Suzano Reports Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

HIGHLIGHTS • Pulp sales of 2,761 thousand tons (stable vs. 4Q22). • Paper sales³ of 386 thousand tons (14% vs. 4Q22). • Net average pulp price in export market: US$572/ton (-31% vs. 4Q22). • Average net paper price3 of R$6,732/ton (-5% vs. 4Q22). • Pulp cash cost ex-downtime of R$816/ton (-13% vs. 4Q22). • Leverage of 3.1 times in USD and 3.0 times in BRL. • Cerrado Project completes 86% of physical progress and 78% of financial progress.
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HMH Acquires Award-Winning Software Company Writable

Learning technology company HMH today announced it has acquired award-winning software company Writable, building on a longstanding partnership between the organizations that includes the integration of Writable’s research-backed writing assessment and practice solution with HMH’s core ELA offerings for grades 3-12. With the acquisition of Writable, HMH will also establish HMH Labs, a new incubation team focused on the development and customer experience of emerging technologies, including generative AI, in support of HMH’s high-tech, high-touch vision for K-12 learning. Led by Writable CEO and co-founder Andrew Goldman, who will become Executive Vice President of HMH Labs, the group will expand upon and support HMH’s focus on innovative technology and continue to develop Writable.
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Certification can help upscale corporate sustainability transformation

Certification can help scale up business transformation and ensure that corporate actions not only address the environmental issues, but also the social and economic dimensions of sustainability, said Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International, at the United Nations Environment Assembly today in Nairobi Kenya. He highlighted that with close to one million forest owners and tens of thousands of businesses certified, PEFC offers an ideal opportunity to scale up actions and deliver impacts beyond the scope of individual companies. Thorsten made his remarks during the Launch of the Business and Industry Major Group Beacon Projects Report 2024 side event at the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 6). The report showcases 35 leading Beacon Projects from across private-sector associations and institutions, highlighting the impact potential of these associations and their member companies. The report also illustrates the value-creation possible in developing or emerging economies and the transformative impacts that are achievable in local communities.
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Amcor collaborates with Stonyfield Organic and Cheer Pack North America to launch first all-PE spouted pouch

Amcor is proud to collaborate with Stonyfield Organic, the country’s leading organic yogurt maker, and Cheer Pack North America, a leading manufacturer of spouted pouch packaging, to launch the first all-polyethylene (PE) spouted pouch. The collaboration pairs three leaders in sustainability to innovate a first-to-market solution that provides a more sustainable package without compromise on performance. The new innovative pouch replaces Stonyfield Organic’s prior multi-laminate structure with a more responsible pouch design for its YoBaby refrigerated yogurt. The new pouch uses Amcor’s AmPrima® Plus, an all-PE film that is designed to meet the APR Design® Guide for recyclability, and Cheer Pack North America’s Vizi™ cap. The package removes the metallized or foil-based film layers commonly found in standard pouch structures, while still providing superior heat resistance to allow for spout insertion. With the inclusion of the Cheer Pack North America Vizi™ cap, the amount of plastic used is reduced by over five tons per 10mm caps.
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Crown Signs Renewable Energy Deal Significantly Expanding Coverage of Its Electricity Consumption in Europe

Crown Holdings, Inc. has entered a 15-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Enel Green Power España (EGPE), Endesa's renewable energy subsidiary, securing renewable electricity from a new PV project built in Badajoz, Spain. This deal will cover all of Crown's current operational footprint in European countries that are part of the Alliance of Issuing Bodies (AIB), which manages the European Energy Certificate System, allowing the Company to advance in its Twentyby30™ sustainability program. This agreement is Crown's first VPPA in Europe and demonstrates the Company's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to act locally. The project is expected to produce an annual output of 285,100 Megawatt hours (MWh), of which Crown is contracted for around 70%—saving the CO2 emissions equivalent of nearly 40,000 homes' electricity use for one year. Scheduled to start operation in October 2025, the renewable energy supply from the PV power plant follows Crown's earlier renewable energy project designed to address decarbonization and sustainability goals.
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Kemsley Paper Mill to boost its efficiency with £48M investment

DS Smith, a world leader in sustainable packaging solutions, has unveiled a £48 million investment in a new fibre preparation line (F-line) at their Kemsley paper mill. Forming part of DS Smith’s organic investment program, this multi-year investment will deliver attractive returns through improved efficiency and reduced costs. Kemsley is the largest mill for recycled papers in the UK, and the second largest in Europe. It produces 830,000T of paper every year, all made from 100% recycled fibre. The new line will supply recycled fibre to PM3, which is a highly versatile paper machine, that is capable of producing white top test liner, plasterboard liner and other corrugated case materials (CCM) grades. A state-of-the-art drum pulping and screening system that more efficiently separates contaminants from fibre such as plastics, barriers and coatings will also be installed as part of this initiative.
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Winpak Maintains Remarkable CDP Score

Winpak Ltd. proudly announces its exceptional achievement in the 2023 Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) assessment. With an outstanding score of A-, Winpak reaffirms its vision to provide the best packaging solutions for people and planet by addressing climate-related challenges and fostering a greener future. “Our A- score places us in the CDP leadership category and in the top 18% of disclosers for plastic product manufacturing”, said Phillip Crowder, Winpak’s Director of Corporate Sustainability. “This leadership level is a testament to the hard work of every member of our organization and our collective efforts to make a positive impact on the planet. Congratulations to all our dedicated employees on this outstanding accomplishment. Together, we are making a difference!”
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Greif Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

First Quarter Financial Highlights include (all results compared to the first quarter of 2023 unless otherwise noted): *Net income of $67.2 million decreased compared to net income of $89.9 million or $1.54 per diluted Class A share. Net income, excluding the impact of adjustments(1), of $72.8 million increased compared to net income, excluding the impact of adjustments, of $61.9 million *Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $28.4 million to $4.5 million. *Total debt of $2,291.8 million increased by $62.5 million. Net debt(4) increased by $44.2 million to $2,112.5 million. Our leverage ratio(5) increased to 2.53x from 2.20x sequentially, and increased from 2.11x in the prior year quarter.
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Inteplast Joins Flexible Packaging Pros to ‘Understand Rapidly Changing Needs’

Inteplast Engineered Films (IEF) and Inteplast BOPP Films, both manufacturers of packaging films, will attend the Flexible Packaging Association’s Annual Meeting in Tucson, AZ on March 20-22, to dive deeper into the fluid and frequently shifting landscape of sustainable packaging. IEF President Bob Stein said the FPA offers an opportunity to gauge customers’ needs. “We’re very excited about joining the FPA. As a guest at the fall 2023 meeting, I found the Association’s agenda to be very relevant to IEF and our focus on developing, producing, and selling our sustainable films, which are branded under our InteGreen label. I see joining the FPA as yet another opportunity to get closer to our customer needs, understand and stay ahead of any changing or expected legislation, and to work closer with all of our partners as we navigate this very dynamic time as a supplier into the flexible packaging industry,” Stein said.
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Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project Empowers Landowners

Sustainable forestry and land retention are closely linked, especially in the fiber baskets across the southeastern United States where Domtar buys wood from small landowners. Our company has supported efforts across the region to educate and advocate for land retention among families. This includes the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project in Eastern North Carolina. The focus of the program is to empower landowners to retain their land, generate income and maintain healthy and productive forests. “Our success is seen in continued partnerships where landowners are empowered to participate in forest management and other conservation activities, as well as policy and advocacy for forestry,” says Perry. “Our success is also seen in landowners realizing multiple economic streams from their property, such as reduced property taxes, hunting leases, agri-tourism or niche agriculture markets.”
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2024 Begins On An Upward Note, U.S. Ad Market Posts Best January Ever (mediapost.com)

Two thousand twenty four has gotten off on an upward start, with U.S. ad spending rising 4.3% over January 2023, according to just-updated data from Guideline's U.S. Ad Market Tracker. Sequentially, January was the 10th consecutive month to post a gain, signaling an end to the U.S. ad recession beginning with the second quarter of 2023. The momentum continues to come from smaller ad categories, which in aggregate, rose 5.3% over January 2023, which compares with an aggregate gain of 3.7% for the top 10 ad categories.
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IPG and IMA Group announce their participation at Modex 2024

IPG (Intertape Polymer Group) and IMA GROUP with its new E-COMMERCE Division, proudly announce their joint participation at MODEX 2024, one of the premier events dedicated to Supply Chain solutions. The exhibition, to be held March 11-14, 2024, in Atlanta, GA, brings together industry experts, innovators, and businesses from around the world to exchange ideas and explore the latest trends and technologies. IPG is a recognized leader in the development, manufacture, and sale of a variety of paper and filmbased pressure-sensitive and water-activated tapes, stretch and shrink films and protective packaging. IMA E-COMMERCE, born in January 2023 in response to the growing demand of the E-Commerce market, is an innovator in the E-Fulfillment and Intralogistics packaging solutions.
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Tetra Pak to consolidate its Singapore-based production

Tetra Pak announced today that it will close its packaging material production in Jurong and consolidate the Singapore-based production into its other factories in the region. This shift will take place over the next 12 months and is part of the company’s continuous strategy to optimise its global manufacturing footprint, serve customers better and adapt to the changing market dynamics. The company will maintain a strong business presence in Singapore to support its global growth with core operational functions, including business management, project centres, IT, human resources, finance and marketing functions. The Tetra Pak Packaging Materials factory in Jurong started operations in 1982, supplying customers in Singapore and serving as an export base. However, with market dynamics changing significantly over the past decades, the company recognises the need to adapt in order to maintain competitiveness. Striking a delicate balance between market demands, industrial footprint optimisation, and operational cost efficiency is paramount.
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Help Your Customers Stand Out with Direct Mail (piworld.com)

Your customer’s direct mail is not effective if their recipients don’t read it. The first thing that direct mail needs to do is get noticed. This can be a real challenge. Direct mail is a very effective tool when done correctly. Do you help your customers stand out? The golden rule is list, design, and offer, generally in that order. However, if you stop to think about it, there is a reason for the golden rule. You need to help your customers send mail to the people who want it. Here are 5 ideas to get your direct mail campaign noticed: 1. Variable data messaging: Target the message to the individual or to grouped personas. 2. Use color envelopes: Color is inviting and not used often enough. 3. Use stamps: Many direct mail pieces use indicia’s for postage. 4. Use larger pieces: They can use up to a 6 x 10.5 self-mailer or a 6.125 x 11.5 postcard and still pay the lower letter size postage rate. 5. Add fun taglines: Get recipients excited about what they are going to find in the envelope.
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Macy’s, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results

*Net sales of $8.1 billion, down 1.7% versus the fourth quarter of 2022. Digital sales decreased 4% versus the fourth quarter of 2022. Brick-and-mortar sales were roughly flat versus the fourth quarter of 2022.*Comparable sales, on a 13-week basis, were down 5.4% on an owned basis and down 4.2% on an owned-plus-licensed basis. *Highlights of the company's nameplates include: Macy’s comparable sales, on a 13-week basis, were down 6.0% on an owned basis and down 4.7%, on an owned-plus-licensed basis. *Bloomingdale’s comparable sales, on a 13-week basis, were down 1.5% on an owned basis and down 1.6% on an owned-plus-licensed basis. *Bluemercury comparable sales, on a 13-week basis, were up 2.3% on an owned basis. *Gross margin for the quarter was 37.5%, up from 34.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022.
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SEE Reports Q4, Full Year 2023 Results

*Net sales in Q4 of $1.4 billion, down 2% as reported; flat constant currency and in 2023 of $5.5 billion, down 3% as reported; down 1% constant currency *Net earnings in Q4 of $125 million, up 32%, and in 2023 of $339 million, down 31%. *Earnings per share (Diluted) in Q4 of $0.86, up 32%, and in 2023 of $2.34, down 30%. *Cash flow from operations of $516 million in 2023.
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Brook + Whittle Acquires PouchIt

Brook + Whittle is excited to announce the acquisition of PouchIt, a flexible packaging manufacturer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Specializing in short run stand up pouches, layflat pouches, and roll stock film, PouchIt provides customers with the fastest lead times in the flexible packaging industry. This strategic move enhances Brook + Whittle's footprint in the Southeast and strategically positions the company deeper in this rapidly growing segment of the packaging industry. "We are thrilled to welcome PouchIt into the Brook + Whittle family. PouchIt's printing and converting capabilities will provide a great springboard to grow our flexible packaging business. This will allow us to provide faster service to our existing customers and expand into new markets," states Mark Pollard, CEO. "Moreover, with PouchIt's flexible packaging expertise, we will be able to spearhead sustainable innovation in this segment."
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SCA continues with geofencing

