Water Conservation at Domtar: Our Process From River to Mill

Pulp and paper manufacturing is a water-intensive process. All of our mills are located in watersheds with sufficient supplies, but responsible water management and water conservation will always be a significant part of our sustainability efforts at Domtar. In 2017, our mills used enough water to fill 164,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Although our mills have access to sufficient water from local rivers and lakes, that water is not immediately suitable for pulp and paper making and requires both mechanical and chemical treatment. How we treat water differs at each location and depends on factors such as: •Natural water chemistry •Effluent from upstream users •Surrounding land use •Season of the year •Weather events, including droughts and floods •Which products the mill makes. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Paper and the Circular Economy (piworld.com)

On a recent holiday to Prince Edward Island, I was served a drink with a paper straw … the first paper straw I have seen in a long time! I could hardly contain my excitement and began talking to the waitress about my “paper” life. She responded by saying “yes, there is a paper movement underway” … Wow! Interesting that someone outside the paper industry is saying this. Recent stories about the impact of materials in our waste streams - like plastic in our oceans, or the increasing amounts of electronic waste - have changed how companies think about the materials used in their manufacturing process. There is a movement to get away from the "one-and-done" model of the linear economy, toward a more “circular economy,” where the reuse, refurbishment, recycling and end-of-life disposal of a product factors into the manufacturing design. In a circular economy, manufacturing is done in a way that builds the overall health of the process - financially, environmentally and socially. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Our forests are in good health: They are not overharvested

Contrary to a widespread myth, forest harvesting is not synonymous with deforestation and does not threaten the sustainability of our forests, which are actually under-harvested. Thanks to innovation, the forestry industry is more and more productive and our forests are doing better, shows a publication launched today by the MEI. “It can seem counterintuitive to some, but the profit motive protects our forests. By this logic, forestry companies make substantial investments to reduce waste and get the most out of each tree harvested in the forest,” explains Alexandre Moreau, Public Policy Analyst at the MEI and author of the publication. Canada’s forest cover has remained relatively stable since 1990, despite the activities that take place there, and innovation has a lot to do with that. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Join the Rainforest Alliance’s Follow the Frog Campaign

The Rainforest Alliance’s annual Follow the Frog campaign is underway and runs through September 24. The campaign encourages consumers to purchase goods that have been responsibly produced, as indicated by the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal. When the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal appears on a package of paper, bag of coffee, box of bananas, bar of chocolate or dozens of other products, it assures consumers that the products sustainably grown and harvested. Products that are sourced from farms, fields and forestlands that meet the Rainforest Alliance’s standards for conserving wildlife, protecting natural habitats and improving the livelihoods of workers and local communities can use the seal. For nearly two decades Domtar and the Rainforest Alliance have collaborated on multiple initiatives to promote sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation. Click Read More below for additional information.
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K’ó moks and Qualicum First Nations will pilot SFI Module for Indigenous Peoples, Families, and Communities

K’ómoks First Nation, in partnership with Qualicum First Nation, welcomed TimberWest, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) to the K’ómoks First Nation Band Office to announce that they will pilot the SFI Small-Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples, Families, and Communities. This is to be implemented on Rosewall Forest Tenure Holdings Ltd, the jointly managed working forest of K’ómoks First Nation and Qualicum First Nation. “K’ómoks has been actively managing its forests for a number of years, and we have recently started working with TimberWest on market access and other sustainability initiatives through our Memorandum of Understanding,” said Nicole Rempel, Chief of the K’ómoks First Nation. “When SFI approached us to consider this small-scale forest management certification, we knew it was something we wanted to implement, and we knew TimberWest could lend their expertise. Obtaining SFI certification is a good long-term decision for the benefit of our community and the future generations that will be managing the forests in the years to come.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Beyond Fossils crystallises UPM’s position as the leading supplier of renewable and responsible solutions

UPM's new brand promise, UPM Biofore - Beyond fossils, captures the company's strong commitment to a future which is not dependent of fossil raw materials. The new direction is a natural continuation to UPM*s purpose of creating value from the limitless opportunities of bioeconomy. Global megatrends, such as urbanisation and the growing middle class in the emerging markets, represent many long-term growth opportunities for UPM's businesses. Climate change, environmental concerns and the scarcity of non-renewable raw materials are driving societies and businesses all over the world towards the use of renewable, non-fossil raw materials and circular economy. They are also driving demand for renewable and responsible solutions and new technologies. Click Read More below for additional information.
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BillerudKorsnäs strengthens its leading position in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index

BillerudKorsnäs leads the containers and packaging industry in Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) based on its total sustainability score in 2018. "Being named the most sustainable packaging company and, for the second consecutive year, one of the most sustainable companies in the world, is a great honor for us. Sustainability is an integral part of everything we do and with this position in the Dow Jones Index, we strengthen our position as a global driving challenger of conventional packaging solutions as well as working methods. This industry leadership is an excellent platform for our further pursuit of contributing positively to a sustainable future," says Petra Einarsson, President and CEO of BillerudKorsnäs. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Myanmar lays the foundations for sustainable forest management

“Third-party forest certificationMyanmar MFCS systems are critical actors to ensure Myanmar timber products are accepted by international markets”, said Mr Khin Mg Yi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC), at the launch of Myanmar’s third party timber certification system by the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee (MFCC). “Myanmar had a long established and successful history of forest and timber management and related laws. In parallel with democratically people-centred political, economic and social reform, Myanmar has been conducting forest sector reforms to conserve forest resources,” Mr Khin Mg Yi stressed. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Unilever and Walmart Announce Forest Sustainability Initiatives at the Global Climate Action Summit

At the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) in San Francisco, USA, Unilever committed to supporting work in Sabah, Malaysia as part of the strategy to achieving a deforestation free supply chain and further reducing emissions. Unilever will help sustainably certify 60,000 hectares in Sabah, Malaysia as part of a program led by Forever Sabah, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia and PONGO Alliance. Sabah is pushing to certify 100 percent of the state’s palm oil production to Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification by 2025. According to WWF, this will help to reduce 17 million metric tons of CO2e in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Unilever’s commitment will: • Look to cover 60,000 hectares with RSPO certification • Benefit approximately 200 to 300 palm oil farmers • Help restore two ecological corridors and two riparian reserves (area of habitat connecting wildlife population). Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM recognised as the industry’s most responsible company in the global Dow Jones Sustainability Index

UPM has been listed as the forest and paper industry leader in the in the Dow Jones European and World Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for 2018-2019 for the sixth time. "We create value by seizing the limitless potential of bioeconomy, this is what we are committed to do at UPM", says Sami Lundgren, Vice President, UPM Environment and Responsibility. Global megatrends and their impacts on the environment and society make it clear that a major turnaround in the use of non-renewable fossil-based products and materials is needed. As the leader of the bio-based forest industry UPM's mission is to be a part of the solution. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Waste-Reduction Initiatives: A Key Part of Sustainability

At Domtar, our position as a forest products industry leader is rooted in our ability to focus on sustainability across our manufacturing processes. That’s apparent in the great progress we’ve made toward achieving our 2020 sustainability goals, especially through our waste-reduction initiatives. Much like using every part of a tree is a responsible forestry practice, the beneficial reuse of manufacturing byproducts is a key component of sustainable operations. In fact, 74 percent of our pulp and paper mills’ manufacturing byproducts now are beneficially reused instead of being thrown away. That’s much higher than our industry’s 47 percent average reuse rate. Since 2013 alone, our pulp and paper mills have reduced the amount of waste sent to landfills by 36 percent. Click Read More below for additional information.
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American Forest Foundation Partnership Extends Conservation Efforts

