Paper Clips

A week after the white liquor tank implosion disaster, the Longview community mourns the 11 people killed. Implications are emerging for paper and packaging industry supply chains. The pain and sense of loss is palpable in this 38,000-person community in Southwest Washington, as well as in the surrounding areas of the state and neighboring Oregon. Gov. Bob Ferguson called for Washington state agency buildings’ flags to remain at half staff through sunset on June 7. For generations, Longview has had the distinction of being a “mill town,” even as the industrial strip has grown to include other industries such as metals production. Locals describe a tight-knit community where nearly everyone knows someone who has worked at one of the wood or paper mills. Nippon Paper continues to state that the Longview incident’s impact on production, shipments and financial performance is still being assessed. But the paper and packaging industry is beginning to get a sense of current and potential future supply chain effects from the production curtailment. Analysts are flagging that fallout from the Nippon Dynawave incident likely will ripple through the paper and packaging industry. The Longview mill produces roughly 300,000 metric tons of paperboard for cartons and cups annually.

White liquor, a superheated chemical mixture used to break down wood into paper pulp, is at the center of the deadly tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave paper mill in Longview. The facility employs a common process for making paper known as kraft or kraft pulping. In kraft pulping, wood chips are processed under high pressure and heat (anywhere from 300 to 330 degrees Fahrenheit) while being exposed to extremely caustic chemicals that cause the wood to break down into pulp. White liquor is one of the three main chemical solutions used in this paper-making process. It's a highly alkaline solution, similar to bleach, that will cause severe chemical burns if it comes into contact with skin.  White liquor is arguably the strongest and most important substance in kraft pulping. It's the first compound that the wood is exposed to, and it quickly breaks down the wood chips into a thick pulp. Almost half of the wood completely dissolves into the liquid. Ultimately this compound is extremely dangerous. The chemical solution is so hot and caustic that it will almost immediately cause second and third-degree burns upon contact with skin. Vapors released by white liquor are also flammable, and can cause damage to the eyes, lungs and throat if inhaled.

UPM has signed a definitive agreement to form a graphic paper Joint Venture with Sappi, and the parties have secured financing arrangements that will provide a robust financial standing for the Joint Venture. A non-binding letter of intent (LOI) on the transaction was signed on December 4, 2025. As earlier announced, the planned Joint Venture will include the entire UPM Communication Papers business and Sappi’s graphic paper business in Europe. The Joint Venture will be owned 50/50 by UPM and Sappi. It will operate as an independent company, managing its own operations, resources, and decisions within agreed shareholder boundaries.

The company said it’s evaluating impacts to shipments following an incident at Nippon Dynawave Packaging, which produces paperboard cartons, cups and other products. A deadly incident occurred at Nippon Dynawave Packaging’s pulp and paper mill on Tuesday morning in Longview, Washington, where a chemical tank containing white liquor imploded. The site produces three-layer bleached paperboard, among other outputs.  The Longview Fire Department and other emergency responders have been offering updates. One person is confirmed dead, nine people are unaccounted for, and there were nine confirmed injuries, as of the most recent update. Additional rescues are not expected, according to local news outlets. Japan-based parent company Nippon Paper confirmed in a notice Wednesday that a chemical tank at the facility collapsed, resulting in “multiple casualties,” and the cause of the accident is currently under investigation. “The impact of this accident on our financial performance, the environment, production, and shipments is currently being assessed,” the company said. “We express our deepest condolences and offer our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. We also sincerely apologize for the immense concern and inconvenience this has caused to the local community, our business partners, and all related parties,” Nippon Paper wrote.

One person was killed, nine were injured and nine others remain missing after a major chemical implosion at a Longview pulp and paper mill Tuesday morning, authorities said. The rupture of a tank was reported around 7:20 a.m. at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, according to the city’s fire department. The incident involved a vat of chemical treatment product described as white liquor. Eight employees and a firefighter were injured; it’s unclear if the person who died was an employee. All nine of the people who remain unaccounted for work at the mill, according to a joint statement sent by the city of Longview shortly before 5 p.m.

It is with profound sadness that the family of Robert Kenneth Irving mark his passing today in Moncton, New Brunswick, following a courageous battle with cancer. Robert K. Irving, Co-CEO of J.D. Irving, Limited, was born on December 3, 1954, in Saint John, New Brunswick. He was the second-oldest son of James Kenneth Irving and Jean Elizabeth Saunders Irving, a grandson of K.C. Irving, and a devoted brother to James (Jim), Mary-Jean and Judith. Together with his wife of nearly 40 years, Jill (née Gougeon), he raised four children: Megan (Jordan), Meredith (Lance), Olivia (Christopher), and Robert James (R.J.) (Samantha). His children were a great source of pride and joy, and he celebrated their accomplishments with love and admiration. That joy only grew when he became a grandfather to Warren, Sutton, Collins, and Fraser – a role he cherished deeply. An innovative and tireless entrepreneur, Robert established and grew successful businesses in various sectors including paper products, food processing, agriculture and transportation. He believed in doing things right the first time and no detail was too small to ignore. He embodied a sentiment his father often quoted: “The best fertilizer is the farmer’s footsteps in the soil.” He thrived on being where the action was – in the fields with farmers, on the manufacturing floor, or in transport terminals. He especially enjoyed meeting with customers at their offices or hosting them at J.D. Irving locations.

Sylvamo is making significant progress on $145 million in high-return projects at its South Carolina facilities.  The investments will improve long-term efficiency, lower costs and increase capacity at the company’s Eastover, South Carolina mill, only strengthening its position as one of the most competitive paper mills in the world.  These projects are part of an overall strategy to invest in low-risk, high-return projects that strengthen business and create long-term value. The $100 million project to optimize and speed up the No. 2 Paper Machine remains on schedule, with most work planned during the extended fourth-quarter maintenance outage. Once complete, this project is expected to improve flexibility, reduce costs and enhance product mix across both paper machines, resulting in approximately 60,000 additional short tons of uncoated freesheet annually.

International Paper has acquired Delmarva Corrugated Packaging in Dover, Delaware. The strategic acquisition of this facility will enhance International Paper's capabilities, expand its market presence, and increase its capacity to produce the highest-quality sustainable packaging solutions for customers.

Fastmarkets reports that Sappi North America sold 106,000 tonnes of graphic papers in the first quarter of 2025, or 18.5% less compared with the 130,000 tonnes sold in the same quarter last year. Slightly lower than the 103,000 tonnes sold in the fourth quarter of 2025.

A Canadian First: The new production line will manufacture a new generation of plastic-free, chemical-free materials Kruger Inc. today announced a $333 million investment marking its entry into the nonwovens sector and advancing its long-term portfolio diversification strategy. This new division will focus on manufacturing some of the industry’s most sustainable materials for a broad range of wipe applications. Central to this major project is the installation of the first production line of its kind in Canada, to be built on Île-de-la-Potherie in Trois-Rivières, adjacent to Kruger’s Wayagamack paper mill, with commissioning scheduled for 2028. Key characteristics of the future materials Nonwoven materials made from 100% natural ingredients, including wood fibres sourced from responsibly managed forests, primarily from Canada Plastic-free and chemical-free Biodegradable and compostable Wet and dry strength, high absorbency, and added bulk for a more cloth-like feel, all exceeding current industry standards

Tony Smurfit, President and Group Chief Executive of Smurfit Westrock, was presented with the ‘Distinguished Leadership Award’ at The Ireland Funds’ 50th Anniversary Gala in New York on May 7. This award recognizes an individual whose leadership and pioneering contributions have made a lasting impact on the world. At the event, Tony was commended for being an ‘outstanding’ business leader for his role at the helm of a packaging giant which spans 40 countries.  “It’s both an honor and a privilege to receive this prestigious award from The Ireland Funds,” said Tony Smurfit. “At Smurfit Westrock, I work alongside a team of talented and dedicated people who have all played their part in building the global leader in sustainable packaging that we have today. It’s quite a transformation journey from where we started with one small box plant in Dublin.”

The paper and building products company is using guidance developed by nonprofit GS1, which manages UPC standards. Seven states have passed extended producer responsibility laws: California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington. UPC barcodes are used by more than 2 million companies globally. Georgia-Pacific is adding packaging-specific metrics, including the glue and tape. Georgia-Pacific has started tracking package weight, materials and origins — alongside traditional retail metrics — using existing barcodes.  That change will make it simpler for the maker of Brawny and Dixie products to prepare filings for extended produce

The hygiene and health company Essity initiates a strategic review of the Consumer Tissue business area's global operations. The review will evaluate strategic alternatives with the aim of creating the best possible conditions for the Consumer Tissue business and the Group to develop to their full potential and maximize value creation. "Essity's Consumer Tissue business has a strong offering under its own brands, retailer brands, and through private label, with leading market positions and an efficient supply chain. The strategic review will evaluate different options for the ownership of Consumer Tissue and is part of our efforts to optimize Essity's product portfolio and maximize value creation," says Ulrika Kolsrud, President and CEO, Essity.