Digital speed limitation for timber trucks works well on stretches with a lot of infrastructure, and haulage companies show great commitment to safer timber transports. This is demonstrated by the geofencing project that SCA has undertaken in collaboration with the Swedish Transport Administration. "We continue to utilize the technology on both existing routes and new ones," says Lars Nolander, logistics manager at SCA Skog. SCA's efforts to create safer timber transports have been ongoing for several years, and the latest initiative involves testing digital speed limitation, known as geofencing, on four selected routes in Västernorrland and Jämtland, where the road passes through villages or residential areas with houses and residents along the way. The technology involves creating zones using GPS points, where the vehicle senses when it's time to adjust the speed. Four haulage companies and nearly 40 timber trucks have been involved in the project.
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New brand – Spring by Rottneros marks the Group’s investment in CTMP

Rottneros introduces our brand; Spring by Rottneros - the same high-quality CTMP pulp as before but now with its own name. In connection with the brand introduction, the article structure is also simplified to harmonize with the usual way of classifying different CTMP qualities on the market. We have a strong brand for our chemical pulp, Robur Flash. Now we want to create an equally strong brand for our CTMP quality, says Kasper Skuthälla, Rottneros Sales and Business Development Manager. Spring by Rottneros is a quality primarily developed for the needs of the growing cardboard market and can also be adapted for a range of other special applications. It is approved for food contact and can be obtained as environmentally certified.
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KraFit Bag, Lecta’s new paper for bags

In our commitment to providing innovative, more sustainable solutions for the flexible packaging market, Lecta has developed a comprehensive, versatile range for carrier bag applications. KraFit Bag ​is the new, brown option for the bags. It is a kraft paper made of 100% unbleached eucalyptus fiber with good resistance properties, designed for shopping and supermarket bags, e-commerce and other flexible packaging applications. Coral Bag: uncoated white paper, with high printability and mechanical resistance properties, aimed to be used in carrier bags and flexible packaging applications that demand higher printing quality such as sepiolite sacks, etc. Creaset Bag: one-side coated white paper, with high physical resistance to breakage and tearing, aimed to be used in bags and flexible packaging applications. It is a paper solution that allows the printed design on the surface to stand out due to its gloss effect. Lecta's functional, resistant papers for bags are designed to adapt to any style and printing need, showcasing your brand's boundless and authentic creativity.
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Mondi collaborates with Veyzle, WEPA and Soprema to make release liner production waste more circular

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has improved the circularity of material flows in two release liner production sites in Germany and the Netherlands. 95 % of the production waste is now used as secondary raw material for other industries, thanks to its strategic partnerships. By collaborating closely with industry stakeholders along the value chain, Mondi has tackled the siliconised and coated paper waste produced at its release liner plants in Jülich, Germany, and Heerlen, Netherlands. It is now repulped and valorised as secondary raw material in a range of other applications. Mondi Jülich and Mondi Heerlen kicked off a partnership with Veyzle, a Dutch specialist in the recycling of paper and plastics, and the Dutch site of the WEPA Group, an expert for sustainable hygiene papers, two years ago. Since then, Veyzle collects Mondi’s production waste from the two plants and sorts, shreds and bails the different papers before transporting them to WEPA. WEPA has developed an advanced repulping technology to valorise laminated and siliconised papers and uses them to create hygiene paper, such as toilet paper and paper towels. All three partners are located close together to keep transportation to a minimum.
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Diversey Wins Two Honors at the CSR Excellence Awards 2023

Diversey has been honored with two awards at the CSR Excellence Awards 2023: “Best Hygiene & Infection Prevention Cleaning Solutions Company — South East Asia” and “Best Personal Hygiene Circular Economy Initiative — South East Asia: Soap For Hope.” The CSR Excellence Awards 2023, launched by the Business Concept, encompass all facets of corporate social responsibility, celebrating businesses advocating for ethical, environmental, philanthropic, or financial initiatives. Diversey’s efforts on sustainability and its commitments to local communities have made it a leading company in these initiatives. Diversey’s Soap For HopeTM initiative exemplifies its dedication to community impact and sustainability. This innovative program empowers disadvantaged communities by providing access to sanitation and creating economic opportunities. By upcycling discarded soaps from hospitality partners, Soap For Hope not only promotes hygiene but also generates income for individuals in need.
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Spanish forest certification system submitted for endorsement

The Spanish Forest Certification System has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 4 March to 3 May 2024. PEFC Spain revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. To provide you with additional information about this revised system, we are holding a webinar on 4 March 2024 at 10:00 CET.
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Lacerta Group Earns EcoVadis Bronze for Sustainability Commitment

Lacerta Group, LLC, a leading provider of custom and stock packaging solutions for food processors and supermarkets, has been awarded the EcoVadis Bronze status for its commitment to sustainability. This award is a testament to Lacerta's ongoing efforts to integrate circularity across its operations and supply chain. The EcoVadis Badge recognizes eligible companies that have completed their assessment process and demonstrated a relatively strong management system that addresses sustainability criteria. This recognition acknowledges achievement relative to other assessed companies. "Lacerta Group has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, and we are honored to receive the EcoVadis Bronze Status as a step in our journey," said Matt Crider, VP of R&D and New Product Development at Lacerta Group. "This recognition underscores our dedication to improving sustainable outcomes for our company, our customers, and those who use our packaging products."
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The U.S. Invested Millions to Produce Masks at Home. Now Nobody’s Buying.

U.S.-made masks and gloves became a national priority during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now the manufacturers need a lifeline of their own. Domestic production of protective medical equipment that was in short supply during the pandemic is now collapsing as hospitals and other healthcare buyers return to foreign-based suppliers. About 70% of the 100 or so U.S. mask companies launched during the pandemic have closed, according to industry estimates. U.S. production of N95 and surgical masks fell by more than 90% in 2023 from 2021 levels after elimination of masking requirements knocked out consumer demand.
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Supremex Announces Q4 and Year-End 2023 Results

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights and Recent Events • Total revenue of $72.3 million, compared to $78.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. • Envelope segment revenue of $50.6 million, down from $60.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. • Packaging & Specialty Products segment revenue increased 20.2% to $21.7 million, from $18.1 million last year. • Net earnings were $0.7 million, compared to $6.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. • Solid free cash flow at $15.1 million, compared to $10.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. • Departure of the President of the Packaging and Specialty Products segment on October 17, 2023.
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Nekoosa Launches New, Nekoosa Dye Sublimation Transfer Paper

Nekoosa announces the launch of Nekoosa Dye Sublimation Transfer Paper, a new paper for the transfer of sharp, high-definition color images onto both hard and soft surfaces such as metal, wood, ceramic, fabric, glass, fiberglass and more. Nekoosa Dye Sublimation Transfer Paper is compatible with all major dye sublimation printer brands designed with water-based ink systems. “Nekoosa's Dye Sublimation Transfer Paper is setting a new standard for print quality and durability in the industry. With ecommerce driving corporate and consumer demands for personalized products across various sectors, the need for short run, high-definition printing with added versatility has never been more critical for growth,” says Rita Gibson, Product Manager at Nekoosa. As a part of the Nekoosa Promise™ portfolio, Nekoosa Dye Sublimation Transfer Paper is paper-based and 100% recyclable, aligning with Nekoosa’s commitment to offering sustainable products. The portfolio offers print media solutions that reduce environmental impact without sacrificing quality, performance or affordability.
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Fedrigoni acquires some assets of the US-based company Mohawk

The Fedrigoni Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of special papers, self-adhesive materials, and RFID solutions, announces the acquisition of certain assets of Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc., the company it entered into an industrial partnership with last September 2022 to strengthen the distribution of specialty fine papers in the North American market. The transaction was finalized through a NewCo incorporated by Fedrigoni to acquire Mohawk's assets in a sale process initiated by a financial institution, following a period of significant financial distress that affected the U.S.-based company in the past months. The transaction entirely cleared the new company from existing indebtedness, allowing to preserve the majority of existing jobs, industrial activities and customer relationships. Founded in 1931, Mohawk is a family-owned company that produces some of the best-known specialty papers for designers, brands, and printers and that - like Fedrigoni - has strongly innovated in the field of digital printing and sustainability. The sharing of core values such as solid know-how and a focus on innovation and environmental impact reduction led to the acquisition of this firm, which becomes part of the Fedrigoni Special Papers division and represents an important piece in the group's overseas growth strategy.
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Blue Till Receipt Transformed Into Ad Space

The blue thermal paper from Koehler Paper, known under the trade name Blue4est®, is becoming increasingly popular due to its sustainability; a result of a complete absence of color developers and that it can be easily disposed of as wastepaper. The blue checkout rolls from the world’s leading thermal paper manufacturer from Oberkirch have now become the subject of a promotional campaign in the Renchtal region. Eight businesses and restaurants from the city Oberkirch have come together voluntarily to use their logos on the back of the blue till paper in an act of solidarity to campaign for a green Renchtal. In addition to the eight logos, they are also highlighting the main advantage of the blue thermal paper: It is environmentally friendly and can be recycled. This makes it clear to customers that their blue receipt is helping to protect the environment and represents an even greener Renchtal.
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Mondi Reports Full Year Results 2023

Highlights • A resilient performance with strong cash flow - Underlying EBITDA of €1,201 million (2022: €1,848 million), with margin of 16.4% (2022: 20.8%) - Strong cash generation with cash generated from operations increasing to €1,312 million (2022: €1,292 million) - Group revenue of €7,330 million (2022: €8,902 million) - Basic underlying earnings per share of 107.8 euro cents (2022: 195.6 euro cents) - Return on capital employed (ROCE) of 12.8% (2022: 23.7%) • Robust balance sheet with net debt to underlying EBITDA at 0.3 times; pro-forma at 1.0 times1 (2022: 0.5 times) • Good progress towards delivering €1.2 billion of organic growth investments on time and on budget • Advancing our sustainability performance through the Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) • Completed sale of Russian assets, concluding the Group's exit from Russia
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Cascades Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023

Q4 2023 Highlights *Sales of $1,138 million (compared with $1,198 million in Q3 2023 and $1,135 million in Q4 2022); *Operating loss of $(24) million (compared with operating income of $80 million in Q3 2023 and operating loss of $(20) million in Q4 2022); 2023 Annual Highlights *Sales of $4,638 million (compared with $4,466 million in 2022); *Operating income of $40 million (compared with $33 million in 2022); *Net debt1 of $1,882 million as of December 31, 2023 (compared with $1,966 million as of December 31, 2022). Net debt to EBITDA (A) ratio1 of 3.4x, down from 5.2x as of December 31, 2022; *Total capital expenditures, net of disposals, of $46 million in Q4 2023 and $343 million in 2023. The Corporation's 2024 forecasted net capital expenditures of approximately $175 million is unchanged.
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Mativ Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

Mativ Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights (Continuing Operations) *Sales were $452.3 million down 13.7% year over year, reflecting lower volume *GAAP loss was $13.6 million, GAAP EPS was $(0.25), and GAAP Operating Loss was $2.2 million. Results included $10.6 million ($0.19 per share) related to asset write-downs due to footprint rationalization, integration costs from the Merger, and divestiture costs from the EP Divestiture. Mativ Full Year 2023 Highlights (Continuing Operations) *Sales increased 24% to $2,026.0 million, reflecting the full benefit of the Merger; Sales decreased 9% on a comparable basis, reflecting lower volume partly offset by higher selling prices and favorable currency translation *GAAP Loss was $507.7 million, GAAP EPS was $(9.33), and GAAP Operating Loss was $413.9 million, which all included significant expenses related to goodwill impairment, integration, and restructuring
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Gannett Announces 2023 Results

"In 2023, we made excellent progress executing on our strategy to drive our digital transformation, resulting in total digital revenues exceeding 41% of total revenues in the fourth quarter, and amounting to nearly $1.1 billion for the year. Over the past year, we’ve expanded our digital audience, improved engagement, grown the monetization of our audience, and driven significantly improved financial results over the prior year. Our digital-only subscription revenues surpassed $150 million in 2023, with total digital-only average revenue per user reaching a new high. Also, our partnership strategy increased our overall digital monetization, and importantly, we expect to generate $20 million in high margin revenue from our partnerships in 2024," said Michael Reed, Gannett Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer. "In 2023, we achieved full year growth in both Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, representing an important change in trajectory compared to last year's declines. We also remained focused on improving our capital structure and, with over $140 million in debt repayments in 2023, we were able to significantly reduce our leverage during the year. As these results show, we are building momentum toward a sustainable digital growth business, with a strong balance sheet."
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REI Co-op adventure travel adds 10 new trips to meet demand for most popular destinations

Leading adventure travel operator REI Co-op added 10 trips as part of its expansion to meet demand of its most popular destinations and introduced new itineraries to California’s wine country, Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness, the Pacific Northwest and more. At the same time, REI purchased 20 acres near the Grand Canyon to build its latest signature camp, which will open in spring 2025. “For more than three decades, we’ve led trips to the some of the most remote and storied locales in the U.S. and Canada. Each REI adventure trip is an immersive experience that our guests will remember for a lifetime,” said Mark Seidl, divisional vice president of REI Experiences. “Our expansion reflects the trust instilled in our brand to offer unmatched small group adventure travel from coast to coast.”
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Walmart reaches major carbon emissions goal – six years early (chainstoreage.com)

