Paper Clips

“The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) opposes proposals to expand Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) incentives to include whole trees, pulpwood and other woody biomass. These policies would raise wood fiber costs and put U.S. pulp and paper mill jobs at risk. This initiative runs contrary to the Administration’s efforts to reshore U.S. manufacturing. “Renewable fuel incentives should not sacrifice U.S. mill jobs by incentivizing wood fiber away from the manufacturing sector. Expanding RFS incentives to whole trees or pulpwood would distort the market for fiber and undermine mill competitiveness.

UPM announced in December 2025 the conclusion of a non-binding letter of intent to form a graphic paper Joint Venture with Sappi. The proposed transaction is subject to merger control approval from the European Commission and authorities in other jurisdictions such as the US and China. On April 28, 2026 the European Commission announced the opening of a Phase II investigation, which is a normal step in the Commission’s merger review process in cases where initial concerns have not been fully resolved during Phase I. UPM continues to engage openly and constructively with the Commission during this second part of the process to address the initial concerns set out in the Commission’s Phase II opening decision. UPM remains convinced of the Joint Venture’s benefits to customers and the entire industry by strengthening the resilience of European graphic paper supply in declining markets.

Hansol Paper and Moorim, South Korea’s first- and second-largest paper companies, issued formal apologies on the 23rd after the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) sanctioned them for price-fixing. The KFTC imposed corrective orders and a total fine of 338.3 billion Korean won on six paper companies—Hansol Paper, Moorim Paper, Moorim P&P, Moorim SP, Hankuk Paper, and Hongwon Paper—for colluding to raise printed paper prices from February 2021 to December 2024, a period of 3 years and 10 months. This marks the largest-ever penalty in the domestic paper industry’s history. The companies were found to have met at least 60 times, coordinating seven rounds of price hikes by raising base prices or reducing discounts, resulting in an average 71% price increase.

A new report from the Book Manufacturers’ Institute on the state of the book industry predicts that printing is on the cusp of potential major changes. The report notes that because American book manufacturers are no longer preoccupied with meeting European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements (print products were removed from the regulations late last year), they are better positioned to integrate digital printing, AI tools, and better communication with publishers to create a more efficient manufacturing environment. One potential shift in the publisher-printer relationship could stem from publishers' growing acceptance of digital printing, as they become more willing to deviate from offset printing in order to lower costs. “Historically, purchasing has trended toward sourcing books at the lowest unit cost, which would then be printed with conventional technology and stored in inventory as needed,” the report states. “As book demand has dropped amidst digitization, publishers are now increasingly less inclined to purchase in such high volumes with inventory and disposal costs potentially negating the low unit cost savings.”

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. ("RYAM" or the "Company") announced that the Company is engaged in a formal process to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. In connection with the strategic alternatives review The strategic review will consider a range of potential strategic, business and financial alternatives, which may include, among other things, a sale of all or part of the Company, a strategic investment, a merger or other business combination, or other strategic or financial alternatives, as well as continuing to execute on the Company's standalone strategic plan.

Kruger Energy has begun construction of the Saint-Paul-de-Montminy wind farm in Quebec, a project with an installed capacity of 196 MW and an investment of more than $580 million. The facility is being developed across the municipalities of Saint-Paul-de-Montminy, Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire and Sainte-Apolline-de-Patton and is expected to begin operations in December 2027. The project is being carried out in partnership with the Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est and Potentia Renewables. Following the completion of regulatory approvals, construction activities have entered the implementation phase.

In the midst of widespread funding shortfalls for most rural Alabama hospitals, Georgia-Pacific operations in Escambia and Monroe counties are helping hospitals there with a much-needed funding boost. Georgia-Pacific’s Brewton Containerboard and Alabama River Cellulose facilities donated a total of $500,000 to three rural hospitals in Alabama. The funding will help local hospitals provide critical health services to the community.

Ecostrat and BMI Group recently announced a collaboration to leverage BDO Zone Ratings to 'ready-state' BMI's legacy pulp and paper assets across Canada for next-generation investment in the bioeconomy. The collaboration will use BDO Zone Ratings to advance the development of multi-product biorefinery platforms capable of producing biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, engineered wood products, including mass timber, and other advanced manufacturing technologies at BMI properties. BMI Group has acquired a portfolio of nine former pulp and paper mill sites across Canada with the intention of repurposing them for new industrial uses.

Kimberly-Clark announced the organizational structure and key leadership that will become effective upon completion of its pending acquisition of Kenvue Inc. Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue first announced the $48.7 billion deal on Nov. 5, 2025. Some of Kenvue's well-known brands include Tylenol, Aveeno, BAND-AID Brand, Johnson's, Listerine and Neutrogena. After close, the combined company will operate with four business segments, each driving a focus on winning in its local markets. The transaction remains on track to close in the second half of 2026, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other remaining customary closing conditions.

Clearwater Paper announced the restructuring of its Cypress Bend, Arkansas facility, resulting in the reduction of approximately 20% of salaried and hourly roles at the facility. The company plans to operate the facility at about half of its production capability.  "We are faced with a supply driven downturn in our industry that is pressing margins and cash flows. We've made this difficult decision to improve our operating rates and reduce costs," said Arsen Kitch, president and chief executive officer. Clearwater Paper has an installed capacity of about 1.4 million tons of SBS across 3 mills and 5 paper machines: Lewiston, Idaho; Cypress Bend, Arkansas; and Augusta, Georgia.

"We are disappointed by the court's decision denying our motion to join the challenge to Oregon's Recycling Modernization Act. While we respectfully disagree with the ruling, AF&PA remains fully committed to pursuing all available legal and strategic options to protect our members' interests. "As Oregon's program moves into implementation, it is becoming clear that the law imposes significant and unnecessary burdens on paper products that are already among the most successfully recycled materials in the United States.

An Oregon judge offered new clarity this past week on who is temporarily exempt from enforcement of the state’s extended producer responsibility for packaging law, and imposed limits on other…

Market dynamics continue to create significant cost pressures across our business. After careful evaluation, Sappi North America is implementing a transactional and list price increase of 6% on new and unconfirmed Graphics orders for the following sheet and web products, effective immediately: McCoy Opus Somerset Flo Euroart Galerie Private Label These increases apply to all weights and finishes, and standard differentials and upcharges will remain in effect.

We were honored to welcome John Miller, Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, to our Biron Mill this month. Mill Manager Steve Raczek led the visit, showcasing ND’s continued commitment to Wisconsin’s economy and environment. The tour highlighted our $315 million in strategic investments since 2018, our partnerships with more than 900 Wisconsin-based vendors, and the significant environmental impact of our 100% recycled fiber-based packaging grades, which help keep valuable materials out of landfills. We’re proud to contribute to Wisconsin’s economic vitality and to demonstrate the sustainable innovations happening at Biron.