Archives

The PM40 closed Friday, 12 September 2025, at 5492.

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 12 September 2025 down 4.3% from the 13 September 2024 level.

In this issue of Disconnected Comparisons, we evaluate International Paper and Louisiana Pacific.

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 Lothar Göttsching, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Does shift work keep you from having pets?

The Navigator Company, a leading company in the international pulp and paper market from Portugal, has selected AFRY to conduct a comprehensive asset integrity assessment for its Setubal, Aveiro, and Figueira pulp mills.

Green Bay Packaging has significantly improved operational reliability and detrashing throughput at its Green Bay, WI facility through the implementation of Voith's OnControl.Pulping Detrashing solution.

Valmet has received an order from Klingele Paper & Packaging for an automation solution to increase resource efficiency through digitalization at the Weener paper mill in Germany.

The plant will produce up to 640,000 metric tons of recycled containerboard annually, thereby increasing Modern Karton's total production capacity to almost two million metric tons per year.

The scope of supply includes advanced automation and digitalization solutions for maximum use of the boiler's potential.

Valmet and Helen Oy have signed a comprehensive four-year service agreement to ensure long-term performance for the newly converted wood-pellet-fired K7 BFB-boiler in Helen's Salmisaari power plant in Helsinki, Finland.

The delivery and start-up are scheduled for the Q2 2026.

The rebuild will enable a production capacity of 750,000 tons of highquality coated primary fiber board annually a new record in Europe.

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, presents its expanded range of release and label papers for pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) applications at Labelexpo Europe 2025, helping to make labeling more sustainable and circular.

In response to rising demand for recyclable packaging that performs under pressure, Billerud introduces two new cartonboard grades: CrownBoard Carry and CrownBoard Light. Designed for strength and moisture resistance, the new packaging materials expand the CrownBoard portfolio and support brand owners in meeting both performance and sustainability goals.

Originally introduced in 2018 after 7 years of Research and Development Essity's coreless technology has progressively been applied to several product categories, from toilet paper to household towels.

Employees that are closest to the work are usually the first to identify areas of improvement. The reliability team at Georgia-Pacific's Toledo containerboard mill, tasked with ensuring the machines operate optimally, planned and executed a project that brought value to the facility.

During the seven years of transformation since Graphic Packaging International acquired International Paper's consumer packaging business, the company has worked to become the king of cups -- an ongoing growth driver for GPI.

Henkel's Blue Star brand with MM Board & Paper recycled cartonboard receives top honours in "Functionality and Convenience" category.

To further support waste diversion, customers can even leave dry, leftover paper products inside the dispensers. Once received, the dispensers are sorted, shredded and transformed into an alternative fuel source, a substitute for fossil fuel, used in the production of cement and building materials.

The platform serves as a centralized resource to facilitate the management of certifications and branding, provide detailed technical information about fibres, and enhance partnership engagement with Lenzing, said the company.

National recognition highlights LP as one of the country's top employers.

Nordic beauty and innovative packaging design come together in LUMENE's cosmetics calendar of Christmas 2024, which won the prestigious ScanStar packaging award. The calendar was designed by Metsä Board's packaging design team and manufactured by VG Kvadra Pak, part of Van Genechten Packaging Group. /p>

Both companies will highlight shared solutions and the breadth and depth of their capabilities that streamline inbound shipments; optimize retail execution; improve distribution/fulfillment center efficiency and simplify retail delivery.

Around the world, mass timber kits are enabling faster, healthier, and more sustainable schools-designed for learning and built with high carbon-storing materials that will serve the next generations of thinkers and creators.

Twin Rivers Paper Company ("Twin Rivers"), a leading producer of specialty paper products, proudly marks a century of papermaking, operational excellence, product innovation, and a strong commitment to the communities where it operates.

With the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) recyclability requirements approaching, it is essential to find packaging solutions that are recyclable with widely available recycling infrastructures. Paper and board recycling infrastructures are widely present and established to support the future requirements.

UPM Specialty Papers has partnered with EvoPak to support Walkers Chocolates' transition from a plastic wrapper to recyclable paper-based packaging. This will help Walkers Chocolates achieve its sustainable packaging ambition while reducing plastic usage across their site.

Lumber prices have dropped 25% since early August, as uncertainty over tariffs, oversupply, and a slowdown in U.S. homebuilding continue to weigh on demand. In response, major North American producers are scaling back output.

Coniferous Bidco AB has acquired over 90% of Nordic Paper shares.

State-of-the-art technology will improve efficiency and increase production.

Hood Industries, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of structural wood products, is investing $245 million to expand its sawmill operations in Wayne County, Mississippi.

Sofidel America has successfully started up a third paper machine at its integrated plant in Circleville, Ohio. The milestone, achieved on September 4, 2025, further consolidates the site's role as the company's largest and most important production hub worldwide.