Twin Rivers Paper today announced the acquisition of Potsdam Specialty Paper Inc. , a leader in the development and manufacturing of specialty latex, acrylic, and other saturated base papers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. PSPI's paper mill in Potsdam, New York, adds 26,000 tons of annual production capacity to Twin Rivers' asset base.

Suzano, the world’s largest pulp producer, announces its results for the first quarter of 2026 (1Q26), achieving a new all‑time record in pulp sales. Over the 12‑month period from April 2025 to March 2026, the company sold 12.7 million tonnes of pulp, the highest volume ever recorded in its history. During the same period, Suzano also sold 1.7 million tonnes of paper across the packaging, printing and writing, specialty, and tissue segments.

UPM has been included among the leading companies and as the only company in its sector in the Dow Jones World and European Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for 2025–2026, placing it among the world's most rigorously assessed sustainability leaders for several years in a row. The DJSI evaluates thousands of the world's largest companies based on environmental, social and governance performance. Companies are evaluated through S&P Global's Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and only the top-ranked in each industry are selected for inclusion. “This recognition reflects the disciplined work we have done across our company for years. UPM offers a broad range of materials and solutions that hundreds of millions of people rely on every day. The renewable fibres, advanced materials, and decarbonization solutions we offer transform supply chains and enable daily sustainable choices,” says Saara Tahvanainen, EVP, UPM Marketing, Sustainability and Communications.

Avondale Global Gateway (AGG) and Suzano today announced a five-year terminal services agreement that will bring regular wood pulp imports back to Louisiana for the first time in more than 30 years. Under the agreement, AGG will serve as one of Suzano’s terminals in the Central Gulf Coast for their wood pulp shipments arriving from Brazil, to be distributed across North America by rail. The first vessel is scheduled to arrive at AGG in the first week of May this year. The agreement marks a significant milestone for both Louisiana and Suzano, the world’s largest pulp supplier and one of Brazil’s biggest exporters which has been present in the American market for over 40 years.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company , a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, announced a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. Through the agreement, NextEra Energy Resources plans to build a 250-megawatt solar energy plant in West Texas, advancing Graphic Packaging's commitment to source renewable electricity and reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This North America agreement builds on the momentum from a VPPA that Graphic Packaging supported in Spain, consisting of three solar plants expected to cover 70% of the company's energy demand in Europe. Renewable energy is a key driver within Graphic Packaging's Better, Every Day sustainability program, which aims to reduce the Company's GHG emissions and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

“The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) opposes proposals to expand Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) incentives to include whole trees, pulpwood and other woody biomass. These policies would raise wood fiber costs and put U.S. pulp and paper mill jobs at risk. This initiative runs contrary to the Administration’s efforts to reshore U.S. manufacturing. “Renewable fuel incentives should not sacrifice U.S. mill jobs by incentivizing wood fiber away from the manufacturing sector. Expanding RFS incentives to whole trees or pulpwood would distort the market for fiber and undermine mill competitiveness.

UPM announced in December 2025 the conclusion of a non-binding letter of intent to form a graphic paper Joint Venture with Sappi. The proposed transaction is subject to merger control approval from the European Commission and authorities in other jurisdictions such as the US and China. On April 28, 2026 the European Commission announced the opening of a Phase II investigation, which is a normal step in the Commission’s merger review process in cases where initial concerns have not been fully resolved during Phase I. UPM continues to engage openly and constructively with the Commission during this second part of the process to address the initial concerns set out in the Commission’s Phase II opening decision. UPM remains convinced of the Joint Venture’s benefits to customers and the entire industry by strengthening the resilience of European graphic paper supply in declining markets.

Hansol Paper and Moorim, South Korea’s first- and second-largest paper companies, issued formal apologies on the 23rd after the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) sanctioned them for price-fixing. The KFTC imposed corrective orders and a total fine of 338.3 billion Korean won on six paper companies—Hansol Paper, Moorim Paper, Moorim P&P, Moorim SP, Hankuk Paper, and Hongwon Paper—for colluding to raise printed paper prices from February 2021 to December 2024, a period of 3 years and 10 months. This marks the largest-ever penalty in the domestic paper industry’s history. The companies were found to have met at least 60 times, coordinating seven rounds of price hikes by raising base prices or reducing discounts, resulting in an average 71% price increase.

A new report from the Book Manufacturers’ Institute on the state of the book industry predicts that printing is on the cusp of potential major changes. The report notes that because American book manufacturers are no longer preoccupied with meeting European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements (print products were removed from the regulations late last year), they are better positioned to integrate digital printing, AI tools, and better communication with publishers to create a more efficient manufacturing environment. One potential shift in the publisher-printer relationship could stem from publishers' growing acceptance of digital printing, as they become more willing to deviate from offset printing in order to lower costs. “Historically, purchasing has trended toward sourcing books at the lowest unit cost, which would then be printed with conventional technology and stored in inventory as needed,” the report states. “As book demand has dropped amidst digitization, publishers are now increasingly less inclined to purchase in such high volumes with inventory and disposal costs potentially negating the low unit cost savings.”

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. ("RYAM" or the "Company") announced that the Company is engaged in a formal process to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. In connection with the strategic alternatives review The strategic review will consider a range of potential strategic, business and financial alternatives, which may include, among other things, a sale of all or part of the Company, a strategic investment, a merger or other business combination, or other strategic or financial alternatives, as well as continuing to execute on the Company's standalone strategic plan.

Kruger Energy has begun construction of the Saint-Paul-de-Montminy wind farm in Quebec, a project with an installed capacity of 196 MW and an investment of more than $580 million. The facility is being developed across the municipalities of Saint-Paul-de-Montminy, Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire and Sainte-Apolline-de-Patton and is expected to begin operations in December 2027. The project is being carried out in partnership with the Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est and Potentia Renewables. Following the completion of regulatory approvals, construction activities have entered the implementation phase.

In the midst of widespread funding shortfalls for most rural Alabama hospitals, Georgia-Pacific operations in Escambia and Monroe counties are helping hospitals there with a much-needed funding boost. Georgia-Pacific’s Brewton Containerboard and Alabama River Cellulose facilities donated a total of $500,000 to three rural hospitals in Alabama. The funding will help local hospitals provide critical health services to the community.

Ecostrat and BMI Group recently announced a collaboration to leverage BDO Zone Ratings to 'ready-state' BMI's legacy pulp and paper assets across Canada for next-generation investment in the bioeconomy. The collaboration will use BDO Zone Ratings to advance the development of multi-product biorefinery platforms capable of producing biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, engineered wood products, including mass timber, and other advanced manufacturing technologies at BMI properties. BMI Group has acquired a portfolio of nine former pulp and paper mill sites across Canada with the intention of repurposing them for new industrial uses.

Kimberly-Clark announced the organizational structure and key leadership that will become effective upon completion of its pending acquisition of Kenvue Inc. Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue first announced the $48.7 billion deal on Nov. 5, 2025. Some of Kenvue's well-known brands include Tylenol, Aveeno, BAND-AID Brand, Johnson's, Listerine and Neutrogena. After close, the combined company will operate with four business segments, each driving a focus on winning in its local markets. The transaction remains on track to close in the second half of 2026, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other remaining customary closing conditions.

Clearwater Paper announced the restructuring of its Cypress Bend, Arkansas facility, resulting in the reduction of approximately 20% of salaried and hourly roles at the facility. The company plans to operate the facility at about half of its production capability.  "We are faced with a supply driven downturn in our industry that is pressing margins and cash flows. We've made this difficult decision to improve our operating rates and reduce costs," said Arsen Kitch, president and chief executive officer. Clearwater Paper has an installed capacity of about 1.4 million tons of SBS across 3 mills and 5 paper machines: Lewiston, Idaho; Cypress Bend, Arkansas; and Augusta, Georgia.

"We are disappointed by the court's decision denying our motion to join the challenge to Oregon's Recycling Modernization Act. While we respectfully disagree with the ruling, AF&PA remains fully committed to pursuing all available legal and strategic options to protect our members' interests. "As Oregon's program moves into implementation, it is becoming clear that the law imposes significant and unnecessary burdens on paper products that are already among the most successfully recycled materials in the United States.

An Oregon judge offered new clarity this past week on who is temporarily exempt from enforcement of the state’s extended producer responsibility for packaging law, and imposed limits on other…

Market dynamics continue to create significant cost pressures across our business. After careful evaluation, Sappi North America is implementing a transactional and list price increase of 6% on new and unconfirmed Graphics orders for the following sheet and web products, effective immediately: McCoy Opus Somerset Flo Euroart Galerie Private Label These increases apply to all weights and finishes, and standard differentials and upcharges will remain in effect.

We were honored to welcome John Miller, Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, to our Biron Mill this month. Mill Manager Steve Raczek led the visit, showcasing ND’s continued commitment to Wisconsin’s economy and environment. The tour highlighted our $315 million in strategic investments since 2018, our partnerships with more than 900 Wisconsin-based vendors, and the significant environmental impact of our 100% recycled fiber-based packaging grades, which help keep valuable materials out of landfills. We’re proud to contribute to Wisconsin’s economic vitality and to demonstrate the sustainable innovations happening at Biron.

