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The PM40 closed Friday, 29 May 2026, at 5093.

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 29 May 2026 down 0.9% from the 30 May 2025 level.

In this issue of Disconnected Comparisons, we evaluate Smurfit Westrock and Sonoco.

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

Sunday, 24 May 2026, I watched the sporting event of the year that I thoroughly enjoy--the Indianapolis 500. The greatest auto race in the world has succeeded in seriously improving its performance and dramatically improving its safety record. Why can't we do the same? In Paperitalo's publication, PaperMoney, we have a department, "Risks: Fires, Fatalities and Catastrophes." We started this chronicle of such events in 2017. There has been no discernible improvement in the nine years since then.

While the contract value remains undisclosed, installation is scheduled to take place during a major maintenance shutdown in February 2027.

Developed for systems utilizing bale pulpers and refining, MaxBarrier provides a robust physical barrier that removes heavy debris and contaminants before they can reach sensitive downstream equipment such as refiners.

With more than 35 years of experience in the global pulp and paper industry, Andrew Hall brings expertise spanning capital project development and execution, process engineering, mill operations, business consulting, and strategic planning.

DuPont announced that its Board of Directors has approved a reverse stock split of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a ratio of 1-for-3 as well as a reduction in the number of authorized shares of its common stock by a corresponding ratio (the "Reverse Stock Split").

Startup of the new cooler is scheduled for the Q4 2027.

Kadant Solutions, a division of Kadant Inc. (NYSE: KAI), announced the launch of the AccuChange™ blade holder, a roll cleaning innovation developed to reduce downtime, increase consistency, and improve safety for manufacturers processing challenging materials.

Globally, Kemira will reduce an estimated 123 positions across its operating countries, lower than the original estimate of a maximum of 150 positions.

Start-up is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026.

Valmet and Linde, a leading global industrial gases and engineering company, have announced a collaboration to integrate, optimize and offer electrically driven carbon capture solutions for the pulp and paper industry.

The measures include closing the manufacturing site in Sundsvall, Sweden, and adjusting operations in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Jelenia Góra, Poland, and they will affect approximately 350 roles across Sweden and Poland.

The start-up is scheduled for spring of 2027.

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber‑based specialty materials, announces the launch of a new generation of glass microfiber media for HVAC filtration, designed to meet the growing demand for responsible, high‑performance air filtration solutions.

Avery Dennison® Graphics Solutions has debuted five new colors for its flagship Supreme Wrapping Film™ color change vehicle wrapping film product line. These strategic color additions provide installers with high-demand finishes that bridge the gap between luxury aesthetics and the reliable, professional-grade performance the industry expects from the SW900 series.

SOMFY and DS Smith have introduced a recyclable corrugated cardboard packaging system for roller shutter motors, replacing polystyrene inserts used in transport.

98% of consumers prioritise product protection, while 86% expect packaging to be sustainable, making performance and sustainability the evergreen baseline.

Leading corrugated manufacturer leverages ISNetworld®'s safety perception assessment to establish baseline insights and help improve contractor engagement.

To meet growing demand for lightweight and resource-efficient corrugated packaging, Holmen is extending the Holmen Elevate range with a fresh-fibre fluting - Holmen Elevate Flute. The addition enables a consistent approach across the entire corrugated structure, reducing material use and emissions without compromising performance.

Established in 2016 and backed by more than 130 years of industry history, the company has focused on improving the performance, efficiency, and sustainability of labeling solutions for high-volume, operationally demanding environments.<

Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, has once again been awarded the highest Platinum rating by EcoVadis. The company ranks among the top one percent of companies assessed globally in the pulp, paper and board industry - a position it has held since 2019.

Latest expansion makes newest enhanced treated lumber product available to builders across nearly half of the U.S.

Metsä Fibre's Renko sawmill has been selected as the company's safest unit in 2025 among its eight production facilities. The selection was based on the total recordable injury frequency (TRIF) of both personnel and contractor employees, as well as the site's level of activity in implementing proactive safety measures.

For years, printers have relied on legendary eggshell papers for premium work. Today, many of those heritage sheets come with longer lead times, higher minimums, and fewer options. StelloTM by Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. offers a modern alternative, delivering the familiar luxury look printers trust while meeting the speed and flexibility today's projects demand.

Hamburger Containerboard announced Thursday a €60 per metric ton price increase on all grades of recycled containerboard in European markets beginning in June.

