Verso Corporation Expands Strategic Alternatives Considerations

Verso Corporation announced that the Strategic Alternatives Committee formed by its Board of Directors in September 2017, has, at the direction of the Board, expanded its evaluation of potential transaction alternatives to include other alternatives, including but not limited to, a potential sale or merger of the entire company. As previously announced, the Committee, with the assistance of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc., the company's financial advisor, has been charged with identifying and evaluating a range of potential strategic transaction alternatives to maximize value to Verso stockholders, and with recommending to the Board whether any potential transaction is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders. Click Read More below for additional information.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases December 2017 U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Monthly Report

Total Packaging Papers shipments were 240,000 tons, 2.5 percent higher than December 2016. Bag & Sack shipments were up 1.3 percent year-to-date, while Food Wrapping shipments were down 6.0 percent over the same period. The operating rate for December 2017 was the second highest of the year at 92.0 percent, while the year-to-date rate was 88.6 percent. Inventories were 165,800 tons, down 4.2 percent since November 2017.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases December 2017 Containerboard Report

Containerboard production was up 3.6 percent compared to December 2016 and up 3.1 percent year-to-date. The month-over-month average daily production was 1.8 percent higher compared to November 2017. The containerboard operating rate for December increased from 96.9 percent to 98.9 percent, 2.4 percentage points higher than December of 2016 and production for exports was 3.3 percent higher than December 2016. Year-to-date production of containerboard for exports is up 4.1 percent.
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Production disruptions impact profit negatively at BillerudKorsnas

The difficulties with production availability continued in the fourth quarter 2017 which impacted sales volumes negatively despite a very strong market. Operating profit (EBIT) for full year 2017 is calculated to be approximately MSEK 2 240 which is lower than expected but gives a margin of 10 percent. It is mainly the production facilities in Gruvön and Gävle that are affected, which impact sales negatively within business areas Consumer Board and Corrugated Solutions. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Hovers Near 3-Year High as U.S. Stockpiles Forecast to Drop

Futures were little changed in New York after rising 0.4 percent on Wednesday. The American Petroleum Institute estimates stocks fell by 5.12 million barrels last week, a steeper drop than the 3.15 million forecast in a Bloomberg survey before Energy Information Administration data due Thursday. OPEC’s outlook for rival supply expanded once again, the group said in its monthly report, becoming the latest agency to boost its estimates for American production. Oil is extending its run after two consecutive annual gains as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia curb supplies. While the cuts are gradually shrinking a global surplus, OPEC said rising prices are boosting production in North America. The International Energy Agency, which releases its monthly report on Friday, may also increase its estimates for U.S. output, said Executive Director Fatih Birol. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Bonnier Lays Off 70 Employees; Shutters Five Print Titles Amid Realignment

Bonnier Corp., the Swedish-owned publisher of special-interest magazines like Field & Stream and Popular Science, has laid off 70 employees from its U.S. operation and will shutter the print editions of five titles, a spokeswoman confirmed to Folio: on Wednesday. Motorcycle titles Baggers and Dirt Rider, as well as the water sports magazines Sport Diver, Wakeboarding, and WaterSki will cease in print and continue as digital-only brands, although those titles are far from the only areas of the company affected. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Canadian Book Sales Down in 2017

Unit sales of print books fell 4% in 2017 compared to 2016 in Canada, while dollar sales dropped 3%, according to figures compiled by BookNet Canada’s sales tracking service. BookNet reported that the Canadian book industry sold approximately 51.5 million copies in 2017, for just over C$1 billion. Figures are based on a group of retailers that provide sales data to BookNet annually and account for about 85% of print sales. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa expands global network of recycling plants

Smurfit Kappa has opened a new recycling plant in Malaga, Spain, which will strengthen its recovered paper service in the region. The plant, which is expected to process over 30,000 tonnes of recovered paper annually, is perfectly positioned to meet the city’s growing recycling needs. A fleet of eco-friendly hybrid vehicles collect paper and board from households and businesses. This is then sorted at the plant and sent to the Smurfit Kappa Mengibar Containerboard Mill where it is converted into board that is used to create new packaging. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sonoco Implementing Price Increase for All Uncoated Recycled Paperboard Products

Sonoco announced it is implementing a $50 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in the United States and Canada, effective with shipments beginning February 19, 2018. A positive of the robust economy is solid backlogs at our mills. A challenge that the growing economy presents is inflating input costs such as we are seeing in freight, energy and a host of other paper-making consumables. Sonoco must seek to recover these inflating costs in the market,” said Palace Stepps, division vice president of sales and marketing for Sonoco’s U.S. and Canada paper and adhesives.
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Meredith’s Acquisition Of Time Inc. Receives Antitrust Clearance

