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The PM40 closed Friday, 1 May 2026, at 5125.

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 1 May 2026 down 0.4% from the 2 May 2025 level.

In this issue of Disconnected Comparisons, we evaluate Kimberly-Clark and Louisiana Pacific.

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

The problems in the Strait of Hormuz is causing problems worldwide in many industry sectors.

AFT (Aikawa Fiber Technologies) is pleased to announce a successful tissue optimization project at Partex Tissue Limited, part of the Partex Star Group, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

DuPont announced its new 2035 Sustainability Goals, outlining how the company will deliver growth through its progress in key impact areas of Sustainable Innovation, Resilient Operations, and People, Partners and Communities -- all rooted in Strong Governance.

Start-up is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028.

Solenis has begun construction on a new 60,000-tonne-per-year production facility in Beihai, Guangxi Province, representing an investment of RMB 250 million ($35 million).

Valmet will start change negotiations in Finland on May 4 under the Finnish Co-operation Act that may include temporary layoffs of less than 90 days, with possible layoffs implemented from June 2026 through the end of December 2026.

Cascades Fluff & Tuff® joins forces with IGA stores across Quebec and New Brunswick to proudly announce the return of its major annual promotion on behalf of Fondation Charles-Bruneau. Now in its seventh year, this initiative supports pediatric hemato-oncology research to provide children with the best chance for a cure.

Lecta has commissioned a new metallizing line, named Leitzaran, at its mill in Leitza, Spain, which increases metallizing capacity and enables production of high-performance barrier papers for a range of packaging applications.

Curated color collection designed for coastal aesthetics and proven performance.

Companies were selected through a comprehensive screening process that included both public and private U.S.-headquartered organizations with revenues exceeding $500 million.

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. reported Q1 sales of US$1.33 billion, down from $1.46 billion in the comparable period of 2025. The company posted a loss of $188 million, compared to earnings of $42 million a year earlier.

The quarter was characterized by geopolitical challenges, unfavorable currency effects, and weather-related disruptions in North America. Cash flow showed a marked improvement, with all segments contributing positively.

International Paper reported Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $677 million for the Q1 ended March 31, 2026, as the company faced a tougher macro environment including ongoing inflation and a severe winter storm.

The Company intends to regain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards. There can be no assurance that the Company will ultimately regain compliance with all applicable NYSE American listing standards.

Keeps annual forecast intact as personal care products demand holds up

Metsä Group reported a comparable operating result of Euro 4 million for the Q1 2026, compared to Euro 81 million in the same period last year, due to muted demand for market pulp in Europe and China, lower delivery volumes, and the negative impact of US import tariffs.

The company said heightened tensions in the Middle East had added to instability in an already difficult operating backdrop.

Smurfit Westrock said on Thursday it is considering delisting from the London Stock Exchange, as the cardboard box-maker reported earnings that missed market expectations as bad weather hit its North American business.

UFP Industries (UFPI) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.89 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.15 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.3 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

Weyerhaeuser surpassed Wall Street expectations for first-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by ​the monetization of timberland development rights that resulted ‌in significant cash flow.

Rengo Co., Ltd. has established and started operations for RS Wood Refinery, a joint venture formed with Sumitomo Forestry. The new entity aims to commercialize second-generation bioethanol while strengthening the wood chip procurement system for the Rengo Group.

On April 28, 2026 the European Commission announced the opening of a Phase II investigation, which is a normal step in the Commission's merger review process in cases where initial concerns have not been fully resolved during Phase I.

The move will likely require the companies to offer concessions such as asset sales to address the competition concerns.

Boise Cascade Company pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Lacey Act for its role in a timber trafficking scheme that evaded countervailing and anti-dumping duties on plywood imported from China.

Stora Enso must pay back wages to 186 employees at its Oulu mill following strikes in the spring of 2024, according to a district court ruling reported by Yle..

Paper manufacturer settles federal lawsuit charging it with sexual harassment at its Inola, Oklahoma plant and firing the woman after she complained.

A $35 million USD investment brings advanced air-knife coating technology and sterile medical packaging capabilities to Southeast Asia, further strengthening a healthcare regional supply chain.

The project started in February 2026 and is scheduled for completion in December 2026.

Following the commissioning of a new biomass boiler in France in March, the Group - celebrating its 60th anniversary this year - has brought a new photovoltaic system into operation at its Rothley Lodge converting facility in Leicester, UK.

