
To support certified entities and certification bodies during the COVID-19 challenge, PEFC has extended the transition period for three revised international standards by six months.
This extension applies to the 2020 versions of the Chain of Custody (ST 2002), PEFC Trademarks (ST 2001) and Certification Body Requirements – Chain of Custody (ST 2003) standards. The transition date is now 14 February 2022. Read more.
FIRB okays sale of Orora’s Australasian fibre business
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25 March 2020 - PKN Packaging News
Nippon Paper Industries has received approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board to go ahead with the acquisition of Orora’s Australasian Fibre Business. Read more.
European pulp and paper sector maintain essential operations to help EU citizens tackle the COVID-19 pandemic
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25 March 2020 - CPI
Cepi, the European paper industry association, and its members across Europe are shocked and saddened by the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacting people globally and in Europe, with a growing number of lives lost. Read more.
Corrugated Box Industry Keeps Supply Chain Moving Amid COVID-19 Challenges
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23 March 2020 - Paper Advance
The manufacturers of corrugated cardboard boxes are working to keep transport packaging flowing to makers of essential products including packaging for food and other consumer products, medical and pharmaceutical products, tissue and hygiene products and more amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.
AF&PA Stresses Paper and Wood Products Industry’s “Essential” Role in Responding to COVID-19 Challenges
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19 March 2020 - Paper Advance
President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement encouraging federal, state and local governments to recognize paper and wood products manufacturing facilities as “essential” when drafting Shelter in Place orders. Read more.
Coronavirus: Contract manufacturers set to help stem shortage of hand sanitisers
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19 March 2020 - Packaging News UK
Contract packing firms are being called upon to provide urgent help to stem the current shortages of hand sanitisers, gels, disinfectants and anti-bacterial wipes. Read more.
ACCC approves sale of Orora Fibre to Australian Paper
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27 FEBRUARY 2020 - SPRINTER
The ACCC has approved the $1.72b sale of Orora’s Australasian fibre business, Orora Fibre, to Australian Paper, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Paper Industries.
In releasing its approval, the ACCC said Australian Paper is the only independent, non-vertically integrated, domestic supplier of certain paper packaging products made from kraft fibre. Under the proposed acquisition Australian Paper will become vertically integrated with one of its major customers, Orora Fibre. Read more.
Two Sides: 131 companies removed misleading anti-paper statements in 2019
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26 Feb 2020 - PAPERNEWS
Since 2010, the Two Sides campaign has changed or removed misleading environmental claims of over 500 organizations, including many of the world’s largest corporations. 2019 was the busiest year to date for Two Sides’ Anti-greenwash campaign. Globally, 388 organizations were found to be using unsubstantiated claims about print and paper’s impact on the environment. These organizations were identified by Two Sides throughout Europe, North and South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Read more.
Victorian industry funding a strong step forward
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25 Feb 2020 - WMRR
The Victorian Government announcement that it will overhaul its recycling system has been welcomed by the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR), the national peak body for all stakeholders in the essential waste and resource recovery industry.
“The almost $100 million announced by the Andrews’ Government has recognized the diversity and importance of our essential industry, and includes providing funding to multiple sectors including hazardous material and for alternative infrastructure such as Energy from Waste.” Read more.
European paper and board production follows the EU economy downward trend in 2019, in contrast with market pulp production dynamism
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21 Feb 2020 - CEPI
According to preliminary figures, the European paper and board production has decreased by 3.0% in 2019, compared to the previous year. 2019 saw new capacities coming on stream, and upgrades of existing ones, but closures and lower production operating rates dragged down paper and board production. This downward trend was observed in all the top paper and board producing countries. Read more.
Enjoy your to-go cup of joe
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14 Feb 2020 - PAPER ADVANCE
We recently conducted a new consumer research survey around a full spectrum of environmental questions, including questions about recycling. We found 80% of consumers between the ages of 18-49 are confused about some aspect of recycling. Read more.
Printed newspapers readership plummets
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12 Feb 2020 - PRINT 21
The Australian Financial Review was the only newspaper to gain readers in print in 2019, with all other titles seeing the switch away from print to digital continuing unabated.
Nine (formerly Fairfax) titles lost significant numbers of readers for its printed editions, but gained ground in digital readership, however News Corp mastheads lost readers in digital as well as print, with analysts pointing to its polarising editorial as the reason for readers leaving. Read more.
Containerboard faces crisis as bushfires burn trees
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6 Feb 2020 - PKN Packaging News
Australia's containerboard sector is facing an unprecedented crisis of fibre supply, with the ongoing bushfires wiping out huge swathes of trees used for local manufacture of kraftliner, which is used as the outer layers of high-strength corrugated boxes. Read more.
