Holmen Board and Paper gains high production flexibility after ANDRITZ starts up rebuilt paper machine

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from ST Paper to supply a new tissue machine for its recently acquired site in Duluth, Minnesota, USA. Start-up is planned for the end of 2022. The ANDRITZ tissue machine of the type PrimeLineTM W 2000 has a design speed of 2,000 m/min and a working width of 5.65 m to produce a range of bath, napkin and towel grades. The order includes: *the approach flow equipment with double dilution capability for excellent fiber preparation *a fully cantilevered PrimePress XT Evo shoe press for gentle dewatering *a 16 ft. PrimeDry Steel Yankee with head insulation, steam and condensate systems, and high-performance Yankee hood and process air systems for energy-efficient drying *mist extraction and dust removal systems for safe operation and *a PrimeReel standard reel with turn-up equipment for excellent end product quality. ST Paper acquired Verso Corporation’s idled Duluth mill in May, with the intention to convert the mill’s production from specialty paper grades to tissue.

UPM-Kymmene Corporation’s Board of Directors has decided to initiate a strategic review of UPM Plywood business area to assess options for maximizing the long-term potential of the Plywood business in an evolving market environment. The strategic review includes a range of possibilities, including a potential separation from UPM through for example a divestment, partial demerger or initial public offering. The aim is to determine the best path forward for the Plywood business, while also benefiting the value creation for UPM’s shareholders. “UPM has transformed into a material solutions company with a broad portfolio of attractive businesses. We continuously evaluate opportunities across the portfolio to ensure full value creation potential. The decision to initiate a strategic review of UPM Plywood reflects our commitment to position each UPM business for long-term success,” says Massimo Reynaudo, President and CEO of UPM.

Canfor Corporation announced that it will optimize its footprint in southern Alabama by permanently closing its Jackson facility and expanding production at its Fulton facility with a second shift. These steps, together with the previously announced construction of a new, state-of-the art greenfield sawmill in Axis, will grow the Company’s regional manufacturing platform by 100 million board feet of production capacity and consolidate operations at modern facilities that are well positioned to be competitive for the long-term. “Canfor is working to optimize our operational footprint in southern Alabama to ensure we have wellcapitalized and highly efficient manufacturing facilities,” said Lee Goodloe, President, Canfor Southern Pine. “To this end, we are making the difficult decision to close the aging Jackson mill at the end of June, while expanding production at our nearby Fulton facility. We recognize this decision impacts our Jackson employees and community. However, we expect the majority of our employees will have an opportunity at either our expanded operation in Fulton, which will add a second shift, or in Axis once the new facility opens later this year.”