PaperFIRST

Advancing tissue excellence: Papeterie Le Bourray's 20-year journey with ISRA VISION

For the past twenty years, Papeterie Le Bourray, a distinguished paper mill in France's Sarthe region, has been at the forefront of the tissue paper industry, partnering with ISRA VISION to enhance product quality and operational efficiency. Specializing in colored tissue papers and innovative cellulose tissue, Le Bourray's integration of ISRA VISION's advanced Web Inspection System (WIS) in 2006 marked a significant leap in its manufacturing capabilities.

How intelligent production systems improve operational control and transparency

Paper mills face mounting pressure to boost transparency and responsiveness while managing complex production environments with limited staff. Voith's MillOne system addresses these challenges by creating a networked digital hub that enhances operational control and real-time visibility.

WBCSD Forest Solutions Group Launches Report: “Build Trust, Share Value in Forests: Principles for Community Engagement and Development”

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Forest Solutions Group (FSG) proudly announces the launch of its latest report, “Build Trust, Share Value in Forests: Principles for Community Engagement and Development.” This landmark publication provides actionable guidance for forest sector companies and other land-use businesses to strengthen relationships with local communities and create shared value.

Paperex 2025: 17th edition to unite global leaders from the pulp, paper and packaging ecosystem in India

Informa Markets in India, the country's leading organiser of B2B exhibitions, today announced the 17th edition of Paperex, the world's largest exhibition and conference dedicated to the pulp, paper, packaging, and allied industries. Scheduled from 3–6 December 2025 at Yashobhoomi (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi, the four-day event will bring together global paper and packaging leaders in a celebration of innovation, sustainability, and business transformation.

Bellmer successfully closes the acquisition of Cellwood Machinery AB

Bellmer announced earlier this week the successful closing of its acquisition of Cellwood Machinery AB, a globally recognized Swedish manufacturer of systems for wastepaper recycling and bioenergy pre-treatment.

Sonoco Consolidating Consumer Packaging Businesses Under Two Geographies

Sonoco Products Company, a global leader in high-value sustainable packaging, today announced it is consolidating its Metal Packaging and Rigid Paper Containers businesses under one structure based on two geographies – Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC and the Americas.

Dry pulp: Period of volatility following china's new import rules

China's decision to implement new requirements on imported 'dry pulp' is creating significant challenges for processors in Thailand, the BIR World Recycling Convention in Bangkok heard this week.

2025 Ecolab Watermark™ Study Reveals Hidden Impact of Artificial Intelligence

Ecolab, a global sustainability leader offering water solutions and services, today announced findings from its third annual Ecolab Watermark™ Study, which reports on water stewardship around the world. This year’s research highlights water’s connection to timely global trends, including new business opportunities from the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and consumer concern about its impact on vital natural resources.

Voith celebrates over 40 years of NipcoFlex technology

Full-line supplier Voith celebrated the 40th anniversary of its revolutionary NipcoFlex technology, which has proven itself in more than 700 shoe press installations worldwide since its introduction in 1984. This groundbreaking technology has permanently changed the paper industry by ensuring maximum production output and the highest quality standards.

“World trade at an historic crossroads” says keynote speaker at the BIR World Recycling Convention

How recyclers will benefit from the growing demand for secondary materials during a seismic shift in the world order has been set out at the Bureau of International Recycling’s World Recycling Convention in Bangkok. On 27 October, at the event’s Opening Session chaired by BIR President Susie Burrage OBE, delegates were assured by keynoter speaker Juan Verde that the sustainability agenda was not under threat. It was being re-labelled and recycling remained critical.

Ahlstrom launches flame-retardant paper to enhance fire protection in spray painting booths

Ahlstrom introduces a new flame-retardant paper enhanced with Flame-Gard™ technology —engineered to meet the demanding fire safety and durability needs of spray painting booths and industrial workshops.

ABB launches mill-wide optimization software for smarter, more resilient pulp production

ABB has introduced ABB Ability™ Plant Optimizer for Pulp Mills, a dynamic software solution that helps pulp producers bridge the gap between production planning and real-time operations. Designed specifically for the complex, interconnected nature of pulp production, the software enables mills to improve traceability, maintain operational stability and reduce production costs throughout the pulp mill.

delaware revolutionizes the Mill Products industry with DM4Mill, its SAP-integrated digital solution

delaware, a strategic and Platinum Partner of SAP, announces a major breakthrough in the digital transformation of the Mill Products industry with its innovative solution DM4Mill, designed to address the specific challenges of material manufacturers in plastics, metals, cables, paper, flooring, packaging, and printing.

