PAPER MARKET

Category: News

  • Koehler Launches Innovative Lightweight Paper for Flexible Packaging Solutions

    Koehler Launches Innovative Lightweight Paper for Flexible Packaging Solutions

    German manufacturer Koehler Paper has launched a new lightweight heat-sealable paper designed for flexible packaging applications.

    The product, called NexPlus Seal Pure 36 gsm, is claimed to be the lightest in its category, with a grammage of just 36 grams per square meter.

    The paper is engineered to run on standard packaging equipment, including flow pack and wrapping machines, making it easy to integrate into existing production lines. It also supports a variety of printing technologies such as flexographic, digital, and gravure printing.

    Emphasis on Material Reduction

    A key highlight of the new development is its low material usage. The reduced grammage means less raw material is required, which could help lower resource consumption during production. However, the overall environmental benefits remain dependent on factors like transportation efficiency, recycling infrastructure, and real-world performance.

    According to Joachim Uhl, mill director at Koehler Paper in Kehl, one of the main challenges during development was maintaining stability at high production speeds across both manufacturing and customer packaging lines. He noted that advancements were made possible through investments in modern production technology and in-house expertise.

    Expanded Use Cases with Some Limitations

    The paper’s relatively low opacity allows partial visibility of the contents, opening up applications such as mailing solutions where recipients can view enclosed materials or scan QR codes without opening the package. Christoph Wachter, head of the Flexible Packaging Paper division, highlighted this as a key advantage for brochure mailing.

    Made from 100% certified virgin fibre pulp, the material is suitable for food-related uses, primarily in secondary packaging. Still, questions remain regarding how it compares with alternative materials in terms of durability, recyclability, and protective performance during transport.

    The introduction reflects a broader industry trend toward lighter packaging materials. While reduced weight is often seen as beneficial, the true impact depends on performance throughout the supply chain and end-of-life handling.

    News Courtesy : Koehler Paper

  • Sustained Growth Seen in $4.7 Billion Moulded Pulp Packaging Market

    Sustained Growth Seen in $4.7 Billion Moulded Pulp Packaging Market

    The global moulded pulp packaging market, valued at around $4.7 billion, is witnessing steady and sustained growth, driven by the rising demand for eco-friendly and sustainable packaging solutions.

    Made from recycled paper and natural fibers, moulded pulp products are gaining popularity as a reliable alternative to plastic packaging. Industries such as food & beverage, electronics, healthcare, and e-commerce are increasingly adopting these solutions to reduce environmental impact.

    The shift towards biodegradable and recyclable materials, along with stricter regulations on plastic usage, is further accelerating the demand for moulded pulp packaging worldwide.

    With growing awareness around sustainability and continuous innovation in packaging design, the segment is expected to remain a key growth driver for the pulp and paper industry in the coming years.

  • Wuzhou Special Paper selects ANDRITZ as main supplier for new pulp mill in China

    Wuzhou Special Paper selects ANDRITZ as main supplier for new pulp mill in China

    GRAZ, MARCH 25, 2026. Wuzhou Special Paper (Jiangxi) Co. Ltd., a Chinese paper producer, has selected international technology group ANDRITZ as the main supplier of key technologies and equipment for a new greenfield pulp mill in Hukou County, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, China. Start-up is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.

    As Wuzhou Special Paper operates several paper machines, the company is now investing in a new, highly sustainable pulp mill – equipped with advanced ANDRITZ technologies – to ensure a self-sufficient and environmentally responsible pulp supply and reduce reliance on external sources. The investment strengthens the customer’s long-term cost competitiveness while supporting compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.Mr. Zhao Lei, Chairman of Wuzhou Special Paper, says: “We are proud to take this important step toward sustainability and self-sufficiency with our new pulp mill. Our positive experience with ANDRITZ technologies gave us full confidence in choosing it as our partner, and we look forward to a successful collaboration.”
    The order covers the core value-creating areas of a modern pulp mill, including fiberline, chemical recovery, energy generation, and decarbonization technologies. The breadth and complexity of the scope highlight ANDRITZ’s strength as a full-line supplier and its ability to execute large, integrated projects for leading customers in growth markets.

