Recent Articles

The number of UPM employees affected is 401. Graphic paper production on the two machines is expected to end on 15 November (PM 11) and on 22 November (PM 1), reducing the coated and uncoated publication paper capacity by 595,000 tonnes in Europe.

Metsä Group is conducting a pre-study related to the construction of a first commercial mill for producing Muoto packaging products on its Rauma mill site, Finland. The goal is to determine the mill's technical feasibility and economic profitability.

Ilim Group presented to Chinese partners its new pulp and paperboard mill (the KLB Mill) in Ust-Ilimsk, Russia. The Mill's output will reach 600 thousand tons of kraftliner per year. Thereby, Ilim's aggregate exports to China will surge to 2.4 million tons per year.

The actual demolition will start in early 2024 and the project will run until 2025.

A move by RGE could add a new dimension to the bidding for Essity AB's 52% stake in Vinda, which has drawn bidders such as Suzano SA, the world's largest producer of hardwood pulp from Brazil. Buyout firms Bain Capital, CVC Capital Partners and DCP Capital also advanced in the process, it was reported in August.

Greif, Inc. announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire I PACKCHEM Group SAS, a global leader in premium barrier and non-barrier jerrycans and small plastic containers, from an affiliate of SK Capital Partners, in a cash transaction valued at $538 million.

Sofidel has opened an automated warehouse at its plant in Ciechanów, Poland. The new 11,000 m2 warehouse can handle 32,000 pallets of goods and is designed to ensure higher efficiency and safety standards.

IP announces plans to permanently close its Orange mill and to permanently cease production on pulp machines in Riegelwood and Pensacola.

According to reports, most of the money will go toward new machinery and equipment for the facility.

Arauco, a forestry company linked to the Angelini Group, reported this Tuesday morning Oct. 18 the layoff of about 300 workers nationwide.

Flames broke out at a Pactiv Evergreen facility in Hazle Township just after midnight early Wednesday morning, Oct. 18.

There was no report of any injuries, and no information on damages.

Ennis, Inc., is pleased to announce its acquisition of Eagle Graphics, Inc. from Annville, PA and Diamond Graphics, Inc. from Bensalem, PA.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. announced that it has engaged Houlihan Lokey as its financial advisor to explore the potential sale of its paperboard and high-yield pulp assets located at its Temiscaming site.

Stora Enso appoints Ad Smit as Executive Vice President of the Packaging Solutions division and a member of the Group Leadership Team. He will start on 1 December 2023 and report to Hans Sohlström, President and CEO of Stora Enso.

Arauco announced leadership changes for the North American market. Russ Jordan has been named President of Arauco North America, reporting to Pablo Franzini, the President of Arauco's Global Wood Business.

SEE announced that its Board of Directors and Ted Doheny have mutually agreed to transition SEE's leadership. Mr. Doheny has stepped down as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board, effective immediately. He will continue to serve SEE in an advisory capacity to assist in the transition. Effective immediately, Emile Chammas, Chief Operating Officer, and Dustin Semach, Chief Financial Officer, are appointed Interim Co-Presidents and Co-CEOs, in addition to their current roles.

Rengo Co., Ltd. announces that its consolidated subsidiary, Tri-Wall Limited, has acquired a 100% stake in Gestora Comercial Internacional，S.L.U. (Gecoinsa), through Tri-Wall's wholly owned subsidiary.

Veritiv Corporation, a leading full-service provider of business-to-business products, services and solutions, held a special meeting of stockholders at which Veritiv stockholders voted in favor of all proposals, including a proposal to approve the Company's pending acquisition by an affiliate of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, (CD&R).

Covid taught us that world-wide, smooth procurement had its perturbations. I never saw the phrase, "Force Majeure," except in contracts and textbooks, before 2021. Now it has become, no pun intended, lingua franca, especially on construction projects. Yet, it goes deeper than that.

The PM40 closed Friday, 13 October 2023, at 4861.

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 3 November 2023 up 0.2% from the 4 November 2022 level.

In this issue of Disconnected Comparisons, we evaluate Rayonier and Amcor.

Smurfit Kappa recently published its second annual Green Bond Allocation and Impact Report which provides details on the use of proceeds of its inaugural €1 billion dual-tranche Green Bond issued in September 2021.

The closing is expected to take place in Q1 2024.