FedEx Reports Fourth Quarter Results

“I am proud of the FedEx team for a solid finish to the fiscal year, delivering excellent service for our customers while achieving our structural cost reduction target, in the face of ongoing headwinds,” said Mr. Subramaniam. “We will continue to leverage the unique scale and flexibility of our global network to support our customers as the demand environment evolves. Looking ahead, I’m confident that our transformation initiatives, which are focused on integrating our networks and further reducing our cost-to-serve, will create meaningful long-term value.” Federal Express segment operating results improved during the quarter, driven by cost reduction benefits from DRIVE, increased U.S. and international export volume, and higher base yield. These factors were partially offset by higher purchased transportation and wage rates, one fewer operating day, and the expiration of the U.S. Postal Service contract. FedEx Freight segment operating results decreased during the quarter due to lower fuel surcharges, reduced weight per shipment, higher healthcare costs, increased wage rates, and one fewer operating day. These factors were partially offset by higher base yield and a $33 million gain on the sale of a facility.
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LocaliQ Launches Voice AI Agent to Transform Prospect Conversations

LocaliQ, the Digital Marketing Solutions (DMS) business of Gannett Co., Inc. unveiled its next-generation conversational AI Voice Agent—a powerful new feature within Dash™ by LocaliQ. Dash is an AI-powered prospect and lead management software solution that helps businesses attract, engage, and convert potential customers through automated, intelligent conversations. This AI Voice Agent builds on the success of Dash’s AI-powered SMS agent—adding voice capabilities to create an innovative and seamless, omnichannel customer engagement experience. “AI-driven customer engagement is one of the fastest-growing frontiers in marketing,” said Bill Scanlon, General Manager of LocaliQ. “Every unanswered phone call represents not just lost revenue, but a missed relationship. By extending Dash from SMS to voice, we're giving businesses—from single-location shops to national brands— a straightforward way to turn every call into a live conversation that becomes a qualified lead, leading to scalable revenue growth.”
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Amazon Brings Prime Delivery Speeds as Fast as the Same Day to Thousands of Smaller Cities, Towns, and Rural Communities

Amazon announced plans to expand the convenience and reliability of Same-Day and Next-Day Delivery to tens of millions of U.S. customers in more than 4,000 smaller cities, towns, and rural communities by the end of the year. After delivering to Prime members at record-breaking speeds in 2023 and 2024, Amazon is continuing to innovate to deliver even faster in 2025. So far this year the number of items delivered the same or next day in the U.S. increased over 30% compared to the same period last year. This expansion goes beyond speed—it's about transforming daily life for rural customers, who typically live farther from brick-and-mortar retailers, have fewer product and brand choices, and face limited delivery options when shopping online. By investing in rural communities, Amazon’s speedy delivery will save customers time and money regardless of where they live—from North Padre Island, Texas and Asbury, Iowa to Lewes, Delaware and Fort Seneca, Ohio. With Prime, members have access to unlimited free Same-Day Delivery when spending over $25 at checkout.
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AAP April 2025 StatShot Report: Overall Publishing Industry Down 4.0% for Month of April, and Down 0.2% Year-To-Date

Total revenues across all categories for April 2025 were down 4.0% as compared to April 2024, coming in at $931.7 million. Year-to-date revenues were down 0.2%, at $4.1 billion for the first four months of the year. Trade (Consumer Books) revenues were down 2.7% in April at $734.1 million. In terms of physical paper format revenues during the month of April, in the Trade (Consumer Books) category, Hardback revenues were up 2.6%, coming in at $273.5 million; Paperbacks were down 3.8%, with $251.9 million in revenue; Mass Market was up 31.9% to $10.4 million; and Special Bindings were down 14.5%, with $12.4 million in revenue. eBook revenues were up 0.3% for the month as compared to April 2024 for a total of $84.8 million, and the Digital Audio format was down 12.5% for April, coming in at $83.1 million in revenue. Physical Audio was down 47.1%, coming in at $400 thousand.
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FSC and ASI Develop Training Manual to Strengthen Core Labour Requirements Implementation Across CoC Certification

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) International, in close collaboration with Assurance Services International (ASI), has developed new training materials on Core Labour Requirements (CLRs)—a key initiative aimed at enhancing auditor competence and ensuring consistent implementation of labour rights safeguards across the FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) system. These materials are now available to all accredited certification bodies (CBs) to support the training of their auditors in this important area of the FSC normative framework. This work responds directly to the challenges identified following the introduction of CLRs in 2021, when the revision of FSC-STD-40-004 v3.1 came into effect. It introduced four fundamental labour principles into the CoC standard: No Child Labour (7.2), No Forced or Compulsory Labour (7.3), No Discrimination (7.4), and Freedom of Association and Effective Collective Bargaining (7.5). These requirements marked a significant shift by introducing a level of social auditing not traditionally embedded in FSC certification. Nearly two years into implementation, gaps in understanding and inconsistencies across regions have prompted this renewed focus on training and alignment.
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ATA Truck Tonnage Index Declined 0.1% in May

Trucking activity in the United States slipped in May as the freight market remained choppy. Specifically, truck freight tonnage decreased 0.1% after gaining 0.5% in April, according to the American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index. “The seesaw freight demand pattern continued in April, making it difficult to discern any clear pattern in the market,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “Excluding the services economy — the largest part of economic activity— the goods market is all over the map, thus impacting freight levels. Construction is soft, manufacturing is up and down, and consumers are cautious.” In May, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 113.8, down from 113.9 in April. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, was down 1.3% from the same month last year, the first year-over-year decrease in 2025. Year-to-date, compared with the same period in 2024, tonnage was up 0.1%.
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Amcor and Cofigeo partner to create multi-compartment tray designed for convenience and sustainability