Mondi South Africa drives energy self‑sufficiency and climate resilience with new turbine and flood‑proofing projectst

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, has achieved a major sustainability milestone at its Merebank mill in Durban, South Africa, with the installation of a new turbine in the site’s power plant. The mill is now able to generate 60% of its electricity, significantly reducing reliance on grid-supplied power and improving operational efficiency.

Mondi pioneers Cradle to Cradle Certified® certification in South Africa with its uncoated fine paper portfolio

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, proudly announces that its uncoated fine paper portfolio of office paper and reels produced at its Merebank mill in South Africa has achieved Cradle to Cradle Certified® at the Bronze level.

Mondi Rotatrim rebrands to reflect local focus, sustainability and social impact in South Africa

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, has unveiled a new brand identity for Mondi Rotatrim, its signature multifunctional office paper and one of the most recognised premium paper brands in South Africa.

Veolia announces the appointment of Nicole Springer to lead strategic Mobile Water & Integrated Services business

Veolia, the international company specialized in water, waste and energy management, announced today the appointment of Nicole Springer as CEO of Mobile Water and Integrated Services for its water technologies activities. In this role, Nicole will lead the global business line dedicated to services and mobile units, accelerating the deployment of Veolia's unique mobile fleet — the largest in the industry — and expanding its emergency response capabilities, helping clients ensure business continuity while meeting increasingly stringent environmental requirements.

Paper Academy is launching this Tuesday, July 1st !

What is Paper Academy ?

AF&PA, FPAC, CEPI, IBA and IPMA share their vision of the global market environment in PaperFIRST Mag

🌍 NEW ISSUE ALERT - PaperFIRST Mag's latest edition is also available online

Closed recycling loop for Infinity press felts from Voith reduces specific carbon footprint by up to 31 percent

Voith is launching an innovative recycling concept for press felts in collaboration with its partner Aquafil, enabling papermakers to drastically reduce their specific product carbon footprint. The newly developed Infinity +Green press felts and a closed recycling loop reduce Scope 3 emissions by up to 31 percent.

Ten years of Voith’s XcelLine: The backbone of modern paper production celebrates a milestone

Ten years ago, Voith introduced the XcelLine and set new standards in paper production. Today, the machine is established all over the world—and has become the backbone of countless paper mills. It stands for everything that counts in a volatile market: reliability, flexibility, and innovation. Now, as the industry faces uncertainties, increasing cost pressures, and complex sustainability goals, the XcelLine emerges as a strong solution for future-proof paper production.

GPC at "Sustainable Mornings": A Commitment to the Environment.

Earlier this month, GPC had the pleasure of participating in the 1st edition of the 'Matinées Durables' (Sustainable Mornings) event, organized in Casablanca by Consonews. This event, moderated by Chouaouta Hassan, an expert in sustainable development, brought together various committed stakeholders around major environmental challenges.

Valmet announces a new strategy, ‘Lead the Way’, and publishes new 2030 financial targets

Valmet is holding its Capital Markets Day 2025 tomorrow June 5, 2025, presenting its new strategy and 2030 financial targets designed to deliver a step-up improvement in financial performance, growth, and ability to transform industries towards a regenerative tomorrow.

In Kenitra, GPC Papier et Carton is investing some €3 million in the modernization of its PM 2

At its Kenitra site (Morocco), GPC Papier et Carton has launched an investment of some €3 million to upgrade its PM 2, which produces light-weight packaging papers. The first part of this investment, worth some €600,000, consisted of renovating the wire-end section with the installation of a new headbox (supplied by De Iuliis, see picture) and ceramic drainage elements (supplied by Röchling). Previously, Turbo Blowers had also been installed by Runtech (for some €550,000). In a second phase, the press section will be rebuilt by Allimand, at a cost of over €1 million. Finally, in a third phase, the dryer section, steam circuit, pope reel, and winder will also be modernized. At the end of this program, PM 2 production will be doubled to reach 10,000 tpy (basis weights from 30 to 120 g/m2).