Meredith Corporation announced that early termination of the waiting period has been granted under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976 applicable to its acquisition of Time Inc. As a result, Meredith plans to complete the transaction – first announced on November 26, 2017 – within the next 30 days, subject to satisfaction of the other terms and conditions of the tender offer. Meredith also announced that it intends to offer, subject to market and other customary conditions, up to $1.4 billion in aggregate principal of new senior unsecured 8-year notes (the "Notes"). Meredith intends to use the net proceeds of the proposed offering to fund a portion of its proposed acquisition of Time Inc.; to repay existing Meredith and Time Inc. indebtedness and credit facilities; and pay other fees and expenses related to Meredith's acquisition of Time Inc. and the related refinancing. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Off-Set Printing: A Technology for Speed and Flexibility that Picks Up Where Digital Leaves Off

Andrea Tonin, Innovation Director, makes a case for why off-set printing may be the new choice for brands to get packaging on store shelves with speed and agility. Off-set printing first gained widespread use in the newspaper industry over 100 years ago, thanks to its fast turnaround of large printing quantities. Today brands need to respond almost as quickly as news outlets to put the latest packaging designs in front of consumers. Getting new packaging to store shelves faster is the rationale behind Amcor’s recent investment in EB off-set print technology. Advancements in off-set technology for packaging offer excellent print quality, flexibility in order size and faster speed to market. It’s the latest technique to consider for promotions, editions and even designing current events into packaging – going from artwork to print in a matter of hours or days instead of weeks. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Trades Near Three-Year High as OPEC Members Reassure on Cuts

Futures were little changed in New York after rising 4.7 percent last week. The curbs have contributed to stability in the market and should remain, Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi said Saturday. Yet, Brent crude at $70 a barrel may be giving fresh stimulus to U.S. shale-oil drillers to boost output, according to the International Energy Agency. Oil has extended gains after a second annual advance as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies curb supply to drain a global glut. Though they have said the historic deal will run until the end of this year, OPEC is “very likely to cut short” the pact if markets become balanced, JP Morgan Securities said in a report. Click Read More below for additional information.
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EXPERA’S RESIN-GARD™ Saturating Papers

Expera Specialty Solutions product brand, Resin-Gard™, represents its advanced line of saturating papers engineered to achieve uniform saturant (resin or latex) pickup required by manufacturers to meet finished product performance requirements. Resin-Gard™ offers dimensional stability, engineered strength, and surface properties that meet specific processing needs, providing customers with a comprehensive line of quality products. “Resin-Gard™ provides the market with multiple application possibilities,” said Jeff Murphy, Director of Sales and Marketing for Expera Specialty Solutions. “From building and construction and home décor, to recreation and filter medium, the possibilities are endless.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Market launch for Sappi’s Fusion Uncoated Announced

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.
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UPM Biofuels receives Uruguay’s first RSB sustainability certification for biofuel feedstock

UPM Biofuels has received a sustainability certificate for the cultivation of the Brassica carinata crop - a new feedstock for biofuel production - in Uruguay. The RSB (The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) certification in biofuel feedstock production complements UPM Biofuels' existing sustainability certifications like ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) and RSB certifications for its UPM BioVerno biofuel production. "RSB certification acknowledges our strong commitment to sustainability in all operations, now also in biofuel feedstock production with local farmers. This is also the first RSB certificate in Uruguay and creates new sustainable practices for agriculture," says Liisa Ranta, Manager, Sustainability, UPM Biofuels Development.
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Irving Paper mill employee treated in hospital after butane detected

Irving Paper, Irving Wallboard plant and J.D. Irving Ltd. offices on Bayside Drive all remained closed Thursday night, but employees could be back to work on Friday, based on preliminary air quality tests at the mill, said Keith. "Employees will return to these work sites when two separate tests have determined we meet the safe, regulated exposure levels," she said. "Employee safety is our top priority and a responsibility that we take very seriously." "The evacuation of the mill and [air quality] testing was underway prior to the employee reporting to hospital," said Keith. The company is maintaining contact with the employee and co-operating fully with WorksafeNB, she added. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Spot truckload rates surge to start New Year

Amid extreme weather and tight capacity, national average spot truckload rates saw double-digit increases during the week ending Jan. 6, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards. The number of available loads increased 27%, in line with expectations when a full workweek follows a holiday-shortened one. However, the number of trucks posted to DAT load boards was up just 7.4% and the imbalance pushed load-to-truck ratios up for all three equipment types. In the van market, load posts jumped 26% but truck posts were up only 6%, as many truckers were still taking time off. The national average van rate was $2.30/mile, up 19 cents compared to the previous week. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Domtar Announces Price Increase on Sheets and Rolls