Amcor announced it has designed and produced a bespoke three-compartment ready meal tray for a new range of single-serve ambient microwaveable ready meals from specialist French manufacturer Cofigeo. In line with Cofigeo’s sustainability commitments, the tray has been created to conform to Design for Recycling guidelines, offering a lightweight mono-material polypropylene (PP) construction that is suitable for collection and reprocessing in France’s recycling infrastructure. The trays will be used to package five distinct French and Italian style recipes from the William Saurin Mon Trio Gourmand range, each featuring meat or fish, a starchy food and a vegetable. Keeping the three main ingredients separate enables consumers to choose whether to mix them when the meal is eaten. Working in close collaboration with the customer, Amcor devised a tray with different sized compartments that took into account the various sizes, textures and densities of all the ingredients. At the same time, the tray had to meet Cofigeo’s other key requirements — to be suitable to run on existing filling lines, de-stackable, retortable, provide an effective oxygen barrier and ensure ease of use for the end-consumer.
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Sheridan Expands Capacity and Advances Book and Publication Production at Kentucky Facilities

Sheridan has strengthened its production capabilities at its Kentucky-based facilities—located in Lebanon Junction and Versailles—enhancing efficiency, increasing capacity, and reinforcing its commitment to the publishing markets it serves. At the Versailles facility, which specializes in book manufacturing for trade and education publishers, two state-of-the-art Screen PlateRite Ultima platesetters were installed, delivering faster throughput, improved reliability, and consistent plate quality across all offset presses. A new HP Indigo 120K digital press was also brought online, streamlining digital component printing with greater capacity, enhanced image quality, and increased flexibility to support the growing demand for ultra-short-run and print-on-demand books. The Lebanon Junction facility, focused on publication printing—including magazines and catalogs—recently added a Goss Sunday 3000 press. This 72″ press, further supported by a fully automated wide-web prepress system, delivers a significant boost in capacity and efficiency, particularly for high-volume publication work. Its scale and capabilities position the plant to assist with peak-season educational book printing—providing support during high-demand periods when education publishers require fast, large-scale output.
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UPM’s stream water program expands to include catchment areas

UPM has been working systematically for the benefit of stream waters since 2016. Over the years, the objectives have become more specific and UPM is involved not only in releasing streams, but also in promoting research to better monitor the positive changes in biodiversity after restoration activities. From now on, UPM's stream water program will also include assessment of UPM-owned land areas in the catchment area. This means that forest management practices in the catchments of released or restored watercourses will be reassessed on a case-by-case basis. "Water protection is part of sustainable forestry. We can influence water quality already in the catchment area, on the forest side. In addition to adequate buffer zones for water bodies, this may involve, for example, restoring peatlands", says Miika Laihonen, Senior Environmental Specialist at UPM Forest. UPM's first own dam removal site was the old mill dam in Sapsokoski, which was demolished in 2020. The next site, the Arvajankoski dam in Jämsä, was demolished in summer 2022.
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Axel Springer Hopes To Build A New AI-Driven Business

Axel Springer is planning to add a third business to the two it already has — journalism and media marketing — while doubling its value within five years. “We have to build a high-margin, hyper-growth business beyond journalism and marketing media, a third pillar as a strategic hedge,” said Mathias Döpfner, CEO of the company, speaking during a strategy meeting attended by 100 executives in Berlin. That would entail increasing direct access to its journalism with no outside platforms in the middle. And, this third pillar would also be built on AI, a technology Döpfner has long championed. “Digital is the new print,” he said. “AI is the new digital.”
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Savvas Offers K-12 Educators Free Access to Robust Science of Reading Resources

Savvas Learning Company announced that K-12 educators are invited to sign up for its newly expanded Science of Reading Digital Bookshelf, which provides free access to dozens of high-quality professional learning resources. Educators can access the Digital Bookshelf whenever and wherever they have an Internet connection, allowing for anytime, anywhere professional learning this summer — at home, at the park, and even at the beach. The Science of Reading Digital Bookshelf contains more than 50 high-quality professional learning resources, including on-demand webinars, ebooks, self-study guides, ready-to-use classroom activity guides, blogs, podcasts, educational videos, and a research brief. The 10 on-demand webinars on the Digital Bookshelf are among Savvas Learning Company's most popular sessions, featuring renowned literacy authors, researchers, and professors exploring the latest research and strategies for the Science of Reading.
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New investigation into certified takeaway food container supply chains

FSC and its assurance partner, Assurance Services International (ASI) are launching a new transaction verification (TV) loop on FSC-certified takeaway food containers. This TV loop will investigate the supply chain of paper-based takeaway food containers from producer markets in Asia to consumer markets in America, Europe, and Oceania, covering 28 countries. This is the first TV loop on FSC-certified paper products. There is an increasing demand for fibre-based disposable packaging and wooden cutlery in the food industry across the world. Over the past three years, ASI has found evidence of potential prevalence of fraudulent manufacturing and trade of paper-based dinnerware coming from China. FSC analysed the information about potential false claims and took action by blocking Ningbo Yinzhou Happy Paper Products and Ningbo Yinzhou Yongshun Foreign Trade from the FSC system for making false claims. FSC and ASI are addressing these risks to the integrity of certified takeaway food container supply chains by examining transaction data from 710 certificate holders who trade in materials and products related to paper-based food containers. These certificate holders will submit records of transactions that took place between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024.
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Implementing the Remedy Framework – Addressing challenges one step at a time