Norske Skog sells forest assets in Tasmania
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6 Feb 2020 - Norske Skog Press Room
Norske Skog has entered into an agreement to sell its Tasmanian forest assets to a fund controlled by the Australian based investment manager New Forests Pty Ltd. The purchase price for the assets is AUD 62.5 million (NOK 388 million). The book value of the assets sold per 31 December 2019 were NOK 297 million, and the transaction will result in a gain to be recognized in the first quarter 2020. The sale will be accompanied by a long term wood supply agreement to provide pulpwood to the Boyer Mill. Read more.
FORECAST: Australian consumption faces uncertainty
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29 Jan 2020 IndustryEdge
Australia’s total consumption of all paper and paperboard will decline a calculated 0.2% (around 5,000 tonnes) per annum through to 2024, according to the latest headline forecasts* prepared by IndustryEdge. Read more.
Pulp importers feel the pleasure, and the pain
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29 Jan 2020 IndustryEdge
Australia’s pulp importers – mainly the tissue manufacturers – have felt the pleasures and the pains of global pulp markets over the last two years. Imports year-ended November 2019 totalled a very typical 285.7 kt, down 2.7% from a year earlier. Read more.
NZ pulp exports rise as prices stumble
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29 Jan 2020 IndustryEdge
New Zealand’s pulp exports rose 7.2% year-ended November 2019, at the same time as average export prices fell more than 32% in New Zealand dollar terms. Exports for the year totalled 960,830 tonnes, with the average price in November falling to NZDFob662/t, or NZD313/t lower than a year earlier. Read more.
PM flags hazard reduction focus for royal commission, which must include mechanical fuel removal
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22 Jan 2020 AFPA
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has backed Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s proposal for national fuel reduction standards across all land tenures to be considered in a Royal Commission into the recent bushfires. Read more.
Local solutions needed for waste export ban
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21 Jan 2020 AFPA
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) met the with Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Trevor Evans yesterday to discuss the impacts of the waste export ban and how the industry can help keep Australia’s waste paper out of landfill.
CEO of AFPA Ross Hampton said, “The announced ban poses a significant challenge for all of the Australian waste and recycling sector, however Australia’s pulp and paper industry is well placed to assist.” Read more.
Oatly switches to Evergreen Packaging’s renewable ice cream board
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21 Jan 2020 PACKAGING NEWS
Oatly Frozen, made from oats instead of cow’s milk, has switched to Evergreen Packaging’s Sentinel fully renewable ice cream board through its packaging converting partner Stanpac Packaging. Sentinel is described as a first of its kind, eco-friendly paper-based packaging made with an innovative renewable coating derived from sugarcane. Read more.
Forest thinning can reduce bushfire risk – academics
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20 Jan 2020 AFPA
Leading forest and ecosystem scientists from the University of Melbourne have backed the scientific merit of forest thinning to reduce the risk and severity of bushfires in Australia, refuting the strident activist voices demanding Australia make no change to its fuel reduction strategies in the wake of this catastrophic bushfire season. Read more.
Pratt to build more US recycled fiber mills
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14 Jan 2020 RESOURCES RECYCLING
A major end user of mixed paper and OCC will construct two additional North American recycled containerboard mills in the next six years, the company’s owner said in a recent media interview.
Pratt Industries, a producer of 100% recycled fiber products, will build the facilities by 2026, company Executive Chairman Anthony Pratt told The Australian newspaper in an interview last week. Read more.
Blazes burn up workloads for bushfire printers
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10 Jan 2020 PRINT21
Printers in bushfire-affected regions are battling a decline in workload as tourists flee stricken areas and local businesses see a major downturn in trade. Read more.
Industry donates to fire relief
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7 Jan 2020 PACKAGING NEWS
Packaging and food businesses are making big donations to bushfire relief, with Visy’s Anthony Pratt; Tetra Laval; Foodmach; Coca-Cola Amatil; and supermarkets Coles and Woolworths among those supporting the cause. Read more.
Adoption of Oji Group’s paper product by Nestlé Group
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7 Jan 2020 OJI PUBLIC RELATIONS
Oji Holdings (CEO: Masatoshi Kaku, Head Office: Tokyo) announces that Oji Group’s paper was adopted by “Kitkat” lineup in Japan for replacement of plastic package to paper package as one of the activity to solve to reduce plastic waste in the ocean for one of the biggest sustainability issues the world is facing today. Read more.