Effective with shipments February 12, 2018 the price for the following products will increase by 3%-6%: • Cougar® Rolls and Sheets • Lynx® Opaque Ultra Rolls and Sheets • Husky® Opaque Offset Rolls and Sheets • EarthChoice® Opaque Offset 30% Rolls and Sheets • Domtar Reply Card Rolls and Sheets • EarthChoice® Colors Opaque Text and Cover • EarthChoice® Colors Multipurpose • EarthChoice® Colors Index, Tag and Vellum Bristol • EarthChoice® Hots Text and Cover • EarthChoice® Tradebook • ci2000® • EarthChoice® Envelope including colors • Engineering Laser Bond • Enterprise Postal Advantage™ • Laser Forms Bond including processed rolls and box forms • White Wove Envelope • Domtar Bagstock • Domtar Tablet • Brown Kraft Envelope • Domtar Ink Jet products including processed rolls • Business Papers products including Xerox® Vitality and all Domtar mill and private label brands • Xerox® Bold and Xerox® Revolution products. Price increases apply to all pack types; rolls, folio and cut size. All current standard differentials and upcharges remain in effect.
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Resolute Forest Products Praises Canada’s Filing at WTO

Resolute Forest Products Inc. expressed praise for Wednesday's filing by the Government of Canada at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Canada launched a wide-ranging complaint against the United States, challenging a host of measures inconsistent with its WTO obligations. Resolute applauds the Canadian action, standing up for Canadian jobs and families, the company's customers and business partners in the United States, and the international rule of law. "Resolute has been a victim of this pattern of behavior by the United States Department of Commerce. We are repeatedly confronting the same discredited protectionist policies when we fairly sell paper and lumber to American consumers who need and want these products," stated Richard Garneau, president and chief executive officer. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM recognised as a Water Efficiency Frontrunner in China

UPM has been recognised as a Water Efficiency Frontrunner in Jiangsu Province and China at large. As a frontrunner, UPM will serve as a benchmark for the industry and lead the promotion of water efficiency in China. In total, 11 companies received the highest recognition nationwide. UPM is the first, and only, company to obtain the highest recognition in Jiangsu Province. "Located next to Shanghai, Jiangsu is an important industrial base; with an economy of 7.6 trillion Chinese Yuan (EUR 972 billion) the province has second highest GDP in China, right after Guangdong. Jiangsu also has the strictest water and air emission permit limits in China", says Lisheng Jin, Environmental Manager, UPM Changshu Mill. "When putting this recognition in this context, we can be extremely proud of our achievement," he continues. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil prices ease from 3-year highs after Brent crude rockets above $70 a barrel

Brent crude oil hit a more than three-year high on Thursday, breaking through the psychologically important $70 a barrel level for the first time since December 2014. Oil futures failed to hold the gains, selling off as the close of trading approached, with analysts warning that the market might have little room left to run. Oil prices have been supported by stronger-than-expected demand fueled by worldwide economic growth, ongoing output limits by OPEC and Russia and a series of global events that have stoked geopolitical tension. Click Read More below for additional information.
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U.S. Newspaper, Book Printers Buying Canadian Uncoated Groundwood Are Up in Arms

A preliminary determination on Jan. 9 by the U.S. Department of Commerce to impose countervailing duties (CVD) ranging from 4.43% to 9.93% has U.S. newspaper, book and commercial printers that buy imported Canadian uncoated groundwood paper seeing red. That's because it will deliver a severe blow to their bottom lines due to what amounts to an average countervailing duty of 6.53%. In its investigation, the Commerce Department calculated a preliminary subsidy rate of 6.09% for Catalyst Paper, 9.93% for Kruger Trois-Rivieres, and 4.42% for Resolute Forest Products Canada. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sun Chemical Introduces New SunCure Aspire UV Offset Inks for Luxury Folding Carton Applications

Sun Chemical has launched a new UV offset ink that was developed to make sophisticated graphics look stunning and vibrant on high-end luxury folding cartons while at the same time providing the longer-term shelf appeal brand owners require. The new ink system, SunCure® Aspire UV, has been formulated to exhibit immense color transparency to help create vivid color graphic effects on metallized, lenticular and holographic board stocks frequently used for pharmaceutical, perfume, liquor, cosmetic and POP applications. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sam’s Club Shares Changes to Club Fleet

Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced changes to the business unit’s U.S. real estate portfolio, with the closure of 63 clubs around the country. The company will convert up to 12 of the impacted clubs to eCommerce fulfillment centers in a move that will speed delivery of online orders, with the balance of the facilities closing over the next few weeks. Currently, Walmart and Sam’s Club operate more than 5,400 locations across the U.S.; after the actions announced today the company will have 597 clubs. The action was taken after a thorough performance review. “Transforming our business means managing our real estate portfolio and Walmart needs a strong fleet of Sam’s Clubs that are fit for the future,” said John Furner, president and CEO of Sam’s Club. “We know this is difficult news for our associates and we are working to place as many of them as possible at nearby locations. Our focus today has been on those associates and their communities, and communicating with them.” Sam’s Club Shares Changes to Club Fleet
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Meredith Corporation Extends Tender Offer To Acquire Time Inc.

