Production at the expanded Östrand pulp mill began according to plan during the midsummer holiday (i.e. this weekend). SCA is investing SEK 7.8bn in the operation and the project is on budget and schedule. SCA decided in 2015 to invest in an increased production capacity at the Östrand pulp mill – from 430,000 tonnes to about 900,000 tonnes of bleached softwood kraft pulp (NBSK). Following an extended maintenance stop, which began in April of this year, the expanded pulp mill is now in operation. Production capacity in the expanded pulp mill is expected to increase successively during 2018 and 2019. 2020 is therefore expected to be the first year with full production, corresponding to 900,000 tonnes. Click Read More below for additional information.

The packaging and manufacturing industries are navigating a period of significant disruption, driven by persistent workforce challenges, according to a report entitled “2025: Inside the Workforce Gap” from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. From high turnover and an aging labor force to evolving technology and rising difficulty in talent acquisition and retention, companies are being forced to adapt. Studies from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predict that an additional 3.1 million jobs in maintenance and repair occupations will be added by 2031. This is a disconcerting possibility, as many manufacturers report that attracting and retaining a quality workforce already ranks among their most critical hurdles. Workforce challenges are placing increased strain on both consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), as evidenced by CPG personnel interviewed for the PMMI report, who cited retirements of experienced staff (especially since COVID), high turnover among new hires, and intense competition for technicians, which leave many companies unsure how the labor pool will improve.

Please be advised that effective with shipments on or after January 15, 2018, Twin Rivers Paper Company will be implementing a US $40.00/ton price increase on our publishing papers, including: • Freesheet: Snowbrite Opaque, Custom Brite, Custom Plus, Custom Supreme, Twin Rivers Opaque, Twin Rivers Offset, Pharmopaque, Snowbrite Pharm, Pharm Brite 92 and all private label grades • Hybrid: Border Brite, Bridge Opaque, Bridge Supreme, Frontier Opaque, Frontier Supreme, Frabrite 76, all tablet/converting products and all private label grades.