Drytac, the leading international manufacturer of self-adhesive materials for the large-format print and signage markets, is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Crawford as Territory Sales Manager for the Southwest US. Based out of Las Vegas, Nevada, Chris will be responsible for Southern California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Chris has a wealth of industry knowledge, having worked across both the print and signage markets since 2005. This includes serving in a range of senior positions with various leading print and sign shops, as well as at major print and graphics distributors.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. and Borregaard ASA announced LignoTech Florida, owned 45 percent by RYAM and 55 percent by BRG, officially begun operations at the new lignin plant in Fernandina Beach. The plant has production capacity of 100,000 dry metric tons of lignin with the option of a second phase that can later expand production by an additional 50,000 dry metric tons “We are excited to complete construction phase of the plant, on time and within $110 million combined budget,” said Paul G. Boynton, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rayonier Advanced Materials. “This investment provides new jobs for the Fernandina Beach community, diverse and environmentally-friendly products for Rayonier Advanced Materials, and a solid return on capital for our investors.” Lignin, a natural component of wood, is a co-product of Rayonier Advanced Material’s sulphite cellulose manufacturing process in Fernandina Beach. The new operation will process the lignin into value-added products that provide environmentally-friendly alternatives to fossil fuel-based products used globally in construction, agriculture and other industrial applications.

JANUARY–JUNE 2021 (1–6/2020) *Sales were EUR 2,942 million (2,453). *Operating result was EUR 379 million (163). Comparable operating result was EUR 416 million (158). *Result before taxes was EUR 354 million (139). Comparable result before taxes was EUR 391 million (134). *Comparable return on capital employed was 15.0% (6.2). *Net cash flow from operations was EUR 374 million (203). President and CEO Ilkka Hämälä: "The first half of 2021 turned out to be altogether excellent for Metsä Group. The growth in demand as well as the increase in prices in the pulp business and mechanical wood products, which began during the fourth quarter in 2020, continued throughout the period. The paperboard business also continued its strong performance and there, too, the already robust demand continued to improve, due to which price levels in different market areas also took an upward turn. Demand for consumer products in tissue paper was on a significantly lower level than in the previous year, and the intermittent easing of the pandemic did not yet figure greatly in the demand for professional products.