Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. and Tembec Inc. announced that they have received notification of clearance from Germany's Federal Cartel Office in connection with the previously announced proposed statutory arrangement under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act involving the acquisition by Rayonier AM of all of the outstanding shares of Tembec. Subject to obtaining the approvals of the holders of Tembec Shares and the Québec Superior Court and other necessary approvals and clearances, as well as the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Transaction, it is expected that the Transaction will be completed by the end of 2017.

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.

Stora Enso’s operational EBIT for the first quarter of 2018 was approximately EUR 369 million. This is well above the earlier guidance for the Q1 2018 operational EBIT. Sales for the first quarter of 2018, amounting to approximately EUR 2 579 million, were similar to the fourth quarter 2017 sales of EUR 2 511 million. The result was better than expected, mainly due to: · The good pricing environment in Paper and Containerboard (Packaging Solutions) · Higher volumes at Consumer Board division’s European mills · Continued strong operational performance. Click Read More below for additional information.