Billerud North America to comply with EUDR Regulations
Billerud announced that the North American operations will meet EUDR compliance effective December 1, 2025.
Aaron Haas, Sr Vice President of Marketing stated
"We expect to be able to provide compliant due diligence statements and GeoJSON files for newly manufactured product starting December 1st. For customers that have requested EUDR information, EUDR data files will be generated the first week of December for shipments invoiced starting on December 1st. EUDR information will be communicated via emails generated after the time of shipment."
Sappi Europe Announces Price Increase for Coated Mechanical Reels to Safeguard Long-Term Supply Stability
Sappi Europe, a leading producer of high-quality graphic papers, announced a general price increase of 5-7% across its Coated Mechanical portfolio, effective from 1 January 2026
This adjustment is driven by a continued escalation in key input costs and the need to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of our operations. Despite significant internal efficiency programs and cost-saving initiatives, the industry continues to face a structurally elevated cost environment. Costs related to energy, transport, labour, chemicals, and fibre remain at levels that materially impact production economics.
"The cost situation has not reverted to pre-crisis levels, and the paper value chain continues to operate under inflationary pressure. At the same time, profitability in coated mechanical reels remains unsatisfactory and below the level required to justify ongoing investment and secure future supply. This price adjustment is therefore necessary to continue serving our customers reliably and sustainably."
said Antti Makkonen, Sales Director Graphic Papers
In Memory of Ralph F. Deletto
1959–2025 MIDLAND is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ralph DeLetto, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and co-owner of the company. “Ralph was an extraordinary leader and a…
Economic uncertainty throws off folding carton market
Although economic conditions and policy changes tamped down an expected recovery period in 2025, the Paperboard Packaging Council projects shipments could turn around in 2026.
Economic conditions and policy changes over the last year have thrown a wrench into what some in the industry anticipated would be a recovery period for folding carton markets. That’s according to an executive summary for the Paperboard Packaging Council’s newly released 2025-2026 trends report, which was created by Fastmarkets RISI.
Headwinds such as tariffs, inflation, reductions in government benefits and declining consumer confidence contribute to concerns that demand for folding cartons “is confronted with an uncertain future,” the report states.
PPC projects that folding carton shipments will grow from 2026 to 2029, with demand increasing by an average of 0.8% annually from 2024 to 2029.
Colorado’s trash-sorting robot makes Time’s top inventions list
AMP One — an AI-powered waste-sorting system built by Louisville, Colorado-based AMP — just landed on Time magazine's list of the 25 best inventions of 2025.
How it works: The system uses scanners trained by artificial intelligence to spot and separate compostable and recyclable materials from regular trash.
AMP One can pluck out organics for compost and pull plastics and aluminum for resale.
Why it matters: Even with curbside programs in place, 76% of residential recyclable materials still end up in landfills, according to a 2024 report from The Recycling Partnership.
What they're saying: "People are lazy — the recycling bin gets full and they put it in their garbage can," AMP CEO Tim Stuart told Time. "Our technology can extract that."
What's next: The company is pursuing a 20-year partnership with Southeastern Public Service Authority in Virginia to process half a million tons of trash a year — a model Stuart says could be replicated by cities nationwide.
Another ‘Best Bookstore’ Will Open, Part of a Downtown San Francisco Revival
Paul Bradley Carr and Sarah Lacy, a married pair who opened the Best Bookstore in Palm Springs in 2022, will open a second store in their other home city, San Francisco. To be dubbed the Best Bookstore in Union Square, the new shop will be part of an urban revitalization project, Vacant to Vibrant, launched by the nonprofit SF New Deal (SFND) and the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD).
V2V is a component of Mayor Daniel Lurie’s Heart of the City initiative, which so far has attracted more than $50 million in private sector investments. To encourage independent startups, SFND and OEWD award grants, offer technical support with permitting and red tape, and provide generous leasing arrangements worked out with property owners and managers. “To continue accelerating downtown’s comeback, we are prioritizing safe and clean streets, supporting small businesses, drawing new universities to San Francisco, and activating our public spaces with new parks and entertainment zones,” Mayor Lurie said
World’s widest release paper production line successfully started up
Voith and Wuzhou Special Paper have successfully commissioned the new PM 21 specialty paper machine in Hanchuan, Hubei Province. It is the world's widest machine for the production of release paper. The machine, supplied entirely by Voith, demonstrates the technology group's leading role in the field of high-quality specialty papers. With a working width of 8.100 meters at the reel, the PM 21 produces around 300,000 tons of specialty paper per year with basis weights ranging from 35 to 120 g/m² – primarily lightweight glassine base paper.
Release paper is often used in everyday life to protect sticky surfaces, e.g., in separation applications. The base paper must meet specific requirements in terms of tear resistance, tensile strength, transparency, dense sheet structure, and low surface absorbency. It is characterized by a non-stick surface, which is achieved by coating it with silicone.
Graphic Packaging’s Waco Mill Begins Paperboard Production
Graphic Packaging has achieved a key milestone at its new recycled paperboard facility in Waco, Texas, where the mill produced its first commercially saleable rolls in October—well ahead of schedule.
President and CEO Michael Doss praised employees, contractors, and local partners for their exceptional performance and community support. “Waco will be the world’s most efficient producer of recycled paperboard, with the highest quality available anywhere outside our own Kalamazoo, Michigan facility,” he said.
The Waco project, announced under the company’s Vision 2025 strategy, represents the culmination of a multi-year transformation focused on modernization and sustainability. Graphic Packaging will now turn to its Vision 2030 priorities—innovation, execution, reaching investment-grade status, and returning cash to shareholders.
The company expects Waco to reach full production within 12 to 18 months.
Wave of Tissue Industry Consolidation Shakes Asia-Pacific: Suzano-Kimberly Clark and Vinda-RGE Deals Redefine Regional Supply Dynamics
Asia-Pacific's tissue and household paper sector is undergoing a period of unprecedented consolidation and transformation in 2025, propelled by a series of landmark mergers and acquisitions that are fundamentally reshaping regional competitive dynamics, supply chain control, and sustainability strategies. The region, long characterized by rapid market growth and aggressive capacity expansions, now faces a new reality where scale, integration, and environmental stewardship are critical to achieving long-term profitability and operational resilience.
The two most prominent moves this year are the USD 3.4 billion joint venture between Brazil's Suzano and Kimberly Clark, and the complete integration of Vinda International Holdings (now part of Indonesia’s Royal Golden Eagle, RGE group) following Indonesian tycoon Sukanto Tanoto’s USD 3.3 billion acquisition in late 2023. These transactions position their respective entities as dominant pan-Asian players: the Suzano-Kimberly Clark alliance forms a global tissue leader with 22 manufacturing sites across 14 countries, covering key Southeast Asia markets and holding about 1 million tonnes of annual capacity, while Vinda’s absorption into RGE achieves vertical integration spanning plantation supply, pulp production, and finished household tissue and hygiene products.
New EU packaging and packaging waste rules (PPWR): 10 key things every global business should know
The EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40 (PPWR) is a significant overhaul of European packaging law. Adopted on 11 February 2025, and applying from 12 August 2026, the PPWR replaces the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC (PPWD). It introduces sweeping obligations for businesses placing packaging on the EU market — whether based inside or outside of the Union. Its aim is clear: to drive circularity, reduce waste and harmonize rules across EU Member States.
For companies, the regulation is not just about recyclability — it touches every stage of the packaging lifecycle, from design and material selection to labelling, reuse systems and extended producer responsibility. With phased deadlines stretching into the 2030s and beyond, businesses need to act now to understand what is coming and to prepare for compliance.
Click on the link for 10 things to know:
European Commission confirms PPWR obligations to start in 2026
The European Commission will stick to the planned start date of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). In a letter to the joint body of German packaging producer responsibility organisations (Gemeinsame Stelle dualer Systeme) and the members of the German Bundestag, EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall made it clear that the new obligations, including the revised manufacturer definition under extended producer responsibility (EPR), will apply as planned from 12 August 2026.
Europe Paper Market on Steady Growth Trajectory, Driven by Sustainable Packaging Demand and Circular-Economy Policies
The European paper market is witnessing a period of dynamic growth and transformation in 2025 as regional manufacturers, technology providers, and supply chain stakeholders adapt to rapidly changing consumer demands, regulatory mandates, and global supply chain pressures. According to the latest industry analysis, the Europe paper market size stood at 71.14 million tonnes in 2025 and is projected to reach 87.84 million tonnes by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.31%. This trajectory highlights robust demand across packaging, hygiene, printing, and specialty sectors, with sustainability and resource efficiency emerging as dominant drivers shaping investment, manufacturing processes, and product innovation.
A major catalyst for the sector's expansion is the European Union's decisive regulatory push toward circular economy goals. The EU mandates that all packaging placed on the market must be recyclable or reusable by 2030, creating a surge of demand for fiber-based packaging materials. Packaging manufacturers and converters are accelerating the adoption of advanced de-inking, closed-loop recovery, and process automation systems to maximize yields from recycled fiber sources and track regulatory compliance.
Why Walmart published its first-ever home catalog
Walmart recently published its first catalog of home furniture and decor as a way to build demand ahead of the holiday season in a category that will be crucial in winning over more high-income shoppers.
The catalog, published in August for the fall season, shows off products such as sofas, tables, appliances, rugs, pillows and blankets in the context of bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. The pages point readers to Walmart’s website, where they can shop for the pictured items through text and QR codes. It’s indicative of how Walmart is experimenting with new ways to convey its home business moving forward after its merchants have worked to broaden its assortment.
The publication is a symbol both of the lasting utility of print catalogs as a marketing tool and of Walmart wanting to redefine itself as a retailer for both low- and high-income shoppers that delivers high-quality yet affordable products.
Kimberly-Clark to Acquire Kenvue, Creating a $32 Billion Global Health and Wellness Leader
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ: KMB), a global personal care leader, and Kenvue Inc. (NYSE: KVUE), a global consumer health leader, today announced an agreement under which Kimberly-Clark will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Kenvue common stock in a cash and stock transaction that values Kenvue at an enterprise value of approximately $48.7 billion, based on the closing price of Kimberly-Clark common stock on October 31, 2025. The total consideration represents an acquisition multiple of approximately 14.3x Kenvue's LTM adjusted EBITDA1 or 8.8x including expected run-rate synergies of $2.1 billion, net of reinvestment.
This transaction brings together two iconic American companies to create a combined portfolio of complementary products, including 10 billion-dollar brands, that touch nearly half the global population through every stage of life. The combined company, with teams of talented people around the globe, will harness a superior commercial engine – fueled by strategic customer partnerships, category-defining growth, industry-leading science and innovation, a differentiated digital model, best-in-class marketing and a culture of operating excellence – to unlock the full potential of the combination and better meet the evolving needs of consumers.
Kruger’s Corner Brook newsprint mill halts production again amid low water levels
Kruger has once again halted newsprint production at its Corner Brook Pulp and Paper mill in Newfoundland and Labrador, eastern Canada, this
time due to historically low water levels at the Grand Lake reservoir that have forced a temporary shutdown effective Monday, November 3.
The company declared force majeure, citing extremely low precipitation in Newfoundland and Labrador that has left Deer Lake Power unable to supply enough energy to keep the mill running.
The shutdown will remain in effect until water levels recover, with workers reassigned to other duties in the meantime. Kruger said it will manage customer needs by "leveraging inventories to minimize disruption"
UPS Acquires Andlauer Healthcare Group for $1.6 Billion, Accelerating Its Expansion as a Global Leader in Complex Healthcare Logistics
UPS announced that it has completed the acquisition of Andlauer Healthcare Group Inc. , a leading North American supply chain management company headquartered in Canada and offering customized third-party logistics and specialized cold chain transportation solutions for the healthcare sector. Under the terms of the acquisition, AHG shareholders receive CAD $55.00 per share in cash, representing a total purchase price of approximately CAD $2.2 billion (USD $1.6 billion).
This acquisition underscores UPS’s commitment to providing global specialty capabilities as a leading provider of complex healthcare logistics. With the addition of AHG’s specialized cold chain network and expertise, UPS Healthcare customers will benefit from reduced transit times, enhanced end-to-end visibility, deepened global reach, and leading quality assurance.
10 years of #OptOutside: REI Co-op continues to close its doors on Black Friday
All 195 stores will close for the day, giving 14,000 employees a paid day to spend outdoors and continuing a movement that has inspired millions to rethink the start of the holiday season.
In 2015, a simple question was asked at REI Co-op that would later spark a movement: What if we closed on Black Friday?
Susan Viscon, now the co-op's Chief New Ventures and Impact Officer, was part of that conversation. “When we first decided to close our doors on Black Friday, it was a leap,” she said. “It meant missing one of the biggest sales days of the year so our employees could be outdoors with their families and friends. But that was the point. Choosing time outside was an act of care that reflected our values and who we are as a co-op.”
What began as a single idea has become a legacy at the co-op. In 2022, REI made Opt Outside permanent, ensuring every employee continues to receive a paid day off to spend time outside.
A New Book About the History of the Postal Service is Now for Sale
A book chronicling the 250-year history of the U.S. postal system is now available for purchase. “Delivering for America: How the United States Postal Service Built a Nation” was written by James H. Bruns, a former director of the National Postal Museum. The book explores the integral role of USPS in American history, from its role in early colonial days to becoming a critical communication lifeline for our service members serving abroad, to future-facing innovations such as automated sorting machines and electric vehicles.
The Postal Service was founded on July 26, 1775. As the nation grew bigger, the mail made it smaller, offering a way for people from Colonial-era cities in the Northeast to reach the limits of a frontier that was racing westward from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River, to the Golden Gate of California, up to the gold fields of Alaska, and across to the tropical shores of Hawaii.
As the nation moved — from colony to country, from horses to rail, from air to space — the Postal Service has found ways to use every cutting-edge advance to deliver to Americans the words that help them understand themselves, each other, and their place in the world.
AAP August 2025 StatShot Report: Overall Publishing Industry Down 4.4% for Month of August, and Down 2.8% Year-To-Date
Trade (Consumer Book) Revenues Down 9.4% for Month of August, and Down 5.3% Year-to-Date
The Association of American Publishers (AAP) released its StatShot report for August 2025, reflecting reported revenue for Trade (Consumer Books), Religious Presses, and Professional Publishing.
Total revenues across all categories for August 2025 were down 4.4% as compared to August 2024, coming in at $1.6 billion. Year-to-date revenues were down 2.8%, at $9.2 billion for the first eight months of the year.
QUAD-Postal, Paper & Logistics update: October 2025
The USPS will not be implementing zone pricing for Marketing Mail and Outside County Periodicals in January. The USPS has released guidance regarding what they are likely to propose for the July 2026 round of rate hikes. Continued mill closings are leading to higher prices in the paper market. And the trucking industry is bracing for the potential impacts of the recent federal ruling limiting the eligibility of foreign nationals to obtain commercial driver licenses.
International Paper reverses 2025 box shipment expectations
Although box shipments ticked up in September and early October, full-year volumes are now expected to be down, executives said on Thursday’s earnings call.
“The North American team is facing headwinds that we didn’t expect, but we’re being aggressive with the realities of that. We’re getting after it,” said International Paper CEO Andy Silvernail during the company’s third-quarter earnings call Thursday. “In Europe, it’s been a tough market, no doubt about it.” Specifically, “the soft market has cost more than $500 million in profit this year alone,” he said. September box shipments were up 1% year over year, and that trend continued into October, said CFO Lance Loeffler.
EPAT Launches Version 4.2 with Advanced EUDR Compliance and Human Rights Indicators to Support Pulp and Paper Supply Chains
the Environmental Paper Assessment Tool (EPAT) announced the launch of its latest platform upgrade, Version 4.2, specifically targeting the compliance needs of pulp, paper, and packaging supply chains across Europe. The release centers around two critical additions: robust European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) compliance functionality and the integration of enhanced human rights and ethics indicators, directly addressing legislative and reputational risks for manufacturers, suppliers, and converters within the sector.
As the EUDR comes into force, effective from the first half of 2026, companies operating or selling within the EU must demonstrate strict traceability and risk assessment for all fiber-based products entering the market. EPAT 4.2 offers a comprehensive suite of onboarding and reporting tools, enabling mills, packaging converters, technology solution providers, and traders to map raw material origins, validate due diligence, and formally document supplier adherence to both EUDR and international human rights standards
Domtar Highlights Progress in First Year of Integration
Domtar marked the first anniversary of its unification under the single brand “Domtar – The Fiber for the Future,” reflecting a year of strategic growth, environmental stewardship, and strengthened partnerships across North America.
In its statement, the company emphasized the progress made since integrating the former Paper Excellence, Domtar Corporation and Resolute Forest Products businesses under one brand. John Williams, Non-Executive Chairman of Domtar’s Management Board, commended the teams’ efforts over the past year, calling it “an important moment to recognize the milestones that define our first year as one company.”
Domtar received multiple honors during the year, including the AF&PA Leadership in Sustainability Award for Water Management, recognition by Corporate Knights among the 25 most sustainable private companies, and awards from the National Recycling Coalition and Crayola for corporate leadership and renewable energy initiatives.
The company also aligned its corporate policies on environment, sustainability and Indigenous relations, reinforcing its shared values and guiding principles across all divisions.
Starbucks believes its comeback lies in becoming the ‘best customer service company in the world’
Starbucks says it will continue its focus on improving the customer experience as part of its multi-year turnaround plan.
In July, the company rolled out its new Green Apron Service program as a part of CEO Brian Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” turnaround plan. This week, Niccol said that customers have already noticed a shift in the cafes’ atmosphere in the few months since the investment, particularly the welcoming staff and personalized interactions, such as the return of Sharpie-written names on cups.
During its 2025 fourth-quarter earnings report on Wednesday, the coffee chain’s global same-store sales increased by 1%, mostly lifted by international markets like Canada and China. Starbucks’s same-store sales in the U.S. were flat. However, the company said new fall items and various customer service improvements helped boost sales in September.
“Our intent is to become the world’s best customer service company,” Niccol said on the conference call. “To do this, we’ll double down on Green Apron’s service by empowering our leaders in and above the coffee house.”
Georgia-Pacific to close Illinois box plant, affecting 134 employees
The facility “can no longer competitively serve customers,” a spokesperson said. This marks the company’s exit from operations in Illinois.
Georgia-Pacific notified employees Thursday it plans to permanently shut its box plant in Mt. Olive, Illinois, by Dec. 31, said Lauren Campen, senior manager of public affairs and communications for corrugated, via email.
The company is working to support the 134 affected employees with potential opportunities within G-P or other companies owned by Koch, G-P’s parent, as well as connecting them with job fairs and opportunities for employment outside the company, Campen said. Hourly employees are represented by the United Steelworkers union.