The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) is paving the way for companies to address past environmental and social harms in their forestry operations through the FSC Remedy Framework. The Remedy Framework is the first of its kind in the forestry sector, opening the door to restore millions of hectares of forests and bring restitution to thousands of communities. The implementation of the Remedy Framework supports companies to restore and heal degraded forest landscapes through a structured and transparent process, and make amends and rebuild trust with impacted communities. With the completion of a remedy process, companies previously excluded from the FSC system will become eligible for association and certification with FSC. FSC is committed to continuous learning and acknowledges there are still improvements and supporting systems needed to ensure the integrity of the process and the quality of remedy outcomes. FSC is working towards addressing these challenges transparently and constructively, while staying true to the principles that guide this work.
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New Documentary Series Shines Spotlight on America’s Trucking Industry

Trucking on the open road has long been a symbol of freedom, opportunity, and resolve. Now, a new documentary series titled DRIVEN shines a spotlight on the dedicated professionals behind the wheel who keep our nation rolling through good times and bad—and the millions more who work throughout the industry to deliver for America. DRIVEN was produced by the American Trucking Associations—in association with ACT 1 and the Texas Trucking Association Foundation—as part of its Nothing Without Trucking campaign, which educates policymakers and the public about the indispensable role trucking plays in Americans’ lives. Beginning with professional drivers, the series plans to document the vast array of roles throughout trucking that come together to form an unbreakable bond in the U.S. supply chain.
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Fiat launches industry-first car using recycled material from used beverage cartons

Beverage cartons have found a new life as part of a groundbreaking development for the automotive industry. With the launch of the latest model of Fiat Grande Panda, Fiat has become the first car manufacturer to incorporate recycled materials from used beverage cartons in a vehicle. Each Fiat Grande Panda contains recycled material from the thin layers of polyethylene and aluminium used in 140 beverage cartons. This recycled material is used inside the plastics of the car’s interior. Specifically, it is used in the central console, dashboard, interior front and rear door panels. PolyAl is a combination of polymers and aluminium components recovered during the recycling of beverage cartons. Beverage cartons are made of, on average, 70% paperboard, 25% polymers and 5% aluminium. This combination of materials is the key to aseptic packaging, where ultra-thin layers of aluminium and polymers protect the food or beverage inside, extending the product’s shelf life without the need for preservatives or refrigeration.
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TC Transcontinental Acquires Middleton Group to Further Grow its In-Store Marketing (ISM) Activities

TC Transcontinental announced the acquisition of Middleton Group, a provider of retail services and point-of-purchase display solutions to leading North American retailers and brands. This strategic acquisition supports TC Transcontinental’s growth of its in-store marketing (ISM) activities, a market with attractive growth potential where the company already holds a leadership position in Canada. Founded in 1952 and based in Markham, Ontario, Middleton Group employs 65 people and provides creative, end-to-end retail marketing solutions. Its offering includes large-format printing, custom retail fixtures, and innovative display systems. Organically and through acquisitions, TC Transcontinental’s ISM business has grown significantly over the last several years. It now comprises nearly 1,000 employees and generated over $200 million in revenues in the fiscal year ended October 27, 2024.
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Cascades divests South Carolina tissue mill

The ST Group of Companies has acquired a tissue paper mill in Barnwell County, South Carolina, from Cascades. The deal was signed through ST’s new subsidiary, Barnwell Tissue Solutions. The mill, equipped with a 110-inch Valmet hybrid QRT/DCT tissue machine installed in 2016, can produce 30,000 tons annually. The company will manufacture large paper rolls from recycled paper, which will be converted into different tissue products. The investment amounts to $12 million, and will create 50 jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office. “Barnwell Tissue Solutions, a proud member of the ST Group of companies, is honored to expand our manufacturing footprint into Barnwell, South Carolina,” said Barnwell Tissue Solutions Owner Sahil Tak, as quoted by Columbia Business Monthly.
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LD 1423 Makes Commonsense Improvements to Maine’s EPR Program

The American Forest & Paper Association released a statement after the Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law LD 1423, “An Act To Support and Improve Municipal Recycling by Updating the Stewardship Program for Packaging,” which includes measurable improvements to Maine’s existing extended producer responsibility (EPR) program. The full statement by AF&PA Vice President of Industry Affairs Terry Webber is below: "AF&PA applauds Maine Governor Janet Mills and state lawmakers for advancing LD 1423, which makes much needed improvements to the state’s EPR policy. “We appreciate policymakers’ measured approach while crafting this legislation. By working together, we can achieve our shared goal of improving recycling for materials with low recycling rates without disrupting the effective systems that are already in place for highly recycled materials, like paper and paper packaging products.
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News Corp Extends Contract with Chief Executive Robert Thomson

News Corp announced the extension of Robert Thomson’s contract, which will see him continue as Chief Executive through June 2030. The extension is a recognition of Mr. Thomson’s exceptional track record of transformational leadership, value creation and effective advocacy for journalism and intellectual property protection. Since Mr. Thomson’s appointment as Chief Executive in 2013, News Corp has undergone significant transformation, with a focus on strategic investments in its core growth pillars—Dow Jones, Digital Real Estate Services and Book Publishing—and delivered its four most profitable years from fiscal 2021 to 2024, with continued strong performance in fiscal 2025. During this period of dramatic change across media and technology, News Corp has thrived, while many other media entities have floundered.
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‘The Washington Post’ Consolidates Print Sections

