SCA uses AI for digital forestry planning

Stora Enso has started a feasibility study and an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a possible investment in Oulu. The feasibility study and the EIA evaluate a potential conversion of the Oulu paper mill into packaging board production. The feasibility study is expected to be concluded by the end of 2018, and the EIA process is expected to take a minimum of 6 months. Currently, Oulu Mill has a production capacity of 360 000 tons of chemical softwood pulp and 1 080 000 tons of woodfree coated papers on two paper machines. The potential investment would include a new chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP) plant, a brown-based cartonboard line with a capacity of 450 000 t/a and a kraftliner line with a capacity of 400 000 t/a. The potential conversion of Oulu Mill would enable Stora Enso to further improve its position in the growing consumer board and packaging solutions businesses and take a major step in its transformation. The other option is to continue the current fine paper production. Click Read More below for additional information.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 24 percent in November compared to November 2019. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 16 percent in November compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased one percent when compared to October 2020. Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 17 percent compared to November 2019 while the inventory level increased one percent compared to October 2020. UFS imports and exports both decreased compared to October 2019, down 12 percent and 40 percent, respectively. U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in November decreased 23 percent compared to last November while the inventory level increased three percent compared to October 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to October 2019, down 42 percent and 18 percent, respectively. Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 37 percent compared to November 2019 while the inventory level decreased three percent compared to October 2020. CM imports and exports both decreased compared to October 2019, down 35 percent and 43 percent, respectively. U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in November decreased 13 percent compared to last November while the inventory level increased two percent compared to October 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to October 2019, down 14 percent and 44 percent, respectively.

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. (“the Company”) has announced that, at a meeting of the Board of Directors held today, the Company resolved to reorganize the production structure for its paper business. Hokkaido Mill (Yufutsu) is to shut down all paper production machines and related equipment for the production of paper (253,000 MTPY). Fuji Mill (Fuji) is to shut down all paper production machines and related equipment for the production of paper (135,000 MTPY). Kushiro Mill is to shut down its No. 8 paper production machine due to a decline in newsprint demand (143,000 MTPY). Click Read More below for additional information.