Paper Clips

International Paper has reached a definitive agreement with American Industrial Partners (AIP) to sell its Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF) business for $1.5 billion, subject to closing adjustments, including the issuance of preferred stock with an aggregate initial liquidation preference of $190 million. The Company previously announced the decision to review strategic alternatives for its GCF business last fall, as part of the Company's strategy to focus on sustainable packaging solutions. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approvals.  The GCF business creates safe, high-quality pulp for a wide range of applications like towel and tissue products, diapers, feminine care, incontinence and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. In addition, its specialty pulp serves as a sustainable raw material used in construction materials, paints, coatings and more. GCF generated $2.8 billion in revenue in 2024 and has 3,300 employees globally, with nine manufacturing facilities and eight regional offices. Strategic changes to Packaging Solutions business in North America International Paper's packaging business in North America has initiated a number of actions to enhance its ability to serve and grow with customers while improving its manufacturing footprint, including: Investment of $250 million to convert the #16 machine at the Riverdale mill in Selma, Ala. to produce containerboard The permanent closure of the Savannah, Ga. containerboard mill, the Savannah, Ga. packaging facility, Riceboro containerboard mill and Riceboro Timber and Lumber These changes will impact approximately 1,100 hourly and salaried positions. International Paper is committed to supporting affected employees through this transition. The Riverdale conversion is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026. The Riceboro and Savannah mills will shut down in phases by the end of September 2025, and the Savannah packaging facility will also cease operations by the end of September. These combined changes will result in a net reduction of the company's annual containerboard capacity by approximately one million tons.

Novolex is shutting down a former Pactiv Evergreen plant in Bakersfield, California, according to a WARN notice posted by the state. The company is permanently closing the manufacturing facility come Oct. 14, impacting 127 employees. The news follows Novolex completing its $6.7 billion acquisition of Pactiv Evergreen in April, which took the purchased company private. Novolex is majority-held by private equity firm Apollo Funds and manufactures food, beverage and specialty packaging, primarily focused on fiber and plastic substrates.

Metsä Board, a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards, will begin the installation phase of a major board machine modernisation at its Simpele mill this September as part of a €60 million investment programme. The investment will elevate the quality of the flagship folding boxboard grade MetsäBoard Classic FBB and accelerate the mill’s transition toward fossil-free production. The renewed MetsäBoard Classic FBB will feature curtain coating technology, resulting in an improved print surface and enhanced visual quality. This innovation enables more consistent print results and sharper details, especially in demanding packaging applications. Currently, 89% of the energy used in production at the Simpele mill is fossil-free. With the implementation of new technologies, this figure is expected to rise to 98% by the end of 2025, marking a significant milestone in Metsä Board’s journey toward fossil-free production and supporting customers’ increasingly ambitious sustainability goals.

Seaman Paper is proud to announce the launch of SatinWrap® Floral, a premium extension of its popular SatinWrap® product line, designed specifically for florists and floral packaging distributors. This new line features 14 premium in-stock colors and 6 curated print & color assortments, combining style and performance to protect floral arrangements while elevating brand presentation. "With SatinWrap® Floral, we’re making it even easier for florists and distributors to access high-quality, moisture-resistant waxed tissue paper that looks as beautiful as the flowers it protects,

Sappi North America and Valmet celebrated the successful start-up of the rebuilt paper machine 2 (PM 2) at the Somerset paper manufacturing facility in Skowhegan, Maine, USA. The machine produced its first roll of solid bleached sulphate (SBS) board, marking a key milestone in Sappi’s strategic transition to packaging grades. "Following the success of Project Balance, the PM 1 rebuild project in 2018, we did it again with Project Elevate. The sustainable conversion of PM 2 has transformed it into a modern state-of-the-art board machine. This achievement is a testament to excellent collaboration and incredible teamwork. We are grateful to the entire Somerset team, our valuable partners, and all the Valmeteers involved for their hard work on a complex project,” adds Tuomo Rämö, Project Manager, Valmet. Technical information about the delivery Valmet’s delivery included a rebuild of the wet end with a new OptiPress Linear press section, modifications and extension of the dryer section, and a new finishing section. The finishing section was equipped with the OptiSizer Film size press, two OptiCoat Roll coating heads, OptiDry Coat air dryers, OptiCalender Hard calender, OptiReel Linear reel, and the OptiWin Belt winder.