Meredith Corporation announced that it has extended its previously announced tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Time Inc. for $18.50 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.8 billion. The Offer will now expire one minute after 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 25, 2018, per terms of the merger agreement, unless further extended. All other terms and conditions of the Offer remain unchanged. Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the depository for the Offer, has advised Meredith that as of the close of business (Eastern Time) on January 10, 2018, approximately 59,024,324 shares of common stock of Time (not including 4,812,404 shares tendered by notice of guaranteed delivery for which shares have not yet been delivered) have been validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer, representing approximately 58.7% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Time. Click Read More below for additional information.
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AF&PA Targets Trade, Transportation, Paper-Options Safeguards and Regulatory Reform Among Top 2018 Advocacy Priorities

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced its top 2018 advocacy priorities that include free and fair trade, transportation efficiencies, regulatory process reforms and government policies that respect market dynamics for paper-based products. The association will pursue them as it supports the pulp, paper, packaging and wood products industry’s ability to grow the economy and create American manufacturing jobs. “Enactment of historic comprehensive tax reform sets a welcome stage for AF&PA to focus on key 2018 advocacy priorities that will further our industry’s ability boost the economy and create jobs and opportunity for all Americans,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “Free and fair trade policy, efficient transportation measures, systemic regulatory process reforms and policies that respect market place competition and consumer choice for paper-based products rank high on our list. We are eager to continue working with the Administration and Congress and state governments to advance shared goals that will open the door for our companies to invest, innovate and compete at home and around the globe. With more than 900,000 employees in rural and urban communities across 45 states, we are one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the nation with an ability to thrive with the support of forward-thinking public policy.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Bertelsmann Expands Global Network of Start-ups

Bertelsmann has further expanded its global network of start-up investments. Last year, the international media, services and education group made more than 70 investments worldwide, through the funds bundled in its Bertelsmann Investments division. At the same time, the company completed a number of exits, and profits from the disposal of these investments – most notably by the Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI) fund in China – made an appreciable contribution to Group net income. Overall, at the end of the year Bertelsmann had holdings in more than 160 innovative start-ups and investment funds. Thomas Rabe, Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, said: “Investments in young digital companies with innovative business models play an important role in the implementation of our strategy. With these investments, we ensure the transfer of knowledge, about digital trends that support us in the transformation, as well as about promising markets. We have massively expanded our network of start-up holdings in recent years, especially in our strategic growth regions of China, India and Brazil, and have repeatedly demonstrated that we are an ideal partner for innovative founders who want to expand their activities.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil rises 1% to 3-year high, settling at $63.57, after US crude stockpiles fall

Crude oil prices rose but backed away from multi-year highs on Wednesday after U.S. government data showed an increase in fuel inventories and a falloff in refining activity. A broad, global market rally, including stocks, has also been fueling investment into crude oil futures, but analysts warned of possible overheating. U.S. crude inventories fell 4.9 million barrels last week, more than the 3.9-million decline forecast, but bigger-than-expected builds in gasoline and fuel stocks offset that drawdown, the Energy Information Administration reported. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Crown and Eklo Water Bring First Flavored Water Packed in Cans to Brazil

Increasing consumer preference for healthy, convenient, zero-calorie beverages are expected to drive revenue growth of the Brazil flavored water market by 7.3% CAGR through 2024. In response, Eklo Water, based in Rio de Janeiro, has partnered with Crown Embalagens Metálicas da Amazônia S.A. (Crown Brazil), a subsidiary of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), to introduce the first flavored water to be packed in aluminum beverage cans to the Brazilian market. “It is clear that Brazilians want healthy, flavorful alternatives to teas, soft drinks and sugary beverages,” said Fabio Nono, Co-Owner of Eklo Water. “Our flavored water meets that demand and sleek style beverage cans are the perfect format to market them in. While we originally launched the drink in cartons, we transitioned to sleek style beverage cans as we are seeing consumers display an increased preference for package attributes such as portability, eye-catching design and overall durability.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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FPAC Statement on Uncoated Groundwood Duties

The US Department of Commerce imposed unwarranted countervailing duties up to 9.93% on imported Canadian uncoated groundwood paper (newsprint). Forest Products Association of Canada strongly believes that these duties are completely unjustified and protectionist in nature. We call on the federal government to stand with us and the over 4,500 hard-working Canadians from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador who could be impacted by this frivolous trade action. As it has with the softwood lumber dispute, this trade action will bring real harm to U.S. workers and businesses, impacting over 600,000 American jobs. We applaud the leadership of the many Democratic and Republican U.S. Senators, and the publishers of over one thousand small and medium-sized U.S. newspapers who have demanded that Washington not impose countervailing and anti-dumping duties on Canadian newsprint. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Forest Sector Applauds Canada’s Filing at WTO to Fight For Jobs and Communities Affected by U.S. Duties

