Sappi Limited, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, will be showing its full range of speciality and packaging grades at the 2017 Pack Expo Las Vegas September 25-27, 2017. Sappi is committed to offering customers high-quality, innovative and sustainable specialty products and solutions via its robust global network. "We are experts in what we do and a reliable partner when it comes to challenging packaging solutions as well as the manufacturing processes for these types of packaging,” said Mark Odgers, Director of Packaging, Sappi North America. “In light of the high investment levels and significant amount of work that Sappi has put into packaging and speciality papers, we’re excited to share our full product line and what’s next for us at Pack Expo. We are delighted to invite all visitors to stop by to discuss their specific requirements with us."

Appleton Coated’s new Ethos Enhanced Inkjet Swatchbook highlights the product’s versatility. Featuring samples printed across multiple high-speed inkjet platforms – including the HP PageWide, Kodak Prosper, Ricoh IPS5000 & Pro VC60000, Canon ColorStream & VarioPrint i300, and Screen TruePress – the book is a showcase of the capabilities of this silk, coated-like inkjet paper. “The swatchbook is printed by our customers across North America,” explains Amy Ambos, Appleton Coated’s inkjet product manager, “using both dye and pigment inks. Ethos Enhanced Inkjet is an obvious choice for many direct mail, commercial and publishing applications.” Ambos continues, “Our customers are impressed with the print quality, runnability, and product availability. The product is manufactured at our mill in Combined Locks, Wisconsin, ensuring the quick-turn required by many customers.”

Glatfelter (NYSE: GLT) today announced that Dante C. Parrini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and John P. Jacunski, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be presenting at the 2017 KeyBanc Capital Markets Basic Materials & Packaging Conference on September 12, 2017, at the InterContinental Hotel in Boston, MA. The presentation will begin at 12:05 p.m. Eastern.

On average J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) awards over $250,000 in educational scholarships each year. We award some of these scholarships to the children of our valued employees who are pursuing their education at a post-secondary level. Recently, seven students were awarded scholarships in a ceremony at our Saint John Head Office. “Congratulations to this year’s scholarship winners,” said Mary-Beth Tingly, Director of Human Resources for Irving Business Services. “We are pleased to award scholarships for students who excel academically, and show a passion for community involvement. Best of luck in your chosen field. We hope you will keep summer and co-op opportunities with J.D. Irving, Limited in mind throughout your education.”

This August, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) volunteered to host a visit to our operations as part of the Atlantic Canadian Teachers’ Tour, held in Truro, Nova Scotia. Educators from all over the Atlantic Provinces gathered to learn more about the forestry industry and how it impacts our region. The three-day tour involved tours of local mills, private woodlot owners land and JDI freehold land, pre-commercial thinning and commercial thinning.

Weyerhaeuser Company today announced effective immediately that all its lands in Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Missoula, Sanders and Ravalli counties in Western Montana are closed to public access due to the extreme forest fire danger. The closure will remain in effect until further notice.

As of September 1, 2017, Appleton Coated Green Power will no longer carry Green-e certification. Our relationship with Green-e ended on August 31, 2017. Although products in the warehouse still have the Green-e logo imprinted on the labels, these items are no longer sold with this certification. All Appleton Coated products that carry the Appleton Coated Green Power designation in inventory now and moving forward will continue to have 100% of the electricity used to manufacture these products matched with renewable energy credits (RECS), which is primarily wind.

When your employees and customers understand the fundamentals of paper, they better understand the value your company provides. After a successful event last September, NPTA Paper School returns this fall in Chicago, IL. This half-day program teaches the most important topics in paper and provides each attendee with a strong foundation of knowledge to build on. The six classroom sections are taught by paper industry leading experts from top paper mills. Attendees will receive access to the PRINT17 tradeshow floor and take a guided tour of the most advanced printing equipment in the world.

