UPM Raflatac accelerates its growth in Graphics by acquiring Grafityp

Evergreen Packaging® announced the release of TruSpec® Inkjet Book with ColorPRO Technology, a new digital coated matte paper developed in conjunction with HP. Evergreen is the only North American coated paper producer utilizing cutting edge HP ColorPRO technology. TruSpec Inkjet Book is certified for all HP inkjet presses and in head-to-head product comparisons has proven to provide vastly improved press speed, superior ink densities and color gamut, with stellar lay-flat properties. TruSpec is raising the bar for Inkjet substrate performance. Printer segments from Book Publishing, Direct Mail, and Commercial Print to Packaging, can be more efficient, saving time and money without the traditional speed-to-quality trade-off. “TruSpec Inkjet Book is the first new product in Evergreen’s Pine Bluff digital paper focus and continues our 30 year history as a leading producer of coated publishing and commercial grades,” said Ken Russell, Vice President Paper and Specialty at Evergreen. “This new product is a great fit with our manufacturing process and capabilities. Coupling this product innovation, with our proven service platform, is enabling Evergreen to provide incredibly flexible service, with one stop shopping for paper basis weights ranging from 45 lb. – 60 lb., and roll widths from 18” – 50+”. Collaborating with HP on ColorPRO Technology provides commercial printers and publishers with an opportunity to expand and enhance their business via a paper that prints faster, uses less ink, and comes from a mill with a dependable service platform.”

Some media reports have presented at somewhat inaccurate description of the actual situation of the Norske Skog group. Norske Skogindustrier ASA is still a listed company with a separate board elected by the shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting of Norske Skog on 24 August this year. The board of Norske Skogindustrier ASA consists of: Christen Sveaas (Chair), Eilif Due, Jon-Aksel Torgersen, Ragnhild Wiborg and Annette Malm Justad as members elected by shareholders. Employee-elected board members are Cecilie Jonassen, Paul Kristiansen and Svein Erik Veie. Norske Skogindustrier ASA is the parent company of a group with a complex corporate structure that comprises several subsidiaries, as shown in the attached overview of the company structure. In Norske Skog AS, which is a subsidiary of the Norske Skogindustrier ASA group, a new board was elected yesterday. Newly elected board members of Norske Skog AS are Sven Ombudstvedt (Chair) and Nils Ingemund Hoff. In addition, Rune Sollie (CFO of Norske Skogindustrier ASA) will remain as board member. Holders of the EUR 290 million bond maturing in 2019 (SSN) have, according to the bond terms, the right to elect a new board of Norske Skog AS, as this bond is in default and has been accelerated and declared payable immediately in its entirety. The EUR 290 million bond has security against inter alia the shares of Norske Skog AS. Click Read More below for additional detail.

After serving the pulp and paper industry for more than 100 years, Solenis is well known as a leading supplier of process and functional chemistries. The Wilmington, Delaware-based company already had a world-class portfolio of products, state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems and a global network of professionals respected for their consultative approach to working with customers. Meanwhile, the Germany-based BASF had built its reputation as an innovative chemical company, and its 2008 acquisition of CIBA expanded its colorants portfolio and expertise even more, establishing BASF as the go-to reference in the market. But every great team can be improved. For Solenis, which did not count colorants expertise as a core competency, the pickup of BASF’s basic dyes, direct dyes and pigment preparations was a key addition that strengthened an already robust portfolio. Now, Solenis has fully assimilated the acquired technologies and is well positioned to offer a colorants portfolio that gives papermakers great flexibility, along with support from a technical team.