    The ANDRITZ scope of supply includes:
    A complete fiberline featuring LoSolids continuous cooking, efficient brown stock washing, screening, two-stage oxygen delignification, and a four-stage ECF bleaching plant. Advanced ANDRITZ washer technologies – including DD-Washer drum displacer washer and Compact Press wash press – ensure environmentally compatible performance with low operating costs.

    A recovery boiler with steam parameters of 515°C and 105 bar(g) after the superheaters, designed for low flue gas emissions and featuring energy-efficient flue gas cooling, air preheating, and feedwater preheating technologies to maximize power generation.

    A complete white liquor plant with integrated gasification, enabling fossil-free lime kiln operation and an optimized carbon footprint. The recausticizing plant includes a high-efficiency LimeWhite- H filter, while the ANDRITZ lime kiln is designed for excellent performance and energy efficiency.

    A biomass gasification plant, including a dried biomass handling system, an ANDRITZ circulating fluidized bed (CFB) gasifier, and ash handling systems.

    An ash re-crystallization (ARC) system to treat ash from the electrostatic precipitator by reducing chloride and potassium content while recovering sodium and sulfate. Based on evaporative crystallization with mechanical vapor recompression (MVR), the ANDRITZ ARC system has been successfully implemented in several pulp mills in China.

    A mill-wide non-condensable gas (NCG) system for safe collection and incineration of diluted and concentrated gases. Combustion in a dedicated low-NOx boiler minimizes odorous emissions and, with an integrated SO2 recovery feature, further enhances environmental compliance and operational safety.

    This order further strengthens the partnership between ANDRITZ and Wuzhou Special Paper. In 2024, ANDRITZ started up the world’s largest single high-capacity chemi-thermomechanical pulping system for the customer.

    The order was included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2025. Wuzhou Special Paper (Jiangxi) Co. Ltd., founded in 2014, is located in Hukou County, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, China. The company is part of Wuzhou Special Paper Co. Ltd., one of China’s leading manufacturers of food packaging paper as well as one of the largest producers of glassine and tracing paper.

  • Runtech Enhances Machine Runnability at Alkim Kağıt in Türkiye

    Runtech Enhances Machine Runnability at Alkim Kağıt in Türkiye

    Runtech Systems has successfully delivered a runnability improvement project to Alkim Kağıt San. ve Tic. A.Ş. at its Kemalpaşa facility in İzmir, Türkiye.

    The scope of delivery for PM2 includes RunPro EasyOne high-release web stabilizers installed in the first dryer group, designed to enhance sheet stability and overall machine performance.

    The stabilizers are equipped with high-release nozzles powered by RunPro Turbo Compressors, which generate effective vacuum levels at the sheet release point of the top dryers. This setup ensures improved sheet handling and optimized runnability in the drying section.

    Alkim Kağıt manufactures photocopy and offset paper at its Kemalpaşa site. Its PM1 has been operating with an EP Turbo Blower since 2016. With the commissioning of PM2, which will produce similar paper grades, the mill’s total annual production capacity is set to reach 215,000 tonnes. In addition, a RunEco Vacuum System featuring an EP Turbo Blower was installed at the mill last year. Both paper machines are supported by a RunCare service agreement, ensuring efficient operation and long-term reliability of the vacuum systems.

    Commenting on the collaboration, Alkim Kağıt stated that Runtech Systems demonstrated a highly professional and cooperative approach throughout the project. The on-site technical team was experienced, responsive, and easy to work with, contributing to a smooth implementation process and reinforcing the long-standing partnership between the two companies.

    Runtech Systems also highlighted the significance of the project as its third collaboration with Alkim Kağıt. According to Tommi Leander, Sales Manager at Runtech Systems, the investment in EasyOne web stabilizers reflects Alkim’s commitment to improving runnability and process control. He noted that the solution enables optimization of strength properties from start-up, leading to smoother operations and improved efficiency.