Washington Post readers will notice a change in Monday's print edition. The Post is consolidating its Metro, Sports and Style sections, at least on most days. “The number of stories we publish will not be changing” writes Matt Murray, executive editor, in a note to print subscribers. ”The daily news report, and your favorite stories, columns, and features, all remain part of The Post. The announcement comes as the Post’s paid daily circulation is down to 97,000, versus 250,000 five years ago.
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Atlantic and Mars Talk of A Healthier Model for Packaging

We’re proud to share that Atlantic Packaging president and founder of A New Earth Project, Wes Carter, was recently featured in a feature by The Cool Down spotlighting a pivotal conversation on the future of sustainable packaging. The article, titled “Candy powerhouse Mars set to rethink strategy for its popular products: ‘It’s a healthier, more collaborative model for industry,’” captures a moment of industry-wide momentum, and Atlantic is at the heart of it. At the recent Rethinking Materials Summit, Wes joined Eric Klingenberg, material science lead at Mars, and Adrian Horotan of Safer Made to discuss how scientific diligence, regulatory frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration are reshaping the packaging landscape. As Wes put it, “It’s a healthier, more collaborative model for industry.” This isn’t just a soundbite, it’s a call to action. At Atlantic, we believe that solving the plastic pollution crisis requires more than innovation. It demands partnership, transparency, and a shared commitment to human and environmental health. That’s why we’re proud to work alongside brands like Mars that are embracing long-term, research-based solutions over short-term fixes.
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FSC publication highlights certification’s value in impact investing

FSC has launched a new publication, Integrating FSC Certification into Impact Investing, offering investment analysts data-driven insights into how FSC certification contributes to financial, environmental, and social outcomes. Drawing on research findings, case studies, and global sustainability frameworks, the publication provides an illustrative resource for investors seeking to incorporate certified assets into their strategies. The recognition of forests’ critical roles in climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic development is fuelling demand for sustainable forest management. According to the Global Impact Investing Network’s survey of 293 impact investing organizations, investors increased their allocations towards forestry from 2023 to 2024, reflecting a 53% increase in assets under management.
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Pittsburg company expands with major facility investment

It’s the completion of “Pitt Plastics'” 200,000 square foot facility. Company leaders originally broke ground on the structure in March of last year. Before this expansion, the company had a 300,000-square-foot building, so this project has allowed it to nearly double its space. It was a $16 million price tag that allowed the company to increase its storage space by 66 percent. Company leaders say projects like this aren’t just a big investment for them. Pitt Plastics produces a variety of products from can liners, to foodservice and utility products, and even materials used in the healthcare industry.
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Smell That? It’s the Scent of Higher Direct Mail Response Rates

It’s time to add a new scent to your direct mail to increase your response rates. Our sense of smell is extremely powerful. A scent can elicit vivid memories that take you to your mom’s kitchen growing up, to the beach, or just about anywhere you’ve been before. In fact, research shows that people recall smells with 65% accuracy after a year, while visual recall is around 50% after just three months. Our sense of smell is the most emotionally powerful sense, even above sight and sound. That’s because scent is processed in the limbic system; the part of the brain responsible for memory, emotions, and behavior. This neurological connection is why we react so strongly to fragrance and why it can make such a compelling impact in direct mail. Marketers are leaning into sensory experiences now more than ever. In a study by the USPS and Temple University’s Center for Neural Decision Making, tactile and scented direct mail outperformed digital ads in terms of brand recall, engagement time, and emotional response. Scented mail pieces were especially effective at sparking memory retention and increasing time spent with the piece.
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AF&PA Releases May 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly Report

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in May decreased 7% compared to May 2024. They were down 4% when compared to the same 5 months of 2024. The operating rate for bleached packaging papers was 73.1%, up 1.6 points from May 2024 and essentially flat (-0.4 pts.) year-to-date. Shipments of the biggest subgrade in unbleached packaging papers – bag & sack – were 97,500 short tons for the month of May, down 11.1% from the same month last year, and down 9.7% year-to-date.
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AF&PA Releases May 2025 Printing-Writing Monthly Report

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 5% in May compared to May 2024. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 5% in April compared to the same month last year (April 2025 is the latest trade data available). Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 2% when compared to April 2025. As in previous months, the 3 major Printing-Writing categories—Uncoated Free Sheet (UFS), Coated Free Sheet (CFS), and Mechanical (MECH) papers—showed mixed performance on both a month-over-month (MoM) and year-to-date (YTD) basis. Shipments of both free sheet grades declined compared to last May as well as for the YTD. MECH grade papers, meanwhile, registered increases for both MoM and YTD.
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Lecta publishes its 2024 Sustainability Report

With sustainability as a core aspect of our business strategy, Lecta's 2024 Sustainability Report again underscores the company's progress in meeting targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) defined for 2030 in its ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) roadmap. "Lecta has made significant progress in sustainability this year, earning external recognition from organizations like EcoVadis and SBTi. As we continue working toward the environmental, social and governance targets set out in our road​map for 2030, Lecta remains focused on generating a positive impact. Our efforts are driven by a clear vision: creating a more sustainable future for the next generations", states Lecta CEO Gilles Van Nieuwenhuyzen.
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Stora Enso initiates a strategic review of its Swedish forest assets