Sonoco Products Company, a global leader in high-value sustainable packaging, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its ThermoSafe business unit ("ThermoSafe"), which is one of the leading providers of temperature-assured packaging, to Arsenal Capital Partners ("Arsenal"), a leading private equity investment firm that specializes in building market-leading industrial growth and healthcare companies, for a total purchase price of up to $725 million.

Headquartered in St Louis, Missouri, Anchor Packaging has operated as a portfolio company of private equity firm TJC (formerly known as The Jordan Company) since 2019. The packaging company has operations in the states of Arkansas and Wisconsin.

Natural resources minister says existing Crown land leases not part of sales process.

Greif completed the divestiture of its containerboard business to Packaging Corporation of America for $1.8 billion in cash, the companies announced after markets closed Tuesday afternoon.

Veritiv Operating Company, a leader in specialty packaging distribution, facility solutions and print products and solutions, announced that it has acquired the packaging distribution business of S. Walter Packaging Corp., a provider of custom packaging solutions serving retail, hospitality, food & beverage, and fashion markets.

Weyerhaeuser received approximately $60 million USD upon the sale of the lumber facility, with the remainder of the transaction proceeds to be received in conjunction with the transfer of the timber licenses.

Domtar will temporarily shut its Glenwood, Arkansas sawmill on October 10, halting operations at a facility that produces 167 million board feet of southern yellow pine lumber annually and employs 113 workers.

Mill also closed for several months earlier this year.

Interfor Corporation will reduce lumber production by approximately 145 million board feet between September and December 2025, representing approximately 12% of its normal operating stance. The company has annual lumber production capacity of approximately 4.7 billion board feet.

In June, a carbon capture pilot plant came online at Metsä Group's Rauma mill, where the company is testing the capture of pulp mill flue gases in cooperation with the technology company Andritz, the supplier of the pilot plant.

Schertell brings more than 30 years of experience in the specialty materials industry. She previously served as president and CEO of Mativ Holdings, which was formed from the merger of Schweitzer Mauduit International and Neenah Inc. Before that role, she led Neenah Inc. as president and CEO.

The plans would affect a maximum of 82 positions.

Arctic Paper is committed to environmental responsibility as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time action.

With SBTi validation of its emissions reduction targets for 2030.

The innovative solution is made from Mondi's re/cycle FunctionalBarrier Paper range and designed for recycling according to the 4evergreen 'Design for Circularity Guidelines'.

Port Hawkesbury Paper (PHP) announces the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report, which details a year of significant achievements and ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, community growth, and industry-leading safety practices.

Rayonier Inc. has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, which highlights the actions the Company is taking to enhance the long-term sustainability of its land resources as well as the long-term well-being of its investors, employees, communities, and other stakeholders.

Sappi Europe is strengthening its position as a leader in sustainable packaging with the launch of Guard Pro OHS and Guard Pro OMH.

In 2024, Södra decided to invest in an electric, heavy-duty truck to be integrated into the company's logistics chain. The vehicle is now being put into operation within the production activities, and its use will be evaluated under real conditions over two years.

Södra's sawmill in Värö is the first in the industry to adopt a new, enhanced scanning solution that enables strength grading of timber with even greater precision. This investment allows Södra to make better use of each tree and strengthen its competitiveness in the market.

Global private sector forestry association broadens footprint to 31 million hectares (76 million acres) in 39 countries.

One worker was transported for smoke inhalation, and there were no other reported injuries.

Over the weekend, a fire broke out inside the premises of Hylte Paper, formerly known as Stora Enso, in Hyltebruk. Shortly after 4 p.m., the emergency services announced that the fire had been extinguished, according to reports from SVT.

A significant fire at the Georgia-Pacific mill in Englehart, Ont., required a multi-department response early Sunday morning, Sept. 7,with crews working for more than ten hours to contain the blaze and protect surrounding assets.

Workers at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper are back in full swing Sept. 8 as Kruger has already started forestry operations to full capacity as of August 25th. The temporary shutdown was due to recent forest fires and a high risk for more fires due to dry conditions.

Lenzing AG, a global leader of regenerated cellulose fibers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Milena Ioveva as Vice President Corporate Communications, Sustainability, Investor Relations and Public Affairs. She will be based in Austria and report directly to CEO Rohit Aggarwal.

Union vice president Tim Jenkins with United Steelworkers Local 731 said the next round of layoffs will leave a skeleton crew of just 50 to 60 employees behind.

Progroup's corrugated sheetfeeder plant in the northern Italian city of Cessalto successfully started regular operation.

The wood industry company Setra Group has announced a production adjustment at its sawmill in Hasselfors, Sweden. The decision means that 50 employees will be given notice of termination, adjustments on both the blue-collar and white-collar sides. Implementation period is four months.