    The RunPro EasyOne stabilizers operate without mechanical contact with fabrics, allowing adjustable vacuum levels and minimizing maintenance requirements. By maintaining optimal sheet-to-fabric contact, they also enable reduced draw between press and dryer sections without compromising runnability.

    As part of its standard offering, Runtech Systems replaces traditional lubricated compressors with high-efficiency turbo compressors. The RunPro Turbo Compressor delivers compressed air at 0.3–0.6 bar and features an integrated variable speed drive for precise process control.

    Alkim Kağıt produces woodfree offset, coated, and office papers, with 85–90% of its output serving the domestic market and the remainder exported mainly to Europe. The company continues to focus on achieving high-quality production under cost-efficient conditions while maintaining strong productivity levels.

  • John Crane helps U.S. pulp and paper mill cut water use by 90% and extend seal life to over a year

    John Crane helps U.S. pulp and paper mill cut water use by 90% and extend seal life to over a year

    John Crane, a global leader in flow-control technologies and an innovator in solutions for rotating equipment, and a business of Smiths Group plc, has helped a leading pulp and paper mill in the Southern United States to significantly improve reliability and sustainability performance by reducing water consumption by 90% and save $75,000 in total cost of ownership through a mechanical seal upgrade in its cellulose fibre production process.  

    The project addressed persistent seal failures and excessive water use that were impacting mill reliability, operating costs and sustainability performance. By deploying John Crane’s Type SB2 USP heavy-duty dual cartridge mechanical seal with Upstream Pumping (USP) seal face technology, the mill was able to extend seal life from weeks to more than a year while sharply reducing water demand.

    Previously, the mill experienced frequent mechanical seal failures, with mean time between repairs (MTBR) averaging just three weeks. These failures caused repeated production interruptions, increased maintenance workload and higher operating costs. In addition, the existing sealing arrangement consumed approximately three gallons of water per minute, with no conservation measures in place, creating both financial and environmental challenges.

    Following a technical review, John Crane engineers recommended the Type SB2 USP seal, designed for demanding slurry and abrasive pulp applications. The USP seal face technology enables stable, non-contacting operation, reducing barrier fluid requirements while improving reliability and energy efficiency. The seals were installed alongside a John Crane seal reservoir and a 5-micron filtration system, creating a robust and controlled sealing environment.

    The system was prepared within two weeks and installed in just one week, with full support from John Crane’s field service team. Performance was rapidly validated in operation, backed by John Crane’s extensive experience in pulp and paper applications.

    Since installation, the mill has increased mean time between repairs (MTBR) from three weeks to more than 12 months, virtually eliminating unplanned stoppages. Water consumption has been reduced by 90%, from three gallons per minute to 0.3 gallons per minute, and total cost of ownership has been lowered by $75,000 through reduced maintenance and operating expenses.

    The success of the project has strengthened the mill’s confidence in the Type SB2 USP seal and opened opportunities for wider deployment across other slurry pump applications as part of its ongoing reliability and sustainability strategy.

    “This case study highlights how advanced sealing technology can deliver measurable reliability improvements while supporting responsible water management in demanding pulp and paper applications,” said Mike Eason, Chief Technology Officer, John Crane. “By extending seal life and cutting water use by 90%, we helped the mill reduce costs, improve uptime and align operations with long-term sustainability goals.

     
  • Ranheim Paper & Board Enhances Production Efficiency with New Cleaning System

    Ranheim Paper & Board Enhances Production Efficiency with New Cleaning System

    Norwegian paper manufacturer Ranheim Paper & Board has upgraded its production process by installing an advanced hydrocyclone cleaning system for the approach flow of its PM6 paper machine at its facility near Trondheim.

    The newly installed system is designed to improve the removal of impurities from the pulp stream, ensuring smoother machine operations and higher paper quality. By enhancing the efficiency of the cleaning process, the company aims to optimize production performance and maintain consistent output.

    This technological upgrade highlights the company’s commitment to improving operational efficiency and adopting modern solutions to strengthen its position in the global pulp and paper industry.