Fastmarkets reports that Kruger has temporarily stopped operations at its Corner Brook pulp and paper mill in Newfoundland and Labrador, eastern Canada, due to wildfire emergency measures introduced by provincial authorities in areas facing very high and extreme fire risk. The company suspended its Corner Brook forest operations on Saturday August 9 and stopped pulp and paper mill operations on August 15 owing to limited . Kruger expects the mill to be closed until the end of August or beginning of September. The mill is a newsprint producer with 230,000 tonnes per year of capacity that primarily serves customers in Europe and Asia.

The largest and most modern consumer packaging board production line in Europe was inaugurated on 18 August in Oulu, Finland. The new line was inaugurated by Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo, Chair of Stora Enso’s Board of Directors Kari Jordan, President and CEO of Stora Enso Hans Sohlström, and Oulu mill’s Chief Shop Steward Olli-Pekka Kaikkonen. Stora Enso's Oulu unit serves the growing demand for renewable packaging globally and contributes to the transition to a circular bioeconomy. At the same time, the production site supports Finland's competitiveness and increases exports with products of higher added value. Stora Enso has invested EUR 1.1 billion in the now inaugurated production line together with other developments on the site area, amounting to a total of approximately 1.7 billion investment in the entire Oulu mill in 2019–2025. The investments have made it possible to convert former paper machines into board lines utilising the latest technology, while the environmental impact has been reduced by cutting fossil carbon dioxide emissions by 90%. The mill produces folding boxboard, kraftliners, paper bag material, and unbleached softwood pulp. Board materials are suitable for direct contact with food. Almost all of the Oulu mill’s production is exported.

Solenis, a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions, is exhibiting at two key industry tradeshows, where it will highlight technology to enable paperization through chemistry for sustainable packaging. The company will be exhibiting at FACHPACK in Nuremberg, Germany, Sept. 23-25, and at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Flexographic applied barrier coatings: Packaging producers can apply these eco-friendly, high-performance barrier coatings directly to cupstock board, flexible packaging, flat sheet paper and liners for corrugated using standard flexographic equipment during the printing process. Developed in conjunction with HEIDELBERG, this cost-effective process eliminates the need for separate offline coating steps while reducing the use of plastic-based coatings or wax treatments. PHA-based coatings: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) coatings, which are made with biodegradable bioplastic, replace petroleum-based options. Made to work with flexographic and extrusion processes, the water-based solutions degrade in both marine and fresh water and are home compostable. TopScreenTM cupstock barrier coatings: These eco-friendly coatings replace PE lamination on single-use and short-duration cupstock. Applied with standard coating and cup-forming equipment, they deliver the same performance and printability as traditional barrier coatings. ContourSM technology for molded pulp: Oil and grease resistant, Contour is formulated for molded pulp plates, bowls, tubs and trays in low- to mid-temperature applications. This technology offers a cost-competitive, easy-to-implement solution without intentionally added PFAS.

Fastmarkets reports that UPM Adhesive Materials is planning to close its Fletcher, North Carolina, label facility in the second quarter of 2026, and transfer all orders from the Fletcher plant to its Mills River facility, where production will be upgraded and increased significantly. The company is investing in new proprietary coating technology at the Mills River factory which enables it to increase capacity.

In many Western countries, throwing away leftovers or discarding food with minor imperfections has become the norm. Yet, with more than 700 million people facing hunger globally and food insecurity rising, this waste is something we can no longer ignore1. The urgency of the issue is further highlighted by ongoing supply chain disruptions and economic instability. Food waste campaigner Tristram Stuart has said, “Cutting food waste is a delicious way of saving money, helping to feed the world and protect the planet.” 2 He’s right—addressing food waste is critical for people, the planet, and business. It is shocking that 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost or wasted each year—enough to feed two billion people.1 In regions like Europe, nearly half of food waste occurs at the consumer level, whereas in developing countries, a significant proportion is lost post-harvest due to inadequate storage and poor packaging. Whether at the farm, in transit, or on supermarket shelves, food waste means wasted resources—water, energy, land, and capital. The Role of Packaging in Reducing Food Waste At Mondi, we believe sustainable packaging can play a key role in tackling food waste. Smart packaging solutions help protect food during transport and storage, extending shelf life and preventing spoilage.