Walmart Inc. has achieved a milestone in removing greenhouse gas emissions from its supply chain that it hadn’t expected to accomplish until 2030. More than 5,900 suppliers globally are engaged in Walmart’s Project Gigaton, an initiative the discounter launched in 2017 to avoid one gigaton (one billion metric tons) of carbon dioxide from its global value chain by 2030. By focusing projects on efforts like energy efficiency, packaging redesign, food waste reduction and trucking load optimization, Walmart says its suppliers have reported projects that are expected to exceed that one billion metric ton mark — helping the retailer reach its carbon reduction goal six years early.
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HMH Launches Immersive and Dynamic Learning Experience with HMH Classcraft

Learning technology company HMH announced HMH Classcraft, which facilitates immersive and dynamic learning experiences that help teachers deliver engaging, standards-aligned, high-impact and responsive instruction in real time. Classcraft addresses some of the most pressing and time-consuming issues facing educators today—the challenge of managing myriad digital solutions and hours of time spent planning, finding the right resources, and delivering instruction to support all levels of learners within the classroom. “Teaching is an art, and increasingly, educators must wade through a complex world of point solutions to do their jobs. This takes time and focus away from meaningful classroom connection. With Classcraft, we are simplifying the educator experience with easy-to-use, integrated classroom management capabilities,” said Jim O’Neill, HMH Executive Vice President and General Manager, Core Solutions.
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Institute For Ad Ethics Expands Into Greenwashing (mediapost.com)

The Institute for Advertising Ethics (IAE) is expanding its role with a new program focused on the ethical use of environmental claims in advertising. The initiative, which expands on seminal discussions and webinars the IAE has hosted on potential ad industry liabilities related to greenwashing, is part of a new institute charter for greenwash prevention. The move expands on a variety of ethical education, training and certification programs related to advertising ethics, including the use of data, consumer targeting and messaging, and comes as the ad industry has been confronting liabilities for harmful marketing in other categories, including the opioid crisis.
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PRC Outlines Activities in FY 2023 Annual Report to the President and Congress

In addition to reviewing and approving proposed rate changes for Market Dominant and Competitive products, new product proposals, and formal complaint adjudication, the Commission performed new activities as dictated by the Postal Service Reform Act (PSRA) and beyond. In FY 2023, the Commission: *Issued a Flats Operation Study with principal findings as required by the PSRA *Published reports that (1) reviewed the Postal Service's compliance with pricing and service standards, (2) provided an in-depth analysis of the Postal Service’s finances, and (3) evaluated whether the Postal Service met its performance goals as required under the law *Successfully implemented several of its strategic goals in its 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. In particular, the Commission completed a comprehensive stakeholder analysis that informed new activities currently underway surrounding the Commission’s engagement with stakeholders and the general public *Initiated a Public Inquiry Docket to examine the recent and planned network changes associated with the Postal Service’s Delivering for America Plan *Presided over rulemakings related to Commission processes and activities
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Study Exposes High Cost Of Pharmacies Printing Medical Information Leaflets

MLPS (Medical Leaflet = Patient Safety), a subgroup of the European Carton Manufacturers Association (ECMA), is releasing a study today, shedding light on the potential economic costs associated with the proposed use of Print on Demand (PoD) leaflets in the pharmaceutical legislation revision. With the European Commission’s proposal allowing countries to decide on the format of medical leaflets, MLPS underscores the necessity of understanding the financial implications of this decision. The study, commissioned by MLPS, addresses a critical question left unresolved in the proposed Directive: the enormous total cost implications of implementing PoD leaflets alongside electronic Product Information (ePI). The study’s conservative quantification provides stakeholders with valuable insights into the economic impacts of PoD leaflets. The estimated total cost of PoD leaflets across Europe-27 ranges from €1.680 billion to €3.495 billion annually, depending on whether leaflets are printed in black or four-color ink. It is unclear who will bear these costs, which are currently borne by the pharma industry.
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Pregis® Introduces Circular Innovation to PE Foam Solutions

Pregis unveils an evolution in foam technology supported by certified-circular polyethylene resins. Through collaboration with ExxonMobil, a leader in advanced recycling technology, Pregis now offers protective foam packaging to help customers meet their plastics circularity goals. This innovation was driven by a need for packaging that helps brands meet consumer demand for more circular plastic products, while still offering the high-quality protection properties of polyethylene foam. ExxonMobil's investment in advanced recycling technology and Pregis' holistic approach to circular design fueled this integration of certified-circular resins into more circular packaging applications that do not compromise performance. Ryan Wolcott, Chief Sustainability Officer at Pregis, explains, "Incorporating certified-circular resins into protective foam applications is a novel approach achieved through deep collaboration across the value chain. We view advanced recycling technologies and the use of certified-circular resins as one more set of tools that allow us to help tackle the plastic waste challenge. This achievement embodies Pregis’ commitment to plastics circularity.”
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Spendrups invests in recycled plastic together with Trioworld

Spendrups, one of Sweden's leading breweries, has, in collaboration with Trioworld, switched to 30 percent consumer recycled plastic in all stretch and shrink film. This is used around pallets and drinking troughs to ensure load stability and transport safety. The transition to Trioworld's Loop alternatives with 30% PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) which is plastic that has been recycled after it has been used for the purpose for which it was manufactured, is made after extensive joint tests. This will provide an annual saving corresponding to approx. 150 tons of new plastic and 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (see information for calculation information).
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January 2024: Robust Performance (jschmid.com)

Entering the New Year, consumers are adjusting to heightened prices, growing personal debt, and prevailing economic unpredictability, coming to terms with these conditions as the new standard. Nevertheless, this adaptation should not be misconstrued as indicating that consumers find themselves in an unchanged financial state compared to earlier times. Facing these hurdles, consumers have demonstrated remarkable fortitude, enthusiastically seeking out and taking advantage of New Year promotions. This consumer behavior has culminated in an unprecedented surge in sales for many businesses when comparing year-over-year figures.
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Record Investment for O-I Glass in France: €95 Million to Upgrade Plants in Gironcourt and Reims

O-I Glass, Inc announced the company is investing €95 million into two of its French glass packaging production facilities. As a continuation of its modernization investment program, these significant investments aim to upgrade the sustainability, flexibility, and productivity of its operations in Gironcourt-sur-Vraine and Reims. This investment is consistent with O-I's recently updated ESG roadmap which is aligned with our previously announced capital spending plan. In Gironcourt, where the plant recently marked its 120th anniversary, €55 million will be invested in close cooperation with one of its key customers to rebuild a furnace and equip it with innovative GOAT technology (Gas Oxy Advanced Technology). This innovative approach – already successfully implemented last year at the O-I plant in Vayres (France) – uses a mix of gas and oxygen to heat the furnace. In combination with a newly installed heat recovery system to pre-heat raw materials and recycled glass, the new installation is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 18%.
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Graphic Packaging Holding Company to Sell Augusta Paperboard Manufacturing Facility to Clearwater Paper Corporation

Graphic Packaging Holding Company and Clearwater Paper Corporation announced that Graphic Packaging has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Augusta, Georgia bleached paperboard manufacturing facility to Clearwater Paper. The transaction value is approximately $700 million, based on Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $100 million. "Augusta is an outstanding asset with a great team, which we concluded is a more compelling fit with Clearwater Paper's strategic growth plans than our own. Bleached paperboard plays a major role in sustainable consumer packaging, and we will continue to service growing foodservice and packaging demand with bleached paperboard from our Texarkana facility," said Michael Doss, President and Chief Executive Officer of Graphic Packaging.
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Graphic Packaging Holding Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

2023 Highlights: *Net Sales were $9,428 million, flat versus the prior year. *Net Income was $723 million, an increase of 39% versus the prior year. *Year-end net leverage was 2.8x versus 3.2x at prior year end. Michael Doss, the Company's President and CEO said, "While 2023 was a year of transition for consumer packaging, it was one of outstanding execution for Graphic Packaging. We significantly expanded profitability, achieved strong earnings growth and delivered innovative sustainable packaging solutions that consumers prefer. Our disciplined approach and commitment to delivering results for customers was on full display during a year of well-chronicled inventory normalization for both retailers and consumer packaged goods companies. While we did experience 4% negative organic sales growth for the year, our innovation sales exceeded $200 million, and our overall performance was excellent. We are well positioned to return to positive organic sales growth in 2024, which has started to materialize in improved volumes quarter to date."
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S&P Global agrees to acquire Visible Alpha

S&P Global announced an agreement to acquire Visible Alpha, the financial technology provider of deep industry and segment consensus data, sell-side analyst models and analytics from high-quality, exclusive sources. The acquisition will create a premium offering of fundamental investment research capabilities on S&P Global Market Intelligence's Capital IQ Pro platform. The combination of Visible Alpha with S&P Capital IQ Pro, the flagship S&P Global platform for research and analysis across institutional and corporate markets, reflects S&P Global's continued commitment to be the foremost provider in this space. Founded in 2015, Visible Alpha is a financial technology firm that provides consensus estimates and analytics from in-depth sell-side analyst models, research reports and corporate access events and distributes the data through a variety of distribution channels including a web-based platform, APIs and Feeds. Visible Alpha enhances the investment research process by extracting meaningful value from key sell-side data and analytics, including full working models from partnerships with approximately two hundred of the world's premier investment research organizations.
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Adobe Brings Conversational AI to Trillions of PDFs with the New AI Assistant in Reader and Acrobat

Adobe introduced AI Assistant in beta, a new generative AI-powered conversational engine in Reader and Acrobat. Deeply integrated into Reader and Acrobat workflows, AI Assistant instantly generates summaries and insights from long documents, answers questions and formats information for sharing in emails, reports and presentations. AI Assistant is bringing generative AI to the masses, unlocking new value from the information inside the approximately 3 trillion PDFs in the world. AI Assistant leverages the same artificial intelligence and machine learning models behind Acrobat Liquid Mode, the award-winning technology that supports responsive reading experiences for PDFs on mobile. These proprietary models provide a deep understanding of PDF structure and content, enhancing quality and reliability in AI Assistant outputs.
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Fremantle Acquires Asacha Media Group

RTL Group subsidiary Fremantle is acquiring Asacha Media Group, a European production group based in Paris. The sellers are the company’s founders and managers and the investment company Oaktree Capital Management. Asacha owns majority shares in a total of eight award-winning production companies in France, Italy and the U.K., which produce series, films, shows, reality formats and documentaries for a wide range of clients. Under the terms of the agreement, Fremantle has the option to acquire the outstanding shares in the eight production companies over the next few years. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024. The acquisition of Asacha Media Group follows Fremantle’s recent acquisition of an 80-percent majority stake in the Singapore-based production company Beach House Pictures, which closed on February 8. Under the agreement, Fremantle has the option to fully acquire Beach House after 2027. For both acquisitions combined, RTL Group will invest over €200 million.
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Traditional Search Forecast To Fall 25% By 2026: Gartner (mediapost.com)

Traditional search-engine volume and traffic to publisher sites is estimated to fall 25% in two years, with search marketing losing share to generative artificial intelligence (GAI) chatbots from Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI as well as other virtual agents, according to research published Monday. Alan Antin, vice president and analyst at Gartner, believes GAI tools will become the "substitute answer engines, replacing user queries that previously may have been executed in traditional search engines," forcing companies to rethink marketing channels and strategies. Organic and paid search remain vital channels for technology marketers seeking to reach awareness and demand-generation goals, according to data released in November 2023, but search and content generation is about to undergo massive changes.
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Give your feedback on the new PEFC RED II standards

Stakeholders globally are invited to give their feedback on the new PEFC RED II standards, developed to enable organisations to demonstrate compliance with RED II requirements and make RED II compliant declarations. Deadline for comments is 20 April 2024. RED II, the European Union’s (EU) Renewable Energy Directive, establishes sustainability requirements for forestry feedstocks and greenhouse gas criteria for biomass fuels that companies in the renewable energy sector across the EU must comply with to be eligible for financial support by public authorities. PEFC is currently in the process to be recognised by the European Commission as one of the voluntary schemes that organisations can use to make their RED II compliant declarations. Our recognition scope covers forest ligno-cellulosic material, including residues and waste, and biomass fuels made of this material.
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ATA Truck Tonnage Index Decreased 3.5% in January

American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 3.5% in January after increasing 1.2% in December. In January, the index equaled 111.0 (2015=100) compared with 115.0 in December. ATA recently revised the seasonally adjusted index back five years as part of its annual revision. “January’s data was a snap back to reality for anyone thinking the freight market was about to turn the corner,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “Bad winter weather in January likely hurt volumes, not to mention sharp drops in a number of drivers of tonnage including retail sales, housing starts and manufacturing output.” December’s increase was revised down from our January 23 press release. Compared with January 2023, the SA index fell 4.7%, which was the eleventh straight year-over-year decrease. In December, the index was down 0.8% from a year earlier.
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Aptar Digital Health Acquires Healint to Broaden Neurology Portfolio