Domtar products are part of everyday living for people around the world, and the forests where our products originate are home to a wide range of wildlife. That’s why protecting both habitats and resources is so important to us. Our conservation efforts are a foundational part of our sustainability philosophy of responsibility, efficiency and engagement. The most recent example of our ongoing commitment to wildlife management and conservation is a new partnership with the American Forest Foundation (AFF). This partnership will help private woodland owners in northwest Pennsylvania and southwest New York improve habitats for at-risk bird and wildlife species. Through these conservation efforts, we hope to increase the number of landowners engaged in active management of their properties, including the long-term production of sustainable wood fiber. We also plan to create, restore and enhance critical bird habitats across the area in a tangible, measurable and ecologically meaningful way. Click Read More below for additional information.
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FPAC Releases Report to Advance Caribou Recovery Solutions

Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) released a comprehensive report that highlights efforts in support of caribou recovery across the country – along with a series of recommendations to the federal government that will help inform solutions to further preserve and enhance habitat for caribou and other species that inhabit Canada’s forests. The report includes a compendium of projects and initiatives taking place across the country as part of the Canadian forest products sector’s active efforts to support caribou recovery. The report highlights multiple factors impacting caribou populations, and the unique position Canada’s forestry professionals are in to support caribou recovery with science, research, and by advancing on the ground partnerships. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Zero Waste with DS Smith

3–7 September 2018 is Zero Waste Week, an annual awareness campaign for reducing landfill, increasing reuse and recycling, and helping to protect the environment. For Zero Waste Week, we’re exploring what zero waste is and what it means to DS Smith. ‘Zero waste’ is the idea that by making changes to the way we live, work, and use resources, we could eliminate all unnecessary waste from society. If all products could be designed so that they produce no waste by making all of their components reusable or recyclable, and if all people had access to reliable recycling services, we might be able to create a society where items will always be reused or recycled instead of being thrown away. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Metsä Group starts cooperation with 4H in Finland to strengthen young people’s relationship with forests

Metsä Group has started cooperation with the Finnish 4H Organisation to strengthen young people’s relationship with forests and widen their understanding of forestry and the possibilities it offers. “Metsä Group is an important player in Finnish society. We employ a wide variety of jobs around the country and export products manufactured in Finland to international markets. Finnish forestry operates on a sustainable basis and its future outlook is very bright. The cooperation with the Finnish 4H aims to strengthen young peoples’ understanding of the economical, ecological and social significance of forestry as well as promote the excellent prospects the industry has to offer for the future both in Finland and globally,” says Juha Laine, SVP, Communications, Metsä Group. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Upping Forest Certification

Our members have practiced responsible and sustainable forestry for decades. To meet customer demand, they are now doing more than ever to increase the availability of certified fiber from certified fiber sourcing programs and third party-certified forestlands. Forest certification systems are not the only method to demonstrate that the wood our industry uses comes from responsible sources that are harvested sustainably. But it is probably the most recognized tool on the landscape to demonstrate sustainable harvesting and management. The amount of wood fiber that members procure from third party-certified forestlands continues to grow slowly. It’s a hard thing to do when the largest landowners are certified and small landowners make up so much of the environment—and the fiber supply! Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa recognised with FTSE4Good Index listing for fifth consecutive year

Smurfit Kappa’s commitment to sustainability has been recognised once again by the FTSE4Good Index. The packaging leader was listed on the sustainability index for the fifth year in a row after distinguishing itself for its strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. Created by the global index provider FTSE Russell, the FTSE4Good indices are used by a wide variety of market participants to create and assess responsible investment funds and other products. To qualify once again, Smurfit Kappa was assessed on a rigorous set of FTSE4Good criteria which are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Domtar’s Approach to Sustainability Includes Teamwork

At Domtar, we believe investing in sustainability helps enhance our world for future generations. Our success depends on the health of the forest’s ecosystem. Responsibility, efficiency and engagement are embedded in our sustainability approach, especially when it comes to keeping forests as forests. Paige Goff, vice president of sustainability and business communications, has spent nearly 15 years sharing the Domtar story, first in brand and advertising operations for pulp and paper and, more recently, in sustainability. She manages our relationships with sustainability organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Rainforest Alliance (RA). Through our annual sustainability reporting, she also helps bolster our reputation as a leader in sustainable forestry and manufacturing. Click Read More below for additional information.
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New Study Shows that “Go Paperless – Go Green” Claims Fall Flat

According to a recent “nudge” campaign by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), marketing messages touting the environmental benefits of going paperless are falling on deaf ears. The results of the CRA campaign show that such green claims have little impact on the consumer’s choice for switching from paper to online options. In the CRA campaign, tax payers were encouraged to file online and eliminate paper filing. A nudge campaign involves using soft messages to “nudge” the audience to make desired choices. In this case, the campaign used different messages ranging from no specific environmental messaging to strong environmental messaging – including a promise to plant a tree when switching to online filing. The results show that environmental messaging was no more effective than generic messaging, with the nudge campaign having a negligible impact of about 1% increase in online filing. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Kroger to eliminate plastic bags chainwide (chainstoreage.com)

The nation’s largest supermarket chain is ditching plastic bags across all its banners — but not all at once. The Kroger Co. on Wednesday announced it is phasing out single-use plastic bags and moving to reusable bags chainwide, with the transition expected to be completed by 2025. Kroger is undertaking the initiative in phases, and its Seattle-based QFC chain will be the company’s first retail division to phase out single-use plastic bags. The company expects QFC’s transition to be completed in 2019. The company noted that some estimates suggest that 100 billion single-use plastic bags are thrown away in the U.S. every year. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Domtar’s EarthChoice Ambassadors: Making the Domtar Difference

There are many factors that make up the Domtar difference. One of them is our EarthChoice Ambassador (ECA) program. ECA is an employee engagement program that began in 2010 to promote sustainable principles throughout the company. Our ECA members are committed to promoting sustainable practices by focusing on our customers, employees, company and communities. By identifying and sharing innovative methods, educating and encouraging sustainable habits and leading by example, this group helps push our sustainability message throughout our organization. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa’s sustainability achievements recognised with Colombian award

The Andesco Awards, which have been running since 2005, recognise the exemplary achievements of companies in the public utilities and communications sectors. Smurfit Kappa has a strong track record in sustainability and embeds circularity across all its business operations. The fibres Smurfit Kappa uses in paper production are from sustainably managed forests. In Colombia, the company has 44,000 hectares of commercial forestry plantations and 22,000 hectares of natural forests that are protected and preserved and FSC® certified. Click Read More below for additional information.
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FPAC Statement on President Trump’s Comments Regarding California Forest Fires

Forest Products Association of Canada CEO Derek Nighbor issued the following statement after U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments partially blaming Canadian lumber imports for forest fires in California. “First and foremost our thoughts are with people in Canada and the U.S. who have been displaced from their homes or are on evacuation alert, and with our first responders who are valiantly battling fires on both sides of the border,” said Nighbor. “The U.S. simply does not have the milling capacity to meet consumer needs and are only able to satisfy about 75 per cent of American wood demand. Unfortunately, Americans are being forced to pay higher prices for wood products because of U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber. The U.S. could provide an immediate discount to Americans rebuilding after fires by rescinding tariffs on Canadian lumber, which has increased the cost of lumber by 20 per cent.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Almost Reaching our New Goal