Paradigm Hyperloop is a team of students from Memorial University of Newfoundland, College of the North Atlantic, and Northeastern University of Boston that has been planning, designing, and developing a hyperloop pod, which is a conceptual fifth mode of transportation that involves levitating train-like vehicles that travel through low pressure vacuum tubes. The team has been at the project for two years! J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) is proud to sponsor the innovative work that the Paradigm Hyperloop team is doing.

Sappi Limited is pleased to announce that it will bolster its biorefining expertise through the acquisition of the Xylex® and Versalac® technologies owned by Plaxica Limited. The transaction will result in Sappi acquiring the sugar clean up technologies which includes the patents, knowhow, equipment and key technical staff of Plaxica. The size of the transaction does not require regulatory disclosure. Since 2013, Sappi has advanced its efforts to expand its biorefining expertise. Part of the strategy is to extract and clean-up C5 hemicellulose sugars from our Pre-Hydrolysis Kraft (PHK) liquors for further value add to higher value products. Commenting on the transaction, Louis Kruyshaar, Executive Vice President of Sappi Biotech said “Plaxica’s Xylex® solution is rated as one of the most advanced to offer optimum efficiency and economics for separation and clean-up of C5 sugars from pulp mill hydrolysates.” Click Read More below for additional detail.

American paper companies have imposed a 20% duty on coated paper from the Port Hawkesbury Mill in Nova Scotia, while Irving Paper in New Brunswick and Catalyst Paper of Britsh Columbia have had a 18% tariff imposed. North Pacific Papers of Washington State has also filed for countervailing duties on Canadian uncoated groundwood paper from Canada. The Hawkesbury mill won on appeal in its first round with the NAFTA panel. The U.S. has until mid-summer to appeal that decision, while other cases are being appealed by both the Canadian Federal and Provincial governments. During a recent rally in Phoenix Arizona, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will “probably” terminate NAFTA because he doesn’t think a deal can be made. His comments come about a week after re-negotiation talks began. The U.S. has also formally demanded that the Chapter 19 dispute resolution panels favoured by Canada be scrapped. In the past, the majority of its decisions have been won by Canada. Ottawa has promised to walk away from the talks before it accepts a NAFTA without these panels. The first round of NAFTA talks held recently failed to bridge the differences between Canada, the USA and Mexico, and left little signs of any real compromises. Next month, Mexico will host the second round of talks from September 1-5. Talks will then move to Canada later in September and return to the United States in October.

International Paper has pledged $1 million to support disaster relief efforts in the communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey and Tropical Storm Harvey. The International Paper Foundation will contribute $750,000 to the American Red Cross chapters in Texas and Louisiana, and will contribute $250,000 to Feeding America. International Paper has established strategic partnerships with these organizations to provide disaster relief in communities where IP employees live and work. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Mondi has decided to postpone its €135 million investment in a new 90,000 tonne per annum machine glazed speciality kraft paper machine at its Steti mill in the Czech Republic. Commenting on the decision, Peter Oswald, Mondi CEO, said, “We have decided to postpone the machine glazed speciality kraft paper machine investment after a careful review of market conditions. While the proposed new machine remains an exciting investment opportunity, offering the lowest cost production of its sort in Europe, recently announced industry capacity expansions are expected to result in a market imbalance over the period in which the new machine was planned to come on line. There is no change to our €335 million investment in modernising the mill including rebuilding the fibre lines, de-bottlenecking the existing packaging paper machines and a new recovery boiler, which is progressing as planned.”

Total European shipments of graphic papers in June 2017 were UP 0.5% vs. June 2016 and are down 0.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in June 2017 were down 1.7% vs. June 2016 and are down 3.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in June 2017 were down 2.2% vs. June 2016 and are UP 2.2% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in June 2017 were UP 1.7% vs. June 2016 and are down 2.0% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical (improved and others) in June 2017 were UP 0.6% vs. June 2016 and are UP 1.4% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in June 2017 were UP 5.7% vs. June 2016 and are UP 1.4% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in June 2017 were down 1.1% vs. June 2016 and are down 0.8% year-to-date.