Aptar Digital Health, a global leader in digital health solutions (Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) and digital Patient Support Programs), connected devices and disease management, today announced that it has acquired Healint, a digital health company recognized for their virtual clinical studies, real-world evidence and patient registries platform, as well as the Migraine Buddy and Clarrio mobile apps, which support patients suffering from neurological and immunological conditions. The acquisition of Healint aligns with Aptar Digital Health’s strategy to broaden its portfolio in neurology and strengthen its global footprint for digital health deployment. The expanded capabilities include patient community management, patient activation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) based data collection and analysis, as well as digital diagnostics to facilitate patient screening and identification. Furthermore, Healint’s ability to conduct clinical studies at an accelerated pace and at a global scale complements Aptar Digital Health’s existing solutions to provide additional value to pharmaceutical customers.
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Quad reports fourth quarter and full-year 2023 results

Recent Highlights *Achieved 2023 guidance and reported Net Sales of $3.0 billion in 2023 compared to $3.2 billion in 2022. *Anticipating $60 million of cost savings from recent plant capacity and labor reduction initiatives in response to ongoing external headwinds, including significant postal rate increases and economic uncertainty that negatively impact print volumes. *Recognized a Net Loss of $55 million in 2023 compared to Net Earnings of $9 million in 2022 primarily due to lower sales, higher restructuring expenses and increased interest costs despite decreasing debt. *Reduced Net Debt by $564 million or 55% over the past four years as part of a multi-year debt reduction strategy, achieving Net Debt Leverage of 2.0x at December 31, 2023.
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Clearwater Paper Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2023 Results; Strategic Update

2023 Fourth Quarter Highlights *Strong performance driven by solid operational results and continued strength in tissue *Natural gas disruption impacted Lewiston mill operations in November *Net income of $18 million, or $1.04 per diluted share and Adjusted EBITDA of $63 million *Net sales of $513 million, down 3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 *Reduced net debt by $32 million. 2023 Full Year Highlights *Outstanding year driven by performance improvement in tissue *Net income of $108 million, or $6.30 per diluted share and Adjusted EBITDA of $281 million, up $54 million versus 2022 *Net sales of $2.1 billion, flat compared with 2022, strong tissue demand offset softness in paperboard *Net debt reduction of $89 million, more than $450 million since 2020; completed refinancing of 2014 Notes *Repurchased $18 million of outstanding shares
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Drytac announces global availability of ReTac Duo double-sided mounting adhesive

Drytac, the leading international manufacturer of self-adhesive materials for the large-format print and signage markets, is delighted to announce the global availability of ReTac Duo double-sided mounting adhesive. Previously only available in North America but now being offered to customers worldwide, ReTac Duo is a clear, double-sided mounting adhesive on a clear PET carrier. It has a permanent adhesive on one side and ReTac ultra-removable adhesive on the other. The permanent adhesive side of the film sticks to the desired graphic, while ReTac ultra removable adhesive on the other means the graphic can be easily applied, repositioned and removed for repeated use. Such is the flexibility and adaptability of ReTac Duo that it can adhere to walls, doors, windows, or any other smooth surface, without leaving behind residue when removed.
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Mondi expands production of paper-based EcoWicketBags

Mondi is expanding production of its innovative range of paper-based EcoWicketBags. This comes in response to increasing demand for sustainable packaging in the home and personal care (HPC) industry, particularly for products such as diapers and feminine hygiene products. By expanding the production of EcoWicketBags at its plant in Szada (Hungary), Mondi further leverages the Group’s integrated value chain, from in-house paper production to coating and converting. EcoWicketBags are made from Mondi’s FunctionalBarrier Paper 95/5 – an exceptionally strong kraft paper which can be customised with specific barrier and protective properties to meet diverse product needs. They are available in a variety of sizes for different applications and provide protection from filling to transporting and storage, as well as being ideal for printing customer branding. EcoWicketBags are made from a renewable material and designed to be recycled in standard European paper recycling mills according to the 4evergreen guidelines.
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Walmart Agrees to Acquire VIZIO HOLDING CORP.

Walmart and VIZIO announced they have entered into an agreement for Walmart to acquire VIZIO for $11.50 per share in cash, equating to a fully diluted equity value of approximately $2.3 billion. The acquisition of VIZIO and its SmartCast Operating System (OS) would enable Walmart to connect with and serve its customers in new ways including innovative television and in-home entertainment and media experiences. It would also create new opportunities to help advertisers connect with customers, empowering brands with differentiated and compelling opportunities to engage at scale and to realize greater impact from their advertising spend with Walmart. The combination would be expected to further accelerate Walmart’s media business in the U.S., Walmart Connect, bringing together VIZIO's advertising solutions business with Walmart’s reach and capabilities. These benefits would be further strengthened by the growth of connected TV platforms and Walmart’s industry-leading TV panel sales.
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Bauer Media UK’s Audited Circulation Figures

Bauer Media Group has posted its annual circulation figures for its UK Publishing business for 2023. The figures show that Bauer’s portfolio of brands retained their significant newsstand sales while continuing to expand their digital presence. Commenting on the results, Chris Duncan, Bauer Media’s CEO of UK Publishing said: “We are extremely proud to see Bauer retain its position as the UK’s biggest publisher of consumer magazines with a set of results that demonstrate the wide reach of our brand portfolio, both in print and digitally. Our continued position as the leader across many markets is a true testament to our teams’ ability to produce content that consistently attracts highly engaged and loyal audiences.” “A heartfelt thanks goes out to all our hardworking teams, retailers and advertisers, and our millions of loyal readers. Bauer remains committed to working with our partners to continue to innovate and evolve our exceptional content in 2024.”
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Amcor recognized for corporate sustainability in S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2024

Amcor announced its inclusion in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2024. This recognition places Amcor among the top 8% of S&P-assessed companies in 2023. The S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook is an annual publication that honors companies that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and performance in environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures in each industry. This year, S&P Global recognized 759 companies in the Yearbook, out of the 9,400 it initially assessed using its Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) Score methodology. In the containers and packaging sector, Amcor has made tangible progress in areas crucial to environmental sustainability. Amcor's commitment to developing all its packaging solutions to be recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 places it among the leaders of the packaging industry.
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PCR in Sustainable Packaging – A Closer Look at Post-Consumer Recycled Content in Plastic Packaging

If you’ve been in the conversation about sustainable packaging at all in the last few years, you’ve seen the rise in use of recycled content in plastic packaging. But what exactly is post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, and where does it fit into the sustainable packaging landscape? Is it really sustainable? In this Deep Dive we’ll focus on PCR in plastic packaging. Post-consumer recycled content refers to materials that have already been used by consumers, recycled, and then repurposed into new products, including packaging. A piece of packaging is said to have some percentage of PCR – if for example, a plastic bag with 20% PCR was made of 20% recycled content, and the other 80% was virgin (new) content. In the world of sustainable packaging, PCR is most commonly part of the discussion in plastics (you may also hear PCR spelled out as “post-consumer resin” in the context of plastics), but most kinds of packaging can have recycled content – glass, metal, paper, and more. For whatever reason, the term PCW (post-consumer waste) is sometimes used, especially in paper products, but the concept is the same.
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Suppliers secured for Rottneros Group’s investment in renewable energy

Last spring, the board of the Rottneros Group decided to invest 93 MSEK in a solar park and energy storage. This is part of the Group's efforts to increase the share of renewable electricity, but also to reduce its exposure to the electricity market. The procurement is now complete. Nordic Solar will deliver the solar panels and Powerworks the energy storage. With these contracts in place, everything is lined up to build the Rottneros group's first solar park and energy storage. The facility is expected to generate 3 GWh/year. It is a smaller part of the electricity consumption in the factory, but an important part of the Rottneros Group's long-term sustainability strategy.
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DS Smith Announces €13 Million Investment in Austrian Plants

The investment is part of our Packaging’s ambitious growth strategy in East Europe, driving leadership in sustainable packaging solutions across the region and creating value for our customers and partners. The first steps have already been taken by harmonising the business processes of both sites, including quality management and system standardiation. These initiatives are supported by investments in new machinery at both sites increasing quality, productivity as well as innovation capabilities. Reinier Schlatmann, DS Smith Regional Managing Director East Europe: "Our investments in technology, automation, and process improvement, enable DS Smith to drive innovation in packaging solutions. With a strong focus on the transition towards a circular economy, we are reshaping the industry and supporting customer sustainability goals at the same time. DS Smith's commitment in this respect is supported by our development of corrugated packaging that offers alternatives for problematic plastics. The investments in Austria significantly strengthen our position in the market and make a long-term contribution to the environment and economy.”
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Constantia Flexibles announces acquisition of Aluflexpack

Constantia Flexibles has signed an agreement to acquire approximately 57% of the shares of the packaging producer Aluflexpack. In parallel, Constantia Flexibles will launch an all-cash public tender offer for all publicly held registered shares of Aluflexpack. The offer is subject to certain terms and conditions, including the outcome of the regulatory process. The material terms and conditions of the offer are described in the pre-announcement of the offer which has been published today and is available at afp-tender-offer.com. The company is a leading player in the European packaging industry, specializing in foil and film packaging for the Consumer and Pharma markets. Operating out of 14 locations across Europe with over 1,500 employees, the company will perfectly complement Constantia Flexibles’ packaging solutions portfolio. This acquisition is a sizable step in Constantia Flexibles’ foil packaging presence across market segments. Aluflexpack has delivered a very strong historical financial performance and continues to do so. It is highly complementary to Constantia Flexibles’ geographical footprint, e.g., in Turkey and Poland as well as expanding to countries of Southeast Europe. The acquisition gives access to an extended technology portfolio.
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How inks affect plastic recycling

Inks and coatings may provide the solution to enable further & future use of recycled plastic materials. Packaging needs to become more circular. Pressure for a more circular economy in packaging is mounting. Put simply, as packaging manufacturers are increasingly expected to consider how their products affect the environment, more and more are focusing on methods to minimise virgin material use. Ensuring that packaging can be recycled and reused supports efforts keep raw materials available in the supply chain. Furthermore, using recycled materials avoids extracting new resources causing negative environmental impacts. The ideal outcome of this is that materials are reused again and again, creating a ‘circular’ lifecycle, reducing carbon emissions, and ultimately supporting businesses in their sustainability efforts.
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Shoe Carnival acquires Rogan’s Shoes (digitalcommerce360.com)

Shoe Carnival acquired Rogan’s Shoes, the retailer announced Feb. 13. The deal was worth $45 million, it said in a statement. Shoe Carnival is No. 335 in the Top 1000. The Digital Commerce 360 database ranks North America’s leading retailers by online sales. The footwear retailer expects to see benefits from the acquisition in its 2024 fiscal year. Adding Rogan’s to Shoe Carnival’s portfolio will generate approximately $84 million in sales and $10 million in operating income in 2024, the retailer said. That doesn’t include transaction and integration costs. Rogan’s is 53 years old, with 28 locations across Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. The acquisition makes Shoe Carnival the market leader in Wisconsin and establishes a store base in Minnesota.
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A sustainable solution, right there in black and white

In its quest for supporting a healthy planet, Walgreens committed to four goals for its branded products, by 2030: reduce plastic packaging by 30%, make all packaging recyclable, increase recycled content in packaging and eliminate problematic single-use packaging. Significant steps have been taken toward making all packaging recyclable, and part of the progress has come in an unexpected place—nail polish remover bottle caps. “By switching from black plastic caps to white plastic caps in just these seven Walgreens brand products, we’re able to improve the recyclability of a projected 13 tons of plastic,” says Andrew Horn, senior manager of sustainability operations. “Many recycling facilities use mechanical vision systems, essentially robots with cameras for eyes, to sort packaging that comes in. They have a difficult time correctly identifying black plastic. So, too often, they’ll put it in the waste stream or just inaccurately sort it into the wrong recycling stream.”
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Smurfit Kappa creates bespoke TopClip system for mid-sized breweries

BeerSelect is the first brewery in Belgium to use Smurfit Kappa’s automated TopClip system. Smurfit Kappa has provided a pioneering Belgian craft brewer with an end-to-end packaging system, TopClip, the 100% paper-based replacement for shrink wrap that bundles beverage multi-packs. BeerSelect has enjoyed significant growth over the last three years and attracted considerable attention from investors and beer drinkers alike. The brewer was looking for packaging that would align with its sustainability aspirations, and an automated machine system to efficiently produce the solution in-house. Smurfit Kappa reviewed every aspect of BeerSelect’s operations and decided that the most effective solution was to build and install its Mid-Speed TopClip machine at BeerSelect’s green-field brewery. This machine has proven its worth for many small and medium-sized drinks companies as it can handle 30,000 cans per hour and is flexible enough to switch between different configurations to bundle four, six and eight packs of cans.
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The Marek Group Invests in a Komori Lithrone G40 advance Press for Advanced Automation (piworld.com)

