Willamette Falls Paper Company Expands Manufacturing Capacity to Meet Demand for Coated Freesheet Paper (whattheythink.com)

President and CEO Ilkka Hämälä: The economy continued to be weak in the third quarter of 2024. In the wood market, trade was normal, and prices remained at a record high, compared with figures across the last two decades. A high cost level combined with low demand across the board resulted in a weak result for the third quarter. The quarterly result was significantly improved by the business interruption insurance compensation for the accident at the Kemi bioproduct mill, which was allocated to the first half. Negotiations on the final insurance compensation are still underway, but EUR 67 million in compensation was recorded for the third quarter. The slowdown in the construction industry continues, and there are no signs of a change in the demand for sawn timber and plywood. Demand for Kerto® LVL has remained strong, proving the product’s competitiveness in construction industry solutions. In China, the pulp market picked up in September, and prices began to gradually increase in softwood pulp trade. Demand remained stable in the European pulp market even though prices continued to decrease, still remaining higher than the price level in Asia. In Europe, the paperboard market continues to be affected by Asian paperboard imports to regions neighbouring the EU such as Türkiye. In the US, the market situation has remained slightly stronger than in Europe. As is typical of consumer products, demand for tissue papers has been stable, and profitability has remained at a reasonable level.

Norske Skog Saugbrugs, together with its research and industry partners, has been granted NOK 60 million in research funding from the Research Council of Norway and Innovation Norway under the Green Platform Programme. The portfolio of products to be developed aims to remove or greatly reduce the use of petroleum-based raw materials and harmful materials, as well as to contribute to increased recycling of plastics. «It is through research and innovation that we create tomorrow's sustainable society. Green platform is an important measure to ensure profitable green transition, and will help us become more skilled at scaling up and linking research to the market», says Jan Christian Vestre, Minister of Trade and Industry (Labour Party). CEO of Norske Skog, Sven Ombudstvedt, says: «Norske Skog will connect strong professional R&D environments to develop unique and sustainable nanocellulose and biocomposite products that the world will demand more of in the future. Our unique fibre expertise will be a valuable contribution in creating sustainable commercial value chains by utilising recycled and renewable raw materials».

On October 10, 2017, Industrial Assets Corp. completed the purchase of Appleton Coated LLC. Industrial Assets Corp. is a California-based corporation specializing in capital financing acquisition and sale of distressed manufacturing companies. Going forward, Appleton Coated will continue limited operations while working with Industrial Assets to secure a strategic buyer that plans to operate at full capacity. To that end, Appleton Coated will be taking/processing orders and has stock of its Utopia, C1S, Reincarnation and Ethos products. Our Customer Service area is available from 7:00 AM CST to 5:30 PM CST to accept inquiries and orders. We look forward to continuing to work with you and thank you for your support and loyalty to Appleton Coated. Click Read More below for additional information.