According to Fastmarkets reporting the European Commission is expected to complete the first phase of its review into the proposed graphic paper joint venture between UPM and Sappi before the end of April.

Georgia-Pacific announced that effective immediately, David Duncan, Executive Vice President of Georgia-Pacific's consumer products group, has been named President and CEO. Mark Luetters, who currently serves as executive vice president of Koch, Inc., with responsibility overseeing several Koch companies, had temporarily served as President and CEO of Georgia-Pacific since 2025.

NORPAC will cease production of newsprint at its Longview, WA mill effective May 1. After NORPAC stops making newsprint in May, there will be only one newsprint mill in operation in the US - Inland Empire’s Millwood mill, also in Washington state. There are nine newsprint mills in Canada: three owned by White Birch Paper, two owned by Domtar, two owned by Kruger, and one each owned by Alberta Newsprint and Kap Paper.

Following Sappi’s recent price increase communications for Graphic Paper products (WFC/UWF/MC) effective 16 March 2026, today they are announcing necessary further pricing adjustments. To address the underlying margin gap, Sappi Europe will implement an additional price increase of €40 per ton on all Mechanical Coated Reels and €50 per ton on all Woodfree products for deliveries from 15 April 2026 onwards.

Voith has reached an important milestone with the delivery of its 3,000th headbox. Since the first Voith headbox was supplied in 1914, the company has continuously improved one of the most critical components of the paper machine. Today, Voith headboxes are installed in paper mills around the world and form the technological basis for stable production, consistent quality and high operational efficiency. Headboxes play a central role in papermaking. Their primary task is to ensure uniform basis‑weight profiles across paper webs that can reach widths of up to ten meters. Headboxes are not only essential for new paper machines, but also play a major role in rebuild projects, capacity increases and grade conversions.

In December 2022, 3M shocked the chemicals world when it announced it would stop PFAS production. The company, which pioneered PFAS in the 1950s and now faces billion-dollar lawsuits over the resulting pollution, said it would stop making PFAS by the end of 2025. “3M completed its exit of PFAS manufacturing at the end of 2025,” says 3M’s annual report, published earlier this month. It means this huge multinational has taken an important step towards detoxifying its production. When it announced it would stop making PFAS, the company said it would also “work to discontinue the use of PFAS across its product portfolio by the end of 2025”. Indeed, we can see that 3M has removed PFAS from almost 7,000 products during the past three years – that’s about one-third.

Norske Skog said that work is nearing completion on PM1 at its mill in Skogn, Norway, that will give the machine the capability to produce high-quality book paper, along with its usual paper grade, newsprint. The new book paper will be marketed under the brand name "NOR Book." "The development represents an investment of NOK 40 million (EUR 3.5 million), giving us the flexibility to produce more than 140,000 tonnes annually," the company said. "NOR Book will be produced from 100% virgin fibre and is designed to deliver industry-leading low CO2 emissions.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the February 2026 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 6% in February compared to February 2025. Across the 3 major printing-writing categories — uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH) — net imports declined 16% in January compared to the same month last year.

Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) have ratified a new four-year collective agreement covering approximately 2,400 employees across several Domtar paper mills in the United States. The agreement, which runs through December 2029, includes significant wage increases and enhanced benefits. The negotiations took place under specific conditions. It was the first agreement reached since Domtar’s integration into Paper Excellence in 2021, followed by the acquisition of Resolute Forest Products in 2023. Talks also occurred against a backdrop of market slowdown and production downtime across the industry. Despite these challenges, the union points to meaningful gains. The contract provides for wage increases exceeding 12% over its term, along with a signing bonus, improved pension plans, and continued access to affordable health care.

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Lecta Paper Industries Intermediate Financing S.à r.l. ('Lecta') by Apollo Capital Management ('Apollo Funds'), a private equity firm based in New York. According to information on Lecta's website, the company has a production capacity of approximately 1.6 million tons of paper and about 2,700 employees.

HD Advanced Technologies (HDAT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG), and Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS), a subsidiary of US-based Ondas, Inc (Nasdaq: ONDS) (“ONDAS”) and a leading American-Israeli provider of autonomous defense and security systems, are joining forces by creating ONBERG Autonomous Systems (ONBERG), a joint venture (JV) for autonomous drone defense systems. The partners are thus implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2025. In the long term, ONBERG aims to close the existing market gap in the protection of critical infrastructure in Europe as a one-stop shop for autonomous drone defense systems. The solution portfolio is geared toward the highest requirements of national security, border protection, and the protection of critical infrastructure, and addresses military, civil, and industrial applications. It is based on OAS‘s battle-proven systems, which will be gradually supplemented with additional autonomous technologies as well as sensor and communication technologies. ONBERG will use HEIDELBERG’s existing infrastructure, particularly its site in Brandenburg an der Havel, which is being expanded into a leading center of excellence for drone defense and autonomous security systems.

PaperAge is proud to announce that Mike Haws, President and CEO of Sappi North America, is the recipient of our 2026 "Executive Papermaker of the Year" award. PaperAge selects its…

Sofidel has finalized the details of the tissue capacity expansion plan announced last October to further strengthen the company's production capacity in the United States. The expansion will take place at the company's integrated facility in Inola, Oklahoma. The plan includes the construction of a new building to house the previously announced 75,000 tonnes per year Valmet Through-Air-Drying (TAD) tissue machine, along with the installation of converting lines with matching capacity for the production of finished goods. The project also includes the expansion of the pulp and parent reel warehouse, and the construction of a fully automated finished goods warehouse — developed using E80 technology — with 100,000 pallet positions. The new buildings will cover a total area of approximately 1,000,000 square feet (90,000 square meters). The total investment amounts to $775 million.

Recent results from forest products producers suggest that lumber and pulp markets remain under pressure but are beginning to show early signs of stabilization. North American lumber markets remained difficult through the final quarter of 2025. Elevated U.S. countervailing and anti-dumping duties continued to weigh on exports, while a 10% tariff introduced under Section 232 in October added further uncertainty for Canadian producers. Demand conditions also softened across offshore markets. China’s prolonged housing downturn continued to suppress lumber consumption, while Japan saw weaker demand linked to declining housing starts. In Europe, high log costs and constrained spruce supply limited purchasing activity despite seasonal inventory restocking. However, supply conditions began to tighten late in the quarter. Industry-wide sawmill curtailments announced in mid-December, combined with already low inventories, helped support modest gains in benchmark lumber prices as observed late in the fourth quarter. These improvements have carried into early 2026, although market participants remain cautious amid ongoing economic uncertainty and unresolved trade tensions between Canada and the United States. Pulp markets showed a similar pattern of weakness followed by tentative stabilization.

Ahlstrom on Feb. 27 filed a WARN letter with Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development stating that it plans to close the pulp mill and two paper machines — M2 and M3 — at its mill site located at 100 Main Street, Mosinee, Wisconsin. The closings will take place or begin starting on June 30, 2026. In the letter, Ahlstrom said, "We expect the closing of the Pulp Mill and the M2 and M3 paper machines to be permanent in nature. This closing will involve cessation of all operations and termination of the identified areas. The number of affected employees is approximately 21 salary and a significant number of hourly positions that will not be certain until after effects bargaining."

International Paper wants to “liberate” its “two regional powerhouses” with the planned split into one North America and one Europe-focused company, CEO Andy Silvernail discussed Thursday morning at the Bank of America Securities 2026 Global Agriculture and Materials Conference. “When I joined the company, my goal was to turn this into exclusively a packaging business,” said Silvernail, who became CEO in 2024 following a background in private equity and other manufacturing and technology companies. IP accomplished that with the $1.5 billion sale last year of its global cellulose fibers business, he said. While IP has good positions in both the North America and EMEA markets, “they really don’t have anything to do with each other,” he said. “That really started my thinking around then they shouldn’t be together.”

The forest sector is a lifeline for communities across the country and an important pillar of Canada’s economy. In the face of unjust U.S. trade measures, the Government of Canada is taking decisive action to support the forest sector, protect workers and their jobs, and give Canadian companies the stability they need to weather short-term shocks and retool for a stronger, more diversified future. In August 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a series of new measures to help the forest sector transform and remain competitive. These measures will help unlock the full potential of our industry as the federal government scales up housing and major infrastructure construction and drives long-term economic growth, rooted in Canadian resources and innovation. Today, the Government of Canada is taking the next step to support and retool our forest sector. The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, launched a national Calls for Proposals under Natural Resources Canada’s forest sector transformation programs, supported by a $500-million commitment. Canada’s forest sector is a major economic driver, supporting nearly 200,000 workers, including over 11,000 Indigenous people and contributing more than $20 billion to our GDP.

The union that represents workers at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper and Deer Lake Power is requesting an urgent meeting with top brass at Kruger Inc., as questions mount about the future of the newsprint sector, and Kruger's ambitious plan to diversify its operations in Newfoundland and Labrador. In a letter to Kruger Inc. CEO Joseph Kruger that was obtained by CBC News, Unifor president Lana Payne expressed concerns about the "lack of clarity and transparency" from the company about its business plan for the century-old operation, and the future of the roughly 300 people who work at the newsprint mill.