Komori America announced that The Marek Group, a provider of sales effectiveness and marketing execution services, is looking forward to gaining a higher level of productivity and faster speed to market with its investment in the company’s first Komori press, an eight-color Lithrone G40 advance perfector (GL840P advance) with LED-UV. The family-owned company, with headquarters in Waukesha, Wisconsin and three additional locations, offers an array of services that provide clients with a single solution for sales support and marketing campaign execution. The company contributes part of its success to following a deliberate CapEx process that focuses on the investments needed to stay current with a portfolio that includes print, promotions, mail, incentives, kitting, fulfillment and sales enablement technology. Recognizing it was time for its pressroom to be modernized, The Marek Group team began to search for a press that would offer the automation, efficiencies and quick makereadies needed to handle the growing volume of bold, eye-catching print solutions the company produces.
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Department of Energy Selects RTI International to Lead Large-Scale Carbon Capture Pilot Project

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) announced up to $304 million in funding for four projects to pilot transformational technologies designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) in Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas and Wyoming. Nonprofit research institute RTI International was selected for award negotiations to lead the carbon capture pilot in Mississippi in collaboration with International Paper (IP), SLB and Amazon. A first-of-its-kind for the pulp and paper industry, the pilot will be at IP's Vicksburg Containerboard Mill. The project aims to capture 120,000 metric tons of CO2 per year, an amount equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of nearly 27,000 gasoline-powered cars, and direct it to a site for permanent geologic storage. Phase 1 of this pilot project will conduct a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for a carbon capture system at IP's containerboard mill. If successful, subsequent phases would lead to permitting, construction and operation of a carbon capture plant.
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ANDRITZ to upgrade evaporation plant for Moorim P&P, South Korea

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from Moorim P&P, South Korea, to upgrade an evaporation plant at its Ulsan mill, which produces bleached kraft pulp and different types of high-quality paper. The refurbishment will help to increase the mill’s efficiency and reduce consumption of resources. Mr. Kim Sangwoo, Project Director, Moorim P&P, says, “We have set ambitious energy saving targets for our Ulsan mill. This upgrade will increase the capacity of our evaporation line no. 1 and the final dry solids content of the black liquor, which supports these targets. ANDRITZ’s efficient technologies will contribute to water and energy savings.” The upgraded evaporation plant is designed to produce a stable, high-solids black liquor stream for efficient combustion in the recovery boiler. All condensates generated in the evaporation plant can be 100% re-used in other mill areas reducing the need for raw water.
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Tronox Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights: *Revenue of $686 million *Income from operations of $8 million; Net loss attributable to Tronox of $56 million *GAAP diluted loss per share of $0.36; Full Year 2023 Financial Highlights: *Total revenue of $2,850 million *Income from operations of $186 million; Net loss attributable to Tronox of $316 million; *Adjusted EBITDA of $524 million; *GAAP diluted loss per share of $2.02; *Capital expenditures of $261 million *Returned $89 million to shareholders in the form of dividends
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Sylvamo Generates Strong Operating Cash Flow, Returns $127 Million in Cash to Shareowners in 2023

Financial Highlights – 2023 Full Year *Net income from continuing operations of $253 million *Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of $504 million *Free cash flow3 of $294 million *Paid regular and special dividends totaling $57 million *Repurchased 1,574,133 shares of our common stock for approximately $70 million, resulting in 41.2 million shares outstanding as of Dec. 31 *Ended the year with net debt of $730 million ($950 million of gross debt and $220 million cash on hand). Financial Highlights - Fourth Quarter vs. Third Quarter *Net sales of $964 million vs. $897 million (7.5% increase) *Net income from continuing operations of $49 million vs. $58 million *Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of $167 million vs. $197 million *Free cash flow3 of $104 million vs. $155 million
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YETI Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Results

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights *Fourth quarter net sales increased 16%; Adjusted net sales increased 6% *Fourth quarter net sales were highlighted by a 12% increase in Drinkware net sales and a 44% increase in International net sales; International adjusted net sales increased 39% *Fourth quarter EPS of $0.90 compared to loss per share of $0.32 in the prior year quarter; Adjusted EPS of $0.90, growth of 15%. Fiscal Year 2023 Highlights *Full year net sales increased 4%; Adjusted net sales increased 3% *Full year EPS increased 88% to $1.94; Adjusted EPS decreased 5% to $2.25 *Cash increased 87% to $439 million compared to Fiscal 2022
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Hearst Did Well In 2023 Despite Economic Headwinds (mediapost.com)

Despite numerous headwinds, “we achieved our second-best year ever judged by our principal measure of profitability, falling short by 2% of the record results of 2022,” writes Steven R. Swartz, president & chief executive officer, in his annual letter. Swartz adds, “A sluggish digital advertising environment, the typical cyclical effect on television station advertising in a nonelection year and continued cord-cutting in television led to profit declines in all of our consumer media sectors: Newspapers, Magazines and Television."
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Paper Greetings are America’s Calling Card

In the age of digital dominance, a surprising and heartwarming trend defies the wave—millennials’ and Gen Z’s preference for physical greeting cards. Even though these generations are digital natives, recent studies and surveys reveal that many prefer the tangible charm and personalization of paper greeting cards over their e-counterparts. According to a recent poll from online card and gift giant Shutterfly1, more than half (54%) of Americans say they still mail their greeting cards versus sending via digital and social platforms. The new survey of 2,000 U.S. adults split evenly by generation revealed that two out of three prefer to receive physical cards as opposed to digital ones, including younger respondents who are millennials (62%) or are part of Gen Z (59%). Personalization was a big deal to survey respondents, preferring to include family, vacation, or pet photos with cards.
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Two Sides European Campaign Update: 2023 Results

Our commitment to championing the environmental merits of print, paper, and paper-based packaging remains steadfast. The Love Paper campaign, focussed on improving consumer perceptions of our products, reached a milestone in 2023 with over 2,000 advertisements featured in national newspapers and magazines. This initiative reaches more than 240 million consumers, communicating the sustainable story of magazines, newspapers, and all paper-based products. We are reaching more consumers every year. Across Europe, the problem of Greenwashing continues, with companies making misleading messages that portray digital communications as better for the environment. Slogans like “Go green, go paperless” not only misguide, but pose a significant threat to our industry. Two Sides actively engages businesses, brands, and organisations, urging them to refrain from making such deceptive statements regarding print and paper.
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Sonoco Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

*Generated a record $883 million of operating cash flow and $600 million of Free Cash Flow in the full year of 2023 *Invested a record level of capital in the business for future growth and productivity *Achieved record results in Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA in flexible packaging and record net sales in rigid paper containers in the Consumer Packaging (“Consumer”) segment *Produced record Operating Profit margins and Adjusted EBITDA margins in Industrial Paper Packaging (“Industrial”) segment despite a low volume environment *Expanded the Company’s flexible packaging capabilities with the acquisition of Inapel Embalagens Ltda. in Brazil
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EFI Announces New VUTEk h+ Series Hybrid Printers with Future-proofing Enhancements for Sign and Display Producers

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., announced the EFI™ VUTEk® h3+ and VUTEk h5+ hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED printer series with enhanced printing and media handling capabilities. The VUTEk h+ series is a re-engineered and refined version of the high-volume, superwide-format hybrid VUTEk h series platform. The enhancements made for the VUTEk h+ series offer improved productivity, print quality, reliability, capability, and profits. “We are excited to bring these new printers to market,” said Todd Zimmerman, SVP/GM Display Graphics & OEM Ink of EFI. “VUTEk printers have been the leader in the hybrid category in signs and display graphics for more than two decades, with more than 300 installations worldwide. The VUTEk h+ series answers some of the key pain points for our customers, all while improving ease of use and offering the LED environmentally friendly benefits you expect from EFI VUTEk technology.”
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Berry Global Unveils New Circular Stretch Film Innovation and Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Berry Global recently opened the doors to its “Circular Innovation and Training Center” in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The new 12,000 square foot center will accelerate the development of highly innovative products driven by superior materials science and engineering, foster a collaborative space for training, and incubate cutting-edge stretch film projects that help keep materials in use and out of the environment. Utilizing state-of-the-art film characterization and performance testing technology, the new site will measure the variable properties and behaviors of stretch films, including: *Film characterization and quality measurement to quickly analyze fundamental film properties, like thickness, width, length, weight, density, modulus, elongation, tensile strength, puncture resistance, tear resistance, and cling force. *Performance testing to accurately assess how film properties will perform in the field, including pre-stretch ratio, force-to-load ratio, neck-down ratio, roping ratio, film memory, film relaxation, load deformation, load shifting, and load failure.
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January online retail sales grow at much faster pace than total sales (digitalcommerce360.com)

Online retail sales grew 25.47% year over year in January, according to CNBC and the National Retail Federation’s Retail Monitor. The year’s online sales started slightly better than 2023 ended, with January sales up 0.68% month over month, according to the NRF. Meanwhile, total retail sales also grew in January (2.34% year over year), according to the Retail Monitor. Month over month, January sales were nearly flat, decreasing just 0.16%, the new report showed.
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Metsä Group and ANDRITZ are aiming for ambitious climate goals

Metsä Group and technology supplier ANDRITZ have agreed to work together to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. Scope 3 emissions refer to emissions from the company's value chain and purchases, such as emissions during the sourcing of production equipment and raw materials and the transportation and use of manufactured products. The goal of the multi-year cooperation is to increase the effectiveness of emission reductions and to find completely new ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The companies have established a project group that will determine the most significant development targets, metrics and goals during 2024, with which the total emissions of the value chain can be reduced. "The collaboration is a significant step for both companies. It shows how important part of our sustainability work is to reduce emissions from the value chain and sourcing. Together, we will find new ways to manage greenhouse emissions that would not necessarily be recognized if companies were operating independently," says Jari Voutilainen, SVP Sourcing and Logistics at Metsä Group.
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Renewable strength from the north – Why northern wood fiber makes for exceptional packaging

If you ask consumers, fiber-based cartons are the go-to material for food packaging. For the quality and sustainability of the packaging material, where the fiber comes from also matters. Here’s a look at the key benefits of using northern wood fiber as the raw material for consumer packaging. Did you know that 73% of consumers prefer fiber-based cartons over plastics in food packaging? This indicates the growing preference consumers have for more conscious packaging choices. This shift is driving consumer brands to adopt more sustainable packaging materials, such as renewable carton board made of wood fiber. To ensure high quality and sustainability of packaging materials, it’s key to know where the fiber comes from. Stora Enso is building new consumer board production capacity at its Oulu Mill in Northern Finland, where the availability of high-quality northern wood fiber plays a key role in production.
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Ashdown Fluff Pulp Named Coolest Thing Made in Arkansas

Fluff pulp is cool. Who knew? The people of Arkansas, that’s who. They voted Domtar’s fluff pulp the coolest thing made in their state. The Coolest Thing Made in Arkansas is a program sponsored by Arkansas Business, a weekly business journal and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas. Fluff pulp from our mill in Ashdown, Arkansas, uses wood harvested from sustainably managed forests in the region. In the final stage of voting, called the “Featured Four,” our fluff pulp competed against rubber bands, a sliding shoe sorter and aluminum swirl tables. We’re honored to have been chosen the winner in the 2023 contest.
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CJK Group Acquires Kodi Collective from LSC Communications

CJK Group, Inc. announced that it has acquired the assets of LSC Communications Magazine and Catalog business unit, along with the stock of Kodi Collective LLC (formerly known as Continuum Marketing Services LLC). The assets and stock purchase together represent “Kodi Collective.” Kodi Collective is a venerable powerhouse of publishing and creative capabilities. Launched in March 2023 from the former LSC Communications platform, it offers creative production, print production, sourcing, logistics, and managed services. Comprising five offset print facilities and three digital print facilities as well as a dynamic Marketing Execution Services business, Kodi Collective represents a rich spectrum of solutions that not only complement but extend and strengthen the services of CJK Group’s portfolio of companies, propelling CJK Group to the top tier of the U.S. printing industry. Over the following months, Kodi Collective and CJK Group will work together on several transitional service agreements to ensure a seamless experience for customers and stakeholders on all sides.
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Berry Announces First Quarter 2024 Results

First Quarter Highlights *GAAP: Net sales of $2.9 billion; Operating income of $157 million; Earnings per share of $0.50 *Fiscal 2024 outlook: Reaffirmed adjusted EPS guidance of $7.35 - $7.85 and free cash flow of $800 - $900 million *Announced plans for a tax-free spin-off and merger of the majority of our HH&S segment to include its global nonwovens and films business with Glatfelter, creating a global specialty materials leader, in a transaction expected to be valued at $3.6 billion
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Berry Global and Glatfelter Announce Plans for Tax-Free Spin-Off and Merger of Berry’s Health, Hygiene and Specialties Global Nonwovens and Films Business with Glatfelter