As part of its stronger focus on renewable packaging, Stora Enso is initiating a strategic review of its Swedish forest assets. The review includes assessing a potential separation and public listing of the forest assets through a partial demerger. The initiative aims to further increase business focus, streamline operations, and fully unlock the value of both the forest assets and Stora Enso’s core packaging business. As part of this review, Stora Enso will explore various options, including a potential separation and listing of the forest business through a partial demerger into a new company that would be wholly owned by all Stora Enso shareholders. This move aims to establish two robust and independent entities, each with heightened focus and strategic agility. Stora Enso would continue to lead in renewable packaging, with strong market positions and more flexible, integrated, and cost-competitive production. Meanwhile, the Swedish forest business would emerge as Europe’s largest listed pure forest company, owning a unique class of assets with anticipated long-term value appreciation and potential for significant new revenue streams. Following the recent agreement to divest approximately 175,000 hectares of Swedish forestland for an enterprise value of EUR 900 million, in line with book value, Stora Enso retains ownership of over 1.2 million hectares (1.0 million hectares of productive forestland) in Sweden, with a fair value of approximately EUR 5.8 billion as of 31 March 2025.
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Here’s how tariffs are affecting consumer behavior

A new survey reveals almost all consumers express concerns over tariffs, with many saying tariffs will change how they shop. Nearly nine-in-10 U.S. consumers surveyed by the Numerator Tariff Sentiment Tracker (88%) say that they are concerned about the impact of tariffs, in line with survey results from April. Almost two-in-three (64%) respondents are worried about higher prices on everyday goods, while 59% are worried about general inflation, 48% are worried about higher prices on non-essential items, and 45% are concerned about limited availability of certain products. Eight-in-10 (81%) respondents expect to adjust their finances or shopping habits in response to the tariffs.
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Newspaper Publishers Required To Use Cross-Strap Bundles When Mailing Starting July 1

Publishers who mail newspapers have until July 1 to start cross-strapping bundles that go through mail processing, the Wisconsin Newspapers Association has reminded members. The goal of the U.S. Postal Service is to diminish bundle breakage during mail processing, the association states. The USPS will require “all bundles of flats to have two or more cross-strapped bands or be shrink-wrapped with one or more cross-strapped bands except for newspapers that are place in a flat tray and entered as exceptional dispatch,” the USPS announced in March.
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Bee chalet will help protect the biodiversity of Italy’s forests

On 20 May 2025, FSC Italy and Scavolini, one of Italy’s leading furniture companies, officially launched an innovative ecosystem services project to protect pollinators. An inclusive and accessible wooden ‘bee chalet’ will be built inside Tuscan-Emilian Apennines National Park, an FSC-certified protected natural area in central-northern Italy, protecting pollinator populations and offering environmental education activities to schools and eco-tourists. Pollinating insects in Europe, such as wild bees, bumblebees and butterflies, are going through a major decline due to factors such as habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change. According to data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity (IPBES), about 37% of bee and butterfly populations in Europe are declining, causing incalculable damage to the environment and food crops.
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Amcor Ghent celebrates packaging innovation powered by a century of expertise

Amcor celebrated 100 years of packaging excellence at its Belgian site in Ghent. This centenary coincides with the first anniversary of the Amcor Innovation Centre Europe. This dual milestone underscores Amcor's enduring commitment to innovation and sustainability in the European packaging market and beyond. For a century, Amcor Ghent has been at the forefront of packaging advancements. The site's rich history notably includes the invention of easy-peel film technology in 1972, now a global standard for sterile medical equipment packaging and pre-packaged slices of charcuterie and cheeses. Building on this legacy, last year Amcor Ghent underwent a significant expansion and became home to the Amcor Innovation Centre Europe (AICE), a collaborative space where Amcor experts and brands co-create the future of packaging. In the AICE, materials scientists team up with packaging designers to develop innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the European market.
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Trusted Resources for Sustainable Printing: Where to Start

Sustainability in printing isn’t just about switching to recycled paper or using low-VOC inks. Today, it’s a full-scale operational commitment—one that touches energy use, supply chains, emissions, and even employee engagement. But where should a printer or packaging converter begin? The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) exists to make that answer clear. As the only certification program developed specifically for the print industry, SGP offers a comprehensive framework that goes far beyond checklists or marketing claims. It supports real environmental performance and real business value. If you’re just getting started—or looking to deepen your sustainability efforts—here’s a curated list of tools, frameworks, and trusted sources to guide your journey.
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Solenis and NCH Corporation to Join Forces

Solenis and NCH Corporation (NCH) announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge the NCH business with Solenis. Under the terms of the agreement, Solenis will acquire 100% of NCH stock, creating a more diversified, customer-centric provider of water and hygiene solutions. The Levy Family, owners of NCH since its founding in 1919, will become the largest minority shareholder in Solenis. Finance terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025 following regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. Solenis and NCH will continue to operate strictly as independent companies until the transaction is complete. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, Solenis is a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions. The company was acquired by Platinum Equity in 2021. NCH is the quality leader and trusted onsite expert in middle market water treatment and industrial solutions.
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Hearst Magazines To Bring AURA to Programmatic Buyers on Amazon DSP

