Huhtamaki has decided to initiate the process to divest its operations in Russia. This follows an earlier decision to stop all investments in Russia at the outbreak of the invasion of Ukraine. Huhtamaki considers that the current evolution of the situation and the long-term outlook in Russia will prevent the realization of its growth strategy and long-term ambitions in the country. Huhtamaki will continue to prioritize investments that capture the significant growth opportunities in the rest of the world, in line with its global ambitions and 2030 Strategy. The safety and wellbeing of all our colleagues remain of paramount importance. Huhtamaki has four manufacturing units in Russia, employing approximately 700 people and has successfully supported global and local customers over the last 30 years. The net sales in Russia represent approximately 3% of the Group’s total net sales. Huhtamaki will explore the market for potential buyers and will maintain its operations during this transitional period, subject to supply chain availability, to meet its contractual and regulatory obligations and to safeguard employees and customers.

Every winery has a story to tell as unique as the wines it bottles. But, with more wineries in the Eastern U.S. and Canada than ever before, standing tall among the competition has never been more difficult. And the label material a winery uses is key in catching the consumer's eye. UPM Raflatac, one of the global leaders in the production of wine label materials, is pleased to announce it will be bringing its wine experts to the Eastern Winery Exposition in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from March 6-8. Winemakers and wine industry professionals are invited to stop by UPM Raflatac's set-up at booth 173 in the Lancaster County Convention Center to learn more about what the company's wine label materials can do to distinguish wine brands. Samples of wine label materials will be available as well. Click Read More below for additional information.

The Mayr-Melnhof Group has reached an agreement to acquire Kotkamills Group Oyj from the previous owners for an enterprise value of around EUR 425 million; this corresponds to approximately 7.8 times the EBITDA of the last twelve months. With the takeover of Kotkamills, MM Karton will expand its position in the attractive market for virgin fiber board (FBB) and Food Service Board (FSB) and complement its established market position in recycled cardboard. The planned transaction will have an immediate impact on earnings. Kotkamills operates two cardboard/paper machines at the integrated location in Kotka (southern Finland): one FBB / FSB cardboard machine, which was commissioned in 2016 after an investment of more than 180 million EUR, with a current sales volume of around 260,000 t and one planned capacity of 400,000 t; a machine for Saturated Kraft Paper / impregnation paper with a capacity of 170,000 t, which makes the company one of the world's leading suppliers. Kotkamills employs around 500 people and in the last twelve months achieved an EBITDA of around EUR 55 million on sales of around EUR 380 million.