Berry Global Group, Inc. and Glatfelter Corporation announced they have entered into definitive agreements for Berry to spin-off and merge the majority of its Health, Hygiene and Specialties segment to include its Global Nonwovens and Films business (“HHNF”) with Glatfelter, to create a leading, publicly-traded company in the specialty materials industry. The Boards of Directors of Berry and Glatfelter have unanimously approved the transaction. The new combined company (“NewCo”) will become a global leader in the growing specialty materials industry, serving the world’s largest brand owners across global end markets with favorable long-term growth dynamics. HHNF brings an extensive portfolio of proprietary technologies, with a strong focus on healthcare, hygiene, and specialty end markets, while Glatfelter provides a broad range of innovation capabilities and sustainability solutions. Together, the combined company will offer a highly complementary product suite, including both polymer-based and fiber-based solutions, supported by strong innovation capabilities, with significant geographic diversification and a presence in all major markets.
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Electronic Receipts: Two Cases Of Greenwashing, The Advertising Ethics Jury Agrees

Passed (in France) in 2020, the Anti-Waste Law For A Circular Economy (AGEC) dictates that receipts will be printed at the customer’s request, except in special circumstances. Since then, several “start-ups” have aligned themselves to electronic receipts. Taking advantage of the new law, which has been postponed several times, they have developed communication campaigns highlighting the environmental interest of not using paper receipts. Faced with this flood of greenwashing, Two Sides France submitted two case complaints that seemed fitting for the Advertising Ethics Jury. On January 31st 2024, the jury agreed with Two Sides on those cases. Aside from the fact that it’s hard to see how, if a consumer doesn’t need a paper ticket, giving them a digital ticket would be more virtuous, the communications from these companies frequently resort to clichés commonly employed to endorse digital “solutions.” Consequently, an excess of statements has emerged featuring generic ideas and sweeping statements praising the merits of avoiding paper, while omitting the environmental consequences of digital alternatives, claiming forest conservation, and asserting the positive aspects of an eco-friendly digital receipt allegedly in compliance with the above mentioned AGEC law.
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IPG Launches our New ExlfilmPlus PCR Introduced as IPG’s most Sustainable Polyolefin Shrink Film

IPG® has introduced ExlfilmPlus® PCR, a revolutionary polyolefin shrink film that contains 35% total recycled content and is prequalified to be recycled at store drop-off locations. ExlfilmPlus PCR is designed to meet the growing demand for more sustainable and circular packaging solutions, while delivering superior performance and quality. ExlfilmPlus PCR is a polyolefin shrink film that contains, at minimum, 10% certified postconsumer recycled content and 25% certified post-industrial recycled content. The new film contains certified mechanical post-consumer recycled content, which is derived from plastic waste collected from consumers and recycled into new resin. Additionally, ExlfilmPlus PCR has been prequalified by HOW2RECYCLE for store drop-off and is approved for some direct food contact applications. Available in gauges thinner than many traditional products, it offers a material usage reduction of up to 9%. By minimizing the environmental footprint of their packaging, customers can attain their sustainability objectives with the help of ExlfilmPlus PCR. It supports the circular economy by using recycled materials and enabling recyclability of the end product.
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Metsä Group launches significant investment plans for its tissue paper mill in Mänttä, Finland

Metsä Group announces its plans for a significant investment program in its tissue paper business in the Mänttä mill to develop the sustainability of the operations and to modernize and extend the lifecycle of the mill. The investment plans are part of its tissue paper business’ Future mill strategy program aiming at world-class efficiency and environmental performance in tissue production. The planned program amounts to approximately EUR 100 million euros and the related investments are to be carried out over the period of next five years. The company aims to develop the mill’s production and environmental efficiency by investing in paper machine and converting line modernizations as well as improving the energy and water efficiency. Their aim is long term continuation of the efficient local manufacturing operations in Mänttä and they support the company’s target of all products and manufacturing sites to be fully fossil free by 2030. The investments will be communicated when the planning proceeds.
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Stora Enso partners with IUCN to advance positive impacts on biodiversity

Stora Enso has, as a forest industry forerunner, developed a science-based framework to verify net positive impact on biodiversity. Through combining science, technology and data, the framework enables forecasting of biodiversity impact, which allows operations to be adapted towards a net positive goal. The partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will provide external expert insights for further development and validation of the framework. Stora Enso’s sustainability strategy focuses on climate change, biodiversity, and circularity, and the Company’s biodiversity goal is to have a net positive impact within its own forests and plantations through active management. IUCN is the leading non-profit nature conservation organisation globally, supporting companies with nature-positive tools and practices to reverse biodiversity loss. Stora Enso’s partnership with IUCN focuses on developing a framework to measure and disclose net positive biodiversity impact.
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Tetra Pak invests to further boost recycling across EU

Tetra Pak is announcing several strategic investments designed to level up the recycling capacity for carton packages in the European Union (EU). The move supports the goals of the proposed EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), by ensuring that all packaging components are recycled and valuable raw materials are kept in circulation for longer, therefore showcasing the pivotal role of recycling in the green transition of the food packaging sector. In 2023, Tetra Pak invested nearly €40 million3 to accelerate beverage carton recycling worldwide and plans to increase this even further over the coming years to achieve greater material circularity. The recent initiatives and investments are set to boost the EU’s ability to recycle beverage cartons, including the non-fibre protective layers of polyethylene and aluminium, known as ‘polyAl’. This will be achieved by either unlocking new collaborations or by strengthening the capabilities of established recyclers to turn all materials from post-consumer cartons into new high-quality resources and goods.
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Thysse Boosts Capabilities with New HP PageWide Advantage 2200 Web Press (piworld.com)

Thysse, a full-service brand experience provider that offers commercial printing, is excited to announce its recent acquisition of the HP PageWide Advantage 2200. The investment reaffirms Thysse’s steadfast commitment to the core values that have allowed it to grow over the past eight decades; offering exceptional service and project outcomes, efficiently. The company was founded in 1941 by John Thysse, and began as a letterpress printer in Madison, Wisconsin. Since its inception, continuous innovation and embracing new technology have allowed Thysse to meet the evolving needs of its clients. The third-generation owner and CEO, Jason Thysse, is accelerating the company’s growth trajectory by doubling down on investments aimed at elevating capacity, efficiency, and capabilities across the entire portfolio of services. The scope spans culture, structure, training, process, and technology, all aimed at adding tangible customer value.
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S&P Global Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results

The Company reported fourth quarter 2023 reported revenue of $3.152 billion, an increase of 7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. Fourth quarter GAAP net income increased 34% to $579 million and GAAP diluted earnings per share increased 38% to $1.83 driven primarily by strong Ratings growth and lower merger-related costs. Excluding the impact of Engineering Solutions (ES), revenue growth would have been 11% year over year. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter increased 19% to $988 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 23% to $3.13. For the full year 2023, reported revenue increased 12% year over year to $12.497 billion. 2023 GAAP net income decreased 19% to $2.626 billion and GAAP diluted earnings per share decreased 19% to $8.23, driven primarily by a gain on sale of assets in 2022 and restructuring costs in 2023.
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U.S. Postal Service Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Results

The U.S. Postal Service announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. The net loss for the quarter totaled $2.1 billion, compared to a net loss of $1.0 billion for the same quarter last year. Results for the quarter were negatively impacted primarily by non-cash workers’ compensation expenses due to actuarial revaluation and discount rate changes, the amortization of unfunded retiree pension liabilities, and the continued effect of inflation on operating expenses. Controllable income for the quarter was $472 million, compared to controllable income of $187 million for the same quarter last year, reflecting that the positive impacts of the Delivering for America plan are beginning to be realized. Total operating revenue was $21.6 billion for the quarter, an increase of $115 million, or 0.5 percent, compared to the same quarter last year. Revenue for the overall Shipping and Packages category increased $240 million, or 2.7 percent, on a volume increase of 98 million pieces, or 5.1 percent, compared to the same quarter last year. Marketing Mail revenue decreased $235 million, or 5.4 percent, on a volume decline of 2.4 billion pieces, or 13.5 percent, compared to the same quarter last year.
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Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports January Sales Results

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $22.08 billion for the retail month of January, the five weeks ended February 4, 2024 an increase of 4.5 percent from $21.13 billion last year. For the 22 weeks ended February 4, 2024, the Company reported net sales of $104.94 billion, an increase of 6.0 percent from $99.00 billion for the 22 weeks of fiscal year 2023 ended January 29, 2023.
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The New York Times Company Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results

Key Fourth Quarter Highlights • The Company added approximately 300,000 net digital-only subscribers compared with the end of the third quarter of 2023, fueled by bundle and multi-product subscriber additions • Total digital-only average revenue per user (“ARPU”) grew 3.5 percent year-over-year to $9.24 primarily as a result subscribers graduating from promotional to higher prices and price increases on tenured non-bundled subscribers • Higher digital subscribers and ARPU drove year-over-year growth in subscription revenues from digital products of 7.2 percent • Digital advertising revenues decreased 3.7 percent year-over-year largely as a result of the five fewer days in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 2022 as well as declines in revenue from our podcasts and creative services • Operating costs decreased 4.8 percent year-over-year and adjusted operating costs (defined below) decreased 0.7 percent, largely as a result of lower cost of revenue, partially offset by higher salesand marketing and product development costs • Operating profit of $129.0 million, a 38.7 percent increase year-over-year, with adjusted operating profit (defined below) of $154.0 million, an 8.5 percent increase year-over-year primarily as a result of higher digital subscription and other revenues as well as lower adjusted operating costs, partially offset by lower advertising revenues
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News Corp Reports Second Quarter Results for Fiscal 2024

*Second quarter revenues were $2.59 billion, a 3% increase compared to $2.52 billion in the prior year, driven by growth at the Digital Real Estate Services, Dow Jones and Book Publishing segments *Net income in the quarter was $183 million, compared to net income of $94 million in the prior year *Second quarter Total Segment EBITDA was $473 million, compared to $409 million in the prior year
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AAP November 2023 StatShot Report: Overall Publishing Industry Down 0.5% for Month of November, and Up 0.6% Year-To-Date

Total revenues across all categories for November 2023 were down 0.5% as compared to November 2022, coming in at $1.0 billion. Year-to-date revenues were up 0.6%, at $11.7 billion for the first eleven months of the year. November: Trade (Consumer Books) revenues were down 0.2% in November, coming in at $858.0 million. In terms of physical paper format revenues during the month of November, in the Trade (Consumer Books) category, Hardback revenues were up 2.0%, coming in at $368.8 million; Paperbacks were down 1.9%, with $262.5 million in revenue; Mass Market was down 53.4% to $9.1 million; and Special Bindings were up 13.8%, with $22.7 million in revenue.
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Today Media Acquires Suburban Maryland Titles (mediapost.com)

Today Media, a publisher of regional lifestyle magazines, business publications and websites in several East Coast markets, has acquired Bethesda magazine and the news site MoCo360 from Z-Pop Media, the company announced on Friday. Terms were not disclosed. Bethesda and MoCo360, which cover Montgomery County in suburban Maryland, are “a great fit” for Today Media, says Rob Martinelli, CEO of Today Media. Based in Wilmington, Delaware, Today Media publishes in four East Coast markets, including New York's Westchester County and the Hudson Valley, Delaware and suburban Philadelphia.
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Savvas Learning Company Acquires Outlier.org

Savvas Learning Company, a next-generation K-12 learning solutions leader, today announced that it has acquired Outlier.org, an edtech startup that has created a portfolio of high-quality, turnkey, online college-level courses that enable high school students to earn dual credit while never having to leave their school building. Outlier.org combines cinematic video and charismatic professors with the best in modern, evidence-based teaching techniques to virtually transport the student to a college lecture hall. Its diverse catalog of award-winning courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences are taught by hand-picked, world-class instructors from NASA, MIT, Harvard, Yale, and other top institutions.
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Call for proposals: Consultancy on PEFC position in the carbon arena

We have launched a call for proposals for consultants to conduct research on PEFC positioning on the carbon arena. Recognising the importance of forests and PEFC certification in climate change mitigation, especially regarding greenhouse gas emission removal and avoidance, several PEFC national members have been working on the carbon initiatives with their own approaches. PEFC Carbon Task Force was established in August 2023 with the mandate to identify the PEFC carbon approaches that could be applied across the PEFC alliance. The PEFC carbon approaches should enable PEFC certificate holders to demonstrate the positive impact of PEFC certification in climate change mitigation and adaption. PEFC is looking for consultant(s) to conduct research on specific topics ensuring that the needed information is available, to support the Task Force in achieving its mandate.
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Amcor reports first half and second quarter result for fiscal 2024

Highlights - Six Months Ended December 31, 2023 • Net sales of $6,694 million; • GAAP Net income of $286 million; GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) of 19.8 cps; • Continued strong cash returns to shareholders: Quarterly dividend increased to 12.5 cents per share and $30million of shares repurchased; and • Reaffirming fiscal 2024 outlook: Adjusted EPS of 67-71 cents per share and adjusted Free Cash Flow of$850-950 million.
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CDP’s A List 2023 Features Atlantic Packaging