IP to continue supplying Sylvamo withUFS from Riverdale mill until April 2026
As reported by Fastmarkets, International Paper (IP) and Sylvamo reached a new agreement that will see IP continue supplying uncoated freesheet (UFS) paper to Sylvamo from its Riverdale, Alabama, mill until April 30, 2026.
Under the revised terms, IP will maintain supply to Sylvamo through the end of April 2026, with a wind-down period in May. The supply agreement is set to
terminate on May 30, 2026, unless it is further extended.
Sappi Europe announces completion of asset consultation at its Alfeld Mill
Sappi Europe announced in July the commencement of a consultation process for the potential closure of Paper Machine 1, Paper Machine 4, Offline Coater 2 and Sheet Finishing at its Alfeld Mill in Germany. The consultation process, aimed at improving the mill’s profitability and cost competitiveness, has been completed, resulting in the final closure of the assets.
The closures will lead to a reduction of approximately 180 positions, to be realised through a combination of unfilled vacancies, voluntary agreements, and, where necessary, redundancies. Sappi is committed to managing this process in a responsible and considerate manner.
Clearwater Paper Reports Third Quarter 2025 Results
For the third quarter of 2025, Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $399 million compared to $393 million for the third quarter of 2024. Clearwater Paper reported net loss from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2025 of $54 million, or $3.34 per diluted share compared to net loss from continuing operations of $11 million, or $0.64 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2024.
“SBS continues to be in an oversupplied position, which we believe is also impacting the broader consumer paperboard market. While we remain optimistic about a recovery, we are focused on what is within our control, namely reducing our fixed costs and maintaining our market share. We believe that our high quality assets are well positioned to generate significant cash flows and strong returns on capital in the long run,” concluded CEO Kitch.
Quad Reports Q3 Financials, Growth with AI Investments, and Efficiency Gains
Realized Net Sales of $588 million in the third quarter of 2025 compared to $675 million in the third quarter of 2024, representing a 13% decline in Net Sales. Net Sales declined 7% when excluding the 6% impact of the February 28, 2025, divestiture of the Company’s European operations.
Recognized Net Earnings of $10 million or $0.21 Diluted Earnings Per Share in the third quarter of 2025, compared to a Net Loss of $25 million or $0.52 Diluted Loss Per Share in 2024.
Reported Adjusted EBITDA of $53 million in the third quarter of 2025 compared to $59 million in 2024
Smurfit Westrock to close California corrugated facility, affecting 141 workers
The closure, slated for December, will be the company’s ninth since the footprint optimization that launched when Smurfit Kappa acquired Westrock in 2024.
Smurfit Westrock plans to permanently close a corrugated sheet and box facility in California, and 141 employees will be affected, according to a company worker adjustment and retraining notification letter the state shared with Packaging Dive.
The plant in City of Industry, California, is expected to close on Dec. 14, according to the WARN letter. All employees will be terminated at that time, and there are no bumping rights. The hourly employees are represented by the District Council 2 union.
CEO Tony Smurfit referenced the closure during the company’s third-quarter earnings call on Oct. 29. He noted it was one of nine the company has undertaken since Smurfit Kappa acquired WestRock in July 2024 as part of footprint and headcount optimization efforts. The company will continue “closing down inefficient or loss-making operations, including the recently announced closure of a corrugated facility in California,” he said.
What Amazon’s mass layoffs are really about
Amazon — a company that made more than $35 billion in profit in the first half of 2025 and is on track to spend more than $120 billion on AI this year — is laying off thousands of people, citing its desire to slim down and “operate like the world’s largest startup.”
The overall message from Amazon reflected a familiar impulse in Corporate America to reduce headcount in the face of rising prices, an unpredictable trade war and a potential (though still largely speculative) artificial-intelligence revolution. Amazon isn’t alone: UPS on Tuesday announced it had cut some 48,000 workers this year; Target eliminated 1,800 corporate jobs last week “to be stronger, faster and better positioned” for the future, its new CEO said; and other spectacularly profitable tech players like Microsoft and Meta have also shed staff by the thousands recently.
But the impulse, which tends to please Wall Street in the short term, also amounts to a giant gamble on a technology that has yet to prove it can deliver the efficiencies its backers have long promised.
California settles lawsuit over false recyclability claims on plastic bags
The California Department of Justice (DOJ), US, has settled a three-year investigation into Revolution Sustainable Solutions, Metro Poly, PreZero US Packaging, and Advance Polybag for false recyclability claims and the sale of non-recyclable plastic bags in the state of California.
The four packaging manufacturers previously sold plastic bags certified to meet recyclability requirements, as required by state law SB 270. However, the California DOJ found these are not recyclable in any recycling stream.
As part of the settlement, the companies have agreed to stop selling plastic bags in California and collectively pay US$1,753,000, which includes US$1,115,750 in civil penalties and US$636,250 in legal fees.
Following this settlement, the Attorney General of California, Rob Bonta, announced a lawsuit against Novolex Holdings, Inteplast Group, and Mettler Packaging, alleging they are misleading consumers about the recyclability of plastic bags.
Hasbro, Mattel signal retail orders to bounce back for the holidays
The companies are expecting a strong finish to the year after delays in purchasing weighed on company revenues. Hasbro is also leveraging its U.S. operations and moving away from China.
Toy makers Hasbro and Mattel faced challenges from delays in retail orders during the third quarter, but are starting to see early signs of a bounce back for the holiday season.
Orders have “accelerated significantly” since the beginning of the month, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz said in an earnings call Oct. 21. Prior to that, delays in ordering patterns weighed on the company’s Q3 sales, which were $1.7 billion, down 6% from last year.
Meanwhile, Hasbro has seen sales momentum build over “probably the last seven to eight weeks,” CEO Chris Cocks said in a separate earnings call. Excluding growth from its Wizards of the Coast brand and digital gaming, Hasbro’s consumer products revenue declined 7% YoY and operating profit fell 32%.
Barnes & Noble Announces 14 Finalists for Their 2025 Book of the Year
Barnes & Noble is pleased to announce the 14 finalists for their 2025 Book of the Year.
The program, now in its seventh year, asks B&N booksellers across the country to nominate titles throughout the year they find truly outstanding and in which they have felt the most pride in recommending to readers. This year, the list features five novels, five nonfiction books, and four books for children and young adults. The Barnes & Noble Book of the Year is voted on by all booksellers and announced on November 13th.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, Inc.)
King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby (Flatiron Books)
Growing Home by Beth Ferry (Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers)
Katabasis by R. F. Kuang (HarperCollins)
This Way Up: When Maps Go Wrong (And Why It Matters) by Map Men (Hanover Square Press)
I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery (Candlewick Press)
Puzzle Mania! by The New York Times Games (Authors Equity)
Good Things by Samin Nosrat (Random House Publishing Group)
There Are No Silly Questions by Mike Rampton (Nosy Crow)
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, Sawyer Robbins (Hay House Inc.)
Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy (Scribner)
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (Random House Publishing Group)
Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser (Europa Editions, Incorporated)
The Artist and the Feast by Lucy Steeds (Union Square & Co.)
Climate change falls over 20% behind top global concern in 2025 new Ipsos survey reveals
Unveiled today at its General Assembly, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) reports a sharp slide in public concern for climate change, even after the hottest year on record. The 2025 Global Consumer Awareness Survey – conducted with Ipsos across 50 countries and 40,000+ respondents – find war and conflict (52%) now dominate public worries while climate change trails at 31%. That is a 21-point gap in the 2025 snapshot. Looking only at the 32 countries surveyed in both 2022 and 2025, the concern gap has widened from 12 points in 2022 – where economic hardship was on top position – to 16 points in 2025.
While ‘climate change’ may rank lower as an abstract global issue in the 50-country snapshot, across the forestry module markets, the impacts felt through forests –wildfires, droughts, floods, and biodiversity loss – rank among the top concerns within the forestry sector. ‘Loss of plant and animal species’ and ‘deforestation’ consistently appear among the most pressing forestry issues in those markets.
Amazon to cut 14K roles in effort to stay ‘nimble’
Amazon is reducing its corporate workforce by about 14,000 roles, the company announced Tuesday in an internal note to employees from Amazon Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology Beth Galetti. The company will notify impacted teams and individuals Tuesday, but did not provide details about the types of positions impacted.
Amazon’s latest round of layoffs builds on CEO Andy Jassy’s remarks to employees in June that the company will need fewer people doing some existing jobs as generative AI continues to advance.
Galetti told employees on Tuesday that the workforce cuts are intended to reduce bureaucracy, remove corporate layers and shift resources as the company works to stay “nimble.”
“Some may ask why we’re reducing roles when the company is performing well,” Galetti said in her note to employees. “This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the Internet, and it’s enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before (in existing market segments and altogether new ones).”
Report: Luxury goods market valued at $1.5T, led by in-store sales
The overwhelming majority of luxury goods sales are taking place in stores.
New data from Euromonitor International reveals that in 2025, physical luxury stores accounted for 81% of personal luxury goods sales, with 52% of high-income shoppers preferring to shop in-store for fashion – up from 36% in 2023. The report found the global luxury market is valued at $1.5 trillion in 2025, and that the category "remains resilient" despite continued macroeconomic challenges
“Amidst market uncertainty, the industry is undergoing a profound transformation, shifting from product-centric models to experience-driven engagement,” said Fflur Roberts, global insight manager for luxury goods at Euromonitor International. “Wellness, lifestyle and emotional resonance are emerging as new markers of status, reshaping how brands connect with consumers.”
Nordstrom Unveils the Ultimate Gifting Destination this Holiday Season
The holiday magic will come to life with a beautifully designed catalog featuring thoughtfully curated gift guides, holiday gift shops in every store showcasing 1,000 of the best gifts, an interactive online gift finder, a calendar jam-packed with festive events and experiences, and for the first time ever – the magic of Santa in every store, with free photos for Nordstrom cardholders.
To kick off the season, the Nordstrom holiday catalog returns bigger and better than ever, with almost 100 pages packed with over 800 must-have gifts that customers can find at their nearest Nordstrom store. With thoughtfully curated gift guides on every page, there is something special for every possible recipient on customers' lists—from kids to adults, pet parents to new parents, best friends to work besties and more. For younger recipients, the catalog features over 25 pages of fun with must-have toys and gifts for kids, including an expanded selection available through Nordstrom's online marketplace.
Formal takeover of Norske Skog Golbey PM1 marks key transformation milestone
The formal takeover of the new containerboard machine PM1 at Norske Skog, Golbey in France was completed during the 3rd quarter, marking a major step in the group’s long-term transformation from publication paper to packaging paper production. Norske Skog expects full utilization during the first half of 2027.
Billerud: Continued strong performance in the US, while Europe remains challenging
Billerud recorded another strong quarter in North America, where favourable market dynamics and increasing customer interest following the US import tariffs supported growth. In contrast, the European operations continued to face difficult conditions due to muted packaging demand, cost inflation and structural overcapacity in board grades.
In North America, local production remains a key competitive strength, ensuring high-quality products with short and predictable lead times. Currency-neutral net sales increased by 4%, and the EBITDA margin reached 16%. Demand for graphic and label papers remained strong, and the company reported growing customer interest in its new packaging materials, Tribute® and Voyager™, which have seen accelerating deliveries from the Upper Michigan mills.
In Europe, market conditions remained weak across all product segments except market pulp. The board sector continued to suffer from overcapacity and declining demand. Maintenance stops and higher fixed costs further weighed on performance, leading to an EBITDA margin of 10% for the quarter.
PRINTING United Expo 2025 Delivers Record-Breaking Number of Attendees and Exhibitors in Orlando
By the Numbers — 2025 Expo Highlights
Early reports suggest astounding show floor sales, activations, attendance, and engagement. Some of the preliminary reports are as follows:
Over 30,000 registered attendees
838 exhibiting companies across all industry market segments
4.7 million pounds of equipment on the show floor
104 countries represented at the 2025 Expo
Hundreds of new product launches including global debuts
More than 100 educational sessions and presentations
Nearly 60 participating media outlets and association partners from around the world
50 top global media outlets attended the exclusive pre-show Media Day event on October 21
Over 60 students from local and national schools and universities attended the annual Student Day, held in partnership with Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF)
More than 300 attendees convened at the Women in Print Alliance luncheon
Smurfit Westrock North America CEO talks post-merger priorities
Combining two packaging giants headquartered across an ocean results in a lot of learning for leadership. That’s the case for Laurent Sellier, CEO of Smurfit Westrock North America, following Ireland-based Smurfit Kappa’s acquisition of Atlanta-based Westrock in July 2024.
You’ve been doing quite a few North American facility tours this year. Is that typical or is this a heightened engagement post-acquisition?
It’s probably a combination of both.
I’m a basic boxmaker by origin. I’m one of those guys grown as general manager of mills, and so I’m not a great fan of PowerPoint presentations in an office. I don’t understand it. I get bored. That is really not my stuff.
My stuff is to go in a plant, shake hands, go around the machines, talk to operators, talk to supervisors. Get a feel for what’s happening there, and see all the things that you usually never see when you’re off an office.
One of the facilities you visited this summer is the new box plant in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, which legacy leadership called a “superplant.” How are things going with the plans for a network of superplants?
I think “super” is actually an understatement. I think it’s more like a megaplant. It beats anything in terms of dimensions: the breadth of it, the scale of it, the power behind it. It’s the biggest lineup of machines I’ve ever seen in any place, and it’s a fabulous facility.
Wall Street sees turning point for driverless trucks
FMCSA’s waiver approval for electronic warning beacons clears major hurdle, Morgan Stanley contends
Wall Street investment firm Morgan Stanley sees the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s recent waiver to allow high-tech roadside safety beacons a turning point for autonomous trucking.
“We believe this is a significant milestone in the path to widespread commercial adoption of autonomous trucking because while the overall regulatory environment for autonomous trucking is quite favorable, small practical rules friction like this has been viewed as significant hurdles by some parties pushing back on its adoption,” wrote Morgan Stanley freight transportation analyst Ravi Shanker in a research note on Monday.
“This shows that regulators are open to easy and practical solutions to ease the rollout of this technology.”
FMCSA recently granted a limited three-month renewable waiver to Aurora (NASDAQ: AUR), allowing the autonomous truck developer to use cab-mounted flashing warning beacons instead of reflective triangles – which much be deployed manually by the driver – to warn of a stopped truck on the roadside.
NRF: Consumers to return almost $850 billion in merchandise in 2025
National Retail Federation and Happy Returns data shows retailers expect consumers to return 15.8% of the merchandise they purchase in 2025.
The rate that consumers return merchandise to retailers in 2025 will decrease compared to 2024, as will the total dollar value of returned products, according to a report from the National Retail Federation.
Data from the NRF and Happy Returns indicates retailers expect consumers to return 15.8% of their purchases in 2025. That’s lower than 2024’s 16.9% returns rate. NRF anticipates consumers returning $849.9 billion in merchandise throughout 2025.
In 2024, returns totaled $890 billion, according to the NRF. Also in 2024, U.S. ecommerce sales totaled about $1.19 trillion, according to previous Digital Commerce 360 reporting. Total retail sales (online and offline) reached about $5.25 trillion.
PCA details Greif integration, upcoming mill energy projects
Packaging Corporation of America spent more time than anticipated getting two mills up to speed following its $1.8 billion acquisition of Greif’s containerboard business in September.
Overview: Packaging Corporation of America’s corrugated sales volumes were “largely on plan and continued to reflect the cautious ordering patterns we’ve seen most of the year,” said CEO Mark Kowlzan during Thursday’s third-quarter earnings call. The company ran production to demand and year over year produced 38,000 fewer tons in Q3, he said.
Greif acquisition: PCA completed its $1.8 billion acquisition of Greif’s containerboard business on Sept. 2. “I’m feeling very bullish on what we’ve seen just in a month and a half,” Kowlzan said. PCA is working to integrate Greif’s operations, and so far “the culture is highly compatible,”
Outlook: PCA expects Q4 corrugated shipments to be higher than in Q3. The company also expects sales of containerboard to be higher, but still relatively low in comparison to traditional fourth-quarter volumes. The company will adjust output to work down inventories, Kowlzan said. PCA expects to incur acquisition and integration costs related to the Greif deal in Q4, as well as charges related to closing the corrugated products facilities.
FPAC and AF&PA criticize latest EU deforestation rules
The latest European Commission proposal for the EU Deforestation-free Product Regulation (EUDR) has drawn sharp criticism across North America, where forest industry associations warn it threatens trade commitments and transatlantic relations.
Canada Disappointed by Lack of Simplification
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) expressed disappointment with the EU proposal, calling it insufficient to address the practical challenges faced by the industry.
FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor criticized two key elements:
The EU’s Information Technology (IT) system, which remains “not fit for purpose,” posing serious risks to product traceability and compliance;
The absence of solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are part of larger supply chains.
Nighbor urged the EU to simplify the regulation and to formally recognize the “low-risk” status of countries like Canada, which would streamline traceability requirements and align with the EU–Canada strategic partnership signed in June 2025.
U.S. Denounces ‘U-Turn’ and Trade Barrier
In Washington, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) reacted strongly. President and CEO Heidi Brock described the Commission’s announcement as a “U-turn” that undermines transatlantic trade.
Although the EU had previously recognized the United States as a negligible-risk country for deforestation, the new proposal fails to uphold that commitment and reverses earlier recommendations for simplification and delay.
The AF&PA stressed that the U.S. pulp and paper industry is not linked to global deforestation and warned that the current regu
Amazon reportedly plans to replace 600,000 workers with robots
Amazon’s robotic automation efforts may wind up in the company cutting its human U.S. workforce roughly in half.
An internal corporate memo initially obtained by the New York Times indicates Amazon thinks the increasing usage of robots could enable to it replace more than 500,000 U.S. human employees and avoid having to bring on another 160,000 workers by 2027, according to the New York Daily News.
The memo also reportedly states Amazon believes referring to its robots as “cobots” (short for “collaborative robots”) may make transitioning to more robotic operations more publicly acceptable. The compny employs roughly 1.2 million workers in the U.S.
The memo reportedly says Amazon’s ultimate goal is automating 75% of its corporate operations using robots. However, Amazon strongly disputed the notion that it seeks any widescale reduction in human employees by using robots in an official statement to the New York Daily News.
Inkjet, Toner Presses Aplenty at Expo
In-plant managers are all over the PRINTING United Expo floor this week in Orlando. And while the apparel printing and wide-format equipment are certainly catching their attention, many are here specifically to investigate the latest toner and inkjet production equipment.
Numerous vendors are debuting production devices at the show. In the inkjet realm, Canon is demonstrating its new varioPRINT iX1700 B3+ sheetfed inkjet press, Ricoh’s continuous-feed Ricoh Pro VC80000 is drawing lots of attention, and Xerox launched its IJP900 Inkjet Press. Heidelberg's JetFire 50 inkjet press is an impressive entry into inkjet for the company. Riso and Kyocera also have crowds hovering around their inkjet devices.
