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The PM40 closed Friday, 13 March 2026, at 5212.

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 March 2026 down 5.9% from the 14 March 2025 level.

In this issue of Disconnected Comparisons, we evaluate Avery Dennison and Quad.

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

The first class of inductees to the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame 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 Tad Bretting, who was president and CEO of C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Company in Ashland, Wisconsin, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

From your perspective, is the pulp and paper industry in boom times or poor times?

Swedish specialty paper producer Ahlstrom Sweden AB has ordered a PrimeDry Steel Yankee for its machine-glazed (MG) and specialty paper machine PM6 at the Billingsfors mill, with the replacement of the existing cast iron cylinder scheduled for start-up during the Q4 2026.

The Supervisory Board of ANDRITZ Group today unanimously approved an extension of the contract of President and CEO, Dr. Joachim Schönbeck. His current mandate, originally running until April 2027, has been extended by five years, to April 2032.

The delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.

The total value of the investment is EUR 2 million, and it is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2026.

Valmet will upgrade the automation system of the recovery boiler at MM Kotkamills mill in Kotka, Finland, securing the lifecycle and long‑term reliability of the mill's mission-critical process equipment. The comprehensive modernization will improve system usability and support easy maintenance.

Greif, a global leader in performance packaging products and services, announced that it has received the 2026 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) for the third consecutive year. In addition to receiving this award, which recognizes the most engaged workplace cultures in the world, Greif was also among a select few honorees to be named a Winner With Distinction, highlighting its significant efforts to help employees thrive.

The first commercialized FRT OSB certified to meet IBC and IRC definitions, featuring fully integrated fire-retardant protection.

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States and a leader in premium, environmentally responsible paper solutions, announced that its Compostable Card has been awarded the TÜV OK Home Compost certification.

Smurfit Westrock joined forces with Spanish fashion brand Ecoalf to create a store made from 100% paper and cardboard.

UPM Specialty Materials is expanding its proprietary UPM Forte™ precoating technology into its UPM SCK release base paper portfolio to better support silicone coaters and labelstock manufacturers seeking to boost coating speeds, optimize silicone formulation costs and improve overall production efficiency.

As a result of the prolonged weakness in global pulp markets and the Company's persistent challenges accessing economically viable fibre, an asset write-down and impairment charge totaling $106.5 million was recognized in Q4 2025, which included a write-off of a previously recognized deferred tax asset of $52.5 million.

Greif, a global leader in performance packaging products and services, announced it is implementing a price increase between $60 and $70 per short ton for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) products and a minimum 7.5 percent increase on all tube and core and protective packaging products.

SCA will increase the prices on all Kraftliner grades in Europe by € 100 per tonne.

Sonoco Products Company, a global leader in high-value sustainable paper products, announced it is implementing a $70 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in the United States and Canada, effective with shipments beginning April 3, 2026.

Södra, OX2 and TES have decided to move into the next phase of developing a potential facility for producing e-NG - a renewable gas that can replace fossil natural gas - in Värö. With support from The Industrial Leap, the parties are launching an in‑depth feasibility study to assess the project's technical, legal and commercial conditions.

Sika Corporation announces a strategic collaboration with Georgia-Pacific Building Products to launch a new EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System), featuring Georgia-Pacific's DensElement® Barrier System.

Van Den Heuvel told investors he planned to start an eco-friendly business called Green Box, which he said would turn solid waste into energy.

Cascades, the leader in environmentally responsible packaging and hygiene product manufacturing, is proud to announce it has invested $6.9 million in its Kingsey Falls uncoated recycled boxboard manufacturing plant (Papier Kingsey Falls) to increase its equipment's production capacity and product quality.

Sofidel Group, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, has finalized the details of the expansion plan announced last October.

UPM Energy is investing over EUR 20 million in the extensive modernization of the Tyrvää hydropower plant. The project will ensure the plant, located in the Pirkanmaa region, Finland, can operate safely far into the future.

