SCA increases prices on publication paper

Interfor Corporation recorded net earnings in Q1’18 of $33.0 million, or $0.47 per share, compared to $36.2 million, or $0.52 per share in Q4’17 and $19.7 million, or $0.28 per share in Q1’17. Adjusted net earnings in Q1’18 were $36.8 million or $0.52 per share, compared to $45.1 million, or $0.64 per share in Q4’17 and $22.7 million, or $0.32 per share in Q1’17. Adjusted EBITDA was $81.1 million on sales of $527.6 million in Q1’18 versus $89.5 million on sales of $532.8 million in Q4’17. Click Read More below for additional information.

UPM BioMotion™ Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF), recently acknowledged as the most important sustainability project in the elastomer and rubber industry will go live at the Nuremberg International Rubber Conference DKT from 27-30 June. After a postponement due to Covid, the expert community of the rubber and plastics industry is finally meeting in person at the leading trade fair for the sector. It's the perfect time to introduce UPM's new product – the next best thing to transform the rubber industry. UPM BioMotion™ RFF were initially launched in late 2021. These fillers are more than just a product; they mark a solution for urgent industry needs. Renewable Functional Fillers can be a real game-changer, as they will enable a radical step forward in the sustainability performance of rubber and plastic products in various end-uses. The two materials that RFF can replace best are carbon black and precipitated silica. Both are highly CO2-intensive in production, non-renewable and challenging to recycle.

Jussi Pesonen, President and CEO, comments on the Q2 results: “UPM delivered a very good second quarter, and rapid recovery of our earnings continued. In the exceptional economic environment, demand for UPM’s products was strong, and overall, our price increases more than offset rising input costs. At the same time, our transformative growth projects continued on schedule and on budget, and we are in an excellent position going forwards. Our Q2 sales increased by 15% to EUR 2,384 million, and comparable EBIT was up by 51% rising to EUR 307 million from the lockdown affected Q2 of last year. Operating cash flow increased to EUR 308 million. Net debt at the end of June was EUR 750 million, and our financial position remains strong with EUR 2.5 billion in cash funds and unused committed credit facilities. The most notable improvement was seen in UPM Biorefining, where pulp and sawn timber prices soared, and the business area made its best second quarter ever. Result was held back by the scheduled maintenance shutdown at the Fray Bentos pulp mill in Uruguay, and a shutdown due to a fire at the Lappeenranta biorefinery in Finland."