Major Announcements

Sonoco, one of the largest sustainable global packaging companies, announced that the new uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) #10 machine is operational as part of its previously announced Project Horizon--the $125 million investment to transform its former corrugated medium machine in Hartsville, S.C to a state-of-the-art URB operation.

Paper Excellence announced the indefinite curtailment of its paper operations at the Catalyst Crofton facility starting in early December 2022. Paper markets in China served by the mill have significantly weakened while there have been substantial cost escalations for chemicals, energy and wood fibre used at Crofton. The intersection of these pressures has materially impacted the financial viability of the paper operation.

The company is investing $21 million to upgrade and restart the #24 paper machine (PM24) and plans to hire 52 full-time employees to operate and maintain it. Pixelle will also fill 50 temporary positions to support construction and engineering requirements related to the restart.

Roseburg announces automation and modernization at Pembroke MDF Moulding. The two-line moulding operation is in the midst of a significant modernization project.

Tolko's High Prairie team is continuing to work hard on the clean-up effort following the serious press fire that occurred at the mill on May 20, 2022. The damage to the press and press building was significant, and much of the equipment was a total loss.

Dunn Paper will close its Port Huron location Nov. 18.

The mill has endured significant business and financial challenges that were compounded by the April 2020 rupture of one of its pulp digesters and catastrophic damage impacting the continued operability of the entire pulp mill.

Metsä Board starts pre-engineering for a new folding boxboard mill in Kaskinen, Finland. Metsä Board announced in May 2022 that it explores possibilities to increase folding boxboard capacity in Finland or Sweden in order to support its customers' growth and to strengthen its service capability.

Ponderay Industries, LLC plans for a restart of its paper mill located in Usk, Washington and has announced it is in advanced negotiations with key industry partners. Idled since bankruptcy in 2020, the paper mill has been meticulously maintained and preserved by a team of former mill employees.

International Trade Minister Mary Ng says Canada is formally initiating a challenge of "unwarranted and unfair" U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber.

LP Building Solutions (LP) has opened its new global headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Group plans to invest 160 - 200 MSEK ($15.48 million to 19.35 million USD) to significantly increase capacity and production in the mill's CTMP line.

Glatfelter Corporation announced that Mr. Thomas Fahnemann has been appointed to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He replaces the Company's current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dante C. Parrini, who will be leaving the Company following a 25-year career.

Smithers, a leading provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services, is hosting the annual Specialty Papers US 2022 conference this year on October 4-6 at the Westin Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

West Fraser Timber is permanently curtailing approximately 170 million board feet of combined production at its Fraser Lake and Williams Lake sawmills and approximately 85 million square feet of plywood production at its Quesnel Plywood mill in Canada. The curtailments will be realized through the elimination of one shift at each facility.

Construction of the facilities and infrastructure work will cost approximately $9.5 million. The rest will be spent on equipment, furniture and a new sprinkler system.

Sonoco Products Company, a diversified global packaging leader, is pleased to announce the promotion of Assistant Corporate Controller Aditya Gandhi to the newly created role of Chief Accounting Officer, effective immediately.

GP Cellulose is investing about $80 million to add fluff capacity at its GP Cellulose Alabama River mill near Monroeville, Alabama. The project is being implemented in phases and when complete in late 2023, will increase the mill's ability to produce fluff pulp.

A release from the company stated, "The upgrades include a new corrugator and two new converting lines, as well as upgrades to the shipping department, which will help the plant operate more efficiently. Newer converting equipment will give the plant improved throughput and print capability to better meet customer needs."

Western Forest Products Inc. announced that it has appointed Steven Hofer as its President and CEO and a member of the Company's Board of Directors ("Board"), effective September 7, 2022. Mr. Hofer succeeds Don Demens, who will remain at Western in an advisory capacity until March 31, 2023 to ensure a seamless transition. Mr. Demens will step down from the Board effective September 7, 2022.

Canadian forest products company Resolute Forest Products Inc. has agreed to be bought by pulp manufacturer Domtar Corp. in a deal the companies valued at some $2.7 billion, including pension liabilities.

The world's first electric timber truck with a capacity of 80 tonnes has now been delivered to SCA. The vehicle solution developed by Scania in close collaboration with SCA and the research institute Skogforsk, is part of the transition to sustainable transport.

Twin Rivers Paper Company, a leading producer of specialty paper products, is pleased to announce recent additions to its executive leadership team.

Empire Recycled Fiber (ERF) says it has made the decision to relocate its recycled containerboard mill project from Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania to the Dayton, Ohio regional market.

Mill Rock Packaging Partners ("Mill Rock Packaging"), a specialty packaging platform that invests in growth-oriented companies with advanced service and product capabilities in the consumer packaging industry, announced that it has appointed Allen Ennis as Chief Executive Officer. Mill Rock Packaging is a portfolio company of New York-based Mill Rock Capital, a growth and operations-oriented private investment firm.