Thursday, November 15, 2012

Tembec Reports Q4 Results

Tembec reports a net loss of $47 million in its 4th quarter, ending September 29, 2012:
Tembec is reporting a net loss of $47 million in its 4th quarter, ending September 29, 2012 on consolidated sales of $443 million.
Sales were up compared to $421 million in the same quarter last year. Reported net loss in the same quarter last year was $17 million.
The results from the last quarter include a non-cash asset impairment charge of $50 million relating to the recently idled Chetwynd, British Columbia, pulp mill.
Operating earnings before depreciation, amortization and other items (adjusted EBITDA) was $23 million for the quarter, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $19 million a year ago and adjusted EBITDA of $27 million in the prior quarter.

Atlantic to Reopen Mill, Make Recylcled Pack. Paper

Atlantic Packaging plans to reopen Whitby, Ontario mill:
Atlantic Packaging Products plans to re-open their Whitby, Ontario mill in March of 2013.
The former newsprint mill has been upgraded with technology that will allow Atlantic Packaging to produce 100% recycled lightweight paper used to manufacture high performance corrugated packaging products.

Catalyst Paper Receives Conditional Approval

Catalyst Paper Receives Conditional Approval for Listing of New Common Shares on TSX: (CANADA) Catalyst Paper announced today that it has received conditional approval for the listing of its new common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

NS Export Growth to Lead Country, Port Hawk Fuels Forest Sector

Export Development Canada's (EDC) forecast for Nova Scotia's export growth calls for a rebound of 17 per cent in 2013 after a 14 per cent decline this year.
"Nova Scotia's export growth will lead the country in 2013 with a jump of 17 per cent, driven by a more positive outlook for the natural gas sector, paper mills coming back on line and improved U.S. demand," said Peter Hall, Chief Economist, EDC. "Next year's growth is a relief, a welcome sharp rebound from the 14 per cent decline in 2012."
The forestry sector is also important to Nova Scotia's export picture, responsible for 16 per cent of the province's total exports, and will see growth of 103 per cent growth next year after a 50 per cent decline this year.
"The reopening of the NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill will be the base of the forestry export story next year," said Hall. "The shutdown of the Bowater Mersey Mill in Brooklyn, while impactful to the province, is not expected to weigh down export growth as most of its production supplies the domestic market."

AF&PA Asks Congress to Pass PNTR with Russia

AF&PA Calls on Congress to Pass Russia PNTR Legislation: (USA) American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement ahead of expected a House vote on legislation authorizing permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia.

AF&PA Sustainability Awards Announced

2012 AF&PA Sustainability Award Winners Announced at Annual Meeting: (USA) The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) presented its first ever Better Practices, Better Planet 2020Sustainability Awards at the association's annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 9 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Designed to recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives, the awards are to be given based on the merit of entries received across multiple categories. This year, five companies were chosen to receive awards.

Eddie and Ozzie Award Winners Announced

The 2012 Eddie and Ozzie Award Winners Announced:
The winners of the 2012 Eddie and Ozzie Awards were honored yesterday during a lunch event in New York. The Eddie and Ozzie awards program is the largest of its kind for magazine publishers. It also has the proud distinction of being the only awards event open to magazines and websites of all kinds—consumer, b-to-b, association, custom and regional, big and small.

Time's All You Adds Reader Generated Content

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/187369/mag-bag-all-you-ups-reader-generated-content.html#axzz2CJvLg9k6 
All You, a Time Inc. magazine targeted at value-conscious female Wal-Mart shoppers, is introducing more reader-generated content as part of a new editorial treatment beginning with its December issue, which hits Wal-Mart newsstands on Friday.
The December issue introduces a new editorial feature, “Real Talk,” which highlights readers’ tips and reviews and answers reader questions. Comments from Facebook, bloggers, and the All You Web site are also showcased throughout the magazine.

min Presents Editorial & Design Awards

This morning (Nov. 14), min presented its fourth Editorial & Design Awards at a breakfast in New York's Marriott Marquis Hotel. Among the most graphic was Popular Mechanics' app-winning Re-Engineering the Human, with a "helping hand" reminiscent of The Addams Family's "Thing." For the record, the issue (print version shown here) was April 2012--not the ghoulish October.
Graphic in a different way was Firehouse's b2b app-winning display of--naturally--a

smouldering building. 

