UPDATE: Verso mill fire blamed on lightning strike (wausaupilotandreview.com)

GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. welcomed Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry to the Paper Mill in Kapuskasing to announce that the Ontario government is providing $400,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to support and strengthen the forestry sector in Northern Ontario. Funds will go towards the restart of the curtailed paper machine that would allow GreenFirst to reposition the operation towards further growth while adding 45+ new jobs at the Kapuskasing Paper Mill.

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, has been awarded a Platinum Medal, the highest recognition level, in the EcoVadis sustainability assessment, ranking Ahlstrom among the top one percent of companies evaluated over the past 12 months. The platinum score is based on the company’s sustainability performance in four categories: Environment, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. “We are very proud of this recognition. Through our safe and sustainable solutions and commitment to continuous improvement—highlighted by our newly validated Science-Based Targets and membership in the WBCSD—we are well-positioned to support our customers in achieving their sustainability ambitions.

UPM Biochemicals has acquired SunCoal Industries GmbH, a German-based company that developed a unique technology portfolio to produce performance products from renewable raw materials. With this acquisition SunCoal Industries’ technology will be integrated into the production of UPM’s BioMotionTM Renewable Functional Fillers (RFF), one of the products to be produced at UPM Biochemical’s first-of-its kind biorefinery in Leuna and strengthen the overall technology portfolio of UPM’s biorefining businesses. The ownership of SunCoal Industries and its team specializing in lignin valorization enables UPM to strengthen the role as a leading supplier of sustainable, renewable functional fillers to the rubber and plastic markets by further developing the technology inhouse. SunCoal Industries’ experts will bring additional capabilities to further develop the RFF production technology and processes and support UPM’s ambitious growth plans in the biorefining space.