Cepi Update
Voting on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the EU Parliament’s ENVI Committee endorsed definitions of ‘recyclability’ and ‘high quality of recycling’ that still needs to take into account both scientific evidence and the practical experience of a well-functioning recycling system for paper and board.
In the digital production world, machines from different manufacturers must be able to communicate with each other. This requires uniform standards – so-called OPC UA Companion Specifications – in the development of which the VDMA is significantly involved. Currently, VDMA 40740 has been published in the Companion Specifications series and maps universal manufacturer-independent interfaces based on OPC UA.
The 4evergreen Alliance unveils five selected projects from its first “Circularity Success Stories” initiative, which showcases members' remarkable efforts to increase the recycling rate of fibre-based packaging to 90% by 2030. Three years on from its inception, 4evergreen invited members to share groundbreaking projects, whether developed individually or collaboratively, that have been spurred by the alliance and can serve as inspiring examples of fibre-based packaging circularity and sustainability.
International technology group Andritz will rebuild a paper machine at Holmen Paper’s Braviken mill in Sweden to provide maximum production flexibility. Start-up is planned for autumn 2024. This order follows Holmen Paper’s recent successful entry into the packaging market with an innovative lightweight corrugated board product. The rebuild of PM52 will enable Holmen Paper to increase the production of fluting for corrugated boxes. Andritz will implement a sophisticated technology concept allowing to easily switch production between the different paper grades.
Mondi Grünburg has partnered with NKE, a prominent manufacturer of bearing solutions for wind, railway and industrial applications, to create a new packaging solution for wind power components. With the rising demand for renewable energy sources, the wind power sector has gained significant attention. The challenging operating conditions of wind turbines necessitate components that deliver exceptional efficiency and uncompromising reliability.
Printers in Europe have many different options for sourcing the offset printing plates they need to maintain reliable, high-quality print production. Recent supply chain issues and geopolitical developments, along with the increasing focus on sustainability, have created challenges for printers seeking a reliable supply of plates from suppliers focused on minimizing their carbon footprint. In light of these challenges, Kodak Sonora Xtra Process Free Plates, manufactured at Kodak’s Osterode facility in the heart of Germany are a smart choice for any printer.
Combining almost 50 years’ flexo printing market experience from Italy with world-acclaimed engineering from Germany, Koenig & Bauer has officially unveiled its XD Pro CI Flexo next generation press that takes performance reliability, process consistency and efficiency to new levels of productivity. The Koenig & Bauer XD Pro all-round press has been launched to meet just-in-time market demands for short-run production agility for added-value sustainable flexible packaging. A new member of the CI-Flexo product portfolio, this new addition addresses main markets in flexible packaging, as well as synthetics and fibre-based packaging applications.
Enstra Paper, member of the Corruseal Group and one of the largest producers of recycled containerboard grades in South Africa, has engaged Voith to rebuild its PM 6 for packaging paper in Springs, close to Johannesburg, in South Africa. Voith will supply a new BlueLine OCC stock preparation line to improve efficiency, runability and paper quality. The leading full-line supplier will also undertake substantial rebuild measures on the existing paper machine that was converted from newsprint to packaging papers in 2015.
Softys has selected Toscotec for the supply of a complete tissue line at their facility in Altamira, Mexico. Scheduled for start-up in the first quarter of 2025, the new Ahead 2.2 line (PM5) will be supplied on a turnkey basis.
The persistent global economic downturn is proving to be much tougher than anticipated with depressed markets, geopolitical instability and weak economic growth combining to put significant pressure on Sappi, particularly in Europe. In response, Sappi announced on 6 July 2023 the start of a consultation process on the possible closure of Stockstadt Mill. “We have completed this process and agreed on the social plan for the employees. In addition, an agreement has been signed for the sale of the site. The closure of the site should be completed during the first calendar quarter of 2024. Once all closure elements are taken into account, the impact is expected to be cash neutral.”
The Nomination Committee of SCA proposes that Helena Stjernholm be elected as chairman and member of the SCA board at the annual general meeting on March 22, 2024. SCA's current chairman, Pär Boman, as previously communicated, has declined re-election. Helena Stjernholm is the CEO and group CEO of AB Industrivärden, SCA's largest shareholder. Helena Stjernholm has many years of experience in board work across a wide range of industries, as well as deep knowledge regarding the capital market.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG has delivered the two longest sheetfed offset presses ever produced to leading global packaging manufacturer WestRock. The longest, delivered to WestRock’s Tczew, Poland facility, is a 42 metre, specially adapted custom configuration of a Speedmaster XL 106 with a total of 20 printing and coating units.