JANUARY 1 – JUNE 30, 2020 (compared with January 1 – June 30, 2019): *Net sales declined 8% to SEK 9,480m (10,304). The lower sales were mainly related to lower selling prices. *EBITDA amounted to SEK 2,031m (2,900), a decrease primarily due to lower selling prices *Operating cash flow was SEK 614m, (1,245). Earnings for the second quarter of 2020 were in line with the preceding quarter, but declined year on year.

Our Sawmills Division has recently completed a $4.9 million investment at the Kedgwick Sawmill. The modernization has meant work for nearly 60 contractors from other small communities from Bathurst to Edmundston. "This modernization will make our mill more efficient; processing the same logs and achieving more lumber and improved quality for our customers. Continued investment is what helps sustain over 100 good paying jobs in the community," says Jean-Sebastien Roy, Mill Manager at the Kedgwick Sawmill. The additional production by the new sawline will allow us to increase the volume of Premium Lumber, which is produced for North America's leading home improvement stores. Wood chips that are a by-product of the sawmill go to New Brunswick pulp and paper mills to help make paper and tissue products.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 25 percent in June compared to June 2019. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 25 percent in June compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased six percent when compared to May 2020. U.S. purchases of uncoated free sheet (UFS) papers in June decreased 28 percent compared to last June while the inventory level decreased eight percent compared to May 2020. UFS imports and exports both decreased compared to May 2019, down 26 percent and 44 percent respectively. Coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 13 percent compared to June 2019 while the inventory level decreased two percent compared to May 2020. CFS imports increased two percent while exports decreased 42 percent in May 2020. click read more for additional statistics

Appvion Operations, Inc., launches an industry leading antimicrobial coating technology for a variety of substrates called SafeShield™! SafeShield technology prevents the replication of DNA and new cell formation! Independent lab tests demonstrate up to 99.99% reduction in non-pathogenic bacteria on the paper’s surface even after printing and post processing. To ensure the efficacy of SafeShield, the antimicrobial coating is formulated with components that have gone through the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review and registration processes.

Net sales for the second quarter declined by 2% to SEK 6 156 million (6 293). Higher sales volumes were primarily offset by significantly lower sales prices compared to last year in Division Paper. Net sales for the quarter were positively impacted by currency effects by 1%. Adjusted EBITDA increased to SEK 774 million (539), mainly as a result of lower maintenance costs compared with last year, lower fibre costs, reduced KM7 start-up impact and cost savings.

Holmen signed an agreement to acquire Martinsons, one of Sweden's leading players in sawn and processed wood products. The purchase price is SEK 1.0 billion for 100 per cent of the shares. The acquisition will almost double Holmen's sales of wood products to over SEK 3 billion, while also advancing positions in wood construction and providing Holmen with the capacity to process the majority of the raw material from its own forests in its own industry. Martinsons consists of two well-invested sawmills in northern Sweden with extensive processing of wood products for Scandinavian wood construction, as well as a project operation for construction of complete frames made of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam beams for purposes such as offices, sports centres and apartment buildings. The company has 470 employees, most of whom work in processing.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. announced preliminary second quarter results which were impacted by COVID-19 market-related conditions. The Company expects earnings and Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter to be slightly below prior year, driven by an approximately 12 percent decline in revenues. Compared to the prior year period, results for the second quarter were aided by improvements in Forest Products and Paperboard segments driven by increased prices for lumber and lower raw material costs for paperboard, respectively. These benefits were offset by COVID-related impact on: 1) global demand for High Yield Pulp and Newsprint; 2) sales volumes in High Purity Cellulose due to softer demand in textile, automotive and construction end markets; and 3) logistics delays impacting High Purity Cellulose volumes. Corporate costs increased modestly from prior year, primarily due to an increase in non-cash charges. With a focus on working capital and capital expenditures, liquidity improved $19 million in the quarter to $164 million, including $49 million of cash.

UPM will permanently cease production at its Chapelle newsprint mill in Grand-Couronne, France today. The consultation process with employee representatives was completed on June 15th, 2020 according to French legislation and approved by French authorities on July 15th, 2020. The closure impacts 228 people. UPM offers support to employees in order to alleviate the effects caused by staff reductions in relation to the closing of the mill. With the closure of the mill UPM will reduce a total of 240.000 tonnes of its newsprint paper capacity.

Norske Skog’s EBITDA in the second quarter of 2020 was NOK 138 million, a decrease from NOK 379 million in the first quarter of 2020, mainly due to national restrictions on movement of goods and people following the outbreak of the corona pandemic. The restrictions had severe negative impact on operations due to a sudden and considerable drop in demand for publication paper. Operating earnings in the second quarter of 2020 were NOK -122 million compared to operating earnings of NOK 90 million in the first quarter of 2020 impacted by impairment recognized in the quarter. Net loss in the quarter was NOK 59 million compared to a net loss of NOK 374 million in the previous quarter. The previous quarter was impacted by unrealised currency loss that was only partially reversed in the second quarter as NOK was stronger at the quarter end. Cash flow from operations was NOK -109 million in the quarter compared to NOK 470 million in the previous quarter.

Only a few weeks after start-up, the 5.6 m wide PrimeLineTM W6 tissue machine that was delivered by ANDRITZ to Arkhbum Tissue Group LLC in Vorsino (Kaluga region), Russia, reached a speed of 2,000 m/min with a grammage of 16 g/m² and is now producing high-quality facial, toilet, napkin, and kitchen towel grades made of 100% virgin pulp (bleached hardwood and softwood pulp). Irina Galakhova, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Arkhbum Tissue Group LLC, says: “We are extremely satisfied with our products – and so are our customers. We appreciate the high quality and softness. In addition, we achieve remarkable cost savings compared to systems with conventional presses and Yankees.”

As people grow weary of online entertainment and digital communication in the age of COVID-19, industry analysts have noticed some interesting paper trends, particularly when it comes to books, education, entertainment and communication. There’s no question that the coronavirus pandemic has changed many things about our daily lives, from the way we work and learn to the way we shop and play. The buying and consuming habits that have emerged over the past several months will keep sociologists and scientists busy for years as they study the effect of isolation on modern human behavior. But as the novelty of working and learning from home wears off, only to be replaced by digital overload and Zoom fatigue, people have started turning off their electronics and embracing analog alternatives, if only for a few hours at a time. The resulting paper trends have created some bright spots for our industry. click read more below for details...

Matt Spence, Vice-President Biomaterials at Sappi Biotech explains: “Valida is a highly fibrillated cellulose manufactured by Sappi. Derived from woodfibre, it is a 100% natural, biodegradable and sustainable material. Valida can successfully perform as an opacifier and thickener in sanitising gels, providing a natural alternative for acrylate-based polymers while providing some unique additional benefits, including: *replacing microplastics with a natural ingredient *sustainable and biodegradable *moisturising the skin *imparting a superior skin feel *unique texture *having passed cosmetics ingredient safety studies covering: - skin irritation - skin sensitisation - skin blockage, and - skin penetration.

Headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico, Poliquímicos is a leading producer and supplier of specialized chemical solutions for water-intensive industries, including the pulp and paper markets in Mexico. The business will be integrated into Solenis as part of its direct-to-market strategy. “The acquisition of Poliquímicos will enhance Solenis’ direct sales channel in the Mexican market and improve our production capabilities in the region,” said John Panichella, CEO, Solenis. “With more than 46 years of history in Mexico, we are thrilled to welcome the Poliquímicos team and are excited to provide them with the full suite of Solenis products to better serve our customers.”

The American Forest & Paper Association released new industry guidance that aims to clear up consumer confusion regarding the recyclability of pizza boxes. The guidance resulted from a study conducted by WestRock – an AF&PA member company – that found the presence of grease and cheese at levels typically found on pizza boxes does not impact manufacturing in a negative way. “Corrugated pizza boxes are successfully recycled every day at paper mills throughout the country, yet consumers remain confused by mixed messages suggesting that some boxes should not be put in the recycle bin,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock. “So, let’s be clear: pizza boxes are recyclable. Consumers should not be concerned about grease or cheese – simply remove any leftover pizza and place the box in the recycle bin. We encourage communities to update their residential recycling programs guidelines to explicitly accept pizza boxes that are free of food.”

Mondi has commissioned a crude tall oil plant (CTO-plant) at its Syktyvkar pulp and paper mill. The new equipment allows processing of all sulphate soap generated as a by-product of the pulp production process in the mill. As a result of this investment, the mill will be able to produce up to around 40,000 tonnes of crude tall oil annually. The new CTO-plant produces softwood and hardwood tall oil obtained through sulphuric acid treatment of sulphate soap which is a by-product of the pulp cooking process. Softwood tall oil is used at Mondi Syktyvkar to mitigate pitch deposits at the digesters, while hardwood tall oil is sold to external companies dealing in petrochemical, road construction, paint and coating. In recent years, tall oil has been intensively used for biodiesel fuel production primarily in Scandinavian countries.

Sappi announces the closure of Paper Machine 2 at its Stockstadt Mill in Germany as well as Paper Machine 9 and the energy complex at its Westbrook Mill in the USA. Following an exhaustive consultation process an agreement was reached with mill employee representatives to permanently close PM2, which has a Coated Woodfree paper production capacity of 240 000 tons per annum. Stockstadt will now focus on its strong and growing uncoated woodfree offering. Approximately 170 employees will leave the company with production expected to cease on 30 September 2020. After a period of review, Sappi North America has decided to permanently shut PM9 and the majority of the energy complex at its Westbrook Mill in the State of Maine. Approximately 75 employees will be impacted. The impacted assets are expected to close by end of calendar year 2020.

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) proposed rule: “AF&PA is pleased the EPA has moved forward in proposing an achievable Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule. This is the result of more than two decades of work that gives the forest products industry regulatory certainty while encouraging the use of renewable, carbon-neutral fuel. “While limits for several boiler types have become more stringent, we believe they are feasible and affordable. Already, to date, our industry has invested $1 billion in controls to meet Boiler MACT obligations.

The Company is pleased to announce that all necessary conditions precedent required for the implementation of Recapitalisation have been obtained and it is expected that the Recapitalisation Effective Date will be 16 July 2020. The Company welcomes this positive development and is confident that following the Recapitalisation the Company will emerge with a solid liquidity position and healthy balance sheet. In particular, the Company considers that the Recapitalisation will significantly improve the Group’s liquidity profile, reduce the Group’s net leverage and increase the Group’s flexibility.

Sugar pulp can be applied as a sustainable substitute for wood fibre to produce paper on an industrial scale. Crown Van Gelder recently signed a Letter of Intent with Cosun Beet Company for the joint development of innovative solutions for sustainable paper and packaging materials.

To coincide with World Environment Day and South Africa’s Environment Month, on 04 June 2020, Sappi Limited committed to set science-based targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The SBTi is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Through heightening our focus and ambition on climate action, we look to increase our contribution to building a resilient, thriving world. Within the context of Sappi’s 2025 sustainability targets, we have established a global specific greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target of 17% reduction in combined Scope 1 & 2 emissions under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action. By region this translates to a 2025 GHG reduction target of: • Europe: 25% reduction from FY19 baseline • South Africa: 20% reduction from FY19 baseline • North America: 5% reduction from FY19 baseline

Genera, a US manufacturer of domestically sourced and produced ag-based pulp and molded fiber products, has named Timothy Watkins and Tyler Winston to two top engineering positions at the company's East Tennessee facility. The announcement marks continued progress toward full production of Genera's innovative Earthable® line of sustainable, ag-based fiber products later in 2020. Genera will manufacture molded fiber food service products like plates, bowls, and takeout containers. These products will be fully biodegradable and compostable.

Crown Van Gelder is investigating together with Eneco a next step into a sustainable future by maybe building an electrical boiler of 25 megawatt onsite! (big water cooker). This boiler can be powered by electricity provided by an offshore wind farm close to the factory. With the boiler Crown Van Gelder is able to power down the gas burning turbine during days with enough wind! Hopefully there is enough wind and funding to make this happen. Check this Dutch spoken movie with English subtitles by clicking read more below.

The construction of Empire Recycled Fiber mill in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania is scheduled to commence this fall. The work on the mill project had started almost a year ago. The financing for the project is expected to close during Q3 2020. The construction works may take 12-14 months, thus gearing up for a 2022 startup. Upon full operations, the plant will employ approximately 110 full-time manufacturing employees. According to company press release, the mill will be constructed at an investment of $125 million. The facility will take in over 500,000 tons per year of recovered fiber and produce almost 440,000 tons per year of recycled paper pulp to be used as raw material by paper manufacturers.

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement regarding the newly implemented U.S. – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA), which marked its entry into force today: “The American Forest & Paper Association recognizes that today is a historic day marking the entry into force of the U.S. – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA), which will preserve free and fair trade in North America and commit the countries to combat illegal logging and associated trade."

Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, is participating in the Piloting Alternatives for Plastics project, a global initiative to help develop the next generation of fiber-based materials to replace plastics used in food packaging, filters, hygiene products and other goods. Solenis is joining more than 50 other companies in the technical consortium, including major packaging and paper manufacturers, led by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT). During the 30-month project, the group will work to identify materials and manufacturing methods best suited for full-scale development. The goal is to reduce the time it takes to move projects from initial laboratory results into commercial production.

Neenah, Inc. announced that the Company has entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement, providing a Term Loan B Facility of seven years in the amount of $200 million. The Facility is rated BBB-by S&P Global Ratings and Ba3 by Moody's Investors Service. Neenah also announced today that it is calling its outstanding 2021 notes for redemption in full on July 16, 2020. Proceeds under the new Facility will be used to redeem the $175 million of outstanding 5.25% 2021 notes, repay borrowings under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility, and for general corporate purposes. The Company also has amended its Global Asset Based Lending Agreement to reduce the revolving credit facility from $225 million to $175 million and make certain other changes related to the refinancing and resizing. The interest rate under the new Facility will be determined based on LIBOR or other published rates, with an expected initial rate of approximately 5.00%. The Term Loan Credit Agreement contains no financial maintenance covenants and includes other customary covenants for agreements of this nature. The Facility may be prepaid with a one percent call premium for the first 12 months, after which it may be prepaid, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö establishes a partnership with Spanish sports and life style accessories company BUFF® to provide filter media for face masks. The BUFF® face masks are now available in the United States and Canada following a launch in Europe in June. Each BUFF® face mask includes five single-use filters in the original packaging. Replacement filters are sold separately in packs of 30 units.