ABC Rebrands as Alliance for Audited Media

ABC Rebrands as Alliance for Audited Media:
In another sign of how the shifting media landscape is changing the way companies operate within it, the Audit Bureau of Circulations has announced it's rebranding to a less print-focused name of Alliance for Audited Media. The new identity is representative of a number of initiatives the auditing firm has been rolling out that address the multiplatform content and audience realities publishers are working with, most notably its Consolidated Media Report, which allows publishers to verify their cross-platform metrics. 

Are Online Ads Less Effective Than Print Ads?

Are Online Ads Less Effective Than TV and Print Ads?:
Written by Howard Fenton
Reading a study by Adobe stating that 50% of consumers say that online banner ads do not work and only 3% prefer online ads on social media sites was surprising. Most said that they found online ads “annoying” and “distracting.” The study entitled “Click Here: The State of Online Advertising” suggests that the current thinking about the effectiveness of online ads and social media is exaggerated.

China Invests $8 Billion in Publishing Industry

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90778/8007441.html
China's Bank of Communications will pump 50 billion yuan (8 billion U.S. dollars) into the country's publishing industry, according to a cooperative agreement signed on Tuesday.
The agreement, signed by the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) and the Bank of Communications, said the bank will provide the finance in three years.
 

USPS FY Loss: Urgent Need for Legislative Reform

Postal Service’s $15.9-Billion Loss Highlights Urgent Need for Legislative Reform: The U.S. Postal Service ended the 2012 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2011 – Sept. 30, 2012) with a record net loss of $15.9 billion, compared to a net loss of $5.1 billion for the same period last year. The loss included expenses of $11.1 billion related to two payments to prefund retiree health benefits. Resolving the prefunding requirement, which made up 70 percent of the net loss, and providing more commercial flexibility to allow the Postal Service to manage its business, are among legislative changes needed for USPS to fully implement its business plan to return to financial stability.

Projected USPS Pension Surplus Shrinks

Projected Postal Service Pension Surplus Shrinks as Rates Fall: The projected excess in the Federal Employees Retirement System for benefits covering about 471,000 current postal employees shrank to $2.6 billion from $10.9 billion a year earlier, John Berry, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, said in an Oct. 30 letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe.

Real-Time Bidding 13% of Display Ad Spending

To the dismay of resistant publishers and marketers, real-time bidding will account for 13% of all U.S. display ad spending this year -- more than tripling since 2010.
That’s according to new estimates from eMarketer, which only expects RTB to gain momentum in the coming years as more media buyers and publishers warm to its efficiencies.
This year, the overall U.S. display ad market will grow 21.5% to $15 billion from $12.3 billion in 2011, eMarketer projected in September. Growth in RTB display ad spending, by comparison, is expected to reach 98% in 2012.

FTI: Holiday Spending Up 4.5%

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/14/4984619/fti-consulting-issues-new-us-retail.htmlFTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN), the global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance their enterprise value, today released its 2012 Retail Report. The report, titled "A Real Cliffhanger," analyzes the state of the retail sector in the United States and finds resilience in consumer spending on goods despite ongoing global economic uncertainty and threats posed by the impending fiscal cliff. Consumer confidence is approximately 25 percent higher entering the 2012 holiday shopping season than it was a year ago.

