Archives

The PM40 closed Friday, 13 June 2025, at 5129.

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 13 June 2025 down 7.4% from the 14 June 2024 level.

In this issue of Disconnected Comparisons, we evaluate Graphic Packaging and Stora Enso.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, the first class of inductees to the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame in Appleton, Wisconsin was inducted more than two decades ago in 1995, and today, more than 150 papermaking innovators and legends have been enshrined. This month, we profile the late Derek H. Page, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

What is your current view of the pulp and paper industry?

Green Bay Packaging has awarded AFRY engineering services for the paper mill modernization project in Morrilton, Arkansas, USA. The assignment includes multidisciplinary design engineering and site services for the Balance of Plant (BOP).

The delivery will support the rebuild of a paper machine and is part of the customer's broader effort to enhance sheet quality and increase paper strength properties for their corrugated board production.

The closing of the transaction is expected within 30 to 60 days.

The installation has passed Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and is now running at verified industrial speed.

Contract covers mechanical maintenance of the stock preparation line.

Valmet changes its financial reporting structure to reflect its new strategy, which was published today, and the new operating model announced on March 31, 2025. The new operating model and reporting structure will take effect on July 1, 2025.

The start-up is scheduled for 2026.

Global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, Graphic Packaging, has been awarded the 2024 Packaging Supplier of the Year award from multinational drink and brewing company, Molson Coors.

Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific is one of a select group of organizations signing on to support the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee, enabling the company to showcase its businesses and brands in customer entertainment, community engagement, hospitality and marketing activities when the world-renowned event visits in the summer of 2026.

Stora Enso is proud to launch a specialized pulp grade-UKP Nova E, an Unbleached Kraft Pulp (UKP) engineered specifically for electrical insulation papers.

The PPWR provides a clear regulatory framework to foster recyclability and the circular economy across the EU.

Sontara®'s EcoRE bags, now part of the Magnera® portfolio, recently received the IDEA® Long-Life Achievement Award at IDEA 25, the premier global event for nonwovens and engineered fabrics. Made from cellulosic fibers, Sontara EcoRE material is certified for home composting1 and boasts exceptional strength and durability.

Metsä Group and the University of Jyväskylä have signed a partnership agreement that includes a plan to promote research and develop education related to forests, the forest industry and wood-based products to better meet the needs of working life.

This is the second time Quad has been included in the media brand's annual ranking, which is based on North American revenue.

Borregaard is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the 1.5°C pathway.

Successful trials show AmFiberTM Performance Paper can be a smart choice in Brazil's mixed-paper recycling streams.

Sappi's current shareholder split is around 70% South African and 30% non-South African

The Greenpac Mill, located in Niagara Falls, New York, manufactures lightweight containerboard, made with 100% recycled fibres.

Net income increased 6.5% to $47.3 million or $0.82 per diluted Class A share compared to net income of $44.4 million or $0.77 per diluted Class A share.

Magnera Corporation announced it will be added to the broad-market Russell 3000® Index following the annual reconstitution of the Russell indexes. The reconstituted indexes are set to take effect after the U.S. market closes on June 27, 2025.

The amended and restated loan agreement includes, among other things, a liquidity covenant and a profitability target replacing the current leverage covenant up to and including 30 September 2026.

UPM is deepening its over 15-year collaboration with the Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG) by developing forestry water protection. The new commitment focuses on research into sustainable forestry and the development of new practices in peatlands, among other areas.

The expansion is expected to create approximately 35 new jobs, adding to the more than 600 people Green Bay Packaging currently employs in Conway County. The company also noted that this investment could potentially double the production capacity of the Arkansas Kraft facility.

Kimberly-Clark has announced plans for a $130 million expansion of its Mobile facilities, adding a new production line to make hygiene products.

A historic investment of nearly $1 billion in the region since 2018 to create a major tissue product manufacturing hub in North America

Antalis signs a binding agreement to acquire Club Groupe, a recognized French player in the Visual Communication sector, thereby strengthening its strategic position in the national market.