China Tightens Recycled Pulp Import Rules, Disrupting Southeast Asian Mills and Global Fibre Trade
China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) announced important new regulations tightening the importation of recycled paper pulp, an action reverberating through the Asian pulp and paper industry and the global recovered fibre trade. Under the directive, all importers must now officially declare whether imported recycled pulp has been produced using a dry or wet process. This targeted policy shift is China’s response to ongoing concerns over improper importation channels and attempts to disguise unprocessed waste paper as legally compliant pulp.
For context, recycled wet pulp is manufactured via the disintegration, cleaning, and beating of waste paper, then formed into compressed, dewatered blocks. Dry-milled pulp, however, is processed by crushing waste paper into small fragments and compressing them into dense bales, a method that generally lacks rigorous purification, disinfection, and sterilization steps.
Polycoated paper proponents prepare for EPR
After its first two years, the Poly Coated Paper Alliance is focusing on establishing universal design guidance, as well as further work on end markets and communication. The Poly Coated Paper…
EU Commission proposes simplification measures but seeks no general delay to EUDR
On 21 October, the EU Commission presented its proposal to simplify the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in order to reduce the obligations for operators and traders, especially for small and micro companies from low-risk countries, and reduce the volume of date reported into the IT system. The proposal also includes a transitional implementation period for EUDR but does not go for a general one-year delay.
With a series of "targeted measures" the Commission wants to support affected companies, stakeholders, third countries and EU member states in the smooth implementation of the EUDR. However, the EU Commission is not planning a blanket postponement of the EUDR. However, the European Commission is not planning a blanket postponement of the EUDR. The "zero-risk category" previously called for by the EPP Group in the European Parliament and the German government, among others, is also not part of the Commission's proposal.
Smurfit Westrock removed from price-fixing case, others file for dismissal
Smurfit Westrock was dismissed Monday from a price-fixing lawsuit against numerous major paper and packaging companies. The antitrust case continues against other defendants, a list that includes Smurfit Kappa and WestRock, the companies that combined last year to create Smurfit Westrock
The defendants — which include Cascades, Georgia-Pacific, Graphic Packaging International, Greif, International Paper, Packaging Corporation of America and Pratt Industries — collectively filed a motion on Monday to dismiss the case on the grounds of plaintiff Artuso Pastry’s “failure to state a claim.” Separately, Packaging Corporation of America and Pratt Industries each filed their own motions to dismiss.
Artuso’s responses to the motions to dismiss are due in December, and the defendants will have until January to submit reply briefs.
Walmart and Avery Dennison Collaborate to Enhance Freshness and Increase Operational Efficiency Using RFID
Walmart (NYSE: WMT) and Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) today announced a new innovation to advance the use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology in fresh categories previously not possible. Addressing food waste and ensuring freshness are more important than ever for consumers, producers and retailers. This first-to-market solution is set to transform inventory processes and enhance both associate and customer experiences across fresh departments — particularly bakery, meat and deli.
Looking to help develop a solution to a longstanding industry challenge of using RFID technology in high-moisture, cold environments, like meat cases, Walmart teamed with Avery Dennison to create and test a first-of-its-kind sensor technology that brings RFID-enabled labels to the meat department. By using Avery Dennison’s RFID solutions in meat, along with bakery and the deli department, Walmart associates can track inventory faster and more accurately — making sure products stay stocked and ready when customers want them. With digital use-by dates right at their fingertips, associates can also rotate products more efficiently and make smarter markdown decisions, helping cut down on unsold food.
Kimberly-Clark contaminated New Milford waterways with PFAS, new lawsuit alleges
NEW MILFORD - A new lawsuit is accusing the Kimberly-Clark Corp., a producer of paper goods for household brands such as Huggies, Kleenex and Scott, of contaminating local water sources, including the Housatonic River, with dangerous "forever chemicals" over the course of decades.
The lawsuit was filed Oct. 14 by Silver Golub & Teitell on behalf of Minah McBreairty, whose property on Kent Road in New Milford sits directly across from a 165-acre, unlined landfill operated by Kimberly-Clark from 1969 to 2010.
The suit claims testing done in April 2024 revealed that drinking water from McBreairty's well contained high levels of PFOS and PFOA, two of the most hazardous types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The PFOS concentration of 8.74 nanograms per liter and PFOA concentration of 4.83 nanograms per liter far exceeded maximum levels deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to the lawsuit.
PRINTING United Expo 2025 Kicks Off with Bold Visions, Big Tech, and AI-Driven Transformation
PRINTING United Expo kicked off this year in Orlando, Florida, with Media Day, held on Oct. 21, the day before the show floor opened for business.
First and foremost, 2025 has been a challenging year — and that is backed up by hard data. Overall, the print industry as a whole saw just a 0.6% increase in sales. Challenges around tariffs, market and economic uncertainty, and challenges around things like labor and productivity all contributed to those numbers. That said, there are leaders beating that statistic by a wide margin, while those lagging behind are in many cases seeing losses.
Unsurprisingly, AI is a major talking point across every level of the print industry, from the small local operations serving their immediate communities to the global behemoths with customers that span every continent. Across the board, AI is something no one can afford to ignore.
Helping drive some of those numbers home, the highlights from the brand new AI research report, “AI Adoption in the Printing Industry: From Curiosity to Competitive Advantage,” launching at PRINTING United Expo, and available in the PRINTING AI Pavilion, Booth 4255, as well as in the Printing Impressions research library.
A fond farewell to industry legends: Pam Mantor and Helen Hawekotte
After four decades of a successful partnership in the paper industry, Pam Mantor and Helen Hawekotte are heading out for their final sales call and a well-earned retirement.
Pam and Helen were a dynamic duo who were pioneers in the development of corporate end user paper programs. They blazed trails in the tech, telecommunications, and banking industries with the likes of Apple, HP, Microsoft, Sprint and DISH.
Midland was fortunate to have Pam and Helen as valued employees and teammates. We will miss their market perspective and wealth of knowledge. We are a better company for having them on our team. We cherish the fond memories and many years of success shared with Pam and Helen.
"You can't retire from being great" Unknown
Interfor Announces Incremental Lumber Production Curtailments of 26% for the Fourth Quarter of 2025
INTERFOR CORPORATION announced revised operating plans for the fourth quarter of 2025. Due to persistently weak market conditions and ongoing economic uncertainty, Interfor will further temporarily reduce lumber production across its
operations in British Columbia, Ontario, the US Pacific Northwest and the US South.
These curtailments are expected to reduce lumber production in the fourth quarter of 2025 by approximately 250 million board feet, or 26%, as compared to the second quarter of 2025, which reflected a more normal operating stance. The curtailment volumes are approximately evenly split
between Interfor’s Canadian and U.S. operations.
‘We were getting crushed’: Brands cut back on free online returns to offset tariff costs
Free online returns — once a standard perk of e-commerce — are becoming the latest casualty of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
After years of footing the bill for free returns, more retailers are raising the bar for customers who want to ship back unwanted goods. Some brands are even eliminating the perk altogether as they try to mitigate the steep costs of tariffs.
In the U.S., the number of retailers requiring a return fee has jumped from 66% to 72% this year, according to a new report from the National Retail Federation and Happy Returns. Around 33% of merchants surveyed said they began charging or increasing fees for returns due to “economic uncertainty and risk of tariffs,” per the report.
Success story: “Made by HEIDELBERG in China” – 20 years of production in Shanghai
Two decades ago, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) made a bold and far-reaching statement when it broke ground for its own production site in China. This was the beginning of a success story that has developed into a cornerstone of the entire company. The 2024/25 financial year set a record, with around 1,500 printing units assembled, an export quota of 40 percent, and deliveries to 70 countries. To date, a total of over 16,000 printing and coating units and almost 3,300 printing presses have been delivered from the Shanghai plant. The site thus makes a significant contribution to the strong market position of HEIDELBERG in China and gives the company a real competitive advantage.
What began in 2005 with the assembly of simple folding machines for print finishing has now become one of the most important production sites in the global HEIDELBERG network as a result of the dynamic growth of the Chinese printing industry. The Shanghai site (formerly known as the “Qingpu site” based on its exact location) covers an area of around 100,000 square meters, including 70,000 square meters of production space spread across three assembly shops. Today, the site employs around 600 people, who mainly produce printing units for the medium and large formats of the Speedmaster CX 92, SX 102, and CX 104 models.
Costco leans on SKU flexibility, buyer experience for tariff strategy
The retailer has also opted to shift production origins and consolidate buying to lower the cost of goods.
Costco is changing its product assortment “where appropriate” to mitigate the impact of tariffs, executive vice president and CFO Gary Millerchip told analysts during a Q4 earnings call.
For instance, the retailer is leaning into its private label Kirkland Signature products and ramping up domestically sourced items, such as health and beauty, live goods, tires and mattresses.
“We believe our expertise in buying and the flexibility afforded by our limited SKU can give us greater agility to navigate the current environment and minimize the impact of tariffs,” Millerchip said.
Kirkland Signature products, in particular, continue to help the retailer deliver alternatives to some tariff-impacted goods, Millerchip said. In Q4, Costco launched more than 30 new Kirkland Signature items, such as grass-fed beef sticks, organic extra-firm tofu, apparel items and the “combo calzone,” which is the retailer’s latest addition to the food court menu.
MIDLAND Features Exciting New Products at PRINTING United Booth #2345
MIDLAND’s booth #2345 is a “must” on your list of companies to see at PRINTING United Expo 2025.
Corporate End Users, Brand Owners, Sign, Display & Point of Purchase printers will see MIDLAND’s Fusion Board, a new pulp-based recyclable FSC® certified rigid board that can replace Foamed PVC, Styrene and other plastic based non-recyclable substrates.
MIDLAND’s new high bright Digital Edge Uncoated for HP Indigo B2+ Press Technology is the highest quality uncoated grade on the market providing stellar ink adhesion at a value-added price point.
The new Digital Edge 24pt SBS for HP Indigo is treated for the HP Indigo platform, providing uncompromising ink adhesion on the most demanding jobs.
Visitors to MIDLAND’s booth can find printed samples of our Recycled Environmental Polyester Synthetic Paper, the first 100% Recycled (PCR, post-consumer resin) synthetic paper engineered for HP Indigo and Dry Toner press technology.
MIDLAND, is widely known as the leading paper distributor to the High Speed Inkjet market. Come see us to discuss our compelling new High Speed Inkjet paper line with unmatched breadth and depth of products, engineered for all production inkjet OEM press technologies - including but not limited to Canon, Ricoh, HP, Screen, Fuji, Kyocera, Xerox, Kodak and more.
Climate-friendly wooden buildings rise across U.S. and Europe
The year 2025 is “pivotal” for mass timber construction, which is growing at around 20 percent a year.
While sustainable solutions are facing drastic funding cuts and even outright opposition, mass timber as a sustainable construction material is steadily gaining traction across the United States.
Construction using mass timber began in 2015 in the U.S., and since then the number of projects has grown about 20 percent annually. Today, over 2,500 mass timber projects are built or in progress in the U.S., including corporate offices for companies such as Google, Microsoft and Under Armour.
Buildings and construction account for 37 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to a 2023 report by the United Nations Environment Program. The production of cement and steel for construction accounts for 11 percent of global emissions.
Mass timber is made of layers of lumber glued together to form a single, strong beam. The two most common varieties are cross-laminated timber, where lumber boards alternate directions as they are stacked, like a Jenga tower, and glue-laminated timber where boards are stacked in parallel.
Replacing conventional building materials with mass timber has the potential to reduce global emissions by 14 percent to 31 percent, according to the U.N. report — including from carbon stored in the wood, displacing fossil fuels and less carbon-intensive production and construction methods.
Amazon to hire 250K holiday workers for third consecutive year
Amazon recently said it is investing over $1 billion in additional pay and benefits for fulfillment and transportation employees. Those employees who have been with Amazon for three years or more have, on average, seen their pay increase by 35%, per the company.
Amazon said regular full- and part-time employees earn an average of $23 per hour with benefits, including health care and education programs.
“We find that our seasonal roles are really popular — often filling up within minutes of being posted — because they meet different needs for so many different people,” Sandy Gordon, vice president of global operations at Amazon, said in a statement. “For some, it’s a few months of extra income to support their families during the holidays. For others, it’s the first step in building a new career path.”
Amazon’s robust hiring initiatives are outpacing much of the retail industry. Target, for instance, has in recent years hired about 100,000 seasonal employees, but this year did not suggest a specific number it planned to bring on. Kohl’s likewise did not release a specific number but said it would hire seasonal workers.
Lecta’s Condat Mill will file for Court Protection to support the search for a potential buyer.
Condat paper mill will file for protection with the Commercial Court in Bordeaux on October
22 to facilitate the search for potential buyers, while safeguarding jobs.
Since 2019, the Group has invested heavily to modernise the site with a state-of-the-art glassine
paper line and a new biomass boiler. Despite these major upgrades, successive market crises
have significantly impacted Condat’s financial stability.
Through this legal procedure, Condat aims to temporarily freeze its debts—which are held
mostly by the Group —and work with the Court to identify solutions that ensure business
continuity and preserve employment.
Production at the Condat site will continue as normal during the procedure, maintaining the quality of service to its customers and safeguarding jobs.
Domtar’s Kingsport Mill Receives National Recognition for Sustainable Leadership
Domtar's Kingsport Mill has been awarded The Fred Schmitt Award for Outstanding Corporate Leadership by the National Recycling Coalition (NRC). The prestigious national honor recognizes a company showing leadership, innovation and success as a model in recycling and diversion.
The Kingsport Mill was nominated by the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and selected by the NRC for its transformative conversion into Tennessee's largest recycled manufacturer. The mill is home to the second-largest recycled containerboard machine in North America.
"This recognition from the National Recycling Coalition is a tremendous honor and a testament to our employees' dedication to sustainability," said Tony Clary, interim mill manager. "Through innovation and hard work, our team has redefined what's possible in circular manufacturing — not just for Domtar, but for our entire industry."
Kapuskasing-Newsprint paper mill to resume operations after securing government funding
The Kapuskasing paper mill is resuming operations, after securing funding from the federal and provincial governments.
At the end of September, Kap Paper announced it would start the idling process because it no longer had the money to keep running without more government support.
Most of the 350 mill workers were sent home, while about 2,500 forestry workers in the area also faced possible layoffs.
On Friday, Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu announced the federal government is giving Kap Paper a $10 million conditional repayable loan through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program. It’s also giving an additional $2 million conditional repayable contribution through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Program.
Additionally, the Ontario government said Friday it is providing the company a $16.8 million dollar loan to support its continued operation. That money is on top of a $10 million provincial loan Kap Paper received in January 2025.
Sappi recognised in the Forbes magazine World’s Best Employers and Top Companies for Women rankings for 2025
Sappi has once again earned a place on the prestigious Forbes magazine and Statista World’s Best Employers list for 2025 (#289 globally and #5 in South Africa) as well as the World’s Top Companies for Women list for 2025 (#144 globally and #2 in South Africa).
These recognitions reaffirm Sappi’s continued commitment to creating an inclusive, engaging and purpose-driven workplace - one where people feel valued, empowered and inspired to grow.
The dual recognition highlights the company’s strong international standing, as well as its leadership within the local business landscape and across its sector.
ProAmpac Acquires International Paper’s Bag Converting Operations
ProAmpac, a global leader in flexible packaging and material science, has acquired the bag converting operations of International Paper (“IP”), a global leader in sustainable packaging. The acquisition expands ProAmpac’s converting capabilities, further advancing the company’s Fiberization of Packaging® strategy and enhancing its ability to deliver customized bag solutions for the grocery, convenience store, and quick-service restaurant markets.
“Global demand for reliable, recyclable paper packaging continues to grow rapidly amid evolving consumer expectations and market trends redefining recyclability,” stated Greg Tucker, ProAmpac founder, vice chairman, and chief executive officer. “ProAmpac’s acquisition of IP’s bag operation supports our Fiberization of Packaging initiatives, helping us better serve customers by extending our expertise in material science to the US west coast with additional capabilities and redundancies,” continued Tucker.
Accenture: Retail execs fear holiday stock shortages
Retail executives are concerned about supply chain shocks, inventory management and frontline worker morale ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Seven in 10 (70%) of U.S. retail executives are worried that potential supply chain shocks could impact their ability to deliver against their holiday trading plan, according to Accenture’s U.S. Retail Executive Survey. All executive respondents were U.S. based and worked at VP level or above for retail companies with annual turnover more than $500 million.
The same number (70%) of executives are worried about delivering online orders on time. And almost 64% are worried they won’t have enough stock this holiday season.
Total U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Shipments Increased 9% in September 2025
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has released the September 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in September increased 9% compared to September 2024. They were essentially flat (+0.5%) when compared to the same nine months of 2024.
The unbleached operating rate increased to 88.0%, reaching its highest level over the last 15 months.
Bleached food wrapping shipments were up 6% from last September, and up 8.4% year to date.
Total inventories were up 5.9% from the same month last year.
Total U.S. Printing-Writing Paper Shipments Decreased 9% in September 2025
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the September 2025 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 9% in September compared to September 2024.
Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 6% when compared to August 2025.
Total year-to-date (YTD) printing-writing paper shipments decreased by 6.8%. Among the three major printing-writing paper categories — uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH) papers — performance was mixed: with UFS shipments declining 9% YTD, CFS declining 3%, and Mechanical (MECH) papers increasing 2%, albeit from a relatively small base volume.
Ross rounds out store openings for the year with 40 new locations
In under two months, discount retailer Ross Stores has opened 40 new stores.
The company launched 36 Ross Dress for Less and four DD’s Discounts stores in 17 states in September and October. The openings complete the retailer’s growth plans for fiscal 2025, adding a total of 90 stores in the time period, according to a company press release.
The brick-and-mortar expansion brought additional Ross Dress for Less locations to the Midwest and Northeast, with new stores in Michigan, New Jersey and New York, according to Richard Lietz, executive vice president of property development. DD’s expanded its footprint in the company’s core markets of California and Texas.
In its latest quarter, total sales increased 5% year over year to $5.5 billion, while comparable store sales increased 2%. Net income dropped 3.6% in Q2 to nearly $508 million.
National Retail Federation Holiday Survey: Consumers to spend second-highest amount on record
Consumers plan to spend $890.49 per person on average this year on holiday gifts, food, decorations and other seasonal items.
That’s according to the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The amount is the second-highest in the survey’s 23-year history and is 1.3% less than last year’s record of $901.99. The increase comes as 85% of consumers are expecting higher prices because of tariffs.
AF&PA Releases September 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly Report
Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in September increased 9% compared to September 2024. They were essentially flat (+0.5%) when compared to the same 9 months of 2024.