Manroland Sheetfed Completes Reorganisation

Manroland Sheetfed completes reorganisation:
The bulk of the restructuring happened in February, when Langley concluded a deal to buy the former sheetfed division of German press manufacturer Manroland out of administration.
In addition to securing the jobs of 824 staff at Manroland's Offenbach site, Langley retained more than 1,000 more across a number of other German sites and more than 40 overseas subsidiaries.

Kodak Gets Interim and Exit Financing

Kodak Agrees to $793 Million in Interim and Exit Financing: Agreement with Centerbridge, GSO, UBS and JPMorgan Sets Kodak's Path to Emergence from Chapter 11 in the First Half of 2013ROCHESTER, N.Y., - Eastman Kodak Company announced today that it has entered into a commitment letter to secure $793 million in Junior Debtor-in-Possession Financing with Centerbridge Partners, L.P., GSO Capital Partners LP, UBS and JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Economy Shows Green Shoots From China to U.S.

Economy Shows Green Shoots From China to U.S. With Data Surprise:
The U.S. and China, the world's traditional twin sources of growth, are planting seeds to lift the world economy from its midyear slowdown.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Catalyst Paper Announces Q3 Results

Reorganization of Catalyst Paper leads to net earnings of $655.7 million in Q3, 2012:
Catalyst Paper is reporting net income of $655.7 million in the third quarter of 2012 due to a significant one-time credit arising from reorganization gains and “fresh-start accounting” valuation adjustments.
The company emerged from creditor protection on September 13, 2012 with significant debt and cost-structure improvements.
In the quarter before, Catalyst Paper reported a net loss of $11.7 million.  Sales in the third quarter were essentially unchanged at $265.7 million.

NewPage Strengthens Partnership with ATFS

NewPage Corporation (NewPage) announced today that it has increased its supply-chain preference for pulpwood procured from certified woodland owners, including those certified to the American Tree Farm System (ATFS).
NewPage, the leading producer of printing and specialty papers in North America, is the largest buyer of pulpwood in the Great Lakes States. In 2011, 48 percent of the fiber (wood and pulp) purchased by NewPage came from certified sources.
According to Gordy Mouw, NewPage Certification and Resource manager, the procurement preference reflects the company's commitment to forest stewardship as well as its efforts to meet the growing demand of its customers seeking paper sourced from certified timberlands. In addition to ATFS, NewPage has established preferences for wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®.
"Adding certified ATFS wood to our supply-chain addresses our customers' interests, our own commitment to sustainability, and helps family forest owners by expanding markets for their wood products," Mouw said. "This in turn helps them keep their forest land forested."

Price of Forest Carbon Credits Doubled

The price of forest carbon credits has doubled
The price of forest carbon credits doubled in 2011, leading to a record market value of $237 million according to the latest Ecosystem Marketplace survey of forest carbon markets, Leveraging the Landscape: State of the Forest Carbon Markets 2012.
The report examines a variety of strategies for injecting financial resources into projects that save or plant forests that capture carbon. Carbon offsets from these projects averaged $9.2 per tonne of sequestered carbon in 2011, up from $5.5 per tonne in 2010.

IP/Memphis Negotiations

International Paper is not pushing for a 30-year tax break to stay and expand its headquarters in Memphis, but rather additional 15-year tax breaks on its existing and planned properties and even on corporate aircraft, according local officials briefed by company representatives.
The Fortune 500 company is considering having a fourth office tower built next door and just east of its headquarters at 6400 Poplar, Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz said Tuesday.

The Future Of Food Packaging

The Future Of Food Packaging:
A recent survey by DuPont Packaging got me thinking about the future. The first part of the survey asked packaging professionals from across the world about the most important priorities affecting the industry – cost, sustainability, convenience, shelf impact, and so on. But what really caught my eye was the second part of the survey that asked the same professionals what they thought would be most important ten years from now, in 2022.
The answers were surprisingly different. While cost is king in 2012, sustainability looks to be the biggest concern by 2022. Today integrating merchandising strategies in the packaging process is essential, tomorrow trackability and anti-counterfeiting measures may be the next major challenge.