Kotkamills’ easily recyclable and biodegradable ISLA® Duo barrier board has received the Seedling and DIN-Geprüft certifications for industrial compostability. The internationally recognized certificates have been issued by DIN CERTCO to demonstrate the biodegradability of the environmentally friendly product and the compliance of ISLA® Duo with the European standard EN 13432. “The certificates issued to ISLA® Duo are a result of dedicated product development and a very fine achievement. Developing environmentally friendly products and sustainable solutions is our main objective,” notes Kotkamills’ CEO Markku Hämäläinen.

Dr.-Ing. Fabian Gaus, 39, has joined the management board of LEIPA Group GmbH on 1 July 2020. He takes over the newly created function of Chief Sales Officer (CSO). His central field of responsibility in this function will be the goal- and future-oriented development of the LEIPA Group's sales activities. With a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering, Dr. Gaus has extensive knowledge in the manufacturing and energy industries, and with asset-heavy businesses in particular. Most recently, Dr. Gaus was Managing Director and CFO of Innogy Renewables US and Georgia Biomass, two subsidiaries of European utility innogy group in the United States. Georgia Biomass operates the largest wood pellet plant in the world.

Appvion is a North American leader in specialty papers and coatings. We aim to achieve sustained profitable growth for continued successful business development and improved corporate citizenship through responsible business practices and integrity. We are committed to building environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and effective corporate governance into all aspects of our business while ensuring that ecological stewardship is a key component of our corporate responsibility. Our approach to sustainability is focused on four key areas: Environment; Community; Workplace; and Economy.

TAPPI has named Steve Voorhees, chief executive officer of WestRock, as the TAPPI/PIMA Executive of the Year. WestRock, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a global provider of differentiated paper and packaging solutions. “Since taking the helm at WestRock in 2015, Steve has expertly managed its electrifying growth, helping WestRock more efficiently and economically serve customers,” says Larry N. Montague, TAPPI president and CEO, in a statement.

As part of its continued focus on global sustainability leadership, Ahlstrom-Munksjöhas initiated its ‘from Plastic to Purpose’ campaign, highlighting first its new brand of CelluSnack™ snack packaging papers. “Our ‘from Plastic to Purpose’ campaign aims at raising awareness around the world regarding the possibility of fiber-based solutions as a renewable packaging option,” said Robyn Buss, Executive Vice President of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s Food Packaging & Technical Solutions Business Area. “Consumers and brand owners are demanding more sustainable solutions that reduce their impact on the environment and also have a positive end-of-life story – anywhere from compostability and biodegradation to recyclability. By promoting the story of ‘from Plastic to Purpose’ we are encouraging food and industrial packaging producers globally to consider fiber and paper-based solutions as they innovate products for their customers.”

Peter Greven GmbH & Co. KG, a leading manufacturer of oleochemical additives, signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Solenis Switzerland GmbH, a leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals. Effective immediately, Solenis will be the authorized distributor for Peter Greven's calcium stearate dispersions for paper coating applications in the European Union,the United Kingdom and Russia. "Calcium stearates are used in paper coating formulations, mainly in printing grades,as lubricants to facilitate the process of coating the paper," said Jose Santolaya, director, Product Management EMEA. "As the channel to market for these dispersions in the paper industry, Solenis will provide these products under our Nopcote™ coating lubricants brand. We have one of the largest lubricant product portfolios on the market today including standard and specialty lubricants."

Lecta expands its offering of Adestor self-adhesive products for the healthcare industry with the launch of Adestor Laser 60 LB DfE. Hospitals and laboratories handle chemical samples and tests that require a high degree of traceability to ensure the monitoring of all the coded data on test tubes. The identification of the containers, through variable labeling, requires label integrity, both in terms of adhesion and data legibility. The new Adestor Laser 60 LB DfE facestock, with greater environmental efficiency, provides excellent performance for all small-diameter labeling applications used in the most frequently performed analysis processes in laboratories. This new product is also ideally suited to different variable data printing technologies.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in April 2020 were down 29.1% vs. April 2019 and are down 12.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in April 2020 were down 25.5% vs. April 2019 and are down 11.0% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in April 2020 were down 35.9% vs. April 2019 and are down 16.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in April 2020 were down 35.1% vs. April 2019 and are down 18.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in April 2020 were down 14.4% vs. April 2019 and are down 4.0% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in April 2020 were down 36.2% vs. April 2019 and are down 15.9% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in April 2020 were down 23.5% vs. April 2019 and are down 8.1% year-to-date.

Paper Excellence Canada today announced that Catalyst Paper Corporation has been voted amongst Canada’s Best 50 corporate citizens by Corporate Knights. This is the thirteenth time that Catalyst Paper, which operates pulp and paper facilities in Crofton, Port Alberni, and Powell River, British Columbia, has achieved the Best 50 Award with Corporate Knights. The Best 50 Award is judged using 21 key performance indicators that relate to the organization’s raw resource use, emissions profile, innovation, women in key positions, safety performance, and percentage of revenue from clean sources. Paper Excellence’s VP of Environment, Health and Safety, Graham Kissack, said “We’re extremely proud to be part of this group of leading Canadian companies demonstrating that sustainable business practices can be both profitable while offering long term stability and protection of our ecosystems.”

Public Utility District No. 1 of Pend Oreille County General Manager Colin Willenbrock issued the following statement regarding the indefinite idling of Ponderay Newsprint Company: “Ponderay Newsprint has long been an outstanding employer and community partner in the Pend Oreille valley. While recent news of the mill being indefinitely idled has long been anticipated, it still hits us hard to know this chapter in our community’s story may be coming to a close. We will be creating a page on our website for customers – including PNC employees who live in Pend Oreille County – to learn about energy assistance programs, financial resources, and other helpful information as we make this transition together.

Transcontinental Advanced Coatings announces that it has added reflex™ CE Gloss high-performance films to its reflex™ line of hardcoated films. The new reflex™ CE Gloss is a clear gloss, hardcoated film formulated on optical grade, highly stabilized polyester. It is coated in a certified ISO Class 7 (Class 10,000) cleanroom. The product boasts a scratch-resistant, proprietary hardcoat formulation on one side of the film and a print receptive coating on the other, enabling printing with both solvent and UV screen print inks. The performance characteristics of reflex™ CE Gloss include excellent optical clarity and haptic functionality, exceptional hardness, chemical resistance, and flexibility that enables embossing. The price-performance point of reflex™ CE Gloss makes it the ideal product for next-generation Electronic Displays, Membrane Touch Switches (MTS), Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), Printed Electronics, Functional Controls, Sensors, Capacitive Touch Interfaces, and Durable Labels. Tested to over 3 million actuations, reflex™ CE Gloss has industry-leading flex life.

KP Tissue Inc., which holds a limited partnership interest in Kruger Products L.P., announces that Michael Korenberg has, effective today’s date, resigned as Chairman and a director of KPT and as a director of KPGP Inc., the general partner of KPLP. We sincerely thank him for his four years of service and leadership on the Board. With Mr. Korenberg's resignation, KPT is now seeking the appointment of a new independent director on its board, who will also serve as a nominee of KPT on the board of KPGP Inc.

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from Sun Paper to supply pulp dewatering and white liquor plant technologies and key process equipment for their new pulp mill in Beihai, China. Start-up is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2021. The scope of supply on EPS basis includes the following equipment: Wet lap system with two production lines for a capacity of 1,120 admt/d bleached hardwood kraft pulp, each consisting of a Twin Wire Press for pulp dewatering, a cutter-layboy and a baling line. Evaporation plant with a high-concentration section for a total evaporation capacity of 1,100 t/h and a final dry solids content of 85%. Ash re-crystallization (ARC) system, with an ash handling capacity of 400 t/d, to treat the ash from the electrostatic precipitator by decreasing the chloride and potassium content while recovering sodium and sulfate.

On the doorstep of a decisive decade for climate change, Kimberly-Clark has announced expanded new targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and aligned with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Kimberly-Clark's ambitions for 2030 include a commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations and supply chain for its trusted brands, including Huggies®, Kleenex®, Cottonelle®, Scott®, Kotex® and Depend® by 50 percent for absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions (direct and indirect) from its operations. The commitment also includes a 20 percent reduction in absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services and end of life treatment of sold products. Both targets are based on a new 2015 base year.

As part of sustainable logistics concepts and in order to increase supply chain reliability for an important raw material, pulp, Koehler is making greater use of rail transportation. “We have expanded the existing rail connection, which was too small, added manual underground switches to it, and also purchased a modern shunting robot. This will enable employees to handle shunting work at the plant independently and flexibly and to process four times as much incoming tonnage,” explained Andreas Riedlinger, logistics team leader at Koehler. Total investments amounted to EUR 1 million. Since the start of the year, three to four weekly block trains have re-placed deliveries by truck, which amounted to as many as 15 per day.

Paper Excellence Canada announced that 1057863 B.C. Ltd, Northern Pulp Nova Scotia, Northern Timber Nova Scotia and other related non-operating affiliates (collectively, “Northern Pulp”) have obtained an initial order under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (“CCAA”). The initial order stays proceedings against Northern Pulp in order to provide it with an opportunity to restructure its business and financial affairs. Paper Excellence Canada has not sought relief in the CCAA proceedings. Northern Pulp owns a pulp mill in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. The pulp mill, which had been operational since 1967, was forced to stop production by January 31, 2020, after the Province of Nova Scotia’s decision to require Northern Pulp to cease using the Boat Harbour Effluent Treatment Facility (BHEFT). This left the mill with no ability to treat or transport pulp effluent. Since January, Northern Pulp has been conducting a safe and environmentally sound hibernation of the mill, which would allow it to reopen in the event a proposed new Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF) receives the necessary approvals.

Neenah, Inc. announced that the Company is seeking to refinance its $175 million of unsecured Senior Notes which are due in May 2021. The Company anticipates refinancing the Notes with the proceeds of a new $200 million Term Loan B facility with a tenor up to seven years. The objectives of the refinancing are to increase the Company’s financial flexibility and extend its weighted average debt maturity. Terms of the potential refinancing will be disclosed upon the completion of the transaction, which is expected later this month. The proposed refinancing is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance that it will be completed.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö takes further steps into the energy storage market and pre-launches Ahlstrom-Munksjö Forticell®, its new platform of fiber-based solutions for energy storage applications. Electricity is the fastest growing source of energy and demand for energy storage is expected to grow significantly in coming years, driven by vehicle electrification, a shift towards renewable energy, an increasing demand in stationary applications and effective electricity supply chain management. Fiber-based materials are widely used in energy storage devices and, thanks to the Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s extensive expertise in cellulose, microglass and specialty nonwoven materials, the company is developing a complete range of solutions to its customers.

Minerals Technologies Inc. announced today that it has signed an agreement with Phoenix Paper LLC to re-establish a 35,000 ton per year satellite precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) plant at its paper mill in Wickliffe, Kentucky. This paper mill had been idled for the past five years and was recently purchased and restarted by Phoenix Paper, a subsidiary of Shanying International, a Chinese-based company focused on entering the North American paper market. MTI has been providing its PCC from nearby sources to the Wickliffe site since the facility restarted operations in November of 2019. "We are very pleased to collaborate with Phoenix Paper to support production of higher value grades from their paper machine in Wickliffe, Kentucky, using our PCC technology," said Douglas T. Dietrich, Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited to see the redeployment of our PCC assets in North America through this opportunity."

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 35 percent in May compared to May 2019. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 30 percent in May compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased three percent when compared to April 2020. *Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 34 percent compared to May 2019, while the inventory level decreased four percent compared to April 2020. UFS imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down 28 percent and 29 percent respectively. *U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in May decreased 31 percent compared to last May, while the inventory level decreased two percent compared to April 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down two percent and 25 percent respectively. *Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 36 percent compared to May 2019, while the inventory level decreased three percent compared to April 2020. CM imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down 32 percent and 13 percent respectively. *U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in May decreased eight percent compared to last May while, the inventory level decreased three percent compared to April 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to April 2019, down 27 percent and 42 percent respectively.

Canfor Corporation announced that its 70%-owned subsidiary, Vida Group, has entered into an agreement to purchase three sawmills located in Sweden from Bergs Timber for a purchase price of CAD$43 million plus working capital. The three mills, which are located in Vimmerby, Mörlunda and Orrefors, Sweden, will add approximately 215 million board feet to Vida’s annual capacity. With additional investment, Vida anticipates the production capacity of the mills can be increased to 300 million board feet. After taking into account this additional production capacity, Sweden represents 22% of Canfor’s globally diversified operating platforms, plus 43% in British Columbia, 31% in the Southern United States and 4% in Alberta.

As a step in the ongoing process to improve efficiency and enhance the company’s ability to adapt to major changes in the outside world, BillerudKorsnäs intends to implement a simplified organizational structure as of August 1, 2020. The new organization will be built along the business flow around three functional areas: Wood Supply, Operations and Commercial. In parallel, the resources for sustainability and innovation will be grouped in a common new function, Sustainability & Strategic Development. “We need to cater for rapidly changing customer needs for sustainable products and solutions. The organizational structure now being implemented is one important step on a journey creating conditions that will allow a more optimal utilization of our resources and enhance our ability to adapt to changes in the outside world,” says Lennart Holm, acting CEO of BillerudKorsnäs. As of August 1, the Executive Management Team will consist of the following members; Lennart Holm, acting CEO, Ivar Vatne, CFO, Helene Biström, EVP Commercial, Tor Lundqvist, EVP Operations, Uno Brinnen, acting EVP Wood Supply, Ulf Eliasson, EVP Sustainability & Strategic Development and Paulina Ekvall, EVP HR.