Elections matter. New administrations bring new policies and new approaches to environmental and energy issues, including those regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction. While policies may have changed, our members are continuing to make voluntary strides to reduce their GHG emissions as part of their overall sustainability and efficiency programs. Many customers continue to prefer products that are manufactured from a renewable and recyclable resource—wood fiber—and that use renewable energy in the manufacturing process. Having a renewable and recyclable resource as the foundation of the industry enables our members’ pulp and paper mills to meet, on average, about 66.6 percent of their energy demand from renewable biomass energy, avoiding greater use of fossil fuels and the associated GHG emissions that result from their combustion. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Paper Myth: Email Is Easier on the Environment Than Paper

It’s time to debunk another popular paper myth, which says email is better for the environment than paper. While sustainability-minded consumers often focus on the environmental effects of paper production, they should also understand the facts about electronic communication before declaring it a better choice. The updated report Print and Paper Myths and Facts by Two Sides North America offers important data about e-waste, chemical use and greenhouse gas emissions that result from the manufacture of computers and smartphones. This data includes the environmental effects of e-mail, text, social media and other electronic communications. Domtar is a member of Two Sides, an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes the sustainability of print and paper. Members include businesses and nonprofits related to industries such as forestry, pulp, paper, inks and chemicals, prepress, press, finishing, publishing, printing, envelopes and postal operators. Click Read More below for additional information.
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APP response to Auriga’s allegations of deforestation in East Kalimantan

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) strongly rejects the unsubstantiated allegations suggested by Auriga in its report titled “APP and APRIL violate zero-deforestation policies with wood purchases from Djarum Group concessions in East Kalimantan”. The report contains factual errors and presents incomplete information which must be corrected. APP is not engaged in deforestation, either directly, through companies owned by APP, or indirectly, through third parties. All fibre suppliers to APP must meet our stringent sustainability criteria set out in our Responsible Fibre Procurement and Processing Policy (RFPPP) and verified by our Supplier Evaluation and Risk Assessment (SERA) process. APP does not own or control PT Sarana Bina Semesta Alam (PT SBSA), which is alleged to have acquired fibre supply from PT Silva Rimba Lestari (PT SRL) and PT Fajar Surya Swadaya (PT FSS). Neither PT SRL nor PT FSS are approved suppliers of fibre to APP. APP did conduct a SERA evaluation on PT FSS from March 2017 - November 2017, but it was not eventually approved as a supplier. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Asia Pulp & Paper joins MERA to protect coastal ecosystem and combat climate change

The Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Alliance (MERA) is a national platform for stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the protection and restoration of mangrove ecosystems across the archipelago. Launched by Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) and the Jakarta Natural Resources Conservation Agency of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in 26 July 2018, the goal of MERA is to reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities, natural resources and vital assets by 2022, by promoting effective management and implementing strategies to conserve and restore mangrove landscapes. In the first phase, MERA plans to restore 500ha of mangroves in three areas around Jakarta Bay; Muara Angke in North Jakarta, Muara Gembong in Bekasi, and Muasa Cisadane in Tangerang. Asia Pulp & Paper Sinar Mas (APP Sinar Mas) signed an agreement to join MERA to support the conservation and restoration of Indonesia’s mangrove ecosystems. As part of the agreement, APP Sinar Mas will commit IDR 4.2 billion (US$300,000) to the MERA programme over five years. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sonoco Sets New Commitments for Sustainable Packaging and Recycling

Sonoco announced the expansion of its environmental and social stewardship initiatives to include commitments to achieve greater packaging sustainability and recycling in support the food industry’s efforts to reduce global food waste. These new time-based commitments, along with an update of the Company’s ongoing efforts to improve environmental, governance and social measure, are highlighted in its 2017-18 Corporate Responsibility Report, entitled Better Packaging, Better Life – for a Better World, which is available on the Company’s website at www.sonoco.com/sustainability. Specifically, Sonoco set out key commitments for more sustainable use and increased recyclability of packaging by 2025, including: •Sonoco will increase the equivalent by weight, the amount it recycles, or causes to be recycled, from 75 percent to 85 percent, relative to the volume of packaging it places into to the global market place. •Sonoco is committed to increasing the use of post-consumer recycled resins in its plastic packaging from 19 percent to 25 percent. •Sonoco will ensure that approximately 75 percent of its rigid plastic packaging can carry the relevant on-package recyclable claim. Click Read More below for additional information.
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2018 SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program RFP

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) opened its annual request for proposals (RFP) for the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program today. Applications for the program will be accepted from eligible entities through October 9. Requirements for this year's program are available on the SFI website. The grants program supports SFI's work to promote sustainable forest management through partnerships with conservation groups and academic partners that are contributing to the understanding of critical conservation outcomes across the range of American and Canadian forests, and community groups working at the intersection of sustainable forestry, responsible procurement and thriving communities. SFI Conservation Grants focus on the connection between sustainable supply chains and the natural resource values we care about like water quality, biodiversity, species at risk, carbon sequestration and resiliency to climate change. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Maracle Joins Two Sides

Maracle has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print and paper. “We welcome Maracle to the Two Sides network! They join a growing list of Canadian member companies in the print and paper sector and we look forward to working with them to tell the great environmental story of print and paper across North America,” said Two Sides North America President, Phil Riebel. Click Read More below for additional information.
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AF&PA Lauds Senate for Continued Recognition of Biomass Carbon Neutrality

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding Senate passage of the Interior-Environment, Financial Services, Transportation-HUD and Agriculture-FDA mini-omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2019. The legislation included language clarifying Congress’ intent for long-term federal regulatory policy reflecting the carbon-neutrality of forest-based biomass. “This public policy supports U.S. paper and wood manufacturers’ ability to operate on a level playing field with global competitors, which is good for the economy and job creation. Our companies have sought clear policy on biomass carbon neutrality for more than seven years. We appreciate the Senate recognizing the need to foster growth in U.S. manufacturing with its action to ensure that federal biomass policy appropriately reflects our industry’s use of carbon-neutral biomass for energy production.”
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Companies can benefit from PEFC to demonstrate impact towards the SDGs

“PEFC helps companies report on the contribution of sustainable forestry towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but this is just the very first step,” said Peter Latham, Chair of PEFC International, speaking at the SGEC/PEFC Forum in Tokyo, Japan. “PEFC is much more than just certification. Our numerous activities on the ground, our collaborative work with forest owners, communities and stakeholders at local levels enables companies to offer support beyond sourcing PEFC and certifying forests. Companies can benefit from PEFC beyond certifications to demonstrate a much wider contribution towards these vital goals.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa joins Two Sides sustainability group

Two Sides are pleased to welcome Smurfit Kappa, one of the world’s leading providers of paper-based packaging, as a new member. The noise around packaging has never been louder, with retail brands all over the world keen to make their packaging as sustainable as possible; looking towards paper- based packaging as the favourable option. This is because it is sustainable, renewable, recyclable and durable. "Paper-based packaging provides many benefits from protecting the products and preventing waste, to optimising logistics in the supply chain. Most importantly, it’s 100% recyclable and has the least impact on the environment”, says Steven Stoffer, Group Vice President Development of Smurfit Kappa. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Two Sides – New Fact Sheets Published