Excellent Carbon Footprint result
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6 Jan 2020 PAPER ADVANCE
The recently published Pro Carton Carbon Footprint for Carton Packaging report demonstrated that the carton industry is not only reducing its CO2 emissions but, in declaring a very low carbon footprint of 326kg CO2 per tonne of converted cartons, that its environmental impact is much less than most other packaging materials. Read more.
Fitzgibbon backs Victoria’s sustainable native forest industries
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29 Nov 2019 AFPA
Federal Shadow minister for Agriculture and Resources Joel Fitzgibbon has strongly backed Victoria’s native forest industries as sustainable, at odds with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews who plans to shut it down.
Speaking at the Australian Forest Products Association dinner in Canberra last night Mr Fitzgibbon took a veiled swipe at the Andrews Government’s decision to close down the industry by 2030, and he endorsed sustainably managed native forestry and the Regional Forest Agreements framework as delivering the best environmental, climate change and bushfire mitigation outcomes. Read more.
Orora takes plastic out of apple packaging
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28 Nov 2019 PKN
Produced at the Orora factory in Heidelberg, Victoria, the six-pack apple carton is the result of a collaboration between Orora, Apple & Pear Australia Limited (Apal), and Montague Fresh.
“The cartons are made from paper, making them a plastic-free, recyclable solution that looks fantastic in store. They support various print finishes, and feature a tamper-proof lock to ensure the apples remain in premium condition throughout the supply chain,” the company said. Read more.
Valmet introduces new visible imaging system for pulp mill lime kilns
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28 Nov 2019 PULPPAPERNEWS
Valmet has launched a new Valmet Visible Thermal Imaging System, which provides the highest quality lime kiln process monitoring for pulp mills. Combining the camera temperature information with process controls can improve combustion optimization and reburned lime quality, and reduce emissions. The system also allows visual evaluation of flame shape, size, and temperature profile. Reduced maintenance costs and greater visibility during start-up and full load conditions can also be achieved. Read more.
Stamps stomped in 2020
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27 Nov 2019 INDUSTRYEDGE
Australia’s standard stamp price will rise 10% in 2020. The price is already 25 times higher than when Australia went decimal. In an all too familiar development, the price of sending a standard letter will rise 10% from $1.00 to $1.10 from the start of 2020. Read more.
2020: Freight Costs Will Rise
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27 Nov 2019 INDUSTRYEDGE
2020 will see higher global freight costs, especially for containerised goods. A swathe of factors is converging to see higher freight costs apply to nearly all global routes, with the longest routes – like those from Europe to Australia – likely to see sharply higher costs. Read more.
Spicers expands packaging with Direct Paper deal
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27 Nov 2019 PKN
Spicers is buying rival merchant Direct Paper as part of its strategy to move into new areas, with the deal giving it an increased presence in packaging papers and boards.
The move brings the second and third biggest merchants in the country together, although still some way behind number one Ball and Doggett, and will result in all 50 Direct staff joining the new operation. Spicers revenue for the last financial year reached $384m. Read more.
Redoubtable and remarkable: Aida Greenbury talks with IndustryEdge
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26 Nov 2019 INDUSTRYEDGE
Many of us know of Aida Greenbury from her thirteen years as Managing Director of sustainability at Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP). That included the period that was undoubtedly the most tumultuous in the forestry and paper giant’s history, as it faced global criticisms over its sustainability.
Through all that period and more, Aida headed the sustainability team of one of Asia’s largest land users. More than that, she was the prominent public face of APP, across the planet. Read more.
Australian scientists may have discovered solution to our plastic recycling problem
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20 Nov 2019 ABC
Australian scientists have developed a technology they say could make all plastic recyclable, as the country grapples with how to deal with its waste crisis.
The patented technology was created by Len Humphreys and Sydney University professor Thomas Maschmeyer, who say it could process plastics that cannot currently be recycled. Read more.
Borealis, Nestlé, and Walmart join New Plastics Economy as Core Partners
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19 Nov 2019 ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION
Borealis, Nestlé, and Walmart have joined eight other leading businesses to become part of the Core Partners group for the New Plastics Economy, an initiative which brings together key stakeholders to rethink and redesign the future of plastics. Beginning with plastic packaging, the Core Partners will all work towards building and scaling a circular economy in which it never becomes waste. Read more. Read more.
OjiFS to invest $100m in Christchurch packaging plant
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12 Nov 2019 PKN
The development will include the latest equipment to produce sustainable packaging products for the South Island primary produce sectors. Oji Fibre Solutions (OjiFS) aims to complete the project in 2021. Read more.
Australian Paper support for investment in new Gippsland plantations
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8 Nov 2019 AUSTRALIAN PAPER
Australian Paper supports the Victorian Government’s announcement that it will establish a significant new plantation industry in Gippsland. The company expects this decision will help secure its future as one of the largest employers in the Latrobe Valley and provides a plan towards addressing industry supply uncertainty. Read more.
