Sappi Europe initiates a consultation process for partial restructure at its Alfeld Mill Germany in response to market conditions

Canfor Corporation is announcing a temporary reduction in Canadian production due to very weak market conditions. The production will be reduced through curtailments at all solid wood facilities in B.C. and Alberta. This will remove approximately 150 million board feet in December and January. The curtailments will start to be implemented on December 19, 2022 and will range from one to four weeks across its Canadian operations. The Company will continue to adjust operating rates to align with market conditions and anticipates that the majority of its BC facilities will operate below full capacity in the New Year. “Due to the significant decrease in demand for solid wood products and challenging economic conditions, we are temporarily curtailing production in Canada. We will be working to mitigate the impacts on our employees by providing support and identifying meaningful work during the downtime,” said Don Kayne, President and CEO, Canfor.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in June 2020 were down 26.6% vs. June 2019 and are down 18.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in June 2020 were down 19.4% vs. June 2019 and are down 15.4% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in June 2020 were down 21.1% vs. June 2019 and are down 19.3% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in June 2020 were down 39.3% vs. June 2019 and are down 25.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in June 2020 were down 10.3% vs. June 2019 and are down 8.0% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in June 2020 were down 36.6% vs. June 2019 and are down 24.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in June 2020 were down 24.0% vs. June 2019 and are down 15.2% year-to-date.

UPM Raflatac has completed the acquisition of AMC AG (Advanced Methods of Coating). The acquisition announced in May 2022 was closed on 15 September 2022 after regulatory clearances. AMC AG employs more than 300 people and has two production sites in Northern Germany, in Kaltenkirchen and in Hagenow. UPM Raflatac expects to realize significant synergies through the acquisition. By joining forces with AMC AG UPM Raflatac will accelerate its growth and expand its product portfolio. New product areas include Viscom/Graphics materials which are currently sold under the Intercoat brand, and removable self-adhesive stationary products under the brand names Global Notes and Print Inform. Furthermore, the transaction will strengthen UPM Raflatac’s position in Central Europe.