We’ve added to our series of Fact sheets, by publishing three more to our website. They cover a wide array of environmental issues; correcting the most common areas of misconception. Combined with interesting statistics and opinions from leading authoritative bodies, these Fact Sheets make a very influential and educational read. Our new Fact Sheets include: Paper Production and Sustainable Forests; Renewable Energy and Carbon Footprint; Paper Recovery and Recycling. Click Read More below for additional information.
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln Joins Two Sides

University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Print, Copy, Merchandising, Mail & Distribution Services has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print and paper. “We welcome the UNL in-house print services as a new member. The Two Sides academic network has been growing steadily and we now have over 12 U.S. colleges that have joined us. These institutions are key for educating students about graphic communications, paper science & engineering, marketing and communications, and other fields that closely relate to the sustainability of print and paper.” said Two Sides North America President, Phil Riebel. “As part of a learning community, we have an opportunity to demonstrate what it means to be responsible stewards of our natural resources. At the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Print Services we constantly look for new ways to conserve and promote environmental stewardship and are committed to managing all of our operations in an environmentally sound manner. Click Read More below for additional information.
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U.S. Paper and Wood Products Manufacturers Report Sustainability Progress

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its 2018 Sustainability Report, which highlights the U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry’s contributions to sustainability across the value chain, including members’ progress toward achieving the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals. The full sustainability report, a video of highlights and other information are available at https://sustainability.afandpa.org. “We are pleased to represent companies that advance economic, environmental and social values,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “Their commitment led them to achieve the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 goals to improve energy efficiency and worker safety ahead of schedule.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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AF&PA Thanks House for Continued Recognition of Biomass Carbon Neutrality

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding House passage of the H.R. 6147 Department of Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2019. The legislation included language clarifying Congress’ intent for long-term federal regulatory policy reflecting the carbon-neutrality of forest-based biomass. “When public policy supports U.S. paper and wood manufacturers’ ability to operate on a level playing field with global competitors, that’s good for the economy and job creation. Our companies have sought clear policy on biomass carbon neutrality for more than seven years. We thank the House for recognizing the need to foster growth in U.S. manufacturing with its action to ensure that federal biomass policy appropriately reflects our industry’s use of carbon-neutral biomass for energy production. We strongly urge the Senate to follow suit.”
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PEFC – Revised standards: New design

As our standards revision process continues, it is not only the content that is changing, but their appearance too! We have introduced a colour coding system to make it easier for you to distinguish between the different types of PEFC documentation. Rather than looking at the document number, or scrolling through a list, you can now see which documents are relevant to you with just a glance. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Resolute Recognized for Sustainability Leadership at Business Intelligence Group’s 2018 Sustainability Awards

Resolute earned top marks for sustainability leadership at Business Intelligence Group’s (BIG) 2018 Sustainability Awards. BIG recognizes organizations and individuals who have made sustainability an integral part of their business practice, and who honor their sustainability commitments. This marks the second consecutive year Resolute has been recognized by the Sustainability Awards. In 2017, Seth Kursman, vice president, Corporate Communications, Sustainability and Government Affairs, received the top individual honor. “We are particularly proud of receiving the highest rating in 2018, as it recognizes our comprehensive sustainability strategy, which is designed to enhance our competitive position. Our approach reinforces our vision that profitability and sustainability drive our future,” said Kursman. “As an industry leader, we’ve moved beyond minimal regulatory compliance and environmental incident management to commit to transparency and maintaining annual sustainability reporting.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Urban Tree Harvesting Requires Good Communication

Much of Domtar’s sustainable forestry management occurs out of the public eye, often on large tracts of land that are miles away from neighborhoods and commercial development. As a result, our tree harvesting operations usually have minimal impact on nearby residents. But urban tree harvesting requires a unique approach. In the nearly 20-year period that it takes for trees to mature for harvest, the landscape can change, sometimes dramatically. The area around our Windsor Mill is a good example. Domtar owns and manages about 400,000 acres of forestland located near the mill. But that forestland provides only about 15 percent of the fiber the mill needs. In the mid-90s, to meet our growing fiber needs, the mill acquired several plots of fallow farmland in rural southern Quebec. The land was near a road, which offered easy access to the trees that we planted. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sustainable forest management in Republic of Korea boosted by PEFC endorsement

Republic of Korea has become the latest country to achieve the PEFC endorsement of its national forest certification system for the first time. “Thanks to the PEFC endorsement of our national system, we expect the sustainable management of forests to become widespread in Korea,” said Gilbon Koo, Representative of Korea Forest Certification Council (KFCC), the body responsible for the development of the national system. “We also look forward to the increased production and export of PEFC-certified products originating from our sustainably managed, PEFC-certified forests.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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From the Forest to the Catwalk: FSC is the Preferred Certification for Forest-Based Fabrics

Environmental non-profit Canopy and FSC are leading the charge for change in the fashion industry. Collaborating for almost 5 years, the CanopyStyle initiative, with over 161 brand partners such as H&M, GAP, Zara and Stella McCartney, committed to eliminate the use of ancient and endangered forests in their supply chains, explore innovative fibers like recycled clothing and to contribute to advancing conservation solutions. All have positioned FSC as the preferred forest certification system of choice.
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Swedish Research Breaks New Ground – Closer to a Commercial Paper Battery

BillerudKorsnäs and researchers at Uppsala University have together taken an important step towards the future’s paper batteries. Together they have taken basic research based on pure cellulose from algae and developed it to work with the same type of fiber that BillerudKorsnäs usually uses to manufacture packaging material. This development opens up for both inexpensive and eco-friendly batteries. The long-term aim is to enable large-scale production and the future use of paper batteries for applications in areas such as smart packaging.
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Domtar Takes Next Step in Lignin Development with Prisma

Domtar’s Biomaterials team and research partners have been focusing time and resources on lignin development — specifically, developing lignin-based materials that could eventually serve as sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to petroleum and other fossil fuel–based products. We recently took another step forward in lignin development and the process of commercializing lignin-based applications by investing in Prisma Renewable Composites, which is developing advanced materials from lignin and other natural resources. With this investment, we will help commercialize the process of using lignin to make engineered plastic compounds, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and other high-value applications.
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Smurfit Kappa Demonstrates Sustainability Leadership with Euronext Vigeo Eiris Listing for Sixth Consecutive Year

Smurfit Kappa’s industry-leading commitment to sustainability has been recognised once again by the Euronext Vigeo Eiris index. The packaging leader was listed on the sustainability index for the sixth year in a row after distinguishing itself for its Environmental, Social and Governance (‘ESG’) performance. The Euronext Vigeo Eiris index is composed of the 120 highest-ranking listed companies for corporate social responsibility performance. To qualify, companies are subject to examination of their sustainability programme by a team of analysts which reviews up to 330 indicators. Only companies that can produce hard evidence of their sustainability programmes and score highly against industry benchmarks make the final list.
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Paperboard is Replacing Plastic to Reduce Climate Impact

A number of global companies have replaced or are doing trials to replace the material in their gift cards – from plastic to paperboard. Sweden’s largest cinema chain, SF Bio, has taken the plunge and is now replacing all its cards. “When our card supplier, Megacard, suggested we could make our gift cards from paperboard and thereby drastically reduce their environmental impact, it was self-evident to us to switch,” explains Anna Marcusson, product manager for gift cards at SF Bio. “In plain language, it means we’re phasing out the use of 10 tonnes of PVC a year by phasing out the plastic and replacing it with cards made of Invercote from Iggesund Paperboard,” she continues.
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Setting an Example While Sustaining Our Forests

Meet Erin Herrin, area harvesting manager for Georgia-Pacific’s building products operations in East Texas. In her job, Erin works with family forest landowners who sell their timber to GP, providing information on how to best manage their property, protect streams and water quality, and reforest after harvesting. As a woman in a predominantly male profession, Erin is also an example to girls who want to pursue a career in forestry. She encourages them to continuously push themselves. “Don’t let self-doubt get the better of you and look for opportunities to progress yourself in your career, even the opportunities you don’t feel like you’re capable of.”
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PEFC-Certified Fashion @ the United Nations Headquarters!

