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  • Valmet QCS to Boost Efficiency at Papeterie Le Bourray

    Valmet QCS to Boost Efficiency at Papeterie Le Bourray

    Valmet has received an order to deliver a complete Valmet IQ Quality Control System to Papeterie Le Bourray, a global leader in recycled tissue paper, for its new production line in France.

    The solution will help ensure superior product quality, enhance process stability, and achieve significant savings in raw materials and energy, supporting the company’s commitment to operational efficiency and sustainability.

    Partnering with Valmet ensures consistency across our lines. This simplifies maintenance, optimizes spare parts management, and strengthens team expertise, ultimately lowering total cost of ownership and improving long-term efficiency. The proven reliability and performance of Valmet’s QCS solution give us confidence in meeting our quality and productivity targets while securing a future-ready platform.” says Davy Haran, Continuous Improvement and Project Manager at Papeterie Le Bourray.

    “They are proud to support Papeterie Le Bourray in their strategic journey toward greater standardization and operational excellence. Our advanced Quality Control System (QCS) technology delivers precise measurements, enhanced process stability, and seamless integration with existing systems. By combining innovation with comprehensive lifecycle support, we help our customer achieve consistent product quality and long-term efficiency.” says Eric Butreau, Solution Sales Manager, Automation Solutions, Valmet.

  • New 500 TPD Special Paper Mill Launched in UAE

    New 500 TPD Special Paper Mill Launched in UAE

    They are excited to announce the launch of our new project. New Special Paper Mill with a production capacity of 500 tons per day (TPD) in UAE.

    This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in our growth journey and reinforces our commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability in the paper industry. The mill will be equipped with advanced technology to manufacture a wide range of high-quality special papers designed to meet evolving market demands across diverse industries.

    They look forward to the opportunities this project brings and to continuing our journey of excellence with the support of our partners, customers, and stakeholders. Further updates regarding commissioning timelines and product availability will be shared shortly.

  • Coveris announces agreement to sell Paper Business Unit

    Coveris announces agreement to sell Paper Business Unit

    Coveris, one of the major European flexible plastic and paper packaging manufacturers, have announced the agreement to sell its labels and board business to the US Private Equity company Kingswood Capital Management.

    After the signing in January 2026, the deal is subject to customary completion undertakings and is expected to close within the first quarter of 2026, with the former Business Unit Paper operating as stand-alone entity under its former name of Paragon Print and Packaging.

    Christian Kolarik, Chief Executive Officer of Coveris: “Since its establishment in 2020, the Paper Business Unit has been consistently and successfully developed. We are proud about the achieved performance and its current level of maturity led to the join decision by Sun Capital and management to divest the business, allowing a clear strategic focus on core EMEA flexible packaging activities. We are confident that the Paper Business is well positioned for continued growth under new ownership.”

    Upon the closing of the deal, the Coveris operations will consist of 17 flexible manufacturing facilities in EMEA and UK, with a sales volume of EUR 600m and a workforce of 2500 employees. Paragon Print and Packaging will operate with a sales volume of EUR 270m and a workforce of 1400 colleagues.

  • EU to Register Imports of Lightweight Thermal Paper from China

    EU to Register Imports of Lightweight Thermal Paper from China

    The European Commission has instructed EU customs authorities to begin registering imports of lightweight thermal paper from the People’s Republic of China as part of an ongoing anti-subsidy investigation launched on 7 November 2025.

    According to the Official Journal of the European Union, this step allows any countervailing duties imposed later to be applied retroactively to registered imports, subject to certain conditions. Under the regulation, the product concerned is defined as thermal paper with a basis weight of 65 g/m² or less, supplied in rolls with a width of at least 20 cm and a weight of 50 kg or more, including so-called “jumbo rolls” with a diameter of 40 cm or more. The scope includes paper with or without a base coat, featuring a physical or chemical thermo-sensitive layer on one or both sides, and with or without a top coat.

    The registration requirement applies to products currently classified under CN codes ex 4809 90 00, ex 4811 90 00, ex 4816 90 00 and ex 4823 90 85. The Commission stated that it is not yet possible to determine the exact level of subsidisation. However, calculations cited in the original complaint estimate an injury elimination level ranging between 10% and 25% for the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

    According to the regulation, the registration measure will remain in effect for nine months from the date it enters into force, which will be the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

    News Courtesy: Lesprom

  • Sappi Selects ABB Fiber Measurement to Modernize Dutch Mill

    Sappi Selects ABB Fiber Measurement to Modernize Dutch Mill

    ABB’s L&W Fiber & Freeness Online integrated into Sappi’s papermaking process for greater productivity, energy and resource efficiency

    The advanced solution enables better visibility into pulp quality, optimizing control and refining for on-specification outputs. Sappi Maastricht paper mill is renowned for its heritage of innovation and resilience as it reaches its 175th anniversary

    Global paper producer Sappi has commissioned ABB’s fiber measurement technologies to enhance energy efficiency and increase productivity and profitability at its Maastricht mill in the Netherlands. ABB’s L&W Fiber & Freeness Online is an industrial hardware solution that provides accurate and continuous fiber morphology measurement and freeness at the wet end of the paper production process.