The unbleached operating rate increased to 88.0%, reaching its highest level over the last 15 months.
Bleached food wrapping shipments were up 6% from last September, and up 8.4% year to date.
Total inventories were up 5.9% from the same month last year.
Sofidel further expands its production capacity in the United States
To meet the growing demand in the North American market, Sofidel, tissue paper group headquartered in Lucca (Italy) and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of paper for hygienic and household use – known especially in Italy and Europe for its Regina brand – today announces a new investment to further expand its production capacity in the United States.
The investment includes the installation of a Valmet TAD (Through-Air-Dried) paper machine with an annual production capacity of 75,000 metric tons, along with related converting lines – for an equivalent production capacity – for the manufacture of finished products.
The location for the new investment, intended to be within one of Sofidel’s existing facilities, has not yet been finalized.
Overall, the Sofidel Group now operates 14 production sites across 11 US states – Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Illinois, Mississippi, Florida, Ohio, South Carolina, and North Carolina – and has a corporate office in Horsham, Pennsylvania. In just over 10 years, the Group has become the fourth-largest tissue producer in the North American market and one of the leaders in the Private Label sector.
Amazon, Menasha tout anti-counterfeiting codes, with an eye to Sunrise 2027
Ahead of an expected global conversion to more advanced barcodes in the next couple years, Amazon is collaborating with additional packaging partners to highlight the benefits of serialization. Wisconsin-based Menasha Packaging announced its partnership on anti-counterfeiting program Amazon Transparency in September, and company leaders shared more at Pack Expo in Las Vegas.
Amazon Transparency dates back to 2017. For participating single products or multipacks, Amazon assigns unique 2D alphanumeric codes to each unit sold as a way to combat counterfeits. Other benefits for sellers may include getting a higher listing on Amazon, bumping down unauthenticated products. This can be especially useful to emerging brands working to build credibility, Menasha noted.
Nike Renames Beaverton Headquarters in Honor of Co-founder Phil Knight
Nike is renaming its world headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. in honor of its co-founder and first employee Phil Knight.
Now known as the Philip H. Knight Campus (PHK), the company said Tuesday that the renamed 400-acre property will serve as a tribute to Knight’s ongoing legacy, as well as a permanent reminder of the founder’s mentality that Nike employees are encouraged to bring to work every day.
Beyond a dedication, the new name “represents a living expression of Nike’s roots and a powerful reflection of Knight’s enduring spirit: restless, bold and forever believing in what’s possible,” the Swoosh said in a statement.
The first stage of the campus, dedicated in October 1990, united Nike employees – who previously had been scattered across a couple dozen buildings throughout Portland, Oregon – into six buildings that took the names of elite athletes, including Joan Benoit Samuelson, Michael Jordan, John McEnroe, Steve Prefontaine and Mike Schmidt.
Nike’s explosive growth in the 1990s, and the hiring spike that ensued, prompted an expansion that roughly doubled the size of the campus, with new buildings named after Nike athletes such as Ken Griffey Jr., Mia Hamm, Jerry Rice and Pete Sampras.
Publishing Sales Hit a Wall in July
July was a rough month for trade publishers that report their sales to the AAP’s StatShot program. Sales of adult trade titles dropped 13.6% in July compared to a year…
Lay’s Revamps Logo, Package, Ingredients, Messaging
The PepsiCo brand embraces transparency with no artificial ingredients, new colors, and storytelling that starts with the humble farm-grown potato.
PepsiCo announced the most significant brand redesign to Lay's potato chips in the brand's history, preparing it for its “next chapter.” Messaging focuses on “honoring” its farm-grown potatoes, natural ingredients, and the consumer appeal that made it the world’s top potato chip brand.
Funny thing about that appeal, though: PepsiCo says 42% of “people who enjoy Lay’s don’t realize they’re made with real, farm-grown potatoes.” After refocusing on its roots, the company went to the branding mountaintop and came up with two underlying pillars that led to the visual cues now rolling out:
EPR anxiety: CPGs and regulators prepare for generational policy shift
Costs, policy divergence and relationships were a big focus at recent events hosted by GreenBlue and NERC. CalRecycle, Oregon DEQ, Circular Action Alliance and others weighed in about what’s next.
Stress levels are high for CPG companies and packaging groups as extended producer responsibility programs unfold in multiple states.
This was on display at three recent Boston events hosted by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, How2Recycle and the Northeast Recycling Council, with questions flying about costs, policy harmonization and relationships with regulators.
While CPGs are familiar with EPR costs from programs in other countries, the complexity and scale of the U.S. rollout in seven states is presenting its own unique challenges.
Oregon is the only state that’s begun collecting fees, and already the costs are high. Circular Action Alliance, the producer responsibility organization selected for the majority of state programs to date, estimates a budget of $188 million in the program’s first year, with that figure growing in the years ahead.
Charlie Schwarze, board chair for CAA and senior director of packaging stewardship at Keurig Dr Pepper, said the costs are starting to resonate with major companies. KDP, for example, has been working to sort out different aspects of its packaging in terms of licensing arrangements, private label manufacturing partnerships and other factors.
What’s keeping Best Buy’s CEO up at night?
A growing consumer income divide is on Corie Barry’s mind, the executive told an audience at the Fortune Most Powerful Women summit.
There’s a dispersion between higher and lower income shoppers in the U.S., one that Best Buy CEO Corie Barry called out during a Tuesday panel at the Fortune Most Powerful Women summit in Washington, D.C.
“That is probably what keeps me up at night most,” Barry told the audience. “That reliance on the high-income consumer, while it makes it feel like there is resiliency in the overall market, that’s an issue because your low-income consumers are really struggling.”
While consumer resilience remains a complex topic, retailers are also trying to remain resilient in the face of ever-evolving tariff policies — an obstacle particularly impactful to electronics retailers such as Best Buy.
Smurfit Westrock named as one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Best Companies
Smurfit Westrock has been included on TIME Magazine’s World’s Best Companies 2025 list for the second year running.
The company’s inclusion on the prestigious listing is based on strong scores across employee satisfaction, revenue growth and all three dimensions of ESG.
Climbing over 400 places from last year’s list, Smurfit Westrock believes the achievement reflects its industry leadership and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and its people. Highlights from the company’s latest Sustainability Report include the creation of a fully recyclable bed for the Paris Olympics and $2 billion of Green Bonds issued.
“This recognition from TIME is testament to our performance-led culture and the talent and skill of our people. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved so far. As one of the world’s leading providers of sustainable packaging, we are committed to doing the right thing by all our stakeholders,” said Tony Smurfit, President and CEO of Smurfit Westrock.
Rayonier and PotlatchDeltic to Combine in an All-Stock Merger of Equals to Create a Leading Land Resources REIT
Rayonier and PotlatchDeltic announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of equals, creating a leading domestic land resources owner and top-tier lumber manufacturer.
Based on the closing stock prices of Rayonier and PotlatchDeltic on October 10, 2025, the last business day prior to the execution of the agreement, the combined company is expected to have a pro forma equity market capitalization of $7.1 billion and a total enterprise value of $8.2 billion, including $1.1 billion of net debt. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company will become the second-largest publicly traded timber and wood products company in North America and will be well-positioned to capitalize on an improving housing market as well as opportunities in higher-and-better-use (HBU) real estate and land-based / natural climate solutions.
The combination will bring together two leading land resources companies, leveraging significant timberland and real estate expertise as well as operational excellence in lumber manufacturing. Together, the combined company will have a productive and diverse timberland portfolio comprising approximately 4.2 million acres, including 3.2 million acres in the U.S. South and 931,000 acres in the U.S.
Northwest.
To move or not to move? Manufacturers hesitant to nearshore before USMCA review
As the United States solicits feedback on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement ahead of the deal’s review next year, manufacturers are mulling how they can minimize their exposure to tariffs.
Cross-border trade in North America has already gone through a series of changes, first with the scrapping of the North American Free Trade Agreement for USMCA in 2020, then with 25% tariffs placed on imports from Canada and Mexico earlier this year. A tariff exemption was granted for USMCA-compliant goods, although levies on non-qualifying imports from Canada now face a 35% duty.
Mexico and Canada are the U.S.’ largest trading partners, with the country importing $505.5 billion and $411.9 billion worth of goods from the countries in 2024, respectively. The tariff exemption has led many firms already manufacturing in and sourcing from the two nations to reevaluate their products to see what qualifies. Some have seen increased business or a competitive advantage due to their existing compliance with USMCA.
But the tariff situation has been too fluid to prompt major moves for manufacturers with global supply chains, according to trade consultants and attorneys.
Smaller retailers face their toughest holiday season in years
The federal government shutdown that started Oct. 1 is just the latest in a host of challenges, along with tariffs, inflation and signs of economic weakness, that are bedeviling businesses as 2025 winds down. This makes smaller retailers — which lack the financial buffer most big chains have — especially vulnerable as the holidays approach.
“Everyone loves shouting about shopping small or local, especially during the holiday season, but this year, small businesses are heading into their busiest period with a level of uncertainty they haven’t faced before,” said Jacob Bennett, co-founder and CEO of Crux Analytics, which works with small businesses and their banks.
Summer ended sluggishly for the sector, according to the Fiserv Small Business Index for September, which leverages transaction data from more than 2 million U.S. small businesses across the country: Adjusted for inflation, retail sales dropped 1.4% year over year.
Foot traffic is solid, but average basket size is down, according to Mike Spriggs, head of consumer insights at Fiserv. “That tells us the American consumer is still engaged — just price-aware and promotion-sensitive,” Spriggs said by email.
Then there is the shutdown, which disrupted the loan program at the Small Business Administration — both access to new loans and management of existing ones. Among other consequences, this could disrupt inventory management, which has already been roiled by tariffs.
Midwest and South poised for new packaging manufacturing jobs
Pratt Industries, Pregis, Smurfit Westrock and Axium Packaging are among the companies that have announced or opened new or expanded production operations in recent weeks.
Axium Packaging plans to grow in its home state of Ohio. The New Albany-based plastic packaging company will invest $45 million in a new facility in Jersey Township, per a release from the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
Ecopax is working on a more than 100,000-square-foot expansion of food service packaging production at its eight-year-old, more than 315,000-square-foot manufacturing and warehousing facility in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Huhtamaki is planning an additional $10 million expansion of its operations in Hammond, Indiana, where the company has had a presence since 1946.
JBM Packaging in September broke ground on a new 52,500-square-foot building just one mile from its Lebanon, Ohio, headquarters.
MCC, the labels company formerly called Multi-Color Corporation, recently opened a new corporate headquarters in Atlanta to support hybrid work, bringing together leaders and other local colleagues at the Buckhead location.
Pratt Industries announced Oct. 7 it’s investing $92.5 million to build out packaging manufacturing operations in York County, South Carolina.
Pregis opened a new 477,000-square-foot paper converting center in Elgin, Illinois, on Sept. 19. It’s the company’s fifth U.S. site making mailing products and will become its Midwest hub for paper mailer production.
Smurfit Westrock will expand its corrugated operations making cases, boxes and trays in Saltillo, Mississippi, by October 2026.
Efficiency processes at Norske Skog cutting 200 jobs
Norske Skog continues its efforts to increase revenue from the growing packaging market. At the same time, Norske Skog operates in the publication paper market with declining demand for parts of the group's product portfolio. The markets have been characterised by overcapacity and low margins for a long period, while the industry also experiences challenging framework conditions. Significant inflation in energy and raw material prices has put further pressure on profitability.
As a result, Norske Skog has conducted a thorough review of its entire cost base. This process has identified several cost-reducing opportunities and more efficient organisation of operations. Following this, a number of measures have been implemented to reduce the group's costs and improve competitiveness. Among the measures are downsizing of operational and support functions across all units of the group by up to 200 full time employees during the period from 2025 to 2027. Part of the downsizing will occur through natural attrition and hiring freezes.
The Vinyl Records Revival and the Growth of Vinyl LPs: Why Is There a Resurgence of Vinyl Records?
An unexpected vinyl records revival is having a dramatic impact on the music industry. In 2020, vinyl LP record albums outsold CDs for the first time since the 1980s. LP sales reached 43.6 million units in 2024, driven largely by Gen Z’s interest in analog experiences, aesthetic appeal and artist support. With no end to the trend currently in sight, vinyl music sales are projected to grow through at least 2035.
The question is, why? Why are vinyl records coming back and why now? Research from the Vinyl Alliance points to four key reasons for the growth in sales of LP record albums.
A. Tactile and Visual Appeal
B. Superior Sound Quality
C. Collectability and Exclusivity
D. Support for Artists
The vinyl resurgence has created a growing need for custom vinyl packaging.
Adobe: U.S. Holiday Shopping Season to Cross $250 Billion Online, Rising 5.3% YoY
Adobe released its online shopping forecast for the 2025 holiday season, covering the period from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025. Based on Adobe Analytics data, the analysis provides the most comprehensive view into U.S. e-commerce by analyzing direct transactions online, covering over 1 trillion visits to U.S. retail sites, 100 million SKUs and 18 product categories. Adobe Analytics is part of Adobe Experience Cloud, relied upon by the majority of the top 100 internet retailers in the U.S.* to deliver, measure, and personalize shopping experiences online.
2025 holiday season to surpass $250 billion online
Adobe expects U.S. online sales to hit $253.4 billion this holiday season (Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025), which represents 5.3% growth year-over-year (YoY). A record 10 days will see consumers spend over $5 billion in a single day (up from 7 days last year). Cyber Week (the 5-day period including Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday) is expected to drive 17.2% of overall spend this season, at $43.7 billion (up 6.3% YoY).
Placer.ai: Barnes & Nobles continues hot streak as visits rise in 2025
Barnes & Noble is continuing its post-pandemic success as it continues to attract store visits while planning to grow its footprint.
From January to August of this year, the bookstore giant saw visits increase notably compared to the year prior, according to a recent report from retailer foot traffic data firm Placer.ai. Year-over-year increases were the highest in January (15.5%), May (10.2%), April (9.8%) and March (9.4%). With the exception of February, visits per location also increased year over year each month.
Placer.ai highlighted the fact that Barnes & Noble is not only planning to open new stores this year, but it has also made key acquisitions of smaller, independent bookstore chains. Barnes & Noble first acquired Colorado chain Tattered Cover in 2023, and acquired California-based Books Inc. just last month.
Location analytics reveal meaningful differences in customer behavior at Barnes & Noble and Books Inc. At a Barnes & Noble in Redwood City, Calif., 65.1% of visitors stayed more than 15 minutes, compared to 57.2% at a Books Inc. just 5.5 miles away in Palo Alto. Placer.ai says that longer visits reflect the success of Barnes & Noble’s experiential approach – stores designed not just for quick purchases, but for browsing, discovery and lingering.
Christopher DeLetto Named Chief Financial Officer of MIDLAND
Christopher DeLetto has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Christopher has played a key role in advancing the company’s acquisition strategy and supporting long-term growth initiatives. Christopher succeeds his father, Ralph DeLetto, with whom he worked closely over the last year, and who generously shared his knowledge and experience to help prepare Christopher for this important leadership role. With a background in investment banking and private equity, Christopher brings strong financial expertise and strategic insight to MIDLAND. In his new role as CFO, he will oversee all financial functions of the company and play a key role in shaping MIDLAND’s strategic direction and continued growth. “Christopher has quickly become an important part of our leadership team,” said Mike Graves, President and Chief Executive Officer of MIDLAND. “He knows our business, he brings great financial skills, and he has a deep connection to MIDLAND’s history. Jim (O’Toole) and I are confident he’ll do a terrific job in his new role.”
Pixelle Specialty Solutions Completes Sale of Chillicothe Paper Mill
Pixelle announced it has reached an agreement to sell its Chillicothe mill to U.S. Paper Mill, LLC, an affiliate of U.S. Medical Glove Company (“USMGC”). The buyer has committed to continuing Chillicothe’s legacy of industrial manufacturing and adding significant jobs in the local community.
Pixelle is continuing to provide impacted employees with a range of support resources, including career transition services, job placement assistance, and ongoing access to Pixelle’s Employee Assistance Program to help navigate any career transitions. Additionally, Pixelle is allocating the entire $5.5 million in net proceeds from the transaction to an account established for the benefit of local unions and impacted employees.
Amazon operates sustainable ‘wooden wonder’ delivery station
Amazon has opened a delivery station mostly built from wood and lower-carbon materials in Indiana.
As part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge to operate more sustainably and be net zero carbon across its entire business by 2040, the online giant is running a delivery station known as "DII5" in Elkhart, Ind., which is also referred to as the "wooden wonder." Packages are shipped to Amazon delivery stations from neighboring fulfillment and sortation centers, loaded into delivery vehicles, and delivered to customers.
Amazon prioritized bio-based materials for the facility’s construction, with wood studs instead of metal ones at interior partitions, wood fiber insulation instead of fiberglass, and an ultra-light, lower-carbon alternative to standard drywall.
PCA closures in Pennsylvania, North Carolina hit 168 jobs
Packaging Corporation of America is closing multiple manufacturing sites before year’s end, the company revealed in Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notices this month.
PCA is closing a full-line plant in Allentown, Pennsylvania, come Dec. 1, impacting 60 employees.
Weeks later, come Dec. 19, PCA plans to shutter a full-line plant in Salisbury, North Carolina, affecting 108 workers, the company informed the state on Oct. 3.
PCA could not be reached for comment about reasons for the latest closures.
These announcements follow PCA’s closure of a corrugated plant in Georgia at the start of this year.
Target Report: Private Equity Places Bets on Two New Packaging Platforms
September 2025 was marked by the establishment of two new private equity-backed platforms in the packaging segments, underscoring the continued appeal of packaging as a growth and consolidation play for financial sponsors
Portrait Capital Enters the Packaging Segment
A new platform focused on label printing was formed by Portrait Capital, which entered the sector with two acquisitions announced on the same day. The platform was established with the acquisition of AAi Labels & Decals, located in Jonesboro, Arkansas. AAi Labels & Decals utilizes screen printing, flexography, offset, digital, and wide-format printing technologies to produce a diverse range of products, most notably durable labels that can withstand outdoor and industrial environments
CORE Industrial Partners Forms Momentium
Momentium, a new company launched by CORE Industrial Partners, represents the creation of a platform brand to bring together prior related investments under one unified umbrella. The new platform brand was unveiled with the announcement that CORE acquired Superior Lithographics. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Superior specializes in large-format offset-printed products, including folding cartons, top sheets for corrugated cartons, and litho labels
Canon unveils an inkjet press for corrugated packaging
Canon launches the corrPRESS iB17, an industrial inkjet press designed for corrugated packaging production, offering offset-like quality on boards.
The press enables cost-efficient short to medium runs with fast turnaround times and minimal operator intervention.