Forest fashions take center stage at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, starting today. As part of our Forests for Fashion initiative with UNECE/FAO, and a range of other partners such as the UN Forum on Forests, Cittadellarte Fashion B.E.S.T, PEFC Italy, PEFC Spain and SFI, we are highlighting the role of forests and forest products towards a sustainable fashion sector, throughout the HLPF. Exhibition on Forests, Fashion and the SDGs (8-20 July) The ‘Forests for Fashion’ exhibit brings together the work of many designers, all inspired to use forest-derived materials for their creations.
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Silverton Mill Remediation Project wins Best Biodiversity Enhancement Award

DS Smith is pleased to confirm that it has received the Brownfield Briefing Award’s Best Biodiversity Enhancement Award for its environmental remediation project at the site of its former papermaking mill at Silverton, Devon, UK. Silverton Mill was one of the UK’s oldest paper mills, and was located within the Killerton National Trust estate in Devon. It closed its doors in 1999 after a paper manufacturing history that had lasted over 200 years, but had left the surrounding area contaminated with industrial waste. The mill buildings themselves rapidly decayed in the years after the machinery was removed from the site. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Can the UK meet the Circular Economy Package’s recycling targets?

DS Smith recycles around a quarter of the UK’s paper every year. Here, Peter Clayson, General Manager for Business Development and External Affairs at DS Smith Recycling, looks at what the UK needs to do to achieve the recycling targets outlined in the Circular Economy Package. The EU Council has now formally adopted the Circular Economy Package, which incorporates binding recycling targets of 55% municipal waste recycling by 2025, rising to 60% by 2030, and 65% by 2035. The ambition is similar for the recycling of all packaging materials, with targets of 65% by 2025 and 70% by 2030. Targets for paper and card specifically rise to 85% in the same time frame. But when these aspirations are compared with reality, there’s a real concern that the UK is going to fall short. With a current municipal recycling rate of 45.2%, the country is well below the place it needs to be in order to increase its recycling by 10% within the next eight years. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM joins Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative to enhance sustainability in its supply chains

UPM has joined Together for Sustainability (TfS), a chemical industry initiative that promotes and improves sustainability practises within its supply chains. By joining the initiative the member companies share a wide coverage of supplier data, such as audit reports and sustainability assessments performed by independent experts. "UPM's traditional businesses are having high exposure to chemical industry supply chain, not only on chemical raw materials but also on equipment and services." says Ilkka Nurmi, Senior Vice President, UPM Sourcing. "While UPM is not a chemical company, we actively work on portfolio transformation and have a great growth potential in biofuels and biochemicals businesses where we are heavily entering the arena of chemistry", he continues. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Domtar and SCA Clean Up Parks in Two of Our Communities

Domtar and SCA Clean Up at Lions Park in Dryden, Ontario: In June, Domtar employees, family and friends from the Dryden, Ontario community pitched in to make Lions Park a safe and welcoming community space. This SCA clean up was particularly special because the park recently lost funding from the local parks and recreation department due to budget cuts. Domtar and SCA Clean Up at Kirkwood Park in St. Louis: In May, the SCA and more than 100 Domtar HDIS employees and family members contributed more than 300 hours of service revitalizing Kirkwood Park by weeding, mulching and clearing out invasive, overgrown honeysuckle. “I’m always shocked to see the amount of work that can get done when people join together for one cause,” says Heather Stowe, Domtar’s corporate social responsibility manager. “We had over 100 people come out to Kirkwood Park. That just shows you how important this community is to its residents.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sustainable forest management in Myanmar one-step closer

One year on, and our project to support Myanmar as it reforms its forest sector is gathering pace. This was clear last month, as the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee (MFCC) held its first annual multi-stakeholder coordination meeting. The half-day coordination meeting was attended by a range of stakeholders, including the Myanmar Government’s Forestry Department, Timber Enterprise and Department of Research and Innovation, FAO, FLEGT VPA advisors, international and national NGOs, certification bodies and the private sector. This coordination meeting marks an important step in this 3-year project to support the country as it transitions to the sustainable management of its forests, funded jointly by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, PEFC and MFCC. Click Read More below for additional information.
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McDonald’s ditches plastic straws

As of September, plastic straws will be replaced by sustainable and biodegradable paper alternatives in all McDonald’s UK and Ireland restaurants. The restaurant chain uses 1.8 million straws a day in the UK. The decision follows a successful trial in a number of McDonald’s UK restaurants to test how customers react to the switch to paper straws. Transcend Packaging in Wales, and Huhtamaki in Belfast, will supply the paper straws for all 1,361 McDonald’s restaurants. Click Read More below for additional information.
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The Home Depot Outlines Sustainability Progress and Commitments in 2018 Responsibility Report

The Home Depot® announced that its stores have cut energy use 23.5 percent since 2010, exceeding the company's goal to reduce consumption by 20 percent by 2020. Hitting that energy-saving goal three years early is among progress detailed in the company's 2018 Responsibility Report, released last week. Titled A Year of Progress, the report outlines the company's sustainability progress and environmental, workforce and community initiatives. The report is available on The Home Depot's corporate newsroom Built from Scratch, including a summary infographic. In addition, a special episode of the company's "Give Me an H" podcast is available, featuring Ron Jarvis, vice president of environmental innovation. "As part of our values, we encourage our associates to be entrepreneurial, innovative and creative, and the successes you'll see in this report are a testament to their talent and dedication," said Craig Menear, The Home Depot chairman, CEO and president. "We're proud of their work, even as we look ahead with the understanding that there's much more to do." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Allen Press Wins Five Awards at World’s Most Prestigious International Print Competition

Allen Press, Inc. is the recipient of five awards from the Printing & Imaging Association’s (PIA) Premier Print Awards Competition. With over 2,000 entries, the PIA Premier Print Awards is the most prestigious international print competition in the world. “These awards are the result of our team’s steadfast commitment to the highest standard of print quality,” said Allen Press CEO Randy Radosevich. “We are honored to be recognized by PIA and will continue to enhance our capabilities and technology to better serve our customers.” Of the winning submissions, three entries won Certificates of Merit and two won Awards of Recognition. Click Read More below for additional information.
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AF&PA Elects Two New Board of Director Members at Summer Board Meeting