Western Forest Products has begun loading the first batches of lumber into one of two new continuous dry kilns at its value-added division in Chemainus, Canada. The new capacity will increase output of kiln-dried products, including lumber used for glued laminated timber in mass timber applications.

The company said the special resolution approving the arrangement received support from 96.02% of shareholders voting at a special meeting, and 84.42% of votes excluding those of the purchaser and its affiliates.

Smurfit Westrock, the world's largest integrated paper-based packaging company, with operations in 40 countries across Latin America, North America, EMEA & APAC, has completed an asset purchase agreement of Cartomanabí, one of the main corrugated packaging companies in Ecuador.

With the successful completion of the term loan, the Company is progressing toward normalized operations and currently anticipates sustaining two-shift operations in the second half of 2026, subject to fibre supply conditions.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company, a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, announced that Jeffrey Stafeil has joined its Board of Directors. Mr. Stafeil is currently Chief Executive Officer of RESRG Automotive and a member of its board of directors.

Rottneros' Board of Directors has resolved to appoint Per Bjurbom as President and CEO with effect from 12 March 2026, whereby acting President and CEO Magnus Wikström will leave this position.

Stora Enso Oyj announces the members of the executive management team of the new forest asset company, which is planned to be demerged from Stora Enso. The demerger is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027.

On Sept. 25, 2025, Roseburg Forest Products permanently closed its Dillard, Oregon facility, laying off 107 workers and causing significant economic disruption to the region.

The Government of Canada is investing over $4.4 million in 10 projects in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, and Natural Resources Canada said the projects will advance manufacturing and processing, diversify forest products and export markets, and support First Nation and Métis groups and forestry businesses, Natural Resources Canada announced.

>Huhtamaki will arrange a combined audiocast and teleconference to present its sustainability performance in 2025.

Pregis®, a global supplier of protective packaging, mailing and bagging solutions and flexible packaging continues to progress toward its 2040 net-zero commitment by expanding the use of renewable wind energy across additional U.S. manufacturing locations.

During 2025, Södra stepped up its nature conservation efforts. The combination of active management measures in family forestry, voluntary set-asides and targeted initiatives for biodiversity has continued to strengthen the ecological values of the forest.

Starting on 1 October 2026, SCA will implement changes to its sea transport using RoRo vessels (Roll-on/Roll-off) by reducing speed, increasing vessel load factors, and adjusting how the ports in Umeå and Piteå are used. One effect of these changes is that emissions from the vessels will be reduced by approximately 40 percent.

The very rare shining beetle Glischrochilus tremulae has been found in SCA's biodiversity park Tjäderberget outside Lycksele, marking the first recorded discovery in Västerbotten.

The Annual Report includes the company's Financial Statements and the Report of the Board of Directors and the Sustainability Statement as well as the Corporate Governance Statement and the Remuneration Report.

Ann O'Hara, President, North America and member of the Global Executive Team, has decided to pursue career opportunities outside of Huhtamaki.

No one was injured in the fire, and it was contained to a smokestack.

No injuries were reported.

The negotiations cover the entire mill personnel, approximately 170 employees.

Metsä Group will once again employ 16-17-year-olds in summer jobs involving forest planting and yard maintenance at mill sites across Finland. These summer jobs provide young people with a safe and well-supervised opportunity to gain their first experience of working life.

Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, is initiating a production shutdown at its Joutseno pulp mill on 31 March 2026. The production shutdown is used to adjust pulp production to match the current uncertain demand situation in the Asian markets.

Rayonier Inc. announced that Ashlee Townsend Cribb has resigned as Executive Vice President, Wood Products to accept a CEO opportunity with a privately-owned, specialty wood products manufacturer that Rayonier does not consider to be a competitor.

Roseburg Forest Products has resumed construction activities at its Dillard MDF plant in southern Oregon, a central project to the company's long-term growth strategy. The facility will feature a next-generation Siempelkamp continuous press capable of producing both MDF and HDF panels ranging from 2 mm to 28 mm in thickness. The restart follows a pause in early 2025 due to economic uncertainty.

Members Vote Overwhelmingly to Ratify Four-Year Agreement.