Monadnock announces line of RIT HP Indigo 3-Star Certified media made with 100 percent post-consumer waste (PCW) recycled fiber. The line includes uncoated and coated options under its flagship Astrolite PC 100® line of fine recycled printing papers. Astrolite PC 100 Digital+ for HP Indigo is available in weights ranging from 80 lb. text to 130 lb. double-thick cover. Astrolite PC 100 Velvet C2S with a universal coating optimized for HP Indigo (LEP), dry toner (EP) and offset lithography presses, available in weights ranging from 80 lb. text to 150 lb. cover. This single ply 150 lb. cover is unique to the industry. All products in the Astrolite PC 100 line have a matching shade. The surface is crafted using the best formulation chemistries for optimal LEP print performance. The Velvet coating provides an exquisite matte print surface that is unlike any other coated fine printing paper. The grades are available in a full range of sizes including 12×18” to 29.5×20.75” to accommodate the full portfolio of HP Indigo sheet fed digital presses.

These higher grade medical masks, which are much sought after, have been donated with the assistance of The Solidarity Fund to the KwaZulu Natal Department of Health on Monday 15 June. This donation is at a cost of just under R10 million and the result of a truly collaborative effort across the global Mondi network. "As MEC of Health in Kwa-Zulu Natal, I am deeply appreciative of Mondi’s contribution. The FFP3/N95 respiratory masks are in high demand because they are designed to protect medical staff when caring for patients known or suspected to be infected with a newly identified infectious respiratory virus. The masks will be distributed to public hospitals across the province over the coming weeks," said KZN Health MEC Ms Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu.

Norske Skog will take a major step in its continued transformation towards a growing and high-margin business by converting two newsprint paper machines into renewable containerboard production. The conversions at Golbey and Bruck will introduce 765,000 tonnes of competitive containerboard capacity to meet the growing demand for renewable packaging. Following the conversions, both mills will have access to green energy and have reduced their carbon footprints to become among the best performers in the industry. Norske Skog will continue to be a reliable supplier of all publication paper grades after the planned conversions. Newsprint capacity will be reduced with 360,000 tonnes, balancing the market for the Norske Skog’s remaining European publication paper capacity. Norske Skog plans to invest approximately EUR 350 million in the conversion projects over an 18-month period commencing in H2 2021. The investments are expected to generate an annual EBITDA of approximately EUR 70-80 million at full utilisation, based on historical prices for containerboard and recovered paper.

Mactac® releases the latest edition of its industry-preferred foam bonding guide, which offers the most recent updates and guidance in adhesive-foam selections. An excellent resource for fabricators and converters, the guide aids in adhesive selection for foam bonding applications – from gaskets, seals, and gap-filling to thermal and acoustical insulation, vibration dampening, filtration, dunnage, cushioning and everything in between. “Mactac is a known expert in material handling and we’ve tested many popular grades of foam to confidently recommend adhesives based on our research,” says Janet Page, Senior Marketing Manager, Mactac Performance Adhesives. “The newest edition of our customer-favorite foam-bonding guide offers our latest recommendations to help customers select the best adhesive for their application.”

Clearwater Paper Corporation announced a key divisional executive appointment. Joanne P. Shufelt is named senior vice president and general manager of the consumer products division, effective immediately. Ms. Shufelt succeeds Arsen Kitch, who was named president and chief executive officer of the company in April 2020. Ms. Shufelt joined Clearwater Paper in 2012 as vice president of sales and marketing for consumer products and has since grown in leadership responsibilities while in this role. Previously, she held sales leadership positions at Duro Standard Products, a private packaging company, and AbitibiBowater Inc., now Resolute, Inc., a pulp, paper, and tissue company.

July will see shovels in the ground as the Sawmills Division of J.D. Irving, Limited begins a long-awaited investment at Doaktown. The $35 million project will see the mill’s footprint grow by 14,000 square feet bringing together the sawmill, planer mill and value added centre under one roof. Currently the sawmill is located on the other side of the road. New, state-of-the-art technology will be installed throughout the lumber production process. The company is targeting spring 2021 for the commissioning and start-up of the new facility.

Young people in South Africa’s rural areas have been using their power to communicate by getting active on their social media platforms with useful information about curbing the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Thanks to a useful set of illustrated messages created by Sappi Southern Africa about how to combat the disease, the team of Abashintshi are actively aligning their activities with the theme for South Africa’s 2020 Youth Month, which is : “Youth Power: Growing South Africa together in the period of COVID-19”. The Abashintshi are a group of enthusiastic youngsters who volunteered to receive community development training sponsored by Sappi over the last recent years and have been using this knowledge to bring about social mobilisation in their communities. “Normally they would be arranging the Sappi-sponsored school holiday programmes around now to keep youngsters entertained, but the lockdown and the disruption of school schedules, prevented them from doing so this year”, comments Mpho Lethoko, Sappi Southern Africa Communications Manager.

Mondi is paving the way to become one of the leading suppliers of premium recycled paper with its established brand NAUTILUS®. Over the past few months, the business has initiated several steps to meet increasing demand for premium recycled paper and goes to the heart of Mondi's approach to sustainability. In 2020, Mondi launched three new members of the NAUTILUS® family, NAUTILUS® ProCycle, NAUTILUS® ProCycle high-speed inkjet and NAUTILUS® SuperWhite for HP Indigo. *NAUTILUS® ProCycle is a 100% recycled office paper meeting the highest environmental standards. It is CO2 neutral and offers EU Ecolabel, FSCTM and Blue Angel certification. The paper has a high degree of whiteness (UV 100 / CIE whiteness 135), which is achieved without using optical brighteners in the production process. Therefore, NAUTILUS® ProCycle is currently the only recycled paper on the market that is produced in line with the new standards of the Blue Angel ecolabel. It is available in 80 g/m² A4 and A3 sizes. *NAUTILUS® ProCycle high-speed inkjet is especially tailored to high-speed inkjet printing presses. It is available in reels of 80 and 90 g/m2. Its special surface treatment for dye and pigment inks retains ink on the paper surface for crisper colours with lower ink consumption. Additionally, it is optimised for quick water absorption, fast drying, no offsetting and, consequently, increased productivity. *NAUTILUS® SuperWhite for HP Indigo is the ideal sustainable alternative to bright white paper made from virgin fibre as it is produced entirely from post-consumer waste paper and with a CIE whiteness level of 150. The entire range, from 80 to 350 gsm, is certified for HP Indigo presses, which is ideal for runnability, blanket compatibility and ElectroInk adhesion.

Paper Excellence Canada announced the curtailment of operations at its pulp mill in Mackenzie, British Columbia targeting the final week of June 2020. Paper Excellence has substantially invested to improve mill operations since acquiring the Mackenzie facility in 2010. Despite best efforts by the company and its committed team of employees in Mackenzie, the COVID-19 global pandemic is having negative impacts on pulp markets creating conditions that no longer support the on-going operation of the mill. Furthermore, the deep fibre shortage in BC and the Mackenzie region have affected the mill’s competitiveness. This shortage was exacerbated by recent curtailment of sawmills in the Mackenzie region dramatically reducing economic fibre availability.

Self-adhesive label stock supplier UPM Raflatac has achieved sustainability certification from the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Scheme ISCC PLUS at three of its factories and nine distribution terminals worldwide. The company is proud to make a change in the sustainable labels value chain and be one of the first adopters in the packaging industry to deliver this certification. UPM Raflatac’s ISCC PLUS certified products via mass-balance approach include UPM Raflatac Forest Film™ and UPM Raflatac PP C-PCR. ISCC PLUS is one of the leading global sustainability certification schemes for a fully traceable supply chain to support the transition to a circular economy and bioeconomy. It allows biobased raw materials as well as waste and residue-based feedstock for plastic labels to be certified. The ISCC PLUS certification provides a strong external proof of sustainably managed raw materials and value chains for renewable and chemically recycled products. This truly sustainable packaging value chain brings customers and brand owners closer to their sustainability goals.

Mactac® Roll Label announces the addition of thinner, more sustainable thermal transfer labeling solutions to its Optiscan® product line-up. The two new products feature facestocks that are 14 percent thinner caliper than current products and Mactac’s recently launched ultra-thin 1.7-mil BLOOM® hi.mpact™ glassine paper liner. Optiscan K features a coated thermal transfer facestock that is 14 percent thinner caliper than current products and uses less paper/coating at only 34 lb. basis weight. Optiscan V has an uncoated, super smooth vellum thermal transfer facestock that is 14 percent thinner caliper than most current products. Mactac’s BLOOM hi.mpact liner reduces the labeling industry’s environmental impact and increases converter/end-user profitability.

The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), of which Domtar is an industry partner, has created a coalition of more than 160 industry thought leaders and suppliers to provide active aging guidance for communities throughout North America as they prepare to reopen safely after COVID-19. Participants in the ICAA COVID-19 Senior Living Task Force include “representatives of for-profit, not-for-profit and affordable housing — organizations providing active-adult and independent living, continuing care retirement communities/life plan, assisted living, long-term care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation.” Domtar Personal Care’s Chris Lee, senior marketing manager for Attends®, and Melissa Weston, vice president for global commercial excellence, participated in the launch of the task force in late May. They joined in discussing the issues that will shape the future of active aging, including adult incontinence.

Paper Excellence Canada announced today that Northern Pulp notified Nova Scotia Environment of its intention to pause the Environment Assessment for the new Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF) to facilitate further detailed discussions with stakeholders about how Northern Pulp and the community can best work together to foster a clean environment, maintain and protect jobs, and contribute to a strong Nova Scotian economy. “We remain concerned that the Environmental Assessment, based on the current terms of reference, is ambiguous and would not result in a clear outcome. Instead, it could lead to more uncertainty, division, and disappointment among stakeholders,” said Graham Kissack, VP, Environment, Health, Safety and Communications for Paper Excellence Canada, on behalf of Northern Pulp. “Pausing the assessment will provide time for us to further engage the community in discussion about the mill and its future, how we can best co-exist, and an appropriate Environmental Assessment process for the environmental improvement being proposed.”

Solenis is expanding production at its Ankleshwar facility in India to manufacture its next-generation Pergafast™ 425 color developer for the thermal paper market. Part of Solenis’ imaging product line, the patented Pergafast™ 425 provides additional performance capabilities as compared to the company’s well-known Pergafast™ 201 color developer. Color developers are used in the formulation of the coating layer in thermal papers. They play a key role in developing the image on the paper when exposed to heat in the thermal printing process. Thermal paper is used in various applications, such as supermarket receipts and packaging labels. “With this new expansion, we intend to support our customers in their journey towards more sustainable products,” said Christophe Zebst, director, Product Management.

Verso will indefinitely idle paper mills in Duluth, Minnesota, and Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, while exploring viable and sustainable alternatives for both mills, including restarting if market conditions improve, marketing for sale or closing permanently. The decision to reduce production capacity is driven by the accelerated decline in graphic paper demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The stay-at-home orders have significantly reduced the use of print advertising in various industries, including retail, sports, entertainment and tourism. According to Fastmarkets RISI, North American printing & writing demand fell by 38% year-over-year in April, and operating rates are expected to drop well below 70% during the second quarter. Verso expects to idle the Duluth Mill by the end of June 2020, and the Wisconsin Rapids Mill by the end of July 2020, resulting in the layoff of approximately 1,000 employees. Verso will continue to supply graphic and specialty papers in roll and sheet form, as well as packaging papers and pulp.

UPM Plywood introduces a new water repellent WISA-SpruceWR plywood that enables efficient and effortless construction even in changing weather and humidity conditions. The water repellent yet breathable surface of WISA-SpruceWR slows down the absorption of moisture into the panel while allowing it to evaporate. Thanks to the wood-based treatment agent, WISA-SpruceWR is a genuinely sustainable and safe choice made from renewable raw materials. Designed for structural uses, WISA-SpruceWR provides significant benefits especially for developers and builders. WISA-SpruceWR is available in four common thicknesses (12–21 mm), in both straight-edged and easy-to-install tongue-and-groove options. Made entirely of spruce, WISA-SpruceWR’s technical properties are the same as those of regular WISA-Spruce plywood: the panel’s strength and light weight make it ideal for all kinds of frame construction, such as walls and floors.

Clearwater Paper Corporation announced a preliminary update to the company’s previous outlook for second quarter 2020 Adjusted EBITDA of $45 to $55 million. Due to demand, production, and cost trends in April and May that were more favorable than previously anticipated, the company now expects Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2020 to be in the range of $71 to $77 million. In addition, in connection with its fourth quarter of 2019 earnings call, the company provided its outlook expectations for certain revenue and cost components for the full year of 2020. Due to anticipated performance in the second quarter of 2020, the company now believes that it will, in the aggregate, outperform the previous full-year expectations. The company will provide greater details regarding its performance and results for the second quarter of 2020 on its upcoming earnings call on August 4, 2020.

UPM is aiming to find sustainable solutions for replacing fossil-based raw materials and offering environmentally sound alternatives. One of the most recent innovations is UPM Formi EcoAce biocomposite, launched at the beginning of 2020. This revolutionary biocomposite is almost 100 % based on renewable resources. UPM Formi EcoAce contains certified wood and cellulose fibers as well as certified renewable PP polymers from SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE™ solutions. The renewable PP polymers are made of wood-based feedstock from UPM Biofuels’ production. UPM’s BioVerno production is certified by both ISCC PLUS and RSB, and the sustainability of the material has been verified accordingly. At the beginning of 2020, Akvila Cutlery launched a next generation reusable cutlery made from total wood-based raw materials, UPM Formi EcoAce. The cutlery is made from softwood fibres and wood waste derived ISCC-certified bio-polypropylene, implementation of zero-deforestation. The material does not compete with food production as many other bio-based materials, which is totally unique in the world.