Canon expects to make the corrPRESS iB17 available in the US in 2027, supporting its expansion into the digital corrugated packaging market.
Canon USA has introduced the Canon corrPRESS iB17, an inkjet press engineered for industrial-scale corrugated packaging production. It aims to support corrugated converters that have to deliver shorter runs with more variants, faster turnaround times, and premium quality.
The corrPRESS iB17 delivers offset-like quality directly onto corrugated boards up to 1.7 m wide with water-based inks and primer for indirect food contact.
Nitrile glove manufacturer to take over historic mill in Chillicothe
A nitrile glove manufacturer will take over the shuttered mill in Chillicothe, one local source and one state government source have shared with the Statehouse News Bureau.
U.S. Medical Glove Company, an Illinois-based company, is currently closing on the sale of the site, each source said. The sale is not yet reflected in the Ross County Auditor’s Records.
The move could come with as many as 550, likely non-union, jobs—and manufacturing of surgical and exam gloves and boxes for gloves could start as soon as three weeks from Thursday.
How Pack Expo attendees see packaging materials changing
PMMI (the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies) puts on multiple Pack Expo events each year, like the most recent show in Las Vegas from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. This year, the event’s more than 30,000 registrants had the opportunity to respond to questions about their packaging materials. Specifically, they were asked to select up to three materials their company would replace in the next five years, if any.
According to all of the U.S. data currently available, the top responses for materials to be replaced in the next three to five years were polystyrene, foams (including PS) and polyvinyl chloride. As for the materials most likely to be adopted in that same time frame, recycled options topped the list. The most popular responses were rigid and flexible PCR, as well as recycled paperboard with a forestry certification.
Cascades announces the sale of its Flexible Packaging plant activities to Five Star Holding for CAN$31 million
Cascades Inc. announces that it has reached an agreement to sell its Flexible Packaging plant activities to Five Star Holding ("Five Star") based in Houston, Texas. The $31 million transaction is effective immediately. Cascades' will retain ownership of the site real estate.
Located in Mississauga, Ontario, Flexible Packaging is Cascades' only plant that manufactures printed flexible plastic packaging and films. The sale reflects Cascades' commitment to continuously advance its operations, commercial approach and business model, in order to deliver the most value to its customers. The Company has found a buyer with both the expertise and a broader asset network to realize the plant's growth potential.
The Flexible Packaging operations employs 45 people, all of which will be retained by Five Star at closing. Cascades will work closely with Five Star to ensure a smooth ownership transition for employees, customers, and suppliers. The transaction includes a supply agreement between the two parties to ensure the continued production and supply of the flexible film that is used by Cascades' Tissue and Packaging sectors.
Cascades announces the sale of its Flexible
HarperCollins, Fox Strike Content-Sharing Deal
Fox Entertainment Studios and HarperCollins's new Avon A imprint have announced a two-way development deal that will allow Fox to adapt titles from the YA-adult crossover imprint for the screen, while giving Avon A access to Fox original stories. The announcement marks the first publishing-entertainment partnership of its kind for Fox and HarperCollins, both of which are controlled by Murdoch family–owned media conglomerates.
Why Canva chose to invest another $100 million in cash transfers
Today, we’re announcing a new $100 million USD commitment over the next four years to expand our partnership with GiveDirectly and help empower an additional 185,000 people living in extreme poverty. We’re also funding new research, and pilot variants, to further understand how we can maximize the impact of each dollar. We wanted to take the opportunity to share how we got here, what we’ve learned so far, and our approach for this next chapter.
A little bit of context: since starting Canva, we’ve been guided by a ‘simple’ yet ambitious Two-Step Plan. Step One is to build one of the world’s most valuable companies. Step Two is to do the most good we can. With more than 30% of Canva’s value (shares) committed to doing good in the world, this vision has shaped everything we do, from the products we create to the kind of company we’ve strived to be.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Ralph F. DeLetto, of Glenview, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on September 29th, 2025, the Feast Day of the Archangels. Ralph was a devoted and loving husband to Nancy (nee Menis). He was the proud father of Michael (Molly) and Christopher (Danae) DeLetto and adored PaPa to Rafaella, Ariana and Nikolas DeLetto. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents Ralph J. & Eleanor (nee Panelli) DeLetto. He is fondly remembered by his brother Frank (Maureen) DeLetto; his nieces and nephews, Erin (Dave) DeLetto Miranda, Ryann (Jamie) Urcioli, Elisa (Matt) Levy, Mark (Nicole) Menis; and, his great niece and nephew, Sofia DeLetto and Parker Miranda. He was a dear cousin and friend of many.
Ralph grew up in Franklin Park, Illinois. His parents set Ralph up for success in life by rooting him in his Catholic faith. He attended St. Gertrude's School, Holy Cross High School and Dominican University. While at Dominican, Ralph met Nancy, the love of his life. They married at 24, started their family with Michael at 28, completed their family with Christopher at 31, built their dream home at 33 and tackled every turn of life hand in hand. Their fairy tale love story began 47 years ago and will be written into eternity. Despite Ralph’s demanding professional career, he was always present for his family and never missed an important life event or his sons’ games. Ralph counted his daughters-in-law, Danae and Molly, as his own and loved them as if they were. When he became a grandfather to Rafaella and Ariana, his love knew no boundaries. God sent Ralph one final gift, his grandson Nikolas, and his heart was complete. Ralph’s family was the center of his universe and a source of both great pride and strength. Together with his family, he knew all things were possible.
Ralph started his career as a Certified Public Accountant at Arthur Young where his talents and astute attention to detail were quickly recognized. Ralph found himself in an exclusive group tasked with advising the firm’s clients on mergers and acquisitions. He loved new and exciting challenges; never settled for mediocracy; and had an uncanny ability to find a way forward regardless of the challenge at hand. Ralph became a CFO at 31 and ultimately found his professional calling in 2002 at MIDLAND. Over the last 22 years, Ralph and his two partners, Mike Graves and Jim O’Toole, have grown MIDLAND into one of the largest privately held companies in Illinois. Ralph loved MIDLAND and, most importantly, its 900+ team members, who he referred to as the “best team in the business”. Ralph was most proud knowing that his sons are going to carry forward his legacy and help MIDLAND reach new heights.
Ralph was a force of nature that did not rest until he succeeded. He was loyal, committed and beyond moral reproach. He was a pillar of strength for many. He taught us to always look at the cup half full. He believed in living life to the fullest for tomorrow is not promised and each day is a blessing. We were blessed to have Ralph in our lives for the time that we did because he changed the trajectory of the lives of those that knew him for the better. Ralph will continue to live within our hearts and souls forever.
Ralph believed deeply in the work of Northwestern’s Associate Board that screens and invests in next generation cancer research. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Ralph DeLetto to support the Associate Board of Lurie Cancer Center, c/o Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E. Superior Street, Rubloff Building, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, or click here to make an online donation: https://giving.nu/lccassociateboardfy25
8.5M tons of packaging entered California landfills in 2024: CalRecycle study
The study, mandated by SB 54, sheds light on how materials covered under the extended producer responsibility program might be diverted in the future.
Californians threw away nearly 8.5 million tons of single-use packaging and food ware in 2024, according to an updated material characterization study CalRecycle published on Tuesday.
Last year, about 40 million tons of total material went to landfills. About 21% percent of that was material that will eventually be covered under California’s extended producer responsibility for packaging law, known as SB 54, according to the study.
The study was meant to measure how much EPR-related “covered material” ends up in landfills, CalRecycle said, such as hair spray cans or pasta sauce jars. That gives insight into how much of that material might be diverted in the future once the EPR program takes effect in 2027.
Reaching retail workers before the holiday rush
The holidays bring higher foot traffic, longer hours, and more pressure on already strained frontline teams. But despite being the public face of retail brands, frontline employees are often the last to hear about critical updates, receive recognition, or get even basic communications from leadership.
This disconnect isn’t just an annoyance, but a strategic vulnerability for retail brands. I just went into a store and had the owner apologize for the slow service and add, “As I’m sure you know, we just can’t get help.” With turnover still stubbornly high and seasonal hiring well underway, companies need to reevaluate how they engage, motivate, and retain their frontline teams.
Employee turnover in retail settings remains a costly and disruptive challenge. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the retail sector saw a 60.9% turnover rate in 2024, among the highest of any industry. This turnover has two major impacts. First, it requires constant onboarding and training of new staff, which reduces operational efficiency. Second, it erodes morale among long-term employees, making retention of this talent even more challenging. Even the owner of that store I mentioned looked ready to quit and go home!
1-800-Flowers Taps Home Depot Vet Babcock As First CMO
1-800-Flowers named Melanie Babcock its first chief marketing and growth officer, continuing the gifting company’s daunting transformation under new chief executive Adolfo Villagomez.
Babcock will lead marketing, brand positioning, customer acquisition and retention, and growth initiatives, reporting to Villagomez, the struggling company’s new CEO -- and a former CMO of Home Depot.
Beyond its flagship flowers business, the Jericho, N.Y.-based company owns Harry & David, Shari’s Berries and Moose Munch Popcorn.
Earlier this month, 1-800-Flowers reported an annual loss of $200 million, with revenue down 8% to $1.69 billion.
JAL Equity and Taylor Corp. to Close Acquired Facilities in Wisconsin
In unrelated moves, two once locally family-owned printing industry businesses in Wisconsin — which had been acquired by industry conglomerates — are being closed
Marketing.com, which is owned by industry consolidator JAL Equity, of Sarasota, Florida, recently filed a WARN notice with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announcing the closure of Action Printing, located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The plant closure, will be finalized by October 31st, impacting 44 workers.
Germantown, Wisconsin-based Reindl Bindery has also reportedly been shuttered, according to industry sources. Founded in 1978, the award-winning trade bindery provided a wide range of book binding and finishing services.
Reindl Bindery’s assets were acquired by Corporate Graphics Commercial, a Taylor Corp. company, in January 2022. The previously family-owned Reindl Bindery had a legacy of providing innovative binding solutions throughout the printing industry, with capabilities spanning a wide range of finishing applications including perfect, layflat and case binding, to Smyth sewn books, Wire-O systems, and much more
Cargo Theft Isn’t a Trucking Problem. It’s a National Crisis.
If you watched 60 Minutes Sunday, you saw thieves use frighteningly advanced cyber tactics to steal two truckloads carrying $1 million worth of Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar’s tequila without ever pulling a gun.
More than 24,000 bottles of the celebrity duo’s Santo Spirits tequila—nearly four years in the making—never reached their Pennsylvania destination. After leaving Laredo, Texas, two legitimate drivers were duped by thieves posing as company officials into rerouting the load to a fake Los Angeles warehouse. After their convincing impersonation, the criminals also spoofed the trucks’ GPS, ensuring the seven-figure shipment disappeared without a trace.
While it made for gripping television, it highlights a much larger, more alarming issue. Cargo theft has metastasized into an organized, global enterprise that now costs the U.S. trucking industry $7 billion per year. That’s $19 million every single day.
Beyond compliance: How Circular Action Alliance supports producers through EPR
As extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for paper and packaging roll out across several U.S. states, producers must navigate a new and evolving regulatory landscape. Seven states (California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington) already have laws, with lawmakers in many other states introducing or considering their own versions.
Figuring out producer obligations under these laws, especially if operating across multiple states, can be a full-time job. By partnering with a trusted producer responsibility organization (PRO), producers can gain access to valuable resources and guidance and keep their organizations in compliance with current and upcoming EPR requirements.
Circular Action Alliance (CAA), founded by producers across the food, beverage, consumer goods and retail industries, is committed to helping producers comply with EPR laws, deliver harmonized, best-in-class services, and work with governments, businesses and communities to reduce waste and recycle more.
Study: Online retail giant tops annual ranking of ‘loyalty leaders’
The better a brand meets consumers’ expectations, the more loyal they will be.
That’s according to the 17th annual Brand Key Loyalty Leaders List, an identification of the top 100 brands according to their ability to create customer loyalty.
Amazon topped this years’ ranking, with digital innovation, entertainment platforms and long-standing heritage brands among 2025’s leaders. Rounding out the top five were google, Microsoft, Apple and Coca-Cola.
2025 Loyalty Leaders — Top 25
1. Amazon (Online Retail)
2. Google (Search)
3. Microsoft (Tech)
4. Apple (Smartphones)
5. Coca-Cola (Beverages)
6. Samsung (Smartphones)
7. Paramount+ (Video Streaming)
8. ChatGPT (AI)
9. TikTok (Social Networking)
10. Levi Strauss (Apparel Retailers)
11. Discover (Credit Cards)
12. McDonald’s (Fast Food)
13. Netflix (Video Streaming)
14. PayPal (Online Payments)
15. Dunkin’ (Coffee)
16. Disney+ (Video Streaming)
17. Hyundai (Automotive)
18. Walmart.com (Online Retail)
19. Toyota (Automotive)
20. Domino’s (Pizza)
21. Trader Joe’s (natural foods)
22. Nike (athletic footwear)
23. The Home Depot (retail home improvement)
24. American Express 9credit cards)
25. Jeep (automotive)
GreenFirst Encouraged by Progress Toward Near-Term Stability for Kap Paper and the Regional Forestry Sector
GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. (TSX: GFP) (“GreenFirst” or the “Company”) welcomes encouraging signs of progress as the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario work toward a path forward to support near-term stability for Kap Paper Inc. and the broader forestry sector in Northeastern Ontario.
Kap Paper has publicly shared that discussions with both levels of government are progressing well and that a restart plan is being developed. While details are still being finalized, the positive momentum provides hope for workers, contractors, and communities across the region.
With this encouraging progress, GreenFirst is preparing to resume operations at its Kapuskasing, Hearst and Cochrane mills during the week of October 6, helping to protect jobs and maintain critical supply chain connections while partners continue working toward a long-term solution.
“We thank both the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario for their constructive engagement and support for the forestry sector,” said Joël Fournier, GreenFirst’s CEO.
Veracel at the forefront of Atlantic rainforest restoration in Brazil
Stora Enso’s joint operation Veracel, co-owned with Suzano, is at the heart of a landmark forest restoration initiative launched by Biomas. The Muçununga Project, announced in southern Bahia, Brazil, represents Biomas’ first large-scale effort to restore one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems - the Atlantic rainforest.
Over the next two years, more than 2 million native seedlings will be planted across 1,200 hectares of Veracel’s land. This ambitious undertaking will not only help remove carbon from the atmosphere but also contribute to the recovery of one of Brazil’s most threatened biomes. By restoring forest landscapes, the project will help keep the environment cooler, safeguard water resources, and promote biodiversity – ultimately benefiting local communities, agriculture, and wildlife.
Domtar and Nature Conservancy of Canada launch largest private conservation securement in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is announcing a bold campaign to protect more than 1,800 hectares (4,400 acres) of boreal forest, freshwater shoreline and wetlands in central Newfoundland and Labrador. It is the largest land donation NCC has received during its 54-year history working in Atlantic Canada.
Domtar has agreed to donate land to NCC, thus allowing NCC to conserve four large parcels of forested lands and waters along the Southwest Gander River and Gander Lake near the communities of Glenwood and Appleton. The land donation project is significant as it enables better wildlife movement through connected conservation lands. Less than three per cent of the Central Newfoundland ecoregion currently falls under conservation status.
CJK Group to Acquire Select Business Assets of Vicks Print and Logistics
Sheridan, a division of CJK Group, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire select business assets of Vicks Lithograph & Printing Corp (“Vicks Print”) and Vicks Logistics Corp (“Vicks Logistics”). Vicks Print and Vicks Logistics, a leading supplier to the educational music publishing industry, has entrusted Sheridan to continue serving its customers upon the successful closing of the transaction, expected for Q4.
Vicks Print & Vicks Logistics have been a trusted partner to music, niche educational, and religious publishers for over a century, building its reputation on quality, reliability, and strong customer relationships. Sheridan looks forward to continuing to serve Vicks’ long-standing customers with the same high standards they have come to expect.
Chris Kurtzman, CEO of CJK Group, commented: “We are honored that Vicks has placed its trust in Sheridan to carry forward its legacy of service to the educational music publishing industry. This acquisition reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting specialized markets with tailored solutions and dedicated expertise. We are excited to welcome these customers and look forward to strengthening and expanding on the exceptional foundation Vicks has built.”
SPC Advance 2025 Recap: The Industry is Mobilized — How Can We Use This Momentum to Get it Right?
“Our industry has changed more in the past two years than in the past 32 that I’ve worked in packaging,” GreenBlue Executive Director Paul Nowak said during SPC Advance 2025.
Sustainable packaging professionals aren’t just witnessing this transformation, they’re architecting it. At SPC Advance, we saw a wealth of ways — from composting access data to recycled content claim research — that these experts are using to move us closer to a world where packaging systems help, don’t hurt, human and environmental health.
During three days of sessions, socials, and workshops, one thing became abundantly clear: The sustainable packaging industry is already mobilized. Now, the question becomes: How can we use this momentum to get it right?
Is corporate sustainability dead? Andrew Winston, author of Net Positive, would say no. Despite headlines of companies hiding or nixing their sustainability goals, the trends moving sustainable packaging forward are bigger than reactionary politics, he said at SPC Advance. “The reason companies are responding to climate change is because climate change is happening.”
Change happens slowly at first, and then, seemingly suddenly, it’s exponential. To demonstrate this, he cited two very different technologies: CD-ROMs and clean energy. “We used to all have CDs, and then suddenly overnight, everything was digitized… Now, clean tech is growing exponentially, and the fundamental reason is that it’s cheaper.”
Store Expansion News: September update
Retailers and restaurants alike made headlines in September with store expansions and new formats.
Here are the major stories as reported by Chain Store Age, starting with the most recent.
Costco Q4 tops Street, to open 35 new warehouses; holiday mix to look ‘different’ As it continues its strong financial performance, the wholesale club chain opened 27 new warehouses, including three relocations, during its recently completed fiscal year.
Jack & Jones to make U.S. debut at five shopping centers — here's where The Denmark-based apparel retailer, which operates more than 4,000 stores worldwide, will make its U.S. store debut at five Brookfield Properties-owned shopping centers, starting in November at The Mall in Columbia, Columbia, Md. The move into the U.S. market follows Jack & Jones’ recent expansion in Canada.
Toys”R”Us to open 10 U.S. flagships by year-end; locations include… The toy retailer, in partnership with Go! Retail Group, said it is planning to open 10 new flagships and 20 seasonal holiday shops in the U.S. by year's end.
Target opening seven stores in October — here are the locations The discounter will open seven stores in October, with six of the locations topping Target’s 125,000-sq.-ft. average as it continues to lean into its larger footprint. The openings are part of the 20 new locations that Target plans to open this year.