  • West Asia Crisis: A Double Whammy for India’s Paper Industry

    West Asia Crisis: A Double Whammy for India’s Paper Industry

    The ongoing crisis in West Asia is likely to have a significant impact on India’s paper industry, posing a dual challenge of rising energy costs and potential disruption in export markets.

    Exports of paper and paperboard from India may face a slowdown as West Asia is one of the most important export destinations for Indian paper. In 2024-25, India exported paper & paperboard worth about USD 980 million, of which nearly USD 290 million – close to 30 percent – was shipped to West Asian markets. The key product categories include uncoated writing & printing paper, coated paper and paperboard, and kraft paper.

    At the same time, paper industry, which is energy intensive and closely linked to global trade flows, is likely to feel the ripple effects of escalating geopolitical tensions in the region. Higher energy prices and supply disruptions triggered by the crisis will directly impact production costs for Indian paper mills. Energy constitutes a substantial portion of operating expenses for the sector, and any sustained increase in fuel and power costs will place pressure on margins and competitiveness.

    The crisis is also expected to lead to higher ocean freight rates due to increased fuel costs, higher insurance premiums and longer shipping routes arising from disruptions in established maritime corridors. This will further affect export competitiveness for Indian manufacturers.

    Another major concern for the domestic industry is the likelihood of trade diversion. Export-oriented paper-producing countries such as China and Indonesia, which also rely heavily on West Asian markets, may redirect surplus inventories to India as their exports to the region will also be affected. This could lead to an increase in imports in India at predatory prices, intensifying pressure on domestic manufacturers.

    Commenting on the situation, Mr Pawan Agarwal, President, Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) said, “West Asia has traditionally been a strong and growing market for Indian paper exports. Any prolonged disruption in the region could adversely impact demand. At the same time, there is a real risk of surplus paper & paperboard from export-driven economies like China and Indonesia being diverted to India in much larger quantities at unfair prices. As it is, India’s paper industry is beleaguered due to rampant dumping of paper in the domestic market at predatory prices by these countries. It is therefore critical to closely monitor import trends and safeguard the interests of domestic manufacturers while ensuring stability in supply chains.”

    Regular supplies of LNG / PNG / Propane Gas / LPG to industries in India is being impacted and has started getting curtailed. This is adversely impacting the operations of Paper Mills. Apart from curtailment in direct supplies of LNG / PNG / Propane Gas / LPG to Paper Mills, upstream (suppliers) and downstream (customers) industries are also being deprived of regular supplies of LNG / PNG / Propane Gas / LPG, in turn impacting their production and supplies. Paper Mills are facing difficulties in obtaining chemical supplies used in the manufacturing process like hydrogen peroxide, binders, etc. and downstream industries are likewise finding it difficult to manage their operations.

    Almost 30% of India’s total exports of paper & paperboard in value terms are to West Asia. While India’s imports of pulp from West Asia are negligible, around 14% of India’s total imports of waste / recovered paper in value terms are from West Asia.

     

    India’s Exports of Paper & Paperboard in USD Million in 2024-25
    HS Code Product Total West Asia % Share
    4802 Uncoated Writing & Printing Paper 324 49 15.00
    4803 Tissue Paper 34 18 52.65
    4804 Kraft Paper 107 58 53.83
    4805 Other Uncoated Paper 116 49 42.33
    4808 Corrugated Paper 5 1 20.00
    4810 Coated Paper & Paperboard 394 116 29.34
    Total   980 290 29.57

     

    India’s Imports of Wastepaper in USD Million in 2024-25
    HS Code Product Total West Asia % Share
    4707 Wastepaper 1,233 167 13.54
  • ANDRITZ to supply two production lines for Koro Viet Nam’s entry into the tissue market

    ANDRITZ to supply two production lines for Koro Viet Nam’s entry into the tissue market

    Koro Viet Nam Tissue Paper Joint Stock Company has awarded international technology group ANDRITZ a contract to supply two tissue production lines for its mill in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, supporting the company’s entry into the tissue market.

    The value of the order will not be disclosed. It is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the fourth quarter of 2025.