Australian pulp consumption up for sixth successive year
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INDUSTRYEDGE 27 September 2019
Australia’s consumption of pulp lifted to 1,917.2 kt in 2018-19, rising 4.2% on the prior year, and by an average 2.4% per annum over the decade. The sixth successive annual increase in pulp consumption takes account of deinked pulp, but does not include recovered paper used locally. Read more.
Label imports roll up the local competition
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INDUSTRYEDGE 27 September 2019
Total consumption of labels and label paper has grown an average 3.1% per annum since 2009-10 in Australia. Total consumption was 43.7 kt in 2018-19 (down 6.8% on the prior year), made up of imports of fully converted Paper Labels and reels and sheets of Label Paper. Read more.
Pratt to host Scott Morrison and Trump in Ohio
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PKN 19 September 2019
Anthony Pratt will host US president Donald Trump and Australian prime minister Scott Morrison at a new Pratt Industries paper recycling plant in Ohio next week.
The new $400m plant opens almost 30 years after Anthony Pratt successfully launched the US version of the Visy business founded by his father, cardboard king Richard Pratt. Read more.
Adoption of Oji Group’s paper product by Nestlé
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Oji Holdings 19 September 2019
Oji Holdings (CEO: Masatoshi Kaku, Head Office: Tokyo) announces that Oji Group’s paper was
adopted by Nestlé in Thailand for replacement of plastic bag to paper bag as a solution to reduce
plastic for one of the biggest sustainability issues the world is facing today. Read more.
Australia’s forest industries showcased in new promotional videos
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AFPA 19 September 2019
Australia’s forest industries have been showcased in new promotional videos produced by the Federal Department of Agriculture. The videos, the flagship of which premiered at last night’s AFPA Members Dinner in Canberra, cover different themes of forest industries and promote their environmental, economic and social benefits, Chair of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Mr Greg McCormack said today. “Those of us who work within forest industries have always known of the truly renewable nature of the timber and fibre products that we produce, but these new videos will help tell the story in an excellent way to more Australians. Read more.
Coca-Cola European Partners to ditch plastic shrink-wrap
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Packaging News UK 19 September 2019
Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) will end the use of plastic shrink-wrap across all multipacks of cans sold in Great Britain and replace it with cardboard. More than 30 million packs sold to consumers each year will no longer be wrapped in plastic. The new cardboard multipacks will be introduced on 4, 6 and 8 packs of cans across all brands, including Coca-Cola (original taste and zero sugar), Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Dr Pepper and Lilt. The packs will transition to cardboard over the next 18 months. Multipacks of ten cans or more are already wrapped in cardboard.The shrink-wrap will be replaced with 100% recyclable, sustainably sourced cardboard, with either an FSC or PEFC certification. Read more.
Australian Paper says waste project is vital
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Paper Advance (Latrobe Valley Express) 16 September 2019
Australian Paper has hit back at a Victorian Greens' proposal for a 10-year moratorium on an energy from waste project at Maryvale, and plans for other similar projects in Victoria.
Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam put forward the motion in parliament last week citing environmental risks and fears it could put the clamps on developing a state-wide recycling industry. Read more.
Nestlé aims for no packaging in litter or landfill
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PKN 13 September 2019
Nestlé has inaugurated its new Institute of Packaging Sciences, with the goal of ultimately sending none of its packaging to litter or landfill.
At the announcement in Vevey, Switzerland, CEO Mark Schneider said it will enable the company to create a “strong pipeline of sustainable packaging solutions for Nestlé products across businesses and markets”.
The Institute will focus on several science and technology areas, such as refillable or reusable packaging, simplified packaging materials, recycled packaging materials, and high-performance barrier papers, as well as bio-based, compostable and biodegradable materials. Read more.
Packaging firms ‘inspiring the next generation’ through Pro Carton’s schools initiative
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Packaging News UK 10 September 2019
Pro Carton’s TICCIT (Trees into Cartons, Cartons into Trees) programme is continuing to teach primary school aged children about the circular economy. Read more.
New Zealand’s printing paper demand: ‘just a little different’
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INDUSTRYEDGE 27 August 2019
Demonstrating once again that there is just a little something different about New Zealand, its apparent consumption of Printing & Communication papers rose 1.5% in 2018-19. Lifting by a little more than 2,000 tonnes, total imports rose to 148.1 kt. There is no local production, so imports represent total demand. The result sits in defiance of the experience of near neighbour Australia, but also, of most of the rest of the world’s advanced economies. Read more.
