American Forest & Paper Association Releases May 2018 Containerboard Report

Last year, the e-commerce industry grew nearly three times more than in 2019 — and this record-breaking order volume remains strong in 2021. Since March 2020, fulfillment centers have continued to work past capacity, as consumers increase their expectations surrounding lightning-fast and damage-free home deliveries. In February, Digital Commerce 360 and Bizrate found that 68 percent of consumers would be more inclined to place an order if fast shipping was available. And it’s not just e-commerce companies affected by demand — retailers are bearing the brunt, too. The same survey reported that 26 percent of shoppers ordered online for same-day delivery from major brick-and-mortar stores, almost double the rate from August 2020. As fulfillment managers look at every possible solution to meet demand, automation solutions like Pregis’ Sharp bagging systems are taking center stage, thanks to their benefits in reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and sustainability.

Packaging Corporation of America’s containerboard mill in DeRidder, Louisiana, recently announced that it is offering scholarships to two graduating seniors from each of six local schools: DeRidder High School, Merryville High School, Singer High School, East Beauregard High School, Rosepine High School and South Beauregard High School. For each school, one scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $1,000 and another at $500. The criteria used to select the recipients includes financial need, scholastic excellence, extra-curricular activities and relationship of degree to the papermaking industry.

Cascades announces an important repositioning of its Tissue Papers platform to enhance the performance of the business. The Company will simplify operations by concentrating the majority of its tissue product operating activities at core, geographically well-positioned sites that offer opportunities for future development. These changes will reduce costs, create synergies and significantly improve the Tissue Group’s financial, operational and environmental performance. This decision will not affect the level of service Cascades provides to its customers. Beginning in July 2023, Cascades will progressively close its underperforming plants in Barnwell, South Carolina, and Scappoose, Oregon, as well as the virgin paper tissue machine at its St. Helens plant, also in Oregon. The equipment slated for closure, which have a combined total annual rated capacity of 92,000 short tons of tissue paper and 10 million cases of converted product, have been operating below capacity producing 56,000 short tons of tissue paper and 5 million cases of converted product in 2022, mostly on the West coast. A portion of this production will be absorbed by open capacity at our other facilities and by the increase in productivity at our sites, particularly in the United States. Cascades has the option to evaluate the possibility of redeploying the seven conversion lines impacted by this decision to other sites at a later date.