Domtar’s Calhoun, TN site has begun installation of a new, world-class high-speed tissue converting line designed to increase operational output, enhance efficiency, and support long-term scalability. The advanced equipment will help better align the mill’s tissue production capacity with its converting capabilities, strengthening overall operational performance to better service the US tissue market. To complement the new line, the mill is also expanding its existing warehouse space for parent tissue rolls. This additional capacity will support improved inventory management and provide greater operational flexibility. “This investment underscores the Company’s continued commitment to operational excellence and future growth in the US tissue market,” said Tony Sanders, vice president of sales and marketing.

Finnish pulp engineering and paper mill technology group Valmet expects growth to stall as economic uncertainty leads customers to postpone investment decisions. The company reports declining new orders and forecasts that sales this year will remain roughly in line with 2025 levels. Over the past year, the value of new orders fell by just over ten per cent compared with the previous year. The trend weakened toward the end of the year, and in the fourth quarter incoming orders dropped to nearly half the level recorded in the same period a year earlier.

tora Enso is stepping up its strategic transformation as it sharpens its focus on renewable materials and fibre-based packaging, while reshaping its portfolio to support long-term value creation. A key milestone is the planned separation of the company’s Swedish forest assets business into a new, independently listed entity. Expected to be completed in the first half of 2027, the move aims to create two companies with distinct strategic profiles: a packaging-focused renewable materials group and Europe’s largest listed pure-play forest company. In parallel, Stora Enso has launched a strategic review of its Central European sawmills and building solutions operations. Several scenarios are being assessed, including a potential divestment, as part of the group’s active portfolio management and tighter strategic focus. Packaging growth remains anchored in the Oulu site in Finland, where the ramp-up of a new consumer board production line continues. While still impacting short-term profitability, production volumes are gradually increasing, with full capacity expected in 2027. The acquisition of Junnikkala Oy further strengthens the wood supply chain supporting the site. From 2026, Stora Enso will also introduce a new reporting structure, consolidating packaging activities into Consumer Packaging and Integrated Packaging, alongside Biomaterials and Other, to reflect a more business-focused operating model.

Metsä Board has suspended its plans to convert production at its Husum mill in Sweden, putting an indefinite hold on a project that would have repositioned part of the site toward specialty packaging grades. The company had been evaluating a conversion of the BM 2 production line to manufacture food-grade packaging papers and siliconised greaseproof papers — segments seen as aligned with evolving brand and consumer expectations around sustainable packaging solutions. That transition is now paused, with operations continuing under the mill’s current production configuration. The decision reflects softer visibility in market demand and shifting conditions for those specialty grades. In a context marked by cautious ordering patterns and uneven recovery across packaging markets, the move signals a preference for operational stability over near-term capacity repositioning.

inland’s forest industry could be forced to reduce capacity again as rising raw material costs and weaker market conditions weigh on profitability. That assessment comes from Juha Varis, senior portfolio manager at S-Bank, who warned in the Talousaamu programme that the sector faces mounting pressure. The warning comes amid a more challenging environment for pulp and paper producers. Wood prices remain elevated while demand for several forest industry products has developed more weakly than expected, increasing investor expectations that production cuts may follow. Stora Enso CEO Hans Sohlström commented on the situation in the same programme, noting that the company’s Finnish pulp production is integrated with its paperboard operations, which affects overall profitability assessments. UPM CEO Massimo Reynal gave a similar view in an interview with Kauppalehti. He said the situation is challenging for forest companies across the northern hemisphere. – If the situation continues in the same way going forward, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine that mill closures would not occur. This is not a matter of opinion, but a fact, he told the newspaper.

Smurfit Westrock announced it will permanently close one of the two paper machines at its La Tuque, Quebec, mill. The machine's annual production capacity of 127,000 tons of solid bleached sulfate (SBS) paperboard has faced ongoing scale and cost challenges. SBS is used for foodservice and frozen foods packaging, along with healthcare, premium consumer goods and more. The machine closure is part of the company's commitment to strengthen its SBS portfolio and ensure the long-term competitiveness of its paperboard operations.

The decision was announced during the Unifor Eastern Forestry Wage Policy Conference, held February 4–6, 2026, in Montreal. Delegates representing workers from paper mills, sawmills, and forestry operations met to establish common bargaining priorities and define a unified approach ahead of negotiations. “This is a critical moment for our forestry sector and for the members we represent across Eastern Canada,” said Lana Payne, National President of Unifor. She pointed to ongoing economic and trade pressures while expressing confidence in local leadership to secure agreements that deliver tangible gains for workers.

Sappi Europe announced a price increase of EUR 50 per ton on its Woodfree Coated (WFC) sheets portfolio, effective 16 March 2026. In a press release Sappi said, "Over the past months, market prices for Woodfree Coated sheets have fallen heavily, driven by weak demand and intense competitive pressure. This decline has pushed selling prices to levels that no longer reflect the underlying cost realities of the industry.

Henkel has purchased the Dutch Stahl Group for €2.1 billion (US$2.5 billion) from the majority owner, Wendel SE, a French investment firm. Through the acquisition, Henkel gains access to Stahl’s high-performance specialty coatings for flexible materials used in packaging. Stahl’s portfolio includes leather finishing coatings, performance coatings, as well as high-performance paper packaging and graphics coatings.

UPM Communication Papers delivered Q4 results on par with Q4 2024. However, the annual results were lower due to continued structural market decline. During the quarter UPM Communication Papers stopped production at its Kaukas mill in Finland and at its Ettringen mill in Germany, reducing its paper production capacity by 13%. We are entering 2026 with some cautious optimism. The business environment at the beginning of the year is showing signs of stability, even if there continue to be uncertainties in geopolitics and trade. We will continue to focus on performance, cash generation, strengthening the balance sheet and successfully completing the strategic portfolio initiatives.

Investment is rising in domestic production, automation, M&A and more. At the same time, manufacturers are navigating a complex  environment due to trade policies and changing regulations. U.S. manufacturing investment and policy will once again be in the spotlight during 2026, after a very eventful year in 2025.  President Donald Trump’s administration is aiming to bolster domestic investments through tariffs, as well as an ongoing deregulatory push. Federal jobs data and economic reports show a more complex picture about how quickly that rebound may be happening. Meanwhile, investment continues to ramp up in the space via M&A activity, major facility projects, automation, artificial intelligence and more.

Billerud closed 2025 with another year of standout performance in North America even as the company grappled with a far more challenging environment in Europe and Asia. In the fourth quarter, Billerud North America delivered a 20% earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margin, continuing its trend of “excellent profitability". The company’s mill operating rates rose to 79% in the fourth quarter, up from 68% in the same period of 2024. Across the full year 2025, North America again accounted for roughly half of Billerud’s group EBITDA despite representing only one third of total net sales.

The manufacturing sector expanded in January for the first time in a year, with the Institute for Supply Management’s latest Purchasing Managers’ Index reaching its highest point since February 2022.  ISM’s index registered 52.6% last month, up 4.7 percentage points from December, which was the lowest manufacturing activity point in 2025. A PMI index below 50% indicates an industry in contraction. Only 20% of the manufacturing sector is in contraction, compared to 85% in December. Printing and related support activities are in the growth category.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the Q4 2025 Boxboard Quarterly report. According to the report, total boxboard production in Q4 decreased 2% compared to Q4 2024. It was down 1% when compared to the same 12 months of 2024. The boxboard operating rate in Q4 2025 was 85.6%, down 2.3 points from the same quarter in 2024.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the Q4 2025 Containerboard Quarterly report. According to the report, total containerboard production in 2025 decreased 4% compared to 2024. Operating rates stayed flat over the same time period, ending the year above 91%. While linerboard production for export declined throughout 2025, medium production for export finished the year up 3%. Semichemical medium and recycled linerboard production were fairly consistent over the year, with overall declines of 1% and 2% respectively.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today announced Steve Henry, Domtar’s Paper & Packaging CEO & President USA, as incoming Board chair. He joined other pulp, paper, packaging and tissue product industry leaders at the association's Winter Board of Directors’ Meeting on January 29. The AF&PA Board of Directors consists of top industry leaders who represent a broad spectrum of companies in the paper and wood products manufacturing sector.  These companies operate mills and converting operations in nearly every state across the country, often in rural communities.

International Paper, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, has completed the sale of its Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF) business to funds affiliated with American Industrial Partners (AIP). As part of the sale agreement, AIP acquired the GCF business for $1.5 billion including the issuance to International Paper of preferred stock with an aggregate initial liquidation preference of $190 million. The GCF business creates safe, high-quality pulp for a wide range of applications such as towel and tissue products, diapers, feminine care, incontinence and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. In addition, its specialty pulp serves as a sustainable raw material used in construction materials, paints, coatings and more. The GCF segment of International Paper generated $2.8 billion in revenue in 2024, including contributions from mills that have since closed.