Coated woodfree paper consumption crashes 30% in 2018-19
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INDUSTRYEDGE 27 August 2019
A near 30% decline in imports of Coated Woodfree (CWF) papers to Australia in 2018-19 continued to deepen as the financial year progressed. At just 129.9 kt for the full year, imports are lower than they were during the GFC. In the June quarter, imports totalled 31.2 kt down 36% on the previous June quarter. Read more.
China to increase tariffs on US OCC and other materials
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RESOURCE RECYCLING 27 August 2019
U.S. exporters who are still moving OCC and other recyclables to China may face higher costs, after the Chinese government last week announced additional tariffs on key scrap materials. OCC, newsprint and some higher-grade recovered fibers will face an additional 5% tariff when imported into China, according to an announcement from the Chinese government. Read more.
Converted packaging imports up 7.5%
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INDUSTRYEDGE 27 August 2019
Annual imports of most pre-converted packaging materials continued to grow across the year-ended June 2019. Total volumes were recorded at 122,543 tonnes for the year, up 7.5% compared to the prior twelve months. Imports were again at record levels. Read more.
Orora numbers all rise
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PKN 15 August 2019
Full year results for packaging giant Orora have with underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) up 4 per cent to $217m, earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) 3.7 per cent higher to $335.2m and earnings per share (EPS) up 3.7 per cent to 18 cents per share. Read more.
Contributing to the Circular Economy: The Paper and Wood Products Industry
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AF&PA 15 August 2019
The paper and wood products industry uses renewable and recyclable resources to manufacture products that makes people's lives better. Printing-writing papers, paper-based packaging, pulp, tissue and wood products play significant roles in everyday life by meeting needs for information, product protection, hygiene, housing and more. Read more.
Battery Ventures Acquires Forest2Market and Fisher International
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FOREST2MARKET 13 August 2019
Boston, Charlotte, N.C. & Norwalk, Conn. (August 13, 2019) – Battery Ventures, a global technology-focused investment firm, announced that it has acquired two companies: Forest2Market, Inc. a firm supplying data, analytics, supply chain expertise and strategic consulting services to the global forest products industry; and Fisher International, Inc. a firm supporting the pulp and paper industry with business intelligence and strategy consulting services. Read more.
Tetra Pak turns focus to paper straws and plant-based materials
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PACKAGING NEWS 13 August 2019
Tetra Pak is aiming for a long-term plan to produce packaging only from plant-based material, according to one of its senior managers. The global packaging firm started field testing of its paper straws for beverage products with its European customers, and will share its technology with the industry. Read more.
IPCC report backs sustainable forest industries to help tackle climate change
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AFPA 9 August 2019
The ‘Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Land’ released yesterday, backs Australia’s forest industries to help fight climate change, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Mr Ross Hampton said today. Read more.
Licella & iQ Renew Sign MOU with Oji Fibre Solutions to Investigate
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LICELLA HOLDINGS 1 August 2019
Oji Fibre Solutions, a New Zealand-based producer of market pulp, paper and fiber-based packaging, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with iQ Renew and Licella, both of which are based in North Sydney, Australia, to investigate chemical plastics recycling technology for use in New Zealand. Read more.
AFPA CEO appointed Vice-Chair of UN FAO Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest-based Industries
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AFPA 30 JULY 2019
Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) CEO, Ross Hampton, has been appointed as Vice-Chair of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest-based Industries (ACSFI). Read more.
Sydney sees import values rise – but not for all grades
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INDUSTRYEDGE 28 July 2019
Valued at AUD1.328 billion (measured on a free-on-board basis) total pulp, paper and paperboard imports to the Port of Sydney lifted 6.5% on the prior year. The increase in the value of imports for the year-ended April 2019, was by no means evenly spread across grades or regions. In fact, in the context of the ongoing trade war, it seems as though the laws of unintended consequences are alive and well.Read more.
Tissue sector set to rationalise
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INDUSTRYEDGE 28 JULY 2019
Across Australasia, the tissue sector is preparing for expected rationalisation. Change that reduces the number of producers is now more likely than not. However, that does not have to result in lower production. Recent developments, in particular the sale of Asaleo Care’s Australian assets to Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), have altered a market that was already under pressure and stress. Read more..
Recovered paper exports at decadal low
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INDUSTRYEDGE 28 JULY 2019
Australia’s total recovered paper exports continued to fall in May 2019, recording a year-end total of 1.134 million tonnes, their lowest annual aggregate in more than a decade. Down 19.0% on the prior year, IndustryEdge can confirm expectations that annual recovered paper exports will decline further over the next two to three months. Read more.