For the second quarter ended 30 June 2017, Lecta had revenue of €360.7 million versus €357.6 million in the second quarter ended 30 June 2016, an increase of €3.1 million or +1%. This increase was attributable to: • Lower sales of CWF, Specialties and Purchased Products of €-4.6 million or -1%, from €341.6 million in 2Q2016 to €337.0 million in 2Q2017, resulting from lower sales volumes of 500 metric tons or -0%, 377,000 metric tons in 2Q2017 vs 377,500 metric tons in 2Q2016, and a decrease in average net sales price of -11€/t or -1%, 894€/t in 2Q2017 vs 905€/t in 2Q2016; and • Higher sales of energy of €+7.7 million or +48%, from €16.0 million in 2Q2016 to €23.7 million in 2Q2017, resulting from higher sales volumes of 10,000 MWh or +4%, 271,500 MWh in 2Q2017 vs 261,500 MWh in 2Q2016, and an increase in average sales price of +26€/MWh or +42%, 87€/MWh in 2Q2017 vs 61€/MWh in 2Q2016. The costs of raw materials and consumables used increased by €7.0 million, or +4%, from €182.5 million in 2Q2016 to €189.5 million in 2Q2017, and as a percentage of revenue they increased from 51.0% in 2Q2016 to 52.5% in 2Q2017. The absolute increase was mainly attributable to higher purchased volumes, and an increase in the average consumption prices of pulp of +38€/t and latex from 2Q2016 to 2Q2017. Click Read More below for additional detail.

NORPAC announced that they will raise the price of their Norbrite grades by $35.00 per short ton ($1.75/cwt) effective with shipments/invoices on or after October 1, 2017. Specific grades affected by this change in pricing include: Norbrite 65 ;Norbrite 70; Norbrite 75; Norbrite Plus; Norbrite Offset; Norbrite 92 Max; Norbrite Book Blue White; Norbrite Book Cream; Norbrite Hybrid

Please be advised that, effective with shipments October 1, 2017, the US transaction pricing from Catalyst Paper will increase $1.75/cwt ($35/short ton) for the following products: Electrabrite; Electrabrite Book; Electrastar. This increase applies to all basis weights, finishes and brightness.

Please be advised we plan to increase the price of our 30# (48.8 gsm.) standard newsprint by $30.00 per metric ton effective October 1, 2017. Prices for other newsprint basis weights will increase proportionally as per past practices.

Please be advised that effective with shipments on or after October 1, 2017, Resolute’s White Paper grades will increase by US$35/short ton. Products impacted by this price increase include, but are not limited to, the following: Ecopaque Offset, Ecopaque Laser, and Equal (Offset & Book); Hybrid (Smooth, Vellum & Envelope); Alternative (Opaque, Offset & Offset+); ResoluteSelect 75; ResoluteSelect 70, 65; ResoluteBook 85, 75, 70, 65, 60 & ResoluteBook 70 Cream; Alternative Book, Alternative Book Cream; ResoluteText 80, ResoluteText Cream; ResoluteSert 65 The increase will be applicable to all basis weights and finishes, and all up charges apply.

Please be advised that, effective with shipments on or after October 1, 2017, Resolute Forest Products will raise its newsprint price by US$30/metric tonne (for 48.8 gsm). Prices for other basis weights will be adjusted accordingly. Please note that this price increase does not apply to Ponderay Newsprint Company.

Effective with deliveries on or after October 1, 2017, UPM is increasing the transaction price of all Supercalendared and Coated Groundwood grades. The transaction price of Supercalendered (SC) grades will increase $2.00/cwt, including all basis weights and finishes. Grades impacted include: Eco; Impresse; Impresse Plus; Max; Cat; Smart The transaction price of Coated Groundwood grades will increase $1.00/cwt, including all basis weights and finishes. Grades impacted include: Cote; Ultra; Valor; Star. Please note that the Coated Groundwood portion of this price increase is being announced and implemented in addition to our previous price increase letter dated June 2, 2017, implemented on deliveries July 1 and later.