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of a proposed rulemaking (EPA-HQ-OAR-2020-00044) on how EPA considers benefits and costs in designing regulations under the Clean Air Act. The proposal requests public comment on how EPA can be more consistent and transparent in considering the best available scientific and technical information on societal benefits and costs when crafting its air quality regulations. EPA is requesting public comment for 45 days from the publication of the proposed rule.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. announced that, in working with its lenders under its Senior Secured Credit Agreement, it has entered into an amendment under which, among other changes, the lenders have agreed to relax the financial covenants through 2022. In addition, the Amendment provides additional liquidity to the Company by reducing the minimum availability the Company is required to maintain under its revolving credit facility. The Amendment added a 1 percent LIBOR floor and lenders were paid a customary fee as consideration for their consent to the Amendment. “In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was prudent to obtain additional financial flexibility to ensure continued compliance with our covenants,” said Paul G. Boynton, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe we now have the runway to manage the business through these challenging conditions, enabling us to continue to service our customers and emerge a stronger and more profitable organization.”

Since the beginning of June 2020, Dr. Kurt Maier (CEO of Heinzel Group) has been the new President of Austropapier, the Association of the Austrian Paper Industry. He succeeds Christian Skilich, who has represented the Austrian paper industry both nationally and internationally since 2018. With Kurt Maier, CEO of the Heinzel Group, a further high-profile board member and industry expert is now taking the lead in representing the interests of the paper industry. Born in Graz in 1961, he received his doctorate from Graz University of Technology in 1991. From 2005 to 2016 he was board member of Zellstoff Pöls AG, first as Chief Financial Officer, later as Chairman of the Board. He then moved to the Heinzel Group headquarter in Vienna, where he has been CEO since 2016.

The Koehler Paper Group has joined the 4evergreen alliance, thereby underlining its efforts to ensure sustainability and protect the environment. This forum was created by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) with the aim of increasing the role played by fiber-based packaging in achieving a sustainable circular economy, while at the same time also minimizing the impact of packaging on our climate and environment. 4evergreen brings together the entire value chain and unites it behind a common goal: To increase the role of the bio-based economy within the packaging industry. The alliance is made up of paper manufacturers, food and drink brands like Nestlé and Danone, and companies within the packaging industry (including market leaders Tetra Pak and AR Packaging), but it also includes brands, retailers, and suppliers within the technological and material sectors, right up to those working in sorting and recycling.

After nearly two years of planning and construction, Windsor Mill’s newly reconfigured woodroom is now one of the largest and most modern in North America. The woodroom upgrade allows the mill to increase productivity while reducing fiber loss between the forest and the mill. The woodroom is where logs are debarked and processed into wood chips to feed the mill. The woodroom upgrade involved replacing two existing log-processing lines with one modern, state-of-the-art line. While the previous system could process only 8-foot-long logs, the new single-line system boasts more capacity and can handle logs that are 4 to 26 feet long. Windsor Mill Manager Sylvain Bricault says the debarking process improvement will reduce fiber loss by 4 percent each year, allowing the mill to get more usable fiber from the same amount of wood.

Evergreen Packaging® announced the release of TruSpec® Inkjet Book with ColorPRO Technology, a new digital coated matte paper developed in conjunction with HP. Evergreen is the only North American coated paper producer utilizing cutting edge HP ColorPRO technology. TruSpec Inkjet Book is certified for all HP inkjet presses and in head-to-head product comparisons has proven to provide vastly improved press speed, superior ink densities and color gamut, with stellar lay-flat properties. TruSpec is raising the bar for Inkjet substrate performance. Printer segments from Book Publishing, Direct Mail, and Commercial Print to Packaging, can be more efficient, saving time and money without the traditional speed-to-quality trade-off. “TruSpec Inkjet Book is the first new product in Evergreen’s Pine Bluff digital paper focus and continues our 30 year history as a leading producer of coated publishing and commercial grades,” said Ken Russell, Vice President Paper and Specialty at Evergreen. “This new product is a great fit with our manufacturing process and capabilities. Coupling this product innovation, with our proven service platform, is enabling Evergreen to provide incredibly flexible service, with one stop shopping for paper basis weights ranging from 45 lb. – 60 lb., and roll widths from 18” – 50+”. Collaborating with HP on ColorPRO Technology provides commercial printers and publishers with an opportunity to expand and enhance their business via a paper that prints faster, uses less ink, and comes from a mill with a dependable service platform.”

Verso Corporation announced that Terrence M. Dyer has been appointed Verso's Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Communications, effective June 1, 2020. "I am pleased to have Terry join Verso and our senior leadership team with responsibility for leading our human resources and communications initiatives that support our strategic business plans," said President and Chief Executive Officer Adam St. John. "Terry brings more than 20 years of human resources experience to Verso and has a solid reputation for companywide talent strategies that support current and future business performance, employee engagement and retention."

UPM Plywood is planning to permanently close its Jyväskylä plywood mill, which is producing spruce and birch plywood. The company starts a consultation process concerning the entire personnel working at the mill. UPM Jyväskylä plywood mill employs 167 people. The Profitability of Jyväskylä plywood mill has been weak for a long time, even during periods of high-demand. Despite investments as well as savings and improvement activities, the profitability has not improved to a sustainable level.

Effective June 1, 2020, Solenis LLC closed on its previously announced acquisition of the paper business of ChemSystems, a division of AECI Ltd. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, ChemSystems is a leading producer and supplier of specialized chemical solutions for water-intensive industries, including the pulp, paper and tissue manufacturing industries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The business will be integrated into Solenis as part of its direct-to-market strategy.

Canfor Corporation, further to its announcement on November 9, 2018, completed the purchase of Elliott Sawmilling Company Inc. on May 31, 2020. Elliott adds over 210 million board feet of production capacity.

Mercer International Inc. reports that its Celgar mill, in addition to regularly planned maintenance downtime of five days, will be taking approximately 30 days of additional downtime (aggregate 52,000 ADMTs) in July 2020. The additional downtime largely results from reduced fiber availability in the mill’s procurement area as a result of Covid related sawmill curtailments in British Columbia, the imposition of sawlog equivalent stumpage charges on pulpwood and complex stumpage rules which result in a significant amount of pulp wood already harvested being left to burn in the forest.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced the election of Resolute Forest Products President and CEO Yves Laflamme and Sonoco Products Company President and CEO Robert Tiede to serve on its Board of Directors. The election took place during the June 28 summer board meeting. AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement, “Yves Laflamme and Robert Tiede bring deep industry experience and valuable leadership to the table as we work to advance the paper and wood products industry’s top advocacy priorities. We are one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the nation – eager to innovate and invest in the future with the help of common sense public policy, including regulatory reform, free and fair trade and efficient transportation measures. Together, we will put our companies’ compelling story and its needs before the administration, Congress and decision makers at the federal and state levels so they can take the action necessary to help us grow the economy and create American manufacturing jobs.” Click Read More below for additional information.

The Nicolet Mill was honored on June 28, 2018 – receiving Focus on Energy’s “Energy Efficiency Excellence Award” for its commitment to reducing energy waste. Nicolet has been active in identifying and implementing energy reduction projects, and as part of the Focus on Energy grant program, has worked with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and Focus on Energy on assessments of their processes, and has integrated many energy-saving changes based on the assessment results. Recent energy efficiency projects at Nicolet include LED lighting upgrades, steam system management upgrades, and installing more efficient agitators and pulper rotors. The Nicolet Mill was the only industrial company to receive this honor this year.

The company’s acquisition has been finalized. Feldmuehle Uetersen announced that it will be transferred to a subsidiary of the Berlin-based Beteiligungsgesellschaft Kairos Industries with effect from 15 June 2018 and will be continued in full. ‘Feldmuehle’ was founded specially for the transfer. The insolvency administrator and restructuring expert Dr. Tjark Thies from the Hamburg law firm Reimer Rechtsanwälte had concluded an acquisition agreement with Kairos in May 2018. This agreement was under several challenging conditions, which were met the week ended June 15. "The successful completion of this refurbishment is largely thanks to the dedication, flexibility and responsiveness of the Feldmuehle employees," says Thies.

Stora Enso has started a feasibility study and an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a possible investment in Oulu. The feasibility study and the EIA evaluate a potential conversion of the Oulu paper mill into packaging board production. The feasibility study is expected to be concluded by the end of 2018, and the EIA process is expected to take a minimum of 6 months. Currently, Oulu Mill has a production capacity of 360 000 tons of chemical softwood pulp and 1 080 000 tons of woodfree coated papers on two paper machines. The potential investment would include a new chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP) plant, a brown-based cartonboard line with a capacity of 450 000 t/a and a kraftliner line with a capacity of 400 000 t/a. The potential conversion of Oulu Mill would enable Stora Enso to further improve its position in the growing consumer board and packaging solutions businesses and take a major step in its transformation. The other option is to continue the current fine paper production. Click Read More below for additional information.

Lecta extends its portfolio of Metalvac products with the new Metalvac G paper, an extensive range of high substance papers (from 105 g/m2 to 170g/m2), especially designed for high-end graphic applications and premium packaging. Metallized papers are the perfect choice for these end uses where sophistication and exclusivity are the goal, thanks to their glossy metallic appearance, their optimum brightness and their being 100% recyclable mono-material. The new Metalvac G range offers the possibility of creating exclusive packaging, especially for premium look envelopes and gift bags with Metalvac G 105 g/m2, and for board lamination for rigid boxes and prestige packaging with Metalvac G 115 - 170 g/m2. Metalvac G also guarantees the best results in offset, UV offset, flexography and silkscreen printing, and is suitable for hot-melt and water-based glues. Click Read More below for additional information.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. and Borregaard ASA announced LignoTech Florida, owned 45 percent by RYAM and 55 percent by BRG, officially begun operations at the new lignin plant in Fernandina Beach. The plant has production capacity of 100,000 dry metric tons of lignin with the option of a second phase that can later expand production by an additional 50,000 dry metric tons “We are excited to complete construction phase of the plant, on time and within $110 million combined budget,” said Paul G. Boynton, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rayonier Advanced Materials. “This investment provides new jobs for the Fernandina Beach community, diverse and environmentally-friendly products for Rayonier Advanced Materials, and a solid return on capital for our investors.” Lignin, a natural component of wood, is a co-product of Rayonier Advanced Material’s sulphite cellulose manufacturing process in Fernandina Beach. The new operation will process the lignin into value-added products that provide environmentally-friendly alternatives to fossil fuel-based products used globally in construction, agriculture and other industrial applications.

For 170 years, Domtar has manufactured useful products for thousands of applications. For the past 20 years, pulp and paper have been at the center of our business. Domtar’s Paper division is the largest integrated manufacturer and marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America. We are the private brand expert and leading producer of many of the most successful brands of copy paper and we produce and market a number of highly respected, well-known commercial printing, publishing, digital and inkjet paper brands. Our network of mills and converting sites give us 3 million tons of papermaking capacity annually to help us to serve our customers, support our employees and strengthen our communities. That’s how our paper makes life better every day. Domtar is a global manufacturer with a history spanning more than 150 years. Click Read More below for additional information.

Zanders GmbH has filed for the opening of ‘debtor in possession’ proceedings in the local court in Cologne on the 22 June 2018. This is a restructuring process to secure the continued operation of Zanders. It has become necessary primarily because of high pension fund payments, which continuously weigh on our operations, and a drastic increase in raw material and energy costs in the last few months, together with difficult conditions and overcapacity in our industry. By engaging in this process we can accomplish a successful restructuring that will see Zanders GmbH back in a strong, competitive trading position. In the past three years we have made many operational improvements which have delivered annual sales growth of 12%. Under the supervision of the court we believe we can build on this growth, increase our efficiency and create a solid base to continue to deliver to our customers. Click Read More below for additional information.

Total European shipments of graphic papers were down 0.3% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are down 3.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint were down 7.0% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are down 7.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine were down 1.2% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are down 8.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels were UP 6.8% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are UP 2.9% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) were UP 7.3% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are UP 7.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree were down 2.9% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are down 5.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree were UP 1.3% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are down 3.0% year-to-date. Click Read More below for additional information.

Production at the expanded Östrand pulp mill began according to plan during the midsummer holiday (i.e. this weekend). SCA is investing SEK 7.8bn in the operation and the project is on budget and schedule. SCA decided in 2015 to invest in an increased production capacity at the Östrand pulp mill – from 430,000 tonnes to about 900,000 tonnes of bleached softwood kraft pulp (NBSK). Following an extended maintenance stop, which began in April of this year, the expanded pulp mill is now in operation. Production capacity in the expanded pulp mill is expected to increase successively during 2018 and 2019. 2020 is therefore expected to be the first year with full production, corresponding to 900,000 tonnes. Click Read More below for additional information.

Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc. announces the launch of Keaykolour by Arjowiggins Creative Papers. Long established outside the U.S., Keaykolour has just undergone an extensive product update resulting in a range of 43, fresh colors. And Mohawk will be the exclusive North American distributor for this incredibly beautiful line of uncoated fine paper. The new Keaykolour portfolio offered by Mohawk is made up of 43 fresh colors, in 2 weights (80 text and 111 cover), sized at 27.5x39.3 inches, in a natural vellum finish. The entire product line is stocked in Mohawk’s U.S. warehouses for quick turn delivery through Mohawk merchants across North America and is available for immediate ordering. “Using colored paper has never been so easy and accessible,” says Chris Harrold VP, Creative Director for Mohawk. “Simply choose from 43 colors in text or cover weight and we will have it to your doorstep in just a few days.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Boise Paper has offered a 99.99% Jam-Free Guarantee® on their Boise POLARIS® Premium Multipurpose paper since 2009 and on X-9® Multi-use Copy and ASPEN® 30 Multi-use Recycled Copy papers since 2013. They have recently expanded this guarantee to cover ASPEN 50 and 100 Multi-use Recycled Copy papers, as well as the Inkjet, Laser, and Color Copy papers in their Boise POLARIS Premium line. “We know how important the jam-free guarantee is to customers with large volume, high-speed printers,” says Mary Ignas, senior director of marketing. “They need to maximize efficiency with as little downtime as possible. That’s why we’ve partnered with BLI for the last ten years to validate the guarantee on our highest volume products.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Millions of fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines, of Magnolia Homes and HGTV’s Fixer Upper fame, are getting a taste of quality from Domtar’s Rothschild Mill this year. That’s because Joanna Gaines’ new cookbook, “Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering,” was printed on 80-lb. Lynx® paper made at Rothschild Mill. The book, published by HarperCollins, includes personal stories and homestyle recipes of family favorites and classic comfort food from the couple’s new restaurant in Waco, Texas. It has received glowing reviews from lovers of all the Magnolia Homes brand and was a New York Times No. 1 bestseller. Our Rothschild Mill colleagues also received high marks from the publisher; Domtar has worked with HarperCollins for more than 20 years. It’s rewarding to know that our customers and partners value our high-quality Lynx paper and excellent customer service. Click Read More below for additional information.

RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry, today announced that Steve Voorhees, Chief Executive Officer of WestRock, a leading provider of differentiated paper and packaging solutions, has been named the 2018 North American CEO of the Year. The award will be presented to Steve Voorhees at the North American Conference on October 11, 2018 in San Francisco, California at the Parc 55 Hotel. Click Read More below for additional information.

European institutions have come to an initial agreement on the revised Renewable Energy Directive. UPM Biofuels welcomes the agreement as it creates an obligatory advanced biofuel blending mandate in all EU Member States starting at 0.2% in 2022, double counted, and rising to 3.5% in 2030. "The UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery, the world's first to produce wood-based renewable diesel on a commercial scale, has proven the potential as a significant producer of truly sustainable advanced biofuels. UPM BioVerno, which reduces GHG emissions up to 80% compared with fossil fuels, has found a solid market place. The agreement will further boost interest in the most sustainable biofuels and strengthens the position of advanced low-ILUC fuels, such as UPM BioVerno, that have minimal risk of causing indirect emissions or land use change," says Sari Mannonen, Vice President, UPM Biofuels. Click Read More below for additional information.

The proposed transaction includes Georgia-Pacific’s operations located in Steinfurt, Germany, along with sales offices located in France and Italy. The Steinfurt facility produces high-quality airlaid products for the table-top, wipes, hygiene, food pad, and other nonwoven materials markets, competing in the marketplace with nonwoven technologies and substrates, as well as other materials focused primarily on consumer based end-use applications. The Steinfurt facility is a state-of-the-art, 32,000-metric-ton-capacity manufacturing facility that employs approximately 220 people. In 2017, the Business generated net sales of $99 million and EBITDA of $18 million. The Company expects to realize synergies in excess of approximately $6 million per year within three years, and expects to incur one-time costs of approximately $7 million for transaction fees and integration. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised we plan to increase the price of our cut-size papers by $2.50 CWT effective July 20, 2018. This increase applies to all uncoated freesheet brands of NORPAC copy paper as well as Natural Choice and Natural Choice 30. Please also note we will be increasing the standard upcharge for Orca 30 and Natural Choice 30 to $5.00 CWT. All other terms and conditions remain in effect.

Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased five percent in May compared to May 2017. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased three percent from April. Imports of printing-writing papers in April increased four percent compared to April 2017 imports, while exports declined one percent compared to April 2018. •Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in May 2018 edged down slightly year-over-year. Imports of UFS decreased less than one-half of one percent year-over-year in April. Exports of UFS papers increased 13 percent in April compared to April 2017. •Purchases of coated mechanical (CM) papers increased year-over-year in May 2018 for the second time this year. Imports of CM increased 24 percent year-over-year in April. Exports of CM increased two percent year-over-year in April. •Shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) paper and uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in May both declined year-over-year. Imports of UM papers increased seven percent compared to April 2017, while imports of CFS papers decreased 12 percent compared to last April.

Lecta announces a price increase of 5% on all its CWF 1 side grades and self-adhesive materials.​​​ The price increase is a consequence of the continuous increase in manufacturing costs. The new prices will be effective on deliveries from July 2nd, 2018.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö continues to grow its attractive Filtration business as customer demand increases globally. In the Filtration and Performance business area, the company will invest about EUR 28 million to expand manufacturing capacity as well as product capabilities. The project will start in 2018 and is expected to be completed during the first half of 2020. Fulvio Capussotti, Executive Vice President of Business Area Filtration and Performance, states: “This investment will enable us to create additional capacity in Turin, Italy, and will allow us to support growing demand for high-end filtration materials. Turin is already Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s largest plant globally and this investment will further consolidate our position as one of the leading global platforms for high-performance filtration material development and production. This investment also includes rebuilding and modification of our existing plants in Malmedy, Belgium and in Ställdalen, Sweden. Click Read More below for additional information.

A new four-year tentative agreement has been reached between Catalyst Paper and Unifor, representing approximately 750 workers in British Columbia. "This agreement achieves the pattern bargaining goals that Unifor set for the western pulp sector, which is helping to raise standards across the board," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "I congratulate the bargaining committee on obtaining a fair deal in these very challenging times for the Canadian pulp and paper industry." Click Read More below for additional information.

Continuing to be at the forefront of sustainable product offerings, Expera Specialty Solutions announced its launch of a broad line of SOAR Sustainable Food Packaging and Processing Papers. These papers have the ability to achieve multiple sustainability goals in a single product. New to Expera's SOAR product portfolio is Wax Alternative papers. "Our Wax Alternative papers are manufactured without the addition of paraffin or other petroleum-based materials, creating a more sustainable alternative to the traditionally used quick service restaurant packaging," explained Robyn Buss, Vice President Sales & Marketing for Expera Specialty Solutions. "These products maintain a high-level of performance and are stronger on a pound-for-pound basis, allowing for improved yield and decreased transportation costs." Click Read More below for additional information.

Independent German paper mill Feldmuehle Uetersen has confirmed that it has been acquired, with more than 95% of jobs saved. Following reports last month that the business, which filed for insolvency in January, had been acquired by a holding company, the buyer’s identity has now been unveiled as a subsidiary of Berlin-based private equity company Beteiligungsgesellschaft Kairos Industries. “The successful completion of this refurbishment is largely thanks to the dedication, flexibility and responsiveness of the Feldmuehle employees," said Thies. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised that, effective with shipments July 15, 2018, the US transaction price for the following grades from Catalyst Paper will be increasing for new and existing orders - Electrabrite; Electrabrite Book; Electrastar. This increase applies to all basis weights, finishes and brightness.

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Kruger’s Trois-Rivières Mill, located in Québec, Canada, for a major reconfiguration of their TMP (thermo-mechanical pulp) peroxide bleach plant. Start-up is scheduled for the final quarter of 2018. The scope of supply includes: Delivery of new ANDRITZ components: HC mixer, HC bleach tower discharge system, two MC pumps; One reconditioned pulp screw press; Upgrade of two existing twin wire presses to achieve a higher production rate; Modification of one existing ANDRITZ twin wire press to move the drive to the other side; Basic engineering, erection supervision, as well as commissioning and start-up assistance are also part of the ANDRITZ scope. Click Read More below for additional information.

Iggesund Paperboard, a subsidiary within the Holmen group, is currently implementing efficiency measures to secure an efficient business and safeguard the long-term profitability of Iggesund Mill. The redundancies are part of an efficiency package aimed at improving production capacity and reducing costs. Local negotiations with the affected employee organisations will now begin with a view to completing the cutback in personnel before the end of the year. Click Read More below for additional information.

Appvion announced completion of the sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets to a group of its lenders led by Franklin Advisers, Inc. The transaction will significantly reduce Appvion’s debt, provide additional liquidity, and better position the Company to compete long-term in the evolving specialty paper market and further invest in the innovation that has made it a market leader. As previously announced, the sale was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on May 14, 2018. The total consideration was approximately $365 million, plus the assumption of substantial liabilities, including many of the Company’s contractual obligations. Prior to the closing of the transaction, the Company reached agreement with the United Steelworkers Union on new collective bargaining agreements for Appvion’s manufacturing facilities in Appleton, Wisconsin, West Carrollton, Ohio, and Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania. The new three-year agreements, which were ratified at the end of May, cover approximately 830 Appvion employees. Click Read More below for additional information.

In keeping with its commitment to the environment and increased energy efficiency, Lecta has announced an innovative renewable energy project to harness solar radiation for thermal power to be used in manufacturing processes at its Condat Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare mill. With the help of an expert specialized in the installation of thermal power plants for the paper industry, starting this fall Lecta will have a thermal solar power plant at the mill with a capacity of 3.4 MWth. Its total surface area will be 1.4 hectares, with 45,434 square feet of solar panels deployed on the surrounding land and an ability to provide around 3,900 MW/year of energy. Panels with solar trackers, mechanical devices that orient the collectors, will follow the position of the sun during the day and convert the sun's rays into thermal energy that will be sent to the mill as hot water. Click Read More below for additional information.

Kruger Products L.P. Away-From-Home division (AFH) announced the launch of Titan® Bold, a striking new line up of roll towel and bathroom tissue dispensers to its Ultimate Washroom® Collection. "With an ultra-modern, sleek design and a gleaming black finish, Titan® Bold pushes dispenser design and technology, making this an exciting achievement for Kruger Products," said Sandra Garcia, marketing manager, Kruger Products L.P., AFH. "These stunning new offerings took two years to bring to life and required intensive collaboration with engineering, welding and design teams at Dispensing Dynamics, a Hunter company, to transform our innovative designs into reality." Click Read More below for additional information.

The mill, which began operating in 1928, quickly established itself as a leading supplier of kraftliner in France and then extended its reach throughout Europe. The Cellulose du Pin mill produces kraftliner from local maritime pine and recycled fibres and has a strategic location in the heart of the Aquitaine Forest beside a major transport route connecting Madrid, Bordeaux and Paris. The plant produces 500,000 tonnes of kraft annually. Click Read More below for additional information.

Brazilian pulpmaker Suzano Papel e Celulose SA lost about 80,000 tonnes of pulp production and 25,000 tonnes of paper production during a late-May truckers’ strike, the company said in a securities filing on Thursday. For an 11-day period in late May, truckers protesting high fuel prices blocked highways across Brazil, seriously affecting industries ranging from retail to agribusiness to aviation. (Reporting by Gram Slattery)

International Paper Company confirmed that the company will not make an offer for Smurfit Kappa Group plc, given the lack of engagement by Smurfit Kappa's Board of Directors and Management. In February 2018, International Paper provided representatives of Smurfit Kappa's Board of Directors with a proposal to acquire the company. Following discussions with shareholders of both companies, IP put forward a revised proposal on March 26, 2018. IP believes the revised proposal was highly attractive and formed a sound basis for engagement, which the company viewed as essential to determining the full value potential of the combination. Click Read More below for additional information.

With the rebuild of PM2, the UPM group will increase the capacity of release paper production by an additional 110,000 t/a. Start-up after the rebuild is scheduled for the final quarter of 2019. The complex rebuild with demanding technological requirements, not only for the equipment but also for the process and product quality, was prepared in close cooperation between UPM and ANDRITZ. Apart from the rebuild of PM2, the ANDRITZ scope of supply also includes modification of the stock preparation system, approach flow and broke system. All sections of the paper machine will be modified. Click Read More below for additional information.

Mercer International Inc. announced that it has determined to proceed with a Phase II expansion and optimization project at its Friesau sawmill. The project is designed to, among other things: * increase annual lumber production capacity at the Friesau Facility by approximately 200 million board feet to an aggregate of approximately 750 million board feet on a continuous operating basis, through the addition of two new sorting lines and the completion of expansions to existing sorting lines; * improve production grade capabilities by modifying primary breakdown lines to allow for expanded sorting capabilities, including the processing of shorter and more variable log grades; and * improve efficiencies at the Friesau Facility, including by increasing production speeds and lowering personnel costs. Click Read More below for additional information.

Twin Rivers Paper Company LLC announced that it completed the acquisition of the paper mill located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Twin Rivers, headquartered in Madawaska, Maine, produces specialty packaging, label, publishing, and technical specialty papers as well as dimensional lumber. It is owned jointly by Atlas Holdings LLC and Blue Wolf Capital. The mill acquired under this agreement produces Multiwall, Converting and Bag grade unbleached kraft papers serving a variety of food, agricultural, and industrial applications. With basis weights between 40# and 78#, the mill has a capacity in excess of 140,000 US short tons. This acquisition marks Twin Rivers’ second investment in packaging and technical markets in recent years, following the purchase of the paper manufacturing assets of the Burrows Corporation in 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.

In an effort to manage our extensive paper manufacturing system in the most efficient and responsive way, Verso is discontinuing production of our Focus® grade as of July 31, 2018. Our current Focus® inventory will be available for sale until it is extinguished. Our Influence® offering will continue to be Verso’s flagship brand for the No. 3 coated freesheet web market. The elimination of the Focus® grade allows for expanded production of Influence® Gloss, Soft-Gloss®, Matte, and Gravure. With this streamlined grade structure, Verso’s inventory replenishment of Influence® will also be enhanced. Click Read More below for additional information.

The global printing and writing paper markets continue to evolve at a faster pace than seen in some time. We have seen many recent challenges facing our industry such as significant global capacity closures and conversions away from paper, global wood and pulp shortages, chronic and ongoing North American logistics issues and rising inputs costs to name a few. To keep pace with these new realities please be advised that Irving Paper will increase its prices of Irving SCA, Irving SCB, Irving Radiance (SCA+) and Irving Opulence (SCA++) $40 USD/Short Ton (all Basis weights) effective with new and existing orders shipping on and after July 1, 2018 in the US Market and $50 CDN / Short Ton in Canada. This increase is in addition to the previous March and May increases.

Please be advised that effective with shipments on or after July 1, 2018, Resolute’s White Paper grades noted below will increase by US$30/short ton. Products impacted by this price increase are limited to the following: ResoluteSelect 70, 65; ResoluteBook 70, 65,60 & ResoluteBook 70 Cream. The increase will be applicable to all basis weights and finishes, and all upcharges apply.