    It has been deployed at the Dutch mill to stabilize pulp quality at the stock preparation, controlling and refining stage. This results in better runnability on paper, board or tissue machines, helping make more on-specification product at lower cost.

    Machine operators at the mill have greater visibility into the batch process for producing microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), more accurately controlling the properties end-customers have requested. Such monitoring has consistently proven to be reliable in better predicting how the materials behave when online in the machine. This ensures high quality, on specification of the pulp mix/fibers through the wet end of the paper machine.

    The mill, which has reinvented itself numerous times over the years, recently switched to the production of luxury packaging cardboard after anticipating the shrinking market for graphic paper1. It now includes high-end retailers, magazine publishers and packaging converters in its customer base.

    “Papermakers strive for consistency at every stage of their process, predictable outcomes to meet customer specifications,” said Wilson Monteiro, Global Business Line Manager for Pulp, Paper & Fiber, ABB’s Process Industries division. “Sappi is making papers for the luxury market at Maastricht and wants to achieve the right quality, neither under nor over processed. ABB’s L&W Fiber Freeness Online is a tool to optimize this at the early stock preparation stage. We look forward to working with Sappi to understand the results of its use and support further developments.”

    “We’re very proud of the legacy built up at Sappi Maastricht but we are also set on the future with open eyes for the innovative possibilities,” said Jeroen Janssen, Process Technologist, Sappi. “Together with ABB we are committing to the use of online fiber measurement technologies and we appreciate their expertise. It is one part of the infrastructure at the mill which has recently brought in other solutions for improved electrification, productivity and sustainability.” Sappi Maastricht employees nearly 500 employees and produces around 260,000 tons of coated woodfree paper and paperboard per year. It is currently marking its 175th anniversary year.

    ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm

  • Metsä Board to acquire a Sheeting and Distribution Hub in the Netherlands

    Metsä Board to acquire a Sheeting and Distribution Hub in the Netherlands

    Metsä Board has today signed an agreement to acquire the Winschoten Sheeting and Distribution Hub in the Netherlands from Konvertia Group.

    The transaction is expected to be completed in February 2026. The parties have mutually agreed not to disclose the acquisition price…

    The Winschoten Sheeting and Distribution Hub is one of the largest and most advanced facilities of its kind in Europe, with an annual capacity of approximately 100,000 tonnes. It currently employs 22 people.

    The increase in sheeting capacity strengthens Metsä Board’s ability to serve customers more flexibly and quickly in the company’s key growth market, Europe.

  • WEPA to acquire majority stake in MPH1865 for France AOH market

    WEPA to acquire majority stake in MPH1865 for France AOH market

    The WEPA Group, one of the three largest manufacturers of hygiene paper in Europe, and MPH1865, a leading French manufacturer of hygiene paper and soap in the away from home sector, plan to join forces: the WEPA Group intends to acquire a majority of the shares of MPH1865.

    The aim is to further internationalise WEPA’s presence in Europe in the away from home market and to serve customers and the markets best. Closing of the proposed acquisition is subject to obtaining all necessary approvals, including merger control.

    The planned acquisition represents a long-term oriented step for both companies since joint forces will lead to international growth and a strengthened market position in the French away from home market. Both WEPA and MPH1865 are family businesses and place great emphasis on operational excellence, local production, employee engagement, customer focus and sustainability. The acquisition will bring together the strengths of both companies for the benefit of customers, employees and the entire industry.

    Local and international customers and partners will profit from the strengthened presence in the French professional market, the broad and innovative hygiene product portfolio and consistently high standards in quality, service, and sustainability. MPH1865’s industrial site network will be fully maintained and further strengthened and all current employees will continue to be employed. Marc Miribel will remain President of the business with its headquarters in South France.

    Andreas Krengel, Chief Commercial Officer of the WEPA Group: “By joining forces with MPH1865 we will create additional value for our national and international customers: broader expertise and more innovative product solutions. This step will allow us to serve our markets with greater proximity, agility and reliability.” Martin Krengel, CEO of the WEPA Group, adds: “We are looking forward to further grow in France and to expand our Franco-German cooperation. As family businesses, MPH1865 and WEPA share the same values and think beyond generations  it is a perfect fit.”