Flint Group Announces Ink Price Increase

Flint Group Announces Ink Price Increase: The highly volatile raw material markets in 2012 necessitate Flint Group to increase prices for all Coldset, Heatset, Publication Gravure, Sheetfed, Packaging and Narrow Web Inks and Coatings and Press Room Chemicals as of 1 st Jan 2013. In 2012, the global raw material markets have continued to be highly volatile. Despite the rather flat economic outlook, there are still many challenges for the supply chain.

Groupon Goods Launches Holiday & Toy Catalogs

Groupon (NAS: GRPN) (http://www.groupon.com) today announces free shipping and free returns from Groupon Goods, the company's goods channel that offers surprising and useful items at an unbelievable discount. In addition, Groupon Goods launches its first holiday catalog, featuring great deals on gifts for Him, Her, Them, You, Those Guys Over There and It, as well as Groupon Goods' toy catalog, stuffed to the brim with must-have toys for kids of all ages.

Esquire with Interactive Magazine

Esquire announced today that the December issue, on newsstands November 20, will be the first-ever completely interactive, shareable magazine. By using Netpage, the app for paper, readers can now digitally clip, save, and share every article, ad, and photo from the print edition of Esquire. Readers can also play exclusive videos and purchase items right from the page for an entirely new way to experience a magazine.

Penton Media Buys Farm Progress

Penton Media buys Farm Progress, boosts agricultural offerings: Penton Media today acquired Farm Progress, a holding company that includes 23 agricultural magazine titles, four expositions, digital and broadcast products as well as investment data.

Dwell/E-Retailer with Augmented Reality Offering

Dwell Partners With E-Retailer in Augmented Reality Offering: Modern design publisher Dwell Media joined the growing collection of print products to add augmented reality (AR) to its pages earlier this week, turning it's shopping magazine into a shoppable store.

October M&A Media Deals Up 4%

Report: M&A media deal volume up slightly in October: The number of mergers and acquisitions transactions in the marketing, media, technology and services industries totaled 310 in October, up 4% compared with the same time period in 2011, according to data released by investment bank Petsky Prunier. In the same time frame, the aggregate value of deals in this sector increased 8%, to about $6.9 billion.

Online Holiday Sales: Up 20% in Value, 8% Overall

ShopVisible, winner of the 2012 CODiE Award for Best Electronic Commerce Solution and the recent winner of the American Business Bronze Award for Most Innovative Technology Company, today announces data that gives retailers insights into the early picture of the 2012 holiday shopping season: The data, drawn from over one billion in sales and over 100 online retail sites, reveals: 1) Based on growth trends revealed from an analysis of all client site traffic over the past 6 years, ShopVisible projects that the trend shall continue, with order volumes increasing 8%-10% for most online retailers.

More Cookies from Publishers

In the online advertising world, the pro-cookie argument may hold that the ubiquitious tracking mechanism ensures a better site experience. But of course, for many Web publishers, the use of cookies has everything to do with monetization.
In a recent study, online privacy firm Truste found that publishers’ homepages average more than twice as many persistent third-party cookies as those of e-commerce sites.  Such third party cookies often allow these pubishers to know things about their visitors, such as whether they might in the market for a new smartphone based on their recent Web activity.

Bertelsmann Reports 9-Month Results

http://www.rttnews.com/2004491/bertelsmann-reports-rise-in-9-month-profit-on-higher-revenues-quick-facts.aspx?type=qf&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=sitemap 
Bertelsmann, the international media group, released the financial results for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2012, reporting a rise in Group profit for the period on higher revenues.
Group Profit fro the nine-month period ended 30 September 2012 increased to EUR 528 million from EUTR 377 million reported for the corresponding period last year, aided mainly by lower special items.