The packaging and manufacturing industries are navigating a period of significant disruption, driven by persistent workforce challenges, according to a report entitled “2025: Inside the Workforce Gap” from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. From high turnover and an aging labor force to evolving technology and rising difficulty in talent acquisition and retention, companies are being forced to adapt. Studies from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predict that an additional 3.1 million jobs in maintenance and repair occupations will be added by 2031. This is a disconcerting possibility, as many manufacturers report that attracting and retaining a quality workforce already ranks among their most critical hurdles. Workforce challenges are placing increased strain on both consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), as evidenced by CPG personnel interviewed for the PMMI report, who cited retirements of experienced staff (especially since COVID), high turnover among new hires, and intense competition for technicians, which leave many companies unsure how the labor pool will improve.

Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper will exit the newsprint segment in the first quarter of 2026, concluding that structural demand erosion has rendered the business no longer viable under current market conditions. The company will file formal notices with Ontario’s Ministry of Labour to cease newsprint operations at its Thunder Bay site, following several years of sustained demand contraction. Company management cited a 40% decline in North American newsprint consumption since 2022 including an 18% year-over-year reduction in 2025 as the decisive factor behind the move, outweighing all previously explored repositioning and optimization scenarios. Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper is a producer of northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) and northern bleached hardwood kraft (NBHK) pulp, as well as paper and newsprint. The company was acquired by Atlas Holdings from Resolute Forest Products in 2022.

Domtar has announced a temporary reduction in its lumber production for the first quarter of 2026, citing difficult market conditions, ongoing U.S. tariffs and persistent economic uncertainty.  The company plans to curtail output by 150 million board feet, a measure that will affect its facilities in Quebec, Ontario and the United States. According to the company, the move primarily reflects the current weakness in North American lumber demand. “Demand for lumber remains low, which requires us to adjust our production levels in line with market conditions,” said Luc Thériault, Chief Executive of Wood Products and President – Canada, at Domtar.

Sappi has expanded its range of functional packaging papers with a full set of heat-sealable solutions designed for converters, printers, and brand owners who want fibre-based alternatives to plastic.  The papers are designed as mono-material to be recyclable in the paper waste stream, where suitable collection and sorting systems exist, and are suitable replacements for PE-coated papers and many plastic-based laminates. The broad mix of grammages and finishes makes it easier to replace existing solutions with minimal disruption.

Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 11% in December compared to December 2024 and 8% on a year‑to‑date basis. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 2% when compared to November 2025. Using the latest available trade data from the U.S. Census Bureau, October 2025, across the 3 major printing-writing categories – uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH) – purchases declined 14% in October, compared to October 2024. Individually, MECH purchases decreased the most, down 18% over the same time period.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in December increased 2% compared to December 2024. They were up 1% when compared to the same 12 months of 2024. The bleached operating rate increased slightly from November to 74.5% but remained below the year-to-date rate of 75.1%. Capacity was down 2.6% for the year. Unbleached bag & sack shipments were down 2.6% from last December, and down 2.2% year‑to‑date. Total inventories were up 6% from the same month last year.

The restart will be phased, allowing the company to align operating levels with market conditions and workforce readiness as crews return across key areas of the mill. CBPPL said the approach is intended to ensure a stable and controlled ramp-up. The site produces newsprint for North American and international markets and supports more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across the province. Corner Brook Pulp and Paper has been owned by Montréal-based Kruger Inc. since 1984. Founded in 1904, Kruger is a privately held family company active in tissue, recycled containerboard, packaging, pulp and paper, and renewable energy, with operations across Canada and the United States.

More North American uncoated freesheet (UFS) paper producers announced price increases for the first quarter of 2026, driven by reduced supply, industry contacts reported to Fastmarkets. Domtar, Sylvamo, Finch Paper, North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC), Twin Rivers and French Paper have joined Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Neenah and Mohawk in announcing higher prices.

Managing overcapacity and the low profit margins that follow is a well-known headache for paper and packaging executives. A new multiyear study by Bain & Company shows why overcapacity persists across industries: Executives are overly optimistic when they make their strategic plan. Most companies aim to grow their revenues at twice the rate of the underlying market and profits at four times the rate of the market. In reality, only 7% of industrial companies achieve this goal. Furthermore, in capital-intense industries like paper and packaging, these optimistic plans often lead to significant capital spending and persistent overcapacity. Recent geopolitical uncertainty and tariffs have only added further complexity to the overcapacity conundrum. In paper and packaging, leading companies do not bet on competitors scaling down or disappearing; instead, they focus on improving their own cost advantage, as overcapacity could reoccur. This might mean proactively closing capacity when necessary and avoiding the scenario in which supply so outstrips demand that players keep undercutting each other on price, until only a few can make money. For example, leading producers of graphic paper like UPM, Domtar (formerly Paper Excellence Group), Stora Enso, and Nippon Paper have all closed meaningful capacity in recent years as demand declined.

As expectations rise for sustainability data to be credible, comparable and usable in real-world decisions, Sappi has been recognised by CDP for the quality and maturity of its environmental disclosures. Sappi achieved a prestigious Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) ‘A’ score for Forests in 2025, ranking highly among nearly 20,000 companies scored. Recognition for Sappi’s ongoing progress in Climate Change (A-), Water Security (B) attained; both remain key priorities in Sappi’s recently announced targets leading up to 2030.

The global environmental non-profit CDP has published its annual A Lists, recognising companies for leadership in environmental transparency and performance. Out of nearly 20,000 companies scored globally, only 23 achieved the highest rating – the Triple A. Metsä Board was one of these companies and the only Nordic company on the Triple A list. CDP scores companies on Climate Change, Forests, and Water Security, with an ‘A’ marking the highest level of achievement. Securing a Triple A rating places Metsä Board among global leaders demonstrating comprehensive disclosure, mature environmental governance, and meaningful progress toward environmental resilience.

Stora Enso Oyj announces the proposed members for the Board of Directors of the new forest asset company planned to be demerged from Stora Enso (the "New Company"). The demerger is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027.

Cascades is moving forward with a $6 million expansion at its Eau Claire facility, a project expected to create 36 new jobs over the next two years and reinforce Wisconsin’s role as a key hub for the paper and tissue industry. The project is supported by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), which has approved up to $200,000 in performance-based state income tax credits. The final value of the incentives will depend on the number of jobs created and the level of capital investment completed by the company. Cascades’ investment centers on the installation of a state-of-the-art converting line, described as one of the most advanced in the company’s asset portfolio. The new equipment will enable the introduction of premium product lines, expand converting capacity and improve integration rates, strengthening the company’s market coverage in the region.

U.S. manufacturing activity contracted at a faster month-over-month pace in December, decreasing to its lowest point since October 2024, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s latest Purchasing Managers’ Index. Continued tariff uncertainty and weak demand are leading factors. ISM’s index registered 47.9% in December, down 0.3 percentage points compared with November. A PMI index below 50% shows an industry in contraction. Despite improvements in three of the four main demand areas — including new orders, backlog of orders and new export orders — the indexes continued to be in contraction. Meanwhile, production slipped 0.4 percentage points, but expanded for the second month in a row.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the November 2025 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper year to date shipments decreased 8% in November compared to November 2024, yet the YTD operating rate is nearly 4 points higher in 2025 compared to 2024. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels in November decreased 5% when compared to October 2025. Using the latest available trade data from the U.S. Census Bureau, September 2025, across the 3 major printing-writing categories — uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH) — purchases declined 12% in September, compared to September 2024.

Suzano has started operations this week at its new fluff pulp production line located in its Limeira mill in Brazil's São Paulo state. This R$490 million investment increases Suzano's total fluff pulp production capacity by more than 400%, from 100,000 to 440,000 tonnes per year. The project, which Suzano first announced in October of 2023, involved converting the existing pulp line at the Limeira unit into a flexible machine, capable of producing both Eucafluff® and market pulp. Eucafluff is used in the production of absorbent and personal hygiene products, such as baby and adult diapers, sanitary pads and pet pads. Market pulp is used for making products like toilet paper, printing and writing papers, and paper packaging.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the November 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in November decreased 10% compared to October, though they were up 1% from November 2024. They were also up 1% when compared to the same 11 months of 2024. The unbleached operating rate decreased to 79%, its second lowest level for the year behind May's 76.9%; capacity was down 1.6% year-to-date. Bleached food wrapping shipments were down 2.2% from last November, but up 7.4% year to date.

China's pulp and paper sector is witnessing transformative growth with Huatai Group's announcement of its monumental $2.3 billion investment in a fully integrated forest-pulp-paper project located in Yulin, Guangxi. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to produce 400,000 tons of dissolving pulp, 600,000 tons of chemical wood pulp, and 900,000 tons of eco-friendly industrial paper each year. Supported by a vast 1.5-million-mu raw material forest base—equivalent to approximately 100,000 hectares—the project exemplifies the industry's shift toward vertical integration, securing supply chains against volatile raw material prices and enhancing operational resilience. As China accelerates toward high-quality development, projects like Huatai's exemplify capacity optimization and sustainability. Peers such as Nine Dragons and Sun Paper are pursuing similar strategies, fostering competition while driving innovation in **Recycling / Deinking Technologies** for pulp processing. This integration model not only stabilizes domestic supply but also challenges traditional exporters in North America and Europe to adapt strategies.