Bain Capital weighs IPO or sale of Ahlstrom at up to €8B, targeting ESG-focused investors via Amsterdam amid rising demand for sustainable industrial assets. Bain Capital is weighing a dual-track exit for Ahlstrom, the Finnish specialty materials company it acquired in 2022. The two options on the table: a public listing in Amsterdam or a strategic private sale. The potential valuation of the business in either scenario is estimated between €7 billion and €8 billion, signaling a substantial return on Bain’s earlier investment. Ahlstrom, known for producing sustainable fiber-based materials used in filtration, medical, packaging, and industrial applications, is currently preparing IPO groundwork with Rothschild & Co, while Morgan Stanley is reportedly assessing potential sale routes.

Sappi Europe today announced the initiation of a consultation process at its Kirkniemi Mill in Finland as part of a proposed asset restructure. This step is being taken in response to a structural decline in demand across Europe and sustained financial challenges. The proposed changes are intended to ensure long term competitiveness in the Graphic Paper Market and align production capacity with changing market dynamics and customer needs. Sappi Europe has today announced the potential closure of Paper Machine 2 at its Kirkniemi Mill in Lohja, Finland. If implemented, this step would reduce the mill’s annual capacity of coated magazine paper by 175,000 tonnes. The proposed asset closure is part of Sappi’s strategy to align capacity with market demand and improve operational efficiency with paper machines 1 and 3 remaining in operation. The process would be carefully managed to ensure continuity of supply with no disruption to customers. The biggest coated publication paper mill in the world, Kirkniemi Mill has a production capacity of 750,000 tons of coated paper for heatset web offset printing serving mainly the high-volume print market. A major investment to convert on-site power generation to biofuels eliminated 90% of the mill’s direct, Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions in 2023.

The closure of Pixelle Specialty Solutions’ paper mill in Chillicothe, Ohio, has delivered a major blow to the state’s logging sector. After nearly 200 years in operation, the mill permanently ceased production on Sunday, following an April announcement of its shutdown. Employing more than 800 people, the facility was Ohio’s largest purchaser of low-grade timber, consuming over 600,000 tons of wood fiber annually. Its absence will significantly affect small, family-run logging operations, many of which depended on the mill for most of their business. The loss is expected to have ripple effects across Ohio’s $1.1 billion forestry economy, prompting industry leaders to seek new markets and potential replacements for the mill’s capacity.

Smurfit Westrock is closing a facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the state this week. The site produces “corrugated packaging such as standard cases, boxes and trays suitable for all industries,” Smurfit Westrock said on its website. Production will move to other facilities in Smurfit Westrock’s network, according to Robby Johnson, director of external communications for North America. The shutdown will affect 100 employees, the company reported. Layoffs are slated for Oct. 4, according to the notice, and closing activities will be complete by mid-October. Outplacement assistance will be available for impacted employees and eligible employees may apply for open positions within the company, Johnson said. Smurfit Westrock recently celebrated its one-year anniversary following the combination of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock. On a second-quarter earnings call last week, CEO Tony Smurfit said the company would “continue to optimize our system through the elimination of non-strategic or inefficient assets,” as it targets eliminating 600,000 tons of capacity.

Trioworld Group, a global leading producer of innovative high-performance flexible films, is thrilled to announce the opening of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, strategically located to enhance service and production capabilities across North America. This major investment marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction. The new facility, set to open in Brownsburg, Indiana this fall, will provide greater flexibility in meeting the growing demand from US customers. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and sustainable production practices, the plant is expected to eventually double Trioworld’s North American production capacity, create an initial 33 new jobs and serve as a hub for innovation and efficiency.

Billerud, Sappi and UPM sent letters this week announcing tariff related price increases on paper and board coming from Europe. There were varying degrees of increases. Check with your MIDLAND sales representatives for details.

Greif, Inc. a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Molpus Woodlands Group, on behalf of clients, to sell its Soterra land management business for $462 million. This transaction, which includes over 173,000 acres of timberlands across the Southeastern United States, follows Greif’s previously announced intent to divest the business as part of its strategic portfolio optimization. The deal is expected to close shortly before or after the Company’s fiscal year end, subject to customary closing conditions. “The sale of the Soterra timberlands aligns with our strategy to focus our portfolio on opportunities where Greif can be an industry leader,” said Ole Rosgaard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Greif. “This transaction enhances our ability to invest in higher-margin, less cyclical markets, and positions Greif for further long-term success and value creation.” “These timberlands seamlessly complement our existing portfolio, offering diverse, highly productive assets strategically located near robust timber markets with strong, competitive pricing,” said Terrell Winstead, President and CEO of Molpus. “With our long history of creating value for similar properties in these areas, we believe this opportunity fits well within our long-term investment strategy and sustainable forest management approach.” Cash proceeds from the sale will be allocated to debt repayment.

