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The PM40 closed Friday, 30 May 2025, at 5141.

Get the latest PM40 updates by listening to the weekly Nips show and the PM40 Daily Show on Pulp & Paper Radio International.

The PM40 closed 30 May 2025 down 10.6% from the 31 May 2024 level.

In this issue of Disconnected Comparisons, we evaluate Greif and Mercer International.

The Trump Administration's executive orders cut across dozens of industries. This searchable tool breaks down the orders and their impact.

Having started working in industry in 1970, I would say the industry of those days was more closely related to the inventions of the Fourdrinier brothers than it is to the industry of today. Nearly all computerization and electronics of today have been invented or perfected since 1970. This is true from the most mundane tasks through the most sophisticated operations to the headquarters functions.

A.Celli and Ahlstrom sign a contract for the supply of a nonwoven rewinder destined for the production line located in Chirnside, Scotland.

Andritz delivered and started up the torrefaction reactor for one of Europe's largest industrial torrefaction plants, developed by Joensuu Biocoal Oy and operated by Taaleri in Finland.

This significant upgrade represents a key transition for the PM11 paper machine, which will now produce high-quality packaging board from 100% recycled wastepaper.

Company marks significant progress towards 2050 climate goals.

Start-up is planned for the Q1 2026.

The installations are scheduled to take place during the mill's annual shutdown in autumn 2025.

Kadant Carmanah Design announced it is entering into a collaborative partnership with Hexion Inc., a global leader of adhesives and performance materials solutions that uses artificial intelligence to improve the manufacturing process of wood panels.

The pulp mill and automated loading system enhance the mill's production and make operations safer.

The 2025 designees are U.S. private companies that have demonstrated excellence in strategic planning and execution, a commitment to their people, as well as maintaining financial performance and governance.

The engineering firm is cutting 325 jobs in Finland, and placing more than 1,000 other employees on unpaid leave. Valmet has not yet said where the cuts will take place, but the Jyväskylä region could bear the brunt of the reductions.

The furnace upgrade will be delivered by the end of 2025.

Valmet will supply an extensive rebuild for Sylvamo's paper machine PM 2 in Eastover, South Carolina, USA.

Start-up is planned for 2026.

Georgia-Pacific LLC's new Stewardship Report, Progress With Purpose, is now live.

The Most Loved Workplace® certification is based on extensive research and analysis by BPI, evaluating factors such as employee satisfaction, workplace culture, and overall sentiment. This prestigious award reflects Greif's dedication to creating a positive work environment.

International Paper (IP) is a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, employing more than 65,000 team members and serving customers around the world from operations in more than 30 countries.

Kimberly-Clark announced May 22 the recipients of its Bright Futures college scholarships, awarding 30 high school seniors from across North America. These students, children of Kimberly-Clark employees, were selected based on their academic achievements, leadership qualities, work experience, and extracurricular activities.

Mativ, global leader in specialty materials, has reached a significant milestone in their partnership with Miru Smart Technologies ("Miru"), a pioneer in smart window innovation. Through its advanced polymer film solutions brand, Argotec, Mativ has secured their first purchase order of materials used in Miru's dynamic electrochromic window technology from a major glass manufacturer.

The report outlines, among other things, the Company's progress towards its 2030 sustainability goals.

One year after groundbreaking, Phase 1 of construction has been completed on one of the most ambitious civic mass timber projects in the U.S.

Mondi has expanded its re/cycle MailerBAG production capacity to serve the growing need for sustainable eCommerce packaging solutions.

Designed in collaboration with the University of Arkansas, this six-month intensive program equips high-potential employees with the confidence, skills, and network they need to thrive in future leadership roles.

This collaboration is a heartfelt tribute to our furry four-legged friends by providing an eco-friendly packaging solution that ensures both pet health and environmental responsibility.

Stora Enso has been awarded with the Red Dot Design Award for the scalable and recyclable gift packaging portfolio for a range of Marimekko's products. The first boxes were launched in May 2024.

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, Building Together: People and Partnerships. The report highlights the Company's sustainability performance across a variety of environmental, social, and governance goals and disclosed targets.

Fighting Fires Together campaign raises awareness and helps address mental health challenges of wildland firefighting.

The Company intends to use the proceeds from the offering to redeem all of its outstanding US$206 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due January 15, 2026, to repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility and to pay related transaction fees and expenses.

Kimberly-Clark expects that its common stock will cease trading on the NYSE at market close on Thursday, May 29, 2025, and will commence trading on Nasdaq on Friday, May 30, 2025.

Financing reflects strong confidence from the banking market.

