Pixelle Specialty Solutions LLC (“Pixelle”), a leading manufacturer of specialty papers in North America, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the carbonless rolls and security papers business of Appvion Operations, Inc.
The transaction is expected to close in April 2021 and will not include any Appvion production assets. Carbonless rolls formerly manufactured by Appvion will be manufactured by the Pixelle specialty papers mill in Chillicothe, OH, and security papers formerly manufactured by Appvion will be manufactured by Pixelle or Pixelle supply partners.
Commenting on the acquisition, Pixelle’s Chief Executive Officer Timothy Hess said, “As a leader in specialty solutions, Pixelle is well-positioned to incorporate this product portfolio into our business. Pixelle welcomes the opportunity to serve these customers, who we believe will benefit from our experience in providing these technically demanding grades.”
The acquisition expands the Pixelle product portfolio by building on Pixelle’s established brands of carbonless papers (ExcelOne® and Trans/Rite®) and adding DocuCheck® and DocuMark® security papers to Pixelle’s existing brand (Defensa®).
Pixelle was formed in 2018 by Lindsay Goldberg, a private investment firm that partners with business founders, families, and management teams to actively build their businesses. In its two-year history, Pixelle has built an industry-leading four-mill specialty paper platform with mills in Chillicothe, OH, Jay, ME, Spring Grove, PA and Stevens Point, WI. Lindsay Goldberg Affiliate Partner Steven Klinger, Executive Chairman of Pixelle, and his management team have more than 150 years combined experience in building high-performance paper businesses.
Commenting on the acquisition, Klinger said, “A key component of Pixelle’s strategy is to take actions that result in customers viewing Pixelle as an active, valued partner in growing customers’ businesses. Doing that well has developed Pixelle into the market leader it is today and enabled Pixelle to make acquisitions like this one. Pixelle is a great example of how we invest in, partner with, and actively build businesses.”
Total European shipments of graphic papers in August 2021 were UP 16.3% vs. August 2020 and are UP 5.0% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in August 2021 were UP 6.2% vs. August 2020 and are down 3.6% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in August 2021 were UP 7.7% vs. August 2020 and are UP 3.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in August 2021 were UP 20.8% vs. August 2020 and are UP 3.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in August 2021 were UP 8.6% vs. August 2020 and are UP 5.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in August 2021 were UP 31.9% vs. August 2020 and are UP 10.3% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in August 2021 were UP 20.2% vs. August 2020 and are UP 11.2% year-to-date.
Bill Edwards, Domtar’s senior vice president of Paper and Packaging Operations, received the prestigious Excellence in Leadership Award from the Association of Suppliers to the Paper Industry (ASPI) during the organization’s annual conference in Clearwater, Florida. The ASPI Excellence in Leadership Award is presented annually to an industry leader who demonstrates exceptional management skills, strategic vision and a commitment to advancing the pulp and paper sector. “I am truly honored to receive this award and grateful to be part of an industry that plays such a vital role in everyday life,” Edwards says. “At Domtar, we are committed to producing essential paper, packaging, and pulp products that people rely on daily. This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire team, whose innovation and passion drive our success. I share this achievement with all those who have supported and inspired me throughout my career."
UPM inaugurates today its new pulp terminal in the port of Montevideo, Uruguay. This investment of approximately USD 280 million is a fundamental part of UPM’s USD 3.47 billion growth investment in Uruguay that includes a state-of-the-art pulp mill in Paso de los Toros, new eucalyptus tree nursery as well as local community investments in Paso de los Toros. “This is a significant milestone in our growth project in Uruguay. The new pulp terminal with direct connections from the new pulp mill and to the global markets plays a key role in the growth and competitiveness of UPM’s pulp business,” says UPM President and CEO Jussi Pesonen. “The public infrastructure investments to the deep sea port and railway improve the competitiveness of all export sectors in Uruguay.”