UPM announced that it will permanently close its paper mill in Ettringen, Germany, on December 31, 2025. "With the plans announced [March 11, 2025], we are continuing to selectively adjust our paper capacity to a profitable customer demand. This would ensure an efficient and flexible use of our remaining paper assets." UPM said the respective employee consultation process has now been completed, and the closing impacts 189 employees. Following the closure of the Ettringen mill, UPM's uncoated mechanical paper production capacity will be reduced by 270.000 tonnes per year.

The Coastal Forest Policy Coalition is sounding the alarm over what it describes as a structural crisis in British Columbia’s coastal forest sector, citing mill closures, job losses, and a chronic lack of economically viable fibre supply driven largely by policy constraints. Coastal harvesting volumes have fallen sharply over the past decade. In 2025, the Coast is expected to harvest 6.5 million cubic metres of timber, less than half of the 15 million cubic metres considered the sustainable allowable annual cut. The Coalition says the shortfall reflects a permitting system that has become increasingly complex and time-consuming. Permit submissions have dropped 93%, from roughly 2,300 per year in 2016 to just 167 by mid-2025. At the same time, permit preparation timelines have stretched from about 90 days historically to 300 days today. As a result, coastal harvesting has declined by 50% over the past ten years, contributing to the closure of nine mills since 2018 and the loss of 5,400 jobs since 2022.

More than a century of paper making at Feldmuehle will come to an end with the shock announcement that the mill cannot continue and will be shut down. Feldmuehle announced that it was “not economically viable” to keep operating. A source close to the company said the news had come as a shock for employees. In a statement, the mill hit out at the energy situation in Germany, and stated: “It seems that there is no desire for energy-intensive industry to remain in Germany.” Explaining the dramatic decision, Feldmuehle said: “In recent years, our company has made high-quality, capital-intensive investments in sustainability and energy efficiency. “We have optimised and modernised processes, committed ourselves to training the next generation, developed new products and reduced our costs – all in a highly competitive environment. Paper production at Feldmuehle has ceased, and the Uetersen mill will now finish and sell its remaining stocks over the coming weeks. It made wet strength label papers and flexible packaging papers, with annual capacity of around 80,000tpa. The mill had been in operation for more than 120 years, with the business dating back to 1904.

UPM is a material solutions company with world-class businesses in growth markets. With the intended graphic paper Joint Venture between UPM and Sappi announced Friday, UPM aims to position the communication paper business for continued value creation for its customers in a way that benefits UPM shareholders. Assuming the Joint Venture is formed, UPM would achieve a stronger growth profile, improved margins and leverage, with no direct sales exposure to the declining European and North American graphic paper markets. Assuming the Joint Venture is formed, the future UPM would have an attractive business portfolio focused on renewable fibres, advanced materials and decarbonization solutions that all operate on growing markets. Across these businesses UPM has shown a strong track record of realized growth above GDP, with an aggregate annual sales growth of about 4.4% (CAGR) during the past decade (2014-2024). These businesses are leading in their fields and aim for world-class performance. The company has global market presence, which enables its businesses to capture opportunities in faster-growing markets, serving them from competitive production platforms.

Sappi and UPM have today announced the signing of a non-binding letter of intent to form a non-listed, independent 50/50 Joint Venture for graphic paper. This Joint Venture will bring together Sappi’s European Graphic Paper business with UPM’s Communication Papers business in Europe, the UK and the US. Sappi and UPM will sell their respective businesses and assets mentioned below to the newly formed Joint Venture with a combined enterprise value of €1,420 million excluding the value of the expected synergy benefits. At closing the Joint Venture will raise debt to fund the purchase prices payable to Sappi and UPM respectively. The Joint Venture’s dividend policy will be to distribute all excess cash to its shareholders.   The Sappi business is valued at €320 million which, based on an FY2025 EBITDA of €64 million represents a 5x multiple. Sappi will transfer pension and other liabilities of €53 million and net assets valued at €267 million to the Joint Venture. In return Sappi will receive cash of €139 million and 50% shareholding in the Joint Venture.   The UPM business is valued at €1,100 million, which represents a 4.6x multiple of the last reported 12 months to September 2025 EBITDA. UPM will transfer pension and other liabilities of €360 million and net assets of €740 million to the Joint Venture. In return UPM will receive cash of €613 million and 50% shareholding in the Joint Venture.  Sappi will contribute the following assets: Gratkorn Mill (Austria); Ehingen Mill (Germany), Maastricht Mill (The Netherlands), and Kirkniemi Mill (Finland); as well as Sappi Europe’s wood supply Joint Ventures. UPM will contribute their Communication Papers business assets which are located at the following UPM mills: Augsburg (Germany), Schongau (Germany), Nordland paper lines 1 and 4  (Germany),  Rauma including UPM RaumaCell (Finland), Kymi (Finland), Jämsänkoski paper line 6 (Finland), Caledonian (United Kingdom), and Blandin (United States of America).

Domtar, which owns the mill, cited the lack of available fibre and poor pricing in global pulp markets for the shutdown. The Crofton pulp and paper mill, a fixture in the region since 1956, is closing permanently. Domtar, which owns the mill, cited the lack of available fibre and poor pricing in global pulp markets for the shutdown, which will put 350 employees out of work. The company said the mill will cease operations on Dec. 15, but will continue to employ workers at the site until February. It said it is exploring possibilities for the property, including putting the site up for sale. The closure follows the curtailment of the mill’s paper machines in late 2024, which sidelined more than 100 workers. Steve Henry, Domtar paper and packaging president, said Tuesday the Crofton mill has faced challenges for some time. “Over the last 18 months, Crofton employees worked hard to reduce operational costs, and they made some extraordinary gains,” Henry said in a statement. “Unfortunately, continued poor pricing for pulp and lack of access to affordable fibre in B.C. necessitate the closure.”

From November 10 to 21, 2025, nations and organisations gathered in UN’s annual climate conference COP30 to discuss global climate action, including nature and communities. This year, the conference took place in Belém, Brazil, and Stora Enso was proud to be part of the Finland Pavilion. We partnered with Veracel, our Brazilian joint-operation with Suzano, that produces eucalyptus pulp for the needs of a circular bioeconomy. Now as a week has gone past since COP30, it’s time to take look at some of our key takeaways. Session 1: Resilient communities – Mitigating climate change impacts on livelihoods Session 2: Forest restoration – From incremental gains to systematic impact Session 3: Towards net positive impact on nature – Using science-based metrics to measure biodiversity gains

Monadnock Paper Mills has appointed Andrew Manns as Chief Executive Officer, following the planned leadership transition initiated by the late Richard G. Verney. Manns brings 30 years of experience with Monadnock, joining the company in 1995 as Vice President of Finance and serving as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer before being personally requested by Verney to lead the company as CEO.

Suzano’s new pulp mill in Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil, which operates entirely with ANDRITZ technology, has reached its nominal production capacity of 2.55 million metric tons of bleached pulp per year in record time. After just three months of stabilization following start-up, the mill entered a production ramp-up and reached nominal capacity within one year – a new benchmark in the industry. This milestone establishes the mill as one of the largest and most efficient pulp production facilities in the world.

China’s paper industry is undergoing a profound transformation characterized by a dramatic surge in production capacity, which is set to reshape the global pulp and paper market landscape in 2025 and beyond. In coastal hubs like Shandong and Guangxi, new large-scale paper production facilities are coming online led by top manufacturers such as Sun Paper and Huatai Group, both of which are pursuing ambitious integrated production strategies. Sun Paper’s state-of-the-art Beihai base and Huatai’s major new project in Shandong are just two examples due to commission by late 2025, which will further consolidate China’s dominance in global paper output. Zhiyan Consulting reports that from January to August 2025, China’s machine-made paper and paperboard output achieved 106.659 million tons—a year-on-year increase of 2.7%—demonstrating the rapid growth trajectory and scale of operations now standard in the industry.

Kruger Products has unveiled plans to build a new state-of-the-art tissue facility in the western United States, a major investment designed to support the company’s fast-growing U.S. consumer tissue business. The announcement accompanied the company’s third-quarter financial release. The project includes a modern through-air-dry (TAD) machine and associated converting lines, with an estimated annual capacity of 75,000 metric tonnes. Production is expected to begin in 2028. Kruger Products has invested more than $1 billion in Canadian manufacturing since 2018, and the new U.S. site marks the next phase of its North American expansion strategy. The facility will enhance service to U.S. retailers and strengthen the company’s position in the premium and ultra-premium tissue categories.

Following the strategic review, the Board of Directors of Stora Enso has decided to initiate preparations for the separation of the Swedish forest assets business of Stora Enso into a new publicly-listed company through a statutory partial cross-border demerger, expected to be completed during the first half of 2027. All shares in the new company would be wholly owned by Stora Enso's shareholders. The separation of the Swedish forest assets was assessed to be the best alternative to enhance focus on respective businesses’ core strengths and market opportunities, maximising operational and shareholder value, as well as to reduce group complexity. It intends to create Europe's largest listed pure play forest company, comprising over 1.2 million hectares of forest land in Sweden with a fair value of approximately EUR 5.7 billion as of 30 September 2025.