Hearst Magazines announced an expansion of AURA that, for the first time ever, brings together Hearst’s proprietary targeting signals with Amazon Ads trillions of browsing, shopping and streaming insights for programmatic campaigns exclusively available in Amazon DSP. Debuting at Cannes, this new offering unlocks a powerful, privacy-safe connection between content engagement across Hearst Magazines’ 30+ U.S. brands paired with in-market shopping insights from Amazon Ads. Enabled through Amazon Publisher Cloud, advertisers can easily reach audiences at the intersection of inspiration and purchase intent. “AURA is already delivering incredible results for our advertisers — driving higher click-through rates, deeper attention and measurable brand lift,” said Lisa Ryan Howard, global chief revenue officer at Hearst Magazines. “As we see increased programmatic interest in our inventory — especially from DSPs like Amazon — it’s the right time to bring the power of AURA targeting and meet buyers where they’re already transacting.”
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Research Growth, AI Licensing, and Cost Reduction Drive Wiley’s Fiscal 2025 Results

“We delivered another strong year of execution as we met or exceeded our financial commitments, drove profitable growth in our core, expanded margins and free cash flow, and extended further into the corporate market through AI licensing and partnership, science analytics, and knowledge services,” said Matthew Kissner, President and CEO. “Our multi-year journey of continuous improvement and innovation is yielding material gains in profitable revenue growth, margin expansion, and cash generation, and we remain steadfast and confident in our continued progress.” *Q4 reported revenue of $443 million vs. $468 million due to foregone revenue from divestitures *Q4 Operating Income of $76 million vs. $69 million *Full year reported revenue of $1,678 million vs. $1,873 million due to foregone revenue from divested businesses *Full year Operating Income of $221 million vs. $52 million
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Pregis Shares 2024 Sustainability Report Highlighting Progress in Circular Product Innovation, Emissions Accountability, and Global Impact

The report affirms progress toward its 2K30 goals and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to the Pregis Purpose: to Protect, Preserve, and Inspyre. In 2024, Pregis made notable progress across multiple areas of its sustainability strategy: *92% of operational waste was diverted from landfill and incineration *52% of total revenue came from sustainable products—defined as paper-based, biobased, or containing ≥30% recycled content *Matched the electricity consumption at 6 production facilities with renewable energy *38 million trees saved through sustainable material sourcing and innovation *130,397 lives positively impacted through clean water access, disaster relief, and community programs. “In 2024, we made progress that matters. The engine behind this momentum is our people. Their creativity, passion, and persistence power every milestone. In 2024 alone, our teams helped achieve measurable reductions in carbon emissions, diverted more waste from landfills, and scaled production of circular materials—all while continuing to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving market,” said Kevin Baudhuin, Chairman and CEO of Pregis. “As we look toward the future, our focus remains clear: to create sustainable value for our customers, employees, communities and investors.”
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The future of fresh: Succeeding in the PPWR era with fruit and vegetable packaging materials

The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is setting a new standard in Europe, compelling brand owners and retailers to rethink their approaches to packaging fresh fruits and vegetables. It challenges companies to strike a delicate balance: how to ensure compliance while still delivering the protection, shelf life, and consumer appeal that fresh produce demands. Fiber-based materials play an important role in this shift, offering pathways to help you stay ahead of the curve. The PPWR aims to reduce packaging waste and promote circularity. Key elements of the regulation include: *Recyclability and reusability: Packaging must meet certain recyclability thresholds by 2030 and 2038. Mandatory reuse targets apply for some packaging applications. *Material reduction: Excessive and unnecessary packaging is restricted. *Increased recycled content: Minimum thresholds for recycled content in plastic packaging apply. *Complete bans: Certain single-use plastic packages are prohibited, like those for fresh fruits and vegetables under 1.5 kg in weight.
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Big News: Sunday 1 Has a New Home!

We’re thrilled to announce that our Goss Sunday 1 Press has officially relocated to its new home on Success Way! This move marks an exciting step forward as we continue to grow and optimize our operations. Check out the installation timelapse below and follow us on social media for exclusive behind-the-scenes updates and more expansion updates at Success Way!
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Ahlstrom completes its new production unit for advanced molecular filtration media in Turin, Italy

Ahlstrom has started a new state-of-the-art production line for molecular filtration media at its Turin site in Italy. This major investment strengthens Ahlstrom’s leadership in the molecular filtration market and enhances its ability to serve the growing global demand for high-performance specialty materials.  Equipped with the latest technologies, the new production line offers a high degree of customization and design flexibility. It enables precise tuning of adsorptive performance through detailed control of adsorbent types, blends, and content levels. The investment is complemented by a molecular filtration test bench to better support filtration manufacturers in developing high-performance filtration solutions.   The investment complements the existing Ahlstrom Trinitex® Carbon platform by targeting the growing demand for premium molecular applications such as cabin and fuel cell air intake filtration, as well as HVAC and cleanroom. 
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Tree planters to plant 28 million seedlings in 2025 season!