Record High Global Carbon Emmissions

Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels rose 2.5 percent to a record last year on surging pollution in China, Germany’s IWR research institude said.
Worldwide emissions rose 834 million metric tons to 33.99 billion tons, IWR said today on its website. China’s releases of the greenhouse gas climbed 6.5 percent, offsetting declines in the U.S., Russia and Germany, the Muenster-based institute said.

Q3 Retail & Consumer M&A Value Up 160%

Corporations spinning off businesses, private equity (PE) investment in retail, continued cross border activity and expansion into e-commerce drove retail & consumer merger & acquisition (M&A) activity in the third quarter of 2012, according to PwC’s US retail and consumer M&A insights Q3 2012 report released today.
For the three month period ending September 30, 2012, there were a total of 32 deals in the retail and consumer sector with values greater than $50 million, accounting for $19.8 billion in deal value, a 60 percent increase in volume and a 160 percent increase in value from the 20 deals worth $7.6 billion during the third quarter of 2011.

Direct Marketers: Big Data & Big Measurement

A new view of Big Data for direct marketers
Technically we now have access to a range of data management options that deliver scale and performance with standards-based hardware and open-source software. However, as IBM's recent study shows (“From Stretched to Strengthened”) CMOs still believe that they're relatively unprepared for the explosion of data and the accompanying ROI accountability. Throw in channel proliferation and we have potential for the types of false starts and failed ROI that Gartner identified with the emergence of CRM.
As a resolution to this challenge, direct marketers should adopt, in conjunction with Big Data, the concept of Big Measurement, which involves applying the right data with the right measurement metrics, and implementing a systematic model that manages both.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Verso Paper Reports Q3 Results

Verso Paper Corp. Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results: Verso Paper Corp. (NYSE: VRS) today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2012. Results for the quarters ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 include:
-Adjusted EBITDA before pro forma effects of profitability program of $50.2 million in the third quarter of 2012, compared to $23.5 million in the second quarter of 2012 and $64.2 million in the third quarter of 2011. (Note: Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined and reconciled to net income later in this release).
-Net loss before items of $12.0 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2012 compared to net loss before items of $43.1 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2012 and net income before items of $0.8 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2011.
-The closure of the Sartell mill resulted in an aggregate pre-tax charge to earnings of approximately $97.2 million in the third quarter of 2012. This includes approximately $16.3 million for severance and benefit costs; $75.8 million in non-cash charges for fixed asset and other impairment charges; and $5.1 million related to other costs.

Nova Scotia/Resolute Negotiating Bowater Mersey

Nova Scotia is negotiating with Resolute Forest Products to aquire assets of Bowater Mersey:
The Chronicle Herald is reporting today that the province of Nova Scotia is negotiating exclusively with Resolute Forest Products to acquire the assets of Bowater Mersey Paper Co. Ltd.

RISI Announces 2012 PPI Awards

RISI announces winners for 2012 PPI Awards including DS Smith, Mondi, Tamil Nadu, Finch Paper: RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry, announced the winners of this year's PPI Awards during a gala dinner tonight, November 12, at Le Plaza Hotel in Brussels.

2012 WWF Environmental Paper Awards

The 2012 WWF Environmental Paper Awards go to 7 paper producers and 46 paper brands: WWF, the world´s largest conservation organisation, is today announcing the winners of the 2012 WWF Environmental Paper Awards in the categories “Transparency” and “Best Environmental Performance Paper Brands”. WWF praises the transparency of 7 paper producers and the “excellent” environmental performance of 46 paper brands published on WWF´s Check Your Paper database of eco-rated papers.

Scholastic Donates 1MM Books to Sandy Victims

With more than 20 schools in New York City unable to reopen and dozens of schools in New Jersey still closed in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, today announced that it will donate one million books to schools and libraries in the hardest-hit areas of the tri-state region.  To help in the recovery efforts with support for the educators, families and students who have suffered losses, Scholastic is accepting book grant requests at www.scholastic.com/bookgrants.