Stora Enso’s investment of EUR 12 million in a biocomposite plant is part of the company’s ongoing process of becoming a renewable materials company. It shows that Stora Enso is a leader in the bioeconomy, with the ability to provide innovative, more sustainable alternatives to plastic. The company’s biocomposites, DuraSense™ by Stora Enso, make it possible to reduce the consumption of plastic by up to 60% and replace it with renewable wood fibre. Uses for biocomposites include everything from consumer goods to industrial applications, such as furniture, hand tools, automotive parts, toys and kitchen utensils. The combination of natural wood fibre, polymers and additives offer the mouldability of plastic with the sustainability and workability of wood. Click Read More below for additional information.

Huhtamaki has acquired the majority of Cup Print Unlimited Company, a privately-owned paper cup manufacturer based in the Republic of Ireland. With the acquisition Huhtamaki improves its access to the growing market of short run custom-printed cups and boosts its on-line commercial activity. The short run capability also allows Huhtamaki to even better support its current customers' promotional activities. CupPrint is specialized in short run custom printed cups with quick delivery time. It has an on-line service model which allows efficient design and delivery of small volumes. CupPrint's annual net sales are approximately EUR 14 million and it employs altogether approximately 110 people in its manufacturing unit in Ireland and sales office in Germany. Click Read More below for additional information.

Bain Capital Private Equity, a leading global private equity firm, through Fedrigoni Holding Ltd, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Gruppo Cordenons, a leading international manufacturer of high end specialty papers for luxury packaging and premium publishing applications. The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, as the company says in the press release received by Lesprom Network. Gruppo Cordenons will be acquired and managed as an independent company. However, over time, Fedrigoni Group shareholders see a significant opportunity to share best practices, increase operations know-how and improve service and innovation by strengthening its range of high value-added special papers and key relationships with customers, supplemented by a brand that is widely recognized on international markets, where Gruppo Cordenons generates almost 70% of its turnover. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised, effective with shipments July 1, 2018 the US transaction price for 45 gsm Marathon Newsprint from Catalyst Paper will be increasing by $22.00/Metric Tonne for new and existing orders. 43 gsm and 40 gsm Marathon Lite newsprint will be increasing according to past practice. Please be advised, effective with shipments July 1, 2018, the US transaction price for 20.9# (34gsm) directory business with Catalyst Paper will be increasing by $30.00 / short ton for new and existing orders. Other basis weights will be increased according to past practice.

Since 2014, a unique Domtar internship program has helped immigrants find work and make connections in Aneby, Sweden. The program also helps people who are reentering the workforce after a long gap. For people like Moustafa Alahmad, this 10-week internship program is a lifeline. Alahmad is an ambitious, intelligent young man who studied finance at university. He speaks Kurdish, Arabic, Ukrainian and Russian. Forced to escape the civil war in his home country of Syria, Alahmad fled to Sweden, a nation known for its culture of inclusion and equality. Since he arrived, he has been able to earn enough money to get by, but it’s been difficult to find a steady job. Click Read More below for additional information.

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. (“the Company”) has announced that, at a meeting of the Board of Directors held today, the Company resolved to reorganize the production structure for its paper business. Hokkaido Mill (Yufutsu) is to shut down all paper production machines and related equipment for the production of paper (253,000 MTPY). Fuji Mill (Fuji) is to shut down all paper production machines and related equipment for the production of paper (135,000 MTPY). Kushiro Mill is to shut down its No. 8 paper production machine due to a decline in newsprint demand (143,000 MTPY). Click Read More below for additional information.

Brazilian pulp and paper producer Suzano shut operations throughout Brazil over the weekend in response to an ongoing strike by truck drivers over diesel fuel prices, a company spokesman said Tuesday. Rafael Mastrocola, head of investor relations for Suzano, told S&P Global Platts the company already had reduced output, since Friday took it further and "as of now we have halted pretty much all of our sites." Click Read More below for additional information.

For the first quarter ended 31 March 2018, Lecta had revenue of €375.4 million versus €376.3 million in the first quarter ended 31 March 2017, a decrease of €0.9 million or -0%. EBITDA decreased by €4.9 million, or -16%, from €30.2 million in 1Q2017 to €25.3 million in 1Q2018. Click Read More below for additional information.

Lars Lundin has been appointed Senior Vice President Paper and will take up his new role no later than the first of december 2018. He succeeds Nils Ringborg, who will remain part of Group management as advisor to the CEO. "Lars has shown himself to be an excellent manager of change, with years of experience in both production and marketing. His collection of skills will be invaluable in the continued drive to develop our business and I have no doubt that Lars will take Holmen Paper to new heights", says Henrik Sjölund, President and CEO of Holmen. Click Read More below for additional information.

ISLA® Duo cupstock is Kotkamills' solution to an ever-growing problem. It does not contain any plastics or waxes that are harmful for the environment or health. Easy recycling makes ISLA® Duo cups an integral part of the circular economy and makes sure that the valuable wood fibre can be reused. A traditional single-use coffee cup includes a barrier layer made from plastic, which prevents absorption of liquids and greases. The barrier layer in ISLA® Duo products is a water-based dispersion coating instead of PE plastic. Being plastic-free enables the products to be easily recyclable in normal paper and board recycling, and the wood fibre can be reused fully. ISLA® Duo cupstock doesn't contain any waxes harmful for the health nor do they cumulate in the nature like plastic. Click Read More below for additional information.

Catalyst Paper announced that it has entered into a Sales and Purchase Agreement with ND Paper LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Ltd.(“ND Paper”), a Hong Kong Stock Exchange listed company, for the sale of Catalyst’s U.S. operations to ND Paper for US$175 million. Upon the closing of this transaction, ND Paper will acquire Catalyst’s Rumford, Maine and Biron, Wisconsin mills along with the associated staff at the company’s U.S. operations center in Dayton, Ohio. Catalyst has agreed to provide transition support services to ND Paper to assist with the development of certain operational and administrative functions required for the two U.S. mills. Click Read More below for additional information.

Effective with deliveries on or after July 1, 2018, UPM is increasing the transaction price of all Coated Groundwood and Coated Freesheet Web grades. The transaction price of Coated Groundwood Grades will increase $2.00/cwt, including all basis weights and finishes of Cote; Ultra; Valor; Star. The transaction price of Coated Freesheet Web will increase $2.00/cwt ($40/st), including all basis weights and finishes of Finesse.

Stora Enso has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Through the agreement Stora Enso and SLU intend to establish a long-term collaboration in research and development, education, competence building, and innovation within the fields of forestry and bio-based materials. The main objective of the collaboration is to jointly drive research projects to develop new knowledge within sustainable forestry and wooden biomaterials. Special focus areas include bio-based materials, forest and ecosystem management, forest technology and plant- and forest production. Moreover, the collaboration will act to strengthen competence development of staff members at Stora Enso and SLU. Click Read More below for additional information.

DocuCheck Inkjet Security Papers are available in DocuCheck Basic®, DocuCheck Ghost®, DocuCheck Impede®, DocuCheck Watermark®, and DocuMark® Custom. DocuCheck Inkjet Security Papers offer the same security features as the high-performing DocuCheck product line. With a wide variety of in-paper features such as invisible fibers, indicator stains and watermarks, DocuCheck Inkjet Security Papers provide customers with security options and help businesses prevent, deter or detect fraud. “Appvion’s commitment to remain responsive to the business market needs as well as the printing industry’s demands motivated us to develop DocuCheck Inkjet Security Papers,” says Dave Pauly, Appvion’s director of carbonless, security and specialty papers. Click Read More below for additional information.

When people think of paper manufacturing, the first natural resource that comes to mind is probably trees. But water plays an equally important role in our industry. That’s why sustainable water management is one of our top priorities. The location of our facilities shows how important water is to our manufacturing process. We’ve built our mills near abundant water supplies, such as the shores of rivers, to draw water for our operations. Managing these natural resources is important to us and to the communities in which we live. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised we plan to increase the price of our 27.7# (45.0 gsm.) standard newsprint by $22.00 per metric ton effective July 1, 2018. Prices for all other newsprint basis weights will be adjusted proportionally as per past practices.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in March 2018 were down 8.1% vs. March 2017 and are down 4.6% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in March 2018 were down 12.7% vs. March 2017 and are down 8.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine papers in March 2018 were down 14.1% vs. March 2017 and are down 10.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in March 2018 were down 3.3% vs. March 2017 and are UP 1.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in March 2018 were down 1.3% vs. March 2017 and are UP 7.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in March 2018 were down 10.8% vs. March 2017 and are down 6.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in March 2018 were down 4.0% vs. March 2017 and are down 4.2% year-to-date. Click Read More below for additional information.

The recent $40 million modernization projects at the Irving Pulp & Paper and Irving Tissue facilities in Saint John represent an investment in the future of New Brunswick. At peak, the projects included over 1200 workers from 84 local contractors and more than 400 employees at these two Saint John mills. Every year there are more than 1700 small N.B. businesses across more than 250 communities - from two employees to hundreds - that supply goods and services to the JDI forest products value chain. From seed to shelf we are adding value and jobs. Click Read More below for additional information.

Preem and RenFuel are assessing, in collaboration with Rottneros, the construction of the world’s first lignin plant for biofuels, at the pulp mill in Vallvik, Söderhamn. The plant is expected to produce an annual volume of 25,000-30,000 tonnes of lignin, and will be completed in 2021. The collaboration between the companies means that Preem will be the first fuel manufacturer in Sweden to use lignin in its production. Via the company Lignolproduktion AB, which is jointly owned by Preem and RenFuel, the aim is to reach a total annual production capacity of 300,000-500,000 tonnes of lignin, based on the assumption that more plants similar to that in Vallvik are established in the future. Click Read More below for additional information.

UPM Paper Europe and North America (ENA) business has been renamed UPM Communication Papers to underline the industry focus and global reach of the business area. It also highlights UPM's long-term commitment to sustaining its global graphic paper business, building on the view that paper will continue to be an important part of the media mix in the publishing industries and business communication. UPM Communication Papers is a world leading producer of graphic papers, offering an extensive product range for advertising and publishing as well as home and office uses. Click Read More below for additional information.

Expera Coated Products announced today a new brand of liners used in the manufacture of Advanced Composites. AeroBak™ liners are designed with specific properties and performance characteristics to meet the extreme challenges encountered during the manufacture and delivery of prepreg. These properties represent years of development of both the base sheet and the coatings. “Expera Coated Products’ AeroBak™ liners deliver solutions to the market using unique technologies that extend our products beyond traditional release liners,” explained Harry Challender, Vice President of Expera Coated Products. “Through collaboration, our team leverages the depth of experience we have in both paper and coating technologies to provide a distinct product to address individual requirements. Expera Coated Products is committed to this industry as witnessed by our recent investment in capacity designed around the unique needs of the composite market.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation has approved $30 million for expansion and improvements to its nonwovens manufacturing facility in Hendersonville, North Carolina. The plant produces nonwoven materials for Kimberly-Clark's North American adult and feminine care brands including Depend, Poise and U by Kotex. The two-year project will focus on expanding the plant's production capacity and efficiency, and is expected to add 14 new jobs at the site, while maintaining current employment. Click Read More below for additional information.

Smurfit Kappa Group plc is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire Reparenco, a privately owned paper and recycling business in the Netherlands, for a cash consideration of approximately €460 million following a competitive process. Reparenco operates a two machine paper mill in the Netherlands with a capacity of 675,000 tonnes together with a 750,000 tonne recovered fibre operation. Reparenco employs 315 people with Gross Assets of €189 million and generated EBITDA of €41 million in the 12 months to April 2018, during which time the business continued to ramp up production. Click Read More below for additional information.

The continued existence of Germany's specialty paper manufacturer Feldmuehle Uetersen, which has been in insolvency proceedings since January this year, is assured. With effect from 1 June, the company will be taken over by a holding company, according to Andreas Jung, spokesman of insolvency administrator Dr. Tjark Thies. The company reports that the buyer is a holding company that has not yet been active in the paper industry. Paper production is said to continue unchanged. Feldmuehle Uetersen can produce up to 250,000 tpy of white, coated label paper, packaging paper, and graphic paper.

A company with a Middletown presence is laying off 60 employees starting this summer. All affected employees at Essity Operations Wausau, 700 Columbia Ave., have been notified of their layoff dates and that their separation from employment will be permanent, according to a mass layoff notice sent Thursday to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Employees are expected to be terminated from employment starting Aug. 16, with all separations complete by the end of September. Fifty-four of the affected employees are represented by a union. Click Read More below for additional information.

RISI reports that Lecta and Burgo are separately raising prices by 6% to 7% on CWF and UWF grades effective with deliveries from July 2018 onward.

Reality is setting in for about 225 paper mill workers in Camas. Layoffs announced in November 2017 are now underway. Many losing their jobs have worked at the mill for decades. Workers expressed a lot of sadness, grieving the loss of jobs they spent decades doing. The decision is forever changing the city that was built around it. “There's been a paper mill in Camas for 138 years,” Korhonen said. “We were proud to make paper in Camas." Click Read More below for additional information.

Interfor Corporation announced that it has resumed operations at its sawmill in Grand Forks, BC following severe flooding in the area over the past two weeks. The sawmill was temporarily curtailed on May 10, 2018 as a precautionary measure due to the escalating flooding in the region. Even though the sawmill was not operating during this time, a series of measures were taken by mill personnel to protect the operation against potential damage. Fortunately, such actions limited the risk to the mill’s infrastructure and equipment and has allowed the mill to resume operations now that the water level has receded. There are ongoing issues in the region related to rail line damage and the Company will be working with its carriers and customers to manage through the related logistics issues. Click Read More below for additional information.

Stora Enso and Sulapac have signed a joint development agreement to combat the global problem of plastic waste by accelerating the use of fully renewable, recyclable and biodegradable materials in packaging. Through the joint development agreement, Stora Enso will licence Sulapac’s materials and technology, and begin the development of fully renewable caps and closures for liquid packages. Other areas for joint development work include food packages and packages for consumer electronics. Click Read More below for additional information.

