The Supervisory Board of Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG has unanimously reappointed Peter Oswald (61) as Chairman of the Management Board and CEO until May 31, 2029 following his first period of office, which expires on March 31, 2025. At the same time, the Management Board, which currently includes CFO Franz Hiesinger (58) alongside him, will be expanded to three members. Roman Billiani (50), who up to now was responsible for “Food & Specialities Packaging” as Managing Director in the MM Packaging division and has held management positions in the field of fibre-based packaging for around 20 years, has been appointed as a new member of the Management Board for the term of office from May 1, 2024 until April 30, 2027. He will be responsible for the enlarged unit “Food & Premium Packaging”, which contains the entire packaging business with the exception of the area “Pharma & Health Care Packaging”.

Finland's industrial, logistics and electrical workers have agreed to extend strikes in protest against planned labour market reforms to a fourth week, the head of trade union association SAK said on Wednesday. The workers have been on strike since March 11, targeting exports, imports and cargo transportation. "The strikes will continue from Monday morning onwards for a week," SAK President Jarkko Eloranta told Reuters. "We are trying to negotiate and compromise with the government but unfortunately there has been no response to these efforts." Several of Finland's largest companies have said the strikes, which are disrupting ports and the rail system, are negatively affecting their operations.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced that, Mike Hsu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and members of his executive leadership team are unveiling the next phase of the company's transformation, including a new operating model and key commercial initiatives designed to grow its brands and businesses at a faster pace than its categories. "Over the past five years, our global team's dedication and strong execution have positioned us to fully leverage the scale we've built and to catapult Kimberly-Clark into its next chapter of growth," said Hsu. "We are building on the consumer centricity and commercial advantages we've established by moving to a more agile and focused operating structure that we are confident will help accelerate our proprietary pipeline of innovation in right-to-win spaces and improve our growth trajectory, profitability, and returns on investment. We have more than 150 years of history, transforming groundbreaking insights into innovative categories, with products that provide Better Care for a Better World. We are excited to build on the strength of that legacy as we drive for consistent, long-term value creation."

UPM Biochemicals has announced the launch of a new range of bio-based plant stimulants, UPM SolargoTM. This launch marks UPM’s entry into the large and profitable agrochemicals market with an innovative, sustainable alternative to fossil raw materials-based products. UPM SolargoTM biostimulants are a highly innovative solution for sustainable agriculture providing scientifically proven benefits for a broad range of crops cultivated in fields and greenhouses with a significantly optimized environmental footprint compared to incumbent fossils-based products. They aid plant growth by improving the quality of soil microbiome and by increasing water retention. Unlike traditional fertilizers, UPM SolargoTM biostimulants do not directly provide nutrients to the plant. Instead, they increase nutrient absorption, utilization efficiency and stress tolerance of the plant. In long term testing, UPM SolargoTM products have shown to increase crop yield and quality. More importantly, UPM SolargoTM has the potential to help significantly reduce demand for classical fertilizers based on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), the production and use of which is held responsible for up to 80% of CO2-emissions in crop production1.

Metsä Group will launch a pre-study for the first commercial mill producing the Kuura textile fibre. Kuura is one of the spearhead projects of Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring. The goal is to increase the refinement of pulp sustainably and efficiently. Produced from softwood pulp, the Kuura textile fibre is a new material developed by Metsä Group, in which Finnish wood is converted into a sustainable product with high added value – without fossil fuels. The textile fibre has been researched and developed at the Äänekoski demo plant, among other places. The new pre-study is the first planning stage of a potential commercial mill project. During the pre-study, the size of the mill investment – and the profitability of the business idea – will be determined. According to plans, the pre-study will last for roughly a year, after which the mill planning can proceed to a more detailed pre-engineering stage.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in January 2024 were up 11% vs. January 2023. Total European shipments of newsprint in January 2024 were down 2% vs. January 2023. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in January 2024 were down 5% vs. January 2023. Total European shipments of coated mechanical in January 2024 were up 3% vs. January 2023. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical in January 2024 were up 6% vs. January 2023. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in January 2024 were up 19% vs. January 2023. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in January 2024 were up 28% vs. January 2023.