Paper industry frets as India gears up for RCEP talks
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THE HINDI BUSINESSLINE 25 JULY 2019
The paper industry has raised serious concern over duty-free import of paper and paper board proposed under the 16-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement being negotiated between the 10-member ASEAN, India, China, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand even as India is formulating strategy for the next round of RCEP negotiations in China. Read more.
Sawdust Might Be One Answer to the World’s Plastic Problem
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PAPERADVANCE 23 JULY 2019
A technology startup near Ontario’s leafy border with Michigan says it has the answer to the world’s plastic pollution problem: sawdust.
Origin Materials is getting ready to pay sawmills in the area $20 a ton for the scraps left over in the process of turning logs into lumber, which it will use to make recyclable plastic bottles that remove carbon-dioxide from the sky because they’re made from sustainably sourced wood waste. Nestle SA, Danone SA and PepsiCo Inc. plan to sell water in Origin’s recyclable plant-based bottles in early 2022. Read more.
Recycling firm plunges into papermaking with $320M mill
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RESOURCES RECYCLING 16 JULY 2019
A containerboard mill using entirely OCC and mixed paper is in development in Utah. The project stands as a rare case of a recycling company expanding into the end market sector. Read more.
Global food giant, Nestle have announced the move to recyclable paper packaging for its Yes! snack bars
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TWO SIDES 15 JULY 2019
A breakthrough innovation, this is the first time a confectionery bar has been packaged in paper using a high-speed flow wrap technology.
Launching this month, this new innovation has unlocked the potential for recyclable paper packaging to be widely used in the confectionery industry. Up until now, high-speed production of shelf-stable snacks was only achieved using plastic films and laminates. Now paper can be used at large scale while guaranteeing product quality and freshness over the entire shelf life. Read more.
Wood Fiber Prices Reach Five-Year High, May Weaken in Second Half 2019
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PAPERAGE 11 JULY 2019
The cost of wood fiber for the world's pulp industry has trended upward for over two years because of higher demand and a tightening regional supply of wood fiber. Read more.
Orora’s Garrard to retire, Lowe steps up
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PACKAGING NEWS 9 JULY 2019
CEO and managing director of APPMA member Orora, Nigel Garrard, will retire as of 30 September, with Brian Lowe to replace him in both jobs.
Garrard has led Orora for more than 10 years, while Lowe joined the company in 2011 to head up the Beverage Business group before becoming group general manager of Orora Fibre Packaging. According to Garrard, the time has come for new leadership at the packaging giant. Read more.
Paper Bags, The Natural Choice
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TWO SIDES 8 JULY 2019
There is increasing concern about the over-use of plastic bags and particularly their contribution to marine litter. EU countries have taken action by introducing bans, charges and other initiatives to limit their use.
Whilst a general reduction in unnecessary packaging will be a valuable contribution to a circular and less wasteful economy, paper bags, because of their natural and renewable attributes, present an attractive and practical alternative. Studies show that they can be the natural and environmental alternative to plastic and textile bags. Read more.
Industry leaders gather to take action on packaging
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AFPA 28 JUNE 2019
Federal Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, Trevor Evans, says he delighted to attend the Australian Packaging Covenant's Collective Action Group meeting, and acknowledge the important leadership role they will play in delivering the ambitious National Packaging Targets. Read more.
Exploring opportunities to develop a Latrobe Valley Aquaculture Industry
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AUSTRALIAN PAPER 27 JUNE 2019
Australian Paper is pleased to announce a partnership with Mainstream Aquaculture and the Victorian Government to conduct a $1.24 million feasibility study to the viability of constructing a state of the art, indoor aquaculture facility, to farm barramundi in the Latrobe Valley. Read more.
BioPRIA publishes paper on “Nanocellulose films as air and water vapour barriers: A recyclable and biodegradable alternative to polyolefin packaging”
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BIOPRIA JUNE 27, 2019
The research demonstrates the potential of Nanocellulose files a sustainable and recyclable alternative to conventional polyolefin packaging, providing a very attractive alternative for the packaging industry. Read more.
‘Lost’ cartonboard imports found
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INDUSTRYEDGE 25 JUNE 2019
Australia’s long lost Coated Cartonboard imports have been ‘found’ and may soon make their way back home. In late 2013, when Amcor closed its Petrie Cartonboard Mill in Queensland, Australia’s entire supply of cartonboard was imported. Inevitably, imports rose throughout 2014, as inventories were used, and the new operating state was adopted. Read more.
A4 imports – the ONLY place colour matters
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INDUSTRYEDGE 25 JUNE 2019
Australia’s imports of A4 White Cut Reams (copy paper) have reduced dramatically over the last two years. In fact, over the year-ended April 2019, imports totalled just over 22,000 tonnes, down more than 51% on the prior year! Imports of their sibling ‘tinted’ grade have always been far smaller, hovering somewhere around the 2,000 tonne per year mark.
