Sappi Europe’s Kirkniemi Mill in Lohja, Finland, has successfully made the switch from using fossil fuels to renewable energy to fuel the production of the Galerie paper range. A €16.5 million investment into state-of-the-art facilities and machinery for the reception, storage and handling of biofuels is the latest in a string of efforts by Sappi in meeting its Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)-approved emissions reduction goal across all its regions. Biomass residues such as bark, sawdust and wood chips, largely locally sourced, now fuel the Kirkniemi Mill Galerie paper operations, setting the stage for a 90% reduction in direct fossil greenhouse gas emissions. This upgrade now works alongside the multi-fuel boiler built in 2015, enabling the mill to reduce nearly 230,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. This means that Kirkniemi Mill is now able to reduce the carbon footprint of the Galerie paper range by 40%. All this comes as part of a longstanding sustainability focus at Kirkniemi that has, in recent years, brought continuous improvements in environmental performance across areas including freshwater usage, emissions to watercourses and energy efficiency.

The release papers are produced at Condat, Lecta's mill in France. After the launch several months ago of its new range of Linerset release liners with Linerset CCK (Clay Coated Kraft) release paper, Lecta now presents Linerset Glassine, a supercalendered paper for siliconization with very good lay-flatness, caliper, transparency and high resistance. Available in yellow and white, respectively, Linerset Glassine Y (Yellow) and Linerset Glassine W (White) are produced in substances from 45 to 78 g/m² for application on self-adhesive labels. Introducing these new release liners, Lecta advances in its transformation and diversification project at its Condat mill in France. With an investment of more than 80 million euros, Lecta has transformed its Line 8 paper machine at Condat with the aim of manufacturing release liners for siliconization. Lecta also has acquired a new supercalender, making Condat one of the most modern, efficient and environment-friendly factories in Europe.

Weyerhaeuser Company today announced effective immediately that all its lands in Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Missoula, Sanders and Ravalli counties in Western Montana are closed to public access due to the extreme forest fire danger. The closure will remain in effect until further notice.