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Final Products

Almost Ready Paper​

Jumbo reels of paper are completed ready to use paper that is just needing to be sized. The jumbo reels are transported to a machine called a slitter/rewinder where rotary blades cut the reels into multiple reels which are narrower making them more manageable for the next step. Some of these smaller reels will remain uncut as these reels will be used in other manufacturing plants making more specialised paper products, the rest are sent to the finishing department where several of these reels are simultaneously cut into sheets and stacked onto pallets by a sheeter. The both reels and pallets of cut paper will then be packaged effectively to avoid damage in transport and protection against moisture. The reels are commonly wrapped in Kraft cardboard and the pallets of sheets are either shrink-wrapped or divided into reams and will now be ready for delivery to customers. Avoiding spoilage of the completed product is important while being stored. This is done by keeping the stock in light and water-protected areas.

 
 
Paper Products

There are over 5,000 product made from paper and papermaking by-products.  These product are all different in their own way through size, use and even the type of paper. Common areas where paper products are used included homes, schools and offices. Less thought of uses for paper products are in medical, building materials and technology.

 

  • Books

  • Printing

  • Art

  • Posters

  • Pamphlets

  • Business cards

  • Labels

  • Newspaper

  • Telephone book

  • Packaging (boxes/bags)

  • Paper towels

  • Tissue/Toilet paper

  • Wipes

  • Wallpaper

  • Advertising

  • Bandages

  • Photographs

  • Etc.

By-products

Cellulose, oils and resins are natural wood chemicals which are by-products of the papermaking process which can be used to make other useful products including:

  • Crayons

  • Shaving cream

  • Hair spray

  • Eyeglasses frames

  • Cellulose sponges

  • Chewing gum

  • Fabric softener

  • Furniture polish

  • Imitation leather

  • Ink

  • Cosmetics

  • Liquid soap

  • Handles

  • Toothpaste

  • Turpentine

  • Caulk

  • Concrete mix

  • Rust preventative

  • Spray paint

  • Helmets

  • Etc.

The pulping section of the papermaking process gives a by-product called black liquor, it is a residue which some paper companies are using to generate energy. Sappi Fine Paper can generate the energy equivalent to 100,000 barrels of oil. The black liquor is said to be a renewable, carbon-neutral fuel and a result of using this by-product less fossil fuels are needed to support the Paper mills production.

Bottom ash and fly ash are also usable by-products from papermaking. The ash has an alkaline nature which can improve the soil of plants that are turned into hay for cows. The use of these by-products can save farmers over $1m a year while decreasing the volume of landfills.

Exporting

In 2015 Paper and paperboard accounts for 6.3% of New Zealand’s forestry exports, which is $294m New Zealand dollars. New Zealand’s paper and paperboard is exported all over the world, as of March 2015 the top 10 markets for paper and paperboard were: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The total revenue for forestry has an increasing forecast but for pulp and paper exports this does not appear to be the case. The export price (NZ$ per m^2) for pulp and paper had decrease in 2013 but over the last 2 years appears to be increasing in value. The forecast in the 2015 MPI report shows a large increase in the price in the years approaching 2019.

 

The table above shows the volume of exported pulp and paper had increased in 2013 and 2014 which could have be the cause of the low export price during that time. Pulp and paper exports have been forecasted with a low non changing volume which does not look good for the pulp and paper exports.

Shipping costs are lower by 37% from last year making exporting goods more lucrative.

Note: Figure and table retrieved from Ministry for Primary Industries. Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries. (2015).

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