Primark marks 10 years in U.S. with new leases, planned entry in new state The global value fashion retailer, which opened its first U.S. store in Boston in 2015, said it is dedicated to U.S. growth. It has 33 stores across 13 U.S. states.
California names companies expected to report emissions, climate risks
The California Air Resources Board released a preliminary list of entities that may have to report under SB 253 and SB 261.
The California Air Resources Board last week published its preliminary list of thousands of entities that may be subject to upcoming reporting requirements under either or both SB 253, which covers GHG emissions, and SB 261, which covers climate-related financial risks. The laws passed in 2023.
A mix of publicly and privately held packaging suppliers named on the list include Crown, Hood Container, International Paper, Menasha, Pactiv Evergreen, Printpack, Sappi, Sealed Air, Silgan, TransPak and Veritiv. The preliminary list is intended to support development of fee regulation, law firm Ropes & Gray noted in a brief analysis.
UPM ends paper production in Kaukas – Employee consultation processes concluded
End of July, UPM announced plans to permanently end paper production in Kaukas and to shift its coated mechanical paper production in Finland to UPM Rauma mill.
The employee consultation processes have now been completed. Paper machine 1 in Kaukas will be permanently closed during Q4. The reduction of personnel is 220. Following the closure, coated mechanical paper production capacity will be reduced by 300.000 tonnes annually.
UPM’s pulp, sawn timber and biofuels production and R&D activities at UPM Kaukas integrate will continue as before.
Walmart investing $300M in North Carolina e-commerce fulfillment center
Walmart Inc. continues expanding its infrastructure to support timely delivery of online orders.
The discount giant plans to open a new fulfillment center in Kings Mountain, N.C. Walmart expects the estimated $300 million investment to create more than 300 new jobs in Gaston County, N.C.
The 1.2 million–square-foot facility is slated to open in 2027 and will ship large items such as patio furniture and lawnmowers directly to customers as soon as next-day.
“As our e-commerce business continues to grow, this new fulfillment center will play a critical role in helping us serve customers faster,” said Karisa Sprague, senior vice president, supply chain, Walmart U.S.
Fedrigoni group to reorganise and separate into three companies
Italy’s paper and self-adhesive label materials manufacturer Fedrigoni group intends to restructure and create three independently operating companies. According to information from the relevant Italian trade unions, the group is to be split into three companies and a holding company in line with the current division of business areas – paper, labels and RFID. In a brief statement, Fedrigoni confirmed the decision which would allow for “greater flexibility” and “facilitate future extraordinary transactions”.
Metsä Group prepares to cut 540 jobs in Finland amid losses
Metsä Group has announced statutory negotiations that may lead to the loss of 800 permanent jobs, with 540 of them in Finland. The move follows a cost-saving programme aimed at securing €300m in annual savings as the forestry company struggles with weak demand and mounting losses.
The company said the cuts will affect all its business areas and group operations. No factories are expected to be shut down, but the measures include restructuring, changes in duties, and efficiency improvements across procurement, logistics and the wood supply chain.
The preliminary breakdown of planned reductions in Finland includes around 140 jobs in Espoo, 70 in Äänekoski, 60 in Kemi, 40 in Simpele, 35 in Lappeenranta and Joutseno, and a further 190 spread across other locations. The company employs about 9,600 people globally, including 5,600 in Finland.
Metsä Group has reported losses this year, with both pulp and paperboard prices at low levels. Timber has also been affected, while wood raw material costs in Finland remain high.
“Employees have done good work within our current operating model. Unfortunately, it isn’t enough in this situation. We must tackle the things that are in our own hands and shape our operations to ensure long-term competitiveness,” Vanhanen said.
Greif Completes Sale of Timberlands Business
Greif, Inc. a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, announced today that it has completed the previously announced sale of its timberlands business to Molpus Woodlands Group, on behalf of clients, for approximately $462 million after adjustments.
“The closing of this sale reinforces the commitment of Greif to pursue the highest return on invested capital across our portfolio.” said Ole Rosgaard, President and CEO of Greif. “Combined with the recently completed sale of our containerboard business, these cash proceeds are expected to put our leverage ratio below 1.2x, strengthening our balance sheet and providing significant interest savings heading into fiscal 2026.”
Landa Digital Printing begins new chapter without Benny Landa
Landa Digital Printing has begun a new era under the ownership of FIMI – but the business will now continue without its charismatic founder Benny Landa, who has stepped down.
The acquisition of Landa Digital Printing (LDP) by FIMI, Israel’s biggest private equity firm, has been finalised with all technicalities completed after its rescue deal gained court approval earlier this month.
FIMI has appointed three of its representatives as the new board with Richard Klapholz taking on the role of executive chairman alongside FIMI colleagues Gillon Beck and Roi Gazit.
Klapholz said FIMI was excited about LDP’s potential, and the group planned to build a “strong, enduring industrial company”.
Of founder Benny Landa, he said: “Benny is the inventor of the technology and the forever founder of the technology.
“We have received his blessing and he has supported the arrangement in the court, but Benny no longer has a function in the company. We will continue to consult with him and meet with him – in fact he came by last week to celebrate Jewish New Year with us – and so the relationship will continue, but we are in a new era.”
International Paper mill closes in Savannah; leaders promise support for workers
Savannah’s International Paper mill closed Tuesday, a difficult day for the hundreds of workers who lost their jobs.
“This was kind of thrown on us. I wasn’t happy about it,” Mayor Van Johnson said, reflecting on the August announcement that the company was closing mills in Savannah and Riceboro, sending shock waves through the community.
Johnson also praised how quickly partners rallied in recent weeks. “The community responded admirably,” he said.
City and regional agencies emphasized immediate help, including a multi-county job fair to connect employees with new opportunities.
Deloitte: CFOs ‘on the fence’ about state of economy
Finance leaders are remaining cautious about the economy with 2026 around the corner.
Deloitte’s latest CFO Signals survey, which captures insights from finance chiefs in North America and around the globe, revealed that the overall level of confidence in current and future business conditions edged up in the third quarter of 2025, coming in at 5.7. The previous quarter, the score stood at 5.4, and one year ago, it was at 5.
Despite the slight increase, CFOs appear to be on the fence about the current status of the North American economy. Only 20% of the respondents think the region’s present economy is “very good” or “good.” Only 8% think it's “very bad” or “bad,” while the rest are neutral.
CFOs remained risk averse in the third quarter, according to Deloitte’s survey. Only 36% of respondents said they think now is a good time to be taking on greater risk. This figure is just slightly above the reading last quarter, and on par with the two-year average of 39%.
Stora Enso finalises the divestment of 12.4% of its Swedish forest holdings
Stora Enso has completed the divestment, announced in May, of approximately 175,000 hectares of forest land, equivalent to 12.4% of its total forest land holdings in Sweden, for an enterprise value of SEK 9.8 billion, equivalent to EUR 900 million.
The buyers are Soya Group (40.6% ownership), and a MEAG-led consortium (44.4%). MEAG is the asset manager of Munich Re, a German insurance company. Stora Enso will retain a 15% ownership in the company.
Following the divestment, Stora Enso retains over 1.2 million hectares of forest land in Sweden, with a fair value of approximately EUR 5.6 billion as of 30 September 2025.
RRD Strengthens Position as Trusted Food Packaging Partner
RRD has expanded its food packaging capabilities, reinforced by its recently earned Safe Quality Food (SQF) and organic food handling certifications, to meet brand and regulatory requirements for safe, traceable food.
RRD’s offerings include:
Integrated Packaging, Labeling & Kitting: Provides a streamlined solution for printing, packaging and kitting requirements with one partner to reduce client logistics costs and improve quality control.
Direct-to-Consumer Shipping: Capable of managing shipping logistics directly to the end consumer, eliminating the need for multiple partners.
Industry-Tailored Solutions: Offers a range of products including labels designed to meet the specific needs of various industries. This includes specialized options for the food industry, such as cold storage labels that ensure proper handling and clear identification of perishable goods in temperature-controlled environments.
Retailer Requirement Expertise: Delivers unmatched understanding of various retailer stipulations, ensuring product compliance.
Sprouts hopes to grow from 450 stores to about 1,400
Fast-growing grocery chain Sprouts Farmers Market has its sights set on opening stores from coast to coast, which would more than triple its location count.
The Phoenix-based retailer surpassed 450 stores in 24 states this year and hopes to eventually reach 1,400 stores throughout the U.S, its CEO Jack Sinclair said Monday during a presentation at the Groceryshop conference in Las Vegas. Sinclair did not share how long it could take to reach that potential scale. Over the past few months, Sprouts opened new stores in Utah, Texas, Tennessee and Maryland, among others. It plans to open at least 35 new stores by the end of this year.
The retailer is growing financially, as well, with an 18% increase in net sales to about $4.5 billion in the first half of the year, according to financial statements. Its net income grew from just over $209 million in the first half of 2024 to almost $314 million a year later.
Midland Mourns the Passing of Co-Owner and CFO Ralph DeLetto
Midland is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ralph DeLetto, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and co-owner of the company. Ralph passed away Monday night following a long and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family.
“Ralph was an extraordinary leader and a trusted partner whose vision and integrity helped shape Midland into the organization it is today,” said Mike Graves, President and Chief Executive Officer. “His contributions to our business and our people were immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire us for many years to come.”
Ralph is survived by his wife, Nancy, and his sons, Michael and Christopher, who are also valued colleagues at Midland.
Northern Ontario paper mill to idle operations, citing lack of financial support
A paper mill in northern Ontario will begin winding down operations after failing to secure immediate financial support from the federal government, the company announced Monday.
Kap Paper said it has received $50 million in loans from the Ontario government, which helped provide short-term stability. It said it had approached Ottawa for funding, but the timing "doesn't appear to be aligning" for a solution to keep the Kapuskasing mill open.
A spokesperson for Kap Paper said about 420 people are employed directly through the company and a total of 2,500 jobs in the region depend on its operation.
The provincial government said it has provided Kap Paper with millions to help cover operating expenses and is "disappointed" that the federal government has failed to join in providing immediate support.
QUAD Reports: Postal, Paper & Logistics update: September 2025
The mailing industry heaved a sigh of relief on Sept. 24 when PMG Steiner announced that Market Dominant mail would not see any rate hikes at the start of 2026.
The Market Dominant category includes First-Class Mail (so, no rise in the price of a stamp), Marketing Mail, Bound Printed Matter and Periodicals.
Explaining the decision, Steiner said: “We continually strive to balance our pricing approach both to meet the revenue needs of the Postal Service and to deliver affordable offerings that reflect market conditions. We have therefore decided at this time to forgo a price change for First-Class Mail postage and other Market Dominant services until mid-year 2026.”
Several coated freesheet producers announced a price increase of about 5% (sheets and rolls) to take effect Oct. 1. Quad is currently negotiating this increase with the producers that announced it.
UPM announced an 8% price increase on its products as of Oct. 1. The company said the higher prices were an effort to recover some of the 15% tariffs it now pays for paper exported to the U.S. from Europe.
The freight market remains relatively stable, though there are several price increases that will affect shippers in the next few months.
Kruger Secures Ecovadis Gold Medal, Now Among World’s Top 5%
Kruger Inc., one of the most diversified privately owned manufacturing companies in North America, secured the EcoVadis 2025 Gold Medal. This international ranking assesses the social and environmental responsibility (SER) performance of companies. With its best result to date (81%), Kruger finished in the top 5% of the best-rated organizations out of 150,000 assessed worldwide over the past 12 months.
The EcoVadis Gold Medal marks a significant milestone for Kruger, which is continuing on its ambitious path to continuous improvement in order to optimize its practices and reduce its environmental footprint at each stage of its value chain.
EcoVadis is one of the world’s leading providers of SER ratings, business intelligence, and collaborative performance improvement tools for supply chains. Its annual assessment covers four key areas: environmental protection, respect of human and labour rights, ethics, and responsible procurement.
CIB loans $660 million towards Irving-Saint John Mill Modernization
Known as Project NextGen, the mill’s modernization plans include a new recovery boiler, steam turbine and generator to produce up to 145 MW of renewable energy.
The mill’s increased capacity will create more than 600 new jobs in the province’s forestry supply chain.
Saint John Mill is owned and operated by Irving Pulp & Paper, one of New Brunswick’s largest employers and exporters.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has reached financial close on a $660 million loan to Irving Pulp & Paper to support the large-scale modernization of the company’s pulp mill in west Saint John, New Brunswick.
Enabled by the CIB’s partnership, the modernization project consists of replacing 1970s era technology with current best-available solutions to improve productivity and maintain mill competitiveness within the sector. This includes a new recovery boiler, steam turbine and generator to produce up to 145 megawatts of renewable energy.
MIDLAND Features Explosive New Products at PRINTING United Expo 2025
MIDLAND is once again proud to participate in PRINTING United Expo 2025 event in Orlando FL. Conveying a commitment to the Graphic Arts community, MIDLAND will unveil compelling new products which are innovative, sustainable, and fulfill unmet needs in the market.
Corporate End Users, Brand Owners, Sign, Display & Point of Purchase printers will see MIDLAND’s Fusion Board, a new pulp-based recyclable FSC® certified rigid board that can replace Foamed PVC, Styrene and other plastic based non-recyclable substrates.
MIDLAND’s new high bright Digital Edge Uncoated for HP Indigo B2+ Press Technology is the highest quality uncoated grade on the market providing stellar ink adhesion at a value-added price point.
MIDLAND’s booth #2345 is a “must” on your list of companies to see at PRINTING United Expo 2025. Stop by our booth and learn how these new products will give you a competitive advantage and boost your bottom line.
Canada Post is on strike. Here’s what you need to know
Canadians got a big surprise late Thursday afternoon, when the union representing Canada's postal workers suddenly called for a nationwide strike.
The move came hours after the federal government announced major reforms to Canada Post, instructing the Crown corporation to end home delivery and close some rural mail outlets.
Canada Post lost $448 million before tax in the first half of 2025, following a loss before tax of $30 million in the first half of 2024.
Why did this happen?
The union representing 55,000 postal workers says it was caught off-guard by the government's changes and argued Canada Post and the government are creating the conditions that drive down demand for its letter and parcel services.
Canada Post workers do not currently have a collective agreement. They've been in contract talks for almost two years over issues like wages and part-time workers, while the postal service keeps incurring significant financial losses.
Earlier this month, the union rejected the government's offer of a 13 per cent pay increase, saying it fell short of the union's demand for 19 per cent.
While CUPW said it was willing to work with Canada Post to allow weekend delivery and the addition of part-time workers, it said the corporation walked away from the negotiating table.
What happens to my mail now?
Canada Post said in a statement that no mail or parcels will be processed or delivered during the strike, and service guarantees for items already in the mail are suspended.
"No new items will be accepted until the national disruption is over," it wrote.
Stora Enso introduces Ensovelvet – a new, premium uncoated paperboard for luxury packaging
Stora Enso is growing its portfolio of premium packaging materials with the launch of Ensovelvet, a new uncoated solid bleached sulfate (SBS) board with velvet-like smoothness on both sides. It is developed for luxury applications such as cosmetics, perfumes, and other premium consumer goods.
Designed to meet demand for natural and renewable solutions in luxury packaging, Ensovelvet offers a unique combination of a natural uncoated surface, excellent stiffness, and reliable folding performance. This bright, premium SBS board provides an enhanced sensory experience while ensuring excellent printability. It is especially well-suited for cosmetics packaging, perfumes, and other high-end applications where touch and appearance are equally important.
Ensovelvet complements Stora Enso’s flagship Ensocoat board, together forming a complete SBS carton range for brand owners and converters seeking versatility across coated and uncoated applications. Both boards are recyclable, supporting the shift towards circular packaging solutions.
Costco Q4 tops Street, to open 35 new warehouses; holiday mix to look ‘different’
Costco Wholesale Corp. reported another solid quarter amid strong e-commerce sales, and as it continues to attract new members.
The retailer’s membership fee income rose 14% to $1.72 billion during the quarter. In September 2024, Costco raised its annual membership fee — the first hike since 2017 — by $5. On the earnings call, CFO Gary Millerchip said that the increase accounted for a little less than half of its membership fee income growth in the quarter.
During the summer Costco gave its premium “Executive” members extra hours to shop in its stores in the morning and on Saturdays. CEO Ron Vachris said during the call that the extra hours had added about 1% to weekly U.S. sales and been “very well received” by members.
Costco opened 27 new warehouses, including three relocations, during its recently completed fiscal year. The company plans to open another 35 warehouses in its new fiscal year, including five relocations, Vachris told analysts.
“We continue to see significant opportunities for expansion both domestically and internationally across the markets where we currently operate,” he told analysts.
Target introduces in-store toy demos, kids’ catalog for the holidays
Target is debuting new experiences centered on toys during the holiday season. For the first time, the big-box retailer is hosting free, in-store toy demonstrations at all stores every weekend from Nov. 8 through Dec. 21, according to a company press release.
The retailer will also debut a kids catalog next month to highlight top gifts for various ages and interests. Shoppers will be able to scan a QR code within the catalog to simplify the creation of wish lists.
Both elements are a means for Target to highlight its toy offerings, as the company centers on affordable options for families. The company is offering thousands of toys under the $20 mark, many of which are new or exclusive products, per the company.
Graphic Packaging International dismissed from containerboard price-fixing lawsuit
Graphic Packaging International has been dismissed from the containerboard price-fixing lawsuit that New York-based Artuso Pastry Foods Corp. filed against eight of the largest fiber product producers in North America, according to court documents.
Judge Mary M. Rowland of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Sept. 25 granted Artuso’s request to voluntarily dismiss GPI. Each party will handle its own attorney fees and related costs.
The documents note the case will continue against the other defendants, which include Cascades, Georgia-Pacific, Greif, International Paper, Packaging Corporation of America, Pratt Industries and Smurfit Westrock.
HEIDELBERG welcomes more than 200 international guests from the printing industry to SHIFT 2025
Enormous cost and competitive pressure, as well as the increasing difficulty of recruiting suitable personnel on the market, are driving the printing industry. An additional challenge is the fact that printing companies now have to generate a significant portion of their revenue, which they previously achieved with high-volume orders, through a large number of small orders. With conventional working methods, it is difficult to manage such an order structure economically. The solution is the consistent digitization and automation of as many processes as possible, as well as the increased use of robotics to reduce manual intervention to an absolute minimum. These topics were addressed at SHIFT 2025, a new two-day event format organized by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) featuring external speakers on the one hand and interactive practical workshops on the other. More than 200 guests from all over Europe and overseas attended the summit.
Special attention was paid to hybrid print production with Speedmaster technology on the one hand and digital printing with Jetfire 50 and Versafire systems on the other. The focus was on fully automated workflow control via the new Prinect Touch Free workflow. The AI-supported software guides an order independently and without human intervention through the entire manufacturing process, always taking into account the most cost-effective production route, available capacity, the current order backlog, and delivery dates. Prinect Touch Free is scheduled to be available from the end of 2025.
