Recent Articles

The Saica Group has unveiled its Research, Development & Innovation (R&D&I) Centre at its El Burgo de Ebro plant in Zaragoza, Spain. The centre will service Saica's four divisions globally: Saica Natur, Saica Paper, Saica Pack and Saica Flex.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a SEK 1.3 billion (approximately Euro 110 million) loan agreement with Swedish company Billerud, a world-leading paper and packaging materials supplier. The loan supports investments in the modernisation and upgrade of a bioproduct mill, including the replacement of a recovery boiler.

The Espanola Pulp and Paper Domtar Mill will enter the final stage of idling on Nov. 30.

Potential layoffs would last a maximum of 90 days and could be implemented in several installments during 2024. A total of 1,100 people were involved in the change negotiations at Metsä Board's seven mill locations in Joutseno, Kaskinen, Kemi, Kyröskoski, Tampere, Simpele and Äänekoski.

UPM invests nearly Euro 10 million in the modernization of the Korkeakoski sawmill. A new split saw supplied by USNR will start operating at the sawmill in 2025.

It's back to business as usual at the Kruger paper mill in Corner Brook after a week-long shutdown.

Felix Schoeller North America is using a new silicone-coating operation at its Pulaski facility, having publicly introduced it for the first time on Nov. 15.

Boise Cascade announced an indefinite curtailment of its lumber production in Chapman, AL. The curtailment will affect approximately 80 positions. The plywood operations at the Chapman location are not part of the curtailment.

Union workers at the Woodland Pulp mill in Baileyville have voted to accept an offer from the company, ending a strike that began October 14.

The workers had hoped to be back on the job Dec. 1, but the company says international paper markets have not recovered as anticipated.

The mill will have an annual production capacity of about 160,000 cubic metres of Kerto LVL and is expected to start production in the second half of 2026.

Details of the incident remain unknown as the investigations are under way.

UPM Pulp, UPM Timber, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Biofuels will start change negotiations on possible temporary layoffs. The negotiations are conducted to prepare for possible temporary adjustment of production in the Finnish units should the uncertainty in the operating environment continue.

The project to expand folding boxboard production capacity has been completed at the Husum integrated pulp and paperboard mill in Sweden.

Due to uncompetitive wood prices from the Polish State Forests' monopoly and low market demand across paper and board products, the company decided to significantly reduce the planned multiannual strategic investment project at MM Kwidzyn relating to energy, further pulp integration and the product range, which was announced end of April 2023. Instead, MM Kwidzyn will focus its investments on increasing its already high share of renewable energy of currently 69 % even further.

Smurfit Kappa, a paper-based packaging company, has announced it will make a $68 million investment and create 200 new jobs in Anderson County.

Pick your mood...optimistic, eh, or pessimistic...and you can find it in the pulp and paper industry right now.

The PM40 closed Friday, 1 December 2023, at 5213.

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 December 2023 down 1.3% from the 2 December 2022 level.

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

Sappi Europe will increase prices for its fine paper grades by 7-10% from January 2024. This increase is necessary to maintain viability of Sappi's business, the actual amount will depend on the product and market circumstances.

Brazilian pulp producer Suzano selected international technology group Andritz to provide modular maintenance services for its new mill being built in Ribas do Rio Pardo, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

The new capacity is planned to be in operation in Q3 2025.

Norwegian cardboard producer Ranheim Paper & Board started up PM5 at its Ranheim paper mill after a dryer section rebuild supplied by Toscotec.

Andritz will supply a methanol liquefaction plant to Japanese unbleached kraft pulp producer Hyogo Pulp Industries Ltd.