Total Containerboard production in October increased three percent compared to October 2019. It was up four percent when compared to the same 10 months of 2019. October 2020 production of containerboard for export decreased 13 percent compared to the same month last year; it was up 15 percent year-to-date. The containerboard operating rate was 98.1%, up 3.6 points from October 2019 and up 2.8 points year-to-date. Mill inventories of containerboard at the end of October decreased six thousand short tons from the previous month, and were up 42 thousand short tons compared to October 2019.

Finnish food and confectionery processor Orkla Suomi wanted to find a paper-based packaging solution to support its goal of increasing the share of renewable packaging materials without compromising recyclability. During a six-month pilot period, new wrappers for Panda brand chocolate bars replace traditionally used PP-plastic wrappers. The new solution uses UPM Specialty Papers Asendo™ barrier paper. The paper’s built-in grease-barrier protection removes the need for an additional plastic layer. A cold-seal lacquer allows the package to be sealed on existing flow-wrap packaging machines, and the new packaging has undergone testing, including shelf-life studies. “We want to make everyday life better with local brands that bring joy and make sustainable choices easier. A great example of our ongoing efforts to replace fossil-based materials with renewable alternatives is the new paper-based, chocolate-tablet packaging,” says Arja Laitinen, packaging developer at Orkla Snacks. Chocolate can be a challenging product to package in paper, due to its relatively high grease level. So the new type of wrapper is based on UPM Asendo Pro 75-gsm barrier paper, which offers the required level of grease-barrier properties and is also certified for food safety to BfR and FDA standards.

Solenis, a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions, released its 2024 Sustainability Report, marking the first edition that combines information and data from Diversey. Solenis acquired Diversey Holdings, Ltd. in 2023 and now operates as one integrated company with aligned sustainability policies. “With the integration of Diversey and the addition of more than 9,000 employees to the Solenis team, we finished 2024 as one united company on a clear path to make a real and lasting positive impact on our customers, our employees and our world,” said CEO John Panichella. “We continue to embrace and enhance our own transparency around sustainability, while as a partner we are uniquely able to help customers achieve their sustainability and operational goals.” Along with the report, Solenis unveiled a new sustainability-focused website at sustainability.solenis.com, underscoring its ESG initiatives and activities that add sustainability value for customers.