Georgia-Pacific shared the news that Christian Fischer, President and CEO, announced he is retiring from the company at the end of October and will work to transition his responsibilities beginning in August. Fischer joined Georgia-Pacific in 1989 and has held numerous leadership roles. He was named President and CEO in 2017. Mark Luetters, currently executive vice president of Koch, Inc., with responsibility overseeing several Koch companies, including Georgia-Pacific, will continue in that role while serving as Georgia-Pacific's President and CEO.

New Brunswick’s forestry sector is raising alarm over a U.S. Department of Commerce decision that could see combined duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports rise to 34% by mid-August. The increase includes a sharp jump in anti-dumping duties, from 7.66% to 20.56%, with countervailing duties also expected to rise. The New Brunswick Lumber Producers (NBLP) say the move unfairly targets the province’s distinct forestry model, which relies heavily on private wood sources and market-based pricing. “This increase is unjustified,” said Jerome Pelletier and Glen Warmen, Co-Chairs of the NBLP. “New Brunswick is being penalized by a trade case that fails to recognize the province’s unique system and high use of private wood.”

In response to rising demand for high-quality, fiber-based sustainable packaging, Sappi North America today announced that it is delivering commercial product to customers following the completion of Project Elevate, the $500 million conversion and expansion of Paper Machine No. 2 (PM2) at its Somerset Mill in Maine. Qualification processes are being completed with a number of customers, and production will ramp up to full volumes through 2026. The investment doubles PM2’s  production capacity and strengthens Sappi’s position as a leader in sustainable packaging by transforming Somerset into one of the most advanced production sites for high-performance SBS (solid bleached sulfate) paperboard. “This is a pivotal moment for Sappi North America,” said Michael Haws, President and CEO. “With PM2, we have delivered the largest rebuild in our company’s history, doubling the machine’s capacity and positioning Somerset as a leader in sustainably manufactured paperboard. The true success of this project lies in our people. Their precision, focus, and unwavering commitment to safety enabled us to complete a complex transformation, all while keeping the mill fully operational. This investment goes beyond machinery; it's about laying the foundation for long-term innovation, sustainable growth, and lasting impact." As production continues to ramp up, this strategic investment is planned to deliver 520,000 short tons (approximately 470,000 metric tons) of annual capacity and expands Sappi’s ability to produce a full range of high-performance SBS paperboard grades, including folding carton, food service board, and cups.

Kruger has announced a sweeping diversification plan to secure the future of its Corner Brook Pulp and Paper operations, proposing an investment of up to $700 million to transform the mill into a modernized, sustainable manufacturing hub. The ambitious project—pending alignment with key stakeholders—aims to position the facility as one of the most competitive in the pulp and paper industry. In addition to modernizing production lines, Kruger plans to build a new pulp storage facility, upgrade site infrastructure, improve chip handling systems, and implement a biomass drying and unloading operation for its cogeneration plant.

Westrock Coffee is expanding its US operations with a new manufacturing facility in Conway, Arkansas, to produce millions of single-serve coffee cups daily. The private-label coffee and tea manufacturer, one of the largest in North America, opened the facility to meet rising demand from “existing and new” global customers, including “some of the largest retail and coffee brands in the region.” “The single-serve category is evolving rapidly, and we are scaling our operations to meet our customers’ needs,” says Will Ford, chief operating officer at Westrock Coffee. The company identifies rising global demand for “single-serve coffee” solutions. For example, according to Westrock Coffee, the coffee pods market, valued at US$35.3 billion in 2024, is projected to more than double to US$71.2 billion by 2034 as consumers seek “fast, high-quality coffee with added convenience.”

Billerud is advancing steadily on its investments in its Escanaba and Quinnesec mills in Michigan. This strategic initiative is the foundation of the company’s “Way Forward” strategy to enhance operational flexibility, expand product offerings, and support long-term economic and sustainability goals in North America. “In December 2024, we announced major capital investments in our Escanaba and Quinnesec mills,” said Doug Schwartz, President of Billerud North America. “These investments are vital to optimizing our paper machine capabilities, expanding into packaging materials, and continuing to deliver market-leading graphic papers, specialty label papers, and market pulp.” Escanaba Mill woodyard rebuild underway. New packaging products ready for market.