According to the July 2017 Printing-Writing Monthly report from the American Forest & Paper Association, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased five percent in July compared to July 2016. This is the eleventh consecutive year-over-year decrease following a modest fractional increase in August 2016. All four printing-writing grade categories posted year-over-year shipment declines in July. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased two percent from June 2017. •July uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased year-over-year at the lowest rate since the last increase in August 2016. Imports of UFS decreased by 22% year-over-year in June while exports of UFS papers increased 41% year-over-year in June. The 68,200 tons exported in June was the highest level of UFS exports since March 2015. •Shipments of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers decreased year-over-year in June for the 13th consecutive month. Imports of UM increased 8% year-over-year in June while exports of UM decreased 14% year-over-year in June. •July shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers declined for the second consecutive month following the only year-over-year increase in 2017. Shipments of coated one-side free sheet papers decreased three percent year-over-year in July but remain flat for the year-to-date. U.S. imports of CFS papers increased 8% year-over-year in June while exports of CFS papers decreased 4% year-over-year in June. •Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments declined year-over-year in July, the second consecutive decline. Imports of CM decreased in June, down 5% compared to June 2016 while exports of CM increased 12% in June.

The foundation stone of Metsä Wood’s new birch plywood mill was laid in Pärnu, Estonia. The greetings in the ceremony were delivered by the Minister of Public Administration of Estonia Mr. Jaak Aab and the President and CEO of Metsä Group Mr. Kari Jordan. “This is an important investment for Metsä Wood and the whole Metsä Group. It is done to better meet the globally growing plywood demand and to further improve Metsä Wood’s industrial efficiency. The new mill is a good example of Finnish-Estonian cooperation. Estonia has favourable business climate and it offers good logistical connections to our main markets.” said CEO of Metsä Group Kari Jordan in today’s ceremony. The annual birch plywood production capacity at the Pärnu mill will be 50 000 cubic metres and the total investment is approximately 55 million euros. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Pursuant to the recommendation from the election and remuneration committee of Norske Skog announced earlier today, several changes in board of directors were proposed to the extraordinary general meeting to be held tomorrow, 24 August 2017. On this basis, the planned public launch of a revised recapitalization transaction will be postponed in order to provide the new board with an opportunity to review the recapitalization transaction and allow for discussions with relevant stakeholders prior to a public launch. In the interim, the work with finalizing the documentation for the committed EUR 16 million liquidity facility continues. As previously announced, a significant majority of senior secured bond holders (SSN) (EUR 290 mill, due in 2019) and the holders of the Norwegian Securitisation Facility (NSF) (EUR 100 mill, due in 2020) have committed to provide a EUR 16 million liquidity facility to support the operating business of Norske Skog. The work with finalizing the documentation for this liquidity facility is being progressed in an expedite manner. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Effective with all orders shipping on or after October 1, 2017, Evergreen Packaging is raising the transaction price on all coated groundwood products by $1.00/cwt. This increase applies to all products, including, but not limited to, the following brands: TruSpec4; TruSpec4.5 Low Glare; TruSpec4.5; TruSpec5. All standard upcharges will continue to apply.

Neenah Paper has characterized its new synthetic paper as “a significant addition” to its portfolio of labels for harsh environments. The Neenah Performance Labels portfolio of high performing, highly engineered substrates is designed for applications in demanding conditions. Its Kimdura line of label stock has been used for more than 30 years for challenging applications – including labels and tags for drum chemicals, hazard communications, health care, industrial, logistical and outdoor. Kimdura DualTech is available at 3.5pt (98g/sqm), adds an option for both inkjet and laser printing platforms, and is compliant with BS 5609 Part 2 and 3. “Our customers expect Neenah to develop products to fit their evolving needs. Kimdura DualTech demonstrates best-in-class performance and chemical resistance with laser and inkjet printers, even when exposed to a wide range of industrial and household solvents,” said Srinivas Nomula, Senior Director of Marketing at Neenah Performance Labels & Specialties. “Similar products in the marketplace showed little or no resistance to industrial chemicals when printed using laser printers. Kimdura DualTech outperformed other labels, with even barcodes remaining legible during harsh testing environments.” Click Read More below for additional detail.

