Peter Oswald, MM CEO, comments: “The MM Group recorded a decline in both Group sales and adjusted operating profit in the 1st quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year’s value, due to the earnings performance in the Board & Paper division. The destocking in the supply chain has been largely completed, leading to a significant recovery of volumes sold in Board & Paper. However, pressure on margins continued as expected, as price increases will only compensate for the recent rise in production costs from the 2nd quarter onwards. In contrast, the Packaging division recorded a slight increase in results compared to the previous year, even though the margin was below the strong level of the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2023. Against this background, the profit & cash protection programme, which has already been successfully implemented, and the measures to intensify market penetration will be systematically continued in 2024.

Metsä Board, the leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards and part of Metsä Group, is proud to have been awarded again the Platinum level rating by EcoVadis for the company’s sustainability and corporate social responsibility. With a top score of 83/100 Metsä Board is among the highest 1% of companies assessed in the manufacture of corrugated paper and paperboard and containers of paper and paperboard. EcoVadis assesses companies covering four themes: Metsä Board was in the top 1% of companies for Environment, Labour & Human Rights and Sustainable Procurement and in the top 4% for Ethics.

Pregis continues to expand its Easypack® portfolio of paper-based packaging solutions with the introduction of GeoTerra™, a sustainable, expandable paper product that provides light cushioning and interleaving protection. Made from recyclable Kraft paper, GeoTerra helps brands throughout the North American market meet their environmental goals while providing customers more circular curbside recyclable packaging options. This inside-the-box packaging is a wrappable solution that is efficient to store and use while also providing exceptional protection attributes. GeoTerra expands during dispensing forming a lattice structure that provides a protective cushioning and interleaving for fragile products, such as glassware, cosmetics, candles, and jarred food products. The pattern nests together to lock products in place, providing six-sided protection without the need for tape or fastening, further increasing efficiency and convenience. GeoTerra arrives in compact and stackable rolls to minimize warehouse space. The proprietary dispenser is designed for easy tension adjustment allowing for a quick pull, tear, and pack motion, and the rolls are light weight and easy to load on the dispenser. The GeoTerra rolls are also available in a convenient dispenser box for mobile packing needs.