U.S. resale market to reach $306 billion by 2030 as seconhand shopping goes mainstream
Secondhand shopping has become commonplace for Americans as inflation and tariffs have increased the price of goods and the stigma around it has faded.
The overwhelming majority (93%) of Americans bought a secondhand item in the past year, while over half (54%) have sold a secondhand item, revealed mobile marketplace OfferUp’s "2025 Recommerce Report." The U.S. re-commerce market is projected to grow 34% by 2030, reaching a valuation of $306.5 billion, accounting for 8% of total retail spending, the report said.
In other findings, while apparel often dominates the resale conversation, it represents only 25% of the resale market, a small fraction of the $200 billion-plus multi-category U.S. recommerce economy.
A majority (70%) of Americans say the stigma around secondhand shopping has lessened over the past year. OfferUp says the shift has been driven by a growing focus on sustainability and reducing waste (56%), the popularity of sharing secondhand finds with friends and family (53%), and the ease of using apps to browse, buy and sell (49%).
FTC secures $2.5 billion settlement with Amazon over Prime practices
Amazon.com Inc. has agreed to pay $2.5 billion and overhaul its popular Prime membership program after federal regulators accused the company of using deceptive tactics to lock millions of consumers into subscriptions and then making it intentionally difficult to cancel.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the deal Sept. 25, calling it one of the largest consumer protection settlements in its history. The order requires Amazon to pay a $1 billion civil penalty — the largest ever tied to a violation of an FTC rule — along with $1.5 billion in refunds to an estimated 35 million customers who were charged for unwanted Prime subscriptions or faced obstacles when trying to leave the service.
FTC chair Andrew Ferguson described the outcome as “a monumental win for the millions of Americans who are tired of deceptive subscriptions that feel impossible to cancel.” He said Amazon’s enrollment and cancellation flows were designed as “subscription traps,” steering consumers into sign-ups without consent and frustrating efforts to exit.
The Backroom: How the holidays are different this year
Heading into the season, shoppers and retailers alike are getting squeezed by tariffs and mounting economic uncertainty.
Throughout the first half of the year, retailers have repeatedly said on earnings calls that consumers are acting resilient. This is despite the fact that macroeconomic pressures, such as tariffs, are impacting both shoppers and companies alike.
Some retailers have continued to see sales rise, even in traditionally discretionary categories, while others are struggling to keep up.
But retailers are responding. Target, for one, recently announced an October deals event — joining Walmart, Amazon and others — to entice consumers to shop early. Ahead of the holidays, Target has doubled its merchandising assortment and expanded its same-day delivery capabilities to new markets.
The mass merchant’s vice president of experiential store operations, Michael Scrafford, recently told Retail Dive during a live virtual event that newness and meeting customers where they shop — in stores or online — is key this season.
Pregis Opens New Illinois Manufacturing Facility, Creating a Paper Converting Center of Excellence
Pregis® opened a new 477,000-square-foot paper converting center in Elgin, Illinois, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 19, 2025. The facility will support over 500 manufacturing jobs and can produce more than 1 billion curbside recyclable paper packaging solutions annually.
The zero-waste production complex, powered entirely by renewable energy through Renewable Energy Credits, will host multiple production lines for the company’s Protective Paper and Mailing Solutions offering. The facility is expected to divert an estimated 33,000 tons of waste from landfills as brands transition from plastic alternatives.
The Elgin site will serve as the company's primary Midwest facility for curbside recyclable paper mailer production. This facility joins four other Pregis mailing facilities nationwide in Arlington, Texas; McDonough, Georgia; Bethel, Pennsylvania; and Reno, Nevada.
Investment in this facility enables Pregis to add capacity, improve manufacturing efficiency, and streamline innovation development while enhancing its robust ecommerce product line and expanding fiber-based protective packaging options that address customers' environmental preferences for widely recyclable materials with critical protective attributes for damage-free delivery.
Jameson Says It’s ‘Unofficial Whiskey’ For American Football Game In Dublin
The first-ever American football game to be held in Ireland takes place Sept. 29, and Jameson Irish Whiskey is ready to commemorate the occasion.
The brand has declared itself the "Unofficial Whiskey for Football Fans," and has created a slew of events both in the U.S. and across the pond, as well as online content in honor of the first game in Dublin.
Bringing “a little Irish mischief, toasting the unexpected moments, and championing fans on their own turf,” the online campaign from Ogilvy runs on Jameson-owned channels and in paid media through Nov. 2.
"Jameson has always stood shoulder to shoulder with the fans, and that's why we are excited … to finally celebrate American football in Dublin," says Valeria Catterini, senior brand director, Jameson at Pernod Ricard USA, in a release. "We can't wait for fans to experience Irish hospitality firsthand as we toast to the game that the fans helped make happen."
AF&PA Calls on EU to Address Non-Tariff Trade Barriers Following Proposal to Delay EUDR Implementation
EUDR Continues to Pose a Critical Trade Risk for U.S. Paper Manufacturing
American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock reacted to the European Commission’s proposal to delay implementation of the European Union Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR):
“AF&PA welcomes a delay and urges the EU to use this period to address more fundamental problems with the EUDR beyond IT system limitations. EUDR is, and continues to be, a non-tariff trade barrier for U.S. forest product exports into the EU. Additional changes are needed to address this regulation and the disproportionate and unworkable obligations on the U.S. pulp and paper industry, which is recognized by the EU as a negligible risk to global deforestation.
“The EUDR, which has been identified as a non-tariff trade barrier by the U.S. Trade Representative, risks over $3.5 billion in annual forest products exports to the EU.
Random Lake commercial printing facility to close next year, eliminating more than 100 jobs
CJK Group announced it will shut down operations in February 2026 at its Random Lake location, affecting 104 employees in salaried and hourly positions. The company cited a significant downturn in business at the location as the reason for the closure.
The company shared the news with employees in an email Monday, Sept. 22, which was also posted on the Department of Workforce Development website.
Layoffs will begin Nov. 21, 2025, and continue in phases until the facility closes completely on Feb. 28, 2026. Of the 104 affected positions, eight are salaried and 96 are hourly.
U.S. Postal Service Announces No Stamp or Market Dominant Price Changes for January 2026
A recommendation by Postmaster General David Steiner not to raise prices in January 2026 for Market Dominant products, which includes First-Class Mail, was accepted by the governors of the United States Postal Service. The price of a stamp to mail a 1-ounce single-piece First-Class letter will not increase in early 2026.
“We continually strive to balance our pricing approach both to meet the revenue needs of the Postal Service and to deliver affordable offerings that reflect market conditions,” Steiner said. “We have therefore decided at this time to forgo a price change for First-Class Mail postage and other Market Dominant services until mid-year 2026.”
Matt Jensen, MIDLAND Postal Affairs Manager clarifies that "Market Dominant" mail includes: first class mail, periodicals, marketing mail including catalogs, and package services. Additional clarification on included mail:
Tabbed catalogs/direct mail under three ounces typically mail as a Marketing Mail letter
Untabbed catalogs/direct mail under one pound typically mail as a Marketing Mail flat
Heavier pieces over one pound typically mail as Package Services
Lancaster Print Crawl Strengthens Community Through Print
On Friday, Sept. 5, downtown Lancaster City was abuzz as its annual Print Crawl returned to the streets to create an immersive print experience for the community. Located in Central Pennsylvania, the small city is not only known for its rich history and notable horse-and-buggy sightings – it’s also home to a thriving arts culture, myriad small businesses, and, of course, print.
Now in its ninth year, the Print Crawl is a self-guided tour through Lancaster’s local print shops and creative spaces where participants create a printed, take-home poster. The crawl features a pay-what-you-can model where visitors receive a blank poster and set out on a one-mile loop. Each stop showcases a different style of printmaking – screen printing, letterpress, laser cut, 3D printing, and more – that adds a unique element to the poster. By the end of the crawl, the once-blank posters have transformed into a finished, collaborative piece of art.
“Lancaster has always been a printing hub, both locally and even internationally,” Megan Zettlemoyer, owner of Lancaster-based Typothecary Letterpress, and the driving force behind the Crawl, notes. “We also have a great design community locally, between our colleges and universities, and design agencies that call Lancaster home. In a world where ‘print is dead’ has become a pretty common phrase, I felt we needed to let our community know that it is very much alive and well here at home.
EU seeks fresh delay to deforestation rules amid IT headaches
IT problems have led The European Commission to propose another delay to the EU's new deforestation rules coming into force.
The regulations, known as EUDR, were set to be implemented in December after already being pushed back.
EUDR, first announced in 2021, was originally due to be enforced on 30 December this year but the Commission faced pressure from parts of the food industry to extend the deadline. Brussels agreed to a one-year delay last December.
“The capacity is not sufficient. We concluded that it needs further work on the IT side and that’s why the Commissioner today announced that we will be speaking with the Parliament and the Council to explain the situation,” the spokesperson said. “This will be followed by our proposal, which will aim to delay by one year to fix this IT issue.”
Earlier today, EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall told reporters Brussels had a “concern regarding the IT system, given the amount of information that we put into the system”.
Under EUDR, companies marketing products including cocoa, coffee and palm oil, as well as foods that contain the ingredients, in the EU will have to demonstrate their supply chains are free from deforestation-related impacts.
Labor Day 2025 Gives us Reason to be Optimistic
Check out the latest report from J.Schmid and CohereOne. The data is in, and Labor Day weekend signaled a strong start to the fall season. The weekend drove strong engagement, with apparel and outdoor brands leading growth. Home retailers also saw strong performance. Read the full report here. https://jschmid.com/marketing-kpis-labor-day-weekend-2025-trends/
Why the Corporate “Greenhushing” Trend on Climate Could be Bad for Business
Climate change has gained intensity with record-breaking global temperatures and extreme weather, but it has lost ground in business communications.
Corporate reports and earnings calls now include fewer references to climate change and even many companies still pursuing net-zero goals are less vocal about their sustainability practices.
The phenomenon called greenhushing started amid the pushback against ESG, or environmental, social and governance (ESG) business practices, and has accelerated under the Trump administration's efforts to roll back climate regulation.
But a number of experts in marketing and business sustainability argue that companies are making a mistake by staying mum on their climate action.
"CEOs should feel confident that climate change does not alienate their investors, customers or employees," John Marshall, CEO and founder of the Potential Energy Coalition, told Newsweek.
Marshall said his work with surveys and focus groups tells him that while the political environment around climate change and sustainability has changed dramatically, "the citizen environment hasn't really changed much at all." Most ordinary people, he said, still hold the same, largely positive opinions of companies that take steps to address climate change.
ODP Corp. and Office Depot go private in $1 billion sale to Atlas Holdings
Private equity firm Atlas Holdings is acquiring The ODP Corp., parent of Office Depot, in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $1 billion.
The agreement underscores ODP’s ongoing pivot from retail office supplies toward its growing business-to-business (B2B) ecommerce and distribution operations. Atlas will pay $28 per share for ODP’s 30.08 million outstanding shares. The companies expect to close the transaction by year’s end. That deal comes as ODP’s market value has shrunk from more than $5 billion a decade ago, reflecting declining consumer demand for paper, printers, and related supplies.
Inside information: UPM initiates a strategic review of UPM Plywood business area
UPM-Kymmene Corporation’s Board of Directors has decided to initiate a strategic review of UPM Plywood business area to assess options for maximizing the long-term potential of the Plywood business in an evolving market environment. The strategic review includes a range of possibilities, including a potential separation from UPM through for example a divestment, partial demerger or initial public offering. The aim is to determine the best path forward for the Plywood business, while also benefiting the value creation for UPM’s shareholders.
“UPM has transformed into a material solutions company with a broad portfolio of attractive businesses. We continuously evaluate opportunities across the portfolio to ensure full value creation potential. The decision to initiate a strategic review of UPM Plywood reflects our commitment to position each UPM business for long-term success,” says Massimo Reynaudo, President and CEO of UPM.
ATA Truck Tonnage Index Rose 0.9% in August
Trucking activity in the United States increased again in August, pushing the level up to the highest point since December 2023. Specifically, truck freight tonnage rose 0.9% after gaining 1.1% in July, according to the American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index.
“The good news is that truck freight volumes had a nice end of the summer,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “However, while I’d like to predict a strong rebound in freight levels through the upcoming holidays, I can’t. I believe traditional seasonal patterns are off this year as shippers adjust to tariffs. Plus, housing remains soft, the slowing labor market is likely to show up in consumer spending at some point, and most manufacturing metrics are either decelerating or declining.”
Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 72.7% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 11.27 billion tons of freight in 2024.* Motor carriers collected $906 billion, or 76.9% of total revenue earned by all transport modes.
Retirees return to the fold to fill Georgia-Pacific’s labor gaps
Since December 2024, Stephen DeClercq has been going to work at Georgia-Pacific’s corrugated plant in Milan, Michigan. That might seem unusual considering the plant closed in 2024, and DeClercq retired in December following 41 years with G-P.
But the company tapped him to be part of its new initiative to fill labor gaps by bringing retirees back into the workforce. For the last nine months, DeClercq has been part of the program and serves as the caretaker at the shuttered Milan plant until it sells. G-P contacted him due to his command of his previous role as the plant’s superintendent.
“When they first asked me about it, I told them I didn’t think so. They asked me again and I decided to go ahead and give it a shot,” DeClercq said. “It’s a good opportunity.”
Program organizers place retirees into positions at G-P — including business units besides packaging, such as lumber and tissue — and other companies owned by parent Koch. They’re encouraged by the early results from the Retiree Talent Network, which launched in November 2024. The initiative is one way manufacturers increasingly are thinking outside the box to attract and keep talent as ongoing manufacturing labor shortages show no signs of easing.
Takeaways from Amazon’s pitch at its annual conference for third-party sellers
At Accelerate, Amazon’s annual conference for third-party sellers in Seattle, the e-commerce giant’s top brass pitched independent merchants on how artificial intelligence will transform selling on its marketplace. Thousands of sellers filled the convention hall for product demos, policy changes and, in a rare appearance, a keynote fireside chat with CEO Andy Jassy.
Jassy, who succeeded founder Jeff Bezos as CEO in 2021, reflected on Amazon’s 25-year partnership with independent sellers, saying that the decision to open the marketplace “was quite an animated debate inside of Amazon” at the time. Ultimately, broader selection and lower prices outweighed internal resistance, he said. Today, more than 60% of units sold on Amazon come from independent sellers, a group Jassy described as “our very top customers.”
In recent years, it has become more common for Amazon leadership to frame sellers as customers, Jeff Cohen, Amazon Ads’s former principal evangelist, recently told Modern Retail. “In the early days, Jeff Bezos always saw the shopper as the primary customer, but there’s been a shift to recognize brands and sellers as customers, too,” he said. That shift is reflected in how Jassy has tried to run Amazon as “the world’s largest startup” — cutting bureaucracy, pushing for faster decision-making and leaning on technology to solve inefficiencies.
But Amazon’s track record shows how difficult that shift can be. Fee hikes, sudden policy changes and complex inventory rules have repeatedly sparked backlash, with merchants saying they feel squeezed by costs and stripped of control. Some sellers have become less loyal to Amazon, branching into platforms like TikTok Shop, Walmart and Shopify.
Schaumburg’s mixed-use Veridian project breaks ground
A mixed-use retail destination is on its way to the site of the former Motorola headquarters outside of Chicago.
Full-service real estate firm UrbanStreet Group has announced the groundbreaking of the Veridian master-planned community’s retail district, a 30-acre "urban-inspired" destination that will bring new shopping, dining and entertainment experiences to Schaumburg, Ill., a northwestern suburb of the Windy City.
The first phase of the retail district at Veridian will deliver 100,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurants, anchored by a 26,000-sq.-ft. The Fresh Market grocery store, along with 321 modern apartments. At full build-out, UrbanStreet says the district will include more than 200,000 sq. ft, of retail and restaurant space and over 600 residential units, adding to the 225-acre site already home to TopGolf.
Scientists predict wildfire smoke will be the most costly climate-related health hazard
Wildfire smoke is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year and will do more harm to U.S. residents by midcentury than any other threat driven by climate change, including extreme heat.
That’s the conclusion of a new research paper that provides some of the most extensive modeling of the growing health toll of wildfire smoke on public health in the U.S.
The study, which was published in the journal Nature on Thursday, found that each year, on average, wildfire smoke is causing more than 41,400 excess deaths, or more than would be normally expected without smoke given the demographics of the U.S. That figure is more than twice what was previously recognized in other studies.
By midcentury, the study’s authors expect that number to grow by an additional 26,500 to 30,000 deaths as human-caused climate change worsens and the risk of wildfires igniting increases.
“Wildfire smoke is a much larger health risk than we might have understood previously,” said Marshall Burke, a professor of environmental social sciences at Stanford University and a study author.
AAP June 2025 StatShot Report: Overall Publishing Industry Down 1.3% for Month of June, and Down 1.7% Year-To-Date
The Association of American Publishers (AAP) released its StatShot report for June 2025 reflecting reported revenue for Trade (Consumer Books), Religious Presses, Higher Education Course Materials, and Professional Publishing.
Total revenues across all categories for June 2025 were down 1.3% as compared to June 2024, coming in at $1.1 billion. Year-to-date revenues were down 1.7%, at $6.3 billion for the first six months of the year.
Year-to-date Trade revenues were down 2.8% at $4.3 billion for the first six months of the year. Hardback revenues were up 0.7%, coming in at $1.5 billion; Paperbacks were down 8.1%, with $1.5 billion in revenue; Mass Market was down 29.8% to $42.0 million; and Special Bindings were down 1.5%, with $89.9 million in revenue.
Designing the future: Canva named winner in Fast Company’s 2025 Innovation by Design Awards
Canva is incredibly proud to share that Fast Company has recognized Canva in its 2025 Innovation by Design Awards. We’ve been named a winner in the Large Business category, and a finalist in both the Artificial Intelligence Design and Design Company of the Year categories.
These honors are a celebration of our community, our team, and the power of visual communication to move the world forward.
Being recognized by Fast Company alongside some of the world’s most forward-thinking brands is a reminder of not only how far we’ve come, but how much possibility still lies ahead.
How brands and retailers are preparing for GEO, ‘the future of SEO’
After years of retooling their businesses for search engines, brand and retail leaders say they’re getting ready for a new frontier: GEO.
The term, which means generative engine optimization, refers to optimizing web content to show up in results from AI-driven search platforms, like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. It’s a new way for brands to stand out and reach customers, especially considering that nearly 60% of U.S. consumers have used a generative AI tool for help with online shopping, per an August 2025 survey from Omnisend. If a customer asks an AI engine about buying lip gloss or a T-shirt, the relevant brands want to make sure they show up.