UPM Adhesive Materials will increase its production capacity in North America by installing proprietary multifunctional coating technology at its Mills River facility in North Carolina. The upgrade is designed to expand local supply of high-performance label materials used in wine and spirits, pharmaceuticals, industrial labeling, and postal applications, based on a company announcement from UPM Adhesive Materials. The Mills River factory, which has operated under the Raflatac brand for more than 25 years, currently produces paper and film-based label materials. With this investment, it will broaden its output to include higher-value laminates with enhanced functionality and visual appeal, catering to increasing demand in specialized packaging markets.

Sappi Europe, a leading producer of graphic papers, announces the expansion of its Galerie portfolio with the launch of Galerie Book, a mechanical uncoated paper tailored to the specific needs of the book publishing market. Produced at Sappi's world-leading Kirkniemi Mill in Finland, this strategic product expansion builds on Sappi's strengths and addresses the growing need for reliable, sustainable, and versatile book paper options.

Driven by structural overcapacity in the graphic paper markets and the need to ensure long-term competitiveness of its operations, UPM Communication Papers plans to end paper production at UPM Kaukas paper mill, Finland, reducing the annual production capacity of coated mechanical paper by 300,000 tonnes. The shutdown of the paper machine (PM 1) is planned for the end of the year 2025. UPM’s pulp, sawn timber and biofuels production and R&D activities at UPM Kaukas integrate will continue as before. Decisions on final plans would be made after the co-determination processes have been concluded in line with local legislation in Finland. Should the plans be implemented the number of employees affected at UPM Kaukas paper mill is estimated at 220.

ND Paper proudly presents Pennacook Offset, an uncoated printing paper that blends modern papermaking technology with the deep-rooted history of Rumford, Maine. Produced at our Rumford mill, this offset sheet is engineered for optimal pressroom performance, offering excellent printability, and consistent quality. With the recent installation of a new size press on R15, along with strategic mill-wide upgrades, ND Paper is investing in the future of quality, efficiency, and sustainability. These enhancements allow us to deliver even greater surface uniformity, improved print quality, and better ink holdout—ensuring that Pennacook Offset not only honors tradition, but also meets the demands of today’s print market.

Hood Container Corporation, a family-owned packaging and paper company, announced it will invest $118.9 million to modernize its legacy paper mill in West Feliciana Parish, allowing the company to significantly boost production capacity and quality to meet evolving market demands. The company is expected to retain 295 current positions with an estimated salary more than 30% above the parish average. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 819 indirect new jobs.  The project will center around upgrading Hood Container’s primary paper machine, which will increase production capacity by 80,000 tons per year. With the manufacturing of more, higher-quality products, the company anticipates buying an additional 204,000 tons of wood chips and 22,000 tons of recycled boxes annually. The investment will also include significant improvements to the facility’s recovery boiler, which is essential in powering the mill.

Over five years after the closure of its kraft pulp mill in Pictou County, Northern Pulp has announced it will sell its assets, effectively ending discussions surrounding the construction of a new facility in Nova Scotia. The decision follows the failure of a restart project developed as part of an agreement reached with the Nova Scotia government in May 2024. A feasibility study conducted under this agreement concluded that the proposed project would not achieve the required 14% internal rate of return to justify the investment. The planned facility—a next-generation biorefinery in Liverpool with an estimated cost of more than $2.5 billion—was ultimately deemed financially unviable by its proponents.

An informal agreement on the Chillicothe paper mill between the owner and the state's economic development corporation was released on social media recently. It sets five "preliminary terms" before the revised shutdown date. The Memorandum of Agreement between mill operator Pixelle (based in Pennsylvania, and owned by H.I.G. Capital of Miami, Florida) and JobsOhio was posted by Natalie Fahmy (Ohio Statehouse/Politics Reporter)on X / Twitter recently. An outline of the five terms: Pixelle is responsible for environmental remediation, demolition, and obligations to unions. Pixelle will issue a WARN Notice by June 10th, and will fulfill its obligations in the following 60-day period. Pixelle will retain proceeds from the sale of any equipment on the site. All proceeds from the sale of the property will be for the benefit of former employees and the Chillicothe community.