Klabin’s Monte Alegre Unit will undergo a General Shutdown

Printing Papers operating profits in the first quarter of 2018 were $64 million versus $136 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. In North America, the benefits from increased sales prices and a favorable mix were more than offset by higher planned maintenance outages and higher input costs related to transportation and energy. In Brazil, seasonally lower sales volumes and an unfavorable geographic and product mix exceeded the benefits from higher sales price realizations. In Europe and Russia, earnings decreased due to higher planned maintenance outage costs, higher input costs and lower sales volumes, partially offset by improved pricing. Industrial Packaging operating profits in the first quarter of 2018 were $437 million ($464 million excluding special items) compared with $609 million ($614 million excluding special items) in the fourth quarter of 2017. In North America, strong demand in box and export containerboard markets, along with price realization, were more than offset by seasonally lower sales volume, production constraints due to weather related disruptions and maintenance outage costs. Click Read More below for additional information.

Solenis has launched its new Tapestry℠ Yankee Coating Solutions to help tissue makers produce a consistently reliable Yankee coating while improving manufacturing performance and controlling operational costs. The new Solenis Tapestry Yankee Coating Solutions offering includes a family of advanced chemistries and technologies, a team of application and field service specialists experienced in optimizing Yankee coating properties, and R&D support focused on tissue-making science and innovation. “Tissue makers face consumer demands every day — demands for softer, stronger and more absorbent products,” said Richard Cho, global marketing director, Tissue and Towel. “The Yankee cylinder is critical to meeting these demands, but difficulties with Yankee operation can affect manufacturing productivity, product quality and, in some cases, asset life. The new Tapestry Yankee Coating Solutions from Solenis can help tissue makers overcome these challenges.” Click Read More below for additional information.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 25 percent in January compared to January 2020. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 22 percent in January compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased three percent when compared to December 2020. Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 20 percent compared to January 2020 while the inventory level increased three percent compared to December 2020. UFS imports increased 41 percent while exports decreased 40 percent in December 2020.U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in January decreased 32 percent compared to last January while the inventory level increased two percent compared to December 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to December 2019, down 21 percent and six percent respectively. Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 33 percent compared to January 2020 while the inventory level remained essentially flat (+0.1 percent) compared to December 2020. CM imports decreased 34 percent while exports increased 12 percent in December 2020. U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in January decreased 24 percent compared to last January while the inventory level increased 14 percent compared to December 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to December 2019, down 19 percent and eight percent respectively.