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced the election of Resolute Forest Products President and CEO Yves Laflamme and Sonoco Products Company President and CEO Robert Tiede to serve on its Board of Directors. The election took place during the June 28 summer board meeting. AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement, “Yves Laflamme and Robert Tiede bring deep industry experience and valuable leadership to the table as we work to advance the paper and wood products industry’s top advocacy priorities. We are one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the nation – eager to innovate and invest in the future with the help of common sense public policy, including regulatory reform, free and fair trade and efficient transportation measures. Together, we will put our companies’ compelling story and its needs before the administration, Congress and decision makers at the federal and state levels so they can take the action necessary to help us grow the economy and create American manufacturing jobs.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil trades mixed but recent rally sets crude up for strong 2018 gains

Crude gains have been buoyed by a dispute in Libya over oil-marketing rights that is hindering the North African nation’s export capacity. In Libya, the supply of up to 780,000 barrels of crude a day is at risk, according to analysts at Commerzbank. Separately, the energy market has been reacting to threats from the Trump administration this week, who indicated that the White House would look to sanction countries that don’t reduce their imports of Iranian crude to “zero” by Nov. 4. Iran currently exports around 2.4 million barrels a day of crude. Click Read More below for additional information.
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New Decor System Buys Five-metre EFI VUTEk LED Roll-to-Roll Printer to Expand its Success in High-quality, Superwide-format Production

A recently purchased EFI™ VUTEk® 5r LED roll-to-roll printer from Electronics For Imaging, Inc. is driving new business opportunities at Italian digital printing company New Decor System. The printer – the Rome-based company’s fourth 5-metre inkjet device – will be used to expand New Decor System’s range of high-quality large format prints as the company works to grow local and national demand. New Decor System is one of Italy’s leading suppliers of digitally printed wideformat signage and graphics, including out-of-home advertising, backlit panels, banners, vehicle wraps and soft signage. The company’s CEO, Angelo Modica, has New Decor System in its 30 years of business, thanks to continuous investments in the most advanced technologies. With a range of machines that includes numerous small-format plotters and three-large format machines, New Decor System is able to guarantee deliveries in 24 hours throughout Italy. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Expera’s Nicolet Mill Recognized for Energy Efficiency

The Nicolet Mill was honored on June 28, 2018 – receiving Focus on Energy’s “Energy Efficiency Excellence Award” for its commitment to reducing energy waste. Nicolet has been active in identifying and implementing energy reduction projects, and as part of the Focus on Energy grant program, has worked with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and Focus on Energy on assessments of their processes, and has integrated many energy-saving changes based on the assessment results. Recent energy efficiency projects at Nicolet include LED lighting upgrades, steam system management upgrades, and installing more efficient agitators and pulper rotors. The Nicolet Mill was the only industrial company to receive this honor this year.
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City and Regional Magazines Capitalize on Custom Publishing

City and regional magazine publishers continue to be nimble and optimistic in an atmosphere that remains anxious about the future of print advertising. “We discovered that there were a lot of people in Seattle that loved what we were doing in Portland and wanted us to bring the same type of city magazine to the Seattle market. So, in quick order—about a year and a half later—we started Seattle Met,” says Jeff Adams, vice president of custom media at SagaCity. “We started pretty soon after that with our first customer, which was Travel Portland.” SagaCity continues to service Travel Portland, a private non-profit destination marketing organization, highlighting the company’s vested interest in tourism publishing. Additional custom work includes the Asheville, North Carolina visitor guide, a program for the Houston Ballet, a Houston visitor guide, and smaller consumer magazines, such as Jewish in Seattle. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Beth Buehler Named Hearst Vice President of Operations

Hearst, one of the nation's largest diversified media, information and services companies with more than 360 businesses, announced today that Beth Buehler has been named vice president of operations, a new role. The announcement was made by Hearst President and CEO Steven R. Swartz and Hearst Chief Operating Officer Mark Aldam. Buehler begins her new role on July 2 and will report to Aldam. “Beth’s experience leading operations and strategy across business functions will be instrumental in our efforts to collaborate more effectively across the corporate boundaries and bring more value to each of our operating teams,” Aldam said. “Beth was a key contributor during the integration of Rodale into Hearst earlier this year and she will be a great partner to our leaders across the company.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sun Chemical Releases 2017 Sustainability Report

Sun Chemical released its 2017 Corporate Sustainability Report which details the work the company is doing to increase its use of bio-derived raw materials in its products and shows positive progress on its eco-efficiency goals. Highlights from the report focus on Sun Chemical’s commitment to the development of eco-friendly solutions, including how: •solvent-based liquid inks use resins responsibly sourced from certified forests, •water-based liquid inks use bio-derived resins that do not impact ink performance, •printed biosensor technology detects levels of pyruvates in onions to determine pungency, •bio-based food colorants are using spirulina derived from photosynthetic bacterium, and •its MirrorTech inks reduce waste by replacing metalized board with printable metallic ink. Click Read More below for additional information.
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In North America, we grow many more trees than we harvest

aper manufacturers encourage forest sustainability through their purchase and use of certified wood fiber and by promoting sustainable forest management policies and practices at home and around the globe. By providing a dependable market for responsibly grown fiber, the paper industry encourages landowners to manage their forestland instead of selling it for development or other non-forest uses.², ³ • Net forest area in the U.S. has been stable since the early 1900’s and has increased from 754 to 766 million acres between 2005 and 2015. Net volume of growing stock increased by over 10% between 2005 and 2015.4 Canada’s forest area of 857 million acres has been quite stable over the past 25 years.5 • Each year forests in the U.S. and Canada grow significantly more wood than is harvested. In the U.S., average net annual increase in growing-stock trees nationwide is about 26 billion ft³.6 In 2015, Canada harvested just over 5.6 billion ft3 of timber, well below the estimated sustainable wood supply level of 7.98 billion ft³.7 Click Read More below for additional information.
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Feldmuehle Uetersen announces reorganization

The company’s acquisition has been finalized. Feldmuehle Uetersen announced that it will be transferred to a subsidiary of the Berlin-based Beteiligungsgesellschaft Kairos Industries with effect from 15 June 2018 and will be continued in full. ‘Feldmuehle’ was founded specially for the transfer. The insolvency administrator and restructuring expert Dr. Tjark Thies from the Hamburg law firm Reimer Rechtsanwälte had concluded an acquisition agreement with Kairos in May 2018. This agreement was under several challenging conditions, which were met the week ended June 15. "The successful completion of this refurbishment is largely thanks to the dedication, flexibility and responsiveness of the Feldmuehle employees," says Thies.
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Domtar’s 2018 Sustainability Update Highlights Continued Progress on Long-Term Strategy

Domtar Corporation released its 2018 Sustainability Update, highlighting the company’s ongoing efforts to take a longer-term view of creating and preserving value for shareholders, customers, employees and communities. In an update to its 2017 report, Domtar announced that the company has met or exceeded three of the company’s six 2020 sustainability goals this year. “At Domtar, everyone has a role in sustainability because it is how we do business every day,” explained John D. Williams, Domtar's president and CEO. “Sustainability is an integral part of our long-term growth strategy, which is exactly why we have been able to meet or surpass half of our 2020 sustainability goals already in 2018—and why we are well on track to achieve the remaining.”. Highlighted in the 2018 update, Domtar’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its long-term growth strategy resulted in key accomplishments across the company’s 2020 goals. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Stora Enso evaluates development opportunities at its Oulu Mill in Finland

