Smurfit Westrock and International Paper announced containerboard price increases days after PCA’s, which is being called unprecedented. And boxboard producers announced increases for SBS and FBB. Smurfit Westrock and International Paper both announced price increases for containerboard to take effect Sept. 1, according to Tuesday memos to investors from Michael Roxland, Truist Securities senior paper and packaging analyst, citing containerboard industry contacts and Fastmarkets RISI. IP’s hike is for $80 per ton. SW’s is for $100 per ton, as is its increase for kraft paper prices. The latter company reportedly cited reasons such as sustained demand, tight supply across its mill network and ongoing cost pressures. Smurfit Westrock told customers on July 7 that it would raise prices by 4% to 6% on SBS folding carton, commercial print and foodservice grades as of Aug. 10. Sappi’s July 20 announcement was similar, noting a 4% to 6% increase on all boxboard grades as of Aug. 20. Manchester Industries, a converter owned by Clearwater Paper, announced a 5% increase on SBS and FBB products, effective Aug. 24. And Finnish company Metsä Board announced a 4% to 6% increase on fresh-fiber FBB and barrier products in the Americas, effective Sept. 1, Roxland relayed.

Sonoco Products Company announced it has completed the sale of its Thermoformed and Flexibles Packaging business to TOPPAN Holdings Inc. for a purchase price of approximately $1.8 billion on a cash-free and debt-free basis and subject to customary adjustments. “Today marks a milestone in achieving our strategy to transform Sonoco into a simpler, stronger and more sustainable Company. We extend our best wishes for continued success to our approximately 4,500 former TFP teammates and their new Toppan team,” said Howard Coker, president and CEO. “As previously communicated, we are utilizing the approximately $1.5 billion of after-tax cash proceeds to reduce leverage. Sonoco is moving forward with a focused portfolio and an improved financial position that will enable us to further invest in growing our sustainable metal and fiber consumer and industrial packaging businesses.”

Interfor Corporation announced that it is expecting production disruptions at its B.C. Interior sawmills during the third quarter of 2021 due to the ongoing impacts of wildfires and other factors on log supply. “The wildfires in the B.C. Interior and the related provincial state of emergency and governmentmandated curtailment of all forest harvesting activities are expected to have a significant impact on Interfor’s operations in the next several weeks or more. This is an active situation, and we are closely monitoring the implications for our operations. We are also doing what we can to help, working cooperatively with the provincial wildfire service and local communities to support the firefighting efforts. At this time there are over 230 Interfor staff and contractors and over 90 pieces of contractorowned heavy equipment dedicated to assisting the B.C. Wildfire Service in their efforts,” said Andrew Horahan, Senior Vice President of Western Operations at Interfor. Based on current information, Interfor is expecting to curtail a minimum of 50 million board feet of production across its B.C. Interior operations in August, with the possibility of further downtime in September and beyond, depending on evolving weather conditions.