Norske Skog's gross operating earnings (EBITDA) in the second quarter 2017 were NOK 190 million, an increase from 158 million in the first quarter 2017. The European units contributed less to gross operating earnings than in the first quarter ; whereas, the Australasian units gross operating earnings improved. Operating earnings in the second quarter was NOK -52 million compared to positive operating earnings of NOK 2 million in the first quarter of 2017. Net loss in the second quarter was NOK 546 million compared with a net loss of NOK 274 million in the first quarter 2017. Cash flow from operating activities before net financial items seasonally increased from NOK 175 million in the first quarter 2017 to NOK 226 million in the second quarter 2017. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Georgia-Pacific LLC announced today that it has reached an agreement to sell its pine chemicals business to Ingevity for $315 million, including certain pine chemicals-related assets at the Crossett, Arkansas plant. The acquisition is subject to regulatory clearance and Ingevity and Georgia-Pacific expect to close on the transaction in late 2017. Separately, Ingevity will enter into several contract manufacturing arrangements for oilfield and mining products currently produced at other Georgia-Pacific facilities. The parties will also separately enter into a 20-year, market-based crude tall oil (CTO) supply contract. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Please be advised that, effective with shipments on or after October 1, 2017, Resolute Forest Products will raise its Coated and SC paper prices by amounts specified below (see primary grades listed). The products impacted by the price increase include, but are not limited to, the following: ResoluteBrite 76 Gloss; ResoluteBrite 76 Satin; ResoluteGloss; ResoluteBlonde Gloss = + $1.00/cwt US and ResoluteSCA+; ResoluteSCA; ResoluteSCB; ResoluteSNC = + $2.00/cwt US. The increases will be applicable to all basis weights and finishes, and all up charges apply.

Production at Metsä Wood's new Kerto® LVL line in Lohja has started. The construction project has progressed according to plan and in schedule. The investment is part of Metsä Wood's EUR 100 million investment program for Kerto® LVL and plywood, and it supports the company’s industrial efficiency strategy. At the Lohja mill, three Kerto LVL production lines were operating until the end of last year. With the investment, one of the old lines has been dismantled and another old line is being run down by the end of 2017. The new Kerto LVL line increases the mill’s production capacity by 20,000 m3 per year. The mill has a total capacity of 120,000 m3. The new line will reach full capacity within one year.

Norske Skog has extended the deadline for the current exchange offers and consent solicitations to 23 August 2017. The existing short-term standstill agreements has also been extended to 23 August 2017, to allow for additional time to conclude the ongoing stakeholder discussions and finalisation of applicable documentation. The group has received a commitment letter for a EUR 16 million liquidity facility from the majority holders of the SSN (EUR 290m, 2019) bond and the NSF (EUR 100m, 2020) loan. Norske Skog plans to launch a revised recapitalization proposal with support from the majority holders of the SSN bond and the NSF loan early next week. The liquidity facility will allow Norske Skog to meet its operational cash flow needs. "We are very pleased that key stakeholders are supporting the business operations of the group through a committed liquidity facility. Our paper mills are highly competitive businesses with a prosperous future irrespective of the final solution to the group's capital structure." said Lars P.S. Sperre, President and CEO of Norske Skog. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. and Tembec Inc. announced that they received clearance from the Competition Bureau of Canada, without condition, of the previously announced proposed statutory arrangement under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act involving the acquisition by Rayonier Advanced Materials of all of the outstanding shares of Tembec. In addition to clearance by the Competition Bureau, the Transaction already has received antitrust clearance from the Anti-Monopoly Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Germany’s Federal Cartel Office, and the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. As such, Rayonier Advanced Materials and Tembec have now received all required antitrust clearances. The Transaction has also been approved by Tembec’s shareholders and by the Québec Superior Court. Subject to obtaining other necessary approvals, as well as the satisfaction or waiver of other conditions to the Transaction, it is expected that the Transaction will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Effective with shipments October 1, 2017 and after, Kruger will increase the transaction price of all coated grades by $1.00/cwt. This includes: Krukote Offset, Krukote HI Bulk, Krukote 76, Krukote 80, Krukote Recycled. The increase will apply to all basis weights. Also, as stated in their letter of June 7, 2017, to the degree that it is not already fully implemented, it is Kruger's intention to fully implement the July 1, 2017 increase of $2.00/cwt on all of the grades listed above and all basis weights to all customers.

