Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, will increase prices by 3 to 15 percent on a range of polymer-based chemistries, effective immediately or as customer contracts allow. These price increases are necessary due to inflation and availability of raw materials and elevated freight and energy costs. “We are unable to absorb the impact of the increased costs that we are currently experiencing but we will continue to work in partnership with our customers to help mitigate the increases,” said Cory Ross, director, North America marketing and product management. “Solenis remains committed to controlling costs through process improvements to deliver high-value, innovative solutions that our customers have come to expect.”

Sappi expands its container board product range and with Fusion Uncoated, offers an uncoated fresh fibre liner in the corrugated board market. With the development of Sappi’s Fusion Uncoated, a fully bleached fresh fibre liner, the specialist paper manufacturer is continuing to expand its product offering for the high-volume corrugated board market. Fusion Uncoated is based on the paper concept for the already very successful Fusion Topliner. In contrast to the double-coated Fusion Topliner, Fusion Uncoated has a natural, uncoated surface. Ideal applications include corrugated board and carton packaging, requiring a high white appearance for the topliner, inner liner and fluting. "Sappi's core expertise lies in the production of fresh fibre papers,” says Bernd Gelder, Product Group Manager for Containerboard at Sappi. “This makes the development of Fusion Uncoated a logical next step in our ambition to create an ever more appealing container board portfolio. We can now offer an uncoated surface with a natural look for the premium corrugated board sector. Fusion Uncoated is wood-free and impresses with its high whiteness and strength values." Click Read More below for additional information.

For the second quarter ended 30 June 2017, Lecta had revenue of €360.7 million versus €357.6 million in the second quarter ended 30 June 2016, an increase of €3.1 million or +1%. This increase was attributable to: • Lower sales of CWF, Specialties and Purchased Products of €-4.6 million or -1%, from €341.6 million in 2Q2016 to €337.0 million in 2Q2017, resulting from lower sales volumes of 500 metric tons or -0%, 377,000 metric tons in 2Q2017 vs 377,500 metric tons in 2Q2016, and a decrease in average net sales price of -11€/t or -1%, 894€/t in 2Q2017 vs 905€/t in 2Q2016; and • Higher sales of energy of €+7.7 million or +48%, from €16.0 million in 2Q2016 to €23.7 million in 2Q2017, resulting from higher sales volumes of 10,000 MWh or +4%, 271,500 MWh in 2Q2017 vs 261,500 MWh in 2Q2016, and an increase in average sales price of +26€/MWh or +42%, 87€/MWh in 2Q2017 vs 61€/MWh in 2Q2016. The costs of raw materials and consumables used increased by €7.0 million, or +4%, from €182.5 million in 2Q2016 to €189.5 million in 2Q2017, and as a percentage of revenue they increased from 51.0% in 2Q2016 to 52.5% in 2Q2017. The absolute increase was mainly attributable to higher purchased volumes, and an increase in the average consumption prices of pulp of +38€/t and latex from 2Q2016 to 2Q2017. Click Read More below for additional detail.