Read more.
Are freight costs a feature of the trade war?
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INDUSTRYEDGE 25 JUNE 2019
Australia’s paper and paperboard imports were valued at AUDFob1.204 billion (AUDCif1.727 billion) over the year-ended April 2019. China, as expected, was the largest single supplier. On an FOB basis, the value of imports from China lifted a strong 9.5% to AUD229.5 million, accounting for 17.6% of the total value of imports. Read more.
Paper Cups: A Responsible Consumer Choice
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PAPERAGE JUNE 25, 2019
Enjoying a cup of coffee or tea on the go can help make our busy lifestyles a little more tolerable. It affords busy parents a moment of nirvana as they rush to deliver kids to school and get to work on time, and provides everyone the option to enjoy their beverage of choice even if they don't have time to finish it in store. The facts support a compelling case that the makers of paper cups — the paper and wood products industry — have a long commitment to sustainable business practices that protect the environment, spur innovation and advance recycling. Read more.
New Innovations in Paper
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TWO SIDES 24 JUNE 2019
Paper has a great number of advantages when it comes to communication – it’s portable, light, accessible and easy on the eye. But great strides are being made in medicine, technology and construction using this most humble of materials. People may have been reading and writing with it for over two thousand years, but it seems that paper has a lot more to offer. Read more.
5 Reasons Paper Books Are Still More Popular Than E-Books
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DOMTAR NEWSROOM JUNE 20, 2019
The first e-reader was released in 1998, and it looked like the beginning of the end of the printed page. But today, paper books are just as popular as ever. According to the Association of American Publishers, e-book sales haven't diminished the popularity of paper books. Today, e-books comprise just 20–30 percent of book sales. In fact, e-book sales declined 4.9 percent in January 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. Read more.
Indonesia slightly scales back paper import restrictions
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RESOURCE RECYCLING JUNE 19, 2019
Import guidelines for scrap paper shipments to Indonesia have been revised and are less stringent than initially proposed, the country's government announced last week. Still, the rules will mean additional inspections for paper traders.Read more.
Jori Ringman becomes Director General of CEPI
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CEPI 17 JUNE 2019
CEPI, the European association representing the forest fibre and paper industry, announces that Jori Ringman has unanimously been appointed by the CEPI Board as successor to Sylvain Lhôte at the helm of the Brussels-based organisation. Read more.
OjiFS opens new Mildura plant, brings wax-free boxes to market
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PKN 13 JUNE 2019
The new highly specified 4500sqm OjiFS packaging plant in Mildura is open, with the company now offering its innovative wax-free PowerPly cartons to the local market. The new plant consolidates the two previous OjiFS Mildura sites into one, and has three separate sheds on the site. OjiFS more than doubled down on its commitment to the Sunraysia region, with its new plant covering 1.2 hectares. Read more.
Inexact forestry valuations may fluctuate by $1b
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Inexact forestry valuations may fluctuate by $1b
An inexact approach to valuing forests could mean the value of the Australian forest industry could fluctuate by up to $1 billion, according to Australian forestry consultant and a leading member of the Australian Institute of Foresters of Australia, Keith Lamb. Mr Lamb is also the newly appointed managing director for KIPT. Read more.
Weaker demand for pulp
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Weaker demand for pulp (and fibre in general) but prices holding up – just!
Tensions in global pulp markets are tightening, by all accounts, with nervous energy on both sides of the transaction ledger seeming to lead to little change in prices in April. It would however be best to say ‘yet’, because weaker demand for pulp is now being matched with production at the top of the capacity arc. Read more.
Comics provide more than relief
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Comics provide more than relief.
Plenty of parents despair of their children’s focus on comics over ‘real’ books. Until that is they find that their reluctant readers are actually learning how to read. Borrowing from US culture, Australians have long been significant consumers of illustrated comics, albeit in a small market crowded with a bewildering array of titles and more than a few bizarre heroes. Read more.
Forest industries welcomes new Minister
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Forest industries welcomes new Minister
Australia’s forest industries congratulate the new Minister for Agriculture, Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie and Assistant Minister with responsibility for Forestry and Fisheries, Tasmanian Senator Jonathon Duniam. Read more.
Read All About It! Recycle that newsprint any way you can
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Read All About It! Recycle that newsprint any way you can
Australia’s ability to collect recyclables remains world class, as the latest newsprint recovery analysis demonstrates. In calendar year 2018, more than 153,000 tonnes of newsprint was recovered, amounting to 74.1% of total consumption. Read more. Read more.
