Drytac expands market-leading range with launch of Polar Grip Air

The world’s first autonomously operated logyard cranes have been successfully lifted up at Metsä Fibre’s bioproduct mill in Kemi, Finland. Supplied by international technology group ANDRITZ, the delivery includes two 2 x 25-ton cranes on a 540 m long runway with a storage capacity of approximately 120,000 m3. The cranes will handle approximately 7.6 million m3 wood/year shipped on trucks and trains as well as handling log storage and wood feeding to the pulping process. The cranes feature the latest in Artificial Intelligence, thus optimizing log handling, minimizing wood losses and securing environmentally friendly and cost-effective operation when compared to traditional log-handling solutions. The fully autonomous logyard cranes featuring Artificial Intelligence are part of the comprehensive ANDRITZ portfolio of sustainable solutions and products that help customers reaching their goals with regard to environmental protection and sustainability

UPM Biocomposites and Finnish Mysoda have collaborated to create a range of sparkling water makers made almost entirely out of renewable materials. Traditionally, small kitchen appliances are made out of fossil-based plastics, so this innovation takes the sustainability of this type of product to a completely new level by substantially reducing the carbon footprint of the product. The raw material used for the Mysoda sparkling water makers is UPM Formi EcoAce biocomposite, which is made of wood fibres and renewable based biopolymer (on a mass balance basis), derived from UPM BioVerno naphtha. The materials originate from sustainable forestry and are produced from wood and pulp processing side streams and residues. Therefore, the raw material does not compete with food production and does not increase harvesting. Although composed of natural fibres, the UPM Formi EcoAce has similar material properties as fossil-based plastics and similar moulding technics can be used with it. The look and feel bears some similarities with wood as the wood fibres contained within create a natural finish for the end product.

Irving Pulp & Paper, Limited has submitted a preliminary application to undertake a major upgrade to Saint John's westside pulp mill, representing a new long-term capital improvement plan and a potential $1.1-billion investment. Known as NextGen, the project will increase the mill’s capacity while also increasing the green energy it generates, making it one of the top producing kraft pulp mills in the world and a global leader in environmental performance. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) related to the project has been submitted to New Brunswick’s Department of Environment. ​ “These upgrades will ensure Saint John's pulp mill continues to be at the heart of the province's forest products supply chain, and provides a regional market for chips, bark and pulpwood,” said Irving Pulp & Paper Vice President, Mark Mosher.