Effective with all orders shipping on or after July 1, 2018, Evergreen Packaging is raising the transaction price on all specialty and coated groundwood products by $2.00/cwt. This increase applies to all products, including, but not limited to, the brands listed below: TruSpec4; TruSpec4.5; TruSpec5; Coated Freesheet; Coated 1-Side. ALL Grades, Basis Weights and Finishes. All standard upcharges will continue to apply.

Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased four percent in April compared to April 2017. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased less than one-half of one percent from March. Imports of printing-writing papers decreased less than one-half of one percent compared to March 2017 imports, while exports remained flat compared to March 2018. •Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in April 2018 increased year-over-year, the third increase in four months. Imports of UFS decreased 22 percent year-over-year in March – the tenth consecutive decrease of 12 percent or more. Exports of UFS papers increased 25 percent in March compared to March 2017. •Shipments of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers decreased year-over-year in April 2018 by more than 20 percent. Imports of UM decreased one percent year-over-year in March. Exports of UM decreased 45 percent year-over-year in March. •Shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) paper and coated mechanical (CM) papers in April both declined year-over-year for the eleventh consecutive month. Imports of CM papers increased 33 percent compared to March 2017, partly on the strength of a 47 percent year-over-year increase in CM imports from Canada.

Wisconsin based paper mill, celebrates Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds® promotional campaign from the Paper and Packaging Board. The Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds® campaign is an industry-funded effort to highlight the important role paper and packaging play in lives, helping to accomplish goals and keep goods and products safe. “We are pleased to see the Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds® campaign in the market,” said Jim Koronkiewicz, BPM General Manager. “Our mill has made paper for over 75 years and while we have observed the increased use in technology, statistics show that paper usage creates a long-lasting impression and helps aid communication. The use of promotional videos, information and new brand ambassadors help to strengthen the consumer connection established by the campaign." Click Read More below for additional information.

Kimberly-Clark announced its 2018 Bright Futures Scholarship Program has awarded $1.2 million in college scholarships to 60 children of Kimberly-Clark employees in 17 U.S. states. Recipients were chosen based on academic achievement, leadership, work experience and involvement in extracurricular activities. Marking its 26th year, the Bright Futures program provides scholarship grants worth up to $20,000, or $5,000 per school year, for full-time students attending accredited colleges and universities. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $40 million in scholarships to more than 2,000 students. Click Read More below for additional information.

On 21.5.2018, the Helsinki Court of Appeal rendered its judgment in a case in which Metsähallitus claims damages from Metsäliitto Cooperative, Stora Enso Oyj and UPM-Kymmene Corporation based on their conduct on the wood market in 1997–2004. In its judgment, the Court of Appeal rejected the claims made by Metsähallitus and ordered Metsähallitus to compensate the defendants’ legal costs. The total amount of the joint and several claim for damages made by Metsähallitus in the Court of Appeal was 124.9 million euros. Metsäliitto Cooperative’s share of the capital of the claimed damages was 39.1 million euros. In addition, Metsähallitus claimed compensation for indirect damages, VAT, interest and compensation for legal costs. Click Read More below for additional information.

The aim of the partnership is to construct a new facility to produce advanced renewable fuels from tall oil with a capacity of 100 000 tonnes per annum. Construction of the new facility, subject to permission process and final approval from both companies, is expected to cost around 500 MSEK to build and is planned to be operational in 2021. Tall oil is a residual product from the production of kraft pulp in SCA’s mills Östrand, Obbola and Munksund. SCA is presently expanding its kraft pulp mill Östrand and as a result the production of tall oil from the mill will increase by more than 100 per cent. Between the two partners, the parties constitute the full value-chain from the raw material to the refining process, distribution and sale of the renewable fuel to the customers. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised that, effective with deliveries July 1, 2018, the US transaction price for the following grades from Catalyst Paper will be increasing for new and existing orders. Grades impacted include: Orion®; Vision®; Escanaba®; Dependoweb®; Capri®; Consoweb®. This increase applies to all basis weights as designated above, finishes and grade extensions.

The bio-methanol treatment plant supplied by ANDRITZ is designed to produce 5,000 tons of bio-methanol per year. The plant is a key part of a new process producing sustainable bio-methanol from renewable raw material. Bio-methanol can be used in shipping, for example, as a stand-alone fuel, as well as for the production of biodiesel (RME), as an additive in petrol, or as a raw material in the chemical industry. The methanol produced is compliant with the IMPCA Reference Specifications for merchantable methanol. Start-up of the plant is scheduled for the third quarter of 2019. The global methanol production is in the order of 80 million tons per year and is generated mostly from fossil raw materials. In the chemical wood pulping process, methanol is formed as a by-product that contains many impurities. This raw methanol is purified to a merchantable bio-methanol, which is chemically identical to fossil-based methanol. The bio-methanol generated contributes towards reducing the amount of fossil greenhouse gas emissions. Click Read More below for additional information.

Sappi North America announced the call for entries for its 2018 Ideas that Matter grant program, inviting designers to show the world how design – specifically print – can play an important role in changing lives for the better. Sappi established the Ideas that Matter grant program 19 years ago to fund designers who apply their creative talents to causes that address significant issues facing our society. For nearly two decades, Sappi has witnessed firsthand how the creative and integrated work of designers can change society. Sappi remains committed to the belief that good ideas inspire people to take action, and great ideas change the world. Though many media choices are available, print is at the heart of influential and effective messaging and a perfect complement to promote positive social causes. Click Read More below for additional information.

Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of July 1, 2018 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all Coated Freesheet Web and Coated Groundwood Web grades by 4% to 6%. This includes, but, is not limited to: ArborWeb Plus® web; Sterling® Ultra web; Sterling® Ultra caliper web; Productolith® Pts. web; Publishers Matte®; Publishers ThinBulk®; ArborWeb® web; Influence® web; Focus® web; Liberty® web; Balance® web; New Era® Matte; New Era® ThinBulk. The increase applies to all basis weights, bulks, finishes and related private label grades.

White Birch Paper set a $22/tonne price increase on shipments of 45-g (27.7-lb) newsprint, effective June 15. All other basis weights will be increased according to past practice, White Birch said.

Fortress Global Enterprises Inc. reported 2018 first quarter operating EBITDA loss from continuing operations of $1.4 million compared to operating EBITDA loss from continuing operations of $5.7 million in the previous quarter and operating EBITDA from continuing operations of $6.0 million in the prior year comparative period. The Dissolving Pulp Segment generated operating EBITDA of $0.2 million and corporate costs were $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.

We are announcing a US$22/metric tonne (for 45.0 gsm) newsprint price increase effective with shipments on or after June 15, 2018. Other basis weights will be adjusted accordingly. Please note that this price increase does not apply to Ponderay Newsprint Company.

Metsä Group has established a new innovation company, Metsä Spring Ltd. The company will, together with partner organisations, invest in new endeavours with the target to identify and develop new business opportunities in sustainable forest-based bioeconomy and circular economy. Niklas von Weymarn has been appointed CEO of the company. He transfers to Metsä Spring from the position of VP, Research in Metsä Fibre, also part of Metsä Group. The office of Metsä Spring is in the heart of the internationally-acknowledged Otaniemi innovation campus in Espoo, Finland. The establishment of the new innovation company does not affect the current research and development activities of Metsä Group’s current business areas. ”With the establishment of Metsä Spring, we want to create a new dimension to Metsä Group’s innovation activities and thereby participate more actively in the development of new business concepts in forest-based bioeconomy and circular economy. A large share of new ideas are generated outside our company and the new business concepts are increasingly developed in novel partnerships. The new innovation company enables Metsä Group to better take part in this activity,” says Metsä Group’s President and CEO and Metsä Spring’s Chairman of the Board Ilkka Hämälä. Click Read More below for additional information.

Stora Enso launches its Green Bond Framework as part of its Sustainable Finance approach. The ambition is to offer a loan-format to support sustainability-focused fixed income investors and to report the direct environmental impacts of some its investments and business activities. The Group will use this bond format to complement its other funding sources. Stora Enso’s strategy on Sustainable Finance is a natural part of its overall agenda on sustainability and an integral part of its focus on being the world’s leading renewable materials company. Stora Enso’s goal is to work with funding partners for whom sustainability is a key part of their lending agenda. Stora Enso’s aim is to have all its suppliers, including those for financial services join the Stora Enso Supplier Code of Conduct. We see this as generating competitive advantage and thus prefer to partner with banks and financial service providers that make sustainability a leading issue in their respective eco-systems. Click Read More below for additional information.

Stora Enso is launching its wood-based biocomposites, DuraSense™ by Stora Enso. This is another major step on the group’s journey to replacing fossil-based materials with renewable solutions. DuraSense is available to companies seeking high performance and a sustainable, bio-based alternative to plastics. DuraSense enables the use of renewable fibres, such as wood, to substitute for a large portion of fossil-based plastic. The production of biocomposites began in 2018 at Stora Enso’s Hylte Mill in Sweden, following the EUR 12 million investment announced in 2017. At full production, the mill’s annual production capacity is 15 000 tonnes, which is the largest capacity in Europe dedicated to wood fibre composites. Click Read More below for additional information.

BillerudKorsnäs today announces that negotiations with labour unions over a proposal for new organisation will be initiated within short. The proposal contains a full profit and loss responsibility in three divisions. “During my first months with BillerudKorsnäs, it has become clear to me that we have great conditions for profitable growth. In order for us to take maximum advantage out of these conditions, we need to become faster and clarify accountability within the company. This we now want to accomplish through a new organisation in three divisions with full profit and loss responsibility”, says Petra Einarsson, President and CEO of BillerudKorsnäs. Click Read More below for additional information.

Appvion, Inc. announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved the sale of substantially all of the Company's assets to a group of its lenders led by Franklin Advisers, Inc. The sale is expected to be completed by the end of May. The Purchaser submitted the previously announced stalking horse bid on February 8, 2018. Under the terms of the executed asset purchase agreement filed with the Bankruptcy Court, the total consideration is approximately $340 million plus the assumption of substantial liabilities, including many of the Company's contractual obligations. The transaction will substantially reduce Appvion's debt from approximately $585 million to less than $175 million and provide additional liquidity to fund the Company's operations. Kevin Gilligan, Chief Executive Officer of Appvion, said, "We are pleased to receive the Court's approval of the sale of our company to a group of our lenders who have been long-term supporters of Appvion. Their continued investment is a vote of confidence in the future of our business." Click Read More below for additional information.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced a $52.3 million strategic investment plan for its Saint-Félicien pulp mill, located in the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. The announcement was made at a press conference attended by Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, and many dignitaries and company employees. "The significant investments at Saint-Félicien are expected to improve several areas of the operation, increasing the average daily production capacity by 76 metric tons and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fossil fuels by 20%," said Yves Laflamme, president and chief executive officer. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised that Lecta will increase its prices by 5%, for new orders with a delivery date on and after May 14th, 2018. This increase is applicable on web rolls of: Condat Gloss, Silk, Matte, Digital; Garda Gloss and Silk Matte, Digital; Creator Star and Silk Matte, Digital; Mill and private brands Gloss, Silk, Matte, Digital.

Effective with all orders placed on/after June 15, 2018 Technicote Westfield will increase prices by 5% for all Strata pressure sensitive sheeted products. Orders placed prior to June 15, 2018 and scheduled to ship within standard lead times will receive current pricing.

Sappi North America announces a transactional price increase of 4% to 6% on new and unconfirmed orders that book with confirmed delivery dates on or after Monday, May 14, 2018 on the following products: • McCoy Web • Opus Web • Somerset Web • Flo Web • Galerie Web. Standard differentials and upcharges apply. The price increase includes all basis weights and finishes and all private label programs.

Papierfabrik August Koehler SE, based in Oberkirch, recently celebrated the official groundbreaking ceremony for a new paper machine. Watched by some 145 invited guests, including the shareholders of Koehler Holding GmbH & Co. KG, the ground was broken by the Koehler Executive Board and representatives of the contracted construction firms Bold GmbH & Co. KG and Rendler Bau , Dr. Michael Trefz (Voith Paper Holding), the architects Alfons Burkart (archigroup GBR) and Thomas Schweiker (Schweiker Architekten), and the Kehl Building Commissioner Harald Krapp. In his welcome address, CEO Kai Furler, who is the eighth generation of his family to lead Koehler, underlined the fact that the Kehl site, with its three paper machines, will be the largest and most modern production site for specialty papers in Europe. This investment is the most significant in the 211-year history of the company. During its global search for a perfect site for the new production facility, the company came to the conclusion that there is no need to search far and wide when the answer is so close to home. Click Read More below for additional information.

or the first quarter of 2018, total revenue decreased by $23.4 million, or 92.5%, to $1.9 million from $25.3 million for the same period of the prior year. Gross loss was $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to gross profit of $5.7 million for the same period of the prior year. Click Read More below for additional information.

Financial summary for the quarter: EBITDA excluding special items US$211 million (Q2 2017 US$208 million). Profit for the period US$102 million (Q2 2017 US$88 million). EPS excluding special items 17 US cents (Q2 2017 17 US cents). Acquisition of Cham speciality paper business completed. Net debt US$1,632 million (Q2 2017 US$1,329 million). Click Read More below for additional information.

Effective with shipments July 1, 2018 and after, Kruger will increase the transaction price of all coated grades. This includes Krukote Offset; Krukote Hi Bulk; Krukote 76/80; Krukote Recycled; Krukote Satin/76/80. The increase will apply to all basis weights and finishes.

Between May 14 and 24, Klabin’s Monte Alegre Unit in Telêmaco Borba will perform its annual Maintenance Shutdown. More than 4,000 services will be executed over 11 days on the equipment at the unit to ensure the safety and continuity of the operation. The Maintenance Shutdown is compulsory for companies that have machinery such as boilers and digesters. Completing the tasks on schedule requires a large number of workers, many of whom work exclusively in pulp and paper mill shutdowns. Click Read More below for additional information.