The change affects the company's projected net debt-to-equity ratio for fiscal 2025, an important indicator for investors and lenders assessing leverage and capital structure.

More than 15%.

Smurfit WestRock on Wednesday announced that it will delist from the London Stock Exchange. The Dublin-based packaging firm said once the delisting takes effect, it will solely be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Britain's competition ​watchdog said ‌on Thursday ​it ​would not refer ⁠the ​proposed $3.4 billion ​joint venture between Brazilian ​pulp ​producer Suzano and ‌consumer ⁠goods giant Kimberly-Clark ​for ​a ⁠Phase 2 ​investigation.

UPM has signed a definitive agreement to form a graphic paper Joint Venture with Sappi, and the parties have secured financing arrangements that will provide a robust financial standing for the Joint Venture.

In the response, Domtar denies that members of the public "have suffered damages or injury due to noxious odors emitted from the facility."

The charges stemmed from a fatal incident on Nov. 18, 2023, when a worker attempted to clear a blockage from a machine using a pike pole. The pole was ejected from the machinery and struck the worker, resulting in death.

Metsä Group has made significant investments in strengthening its tissue business in Europe. The €370 million investment in Mariestad is one of the largest in the European tissue industry and reflects Metsä Tissue's commitment to the future of European hygiene and tissue sector.

The project includes the installation of a new oxidized white liquor (OWL) plant, expected to begin operating in May, which will reduce raw material usage at the mill.

The $225 million greenfield facility, located less than 10 miles from International Paper's existing Richland box plant, will strengthen manufacturing and service capabilities across the Mid-South region. Designed to improve reliability, product quality, and cost position, the new facility supports growth in key market segments while reinforcing the company's commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and customer-focused innovation.

Modern paper recycling facilities are under increasing pressure to improve process stability, reduce maintenance costs, and maximize fiber recovery while handling growing production volumes. For mills processing recycled fiber, bale handling before pulping can have a major impact on downstream efficiency.

Katariina Kemppainen, Senior Vice President, Group R&D at Metsä Group, has been appointed Chair of the Board of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) on 28 May 2026.

Cross Wrap provides automated solutions that simplify bale handling and wire removal, ensuring smooth, safe, and reliable stock preparation. With over 100 Dewiring Machines and Wire Cutters installed worldwide, including at major paper recyclers and board mills, these systems are proven to perform under demanding conditions.

Irving's family said in a statement that he died Tuesday, May 19, surrounded by his immediate family in Moncton, N.B. He is survived by his wife, four children and four grandchildren.

The investments will improve long-term efficiency, lower costs and increase capacity at the company's Eastover, South Carolina mill, only strengthening its position as one of the most competitive paper mills in the world.

The Ontario warehouse fire and what it reveals about the response gap in high-fuel-load facilities.

Stora Enso plans to reorganise its Skutskär production unit in Sweden in order to focus more strongly on fluff pulp and improve the site's long-term competitiveness. The company will begin change negotiations with union representatives concerning a proposal to permanently close softwood pulp production on fiberline 3, or L3, which is currently operating with negative margins.

To date, we have reported a total of 52 fires, fatalities and catastrophic incidents this year in the pulp and paper industry. The latest story regarding the Nippon Dynawave implosion stands out as it is one of the largest catastrophic incidents in recent history.

Huhtamaki and Hesburger are strengthening their long-standing partnership through the development of new fiber lids, designed in close collaboration to support performance and sustainability in everyday foodservice applications.

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

Metsä Board, a leading European producer of fresh fibre paperboards and part of Metsä Group, has received validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its updated near-term emissions reduction targets. Metsä Board has had SBTi validated targets in place since 2019.

Stora Enso has adopted a new target for 90 percent of the materials in its own operations to be circular by 2030, up from 79 percent in 2025.

Publishes carbon data supporting customers' sustainability goals and reporting.

The investigation into last week's chemical tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave plant in Longview is ongoing. The deceased were identified as Gilberto Bernal, 52; Tyler Covington, 29; Brad Covington, 27; Robert Wilson, 48; Dale Miller, 54; Jared Ammons, 35; Braydon Finkas, 38; Clinton Duran, 26; John Forsberg, 51; Norman Barlow, 58; and Dillon Miller.

Susana Alejandro, Saica's CEO welcomed Ambassador Emma Aparici to the company's Manchester site, home to the PM11 paper machine and a flagship example of circular economy manufacturing in the UK.

The facility is in Manson, North Carolina.