Consumers Look for Nutrition, Taste, and Smart Packaging Options

January–March 2024 (1–3/2023): *Sales were EUR 1,457 million (1,634). *Operating result was EUR 58 million (276). Comparable operating result was EUR 70 million (276). Events during the first quarter of 2024: *The average sales prices of Metsä Group’s long-fibre pulp increased in Europe and decreased slightly in China compared with the previous quarter. *Demand for market pulp increased in Europe and North America. In China, demand remained at a good level. *Demand for Metsä Group’s paperboards picked up substantially from the previous quarter. The average price of folding boxboard declined.

Pratt Industries, America’s leading 100% recycled paper and packaging company, will officially open its new $253 million advanced manufacturing box factory in Cedar Hill, Texas, today. At capacity, the 1.1 million square foot plant – one of the largest and most modern of the company’s 71 factories spread across 25 US states – will provide 375 full-time, high-paying, green-collar manufacturing jobs. That brings Pratt’s total workforce to 11,500. “We’re very honored to be in Cedar Hill and we’re committed to the great state of Texas – in fact this is our 5th box factory here,” said Anthony Pratt, executive chairman of Pratt Industries.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (Nasdaq:EFII) announced today the acquisition of Escada Systems (Escada), a leading provider of Corrugator Control systems for the packaging market. Based in the United Kingdom and with operations also in the United States, privately held Escada brings a strong reputation for innovation and vast experience in helping packaging companies to achieve greater productivity, quality and profitability. EFI is a market leader in providing a complete ecosystem for corrugated production, that includes the EFI Nozomi C18000, an ultra-high-speed single-pass LED inkjet press powered by the award winning Fiery DFE together with leading edge inks, and the EFI Corrugated Packaging Productivity Suite, the market's first end-to-end software offering for business management and manufacturing execution, which is gaining global momentum, serving corrugated packaging companies around the globe. The addition of Escada's technology and expertise will enable EFI to expand the Productivity Suite's value to sheet feeders and full corrugated box plants, to also include comprehensive control and traceability for the entire corrugation process. Click Read More below for additional detail.