Govt funds new B2B 'eBay' circular economy hub
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Govt funds new B2B 'eBay' circular economy hub
In another positive step towards meeting the packaging industry's 2025 targets, the federal government has committed $3 million to support recycling projects, including a B2B circular economy e-commerce platform. PKN spoke to APCO CEO Brooke Donnelly. Read more.
Nation of readers!
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Industry Edge 26 April 2019
Nation of readers! Books live on as directories, guides and fashion publications collapse
Australians remain voracious readers. Latest data showing Australia’s imports of printed material that the national love affair with the printed word continues – so long as it is in book form.
Total imports of printed books declined 1.7% in 2018, falling to an annual value of AUD470.1 million (books only). That relatively modest decline was book-ended by steep falls in the value of imports for Dictionaries and timetables (-35.6%) and Fashion books (-25.7%) on the one side and by softer declines for Paperbacks (-2.1%) and Hardbacks (-0.1%), on the other side.
China to the rescue! Has real growth returned?
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Industry Edge 26 April 2019
Always a little suspect, China’s economic growth was reported at 6.4%, year-on-year in the March quarter of 2019. Growth was above expectations and was driven by a solid increase in industrial output, as well as domestic consumption, feeding into renewed hope that the driver of global economic growth has turned the corner.
Stink Bug Pain Spreads to 32 Countries for 2019-20
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Industry Edge 26 April 2019
Rapid expansion of the infestation of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) in Europe and North America has plagued global trade over the 2018-19 risk season, as many importers of pulp, paper, paperboard and printed material have experienced. In response, Australian authorities have announced the 2019-20 BMSB risk season will see 32 countries on the strengthened seasonal measures list, up from 10 for the current season. The BMSB risk season runs from 1st September to 30th April each year. Read more.
Pulp and paper mill waste becomes fish feed, energy and more
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Pulp Paper News 26 April 2019
A collection of Swedish experts aims to create new bio-based products from excess waste sludge produced from wastewater effluent management at pulp and paper mills. "Industries can compete for the same raw materials, but here we start with something that no one really wants. What was previously a by-product waste from a purification problem is now becoming a cascaded resource", says Karin Willquist, Project Manager and researcher at RISE, Research Institutes of Sweden. Read more.
Forest industries can play a big role in Labor’s industry strategy
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AFPA 18 April 2019
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes the Labor Party’s inclusion of forest industries in its industry strategy, which aims to grow the food and fibre manufacturing industries of Australia, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Mr Ross Hampton said.
The Federal Opposition yesterday announced a $25 million food and fibre industry strategy, including the establishment of an Innovation Council, which aims to drive local jobs and innovation, and attract investment in manufacturing, particularly in rural and regional areas. Read more.
Growing the forest bioeconomy: Biomaterials for high-tech applications
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Paper Advance 18 April 2019
British Columbia’s forest resources and fibre supply have supported the province’s economy and Canada’s GDP for decades.
Although these resources have provided the province with natural advantages, relying on conventional products such as lumber, pulp and paper alone will not ensure the long-term success of the forest sector. Shifting global markets present opportunities for BC’s forest industry to offer next generation forest bioproducts to advance a cleaner and more sustainable economy. Read more.
Visy cuts ribbon on $100m board plant
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PKN 17 April 2019
Visy has officially opened its new $100 million corrugated packaging facility in Truganina, Victoria. Completed in October last year and spanning 36,000 square metres, the plant will manufacture RSC and die-cut cartons from recycled material, and is capable of producing one million per day. It employs 85 people, including office staff. Read more.of imports for Dictionaries and timetables (-35.6%) and Fashion books (-25.7%) on the one side and by softer declines for Paperbacks (-2.1%) and Hardbacks (-0.1%), on the other side.
World’s first compostable bird box trialled
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Environmental Journal 16 April 2019
A packaging provider will trial the world’s first ever compostable bird box, made entirely of cardboard. The bird houses, currently being developed by the international packaging provider DS Smith, are coated with a recyclable water-resistant coating, allowing them to survive in similar conditions as traditional wooden bird houses. Read more.
CEPI publishes new food contact guidelines for the paper and board industry
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Published by Simon Matthis (pulppapernews) 10 April 2019
CEPI, the paper and board manufacturing industry, as well as converting sectors including the tissue industry publish today the completely rewritten voluntary ‘Food Contact Guidelines for the Compliance of Paper and Board Materials and Articles’.
Formally called “Industry Guideline”, the revised guidelines are intended to enhance the trust of public authorities, business operators and consumers in the safety of paper and board materials for food contact applications. Read more.