The partnership with Suzano, one of the ten largest consumers of natural gas in Brazil and one of the main customers in this segment, marks the beginning of Petrobras' operations in the free market in the state.

Weyerhaeuser Distribution announced a partnership with Nichiha USA that will make Nichiha's full portfolio of siding and trim products available in Texas through its distribution centers in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

Domtar's environmental penalties at its Skookumchuck mill were dropped to $17,200, from an initial $39,000 recommended by ministry inspectors.

Under the deal, J&F will repurchase Paper Excellence's 49% stake in pulp producer Eldorado Celulose for approximately $2.7 billion (R$15.2 billion).

Norske Skog has reached an important and historic milestone with start of recycled containerboard production at the Golbey mill. The total investment of approximately EUR 400 million makes it the single largest investment in Norske Skog's history.

This latest Euro 15 million investment in Saint-Séverin underscores Ahlstrom's enduring commitment to sustainable innovation.

On Wednesday, 28 May, a ceremony was held in Mönsterås to mark the start of construction of Södra's new kraft lignin plant. The facility is an important step in Södra's strategy to make more from every tree and develop its business by adding new bio-based products. The plant will support the green transition and strengthen the local labour market.

Smurfit Westrock--the packaging company formed through the merger of Ireland's Smurfit Kappa and U.S.-based Westrock--has approved a $150 million (about R$840 million) investment to expand and modernize its operations in Brazil. The investment, already cleared by the board, is expected to be implemented over a period of 18 to 22 months.

UPM Specialty Papers will invest over 10 million euros in the modernization of UPM Tervasaari mill in Valkeakoski, Finland. The investment will allow UPM Specialty Papers to boost capacity and improve production stability in its highly specialized products, such as glassines and flexible packaging papers.

Ahlstrom is retaining all 260 employees at the Stevens Point facility, according to Tricia Schwartz, the company's communication manager for North America.

Sofidel raised acquisition bid from $126 million to $180 million; Kimberly-Clark named back-up bidder for Royal Paper assets

Stora Enso has entered into an agreement to divest approximately 175,000 hectares of forest land, equivalent to 12.4% of its total forest land holdings in Sweden for an enterprise value of EUR 900 million, equivalent to SEK 9.8 billion or US$1.02 billion.

Capitalizing on unique off-market opportunity to further enhance Southern Timberlands portfolio with highly productive and strategically located acreage.

Agreement with local buyer includes manufacturing facility and associated timber licenses in British Columbia.

Tom Erik Foss-Jacobsen has been appointed CEO of Borregaard ASA. He succeeds Per A. Sørlie, who will retire after 26 years in the position.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company announced that Alessandro Maselli has joined its Board of Directors. Mr. Maselli is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Catalent Pharma Solutions and a member of its Board.

It has proposed closing five packaging sites in the UK following a strategic review of the region. It did not specify which locations are earmarked for closure.

Kadant Black Clawson LLC, a subsidiary of Kadant Inc., successfully started up a new lightweight recycled containerboard line at Cascades' Bear Island facility in Ashland, Virginia.

Kasperkovitz has more than 15 years of experience in various management functions in Europe, North America and Asia, which represent the group's most important production regions and markets.

Two-Day Online Auction Scheduled for June 4-5, 2025, Featuring Extensive Paper Production Equipment from a 135-Year-Old Facility

When a recruiter approached Andy Silvernail about joining International Paper to turn around the 127-year-old company, he initially said no.

Is safety your first priority?

Identifies Coatings and Treatments that can be Repulped and Recycled

Pregis®, a global leader in protective packaging, mailing and bagging, and flexible packaging solutions, has expanded its EasyPack® on-demand paper portfolio with the introduction of GeoTerra® paper in white.

Södra will continue to be a significant player in green electricity production by generating electricity from biomass, wind and water in 2024.

UPM Raflatac is pleased to announce the publication of its 2024 Climate Review, highlighting the significant progress it has made as a global partner for sustainable material solutions. The Review showcases how UPM Raflatac and its partners are driving climate action in three focus areas: forests and land, emission reductions and products and services.

Following extended technical, commercial and strategic evaluations UPM plans to discontinue the development of its potential second biomass-to-fuels refinery at the Port of Rotterdam. As a result, UPM plans to halt all engineering work related to the CAPEX investment in Rotterdam and to withdraw from all site-related commitments associated with the Rotterdam investment.

The duration of temporary layoffs is up to 90 days.

At the end of March, Rottneros announced a reduction corresponding to 47 positions. The notice applied to both Rottneros Mill and Group functions.

A packaging and labeling company in southwestern Wisconsin is preparing to shut down one of its facilities, citing shifting business conditions and resulting in layoffs affecting dozens of workers.