Holmen's Board has decided to invest SEK 1.5 billion in the construction of Blisterliden Wind Farm in Skellefteå Municipality. As part of Holmen's drive to develop its renewable energy business, the investment will boost hydro and wind power production by 20 percent. “This investment is fully in line with our strategy to create long-term value, while facilitating the green transition through greater electrification. We are in no doubt that wind power will play an important role in the electricity system of the future, along with controllable hydro power, and we are proud to be able to contribute to this development,” says Fredrik Nordqvist, Senior Vice President Renewable Energy. The company’s renewable electricity production will contribute to a more sustainable society, in combination with the growing forest and the renewable products manufactured at Holmen’s mills. This particular investment will increase Holmen’s annual production of renewable energy from water and wind by 360 GWh to just over 2 TWh.

Production at Metsä Group's board mills and sawmills will be temporarily shut down due to the ongoing strikes. Production at the Rauma, Vilppula, Renko and Lappeenranta sawmills will stop on Friday 22 March. The production of board mills in Simpele, Kyro, Tako (Tampere) and Äänekoski is expected to stop on Monday 25 March. Previously, the production at Metsä Group's pulp and board mills in Kemi, pulp and BCTMP mills in Joutseno and the BCTMP mill in Kaskinen has been shut down. The mills can be started up when raw material is available and product transports start.

Metsä Group will construct a demo plant for lignin refining in connection with its Äänekoski bioproduct mill. The equipment will be supplied by technology group ANDRITZ. Construction will begin in Summer 2024, and the demo plant will be completed in late 2025. The plant’s daily capacity will be two tonnes of the lignin product. Lignin is a substance in wood that binds wood fibres together. In pulp production, lignin is separated from the fibres into black liquor in the chemical cycle and used as bioenergy. Lignin could also be used in chemical and material applications. Metsä Group and ANDRITZ will focus on developing the production process of the new lignin product and its integration with the bioproduct mill, as well as the product properties suitable for various end uses.

Phoenix Paper is proud to announce the latest addition to their Premier Treated Inkjet Line of quality papers with the release of Premier Inkjet Envelope TM. This new addition to the Phoenix Paper product line including Phoenix Premier Treated TM and Phoenix Premier Book TM solidifies Phoenix Paper’s dedication to inkjet technology and the critical role paper plays in helping today’s commercial printers maximize their inkjet investment and increase offerings to their customers. The creation of Phoenix Paper’s Premier Inkjet Envelope is in large part based on customer feedback, the launch of new inkjet printing equipment, as well as direct mail industry trends.

Fedrigoni announces a significant transformation in its executive team: Rodrigo Lacerda (formerly Bostik) will take over the Self-Adhesives business unit and Fulvio Capussotti will lead RFID, Innovation, ESG and Energy Transition. Lacerda, as the new Executive Vice President of the Self-Adhesives business unit, will bring his 30 years of international experience in leading global companies such a Bostik and Parex. Fulvio Capussotti, who led the Self-Adhesives division for nearly five years, will now transition to the role of Executive Vice President RFID, Innovation, and Chief Sustainability Officer.

Sappi Southern Africa has achieved GMP+ Feed Safety Assurance (FSA) 2020 certification for Pelletin, one of its Lignin products used as an additive in animal feed manufacturing, making it only the second organisation in Africa to attain this prestigious certification. GMP+ is the world’s largest and most rigorous animal feed certification scheme, focused on enabling companies to contribute to safe animal feed throughout the entire production chain, with an emphasis on the need for quality assurance and risk management in the production and trade of animal feed. Sappi’s certification is for the ‘Trade in Feed’ and ‘Production of Feed Additives’ categories, respectively. Pelletin is a technical lignin that primarily functions as a binder in the production of compound animal feeds. It is a natural wood-based product that acts as a natural glue that binds all the feed ingredients and additives together to produce cost-effective compound feed pellets with enhanced durability and strength.

In a significant move to address the evolving needs of the graphics industry, UPM Raflatac is pleased to announce the expansion of its Graphics Solutions product range. Designed to meet growing customer demands for high quality, durable and versatile materials, the expansion includes the launch of a range of new, self-adhesive products. The new solutions being showcased include a range of self-adhesive films and protection laminates specifically engineered with high tack adhesive for large format printing (LFP) applications. Available to customers from April, the new High Tack Polymeric LFP range is tailored for demanding indoor and outdoor LFP applications on polar and non-polar surfaces, offering key benefits for customers including a high initial tack and a clear, non-yellowing adhesive that is resistant to temperature, water, chemicals and UV.

The acquisition of Crane Stationery marks a significant milestone for WP Strategic Holdings as it expands its portfolio into the luxury goods sector. This strategic move underscores WP Strategic Holdings' dedication to fostering the growth and development of companies with rich legacies and a commitment to excellence. Tom O'Connor Jr, former CEO at Mohawk Paper, and instrumental figure in facilitating the acquisition, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the transaction. His extensive experience and deep industry knowledge were invaluable assets in navigating the complexities of the deal and ensuring a smooth transition.