Wednesday, 1/10/18, the Government of Canada launched a complaint against the United States challenging Washington’s use of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties. Canada said U.S. procedures broke the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Anti-Dumping Agreement, the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes. “These rates tabled last night by the U.S. on uncoated groundwood paper represent the third action that stands to hurt hard working men and women in our mill communities across Canada,” says Derek Nighbor, CEO, Forest Products Association of Canada. “These duties are unwarranted and without merit and we 100% support the federal government’s “WTO filing” position. Canada and the U.S. share a longstanding and important relationship, but in the face of these unfounded trade actions it’s important that our government defends Canada’s interests”.
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Label printers world wide use the flexibility and productivity of new Gallus Labelmaster

At the beginning of December last year, Heidelberg China and Gallus Shanghai jointly organized in the Print Media Center in Shanghai a launch event for the Gallus Labelmaster in China. Around 160 guests from label print shops in China and Region Asia as well as media journalists attended the event. They were able to watch live demos of the Gallus Labelmaster in label production and experienced a new height in leading label printing. “We are extremely optimistic about the future development of packaging and label printing in China”, explains Benny Huang, CEO of Heidelberg China. “In recent years, with an increasing middle class and accelerating urbanization processes, there are more and more specific requirements on packaging and label. It is our duty to continue providing high quality products and services for packaging and label print shops in China.” Asia has become the fastest growing label market in the world. It is expected that by 2019, the Asian label market will have increased by 5.5%, in which the growth rate of self-adhesive labels will reach 6.3%. “Owing to the higher cost of raw materials and labor today, print shops are paying more attention to productivity”, describes Teddy Jiang, General Manager of Gallus Shanghai. “At the same time, influenced by consumers and branding goods manufacturers, packaging and label printing is moving towards short run, multiple orders and product diversification.“ Click Read More below for additional information.
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Mohawk Partners with Lawton Connect to Redefine the Scratch Off Printing Market

Mohawk, family owned paper makers since 1931, have entered into a strategic partnership with commercial printer Lawton Connect, family owned since 1900, to form Mr. Scratch Off LLC. This partnership has been formed around the introduction of an innovative new technology using HP Indigo printing to produce the first 4-color, scratch off printed products in the world. Currently, printing for scratch off products uses single or multi-color printed images which are covered by a single-color fixed shape, applied with a flexographic press. This new capability allows both the scratch off area and the image beneath to be a multi-color print and fully variable from piece to piece; all using high resolution, HP Indigo printing. Click Read More below for additional information.
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In First Week On Sale, ‘Fire and Fury’ Sells Fewer Than 30,000 Copies

Customers that couldn't get a physical copy of Michael Wolff's Fire and Fury were in good company. According to figures from NPD BookScan, the hottest book of the year sold 28,567 print copies in the three days it was available for sale last week (ended January 7). BookScan covers 80- 85% of all print sales, excluding those through libraries. Although the figure is surprisingly low for a book that has captured the attention of the media and the President in such striking fashion, that number was still enough to make the White House tell-all the top-selling title in the country last week. John Sargent, CEO of Holt parent company Macmillan, told the Wall Street Journal that Fire and Fury had a 150,000-copy first printing. The discrepancy between the announced first printing and last week's sales is likely, in part, the result of Holt moving the book's publication date up, from January 9 to January 5. Shipments of the book that were timed to hit stores early this week may have been on the road over the weekend. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Survey Shows Paper Preferred for Information Credibility, Reading Pleasure

While the digital revolution is changing the way people learn, work, pay and play, print is still a preferred choice for many aspects of American life. New research shows that the perception of information credibility increases with print, and that people find reading on paper more enjoyable than reading on digital devices. In 2017, Two Sides North America commissioned a survey of more than 2,000 adults in the United States to find out how print and paper are viewed in a digital world. Two Sides is an independent nonprofit organization created to promote the sustainability of print and paper. Its members, including Domtar, span the print and paper value chain, including forestry, pulp, paper, inks and chemicals, pre-press, press, finishing, publishing, printing, envelopes and postal operators. Phil Riebel, president of Two Sides North America, spoke about the survey’s key findings and explored how digital and print play complementary roles in the ways consumers live. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Meredith Corporation Launches “Hungry Girl” Magazine In Collaboration With Lisa Lillien

Meredith Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of Hungry Girl magazine. The spring issue will be on newsstands January 16th and carry a $9.99 cover price. This magazine was created under the vision of Lisa Lillien, the creator of the Hungry Girl brand and founder of hungry-girl.com. Lillien, a leader in the better-for-you food space, is the author of twelve bestselling cookbooks, six of which debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Nearly 3 million email subscribers and social media followers eagerly await Hungry Girl's recipes, food finds, and tips & tricks each weekday. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Nordstrom Reports November and December Combined Sales