Atlantic Packaging is named in CDP’s A List 2023 for its environmental transparency and performance on climate change. CDP is a global nonprofit that helps companies, cities, states, regions, and public authorities disclose their environmental impact. The organization annually grades entities based on their commitments to sustainability. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Climate Change questionnaire, Atlantic is one of 346 companies that achieved an ‘A’ out of over 21,000 companies scored. CDP scores are used to inform investment and procurement decisions that encourage a move toward a zero-carbon, sustainable, and resilient economy. In 2023, over 740 financial institutions with over $136 trillion in assets requested companies to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks, and opportunities through CDP’s platform. A record-breaking 23,000 companies responded.
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Huhtamäki Oyj’s Results January 1-December 31, 2023

Q4 2023 in brief: *Net sales decreased 6% to EUR 1,033 million (EUR 1,104 million) *Comparable net sales growth at Group level was -3% and -5% in emerging markets *The impact of currency movements on the Group's net sales was EUR -44 million and EUR -5 million on EBIT. Q1-Q4 2023 in brief: *Net sales decreased 7% to EUR 4,169 million (EUR 4,479 million) *Comparable net sales growth at Group level was -2% and -4% in emerging markets *The impact of currency movements on the Group's net sales was EUR -153 million and EUR -15 million on EBIT *Capital expenditure was EUR 319 million (EUR 318 million)
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MM Group recognised with triple ‘A’ CDP score for transparency on Climate Change, Forests and Water Security

The MM Group has been recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change, forests and water security by global environmental non-profit CDP. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Climate Change, Forests and Water Security questionnaires, the MM Group is one of only 10 companies that achieved a triple ‘A’, out of over 21,000 companies scored in 2023 – including listed companies worth two thirds global market capitalisation and over 1,100 cities, states and regions. A detailed and independent methodology is used by CDP to assess these companies, allocating a score of A to D- based on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks. In addition, the demonstration of best practice associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets, is included in the assessment.
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Metsä Board’s comparable operating result in 2023 January–December was EUR 122 million

January–December 2023 (compared to 1–12/2022) *Sales were EUR 1,941.9 million (2,479.6). *The comparable operating result was EUR 122.2 million (520.7), or 6.3% of sales (21.0). Operating result was EUR 120.8 million (531.5) *Comparable return on capital employed was 5.1% (20.9). *Net cash flow from operations was EUR 342.8 million (232.0). October–December 2023 (compared to 10–12/2022) *Sales were EUR 422.6 million (599.8). *The comparable operating result was EUR 0.7 million (100.8), or 0.2% (16.8) of sales. *Operating result was EUR -0.2 million (94.7). *Comparable return on capital employed was 0.4% (15.5). *Net cash flow from operations was EUR 124.3 million (70.2).
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Metsä Group’s comparable operating result in January–December 2023 was EUR 488 million

January–December 2023 (1–12/2022) *Sales were EUR 6.110 million (6.980). *Operating result was EUR 498 million (1.302). Com-parable operating result was EUR 488 million (1.276). *Result before taxes was EUR 488 million (1.270). Comparable result before taxes was EUR 482 million (1.240). *Comparable return on capital employed was 7.2% (19.5). *Net cash flow from operations was EUR 926 million (1.227). October–December 2023 (10–12/2022) *Sales were EUR 1.486 million (1.741). *Operating result was EUR 55 million (316). Comparable operating result was EUR 57 million (311). *Result before taxes was EUR 50 million (309). Comparable result before taxes was EUR 51 million (306). *Comparable return on capital employed was 3.9% (18.).*Net cash flow from operations was EUR 439 million (399).
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SKG Full Year 2023 Results

*Revenue of €11.3 billion *EBITDA of €2,080 million and an EBITDA margin of 18.5% *Return on capital employed of 17.1% *Free cash flow of €628 million *Net Debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.4x *Announced combination with WestRock to create a global leader in sustainable packaging
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Tetra Pak recognised with ‘A’ score for transparency on forests for the eighth year running

Tetra Pak has been recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on forests by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its annual ‘A List’. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Forests questionnaires, Tetra Pak is among the 2% of companies that achieved an ‘A’ score out of over 21,000 companies assessed.1 The company also reported on Climate Change and, for the first time, Water Security. Having recorded an ‘A-‘ score on both cemented Tetra Pak's inclusion in the CDP leadership band once again, as the only company in the carton packaging sector to do so. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) warns that nature is deteriorating at unprecedented rates, mainly due to human activities.2 Global food systems are the lead driver of nature loss,3 despite these systems depending on the services provided by nature.4, 5, 6 But it is not just about food security, it has been estimated that more than half of the world’s total GDP – $44 trillion of economic value generation – is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services.7
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Why Consumers Like Direct Mail (piworld.com)

How well do you communicate the value of direct mail to your customers? For many years now, direct mail has been bashed for being too old school and past its time. The reality is far from that. Direct mail response is on the rise. Consumers enjoy getting direct mail that is applicable to them. When direct mail is targeted correctly it will not be considered “junk mail.” Yes, even millennials and Gen Z like to get mail. Here are a few reasons people like to get mail: *It's delivered to their home through no effort on their part. *It can be fun (get creative and think outside of the box). *It's way to save money (people like a good deal). *It’s informative (people are curious). *It’s easily kept for future reference or use (use a magnet, they can then post on the fridge).
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Quad enters the in-store retail media network marketplace with the acquisition of DART Innovation

As part of its ongoing commitment to relentless innovation and product development, Quad acquired North Carolina-based DART Innovation, an in-store digital media solutions provider. The strategic investment expands and seamlessly integrates into Quad’s full suite of products and services, enabling brands and marketers to more effectively offer consumers an integrated purchasing journey, whether they are at home, online or in a physical store. Combining digital media with brick-and-mortar locations has been heralded as the next iteration for the online marketplaces that have exploded in recent years[1]. The strategic intersection of physical and digital expands the brand-to-shopper experience beyond e-commerce to innovative on-screen engagement at the store shelf. With DART’s capabilities and technology Quad strengthens its place as a leader in revolutionizing the shopping experience for retailers, consumer packaged goods (CPGs) and consumers.
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Average Delivery Time Across Postal Service Network Remains Stable

FY24 second quarter service performance scores covering January 1 through January 26, included: *First-Class Mail: 82.7 percent of First-Class Mail delivered on time against the USPS service standard, a decrease of 3.2 percentage points from the fiscal first quarter. *Marketing Mail: 92.2 percent of Marketing Mail delivered on time against the USPS service standard, a decrease of 1.5 percentage points from the fiscal first quarter. *Periodicals: 80.2 percent of Periodicals delivered on time against the USPS service standard, consistent with performance from the fiscal first quarter.
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Public consultation: Hungarian forest certification system

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Hungarian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 4 April. Give your feedback. The Hungarian Forest Certification Non-profit revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. The Hungarian system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.
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Amcor to support Cadbury Australia’s move to 50% recycled plastic across core chocolate portfolio wrappers

Amcor signed a deal with Cadbury to source ~1,000 tons of post-consumer recycled plastic to wrap its core Cadbury chocolate range, accelerating Cadbury’s ambitions to reduce its virgin plastic needs. In 2022, Cadbury announced it had sourced ~30% (on a mass balance basis^) of the plastic needed to wrap its 160g to 185g Cadbury Dairy Milk family blocks produced in Australia from recycled materials. With its latest purchase, Cadbury aims to use ~50%# (on a mass balance basis^) recycled plastic for its wrappers across its chocolate blocks, bars and pieces range produced in Australia. This will be equivalent to halving its virgin plastic needs to wrap those products. The rollout of recycled material is expected to begin in Q1 of 2024, starting with blocks and expanding into bar lines such as Cherry Ripe, Crunchie and Twirl as well as pieces wraps for Roses and Favourites.
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Crown Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

Net sales in the fourth quarter were $2,858 million compared to $3,012 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 reflecting higher beverage can volumes in Americas Beverage and favorable foreign currency translation of $42 million, offset by the pass through of $145 million in lower material costs and lower volumes across most other businesses. Income from operations was $259 million in the fourth quarter compared to $229 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Segment income in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $382 million compared to $292 million in the prior year fourth quarter reflecting higher beverage can volumes in Americas Beverage and the contractual recovery of prior years' inflationary cost increases in European Beverage, both more than offsetting the under-absorption of fixed costs.
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Rumford Mill Wraps Up Historic Outage

The Rumford outage recently wrapped up a historic outage and we would like to thank everyone for the hard work over the past few months.This outage was a massive undertaking, and we are excited for a more efficient and more productive future. Throughout August and September, the historic mill received a deep-cleaning, some much-needed TLC, and several major repairs and significant projects took place throughout the mill. This outage is a significant milestone in ND Paper’s commitment to operational efficiency and safety and approximately 1,000 contractors were on site performing various functions. Unlike the simultaneous annual outage, a cold outage involved a complete shutdown of all equipment and electricity. This pause in production allowed our team to make critical repairs and replacement on typically inaccessible machinery. The cold outage spanned nine days (September 5th to September 14th) and included major steam, air, water, electrical and sewer system repairs. All four boilers were taken offline, allowing for the execution of 88 work orders focused on steam system leaks and valve issues.
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Paper Excellence Award Fund at Vancouver Island University

Our donation of $50,000 to Vancouver Island University has supported 19 student awards in the past two years. “Awards are great incentive for students to focus on their learning and when received instill a sense of pride as they meet their goals,” says Brad Jannaway, Instructor and Department Chair of HMT in Trades and applied Technologies “From a practical standpoint, the award will likely come at a time they really need it and can help them move into their chosen careers.” Created with the $50,000 donation, the Paper Excellence Award Fund gives students who did well in the program a financial boost as this graduate. Congratulations to the 19 students who received these $1,000 awards in 2022 and 2023. The 2024 recipient selections will take place between April and August.
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Lecta introduces its Termax products TC20X and TC20XB

Lecta expands its line of Termax thermal products and launches its two new high-quality grades of Termax top-coated thermal paper on the market, Termax TC20X and Termax TC20XB, for a wide variety of self-adhesive labels. The two new grades of paper in this product line are made to be used as adhesive facestock for food and industrial label applications in which there may be adverse conditions such as moisture, grease or solvents. Both products are highly resistant to grease, water, solvents, scratching and plasticizers, and are therefore an excellent solution to these problems. In addition to excellent chemical and environmental resistance, Termax TC20X and TC20XB papers provide high image resolution, good temperature resistance, high sensitivity, and both are phenol-free. The TC20XB also has a protective layer on the back to protect the label when used with more demanding adhesives.
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CDP recognizes UPM with double ‘A’ score for transparency on climate change and forests

UPM has been recognised by the global environmental non-profit organisation CDP for its leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change and forests, securing a place on the annual 'A List'. Based on data reported through CDP's 2023 Climate Change and Forests questionnaires, UPM is one of a small number of companies to achieve a double 'A' out of more than 21,000 companies assessed. For the water questionnaire, UPM received an A-, which is also a leadership position. "In today's world, all three aspects of the CDP are very important for all of us," says Sami Lundgren, Vice President, Responsibility, UPM.
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PEFC webinar: on the path to EUDR alignment

Join us on 27 February to discover all the latest developments at PEFC as we progress on our roadmap to EUDR alignment. Register now! Our webinar will focus on the advances we have made in aligning our sustainable forest management and chain of custody standards with EUDR requirements, as well as looking at the vital data and integrity elements. Our PEFC experts will give you a behind the scenes look at the progress of our working groups and task forces, working tirelessly to ensure we will have practical solutions in place to enable you to successfully implement EUDR. Once we’ve heard from our experts, we’ll open the webinar up to the audience for questions and answers.
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Mondi completes acquisition of Hinton Pulp mill

Mondi plc (Mondi), a global leader in the production of sustainable packaging and paper, has completed the acquisition of Hinton Pulp mill in Alberta, Canada, from West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd (West Fraser) for a total consideration of USD 5 million. The mill has the capacity to produce around 250,000 tonnes of pulp per annum and will provide the Group with access to local, high-quality fibre from a well-established wood basket as part of a long-term partnership with West Fraser. Mondi intends to invest in the mill to improve productivity and sustainability performance and, subject to pre-engineering and permitting, invest in expanding the facility primarily with a new kraft paper machine which will integrate its paper bag operations in the Americas to support future growth.
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Cougar® Paper Trails Offers Printing Primer for Creatives