Former Williams-Sonoma Exec Joins Best Buy

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY), the leading multi-channel retailer of technology products and services, today announced that Sharon McCollam, the retired Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., will join the company as its new Chief Administrative and Chief Financial Officer, effective December 10, 2012. McCollam, 50, left Williams-Sonoma earlier this year after serving as an executive officer for more than 12 years.

j2 Global Buys Ziff Davis Media

Eying Ad Network Capabilities, j2 Global Buys Ziff Davis Media: Cloud services provider j2 Global has acquired long-standing tech media publisher Ziff Davis Media (ZDM), the companies announced Monday. The purchase is for $167 million and is expected to be immediately accretive, according to the release. The transaction will be funded from j2's cash on hand.

Holiday Shoppers to Use Varied Sources

Holiday Shoppers to Rely On Blend of Sources This Season: Consumers are expected to rely on a blend of offline and digital information sources as they look for holiday gift ideas and sales this year. Two-thirds (67%) of consumers surveyed expect to find out about sales, research gift ideas and read reviews this holiday season through online, social media and mobile, while 60% say they will rely on radio, television and newspapers for this information. Nearly as many (57%) expect to learn about products this holiday season via recommendations from friends and family while 34% point to catalogs as their source of planning this holiday season.

How Dead Is the Book Business?

When you see a merger between two giants in a declining industry, it can look like the financial version of a couple having a baby to save a marriage. At least that was my thought when Random House and Penguin, two of the world’s six largest publishers, announced that they were coming together last month. Ever since Amazon began ripping apart the book business, the largest houses have been looking for a way to fight back. If this merger is any indication, they have chosen an old-fashioned strategy: Size.

OPA Study: Marketers Prefer Publishers

Even though social networks like Facebook are becoming increasingly popular, marketers still prefer content publishers to all other media for online advertising, a new study from the Online Publishers Association (OPA) shows.
The OPA collaborated with industry research firm Advertiser Perceptions to conduct the study, which surveyed 251 marketers and advertising agencies online Aug. 7-15. Participants were required to be involved in video and display advertisement decision-making, have a $1 million minimum digital ad spend over the past 12 months and be involved in brand-focused advertising.

I Believe in PRINT Magazines

I believe in magazines.
In fact, I will go so far as to say, I believe in PRINT magazines.
So much so, that in the past two weeks I have launched a new one, and bought another.
It’s quite simple, really – both were well considered, well researched, business decisions.
In launching Technology Decisions into the print wasteland of IT media, we are definitely swimming upstream. However, recent research across our tech, engineering and science audiences showed us that print magazines are still a preferred delivery platform for their business-to-business information (over 50%).

PRIMIR Releases Study on Non-Print Revenue

PRIMIR Releases Study on Non-Print Revenue in the Printing Industry:  PRIMIR, the Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization, commissioned State Street Consultants and John Zarwan Partners, to research non-print revenue trends for printers. After interviewing a significant sample of commercial printers, digital imaging service firms, transactional printers, direct mail and specialty printers, researchers delivered a comprehensive study that identifies current trends and projects future opportunities for printers to grow their business through key non-print services.

Quebecor Reports Q3, Sun Media Cuts 500 jobs

Quebecor profit falls 29%, Sun Media to cut 500 jobs:
Quebecor Inc. says it expects annual savings of $45 million from taking a new operational and management approach at its newspaper publishing arm, which includes the Sun Media group of newspapers.

Kodak Said to Arrange Financing

Kodak Said to Arrange Financing for Bankruptcy Emergence: Eastman Kodak Co., the bankrupt photography pioneer, arranged $793 million in financing from some creditors to exit bankruptcy as a commercial-printing company, said a person familiar with the negotiations. Funding is conditional on selling its its patent portfolio for at least $500 million, progress in the sale of two business units and the resolution of the U.K. pension obligations.

