Pixelle Specialty Solutions LLC (“Pixelle”), a leading manufacturer of specialty papers in North America, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the carbonless rolls and security papers business of Appvion Operations, Inc.
The transaction is expected to close in April 2021 and will not include any Appvion production assets. Carbonless rolls formerly manufactured by Appvion will be manufactured by the Pixelle specialty papers mill in Chillicothe, OH, and security papers formerly manufactured by Appvion will be manufactured by Pixelle or Pixelle supply partners.
Commenting on the acquisition, Pixelle’s Chief Executive Officer Timothy Hess said, “As a leader in specialty solutions, Pixelle is well-positioned to incorporate this product portfolio into our business. Pixelle welcomes the opportunity to serve these customers, who we believe will benefit from our experience in providing these technically demanding grades.”
The acquisition expands the Pixelle product portfolio by building on Pixelle’s established brands of carbonless papers (ExcelOne® and Trans/Rite®) and adding DocuCheck® and DocuMark® security papers to Pixelle’s existing brand (Defensa®).
Pixelle was formed in 2018 by Lindsay Goldberg, a private investment firm that partners with business founders, families, and management teams to actively build their businesses. In its two-year history, Pixelle has built an industry-leading four-mill specialty paper platform with mills in Chillicothe, OH, Jay, ME, Spring Grove, PA and Stevens Point, WI. Lindsay Goldberg Affiliate Partner Steven Klinger, Executive Chairman of Pixelle, and his management team have more than 150 years combined experience in building high-performance paper businesses.
Commenting on the acquisition, Klinger said, “A key component of Pixelle’s strategy is to take actions that result in customers viewing Pixelle as an active, valued partner in growing customers’ businesses. Doing that well has developed Pixelle into the market leader it is today and enabled Pixelle to make acquisitions like this one. Pixelle is a great example of how we invest in, partner with, and actively build businesses.”
In a strategic move to streamline its operations and enhance its commitment to sustainability, Sustana proudly announces the rebranding of its subsidiary companies, including Sustana Fiber, Rolland, and Hanna Paper, under the united Sustana umbrella. Fabian de Armas, Chairman and CEO of Sustana, expressed his enthusiasm for the rebrand, stating, “This strategic move marks a significant milestone in our journey toward a more circular and nature-positive future. By uniting our business units under the Sustana brand, we are creating a stronger, more united company around our shared purpose – to make sustainability an ingredient in everyday products.”
As part of its continued focus on global sustainability leadership, Ahlstrom-Munksjöhas initiated its ‘from Plastic to Purpose’ campaign, highlighting first its new brand of CelluSnack™ snack packaging papers. “Our ‘from Plastic to Purpose’ campaign aims at raising awareness around the world regarding the possibility of fiber-based solutions as a renewable packaging option,” said Robyn Buss, Executive Vice President of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s Food Packaging & Technical Solutions Business Area. “Consumers and brand owners are demanding more sustainable solutions that reduce their impact on the environment and also have a positive end-of-life story – anywhere from compostability and biodegradation to recyclability. By promoting the story of ‘from Plastic to Purpose’ we are encouraging food and industrial packaging producers globally to consider fiber and paper-based solutions as they innovate products for their customers.”
Tronox Holdings plc, the world’s leading integrated manufacturer of titanium dioxide pigment, announced that it has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement with NOA Group, an integrated energy utility, for ~497GWh of total contracted energy anticipated to be served by plants with capacity in excess of 200MW of renewable wind and solar power through fixed and flexible arrangements to Tronox’s mines and smelters in the Republic of South Africa. The Company anticipates the project should be fully implemented by the end of 2027 and is expected to reduce Tronox’s total Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions by an incremental 12% globally. “NOA is extremely excited to partner with Tronox in delivering on their long term decarbonization strategy through an innovative product which blends both wind and solar generation to optimize renewable energy penetration,” remarked NOA’s Chief Executive Officer, Karel Cornelissen.