Nordstrom, Inc. announced an increase in its net sales of 2.5 percent and an increase in comparable sales of 1.2 percent for the nine weeks ended December 30, 2017, compared with the same period last year. This reflected an improvement in Nordstrom full-line and Nordstrom Rack stores relative to year-to-date sales trends and continued growth in e-commerce at Nordstrom.com and Nordstromrack.com/HauteLook. In the Nordstrom brand, including U.S. and Canada full-line stores and Nordstrom.com, net sales when combined with Trunk Club, increased 0.7 percent and comparable sales increased 1.0 percent. In the Nordstrom Rack brand, which consists of Nordstrom Rack stores and Nordstromrack.com/HauteLook, net sales increased 8.2 percent and comparable sales increased 2.9 percent. Click Read More below for additional information.
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ITA International Trade Administration : Preliminary Determination in the Countervailing Duty Investigation of Imports of Uncoated Groundwood Paper from Canada

• Commerce has calculated a preliminary subsidy rate of 6.09 percent for mandatory respondent Catalyst Paper Corporation (Catalyst), 9.93 percent for mandatory respondent Kruger Trois-Rivieres L.P. (Kruger), 4.42 percent for mandatory respondent Resolute FP Canada Inc. (Resolute) and 0.65 percent for voluntary respondent White Birch Paper Canada Company NSULC (White Birch). All other producers/exporters in Canada have been assigned a preliminary subsidy rate of 6.53 percent. • As a result of the preliminary affirmative determination, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to require cash deposits based on these preliminary rates. • The merchandise covered by this investigation is certain paper that has not been coated on either side and with 50 percent or more of the cellulose fiber content consisting of groundwood pulp, including groundwood pulp made from recycled paper, weighing not more than 90 grams per square meter. Groundwood pulp includes all forms of pulp produced from a mechanical pulping process, such as thermo-mechanical process (TMP), chemi-thermo mechanical process (CTMP), bleached chemi-thermo mechanical process (BCTMP) or any other mechanical pulping process. The scope includes paper shipped in any form, including but not limited to both rolls and sheets. Certain uncoated groundwood paper includes but is not limited to standard newsprint, high bright newsprint, book publishing, directory, and printing and writing papers. The scope includes paper that is white, off-white, cream, or colored. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Norpac praises Commerce move to slap duties on Canadian papermakers

In a victory for Norpac — and potential blow to local newspapers — the U.S. Department of Commerce announced Tuesday that it will start imposing preliminary antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian paper producers. The move comes in response to a petition filed in August in which the Longview papermaker alleged that Canadian paper manufacturers hold an unfair advantage over domestic producers. Norpac claimed that Canadian paper companies benefit from 65 different subsidies that add up to hundreds of millions of dollars. The federal and provincial subsidies include government grants, tax breaks, subsidized loans, raw materials at below-market costs and cheap subsidized electricity, according to Norpac. A Commerce investigation found that Canadian uncoated groundwood paper — the same product used to print newspapers — was subsidized by an average of 6.53 percent, Norpac said Tuesday. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Brent crude oil tops $68 a barrel — its highest since 2015

Oil rose further above $68 a barrel briefly on Tuesday, touching its highest since May 2015, supported by OPEC-led production cuts and expectations U.S. crude inventories fell for an eighth week. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia are keeping supply limits in place in 2018, a second year of restraint, to reduce a price-denting glut of oil held in inventories. OPEC is cutting output by even more than it promised [OPEC/O] and the restraint is reducing oil stocks globally, a trend most visible in the United States, the world's largest and most transparent oil market. Click Read More below for additional information.
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F+W Dismisses Top Execs Amid Layoffs

In a dramatic changing of the guard at the niche magazine publisher, F+W Media has dismissed its CEO, COO, and CTO, Folio: has learned. The company’s board of directors revealed Monday its decision to part ways with CEO Tom Beusse, COO Joe Seibert, and CTO Joe Romello, installing Greg Osberg, CEO of media consulting firm Revlyst, as F+W’s interim CEO while a replacement is sought. After determining that a change was needed, Osberg tells Folio:, ownership decided to bring him on—as well as a team of consultants from business advisory firm FTI Consulting—in a move that’s less an indictment of existing management’s strategic plan, but rather indicative of a desire to expedite the company’s necessary transformation. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Hearst Completes Acquisition of Rodale Inc. Magazine Media Brands

Hearst announced today that it has completed its transaction with Rodale to acquire the company’s global health and wellness brands. In addition to the U.S. editions and digital expressions, the newly-acquired brands publish 62 print editions and 57 websites in 31 countries. The acquisition adds complementary health and wellness titles to Hearst’s diversified portfolio of magazine brands, encompassing 20 titles in the U.S. and nearly 300 editions and websites around the world. The announcement was made by Hearst President and CEO Steven R. Swartz and Hearst Magazines President David Carey. Terms were not disclosed. Concurrent with the close, Penguin Random House purchased the assets of Rodale Books.
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Hammer Packaging Celebrates New Rapida 106 With Visit From Koenig & Bauer’s President and CEO Claus Bolza-Schünemann