Sylvamo outlined its global strategy and operational priorities in its third-quarter 2025 financial report, emphasizing initiatives to strengthen efficiency, reduce costs, and secure long-term competitiveness across its worldwide operations. Following International Paper’s decision to convert its Riverdale, Alabama, mill to containerboard, Sylvamo confirmed that its supply agreement will remain in effect until May 2026. The mill is expected to deliver approximately 260,000 short tons of uncoated freesheet in 2025 and 100,000 short tons in 2026. After the agreement ends, Sylvamo plans to leverage production from its European mills and additional Eastover capacity to maintain supply to U.S. and Mexican customers. Sylvamo remains singularly focused on uncoated freesheet paper, the largest and most resilient segment of the graphic paper market. By reinforcing its core business and investing in operational excellence, the company aims to deliver consistent earnings, reliable cash flow, and enduring shareholder value.

West Fraser announced that it will permanently close both its Augusta, Georgia and 100 Mile House, British Columbia lumber mills by the end of 2025 following an orderly wind-down. The decision is the result of timber supply challenges and soft lumber markets. The 100 Mile House lumber mill is no longer able to reliably access an adequate volume of economically viable timber. Challenging softwood lumber demand, higher duties and additional tariffs have compounded this situation. The mill closure will impact approximately 165 employees at the site and reduce West Fraser's capacity by 160 million board feet. The closure of the Augusta lumber mill is a result of challenging lumber demand, and the loss of economically viable residual outlets, which combined has compromised the mill's long-term viability. The closure will impact approximately 130 employees at the site and reduce West Fraser's capacity by 140 million board feet.

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, 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

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.

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.

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.

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 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"

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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, 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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) announced that on September 5, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) making changes to EO 14257 from April. The new EO outlines what products and materials can enter the U.S. duty-free (zero percent tariffs). Three wood pulp tariff codes were added to the list. Pursuant to this new EO, imported wood pulp will come into the U.S. duty-free — an important development in the long-term trade and tariff policy discussion. This new list is meant to capture products and materials that are not produced in the U.S. — or not produced at scale. AF&PA has continuously made this argument for specific kinds of wood pulp, such as bleached eucalyptus kraft or BEK. What's Next? The EO also added a variety of items to Annex III, which will act as a 'potential' list of items that could be added to the duty-free list in the future, depending on trade talks. Importantly, this new EO also delegates authority to add items to the duty-free list to USTR and Commerce.

Voith, the leading full-line supplier, has successfully completed the PM 6 rebuild project for Stora Enso in the northern-most university city in Europe, Oulu in northern Finland. The modernized plant will now achieve an impressive annual capacity of 750,000 tons of high-quality folding boxboard and coated kraft back (CKB), at a wire width of 9,000 mm. It was important to Stora Enso that the rebuilt line offers optimal production efficiency while also meeting the highest environmental standards, in particular with regard to excellent heat recovery.  “Thanks to Voith Paper’s expertise, we are now able to produce an impressive 750,000 tons of high-quality coated primary fibre board,” said Matti Lielahti, Mill Manager at Stora Enso in Oulu.

Perdue Hill, Ala. - Georgia-Pacific announced a new capital project for the company’s Alabama River Cellulose mill in Perdue Hill, Alabama. The $800 million investment will modernize, expand and streamline the facility’s production capabilities. The project, scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and conclude in 2027, will enhance and expand essential manufacturing equipment. This is expected to augment the mill’s operational efficiency and increase its production capacity by about 300 tons per day. Close to one million tons of fluff and market pulps will be produced yearly at the mill. A state-of-the-art digester, new pulp dryer and a more efficient power boiler will be installed. Modifications and upgrades will also be made to the brown stock washing and recausticizing systems, recovery boiler, evaporators and lime kiln. Once the project is completed, the Alabama River Cellulose mill will be the largest and one of the most technologically advanced softwood pulp mills in the U.S.

Over the last year, International Paper has conspicuously undergone a business overhaul under the guidance of CEO Andy Silvernail, who launched the streamlining initiative shortly after taking the top role in May 2024. Silvernail dug into what’s behind the changes, and the differences between the United States and European markets, during a Sept. 4 session at the Jefferies Industrials Conference. IP launched the 80/20 optimization plan in 2024, prompting series of changes. “It’s actually kind of breathtaking when you look at the number of actions that we have taken and the impact that we’ve had,” Silvernail said. As a recent example of the numerous adjustments, Silvernail cited the three announcements that IP simultaneously made on Aug. 21: the sale of its global cellulose fibers business to private equity firm American Industrial Partners for $1.5 billion; the closure of four sites in Georgia, including two mills, that will affect 1,100 hourly and salaried employees; and investing $250 million to convert the No. 16 machine at the Riverdale mill in Selma, Alabama, to produce containerboard instead of uncoated freesheet. The Savannah and Riceboro containerboard mills in Georgia are “aged or strategically inferior assets. And in our business, strategically inferior assets are simply a problem” with “terrible returns on capital,” he said. Keeping Savannah open would have required major repairs with a cost of roughly $300 million, and still that wouldn’t have produced the desired returns down the line, Silvernail said. Instead, the $250 million investment in Riverdale is not only cheaper on the front end but also will have notably better returns, he explained.

Pixelle Specialty Solutions, the owner of the Spring Grove paper mill, announced the appointment of Julie Schertell as the company's new CEO, according to a release. Schertell was appointed to replace former Pixelle CEO Ross Bushnell, who the company said had stepped down to "pursue new opportunities." Bushnell had been CEO since 2023, according to prior releases. In the release, the company shared that Schertell had most recently served as president and CEO of Mativ Holdings, and has more than 30 years of operational and commercial experience. Schertell had led a merger of Neenah Inc., where she previously served as president and CEO, which merged with Schweitzer Mauduit International and resulted in the creation of Mativ Holdings, according to the release.  The Spring Grove papermill became part of Pixelle Specialty Solutions in August of 2018 during a $360 million sale from P.H. Glatfelter to private equity firm Lindsay Goldberg. Pixelle Specialty Solutions is an affiliate of Lindsay Goldberg, and took over operation at Glatfelter's facilities during the sale. The Spring Grove paper mill itself dates to 1852, originally founded as the Spring Forge Paper Mill within a former iron forge, which had given the town its original name: Spring Forge. In 1863, local entrepreneur Philip H. Glatfelter purchased the Spring Forge Paper Mill at an orphan’s court sale for just $14,000. In the years that followed, the town would be renamed from Spring Forge to Spring Grove.

The milestone, achieved on September 4, 2025, further consolidates the site’s role as the company’s largest and most important production hub worldwide. The new Valmet DCT 200 machine adds 70,000 tons of annual capacity, bringing Circleville’s total output to more than 200,000 tons per year. With this expansion, Sofidel’s global production capacity rises to 1,983,000 tons annually. The $185 million investment, first announced in 2023, included both the construction of the new building and installation of the state-of-the-art machine. Once fully operational, the project will also create approximately 80 additional jobs, strengthening Sofidel’s contribution to the local economy. The successful startup of our third paper machine in Circleville represents a significant step forward in Sofidel’s growth strategy. This achievement reflects both the strength of our U.S. operations and the dedication of the teams who made it possible. With this expansion, Sofidel reaffirms its long-term commitment to serving the North American market with high-quality, sustainable tissue products while supporting local communities.

While the pulp and paper industry is inherently local—particularly in terms of production and sourcing of raw materials—trade is fundamentally cross-border and international. As a result, the sector is highly exposed to trade barriers and tensions, such as those created by the tariff policies introduced during the Trump administration. Tariffs are expected to put significant pressure on transportation and logistics—sectors that are intrinsically linked to the pulp and paper industry. This strain is partly mitigated by the fact that many pulp and paper companies have made substantial investments in overseas production capacity. Recent mergers in the industry, such as the Smurfit Kappa–WestRock merger and the International Paper–DS Smith merger, are also likely to offset some of the negative impacts of tariffs. These newly formed giants now operate production facilities in both Europe and the US. Both of these multi-billion dollar transactions took place in 2024. Other companies, such as Sweden's Billerud, have established a transatlantic presence. Billerud acquired US-based Verso some years ago, securing production capabilities on both sides of the Atlantic. Mergers and acquisitions are reshaping the global pulp and paper landscape, and in an era of looming trade wars and frequent supply chain disruptions, scale can become a competitive advantage. This consolidation trend may render the pulp and paper industry more resilient than other, more fragmented sectors dominated by smaller players as well as industries depending on input of strategical materials.

During the seven years of transformation since Graphic Packaging International acquired International Paper’s consumer packaging business, the company has worked to become the king of cups — an ongoing growth driver for GPI. The company didn’t have a food service business segment prior to that 2018 deal, but has since become “the number one player in paper cups” and manufactures about 30% of North America’s supply, said CEO Mike Doss during a presentation at the Jefferies Industrials Conference As GPI has leaned into the paper cups sector, it was instrumental in getting the Recycled Materials Association to add paper cups to its materials specifications list this year to boost recycling acceptance. The company also has helped customers develop various paper cup solutions as alternatives to plastic, including at restaurant chains Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s, and in the CPG space, for Nissin Cup Noodles. Despite customers’ economic challenges in key markets such as food service the last several quarters, “the last two years, our business has been up pretty substantially. And the reason for that is we’ve been replacing plastic and foam, in terms of cups,” Doss said.

