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Box Biz
April 1, 2007 By: Packaging online staff Paperboard PackagingU.S. Linerboard Capacity Increases in 2006
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Totally linerboard capacity rose 0.2 percent in 2006, according to the AF&PA's 47th Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard, and Pulp Capacity. Capacity increases resulting from productivity improvements, product mix changes within linerboard, and shifts from recycled medium, more than compensated for the removal of three machines.
 Linerboard Capacity |
Sixteen paper mills closed in 2006. These 16 mills represent 30 machines taken out in 2006. Seven more machines will be taken out this year and one in 2008. Total U.S. paper and paperboard capacity declined 1.6 percent in 2006 to 97.7 million tons. The decline marked the sixth consecutive annual contraction in paper and paperboard capacity, and the sharpest decline since 2001. Capacity declined only fractionally in 2004, and by 0.8 percent in 2005.
Linerboard capacity is slated to edge up 0.4 percent in 2007 and then rise a more substantial 1.0 percent in 2008. This reflects the conversion and subsequent ramping up of a machine from uncoated free sheet to linerboard during the fall of 2007.
Corrugating medium capacity declined by 4.6 percent in 2006. This is largely the result of the removal from the survey in early 2006 of a machine that had been idled during mid-2005, which is in the process of being redeployed to another grade. Medium capacity is slated to remain virtually stable, at 10.8 million tons during each of the three projection years, through 2009.
E+L to Show ELCorruMatic at FEFCO
BIELEFELD, GERMANY—During the FEFCO Technical Seminar in Nice this month, E+L will display its latest product development, the ELCorruMatic®. The product line reaches from systems for the automatic web guiding, via control systems for the optimization of the web tension up to the automatic parameter setting of all important production parameters. The company offers now an automation network that can be adapted to the specific requirements of the respective corrugated board production by its modular product design.
 MOVERS&SHAKERS |
bcm Introduces New Handling Tools
BROBY, DENMARK—Because of handling larger and heavier cutting tools at the diecutting machine, bcm transtech a/s has developed new handling equipment to relieve the heavy and unwieldy lifting for the operator. When the "Mobilator" is mounted in front of the diecutting machine as an extension, it can pick up the diecutting tools from the bcm storage and transport cassette by lifting the tools with a special gripper without damaging the tools. The company also is introducing a foldable new cassette.
Witron Releases CPMS V5.5
PARKSTEIN, GERMANY—Witron Logistik + Informatik GmbH will present the new release V5.5 of its business application CPMS® (Corrugated Packaging Management System) to the corrugated industry at the FEFCO Technical Seminar this month. The new release has been developed to support recent industry trends of market leaders. Besides the integrated box plant business, the new CPMS now additionally covers all consumer packaging processes (litho laminated and flexo preprinted) for a single plant or integrated in a multiplant confederacy. This includes the complex scenarios of purchasing, in-house preprinting and outsourcing of manufacturing process steps, allowing a full cost control and information tracking of the work-in-process material involved. With these new functional enhancements, CPMS can now support multiplant enterprises.
Temple-Inland to Break Up
AUSTIN, TEXAS—Temple-Inland Inc. will unlock shareholder value by separating into three focused, stand-alone, public companies and the sale of its strategic timberland. The plan includes: retaining its manufacturing operations' corrugated packaging and building products; spinning off its financial services operation; spinning off its real estate operation; and selling its strategic timberland.
Stora Enso Expands in Russia
HELSINKI, FINLAND—Stora Enso will expand its corrugated packaging business in Eastern Europe and Russia by constructing new plants at Balabanovo in Russia and Komarom in Hungary, and by expanding the existing plant at Lodz in Poland. With this investment in Balabanovo, Stora Enso will be the first foreign packaging group to invest in modern offset printed corrugated packaging production in Russia.
Vanguard Packaging Transitions
KANSAS CITY, MO.—Mark Mathes, president and ceo, Vanguard Packaging, has purchased the entire company from Jack Mathes, founder, owner and chairman of the independent box and point-of-purchase display maker.
Bobst Offers InTouch in Canada
ROSELAND, N.J.– Bobst Group North America has made InTouch™, the direct customer connection, available to Bobst customers in Canada.
Launched last year in the U.S., InTouch allows customers to check parts availability, receive instant pricing, order parts and track parts orders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Canadian InTouch is bilingual, offering full French and English.