Domtar now offers the Cougar® Paper Trails printing primer to help professionals and novices find the optimal paper for their project. The Cougar® brand of uncoated paper has long been known by printers, marketers and creative professionals as the ideal medium for personal exploration and storytelling. And now, the Cougar Paper Trails printing primer offers a valuable resource to anyone new to the print industry. “We are proud to offer a new generation of advertisers, printers, designers and creatives of all kinds a user-friendly primer,” says Meredith Collins, channel marketing manager at Domtar. “Cougar Paper Trails is an easy-to-understand guide to the important characteristics of paper and the printing and finishing techniques that make creative work shine.”
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ANDRITZ starts up world’s largest single mechanical pulping line at Wuzhou Special Paper

Zhao Lei, President, Wuzhou Special Paper, says: “In collaboration with ANDRITZ, we have set a world record by achieving a capacity of 1,500 admt/d using just one HC refiner in our new production line. With this cutting-edge system, we will be self-sufficient in pulp production, guaranteeing top-quality products without having to rely on outsourcing.” Zhang Yancheng, Vice General Manager, Wuzhou Special Paper, adds: “ANDRITZ's proven technology, coupled with its team of domestic and international experts, has greatly supported our production line start-up. We're very satisfied with the high fiber quality and the low energy consumption.” The new system produces pulp for premium folding boxboard using eucalyptus and acacia chips as raw material. The patented state-of-the-art P-RC APMP (Pre-conditioning Refiner Chemical Alkaline Peroxide Mechanical Pulp) process ensures optimum pulp quality at minimum operating cost and lowest environmental impact.
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Gannett and Big Ten Conference Announce Media Partnership

Gannett Co., Inc. and the USA TODAY Network today announced a multi-year agreement to become the official content partner of the Big Ten Conference, the oldest Division I collegiate athletic conference in the United States As part of the agreement, syndicated content from across USA TODAY Network’s local network of more than 200 publications will be featured on BigTen.org. This includes content from The Columbus Dispatch, The Des Moines Register, Detroit Free Press and The Indianapolis Star among several others. USA TODAY will also continue to produce souvenir covers to commemorate the winners of the Big Ten Championship Games in football and men’s and women’s basketball. These covers are presented to athletes on the field or court after the final whistle. This tradition began last year with the Big Ten Football Championship Game and continued this year with the “A-MAIZE-ING” headline celebrating Michigan’s win in the conference title game.
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Amazon.com Announces Fourth Quarter Results

Fourth Quarter 2023 *Net sales increased 14% to $170.0 billion in the fourth quarter, compared with $149.2 billion in fourth quarter 2022. *Operating income increased to $13.2 billion in the fourth quarter, compared with $2.7 billion in fourth quarter 2022. *Net income increased to $10.6 billion in the fourth quarter, or $1.00 per diluted share, compared with $0.3 billion, or $0.03 per diluted share, in fourth quarter 2022. Full Year 2023 *Net sales increased 12% to $574.8 billion in 2023, compared with $514.0 billion in 2022. Excluding the $0.1 billion unfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the year, net sales increased 12% compared with 2022. *Operating income increased to $36.9 billion in 2023, compared with $12.2 billion in 2022. *Net income was $30.4 billion in 2023, or $2.90 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $2.7 billion, or $0.27 per diluted share, in 2022.
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Open now: Public consultation to strengthen FSC standards and continue fighting deforestation globally

A key part of FSC’s offer is the development of requirements for the FSC Regulatory Module: a voluntary module that complements existing FSC certification requirements to support EUDR compliance. It presents additional forest management, chain of custody and controlled wood requirements for organizations looking to use their FSC certification to support their efforts to demonstrate compliance with EUDR. The FSC Regulatory Module sets the framework and requirements to: *introduce a due diligence system to support EUDR compliance, including information collection, risk assessment and risk mitigation, *gather and transmit precise information on the origin of products (geolocation and time of production), and *adds further assurance that only deforestation-free material enters an FSC chain of custody value chain that needs to be EUDR compliant.
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Trees outside Forests – third member achieves endorsement of national requirements

PEFC Portugal is the third member to achieve PEFC endorsement for their Trees outside Forests (TOF) requirements, opening the way to the first PEFC-certified trees growing outside of forests in the country. Incorporated into the Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard since 2018, Trees outside Forests requirements have widened the scope of PEFC certification. The endorsements of the first national TOF systems made certification accessible to millions of farmers managing trees on their land, and municipalities managing urban trees.
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TC Transcontinental Printing to Close its Saint‑Hyacinthe Plant

TC Transcontinental announced that it will gradually reduce operations at its printing plant in Saint-Hyacinthe (Québec), with a complete closure scheduled in April 2024. Its activities will gradually be transferred to other plants of the TC Transcontinental Printing network, mainly to the plant located in the Anjou borough of Montréal. “With the end of Publisac announced on November 3 and its gradual replacement by raddarTM, printed at our Anjou plant, we regretfully had to make the decision to close our Saint-Hyacinthe plant,” said Pierre Deslongchamps, Senior Vice President, Retail, Newspapers, Distribution, Magazines, Books and Catalogues, TC Transcontinental Printing.
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Grainger Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights *Delivered sales of $4.0 billion, up 5.1%, or 5.5% on a daily, organic constant currency basis *Achieved reported operating margin of 13.9%, down 40 basis points, or 14.6% on an adjusted basis, up 80 basis points *Announced plans to open a new 1.2 million square-foot distribution center near Houston, Texas in 2026. Full Year 2023 Highlights *Grew sales to $16.5 billion, up 8.2%, or 9.5% on a daily, organic constant currency basis *Realized reported operating margin of 15.6%, up 110 basis points, or 15.7% on an adjusted basis, up 130 basis points
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Sun Chemical Implements Freight Surcharges in Light of Red Sea Crisis

Sun Chemical will implement selected freight surcharges impacted by the Red Sea crisis globally. Against the backdrop of geopolitical instabilities, maritime transportation through the Suez Canal and Red Sea has been especially severely impacted since November. With around 30% of the world’s container trade shipped via this route, many shipments are facing delays and some are being rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing the distance travelled and adding further costs and time. Cargo air freight is also seeing a spike in demand to avoid such longer diversions. As a proactive response to these challenges, Sun Chemical is actively monitoring the evolving situation through its extensive global network of partners. The primary objective remains ensuring the continued supply of high-quality products and services to customers. In light of the dynamic nature of the crisis, Sun Chemical is taking necessary steps to secure raw materials and minimise transportation delays.
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Stora Enso plans a programme to improve long-term profitability and competitiveness

Due to the continued weak and uncertain market environment, Stora Enso plans to initiate a new profit improvement programme targeting annualised EUR 80 million improvement of the operational EBIT. This could lead to a potential reduction of approximately 1,000 employees. Local change negotiations in line with the local legislations will start as soon as country specific plans are further detailed. The profit improvement programme is designed to improve Stora Enso’s long-term competitiveness by focusing on core business activities that can drive the Group’s strategy supported by a decentralised operating model. The profit improvement programme would be implemented without any new production site closures.
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Stora Enso Oyj Financial Statement Release 2023

Q4/2023 (year-on-year) • Sales decreased by 24% to EUR 2,174 (2,864) million. • Operational EBIT decreased to EUR 51 (355) million. • Operational EBIT margin decreased to 2.3% (12.4%). Full year 2023 (year-on-year) • Sales were EUR 9,396 (11,680) million. • Operational EBIT was EUR 342 (1,891) million. • Operating result (IFRS) was EUR -322 (2,009) million. • Operational ROCE (last 12 months) excluding the Forest division decreased to 1.0% (20.4%), the target being above 13%.
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Deluxe Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

*2023 reported revenue decreased 2.0% including impact from divestitures, while comparable adjusted revenue increased $6 million or 0.3%. *Third consecutive year of revenue growth, on a comparable adjusted basis. *Full year GAAP diluted EPS was $0.59 while adjusted diluted EPS was $3.32. *Full year net income was $26.2 million, down from $65.5 million in 2022, on increased interest expense and restructuring activity.
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WestRock Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

First Quarter Highlights and other notable items: *Net sales of $4.6 billion; Corrugated Packaging segment sales increased 3.5% compared to the prior year quarter *Global Paper containerboard shipments increased 21.9% compared to the prior year quarter *Net loss of $22 million; net loss included $66 million of restructuring and other costs *Achieved over $200 million in cost savings; expect to significantly exceed previously announced fiscal 2024 target of $300 to $400 million
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International Paper Reports Full-Year and Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

*Full-year net earnings (loss) of $288 million ($0.82 per diluted share); Fourth quarter net earnings (loss) of $(284) million ($(0.82) per diluted share); Full-year and fourth quarter net earnings include a pre-tax charge of $540 million related to mill strategic actions *Full-year earnings benefit from Building a Better IP initiatives of $260 million, exceeding annual target *Full-year capital investments of $1.1 billion, including investments in packaging for future growth
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Grainger Announces Plans for New Distribution Center Near Houston

Grainger announced plans to open a 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center (DC) in Hockley, Texas in 2026. The new "Houston Texas Distribution Center" will provide additional capacity for the company to continue delivering best-in-class, next-day complete orders to customers. Grainger plans to break ground this spring. Grainger's Houston Texas Distribution Center is expected to house more than 250,000 industrial supply items, such as hand and power tools, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, fluid power solutions, lighting, power transmission equipment, and motors. The company anticipates the new facility will employ approximately 400 team members within a year of opening in 2026.
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PRC Commissioners Pay a Visit to USPS Processing Plants in Georgia

Postal Regulatory Commission Vice Chairman Thomas G. Day and Commissioner Ashley E. Poling recently toured two U.S. Postal Service processing facilities to witness, first-hand, ongoing network changes made by the Postal Service as part of its Delivering for America plan. Guided by a senior postal official on January 17, Vice Chairman Day and Commissioner Poling toured the Postal Service’s newly constructed Regional Processing and Distribution Center in Palmetto, GA. The tour took place from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.—peak hours for some of the busiest processing intervals and a key period for incoming and outgoing transportation. As of that date, package processing was operational, but the letter and flats operations were still undergoing installation. On January 19, the two Commissioners visited the Postal Service’s first Sortation and Delivery Center in Athens, GA. During their 6 a.m. tour, they observed the Postal Service’s delivery unit package sortation operations along with the routine preparation of mail delivery carriers for their daily routes. They also viewed the new charging infrastructure for future electric postal delivery vehicles.
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Amcor announces expansion of thermoforming production capacity to support healthcare customer growth in North America

Amcor announced a significant expansion of its North American thermoforming capabilities for the healthcare market. The addition of automated, state-of-the art thermoforming equipment at Amcor’s world-class healthcare manufacturing plant in Oshkosh, Wisconsin will support increasing demand from customers in the medical, pharmaceutical, and consumer health sectors. The additional capacity will provide an efficient option for companies looking to partner with Amcor to support their growth ambitions. The expansion also will allow customers to source thermoforms and companion die-cut lids from a single location, helping streamline product manufacturing and distribution.
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NBi FlexPack Solutions launches in Wisconsin

NBi FlexPack, an NBi Technologies company based in Wisconsin has announced its launch as a flexible packaging manufacturer producing high-quality custom solutions. NBi products are made in the USA, which allows for quick turnaround times for shipping anywhere in the US. Expert, personal service is an added convenience. “When we say NBi FlexPack is ‘Customized packaging. Personalized service. Made in the USA’, we back it up,” says Rick Nerenhausen, general manager, NBi Technologies, the parent company of NBi FlexPack. “We nurture customer care and are proud to provide top quality products made in our nation with options to meet every customer’s needs.” The packaging manufacturer is dedicated to reducing environmental impact and offers sustainable solutions including compostable and recyclable flexible packaging. Other benefits include: • Personal service with 25+ years of print expertise • Low MOQs • Special orders available upon request
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Smurfit Kappa announces €54 million investment in Spanish Bag-in-Box plant

Smurfit Kappa will invest €54 million to double the capacity of its Ibi Bag-in-Box plant in Alicante, Spain. Smurfit Kappa’s latest investment is set to strengthen the sustainability of both the plant’s operations and its product portfolio, with enhanced waste management systems and significant savings in energy consumption. Bag-in-Box Ibi has got a strong track record when it comes to recycling with several state-of-the-art systems to identify and separate by-products. Saverio Mayer, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Europe, said: “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to the Bag-in-Box division and forms part of our multi-country expansion plan. We have invested €90 million in the Ibi plant throughout the last decade which has significantly enhanced our offering.
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UPM financial statements release 2023: UPM’s earnings recovery continued in Q4

Q4 2023 highlights: *Sales decreased by 22% to EUR 2,531 million (3,231 million in Q4 2022) *Comparable EBIT decreased by 51% to EUR 323 million, 12.8% of sales (653 million, 20.2%) *Operating cash flow was EUR 456 million (1,576 million), supported by cash inflow from working capital. 2023 highlights: *Sales decreased by 11% to EUR 10,460 million (11,720 million in 2022) *Comparable EBIT decreased by 52% to EUR 1,013 million (2,096 million), and was 9.7% (17.9%) of sales *Operating cash flow was record strong at EUR 2,269 million (508 million), supported by cash inflow from energy hedges
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