The red carpet was rolled out as Jim Hammer, president of Hammer Packaging, and his executive team and employees were honored to welcome Koenig & Bauer president and CEO Claus Bolza-Schünemann who arrived from Germany to its headquarters in Rochester, NY. Bolza-Schünemann was especially interested to inspect the new KBA Rapida 106 41-inch eight-color press on Hammer’s pressroom floor, which was installed in July 2017, and how its unique features are assisting Hammer and its customers. With the installation of its new 41-inch KBA eight-color press at its modern two-story headquarters set in an expansive wooded suburban office park near the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology, Hammer is working hand-and-hand with its customers on how it is pioneering a new generation of offset printing. This new configuration is yet another unique layout to its portfolio of presses, says the company, and is making Hammer truly one-of-a-kind. This latest press represents the newest technology available with the fastest press speeds in the world. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Klabin is included in the WWF Environmental Index

For the third time in a row Klabin has been included in the Environmental Paper Company Index 2017 (EPCI), published every two years by WWF. EPCI is based on voluntary disclosure by companies of more than 50 indicators that measure the environmental performance and changes in them over time with regard to Responsible Fiber Supply, Clean Production and Environmental Management System reports. Klabin achieved a high level of performance by reaching a score of 100% on Responsible Fiber Supply, and a 6% increase in the Clean Production indicator compared to the previous measurement, while maintaining its score above 50% in Environmental Management reports. All the indicators considered the operations of the company’s 18 current production units (17 in Brazil and one in Argentina), compared to 14 units the company had in the previous edition. The company’s results and inclusion in the Index underscore sustainability as the foundation of Klabin’s business management, being the link in the continuous creation of value, which prioritizes a balance between the economical, social and environmental spheres. Click Read More below for additional information.
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PRH Buys Rodale Books Assets

After completing its purchase of Rodale Inc. last week, the Hearst Corp., which announced the deal in October, quickly turned around and sold Rodale's trade book publishing assets to Penguin Random House. Terms of the acquisition, which involves more than 2,000 backlist titles and 100 frontlist books, were not disclosed. With the purchase, Rodale Books’ adult nonfiction titles will be released under the Rodale Books imprint. It will become part of the Crown Publishing Group, and will be an imprint of its Illustrated and Lifestyle division, comprised of the Harmony, Ten Speed Press, and Clarkson Potter publishing programs, overseen by Aaron Wehner, senior v-p of the unit’s imprints. Diana Baroni, v-p and editorial director of Harmony Books, will oversee Rodale Books. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Barnes & Noble Customers Donate Approximately 1.6 Million Books to Children in Need Through Holiday Book Drive

Barnes & Noble, Inc. announced that it collected approximately 1.6 million books during its 2017 Holiday Book Drive program. The books are being donated to more than 650 local charities across the country that provide services to children. The donation was made possible through the generous support of Barnes & Noble customers, who purchased books for donation at Barnes & Noble bookstores nationwide between November 1, 2017, and January 1, 2018. Community partners are distributing the books collected to hospitals, schools, literacy organizations and social service organizations. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Target Raises Q4 Guidance on Stronger-than-Expected Holiday Sales

Target Corporation announced that its comparable sales in the combined November/December period grew 3.4 percent, compared with the expected range of 0 to 2 percent. Comparable sales across all of the Company's core merchandise categories – Home, Apparel, Food & Beverage, Hardlines and Essentials – were positive and accelerated from the third quarter, reflecting strong traffic growth, positive store comps and continued strength in digital sales. Target now expects 2017 will be the fourth consecutive year in which its digital sales grow more than 25 percent. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Rick Cheetham and Bill Kopp Join Allen Press as Sales Executives

Cheetham joins Allen Press with more than 30 years of experience selling magazine, catalog, insert and direct mail printing to the association, publication and retail markets while Kopp joins Allen Press with over 20 years of experience in B2B business development, serving clients in print, marketing, healthcare and technology. “We are very excited to add Rick and Bill to the Allen Press team and expand our sales presence to new markets,” says Maria Preston-Cargill, Allen Press Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “Both Rick and Bill have invaluable knowledge in sales and print which I believe will serve our current and future clients well.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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OPEC Doesn’t Want Brent Over $60 a Barrel, Says Iran’s Oil Minister

“Members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries are not keen on increased Brent crude prices above $60 a barrel because of shale oil," Iran Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said, according to the ministry’s news service Shana. Prices have climbed in recent days because of production cuts and increased demand for petroleum products due to cold weather, he said. U.S. output will rise by at least 830,000 barrels a day this year, JBC Energy GmbH said Tuesday in a note. That could cause U.S. crude prices to “cool” in the first half, the Vienna-based researcher said. The U.S. pumped about 9.34 million barrels a day last year, according to Department of Energy data compiled by Bloomberg. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Preliminary information on Metsä Board’s sales and profitability in the fourth quarter of 2017