    Designed for efficient, high-speed production of premium toilet, napkin, handkerchief, and facial tissue, the new lines TM5 and TM6 feature a paper width of 3,650 mm and a maximum operating speed of 1,650 m/min, with a daily design capacity of 104.2 t/d each. The lines will process pre-dried virgin pulp to deliver products with a basis weight range of 11.5–32.0 g/m².

    ANDRITZ’s supply includes complete stock preparation with a PrimeRefine HC T high‑consistency refining system, approach flow, fiber recovery, and broke systems, two PrimeLineCOMPACT M 1600 tissue machines, and full automation. These technologies reduce long‑fiber consumptionand energy use while boosting operational efficiency and ensuring consistently high paper quality. 

    This order continues nearly two decades of cooperation with Mr. Ngo Huu Phuong, Chairman of Koro Viet Nam Tissue Paper. ANDRITZ most recently supplied a 500 t/d OCC/PMA line for Koro’s PM2 packaging paper line in July 2025. 

    With this order, ANDRITZ adds its sixth and seventh tissue machine references in Vietnam, and underlines its leading market position reflecting growing regional demand for high-efficiency and sustainable production technologies.

    Mr. Ngo Huu Phuong commented: “This project marks our first step into tissue production, a milestone in our company’s development. ANDRITZ’s excellent support during our previous projects, coupled with its proven know-how and advanced technologies, has given us full confidence to choose ANDRITZ as our partner for this venture. We are convinced these solutions will lay a solid foundation for our long-term success in the tissue market.”

    Mr. Shi Wei, Senior Vice President of Paper & Textile, APAC Region, ANDRITZ, said: “We are honored to support Koro Viet Nam in this milestone project and look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership. This order reinforces our position as a leading supplier of tissue machinery in Vietnam.”

    Viet Nam Koro Paper Joint Stock Company specializes in the production of core paper. The company aims to become a leader in specialty paper products in Vietnam and to export its products worldwide. Recently, Koro has invested in high-quality low GSM medium paper and tissue paper production to deliver premium product quality. This is why the company chose ANDRITZ, a technology leader in the pulp and paper industry. The board of directors consists of professionals with extensive experience in the paper industry. Koro Viet Nam Tissue Paper Joint Stock Company, a subsidiary of Viet Nam Koro Paper Joint Stock Company, was established to support the group’s expansion into the tissue market.

     
  • The Navigator Company announces a 30-50 USD Price Increase on UWF Papers in Overseas Markets

    The Navigator Company announces a 30-50 USD Price Increase on UWF Papers in Overseas Markets

    The Navigator Company implements a 30-50 USD price increase in Uncoated Woodfree (UWF) Papers in Overseas markets, given the current trading situation.

    The new pricing is effective immediately. Navigator remains fully committed to strengthening its partnerships with clients, enhancing its value proposition, and expressing its sincere appreciation for the continued trust and loyalty of its broad customer base.

    About The Navigator Company

    The Navigator Company is an integrated producer of forest, pulp, paper, tissue, sustainable packaging solutions and bioenergy, whose activity is based on state-of-the-art factories worldwide, with cutting-edge technology.

  • PAPER & TISSUE ONE SHOW 2026 – OFFICIAL EVENT POSTPONEMENT NOTICE!

    PAPER & TISSUE ONE SHOW 2026 – OFFICIAL EVENT POSTPONEMENT NOTICE!

    Al Furat Paper Trading LLC has rescheduled the Paper & Tissue Show 2026

    Al Furat Paper Trading LLC officially announces that the Paper & Tissue Show 2026, Hygiene & Nonwoven Show 2026, and Packaging & Recycle Show 2026 , originally scheduled for 31 March – 02 April 2026 , have been rescheduled due to recent developments in the United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries.

    Please note that the exhibitions will now take place on the NEW SCHEDULED DATES: JUNE 3 – 4 – 5, 2026.

    The venue remains unchanged at the ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The event organisers appreciate your understanding regarding this unforeseen situation and look forward to welcoming you in June ‘2026.