PIA Elects 2013 Officers, Board

Printing Industries of America Elects Its 2013 Officers and Board of Directors: PITTSBURGH—Nov. 12, 2012—Printing Industries of America is pleased to announce the election of its 2013 officers and board of directors. These executives are key industry leaders, and their involvement in the national printing association and their local affiliate organizations is invaluable.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Details Nova Scotia/Port Hawkesbury Agreement

Nova Scotia releases details of its Crown land agreement with Port Hawkesbury Paper:
The province of Nova Scotia has released a redacted version of its Crown Land agreement with Port Hawkesbury Paper today.

40,500 mt NBSK Removed from Market

Domtar shuttered its Kamloops market northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp mill in British Columbia and Mercer International idled its Stendal NBSK mill in Germany for annual maintenance work in October, according to industry sources and the firms.
Domtar shut down its 477,000 tonnes/yr NBSK mill in British Columbia from October 15-25 for annual maintenance work. The mill, which reportedly did upgrades and general repairs during the downtime, shed an estimated 13,000 tonnes of market NBSK output.
Mercer meantime took the largest market NBSK mill in its system - the 645,000 tonnes/yr Stendal facility - down for 10 days of annual maintenance downtime in October. The scheduled downtime trimmed an estimated 17,500 tonnes of market NBSK output.

Catalyst Extends Deadline for Elk Falls Sale

Catalyst Paper extends deadline to close sale of Elk Falls site to Pacifica Deep Sea Terminals Inc.: Catalyst Paper announced that it has received partial pre-payment of the $8.6 million purchase price for the Elk Falls site in Campbell River from Pacifica Deep Sea Terminals Incorporated. The transaction includes the 400-acre industrial site and adjacent properties.
Catalyst has also agreed to grant the purchaser an extension to complete the sale. Progress continues to be made on all outstanding terms and conditions.
Sale of the property is the final step in a comprehensive site preparation and sales process which began following the permanent closure of the paper mill in 2010.

UPM Building World's First Renewable Diesel Biorefinery

The construction of the world's first biorefinery producing wood-based renewable diesel in Lappeenranta is running according to schedule. The foundation stone of UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery will be encased today. Construction began last summer and the biorefinery will start producing renewable diesel made from tall oil in 2014.
"The EUR 150 million investment to Lappeenranta is UPM's spearhead project and the first step on our way to becoming a significant producer of advanced second generation biofuels. The Biorefinery is also a focal part in the realisation of our Biofore strategy, combining the bio and forest industries," says UPM President and CEO Jussi Pesonen.

AF&PA Better Practices, Better Planet Awards

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) presented its first ever Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Awards at the association's annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 9 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
2012 Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Award Winners
Leaders in Sustainability - Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Large Company)
Georgia-Pacific: "Improving Energy Efficiency"
International Paper: "Climate Leadership Initiative"
Leaders in Sustainability - Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Small Company)
Thilmany Papers: "Energy and Water Restructuring Program"
Leaders in Sustainability - Safety
International Paper: "It's about...LIFE"
Leaders in Sustainability - Water
MWV: "Mahrt Mill Water and Energy Reduction Project"
Innovation in Sustainability
Green Bay Packaging: "Fiber Reclaim Project"

RRD Awarded Contract by Scotiabank

RR Donnelley Awarded Multiyear Print Management Contract by Scotiabank: CHICAGO—Nov. 12, 2012—R. R. Donnelley & Sons has been awarded a multiyear print management agreement by Scotiabank that renews and expands the companies’ relationship. Scotiabank is a leading multinational financial services provider and Canada's most international bank.

Ikea Unveils Catalog

The Ikea United States division plans to announce on Monday: the first of Ikea’s new catalogs, timed for holiday shopping, is an initiative centered on what executives call their first interactive seasonal catalog.
The 31-page catalog, known as Celebrate Brilliantly, is being introduced in time for Thanksgiving and the Christmas shopping season.