Expera Specialty Solutions is proud to be exhibiting at PackExpo 2017, highlighting a diverse portfolio of specialty paper products that span a variety of end-use applications. From highly technical applications, to offering multiple sustainable packaging solutions, Expera creates custom specialty paper products for each of their customers. Expera is launching its new brand of medical papers known as Health-Gard™. Health-Gard™ medical papers provide sterilizable packaging solutions that meet market requirements for cytotoxicity and microbial barrier. These coating base papers, available in multiple basis weights, are ideal for form-fill-seal and pouch applications where a fiber-free peel is critical. Other Health-Gard™ applications include papers for medical lidding stock and lamination, and medical garments and drapes. Click Read More below for additional detail.

In the Packaging segment, total corrugated products shipments with one less workday were up 6.0% and shipments per day were up 7.7% over last year’s first quarter. Containerboard production was 953,000 tons, and containerboard inventory was down 23,000 tons from the fourth quarter of 2017 and up 31,000 tons compared to the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to the addition of recently acquired Sacramento Container. In the Paper segment, office paper and printing and converting paper sales volumes were up 33,000 tons compared to the first quarter of 2017, and production volume was up 10,000 tons primarily due to no scheduled maintenance outages in the first quarter of 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.

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.