Frost & Sullivan named Emerson Process Management as Company of the Year for industrial automation and process control for 2007. This is the fourth consecutive year that Emerson has won the award. www.emersonprocess.com.

International Paper will close the Terre Haute, IN, containerboard mill in 4Q07. Its relatively small size and high manufacturing costs are blamed. Capacity is 200,000 tons/year of medium. About 170 jobs are affected. www.internationalpaper.com.

 On May 25, Pope & Talbot, Inc. announced a $20 price increase for its customers in Europe and North America until further notice. The  new prices will be $830 in North American and $800 in Europe for its NBSK grades.  www.poptal.com.

Canada’s federal government recently allotted $C127.5 million over two years to address long-term competitiveness in the forest industry. Of this amount, $70 million is to promote forest sector innovation. Investment will be directed toward the development and adaptation  of emerging and breakthrough technologies. www.paprican.ca.

Mohawk Fine Papers has converted its fleet of five delivery trucks to run on biodiesel fuel. Supplied by John Ray & Sons, Troy, NY, the B20 mix is a blend of 20% soy-bean oil and 80% traditional petrodiesel. Mohawk claims the new fuel reduces sulfur oxides and sulfates by about 20% in addition to the reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide
and particulate matter compared with regular diesel fuel. www.mohawkpaper.com.

Fraser Papers Inc. is to sell its 22% share of Acadian Timber Income Fund for $C42.5 million. Acadian is a New Brunswick lumber producer. www.fraserpapers.com.

Canadian paper producers are being hit hard by the rise of the Canadian dollar vis-à-vis the US dollar. Industry experts say that each 1-cent increase reduces industry revenue $C150 million year. In June, UPM Kymmene said it would shut its Miramichi, New Brunswick, LWC mill for up to a year. Tembec has shut its St. Francisville, LA, paper mill indefinitely.

Voith Paper has opened a new training and service center for automation at its Heidenheim site in Germany. www.voith.com.

 KPS Capital Partners, LP, sold its portfolio company Blue Ridge Holding Corp., the parent of Blue Ridge Paper Products, Inc. to Packaging Holdings, Inc., owned by Rank Group Ltd. for $338 million. New Zealand-based Rank owns the Carter Holt Harvey Ltd. group of companies, Evergreen Packaging, Inc. formerly the beverage packaging division of International Paper, and SIG Holding AG, Switzerland. Blue Ridge Paper, Canton, NC, manufactures liquid packaging, envelope paper and coated bleachboard used in food service packaging. It also produces specialty uncoated and extrusion coated papers. It has six manufacturing facilities in five states and employs over 2,000. www.blueridgepaper.com.

The Dow Chemical Company has formed a new unit called Dow Wolff Cellulosics. It encompasses the activities of what was Wolff Walsrode AG and Dow’s water-soluble polymers business. The new company will focus on cellulosic and related chemistries for industries including pharmaceuticals, paint, personal care and food. Cellulosics and their derivatives are produced from renewable raw materials, mainly wood pulp and cotton. www.dowwolffcellulosics.com.

Kingsey Falls, Quebec-based Cascades Inc. said it has agreed with Honeycomb Products of Michigan (HPM) to acquire the assets of HPM’s honeycomb board mill in Grand Rapids, MI. The terms were not disclosed. www.cascades.com.