Rottneros introduces our brand; Spring by Rottneros - the same high-quality CTMP pulp as before but now with its own name. In connection with the brand introduction, the article structure is also simplified to harmonize with the usual way of classifying different CTMP qualities on the market. We have a strong brand for our chemical pulp, Robur Flash. Now we want to create an equally strong brand for our CTMP quality, says Kasper Skuthälla, Rottneros Sales and Business Development Manager. Spring by Rottneros is a quality primarily developed for the needs of the growing cardboard market and can also be adapted for a range of other special applications. It is approved for food contact and can be obtained as environmentally certified.

Pixelle Specialty Solutions, the owner of the Spring Grove paper mill, announced the appointment of Julie Schertell as the company's new CEO, according to a release. Schertell was appointed to replace former Pixelle CEO Ross Bushnell, who the company said had stepped down to "pursue new opportunities." Bushnell had been CEO since 2023, according to prior releases. In the release, the company shared that Schertell had most recently served as president and CEO of Mativ Holdings, and has more than 30 years of operational and commercial experience. Schertell had led a merger of Neenah Inc., where she previously served as president and CEO, which merged with Schweitzer Mauduit International and resulted in the creation of Mativ Holdings, according to the release.  The Spring Grove papermill became part of Pixelle Specialty Solutions in August of 2018 during a $360 million sale from P.H. Glatfelter to private equity firm Lindsay Goldberg. Pixelle Specialty Solutions is an affiliate of Lindsay Goldberg, and took over operation at Glatfelter's facilities during the sale. The Spring Grove paper mill itself dates to 1852, originally founded as the Spring Forge Paper Mill within a former iron forge, which had given the town its original name: Spring Forge. In 1863, local entrepreneur Philip H. Glatfelter purchased the Spring Forge Paper Mill at an orphan’s court sale for just $14,000. In the years that followed, the town would be renamed from Spring Forge to Spring Grove.

*Operating income was $55 million, $67 million favorable to the comparable period in 2020, driven by higher prices for lumber and commodity High Purity Cellulose along with stronger cellulose specialties volumes *Driven by higher book income tax expense, first quarter loss from continuing operations was $27 million, $2 million unfavorable to the comparable period in 2020; expect minimal cash taxes in 2021 *First quarter Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $91 million was up $64 million from the comparable quarter in 2020 primarily driven by higher lumber and High Purity Cellulose commodity prices along with stronger cellulose specialties volumes *Generated $21 million of Free Cash Flow for the quarter driven by higher prices partially offset by seasonal working capital build; expect $50 million from cash tax refunds during the next 12 months *Announced sale of lumber and newsprint assets for approximately $214 million, subject to inventory value adjustment, with a closing expected in the second half of the year, focusing the Company on its core High Purity Cellulose business, and the opportunity to further leverage sustainable, bio-based solutions