Kimberly-Clark on Thursday struck a deal with Brazilian pulp maker Suzano to sell a majority stake in its international tissue business, valuing the business at about $3.4 billion, the Kleenex tissue maker said.

The divestment of Metsä Group's parent company Metsäliitto Cooperative's wood supply business in Latvia to ACA Timber has been completed. The seller is Metsä Forest Latvia SIA, a subsidiary fully owned by Metsäliitto Cooperative. On 3 March 2025, Metsä Group announced the divestment of its wood supply business in Latvia, which at the time still required approval by the Latvian Competition Authority.

A possible write down will affect Spinnova's results negatively in 2025. Spinnova has not given financial guidance for 2025.

International Paper, a global leader in sustainable packaging, on June 3 announced the strategic exploration of a new sustainable packaging facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. The exploration of a prospective new facility is part of International Paper's strategic growth plans to expand manufacturing capabilities in the United States. The company is eyeing Utah to increase its footprint in the region and better serve customers by meeting the growing demand for high-quality, sustainable packaging.

The Pixelle paper mill in Chillicothe is set to officially shut its doors on Aug. 10. The company issued an updated notice Tuesday morning, announcing the official closure date.

30,000 Tons of Specialty Paper Capacity Returns Online to Meet Growing Demand for Sustainable Food Packaging

As of 1 July 2025, Metsä Group's Executive Management Team will consist of the heads of each of the five business areas, the Group EVP, CFO, the EVP, Human Resources, and the EVP, Legal and Compliance..

Procter & Gamble will cut 7,000 jobs, or roughly 15% of its non-manufacturing workforce, as part of a two-year restructuring program.

UPM Raflatac business area and reporting segment will be renamed UPM Adhesive Materials as of June 12, 2025. The new reporting segment name will be in use from the Interim Report Q2 2025 onwards.

As Japan accelerates its Green Growth Strategy to achieve carbon neutrality and economic sustainability, APP Group is strengthening bilateral economic relations by providing sustainable forestry solutions and responsible pulp and paper production.

DATA Communications Management Corp., a leading Canadian provider of print and digital solutions that help simplify complex marketing communications and workflow, is excited to announce that its client, Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd., has hit a significant milestone through its participation in the PrintReleaf program: over 50,000 trees planted at reforestation projects around the world.

Each year, more than seven million tons of logs travel safely across PotlatchDeltic's extensive network of forest roads, crossing numerous streams using approximately 39,000 culverts and 100 bridges.

Mercer Holz GmbH is setting a strong example for sustainability and innovation in the transport sector: Mercer Holz presented its two new, fully electric e-trucks for the first time at the Open Day event at its sister plant Mercer Rosenthal.

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is launching its re/cycle PaperPlus Bag Advanced, a high-performance paper bag designed to protect humidity-sensitive goods, while significantly reducing plastic content.

According to the report, the Smurfit Westrock Paper Mill in Covington ranks as one of the top paper mill polluters in the nation.

AFRY Management Consulting has prepared a comparative study on the carbon footprint of Metsä Wood's Kerto® LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) product.

Western Forest Products says the curtailment is due to a "shortage of economically viable logs that fit the mill and market conditions."

A 30-year-old Domtar Crofton Mill worker died after the heavy equipment he was operating fell into the ocean and he was trapped inside on Wednesday, June 4.

According to early reports, the incident involves a turbine fire inside the facility, prompting an immediate call for mutual aid.

Firefighters responded with an aggressive attack, and the flames were brought under control.

The extent of damage is unknown, and the cause remains under investigation.

A small crew could be seen on the roof where a hole had been opened up and smoke was pouring out.

The layoffs are effective Aug. 10.

Approximately 100 senior salaried and directors were included in the scope of the negotiations. As a result of the negotiations, a reduction of 9 positions will take place.