WestRock Partners With Budějovický Budvar and Mattoni 1873 to Advance Circularity Efforts in Czech Republic Beverage Industry

Greif, Inc. announced an agreement to sell 69,200 acres of timberlands in southwest Alabama to Weyerhaeuser Company for approximately $149 million in cash. Proceeds from the transaction will be applied to debt repayment. While this transaction is subject to tax, the Company has tax losses from other transactions which will substantially mitigate the tax associated with this land sale. Pete Watson, Greif’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Weyerhaeuser Company. Proceeds from the transaction will help to de-lever our balance sheet and accelerate the transfer of Greif’s enterprise value from debt to equity holders in line with our stated financial priorities.”

Leading packaging and paper manufacturer, Mondi, is launching a fully recyclable 80% paper-based packaging solution for cold meats and cheese. The new packaging will reduce plastic usage for Austrian dairy producer SalzburgMilch by approximately 40 tonnes per year, compared to its previously used rigid plastic trays. Mondi has launched its innovative PerFORMing removable in partnership with SalzburgMilch for the brand SalzburgMilch Premium and the premium own-brand SPAR Natur*pur organic cheese slices. The shallow paper tray combines the recyclability of paper with the essential barrier properties of a thin plastic coating to keep food fresh and avoid waste. Technical details about the product: *Formable paper packaging with a patented barrier *Made from natural brown paper (Advantage Formable Brown) *Ideally suited for shallow food trays (e.g. for cheese, meat or fish) *High symmetrical stretch for uniform formability *Suitable for existing filling lines *Results in 70% less plastic used compared to plastic trays *70% CO2 reduction compare to plastic alternative

The Mayr-Melnhof Group (MM) has acquired 100% of the shares in Eson Pac, based in Veddige, Sweden, from the majority shareholder Nalka Invest AB and the minority shareholders from family and management. With a total turnover of around EUR 48 million, Eson Pac develops, produces and sells high-quality secondary packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. The company has three production sites in Sweden and one in Denmark, focusing on folding boxes, leaflets and labels. Eson Pac currently employs around 300 people. "With this acquisition, we are strengthening our presence within the premium segment of the packaging division. The transaction ideally complements our current customer base and offers attractive new opportunities. In combination with our existing activities, we can offer our customers even more innovative and sustainable solutions. We are very confident that together with the highly qualified team from Eson Pac, we will successfully advance the joint growth course", commented MM CEO Peter Oswald.