The reduction represents about 12% of its normal operating capacity. The curtailments will apply to all of Interfor’s Canadian and U.S. operations, each expected to reduce output by roughly 12%. Measures include fewer operating hours, extended holiday breaks, reconfigured shift schedules, and longer maintenance shutdowns. The company said the move comes in response to persistently weak market conditions and ongoing economic uncertainty. Interfor noted it will continue to monitor market trends and adjust production as needed. With an annual capacity of about 4.7 billion board feet, Interfor is among North America’s largest lumber producers, supplying a broad range of products to customers worldwide.

Twin Rivers Paper Company, a leading producer of specialty paper products, proudly marks a century of papermaking, operational excellence, product innovation, and a strong commitment to the communities where it operates. The company’s papermaking legacy began in 1925 when inaugural tons of paper rolled off two machines at the Madawaska mill in northern Maine. Today, Twin Rivers’ footprint encompasses seven paper machines across four operating sites – its flagship mill in Madawaska, three specialty mills in upstate New York, and an integrated pulp mill in Edmundston, New Brunswick. Known for its lightweight expertise and a highly engineered portfolio of packaging, technical, publishing and label papers, Twin Rivers produces 400,000 tons of specialty papers annually. The company’s Madawaska mill operates four paper machines producing more than 340,000 tons of specialty papers essential to consumers and diverse market sectors, including oil- and grease-resistant food packaging, coated-one-side (C1S) packaging, lightweight opaque (LWO) publishing grades, pharmaceutical papers, release liners, and thermal transfer label base papers. Twin Rivers acquired Burrows Paper Corp. in 2016, adding three mills in upstate New York: Mill Street, Mohawk Valley, and Lyons Falls. Burrows Paper’s legacy dates back to 1919, when it began as a one-mill, two-machine papermaking company in Little Falls, NY. Today, the New York mills specialize in waxing, laminating, and extruding base papers, battery pasting papers, medical papers, filtration papers, and hydroentangling grades.

Greif completed the divestiture of its containerboard business to Packaging Corporation of America for $1.8 billion in cash, the companies announced after markets closed Tuesday afternoon. The transaction itself closed on Sunday, according to a securities filing. “The closing of this sale marks an important step forward for Greif,” Greif President and CEO Ole Rosgaard said in a statement. “This transaction unlocks immediate value for our shareholders and allows Greif to deliver stronger and more consistent earnings power, enhances our capital efficiency, and accelerates debt reduction.” The company plans to use proceeds from the sale to pay down approximately $1.4 billion in debt, according to another securities filing.

Cost-cutting results: Greif is about nine months into its plan to cut $100 million in costs through 2027. Looking at business transformation and cost reduction, “at times that work can be uncomfortable. What our people know is that is how the company grows, moves from good to great, and ultimately creates shareholder value,” said CEO Ole Rosgaard on Thursday’s fiscal third-quarter earnings call. Financial results: Despite cautious consumer sentiment and a macroeconomy that is “not robust,” Rosgaard said that “from a big picture point of view, our volume performance clearly shows our strategy is working,” alluding to last year’s business unit reorganization to create four material-based sectors. Quarterly sales in the polymers unit, a new focus area for Greif, rose nearly 8% year over year, while sales for metals dipped 5.7% and fiber dropped 5.4%. Divestitures update: Greif’s containerboard business sale to Packaging Corporation of America is slated to close by the end of August; the companies previously said they anticipated a close by the end of the third quarter of the calendar year, Sept. 30. Meanwhile, the divestiture of Greif’s timberlands to Molpus Woodlands Group is scheduled to close Oct. 1, Rosgaard said. That’s a day later than originally planned to save $13 million in taxes, said CFO Larry Hilsheimer. Collectively, these divestitures “sharpen our portfolio to concentrate our efforts” on markets where the company has the most potential for growth and a competitive advantage, Rosgaard said.

North American printing and writing paper demand declined by 6.5% to 719,000 tons in July, down 6.5% year over year according to the Pulp and Paper Products Council. Uncoated Freesheet operating rate stood at 80% down from 85% a year ago. And Coated Free Sheet operating rate rose to 85% up from 77% last July.

International Paper announced plans to convert the No. 16 paper machine at its Riverdale mill in Selma, Alabama, to produce containerboard by the third quarter of 2026. The mill currently supplies us with approximately 260,000 short tons of cutsize uncoated freesheet annually from the machine through a supply agreement. The Riverdale supply agreement is not part of our long-term strategy, and we have been planning for this conversion since our 2021 spinoff. Based on our current assumptions for optimizing operations, mix and paper supply, the Adj. EBITDA impact in 2026 from the loss of Riverdale volume is estimated to be ~$30 million, at current margins.

Valmet is to supply two fine papermaking lines with related automation systems and services to a customer in China. The papermaking lines will produce uncoated woodfree grades and start-ups are scheduled from late 2026 to early 2027. Valmet has previously delivered multiple other technologies such as complete paper and board making lines to the same customer. The orders were included in Valmet's orders received of the second quarter 2025. The value of the orders will not be disclosed. “Both new, wide, high-speed paper machines feature some of the most advanced technologies available on the market, ensuring high capacity and performance. These orders are very important to us and indicate that the technologies we have delivered to the same customer before have performed well. This is a highly significant customer, as well as a strategic partner for Valmet in China.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At Domtar, being a responsible forest products manufacturer means more than just creating sustainable products. It means being an active partner in the communities where we live and work. Through Domtar…

Cascades announced that its corrugated medium manufacturing plant in Niagara Falls, New York, will be permanently closed as part of the optimization of the company's packaging production platform. Production will…

Grupo Corporativo Papelera (GCP), a major Mexican tissue manufacturer, has begun construction on its first U.S. facility, a $400 million plant in New Caney, Texas. The new 565,765-square-foot facility, located…

Sappi Europe today announced the initiation of a consultation process at its Alfeld Mill in Germany as part of a proposed partial asset restructure. This step is being taken in…

Norske Skog Skogn is preparing to enter the European book paper market supported by a comprehensive technology package developed in collaboration with international technology group ANDRITZ. This solution will enable…

International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC), a global leader in sustainable packaging, today announced the completion of the divestiture of five European plants to PALM Group to satisfy regulatory commitments…

Domtar has signed a purchase agreement with Cranberry Business Park Ltd. for the remaining portion of the former tiskwat paper mill lands in Powell River, British Columbia, marking a new…

Smurfit Westrock has been included on the 2025 Forbes Global 2000 list of the world’s largest and most successful public companies.  The prestigious ranking measures global impact and financial strength…

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the containerboard business of Greif, Inc. for $1.8 billion in cash. The transaction is expected…

Canfor Corporation announced its decision to permanently close the Estill and Darlington sawmills in South Carolina, effective August 2025. These closures follow an extended period of persistently weak market conditions and sustained financial losses, which have made continued operations at these facilities no longer viable. “We understand the significant impact this difficult decision will have on our employees,” said Lee Goodloe, President, Canfor Southern Pine. “This outcome is in no way a reflection of the dedication and hard work of our teams. We are committed to supporting our employees through this transition, including providing severance payments and exploring opportunities for redeployment within our other operations where possible.” Approximately 290 employees will be affected by the closures, which will also reduce Canfor’s U.S. lumber production capacity by 350 million board feet annually

Ahlstrom expands its FibRoc® portfolio, a platform of high-performance materials for durable applications. In addition to Flooring, Ceiling and Plasterboard the range now includes the segment of Wall Liner, offering extensive, flexible and high-performance solutions. Ahlstrom FibRoc® Wall Liner offers a wide range of wall finishing solutions manufactured from both nonwoven and glass fibre tissue. The offering delivers superior paintability and enables achieving a flawless finish that effectively conceals wall imperfections. The comprehensive portfolio is designed for both do-it-yourself and professionals providing customers with the flexibility to select the perfect solution for their target markets.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 5% in May compared to May 2024. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 5% in April compared to the same month last year (April 2025 is the latest trade data available). Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 2% when compared to April 2025. As in previous months, the 3 major Printing-Writing categories—Uncoated Free Sheet (UFS), Coated Free Sheet (CFS), and Mechanical (MECH) papers—showed mixed performance on both a month-over-month (MoM) and year-to-date (YTD) basis. Shipments of both free sheet grades declined compared to last May as well as for the YTD. MECH grade papers, meanwhile, registered increases for both MoM and YTD.

Solenis and NCH Corporation (NCH) announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge the NCH business with Solenis. Under the terms of the agreement, Solenis will acquire 100% of NCH stock, creating a more diversified, customer-centric provider of water and hygiene solutions. The Levy Family, owners of NCH since its founding in 1919, will become the largest minority shareholder in Solenis. Finance terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025 following regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. Solenis and NCH will continue to operate strictly as independent companies until the transaction is complete. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, Solenis is a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions. The company was acquired by Platinum Equity in 2021. NCH is the quality leader and trusted onsite expert in middle market water treatment and industrial solutions.