Responsible waste management, a strategic sustainability target for Lecta

Ahlstrom-Munksjö has established a viable partnership with Italian filter producer Virgis S.P.A for the distribution of an innovative HEPA filtration solution produced by Webasto. The innovative solution makes indoor environments safer against COVID-19 as well as other viral and bacterial organisms. The launch of the high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) devices HFT300 and HFT600 in Europe in 2020 has rapidly met the demand for increased protection in vehicles and buildings. The main purpose of these filter devices is to protect the passengers and the operators in emergency vehicles, school buses and public transportation vehicles. The first units were primarily installed in ambulances in Germany and the U.S., as well as in public buses in the Netherlands and school buses in the U.S. The promotion of this innovative solution for private sectors such as offices, restaurants and museums has also started.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in February 2021 were down 14.1% vs. February 2020 and are down 18.3% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in February 2021 were down 20.2% vs. February 2020 and are down 21.6% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in February 2021 were down 15.8% vs. February 2020 and are down 21.3% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in February 2021 were down 15.3% vs. February 2020 and are down 20.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in February 2021 were UP 2.5% vs. February 2020 and are down 9.4% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in February 2021 were down 19.3% vs. February 2020 and are down 23.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in February 2021 were down 8.2% vs. February 2020 and are down 11.7% year-to-date.

Neenah, Inc. announced that it had completed the previously announced agreement to acquire Global Release Liners, S.L., the parent company of Industrias de Transformacion de Andoain, S.A. (“ITASA”), from Magnum Capital and other minority shareholders. The Company funded the purchase price of approximately €205 million, inclusive of debt extinguishment and subject to customary closing adjustments, through available cash-on-hand and an upsizing of Neenah’s existing Term Loan B from $200 million to $450 million. Interest rates on the Term Loan B are variable and are currently at 3.5 percent. Neenah will continue to maintain a strong liquidity position, with ample availability under its revolving credit line and a projected debt to EBITDA of approximately three times after closing the transaction.