But it’s not an easy journey, executives conceded this week in interviews with Modern Retail and during panels at Shoptalk Fall in Chicago. Brands and retailers have spent decades crafting their SEO playbook, figuring out which keywords to include on product pages, blogs and additional web content to show up in Google or Yahoo. Now, with GEO, platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity are pulling and ranking information — oftentimes, in response to hyper-specific inquiries, rather than one-word or two-word requests. This could also have financial consequences for brands, especially as these agents start enabling checkout.
BPI introduces home compostable certification, label
The Biodegradable Products Institute for the first time added a home compostable certification to complement its commercially compostable product certification, the group revealed Thursday at its annual summit in Atlanta. It also unveiled a new label for the combined Commercial & Home Compostable Certification program.
The new certification identifies products that break down completely in the lower temperatures of home compost piles, in addition to meeting the existing certification criteria. This will expand citizens’ access to composting options, said BPI Executive Director Rhodes Yespen during an interview, adding that, “We really just need more options for individuals.”
BPI plans to launch educational campaigns about the changes in the coming months. The program will officially launch on Dec. 1, and BPI will begin accepting applications at that time.
Total U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Shipments Increased 5% in August 2025
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has released the August 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in August increased 5% compared to August 2024. They were down 1% when compared to the same eight months of 2024.
The bleached operating rate increased to 78.2%, tying January 2025 for the highest level over the last 15 months.
Unbleached bag & sack shipments were up 6% from last August, but down 5.4% year to date.
Total inventories were up 7.3% from the same month last year.
Billerud initiates cost savings to strengthen competitiveness
Billerud has decided to launch a cost saving program targeting annualized savings of SEK 800 million. The planned cost savings will affect Billerud’s European operations and Group functions globally and will include reduction of up to 650 positions.
Due to the weakened market conditions in Europe, which has resulted in a negative profit trend, Billerud has decided to launch a cost saving program targeting annualized savings of SEK 800 million. The planned cost saving program is expected to have a noticeable positive impact from the first quarter of 2026, and to reach full effect at the end of 2026.
NRF: Halloween spending to hit record $13.1B
Concerns about price increases due to tariffs won’t stop consumers from celebrating Halloween this year.
Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $13.1 billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The figure is up from $11.6 billion last year and tops the previous $12.2 billion record set in 2023.
Per-person spending has reached a record high of $114.45. That's nearly $11 more than last year and up from the previous record of $108.24 in 2023.
Most Halloween shoppers (79%) anticipate prices will be higher this year specifically because of tariffs, the survey found. Despite reservations, nearly three-quarters of consumers (73%) plan to celebrate the holiday, in line with last year’s 72%.
Candy continues to be the most popular purchase, with total spending expected to reach $3.9 billion. Across other categories, 71% plan to purchase costumes and spending is expected to reach $4.3 billion.
Seaman Paper Launches Heat-Sealable Paper Packaging: A Scalable, Recyclable Alternative to Single-Use Plastics.
SeamanPaper, a global leader in sustainable paper-based packaging, today announced the launch of its new line of heat-sealable, curbside recyclable paper packaging solutions. Designed to directly replace single-use plastic bags, these FSC™-certified (FSC™ C102652) alternatives combine sustainability, durability, and efficiency – without requiring brands to overhaul existing equipment.
Seaman Paper’s heat-sealable solutions are available in a variety of substrates, weights, and formats designed to accommodate a wide range of applications and converting equipment. Fully compatible with most OEM form-fill-seal (FFS) and horizontal flow-wrapper equipment, the offering includes translucent, kraft, and opaque constructions, and is available in both flat sheet and heat sealable tube formats.
EPA announces intent to defend PFAS hazardous substance designation
The U.S. EPA says it will defend its rule designating certain PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, according to a court document filed by the Justice Department on behalf of the EPA on Wednesday.
The hazardous substance designation for two types of PFAS — PFOS and PFOA — was first set last year under the Biden administration. The National Waste & Recycling Association and other groups sued the EPA in 2024 over the matter, saying the designation unfairly exposes them to liability expenses because they are “passive receivers” that do not have control over PFAS-laden materials that enter their facilities.
The EPA also said it intends to develop a new rule on how it might craft any future hazardous substance designations under CERCLA, including cost considerations. “The best, most enduring solution to this issue is a statutory fix to protect passive receivers from liability, which EPA would follow to the letter of the law,” the agency said.
Xerox Re-enters Inkjet Market With Launch of Cut-Sheet Press
Xerox’s decision to re-enter the cut-sheet inkjet market through its partnership with Kyocera Document Solutions marks a notable strategic pivot. After shuttering its Baltoro platform and withdrawing from inkjet manufacturing, Xerox is now leaning on Kyocera’s proven hardware expertise to re-establish its presence in this fast-growing segment.
The launch this week of the Xerox IJP900 Inkjet Press, with its 146-ppm speed, broad substrate support, and automated maintenance features, demonstrates that Xerox is aiming squarely at the mid-volume production space where demand for inkjet is accelerating. The decision to show the new press at PRINTING United Expo will give print service providers a chance to see it for themselves.
Red Bull, Ball move ahead with $1.7B factory after 4-year delay
Red Bull broke ground on a new $1.7 billion facility in Concord, North Carolina, following a four-year delay.
The facility is a joint manufacturing and distribution center from Red Bull packaging supplier Ball Corp. and Austrian beverage company Rauch Fruchtsäfte. It’s the second manufacturing plant for the companies in the U.S., and is meant to meet local market demand, according to a Red Bull spokesperson.
The 2.36 million-square-foot facility is expected to begin operations in 2028 and reach its maximized capacity by 2031, a spokesperson said. It will fill up to 3 billion cans annually and is expected to create 700 jobs.
Austria-based Red Bull is building the North Carolina facility as the global energy drink market is seeing growth — it’s projected to reach $125 billion by 2030.
Domtar Supports the Construction of the TERRE Center in Jonquière
Domtar joined Cégep de Jonquière and other public and private partners to support the development of the TERRE Center. The TERRE Center will be a CAN$23 million renewable energy research facility in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Québec.
Domtar’s Wood Products business contributed lumber construction materials at the start of the TERRE Center’s construction in August.
“At Domtar, we firmly believe that innovation comes through collaboration. Supporting a project like the TERRE Center, which combines knowledge, technology and sustainability, means investing in the future of our industry and our community,” says Michael Plourde, Director of Technical Services and Planning at Domtar.
The donation, made alongside Boréal, reaffirms Domtar’s deep roots in the region and its support for high-impact community projects. It also champions the company’s 2030 sustainability strategy objective of reaching $20 million in community investments over five years.
Gen Z Opens it: The Power of Direct Mail
In a world dominated by likes, swipes, and scrolls, it might sound counterintuitive—but young adults are drawn to direct mail and the tangible, personal connection it brings.
Gen Z (those born in the late 90s to early 2010s), the first fully digital-native generation, isn’t just glued to their screens. They’re actively engaging with marketing that shows up offline—especially in the form of tangible, thoughtfully designed mail.
Gen Z Is Paying Attention to Print
Raised in a digital world, this generation craves authenticity, tangibility, and real-world experiences that stand out from the constant scroll of online content.
Gen Z grew up digital, but that also means they’re used to being constantly advertised to—on every platform that they interact with. Digital fatigue is real. For brands seeking to cut through the noise, direct mail is emerging as a go-to tactic for meaningful and memorable engagement with this powerful audience.
Introducing Education Bridge: The Industry’s First Comprehensive Service Suite for K-12 Publishers
Education Bridge is an unparalleled suite of services and solutions designed specifically to support K–12 educational publishers—connecting concept to classroom through an integrated offering delivered by KnowledgeWorks Global Ltd. (KGL), Sheridan, and Continuum, three companies united under CJK Group.
Combining the specialized expertise of KGL, Sheridan, and Continuum, Education Bridge serves as a single point of support for content creation, printing and manufacturing, in-class experiences and sourcing, and fulfillment. Together, these services form a tailored solution, thoughtfully developed to help K-12 educational publishers streamline complex processes, shorten timelines, and efficiently deliver high-quality content and learning products with confidence.
“With tight deadlines, complex workflows, and an ever-changing learning landscape, K–12 publishers face challenges that demand thoughtful, end-to-end solutions,” said Atul Goel, President of Continuum and KGL. “By uniting our companies’ strengths, we’re offering the first-ever comprehensive support suite for educational publishers, enabling them to optimize operations and focus on creating impactful learning experiences.”
Sealed Air Launches AUTOBAG® Brand 850HB Hybrid Bagging Machine for Paper and Poly Mailers
Fulfillment operations today face growing pressure to handle more orders with fewer resources, adapt to shifting material requirements and deliver more sustainable packaging options. Sealed Air is helping its customers meet these challenges by expanding its industry-leading AUTOBAG® brand portfolio with the addition of the AUTOBAG® 850HB Hybrid Bagging Machine — a new automated bagging system engineered to run both poly and paper mailers, giving fulfillment teams the flexibility to choose the right packaging for every order while improving efficiency and supporting curbside recyclable formats.
The AUTOBAG® 850HB Hybrid Bagging Machine strengthens Sealed Air's ability to deliver a complete range of protective packaging solutions. By supporting both curbside recyclable paper and traditional poly mailers in one system, it enables fulfillment operations to adapt packaging without slowing throughput. This balance of efficiency, product protection and material flexibility helps e-commerce, direct-to-consumer brands and third-party logistics providers meet the demands of modern fulfillment.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
Hats off to the drivers who get it done for the business every day. We especially want to acknowledge and honor the 105 drivers at MIDLAND. We could not be successful without your commitment to the work that you do. Thanks very much!
OutNature and LEIPA break new ground with straw fibres
At our site in Schwedt/Oder, we are building a new, innovative straw fibre production plant together with our partner OutNature, a brand of PreZero (Schwarz Group). This marks an important milestone for sustainable paper production and opens up exciting prospects for the future.
Straw offers a number of advantages as a raw material for fibre production. As a by-product of agricultural grain processing, it does not require any additional cultivation areas. Furthermore, cultivation in Germany contributes to short transport routes, which reduces emissions. Straw fibres make it possible to dispense with fresh wood fibres and, thanks to their excellent strength properties, contribute to the production of comparable paper qualities.
LEIPA plans to use straw fibres in combination with waste paper at its Schwedt/Oder site. We currently process over one million tonnes of waste paper per year in Schwedt to produce various types of paper for packaging and graphic applications.
The core of the straw fibre production plant consists of a BioTrac plant from Valmet. Test results show that the strength properties of straw fibres significantly exceed those of waste paper, which is an exciting development.
Smurfit Westrock recognized in Sustainability Magazine’s Top 250 Sustainability Companies 2025
Smurfit Westrock is pleased to announce that it has been recognized as one of the Top 250 World’s Most Sustainable Companies by Sustainability Magazine.
The official Top 250 World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025 list launched on September 9, 2025, during Sustainability LIVE London.
This prestigious ranking celebrates the organizations leading the way in sustainability, ESG and climate action around the world. Compiled by Sustainability Magazine, a BizClik brand, the list recognizes companies driving measurable impact through innovation, leadership and long-term commitment to sustainable business practices.
“We are honored to be included in the Top 250 World’s Most Sustainable Companies list,” said Garrett Quinn, chief sustainability officer, Smurfit Westrock. “This recognition reflects our commitment to the circular economy, which is at the heart of our business, and our belief that sustainable business is good business.”
Quinn added, “Since 2017, a team of our highly skilled designers have been dedicated to our Better Planet Packaging initiative, developing and implementing innovative, sustainable solutions and supporting our customers’ ambitions to reduce waste and lower carbon emissions through the entire packaging supply chain.”
Monthly retail sales from the US Commerce Department
Every month, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau releases its first calculation of the previous month’s retail sales. Retail Dive reports on the results for core retail segments, (minus food, auto and fuel), using year-over-year comparisons.
With a boost from the back-to-school season and higher prices as tariffs fuel inflation, August retail sales in the segments covered by Retail Dive rose 5.5% year over year, according to numbers released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Commerce. E-commerce soared over 8%.
“Consumer goods prices rose 0.5% in August, and 0.3% when excluding food and energy, suggesting a big part of the gain in sales actually stems from consumers paying higher prices rather than buying more goods last month,” Wells Fargo economists Tim Quinlan and Shannon Grein said in a research note following the government’s report.
Broadly, underlying volumes rose by a scant 0.4%, “a marked deterioration from the 1.4% volume increase produced last month,” according to GlobalData research.
The e-commerce surge was likely fueled by sales events last month, according to GlobalData Managing Director Neil Saunders. It’s notable because retail sales have been volatile month to month overall, but e-commerce has been up for 11 of the past 12 months, according to Wells Fargo.
Corrugated comeback? Fiber’s yearslong slide could be easing
Forrest Gump famously referenced life’s uncertainty with an analogy to a box of chocolates. A similar comparison could be made now for containerboard and box markets: “You never know what you’re gonna get.”
A sustained down cycle for fiber markets could soon end, in part due to this year’s uncommonly large containerboard capacity reductions and a milder-than-feared tariff environment, analysts cautiously suggest.
“Time will tell, but this complexion of results suggests that we are approaching an inflection (hopefully positive) based on our experience,” said George Staphos, BofA Securities research analyst.
The capacity reductions could help to rebalance supply and demand, correcting a yearslong oversupply that has plagued both North American and global markets. Yet improvements are not expected to be robust or materialize quickly, analysts say.
RaboResearch expects containerboard demand to experience a “modest” recovery, with a 0.53% compound annual growth rate through the second quarter of 2027.
UPM Communication Papers strengthens commitment to U.S. market with long-term shipping partnership and port expansion
UPM Communication Papers is expanding its logistics presence in the United States through a renewed shipping partnership and new port operations. Starting next year, UPM will continue its long-term freight agreement with Dutch shipping company Spliethoff, maintaining regular shipments from Europe to Jacksonville, Florida. A new port contract with Enstructure, effective this autumn, will additionally enable deliveries to Wilmington, Delaware. "These agreements reflect our strong commitment to the North American market and reinforce our promise to deliver reliable and efficient service to our customers across the region," says Gunnar Eberhardt, Executive Vice President, UPM Communication Papers.
On January 1, 2026, UPM will renew its long-standing collaboration with Spliethoff, one of Europe’s largest and most experienced shipping companies. For over 25 years, Spliethoff has reliably transported a broad range of UPM business area offerings - including products from UPM Communication Papers, Specialty Papers, Plywood, and Fibres - from Europe to global markets.
Walmart not meeting 2025, 2030 emissions goals, but remains committed to sustainability: report
The retail giant met nearly 50% of its global electricity needs through renewable energy sources and is still working toward achieving zero emissions by 2040.
Walmart confirmed in its latest sustainability report that it anticipates delays in achieving its emissions reduction targets for 2025 and 2030, but reiterated its commitment to taking “meaningful” climate action and lowering its carbon footprint.
The retail giant said it procured 48.5% of its global electricity needs from renewable energy sources last year and 30.6% of its electricity needs were supplied through renewable energy contracts. The company has a goal of using renewable energy to power half of its global operations by 2025 and 100% of its operations by 2035.
Michelman Advances Primer Development for HP Indigo 6K and 8K Digital Presses
Michelman, Cincinnati, Ohio, is expanding its DigiPrime® Vision series with a newly developed primer designed to support pressure-sensitive label applications on HP Indigo 6K and 8K Digital Presses.
This latest addition reflects Michelman’s ongoing commitment to innovation and responsiveness to evolving customer needs. Engineered to enhance operational flexibility, the primer demonstrates improved runnability, a broader operating window and simplified maintenance—while maintaining the trusted substrate compatibility and performance standards of the DigiPrime family.
“Our development efforts have focused on delivering a solution that aligns with the practical demands of press operators and converters,” said Lisa DiGate, vice president, Global Digital Printing at Michelman. “We’re looking forward to engaging with customers through expanded field trials to validate performance
across diverse production environments.”
Michelman’s portfolio of water-based, PFAS-free primers supports a wide range of HP Indigo Digital Presses, from the 6K to the 200K and V12. Like its predecessors, the new primer is designed with sustainability and compliance in mind, including suitability for food contact applications and compatibility with recycling processes.
FedEx to levy 5.9% rate hike, higher surcharges in 2026
FedEx’s rate jump is an annual fixture in the parcel delivery world, and the upcoming hike mirrors the 5.9% increase it implemented in 2024 and 2025. Rival UPS levies similar price bumps each year, although the carrier hasn’t announced a 2026 increase as of Friday.
The January price increase from FedEx comes as shippers grapple with heightened delivery costs due to surcharges and reduced discounting activity. The TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index reported in July that per-package ground delivery rates reached a record high in Q2 and are expected to remain elevated.
Although FedEx is hiking various surcharges, the bump for additional handling and oversized shipping fees is much lower than it was in 2025, parcel analyst and LPF Spend Management founder Nate Skiver said on LinkedIn. For example, a weight-based additional handling surcharge for a Zone 2 shipment increased by $9 to $43.50 in FedEx’s previous annual rate hike. That fee will increase by $2.50 to $46 in 2026.
Voith breaks ground on a multi-million-dollar expansion of West Monroe, Louisiana roll service center
On Sept. 10, 2025, Voith broke ground on a multi-million-dollar project that will expand and modernize its roll service center in West Monroe, Louisiana – adding more than 20 new jobs and supporting the local economy.
In addition to expanding capacity, the investment into the facility will enhance logistical processes, supporting a faster and more seamless service experience for Voith customers. The size of the roll service center will increase by almost 50% – adding workspace as well as a dedicated training center to support the critical hands-on training of skilled trade experts in the industry.
The Voith facility offers a wide variety of roll services for customers who are in the papermaking industry. Services offered include operations and optimization of products; mechanical roll services such as rebuilds, grinding, balance and vibration analysis; roll coverings; roll and part replacements, as well as spreader roll rebuilds and repairs.
Consumer confidence falls on dimming outlook for labor market
Consumer sentiment slumped in September for the second consecutive month, dragged down by worries about job security, price pressures and the outlook for U.S. business, the University of Michigan said Friday, describing survey results.
The university’s survey results echo those from the Conference Board and Federal Reserve Bank of New York, highlighting that faster inflation and a cooling job market are undermining consumer confidence.
“Economic sentiment declined more than expected in September largely because Americans are fearful of losing their jobs,” Navy Federal Credit Union Chief Economist Heather Long said Friday. “After months of a frozen job market with little hiring outside of healthcare, people now see more industries turning to layoffs.”
“The American consumer is feeling the squeeze from tariffs,” Long said, noting that “they are starting to see price increases on everything from food to furniture to auto repair.”
Although consumers are still spending, “they are on edge and will be ready to shut their wallets if layoffs pick up this fall and winter,” she said.