Containerboard capacity continued to increase, rising 1.9 percent in 2017 to a record 38.9 million tons. Containerboard accounted for 46.2 percent of U.S. paper and paperboard capacity in 2017. Tissue paper capacity is on a long-term expansionary trajectory, approximately in line with U.S. population growth, and rose 0.2 percent in 2017. Four tissue paper machines started production in 2017. Those capacity additions were partly offset by two mill closures that same year. Reflecting displacement from digital media, capacity for newsprint and printing-writing papers continued to decline in 2017. Three mills and six machines producing these grades were permanently closed that year. Click Read More below for additional information.

The premier of British Columbia, John Horgan, has asked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to provide the promised assistance to Catalyst Paper and other Canadian paper mills, reports Terrace Standard. “The massive tariffs imposed by U.S. authorities at the behest of a single Washington state company put the jobs of 1,600 British Columbians working at three Catalyst pulp mills at risk,” Horgan wrote in a letter to Trudeau. “While I appreciate the magnitude of other U.S. actions may seem signifiant – steel, aluminum and softwood lumber stand out – the future of three coastal communities is at stake in this matter.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Paper machine 11 at Catalyst Paper Corporation’s Powell River mill went into start-up mode on May 7 after a three-week production curtailment of uncoated groundwood paper. The curtailment started on April 16 in response to a shortage of fibre and United States Department of Commerce tariffs on uncoated groundwood paper.

Consolidated net sales increased 10 percent to a record $266.5 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared with $242.1 million in the first quarter of 2017. Revenue gains resulted from higher volumes, both organic and with the November 2017 Coldenhove acquisition, a higher-priced sales mix, increased selling prices and favorable currency effects. Operating income of $24.1 million in 2018 decreased 11 percent from $27.0 million in 2017. Income benefited from volume growth, a higher value mix, increased selling prices and currency, but was more than offset by higher input and distribution costs. Click Read More below for additional information.

Revenue in Q1 2018 was $323.7 million, compared to $289.3 million in Q1 2017, an increase of $34.4 million or 11.9%. The increase in revenue was due to the combination of: an additional 6 days of sales in Q1 2018 compared to Q1 2017; the favourable impact of increased sales volume; and a Consumer selling price increase in Canada in Q4 2017; partially offset by the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on U.S. dollar sales. Net income in Q1 2018 was $1.6 million, compared to $6.9 million in Q1 2017, primarily due to lower Adjusted EBITDA of $6.8 million, higher depreciation expense of $1.1 million, an increase in interest expense of $1.0 million, a decrease in foreign exchange gain of $0.4 million and the loss on sale of fixed assets of $0.4 million. These items were partially offset by a decrease in tax expense of $3.8 million and the change in fair value of derivatives of $0.6 million. Click Read More below for additional information.

Sappi increases prices for its LWC and MWC grades prices by 6-8% from July 1st 2018 for all markets due to continued cost increases and strong demand. This follows previous announcements made for its woodfree coated and woodfree uncoated grades.

Verso Corporation reported financial results for the first quarter of 2018, including net sales of $639 million, net loss of $2 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $41 million. "Verso had a good start in the first quarter of 2018, with sales revenue up 4 percent to $639 million, Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) up 58 percent to $41 million, and Adjusted EBITDA margin up 2.2 percentage points compared to the first quarter of 2017," said Verso Chief Executive Officer, B. Christopher DiSantis. "We continued to grow our specialty papers business, now 24 percent of total revenue, and are seeing the benefits of our SG&A cost improvement initiatives, with an improvement of $8 million versus the first quarter of 2017. Looking ahead, we have positioned Verso well to benefit from improved operating rates and are building a better business." Click Read More below for additional information.

In addition to significantly boosting the mill’s production capacity, the upgrades will further enhance our first quartile performance in safety and quality. With this major investment, the Camden plant will continue to be a stable and significant employer in this region, paying good wages and benefits to our valuable employees. The upgrades, which will begin later this year, will include an upgraded new planer mill, a new continuous dry kiln to increase drying capacity, as well as new Sawmill equipment that will help increase the mill’s production capacity. Work is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2019. Click Read More below for additional information.

• First quarter 2018 net income of $24 million and EBITDA of $86 million • Diluted earnings per share of $0.38; 153 percent increase from prior year • Pulp contributed significant EBITDA; Forest Products delivered solid profitability despite duties on U.S. sales; High Purity Cellulose impacted by production issues in two facilities and a spike in energy costs • Integration of Tembec progressing as planned with significant contributions to first quarter profitability • $7 million of transformation and synergy savings achieved; on track to meet 2018 target of $40 million. Click Read More below for additional information.

The Navigator Company announced today that it will be increasing prices our Uncoated Woodfree Papers by 7 to 8 % in Europe, in all products and markets. This increase will be effective from 1st July dispatches and this decision was taken following the continuous increase in our key production costs.

Interfor Corporation recorded net earnings in Q1’18 of $33.0 million, or $0.47 per share, compared to $36.2 million, or $0.52 per share in Q4’17 and $19.7 million, or $0.28 per share in Q1’17. Adjusted net earnings in Q1’18 were $36.8 million or $0.52 per share, compared to $45.1 million, or $0.64 per share in Q4’17 and $22.7 million, or $0.32 per share in Q1’17. Adjusted EBITDA was $81.1 million on sales of $527.6 million in Q1’18 versus $89.5 million on sales of $532.8 million in Q4’17. Click Read More below for additional information.

Production in the Vallvik Mill has been affected by an unplanned shutdown due to disturbances in the bleaching plant and the recovery boiler. Repair work is underway and normal production is scheduled for Wednesday 9 May. The shutdown represents an estimated production loss of about 6,000 tonnes corresponding to approximately 6 percent of the Group's total planned production for the quarter.

Mohawk is announcing a price increase of 3.0% on all Domtar Lynx ® and and Earth Choice® Envelopes, and on all International Paper Accent ® Opaque and Springhill ® Envelopes effective with orders taken on June 4, 2018. This price increase will be applied to all contracts and promotions, within agreed upon terms, which include these grades. Manufacturing orders for these envelopes on file with Mohawk prior to June 4, but shipping after that date, will retain the agreed upon price.

Effective June 1st, HP is increasing the list prices on select large format supplies (some SKUs will not change – including PageWide XL and HP T3500 DesignJet eMFP ink SKUs). Actual price increases will vary by SKU, between 3% and 15%. As part of HP’s normal portfolio management process, the company regularly reviews pricing for all its products and adjusts accordingly.

Mr. David M. Gandossi, the Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are pleased with our performance and results for the first quarter of 2018 as: * we generated record Operating EBITDA of $99.4 million in the current quarter; * in 2018 we continued realizing on identified fiber synergies between the Friesau Facility and our German pulp mills. In the first quarter of 2018, including fiber, we estimate we have realized approximately $3.5 million of synergy savings; and * our pulp mills had solid production in the current quarter, with no scheduled maintenance downtime. Click Read More below for additional information.

Oceanwood has entered into a sale and purchase agreement (the SPA*) to buy the entire issued share capital of Norske Skog AS (Norske Skog). Following a four-month competitive auction process, in which more than 100 prospective bidders were approached, Oceanwood emerged as the winning bidder by offering the highest value in cash for the shares and the intercompany loans. John Chiang, an Investment Adviser of Oceanwood, says: “Our first investment in Norske Skog was back in 2015 and we have supported and worked constructively with the group since. In November 2017, as it became apparent that it would be difficult to reach a consensual solution and solve the financial issues in the former Norske Skogindustrier holding structure, we decided to act to protect the operating companies. With the subsequent auction process now concluded, we are very excited to team up with Norske Skog’s management and employees. We share the ambition to see the new Norske Skog Group succeed and to realise the potential that we believe is inherent in the business as it continues to transform and grow.” Click Read More below for additional information.

The company recorded operating income of $48 million in the quarter, compared to $53 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Operating results benefitted from the continued positive price momentum across most of our product offerings ($37 million), a decrease in maintenance outages and lower share-based compensation expense. These favorable elements were not sufficient to offset the significant increase in freight costs, seasonally higher energy costs, aggravated by unusually cold weather conditions, an increase in market-based stumpage fees and a decrease in shipments. Sales volumes were lower due to transportation challenges, timing of export sales, seasonally lower demand for supercalendered papers and lower productivity. The operating results in the previous quarter also included a gain on the disposition of assets of our Mokpo (South Korea) paper mill ($13 million). Click Read More below for additional information.

January–March 2018 (1–3/2017) *Sales were EUR 1,428 million (1–3/2017: EUR 1,216 million). *Operating result was EUR 208 million (131). Comparable operating result was EUR 208 million (128). *Result before tax was EUR 185 million (130). Comparable result before tax was EUR 185 million (126). *Comparable return on capital employed was 16.6% (12.5). *Cash flow from operations was EUR 34 million (-1). Click Read More below for additional information.

With the U.S. uncoated groundwood papers industry starting to see a level playing field against unfairly traded imports, North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC) CEO Craig Anneberg announced the hiring of 50 new full- and part-time employees and the limited restart of operations for Paper Machine 1 (PM1) idled this past year: "NORPAC has a world-class facility that can compete with anyone in the world on a level playing field. With the recent trade case preliminary determinations made by the Department of Commerce, important steps toward fair competition for American producers, NORPAC is excited to announce the hiring of 50 new employees and the limited restart of operations for Paper Machine 1 at our Longview facility to meet growing demand. Click Read More below for additional information.

SCA increases prices on coated publication paper, CMR , and improved uncoated publication paper by 40 Euro per tonne. “We see a substantially stronger demand for publication paper, “ says Ulf Edman Vice President Sales and Marketing Publication Paper. The new prices are valid for all deliveries from July 1 this year.

Effective May 2, 2018, Solenis and BASF signed an agreement to combine BASF’s paper and water chemicals business with Solenis to jointly create a customer-focused global specialty chemical company. The combined company intends to operate under the Solenis brand and will be positioned to provide expanded offerings and cost-effective solutions for customers in two specialty chemical businesses: paper technologies and industrial water technologies. “Together, we have a unique opportunity to create a customer-focused global specialty chemical company with an enhanced focus and expanded offerings,” said Solenis President and CEO John Panichella, who will lead the combined company headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. “I am pleased that our cultures are closely aligned and that our companies share a strong common desire to create value for our customers. Together, as one team of experts, we will continue to strive toward excellence in innovation, sustainability and safety.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Georgia-Pacific has announced that the formerly known Augusta Select Tissue mill in Augusta, Canada, would be closing, reports WRBC. The company pinned the mill’s closure on increased competition in the industry and improved performance of other facilities. Some of the equipment will be moved to other units, while other will be sold for scrap. The property will also eventually be sold, according to the company. Click Read More below for additional information.

"We are pleased with the support expressed by our employees. The company and the union have invested a great deal of time and resources over the last several years addressing public policy issues facing our company and industry. The collaborative environment we enjoy today is built on mutual trust and transparency," said Yves Laflamme, president and chief executive officer. "Our employees and their union leaders are committed to help keep our Canadian pulp and paper mills competitive, while providing stability for our customers, shareholders, communities and other partners." The collective agreements cover approximately 1,100 hourly employees represented by Unifor at Resolute's Amos, Baie-Comeau, Dolbeau, Gatineau, Kénogami and Saint-Félicien mills in Quebec, and Thunder Bay mill and indefinitely idled Thorold facility in Ontario. The eight operations account for about 40% of the company's total pulp and paper capacity. Click Read More below for additional information.

Kruger has announced a US$40/MT (45 gsm) newsprint price increase effective on all shipments made on or after June 1, 2018. The transaction price for all other basis weights and other Uncoated Groundwood products (Krubook and Krubrite) will be adjusted accordingly.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced major investments totaling $12,956,700 in its La Doré wood products facilities, located in the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. The announcement was made during a press conference attended by Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, as well as dignitaries and company employees. The investments will be used to integrate new technologies into the manufacturing processes in order to sustain the facilities' continuously enhanced performance in an ever-changing competitive environment. Also through these investments, energy efficiency will be improved as operational processes are modernized. Click Read More below for additional information.

Domtar Corporation reported net earnings of $54 million ($0.86 per share) for the first quarter of 2018 compared to a net loss of $386 million ($6.16 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2017 and net earnings of $20 million ($0.32 per share) for the first quarter of 2017. Sales for the first quarter of 2018 were $1.3 billion. "We continued to see strong price momentum for our products in the first quarter with higher price realizations in both of our pulp and paper businesses," said John D. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Despite improved results, some of our operations were adversely affected by severe weather, notably in our pulp business, which impacted production and costs. Constrained availability of trucking options also contributed to higher than expected freight costs in the first quarter. Nevertheless, the short-term outlook for pulp and paper markets continues to be favorable." Click Read More below for additional information.

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) announced that it has achieved a gold rating from EcoVadis, the global leader in sustainability assessments, for its continued commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) throughout its business operations. This achievement places the company in the top five percent of organizations rated. This is the second time APP has received this recognition from EcoVadis. The rating is based on anextensive assessment of four key areas in APP’soperations in Indonesia and China – Environment; Labor Practice and Human Rights; Sustainable Procurement; and Fair Business Practices. Click Read More below for additional information.

Glatfelter reported first quarter of 2018 net income of $5.7 million, or $0.13 per diluted share compared with $11.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted earnings for the first quarter of 2018 were $8.6 million, or $0.19 per diluted share compared with $17.2 million, or $0.39 per diluted share for the same period a year ago. Consolidated net sales totaled $410.6 million and $390.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Foreign currency translation favorably impacted the year-over-year comparison by $21.8 million. On a constant currency basis, Composite Fibers’ net sales were essentially flat and Advanced Airlaid Materials’ increased by 7.8%. Specialty Papers’ net sales declined 3.1% in the year-over-year comparison. Click Read More below for additional information.