Due to suspected information security breach Metsä Board Corporation announces preliminary information on sales and profitability in the fourth quarter of 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2017, sales were approximately EUR 451 million, comparable operating result was approximately EUR 54 million and earnings per share were approximately EUR 0.12. Figures are based on preliminary unaudited information. Metsä Board Corporation will publish its 2017 Financial statements bulletin on 8 February 2018.
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For Holt, Unexpected Demand for ‘Fire and Fury’ Proves a Challenge

Intense demand for the book has caught its publisher, Henry Holt, off guard as the Macmillan imprint scrambles to get copies into the marketplace. Gauging a book's traction in the marketplace and setting its print run is, arguably, one of the trickiest aspects of the publishing process. And Holt, in this instance, got it very wrong. Fire and Fury, which became a hot commodity last week after bombshell comments it contained from former (and current) White House staffers were released early by the media, is currently out-of-stock at the major chains, Amazon and independent bookstores. It's available in limited supply at most libraries. Amazon said in a statement that "due to a last-minute change in the release date [of the book] and heightened interest, we are working with the publisher to fulfill print book orders as quickly as possible." The book is currently #1 in all major formats at the retailer (print, e-book and audio), with Amazon estimating it could be as much as two to four weeks before it can ship copies. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sun Chemical to Present its Metal Decorating Solutions at the Aerosol & Dispensing Forum 2018

Sun Chemical will showcase its SunAltec and SunTrio product families on its stand S10 and visitors can find out about the company’s expertise, knowledge and capabilities in metal decoration through its specialised ink solutions, including special effects, brand protection, brand colour management and print standardisation. Sun Chemical’s SunAltec series of inks for metal decoration on aluminum collapsible tubes and monobloc aerosol cans offer outstanding performance, superior quality, high productivity and strong chemical resistance properties. The MB Plus Series, part of the SunAltec product family, will also be on display. The versatile series has been specifically designed for the application on monobloc aerosols and uses an alkyd-based ink system, which has been modified for optimum performance on new generation production lines utilising today’s basecoat technology. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM Raflatac expands offering for industrial chemical labeling with launch of new Synlite Xtra outdoor-resistant film

UPM Raflatac is introducing its Synlite Xtra outdoor-resistant film face material to the European market. This material is suitable for industrial chemical labeling applications that require a high level of resistance to challenging outdoor conditions. Synlite Xtra is a lightweight and production-efficient PP-based matt film that offers good UV resistance. The film is paired with UPM Raflatac's high-tack RC77 adhesive, which also offers good UV resistance as well as good adhesion on polar and non-polar surfaces. RC77 performs well in even the most demanding outdoor environments, ensuring that labels displaying critical information about container contents and any safety requirements remain firmly in place for the life of the container. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sight Unseen: Packaging for the Digital Consumer

When retail giant Amazon jumped into meal-kit delivery last summer, it was the clearest signal yet that consumer convenience is the new North Star for products and services across all categories. From consumer packaged goods (CPGs) going online to personal care brands and retailers exploring subscription models, the industry is now further investing in e-commerce by embracing a new "last mile" to reach consumers. So, if our first interaction with a product takes place on our front porch instead of in a store, how does that change how we choose brands and develop preferences? One of the greatest challenges for emerging retail models is that consumers buy products without seeing them first. It's crucial to consider what a leap of faith it is for a consumer to buy a product sight unseen. A retailer's success is contingent on the notion of trust among the consumer, the brand and the retailer; yet trust is hard to build and easy to lose. In this new marketplace with so much upside and an equal amount of risk, how can brands establish sustainable competitive advantage? Click Read More below for additional information.
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Flambeau River Paper announcement

Flambeau River Paper announced the shutdown of its #3 paper machine to be effective immediately. #3 paper machine primarily produces commodity white papers and has been impacted by the ongoing and unprecedented rise in pulp costs coupled with an in-elasticity of commodity paper price. Flambeau River Papers’ #1 and #2 paper machines along with the Flambeau pulp mill, woodyard and utilities will continue to operate uninterrupted on a 24 hour, 7 day a week schedule. It is important to point out that PM 1 and PM 2 produce primarily specialty and value-added papers. The size and capabilities of these two paper machines, along with integrated nature of the mill, make them competitive and well suited for continued success in these markets. Over the last five years the mill has worked hard and qualified propriety specialty papers on these machines. Also manufactured on PM 1 and PM 2 are Flambeau’s other value-added papers such as Torchglow and Glacier Opaque branded papers, custom FDA compliant papers, fluorescent colored papers, wet-strength papers, saturating base stocks, deeply colored papers, watercolor papers, book papers, endleaf papers, lightweight offset papers, converting and drawing stocks. Paper grades historically produced on PM 3 such as Offset Papers and Laser Bond papers will not be part of the productive capacity of FRP as we proceed forward. We will work in concert with you and communicate the status of pending orders and shipments.
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