Stora Enso and Södra collaborate on kraft lignin supply to advance lignin as a sustainable raw material

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 20 percent in March compared to March 2020. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 18 percent in March compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased five percent when compared to February 2021. Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 14 percent compared to March 2020 while the inventory level decreased six percent compared to February 2021. UFS imports increased five percent while exports decreased 39 percent in February 2021. U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in March decreased 29 percent compared to last March while the inventory level decreased six percent compared to February 2021. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to February 2020, down 23 percent and two percent respectively. Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 40 percent compared to March 2020 while the inventory level increased two percent compared to February 2021. CM imports and exports both decreased compared to February 2020, down two percent and nine percent respectively. U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in March decreased 15 percent compared to last March while the inventory level decreased eight percent compared to February 2021. UM imports remained essentially flat (-0.2 percent) while exports decreased 28 percent in February 2021.

Fedrigoni Group has agreed yet another buy, which will give the business a dominant presence in the worldwide market for premium papers for wine and spirits. The acquisitive Italian group has signed an agreement with Papeterie Zuber Rieder to take over the business, subject to consultation with the French firm’s works council. Papeterie Zuber Rieder was founded in 1881. It employs 130 staff and since the turn of the century has focused its offering on specialty papers for labels, packaging and perfumed cards. Its range includes food grade papers and 'ice bucket proof' labels. Fedrigoni said the buy would create “the first global player in premium papers for wines and spirits”, and Zuber Rieder would benefit from its production capabilities and international network.

The company recorded operating income of $48 million in the quarter, compared to $53 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Operating results benefitted from the continued positive price momentum across most of our product offerings ($37 million), a decrease in maintenance outages and lower share-based compensation expense. These favorable elements were not sufficient to offset the significant increase in freight costs, seasonally higher energy costs, aggravated by unusually cold weather conditions, an increase in market-based stumpage fees and a decrease in shipments. Sales volumes were lower due to transportation challenges, timing of export sales, seasonally lower demand for supercalendered papers and lower productivity. The operating results in the previous quarter also included a gain on the disposition of assets of our Mokpo (South Korea) paper mill ($13 million). Click Read More below for additional information.