Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, will increase prices by five to 30 percent on all process chemicals, effective immediately or as customer contracts allow. The price increases are due to increases in key raw material costs, escalating freight costs and decreased market availability of several raw materials. “We are committed to delivering high-value, innovative solutions to help customers maximize their productivity,” said Varun Ratta, Senior Vice President, Product and Pricing Management. “While these price increases are necessary for us to reliably supply and support our customers, we’ll continue our efforts to help mitigate these increases and control their costs with beneficial process improvements.”

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 26 percent in July compared to July 2019. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 24 percent in July compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased five percent when compared to June 2020. Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 22 percent compared to July 2019 while the inventory level decreased four percent compared to June 2020. UFS imports and exports both decreased compared to June 2019, down 14 percent and 36 percent respectively. U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in July decreased 14 percent compared to last July while the inventory level decreased four percent compared to June 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to June 2019, down 22 percent and 29 percent respectively. Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 46 percent compared to July 2019 while the inventory level decreased eight percent compared to June 2020. CM imports decreased 67 percent while exports increased 39 percent in June 2020. U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in July decreased 27 percent compared to last July while the inventory level decreased 19 percent compared to June 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to June 2019, down 48 percent and 59 percent respectively.

Neenah, Inc. announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Global Release Liners, S.L., the parent company of Industrias de Transformacion de Andoain, S.A., from Magnum Capital and other minority shareholders for €205 million in cash. Closing is expected to occur in early April and is subject to customary conditions. ITASA is a leading global coater and converter of release liners used in fast-growing hygiene, tapes, industrial, labels, composites and various other end markets. With COVID-impacted sales of $120 million in 2020, Neenah expects sales of approximately $140 million in 2021 and consistent, pre-synergy mid-teen EBITDA margins. ITASA has historically grown sales by more than 8 percent annually and serves global markets from its operations in Spain, Mexico and Malaysia.