This summer, Irving Woodlands is employing 121 tree planters and 28 tree planting staff to plant 28 million seedlings across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Maine. It marks a 10-million-seedling increase over 2024 – the boost in tree planting capacity buoyed by the fact that 38 tree planters and 17 tree planting staff are returning for another season. Returning employees bring with them a familiarity with processes, culture and expectations that contribute to increased productivity and efficiency. Irving Woodlands is committed to providing a positive and rewarding work environment and takes pride in its ability to retain top talent year over year.
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Skogn to start production of book paper

Norske Skog Skogn will enter the European market for book paper during the second quarter of 2026. The new product, branded NOR Book, will be offered in standard qualities pertaining to bulkiness, brightness, and shade. The net investment of NOK 40 million (EUR 3.5 million) at paper machine one (PM1) will provide flexibility to switch between newsprint and book paper with capacity of more than 140 000 tonnes. Norske Skog Skogn has together with the international technology group ANDRITZ developed a low capex project to enable production of both newsprint and book paper at PM1. Several trial runs have been completed with satisfying results. Following the switch to 100% virgin fibre at Skogn in 2024, the mill has the opportunity to produce bulky and bright paper utilising its high-quality thermomechanical pulp. The project will provide the opportunity to further increase paper bulk to cover the main grades of wood containing book paper. In addition, the customers will benefit from industry leading low CO2 emissions when choosing paper from the Skogn mill.
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Double the Days, Millions of Deals: Amazon Announces Prime Day Event from July 8 to July 11

Amazon announced 96-hours of savings this Prime Day from July 8 at 12:01 a.m. PDT through July 11. With the summer shopping event returning, for the first time for 4 days, Prime members have double the time to shop millions of deals with savings on pantry staples and snacks for summer gatherings to home improvement must-haves, back-to-school supplies, health and personal care finds, family-favorite toys, bestselling books, pet essentials, and even premium and luxury splurges. New this year, Amazon introduces Today's Big Deals—themed daily deal drops featuring some of the most exciting deals of the event, exclusive to Prime members. Members can enjoy deep discounts across top brands like Samsung, Kiehl’s, and Levi’s. These special offers launch daily at midnight PDT and remain available for a limited time while supplies last. Members can also check back frequently to discover incredible savings with deals dropping as often as every five minutes during select periods throughout the event. "New this year, we're offering exclusive deals including fuel discounts for summer travel, alongside some of our lowest prices of the year from top brands. We're also excited about our enhanced Prime for Young Adults membership, giving 18–24-year-olds the ability to enjoy new exclusive perks like 5% cash back for a limited time, plus new shopping features that make discovering personalized savings easier than ever," said Jamil Ghani, vice president of Amazon Prime.
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Businesses to continue AI investment with voice assistants, chatbots

The overwhelming majority of businesses are adopting artificial intelligence into their customer communications. According to a new report based on surveys of businesses and consumers from communications platform Sinch, 97% of businesses plan to use AI in their customer communications this year, with top investment areas for 2025 including AI voice assistants (63%), AI-powered video chats (48%) and AI-driven chatbots (43%). Sixty percent of financial services respondents and 57% from healthcare say they’ll invest in AI chatbots, which is higher than the average of 46%. Only 29% of retailers said they’d invest in other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger, which is lower than the 42% average across industries surveyed by Sinch.
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‘The Detroit Free Press’ and ‘The Detroit News’ Are Separating

The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News will sever their connection at the start of 2026 and each will go its own way. The Free Press will remain with its parent Gannett. “The joint operating agreement between the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News is set to expire at the end of this year, and the partnership will not be renewed,” says Lark-Marie Anton, chief communications officer, the Free Press reports. "The Detroit Free Press will continue to deliver essential news and content for our valued audiences and provide the best marketing solutions for our clients."
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Advocating for the role of forests in nature-based solutions

London Climate Action Week (LCAW) is Europe’s premier city‑wide climate festival, founded in 2019 by E3G and the Mayor of London. Each June, over 45,000 attendees converge on the capital to accelerate decarbonization, resilience and climate innovation – and inspire cities worldwide to replicate its success. Forests and their stewards are indispensable partners in nature‑based solutions. At LCAW 2025, FSC will advocate for sustainable forest management as a cornerstone of climate action, forging alliances with NGOs, governments and financial institutions to build on our solutions, such as ecosystem services, Verified Impact, and climate finance. FSC-certified forests protect and strengthen ecosystems, boosting carbon capture in trees, soils and biomass while preventing deforestation and degradation. Collaborating with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, our rigorous standards deliver measured environmental, social and economic benefits on the ground.
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Print Matters! Consumers Prefer Paper for Learning, Trust, and Everyday Life

Despite the ongoing rise of digital platforms, NEW research shows that consumers continue to place high value on print media, particularly when it comes to comprehension, trust, and learning. The latest Two Sides Trend Tracker 2025 survey, one of the print and paper industry’s largest and most comprehensive studies, reveals a consistent and resilient appreciation for print in everyday life. The Covid-19 pandemic brought major disruption to print media, reshaping how consumers interacted with news and printed content. Whilst the digital world may offer convenience, the survey highlights that the preference for reading in print has recovered since the pandemic and is the preferred format for books, magazines, and important documents. In fact, 65% of European consumers prefer printed books, recovering from 53% in 2021. Magazines in print 48%, up from 35% in 2021 and printed product catalogues 33%, up from 21%.
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Amcor develops first-of-its-kind more sustainable shrink bag

Amcor is proud to launch a revolutionary turkey breast package for Butterball, LLC. The new Perflex® shrink bag design features a built-in handle that reduces packaging material and improves efficiency. Traditional turkey packaging utilizes a net around the product to create a strong carrying handle. Removing the additional packaging material achieves a more convenient and sustainable package. Compared to the incumbent netted turkey breast bag, the Amcor Perflex® handle bag delivers*: *22% reduction in carbon footprint *23% reduction in non-renewable primary energy demand *22% reduction in waterconsumption. The new Perflex® handle bag also improves efficiency by eliminating the manual netting process.
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Crown Holdings, Inc. Announces Gary Gavin as President of the Americas Division