Highlights *Fourth quarter 2023 net loss from continuing operations was $21.6 million or $0.12 per share (diluted), compared to net earnings of $2.7 million or earnings of $0.01 per share (diluted) in the third quarter of 2023. For fiscal 2023, net loss from continuing operations was $48.8 million or $0.27 per share (diluted), compared to a net loss of $4.1 million or $0.02 per share (diluted) in 2022 on the same basis. *Average lumber prices for Q4 2023 were lower than Q3 2023, with an average selling price of $611/mfbm compared to $642/mfbm in Q3 2023. There was strong pricing momentum in the first half of Q3 2023 due to supply related concerns, which benefited results at the beginning of the third quarter. Despite lower prices, volumes in Q4 2023 were higher than Q3 2023 due to increased demand in the latter half of Q4 driven by positive trends in US housing starts and the central banks indicating a pause of further interest rate hikes. *The valuation provision for lumber and log inventory was decreased to $4.3 million from $8.7 million at the end of Q4 2022, generating a $4.4 million credit to cost of sales in fiscal 2023. *US Department of Commerce’s (“US DOC”) Final Determination of its Fourth Administrative Review resulted in a final duty rate of 8.05%. The Company stands to benefit from an approximate US$6.9 million (CAD$9.2 million) recovery on duties paid in 2021, as recorded in 2023. Additionally, the ongoing lower duty rate has positively impacted the Company’s earnings and free cash flow since August 1, 2023.

UPM Biochemicals announced another important milestone in the development of the world’s first biorefinery in Leuna, Germany. In partnership with DB Cargo, the first deliveries of wood have now been made to Leuna by rail, establishing and testing the direct rail link to the Leuna operations’ wood yard. This will enable UPM to transport wood sustainably and to strengthen local supply chains, increasing the security of supply with critical raw materials. DB Cargo, specialists in the sustainable and climate-friendlier transport of goods, is a long-standing partner for timber transportation in the rail sector and has been handling UPM’s paper and pulp freight for several years. It is worth mentioning, that wood handling and processing activities have started as part of the commissioning and start-up work for the biorefinery. The first wood chips made of wood from sustainably managed regional forests have been produced, confirming the overall progress made on-site.

The Paper Workers’ Union has terminated its collective agreements with UPM Pulp, UPM Communication Papers, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Raflatac and UPM Biofuels businesses to expire mid-term on 21 or 22 April 2024, depending on the agreement. "The Paper Workers’ Union's decision to terminate the collective agreements in the middle of the contract period is regrettable. We had hoped that wage increases and productivity improvements could have been discussed constructively without terminating the agreements. Our aim is to find mutually beneficial solutions without creating unnecessary insecurity," says Jyrki Hollmén, Vice President, Labour Markets at UPM. UPM's businesses and the Paper Workers’ Union have been negotiating for the last two years of the contract period. So far, the negotiations have focused on the parties' objectives. The business environment has changed significantly since the agreements were signed in 2022. UPM underlines the importance of defining wage increases in relation to mutually agreed productivity improvements.

Drytac, the leading international manufacturer of self-adhesive materials for the large-format print and signage markets, is delighted to announce the global availability of ReTac Clear PET PVC-free film. The award-winning product was initially launched in North America in September 2023 but is now also being made available to Drytac customers in the UK and in markets across Europe. A 3.0 mil (75µ) clear polyester (PET) film with a clear ReTac adhesive​, ReTac Clear PET forms part of Drytac’s popular ReTac range of solutions. It has been specifically developed with the environment in mind and is ideal for POP, retail and hospitality window, wall, and counter-top graphics. The film can be applied to all flat and simple curved surfaces. Printable on both Latex and UV machines, ReTac Clear PET is available in roll widths of up to 54 inches (approx. 137cm).

Antti Jääskeläinen, Executive Vice President, UPM Raflatac, will be leaving UPM to assume the role of President and CEO in the Finnish logistics and distribution company Posti Group Oyj. He will continue with his duties in UPM until the end of July 2024. Antti joined UPM in 2014 and was appointed to UPM’s Group Executive Team in 2016 with responsibility for UPM Raflatac Business Area. During recent months Antti has also held the interim responsibility for UPM Communication Papers Business Area. “I want to thank all my colleagues in UPM for the great journey together in creating a future beyond fossils and building the global profitable growth of UPM Raflatac. UPM is a great company with great people, and I am convinced that UPM will continue to build a strong future. I wish everybody the best of success,” says Antti Jääskeläinen.