    Marc Miribel, President and CEO of MPH1865: “This partnership is an important step to ensure our company’s future: this way we can strengthen local production, secure industrial capacity, and further develop the professional hygiene market in France, while at the same time we will profit from the experience and the European network of the WEPA Group.”

  • Yunda system enables first successful paper run at Jiangxi PM5

    Yunda system enables first successful paper run at Jiangxi PM5

    The PM5 specialty paper project of Jiangxi Zhenguan Eco-Degradable New Materials Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Jiangxi Zhenguan) was successfully commissioned and achieved first paper on the reel.

    The project mainly produces glassine paper

    • Paper machine trim width: 3,420 mm
    • Design speed: 800 m/min

    Yunda supplied a one-stop stock preparation solution covering the entire process from raw material handling to approach flow. The main scope of supply included:

    • Softwood pulp handling system
    • Hardwood pulp handling system
    • Broke handling system
    • Approach flow system
    • Agitators and auxiliary equipment

    The successful commissioning of the PM4 specialty paper project with an annual capacity of 100,000 tons, Yunda once again partnered with Jiangxi Zhenguan to achieve the smooth start-up of PM5.

    During project execution, Yunda provided full-process, robust support; internally enforcing strict design standards and ensuring on-time delivery; externally strengthening on-site service and accelerating commissioning.

    The project was delivered efficiently, helping Jiangxi Zhenguan optimize costs and further consolidate its green, low-carbon, and sustainable development strategy.

    The successful commissioning of PM5 marks another important milestone in the deepened cooperation between the two parties. The new production line will further expand collaboration and inject continuous momentum into industrial synergy and high-quality industry development.

    Yunda will continue to support Jiangxi Zhenguan’s green capacity upgrades with reliable, efficient, and energy-saving equipment.

  • Paperex 01-04 Dec ‘2027

    Paperex 01-04 Dec ‘2027

    Paperex is more than an exhibition, it’s the world’s largest business platform uniting every segment of the paper value chain.

    From cutting-edge technology and raw materials to sustainable innovations and end-use applications, Paperex brings together global industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers under one roof.

    Whether you’re looking to source the latest machinery, explore new markets, showcase your brand, or connect with high-value buyers, Paperex offers unmatched opportunities for growth, networking, and industry insight.

    For more info: https://india.paperex-expo.com/

    Date: 01-04 Dec ‘2027

    Venue: Yashobhoomi, International Convention & Expo Centre, New Delhi

  • Riddhi Siddhi Gluco Biols to acquire Cargill India corn unit

    Riddhi Siddhi Gluco Biols to acquire Cargill India corn unit

    Riddhi Siddhi Gluco Biols Ltd., a publicly listed company on the Bombay Stock Exchange , has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire the assets of Cargill India Pvt. Ltd.’s Starch & Sweeteners business in Davangere, Karnataka.

    The deal includes the acquisition of land, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and corn silos that provide integrated storage infrastructure supporting the corn wet milling operations, subject to the terms and conditions of the APA and obtaining of customary approvals. Operational since 2016, the 52-acre facility boasts 300,000 MT annual processing capacity, and manufactures maltodextrin, liquid glucose, and co-products like corn germ, corn gluten, and corn fiber.

    Commenting on the APA, Mr. Siddharth Chowdhary, Executive Director, RSGBL, said: “We are pleased to have signed the APA to acquire Cargill India’s Davangere corn wet milling assets, including land, warehouses, and corn silos. This acquisition aligns perfectly with RSGBL’s long- term growth vision, expanding our footprint in food and pharmaceutical segments to better meet unmet customer demand. The facility’s strategic Karnataka location bolsters our competitive service to domestic and export markets.

    Additionally, our intent to operate the facility using renewable energy sources reflects our long-term commitment to clean energy and sustainable manufacturing.” With over three decades in starch and starch derivatives, this move cements RSGBL’s leadership in India’s starch industry through enhanced footprint and innovation.

    Speaking on the transaction, Dheeraj Talreja – Vice President & Managing Director, Food South Asia, Cargill India Pvt Ltd said, “We wish RSGBL success and are confident that this asset will support their growth as they expand their presence in the starch industry”.

    In India, Cargill has been operating since 1987 and currently has pan-India presence with businesses spanning refined oils, food ingredients, industrial specialties, grain and oilseeds, cotton, animal nutrition, and trade & capital markets.