UFP Industries announced the acquisition of the operating assets, including real estate, of Berry Pallets, Inc., a pallet manufacturer based in Waseca, Minnesota for approximately $20 million.

Stora Enso Oyj has entered into an agreement with Prinzhorn to sell three box plants in Germany with 240 million cubic meters of corrugated capacity, approximately 125,000 tonnes.

Based on the strategic review, the Board of Directors of UPM has approved a demerger plan concerning a partial demerger of UPM. According to the demerger plan, UPM will demerge so that all assets and liabilities of UPM relating to the UPM Plywood business area, or mainly serving the UPM Plywood business area, are transferred to WISA Group Plc ("WISA Group"), a company to be established in the demerger (the "Demerger").

Avery Dennison Corporation, a leading global materials science and digital identification solutions company, has announced a $75 million minority investment in Wiliot, a global leader in Physical AI for supply chains. This strategic investment deepens the long-standing partnership dedicated to creating a more intelligent, transparent and connected world.

State-of-the-art packaging facility strengthens Mondi's manufacturing footprint in the United States.

An online auction will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026 for High End Stock Prep, Pulping, and Finishing Equipment from the former Georgia-Pacific Specialty Pulp Mill in Perry, Florida.

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors ("Board") has established an interim Office of the Chief Executive Officer ("OFC") following the resignation of President and CEO Scott M. Sutton, effective immediately.

Five-year agreement establishes Avondale Global Gateway as a key Gulf Coast terminal for Suzano's growing North American operations.

Unifor is calling for urgent, coordinated action from all levels of government following Interfor's announcement that it is indefinitely curtailing operations at its Nairn Centre sawmill.

Gilles Van Nieuwenhuyzen will retire as Chief Executive Officer of the Lecta Group on 30 April, following the successful recapitalization of the group and its division into three operationally and financially separate companies. The announcement comes as the 67-year-old executive steps down after navigating significant market, energy and geopolitical volatility during his tenure.

Approximately 74 employees will be impacted by the closure, the firm said on Thursday (April 23). The warehouse on Widford Industrial Estate in Chelmsford manufactures and supplies corrugated sheet board to customers across the UK. They support a wide range of markets, including food, drink and cosmetics.

UPM Specialty Materials announced that it and Royal Vaasseen introduce an ultra-high barrier paper packaging solution suitable for pet food treats and snacks.

BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group (BTG Pactual TIG), one of the world's largest timberland managers, announced the close of fundraising for its Latin American Reforestation Strategy, reaching US$1.24 billion in commitments.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company, a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, has announced a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. Through the agreement, NextEra Energy Resources plans to build a 250-megawatt solar energy plant in West Texas, advancing Graphic Packaging's commitment to source renewable electricity and reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Kruger Energy has begun construction of the Saint-Paul-de-Montminy (SPDM) Wind Farm, a 196-MW project scheduled for commissioning in December 2027. Located within the municipalities of Saint-Paul-de-Montminy, Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire and Sainte-Apolline-de-Patton, the project represents an investment of more than $580 million.

PepsiCo, Givaudan, Statkraft and Smurfit Westrock announce a renewable energy initiative enabled by the pep+ REnew program, supported by Statkraft, to reduce emissions across Europe.

The United Steelworkers (USW) are proud to welcome 147 new members following a strong organizing victory at Weyerhaeuser in Kenora, Ont.

Officials with Green Bay Packaging said the crane collapsed overnight on Wednesday, April 15, during a bout of severe storms.

Building suffered significant smoke and water damage during the operation, says Dieppe fire chief.

Interfor will indefinitely curtail operations at its Nairn Centre facility in Nairn & Hyman Township, about 55 kilometres west of Sudbury, and at its Gogama facility, about 190 kilometres north of Sudbury, in Ontario. In a statement issued April 23, the company cites weak market conditions, U.S. softwood lumber duties and other trade actions, and ongoing cost pressures.

Laura Lundell has been appointed Senior Vice President of Strategy at Metsä Fibre and will join the company's management team on 1 June 2026. Lundell brings several years of experience in strategy and business development roles within the pulp industry to the position.

Located in Birmingham, SSK manufactures and supplies approximately 200,000 tonnes of fluting and liner to the UK and Irish corrugated market.

Officials said the truck driver was taken to the hospital and a firefighter broke a finger. City officials also said one worker was taken to the hospital, but that person's condition was not known.