The research, called Carbon Sinks+, aims to understand how commercial forests affect to climate change in ways other than as carbon sinks and stores. For example, forests also have an impact on the formation of aerosol particles and clouds, rainfall and the reflection of sunlight back into space, all of which affect to climate change. “It is not yet known which forest or ecosystem has the greatest overall cooling effect on the atmosphere and by which mechanisms. It is known that forests act as carbon sinks, but the SMEAR (station for measuring Earth surface-atmosphere relations) study aims to find out what else commercial forests do for the climate”, explains Markku Kulmala, Professor of Aerosol and Environmental Physics at the University of Helsinki, who is leading the study. The study will measure more than a thousand different variables, and the main measurement site will be the Hyytiälä forest station at the University of Helsinki, where measurements have been taken for decades.

UPM has high aspirations in responding to the global climate challenge. Sustainably produced pulp is one of the answers when aiming for a future beyond fossils. Here are some key facts on our sustainability efforts. 1. Zero tolerance for deforestation - UPM’s business is based on forests. This is a strong reason to ensure that the forests always grow more than they are used. 2. Improving biodiversity in our own forests - As a leader in the industry, UPM was the first forest company in the world to make a commitment to increasing the biodiversity of its own forests. 3. Ultimate goal of climate positive portfolio - The majority of airborne emissions that UPM mills produce are biomass-based from renewable sources. 4. Zero Solid Waste to landfill globally by 2030 - Most of UPM’s waste is reused in other processes such as energy generation.

Searching for the ultimate eco-friendly solution for your next label initiative? We've got you covered. Wausau Coated Products proudly introduces our latest innovation - a range of five new clear sheet products boasting 90% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) PET (Polyester) content. This marks a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly solutions. Why choose our new products for your next label project? Here's why: • Eco-Friendly Excellence: Our new clear sheets offer the performance of other films but with a major eco-advantage – they are made from 90% PCR PET • It’s The Right Thing To Do: Just like tossing your aluminum cans into the recycling bin instead of the trash at home, buying and using products with recycled content is the right thing to do. • Versatile Applications: Whether you're looking for permanent or removable signage solutions, or need eco-friendly options for product and regulatory labeling, our new 90% PCR PET sheets are the perfect choice.

Sappi North America Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, announced today its innovative collaboration with Biophilica, the company behind Treekind®. Treekind is one of the only plastic free leather alternatives that is 100% biobased, home compostable, non-toxic, and PETA vegan certified, notably benefiting from Sappi’s textured release paper to give the material an ultra-realistic look and feel. Understanding the important role that touch plays in consumers’ relationship with products, it was paramount for Biophilica to create a product with an authentic, non-plastic-like feel. Touch has the power to shift consumers’ minds into a deeper level of engagement – one more conducive to building a lasting relationship and connection with a brand. To help facilitate this vision in 2022, Sappi stepped in to deliver a high-fidelity, 3D, leather grain solution to impart texture to Treekind through the application of Sappi’s Ultracast Viva® release paper.

• 2023 operating loss of $532 million; shareholder net loss of $326 million • Q4 2023 operating loss of $191 million; shareholder net loss of $117 million • Solid earnings for the Company’s European and US South operations in 2023, with persistent challenges in British Columbia • Successful execution of significant capital growth program in the US South throughout 2023 • Sustained pressure on global lumber market conditions and pricing through most of the fourth quarter, drove quarter-over-quarter decline in results in all lumber operating regions, most notably in Western Canada • Moderate uplift in global pulp market fundamentals through the fourth quarter driven by a slight increase in demand and purchasing activity in most major regions; 20% improvement in pulp production quarter-overquarter

• 2023 operating loss of $128 million; net loss of $96 million • Q4 2023 operating loss of $15 million; net loss of $13 million • Moderate uplift in global pulp market fundamentals through the fourth quarter driven by a slight increase in demand and purchasing activity in most major regions • 20% increase in pulp production in the fourth quarter reflecting improved operating performance at both the Northwood and Intercontinental NBSK pulp mills • Persistent challenges associated with the availability of economic fibre in British Columbia