Stora Enso has started a feasibility study and an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a possible investment in Oulu. The feasibility study and the EIA evaluate a potential conversion of the Oulu paper mill into packaging board production. The feasibility study is expected to be concluded by the end of 2018, and the EIA process is expected to take a minimum of 6 months. Currently, Oulu Mill has a production capacity of 360 000 tons of chemical softwood pulp and 1 080 000 tons of woodfree coated papers on two paper machines. The potential investment would include a new chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP) plant, a brown-based cartonboard line with a capacity of 450 000 t/a and a kraftliner line with a capacity of 400 000 t/a. The potential conversion of Oulu Mill would enable Stora Enso to further improve its position in the growing consumer board and packaging solutions businesses and take a major step in its transformation. The other option is to continue the current fine paper production. Click Read More below for additional information.
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U.S. oil prices settle at highest since 2014 as crude supplies notch biggest weekly drop of the year

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday that crude supplies declined by 9.9 million barrels for the week ended June 22—the largest weekly decline so far this year. Analysts surveyed by S&P Global Platts had forecast a fall of 2.3 million barrels, while the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday reported a drop of 9.2 million barrels. “Record crude exports and record refinery runs have combined to yield the biggest draw to crude stocks so far this year,” said Matt Smith, director of commodity research at ClipperData. “Even crude production holding at a record level has been unable to offset strong domestic and international demand.” The EIA pegged last week’s total domestic crude output at 10.9 million barrels a day, unchanged from the previous week. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Crown Helps Coca-Cola Turkey Go Thermochromic for Summer Promo

Coca-Cola Turkey has launched its summer promotional range, making unprecedented use of thermochromic inks to add color, function and fun to ten new aluminium beverage can designs. Historically, one or two thermochromic inks have been combined to communicate temperature changes. For the first time, Coca-Cola Turkey is using thermochromic ink technology as a true decorative tool, making it an integral part of how the can looks. Four separate inks have been used to create bright designs that stand out when the cans are chilled and the drinks ready for consumption. The designs featured on Coke Red and Coke Zero beverage cans all have summer themes, ranging from ice cubes and palm trees to sandals and sailing boats. The images are colourless at ambient temperature and change to colourful patterns when the drink is chilled and ready for consumption. Click Read More below for additional information.
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DS Smith Packaging Roanoke Wins National ADDY Award for Innovative Design

DS Smith Packaging Roanoke has been awarded a National Silver ADDY Award for Advertising Industry Self-Promotion Cards, Invitations or Announcements. This is the second National Silver ADDY Award win for one of the company’s self-promotion pieces, and they were the only corrugated display and packaging manufacturing company with an in-house design group to win a National ADDY Award. This award was given for the CCCBox Series Convertible Giveaway, which was gifted to customers during the 2017 holiday season. The convertible was designed, illustrated, printed and assembled in house and is made from E flute corrugated board, 4-color process flexo printed and die cut. Click Read More below for additional information.
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PEFC, Bamboo and Rattan: Towards Meeting the SDGs and the Bonn Challenge together

“For forest certification to be affordable and successful in meeting the needs of smallholder bamboo communities, it needs to be risk based, regional, nationally appropriate and internationally recognized,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International, at the Global Bamboo and Rattan Congress (BARC2018 ). BARC2018“PEFC can provide this.” BARC2018, held recently in Beijing China, brought together stakeholders from around the world to discuss how bamboo and rattan can contribute to South-South cooperation, climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals, among many other issues. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Pier 1 Imports, Inc. Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2019 Financial Results

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 decreased 9.2% to $371.9 million, compared to $409.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Company comparable sales decreased 8.2% versus the year-ago period. The Company operated 997 stores at the end of the quarter, a decrease of 19 from the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 totaled $120.1 million, or 32.3% of net sales, compared to $151.6 million, or 37.0% of net sales, for the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Kimberly-Clark Reports Progress to Sustainability 2022 Goals

Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported its progress toward achieving its Sustainability 2022 strategy to create social, environmental and business value. "We continue to make strides in our efforts to create positive social and environmental change," said Thomas J. Falk, Kimberly-Clark's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "That's why we are committed to an ambitious set of sustainability goals that will have a lasting impact on the people we serve around the world and the communities we touch." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Rite Aid Reports Fiscal 2019 First Quarter Results

For the first quarter, the company reported net loss from continuing operations of $41.7 million, or $0.04 per share, Adjusted net loss from continuing operations of $11.5 million, or $0.01 per share, and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $147.3 million, or 2.7 percent of revenues. For the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the company reported net income of $214.4 million, or $0.20 per share. Net income for the first quarter included an after-tax gain of approximately $268.6 million relating to the sale of 281 stores to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. ("WBA"), which completed the sale of stores and related assets to WBA. The sale of the three distribution centers and related inventory is expected to occur after September 1, 2018. As a result of the proceeds received from the store sales, Rite Aid's debt, net of cash, was $3.0 billion as of June 2, 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.
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The shape of sustainable labels is circular: UPM Raflatac announces APR-recognized wash-off film labels with recycled liners for Americas and Asia Pacific

UPM Raflatac is taking another step forward in its drive to label a smarter future by announcing that it has developed a range of wash-off film labeling solutions for a variety of end uses that can help brands create a circular economy and also meet or even accelerate their ambitious sustainability targets. These clear, white and metalized film label stocks - featuring UPM Raflatac's RW85C wash-off adhesive and a PET liner made from 90 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content - have been recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) as exceeding their strict standards for recyclable label products. Now available in the Americas and Asia Pacific market regions, the labels are ideal for labeling PET containers in the food, beverage, home care and personal care segments. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Walgreens Boots Alliance Reports Fiscal 2018 Third Quarter Results

Fiscal 2018 third quarter net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance determined in accordance with GAAP increased 15.5 percent to $1.3 billion compared with the same quarter a year ago, while GAAP diluted net earnings per share increased 26.2 percent to $1.35 compared with the same quarter a year ago. Adjusted fiscal 2018 third quarter net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance1 increased 5.6 percent to $1.5 billion, up 4.6 percent on a constant currency basis, compared with the same quarter a year ago. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share for the quarter increased 15.0 percent to $1.53, up 13.5 percent on a constant currency basis, compared with the same quarter a year ago. Sales in the third quarter were $34.3 billion, an increase of 14.0 percent from the year-ago quarter, and an increase of 11.8 percent on a constant currency basis. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Rise Interactive Makes Search-Marketing History with First-Ever Perfect Score at 2018 Search Engine Land Awards

Rise Interactive made search marketing history with the first-ever perfect score for its entry at the 2018 Search Engine Land Awards. The awards, which recognize top performers in the SEO and SEM communities, were announced earlier this month at the SMX Advanced Conference in Seattle. Rise Interactive won Best Retail Search Marketing Initiative and was also named Agency of the Year in the Large Agency SEM category. “It is such an honor for Rise to be recognized by Search Engine Land as SEM Agency of the Year,” said Jon Morris, Founder and CEO of Rise Interactive. “This acknowledgement affirms that Rise is delivering truly cutting-edge search strategies that drive business outcomes for our clients. Search will continue to be a channel that we invest heavily in to innovate and differentiate our service offering and solutions.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Metsä Board receives EcoVadis Gold rating for corporate environmental and social responsibility