Crown Holdings, Inc. announced that Gary Gavin, currently President of the Company's North American Beverage can business will be promoted to President of the Crown Americas Division, effective July 1, 2025. Mr. Gavin will report to Djalma Novaes, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and will continue to be based in Tampa. In his new role, Mr. Gavin will oversee Crown's beverage can operations in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and North America, as well as its North American tinplate businesses, including food and aerosol cans and metal closures. Mr. Gavin joined Crown in January 2023 following a 29-year tenure at International Paper Company (IP), where he held progressively senior roles across sales, operations, and general management. At IP, he most recently served as Vice President & General Manager of the North American Container Division, overseeing full P&L responsibility for 56 manufacturing facilities.
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Innovation and creativity: the importance of young talent for the packaging industry

The Pro Carton Young Designers Award is where tomorrow’s sustainable packaging first enters the spotlight. For years, MM Group has followed the innovative impulses each new generation brings to the industry, and MM Board & Paper has been a long-time sponsor of the event – donating the cartonboard from which the young creatives shape their designs. From across Europe, young creatives travel to the Pro Carton Young Designers Award to unveil their packaging prototypes on the big stage. MM Group is sponsoring the event, and, in April, hosted the 2024 national winners for a two-day workshop at the company’s headquarters. During the workshop, they worked shoulder to shoulder with the Innovation Teams from MM Board & Paper and MM Packaging – and visited MM Premium’s production facility and innovation center to experience firsthand the creation of bespoke packaging for major brands.
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Metsä Group is funding nature projects again – the focus is on supporting the nature relationship of children and youth

22 new projects focusing on biodiversity management and restoration were selected for Metsä Group's Nature Projects funding programme. A total of EUR 600,000 was granted. A new focus in this year's funding was on increasing school cooperation. The aim of the funding programme for nature projects is to strengthen biodiversity outside commercial forests. A diverse range of projects received funding, including restoring stream waters, fighting against alien species, and strengthening of wetland nature and the status of bird waters. The new goal this year was to increase school cooperation. Funding was granted, for example, to the The Finnish Association of Nature and Environment Schools, Salo Upper Secondary School and Lastu School of Architecture and Environmental Culture, whose projects implement concrete measures that increase diversity and strengthen the nature relationship and understanding of biodiversity among children and young people.
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Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): What You Need to Know & How to Stay Ahead

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is transforming the packaging landscape, and businesses across the entire supply chain must adapt to these new standards. Seven states—Oregon, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, Maryland, and Washington—have passed EPR bills, with Oregon set to collect its first fees in July 2025. As these regulations take effect, understanding how EPR works, who it impacts, and how your business can adapt is more important than ever. Read as we break down everything you need to know, from compliance strategies to the financial implications of packaging choices, ensuring you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.
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Print: The Multisensory Marketing Connection

We’ve heard it a million times by now: “Print is dead.” It’s a mistaken impression (see what I did there?) because the evidence around us every day proves the opposite. While some roles for print may be in decline, as a communications channel, it has enormous power to reach audiences that digital alone just can’t match. A few months ago, I saw a headline for an article in The Drum — a London-based marketing and media website — that asked: “As agencies sniff out scent specialisms, is poly-sensory branding here to stay?” Having recently written about the use of scent in direct mail campaigns, I’m pretty familiar with how marketers in the print world regard sensory marketing: an opportunity to reach their audience.
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Ahlström Collective Impact continues its strong commitment to UNICEF’s education work

Ahlström Collective Impact (ACI), a joint responsibility initiative by a group of companies and foundations, will continue supporting UNICEF’s global education efforts in 2025 and remains committed to advancing children’s rights in business. This year, Ahlström Collective Impact’s contribution to UNICEF’s education work amounts to over €750,000. Support from the private sector is critically important in today’s increasingly complex global landscape, where cuts by several donor countries to international aid threaten UNICEF’s global efforts to uphold children’s rights.
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UPM receives triple sustainability certification for the Leuna biorefinery

UPM Biochemicalsis proud to announce that its new biorefinery in Leuna, Germany, has achieved ISCC PLUS, PEFC[1], and FSC™[2] chain-of-custody certifications – highlighting UPM’s commitment to sustainable sourcing, full traceability, and transparent operations. The certifications confirm that all wood-based feedstocks used in the biorefinery are sourced from sustainably managed forests and are fully traceable through credible third-party auditing schemes. This independently verified sustainability is a core commercial value of UPM’s biochemicals, supporting customers who prioritize responsible sourcing in their value chains. “Our products are built on sustainability, and now that commitment is verified by globally recognized standards,” said Martin Ledwon, Vice President, Marketing, Sustainability and Communications, UPM Biorefining & Technology. “These certifications provide assurance that we meet the highest environmental and social standards throughout the supply chain – crucial not only for forest biodiversity and community responsibility, but also for brand trust and consumer confidence.”
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UPM Raflatac business area will be renamed UPM Adhesive Materials

UPM Raflatac business area and reporting segment will be renamed UPM Adhesive Materials as of June 12, 2025. The new reporting segment name will be in use from the Interim Report Q2 2025 onwards. Tha name change supports the business area's strategic direction to accelerate its growth beyond label materials into graphics solutions and specialty tapes. UPM Raflatac will remain a leading, global product brand in the Label materials offering area. UPM Adhesive Materials leverages its adhesive expertise, material performance, and industry-leading services to deliver value to customers. The business area holds a leading market position in label materials and has expanded significantly in graphics solutions through the acquisitions of AMC AG, Grafityp, and Metamark.
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