Mondi, a global leader in the production of sustainable packaging and paper, recently put a new slitting and rewinding unit into operation at its Slovak paper mill in Ružomberok. The equipment allows for an extended capacity in narrow reels thus complementing Mondi’s portfolio offering. “We want to give our customers supply security for their paper needs in folio and various reel widths and for this we needed to extend our narrow reel capacity,” explains Bernhard Cantzler, Marketing and Sales Director at Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper. This wide paper portfolio is offered from Mondi SCP, Mondi’s integrated pulp and paper mill located in Slovakia fulfilling strict sustainability requirements. All Mondi uncoated fine paper brands produced at the site are Cradle to Cradle Certified® at the Bronze level. This certification ensures that, regardless of the level, all certified products are safe, circular and responsibly made. Depending on the specific product the papers carry the EU Ecolabel and are chain of custody certified according to PEFC and/or FSCTM requirements.

ANDRITZ supplied energy-efficient and environmentally leading technology for UPM’s largest investment to date. With a capacity to produce 2.1 million tons of eucalyptus pulp per year, the mill is the biggest in Uruguay and the world’s biggest single line mill in operation. It will also contribute around 1 TWh of surplus green electricity per year to the Uruguayan power supply. UPM will use the pulp from the Paso de los Toros mill to meet the rising demand of existing customers, particularly in China, but also to target new markets. Having successfully established itself as a reliable pulp supplier in the Asia-Pacific region and in Europe during the last decade, UPM is now using this experience, as well as the increased capacity, to develop the North American market.

Felix Schoeller is fulfilling its PAPER MADE FOR LIFE brand promise with five sustainable product solutions at this year's FESPA Global Print Expo (19-22.03.2024) in Amsterdam. The new TRANSFER DT paper with 67 percent less plastic is a sustainable addition to the transfer films in the product portfolio; the S-RACE® TERRA sublimation paper made of 65 percent recycled fibres, the SCM pro terra and the polyethylen-free ULTRA green photo paper are the consistent implementations of the promise to use resources and make an essential contribution to society consciously and the environment with sustainable paper solutions - without compromising on quality. As if that were not enough, Felix Schoeller is also taking a sustainable approach to packaging its digital media products. In close consultation with customers, the aim is to make this 100% plastic-free in future. You can experience the unique, sustainable solutions and new products live at the trade fair stand in Hall 12, Stand D21.

Pixelle Specialty Solutions (“Pixelle”), a leading manufacturer of specialty papers in North America, launched a new product portfolio of premium ballot papers tailored for local, state and federal elections across the United States. As the 2024 national and local elections draw near, Pixelle is positioned to support polling nationwide with a wide range of high-performance ballot papers that are made in the U.S.A. Pixelle’s ballot paper portfolio includes options for hand-marked ballots, machine-readable ballots compatible with major voting systems, and durable mail-in/absentee ballots. Basis weights range from 80 lb. to 100 lb. and include durable, uncoated heavyweight stocks that deliver excellent opacity and trouble-free printing on web offset, sheetfed, digital toner and inkjet presses. Additionally, Pixelle’s ballot papers offer consistent post-processing for folding, scoring and perforation.

UPM Raflatac, a global supplier of innovative and sustainable self-adhesive paper and film products, opens a new slitting and distribution terminal in Mumbai, India. The new facility further improves service and quality to UPM Raflatac’s customers and strengthens the relationships in the region. “Our talented team has created a great workplace for our employees, a great facility to serve our customers and a great platform for growth. With the new modern facility, we can stock more material locally which will optimize lead times, enhance service, and help meet the diverse and dynamic needs of our customers,“ says Alan Wright, Senior Vice President, EMEIA Region, UPM Raflatac. The new Mumbai terminal, operational since February, will soon see the addition of another slitting machine. Its strategic central location extends UPM Raflatac’s reach across the country.

Fedrigoni has set the goal for 2030 to have 100% of its special paper families with a verified level of recyclability according to the Aticelca 501/19 method, one of the most rigorous and in line with current regulations. If the paper product falls into one of the four recyclability classes (A+, A, B, C), it means that it can be collected in paper and recycled in paper mills, and the company is authorized to use the “Recyclable with paper – Aticelca® 501” mark for commercial purposes. More intense colors can generate a drop in recylability class (for example, bringing the classification from an A+ level to an A level if going from a light color to a more intense one), limit the use of paper, or require a greater use of colors or coatings to cover intensely colored fibers. In addition, the recycling of differently colored and deep papers leads to the creation of gray recycled papers, with optical inhomogeneity; these papers can only be used for limited applications (for example, inside a box). At Fedrigoni, we recover our colored paper waste through a color flow (from white to black) to maximize its optical homogeneity.