UPM, Sappi, Billerud announce tariff related increases this week.

For the second quarter ended 30 June 2022 Lecta had revenue of €529.4 million versus €310.7 million in the second quarter ended 30 June 2021, an increase of €218.7 million or +70%. The costs of raw materials and consumables used increased by €75.7 million, or +18.6%, from €155.9 million in 2Q2021 to €231.6 million in 2Q2022, and as a percentage of revenue they decreased from 50.2% in 2Q2021 to 43.7% in 2Q2022. The absolute increase was mainly attributable to higher produced and purchased volumes, and to an increase in the average consumption price of pulp of 193€/t of paper. Labor costs increased by €5.2 million, or +11.9%, from €43.4 million in 2Q2021 to €48.5 million in 2Q2022, and as percentage of revenue they decreased from 14.0% in 2Q2021 to 9.2% in 2Q2022. EBITDA increased by €35.9 million, from €11.6 million in 2Q2021 to €47.5 million in 2Q2022. This increase was essentially due to higher sales of paper in volume and higher sales prices, partly offset by higher production cost and higher labor and fixed costs.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced that it has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in Thinx, Inc., an industry disruptor and the leader in reusable period and incontinence underwear category. The company made an initial minority investment in Thinx in 2019. "Our investment in the success of Thinx represents a compelling strategic fit as we build our portfolio of period and light bladder leakage solutions, and we are excited for the opportunity this expanded partnership will provide to both Kimberly-Clark and Thinx," said Russ Torres, Group President of Kimberly-Clark's North American consumer business. "The investment in Thinx paves the road for collaboration and allows us to work together to drive category growth with our retail partners while continuing to support Thinx in direct-to-consumer channels."

Mercer International Inc. reported fourth quarter 2020 Operating EBITDA increased to $49.5 million from negative $34.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and $45.6 million in the third quarter of 2020. In the fourth quarter of 2020, net loss was $13.0 million (or $0.20 per share) compared to a net loss of $72.7 million (or $1.11 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2019 and net income of $7.5 million (or $0.11 per share) in the third quarter of 2020. In 2020, Operating EBITDA decreased by 8% to $192.7 million from $210.4 million in 2019 and the net loss was $17.2 million (or $0.26 per share) compared to $9.6 million (or $0.15 per share) in 2019.