Appleton Coated today said that it has filed a voluntary state Chapter 128 petition for receivership to allow the company’s operations to continue under the supervision of a court-appointed receiver named by the Outagamie County Circuit Court. Company officials said the petition and appointment of a receiver will allow the company to continue operations under the direction of the receiver, who will lead a process aimed at selling the company’s assets to a buyer who will continue operations. “Despite the best efforts of our employees and ownership group and the introduction of new products, this step is the best option at this point,” said Doug Osterberg, Appleton Coated’s president and chief executive officer. “While the company has made significant progress in diversifying its product offerings and entering new markets, the overall business climate is very challenging, and operating under a state court-appointed receiver is the best route to transition the business to sustained profitability.” He said the company’s bank has agreed to fund operations during the receivership and that the business will continue to operate during the transition. He added the company will be able to pay salary and wages and fund benefits for current employees. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Consistent with our June 1, 2017 letter, prices for Supercalendered Web grades listed in that letter are increasing by $2.00/cwt USD/$2.70/cwt CAD. To the extent not already implemented, the pricing will apply to all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of October 1, 2017 or later. Additionally, in reference to our July 27, 2017 letter for #4 Web grades, we are changing the implementation dates and amount of increase to read as follows: Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of October 1, 2017 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all #4 Web Grades by $1.00/cwt USD/$1.26/cwt CAD, including but not limited to: Liberty® web; Balance® web; New Era® Matte; New Era® ThinBulk. The increase applies to all basis weights, bulks, finishes and related private label grades.

Determined to stay competitive in the face of Canadian government-subsidized competition, the North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC) announced the reorganization of its operations. In October 2017, NORPAC will reduce its production capacity by idling one of its three paper machines and expanding the remaining capacity to serve customers. "As we seek to level the playing field under U.S. trade laws to counteract the dumped and subsidized imports from Canada, NORPAC will become a nimbler, stronger supplier to our customers by reorganizing around our two remaining paper machines," said Craig Anneberg, CEO of NORPAC. "Our company is constantly working to improve both our products and operations to remain competitive despite unfair import pricing and Canadian government-subsidized competition." "To keep our company competitive and protect our employees, NORPAC will use all the tools at its disposal under the U.S. trade law to address and counteract the dumped and subsidized imports from Canada," said Anneberg. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Operating profit for January–June 2017 was SEK 1 152 million (January–June 2016: SEK 1 063 million, excluding items affecting comparability). The improvement in earnings was due to higher wood product prices, better earnings from forests and the divestiture of the newsprint mill in Madrid. Compared with the first quarter, operating profit decreased by SEK 102 million to SEK 525 million as a result of a maintenance shutdown within paperboard and seasonally lower hydro power production. Profit after tax for January–June amounted to SEK 880 million (587), which corresponds to earnings per share of SEK 10.5 (7.0). Click Read More below for additional detail.

Resolute Forest Products announces production cuts to their paper business in Calhoun. The company will close paper machines #3 & #5 at the Calhoun plant. That will cost 222 jobs to the operation on the Hiwassee River at the McMinn/Bradley line. The company says they are still committed to the remaining operations at the plant. 491 workers will remain. Resolute has recently expanded operations there, investing in a tissue machine and converting operation, and a continuous pulp digester. Both will remain in operation. Click Read More below for more of the story.