Metsä Board, the leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards, has been awarded the Gold level rating by EcoVadis for the second consecutive year for its approach to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Overall Metsä Board was ranked in the top 1% of suppliers assessed by EcoVadis across all categories. “This is a significant achievement, as the EcoVadis assessment is becoming an increasingly important guide for our customers when judging their suppliers’ sustainability and corporate social responsibility performance. We recognise that sustainability must go beyond regulatory compliance to also focus on how companies manage their economic, social, and environmental impacts, as well as their relationships with stakeholders such as customers, employees, suppliers and government,” says Anne Uusitalo, Product Safety and Sustainability Director at Metsä Board. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Pearson Announces Progress Towards 2020 Sustainability Plan

Pearson, the digital education company, published its 2017 Sustainability Report, which highlights the progress made in implementing its 2020 Sustainability Plan and a continued vision for integrating social and environmental issues into every aspect of the business. Pearson’s 2020 Sustainability Plan is centered around three pillars: 1.Reach more learners by removing barriers to education both through core business and partnerships and enabling learners to be their best selves; 2.Shape the future of learning by leveraging technology and innovating to meet each learner where they are, with content that equips today’s learners with the skills to shape a better tomorrow for people and planet; and 3.Be a trusted partner to learners, educators, suppliers, and communities: operating responsibly, creating value for society, and protecting the environment. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Metalvac G, Lecta’s New Metallized Paper for Graphic Applications and Premium Packaging

Lecta extends its portfolio of Metalvac products with the new Metalvac G paper, an extensive range of high substance papers (from 105 g/m2 to 170g/m2), especially designed for high-end graphic applications and premium packaging. Metallized papers are the perfect choice for these end uses where sophistication and exclusivity are the goal, thanks to their glossy metallic appearance, their optimum brightness and their being 100% recyclable mono-material. The new Metalvac G range offers the possibility of creating exclusive packaging, especially for premium look envelopes and gift bags with Metalvac G 105 g/m2, and for board lamination for rigid boxes and prestige packaging with Metalvac G 115 - 170 g/m2. Metalvac G also guarantees the best results in offset, UV offset, flexography and silkscreen printing, and is suitable for hot-melt and water-based glues. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Dreaming Big: Young entrepreneur sets out to conquer the publishing world

Ava Middleton learns more about digital printing after tour at Allen Press. School’s out for the summer which normally means vacations, swimming, and hanging out with friends… well, not for these super kids. Ava Middleton, Rider Middleton, and Katherine Cheung have dipped their young toes into the publishing world by writing, designing and publishing their first magazine, proving that kids can certainly conquer what they put their minds to. Mills Farm Magazine Kids’ Edition was launched due in part to an anonymous donation to fund the magazine’s print production. After choosing Allen Press as its printing partner, local Sales Executive, Kathy Lafferty, organized a pressroom tour for Ava, Rider, and her parents, Theresa and Wes Middleton, to see how the magazine was printed and to learn more about magazine publishing and production. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Crude Oil Prices Settle Higher as US Says Nations Must Cut Iranian Crude Imports

Strong buying emerged in oil markets Tuesday as focus shifted to an expected decline in Iranian crude exports after a senior U.S. State Department official said countries must stop purchasing crude by the start of November or face sanctions. Companies that buy Iranian crude oil must completely halt those exports by Nov. 4 or else they will face powerful U.S. sanctions, a senior State Department official told reporters on Tuesday. Oil prices moved sharply higher as investor focus shifted to the prospect of a void in global supplies as Iran – OPEC's third largest producer – exports more than 2 million barrels per day (bpd). Click Read More below for additional information.
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Aahs Signs Primed for Online Growth with VUTEk LED Hybrid Superwide-Format Printer

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. announced that Aahs Signs in greater Los Angeles has purchased an EFI™ VUTEk® LX3 Pro superwide-format printer with an EFI Fiery® proServer Premium digital front end (DFE). The company plans to leverage the versatility, throughput and speed of the hybrid flatbed/roll-to-roll printing device to expand its already thriving online novelty gift-production business and to meet growing demand for specialty large-format printing in the décor market. “About three years ago we started creating and selling products online, through Amazon and eBay. The business is doing well, but with our previous capacity, we couldn’t keep up with demand. With the new VUTEk, I’ll be able to fulfill the growing demand for our products and grow that business,” said Gurmeet Sawhney, president and CEO of Aahs Signs. Click Read More below for additional information.
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New Strategic Partnership in Sustainable Packaging

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with HS Manufacturing Group, LLC for the use of their proprietary HS SILVA™ plant-based coating and additive chemistry. The functional characteristics afforded by HS SILVA™, combined with well-formed fiber-based substrates, result in products with oil and grease-resistant properties and/or significantly improved water resistance for applications like outdoor signage, horticultural labels and tags. While having improved durability these substrates will be 100 percent recyclable, 100 percent biodegradable and 100 percent compostable. “We’ve partnered with HSMG over the last several years and have successfully used their unique chemistry to produce uncoated and coated paper products in a wide variety of applications.” said Paul Ciccone, Vice President of Research and Development for Monadnock. “We can create paper based products tailored to meet your needs while meeting the market requirements of recyclability and biodegradability.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Paper-Based Packaging Industry Helps Educate Next-Generation Recyclers

In a world increasingly aware of the need to preserve our natural resources, paper-based packaging offers a renewable, recyclable, and sustainable solution. Through The Responsible Package® initiative, Pratt Industries works with allied companies and associations to provide free, standards-based education materials on this topic to middle school teachers, students, and families. As future decision-makers, the students of today play an important role in preserving our natural resources for future generations. By helping students understand the value of materials that might otherwise be sent to landfill, we as an industry can work to maintain our long-standing tradition of recovering and recycling paper and paper-based packaging at rates well above most of our non-renewable competitors. In 2017, The Responsible Package educational materials were distributed to 355,000 students in more than 2,000 schools across 25 states. All of the educators who responded to a year-end survey expressed interest in repeating their participation in the program and reported students gaining awareness and a positive outlook for paper-based products. Click Read More below for additional information.
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LignoTech Florida Plant Officially Opened

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. and Borregaard ASA announced LignoTech Florida, owned 45 percent by RYAM and 55 percent by BRG, officially begun operations at the new lignin plant in Fernandina Beach. The plant has production capacity of 100,000 dry metric tons of lignin with the option of a second phase that can later expand production by an additional 50,000 dry metric tons “We are excited to complete construction phase of the plant, on time and within $110 million combined budget,” said Paul G. Boynton, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rayonier Advanced Materials. “This investment provides new jobs for the Fernandina Beach community, diverse and environmentally-friendly products for Rayonier Advanced Materials, and a solid return on capital for our investors.” Lignin, a natural component of wood, is a co-product of Rayonier Advanced Material’s sulphite cellulose manufacturing process in Fernandina Beach. The new operation will process the lignin into value-added products that provide environmentally-friendly alternatives to fossil fuel-based products used globally in construction, agriculture and other industrial applications.
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David Carey Stepping Down As President Of Hearst Magazines

David Carey, the president of Hearst Magazines since 2010 and the architect of some of the most successful magazine launches at that company in recent decades, is stepping down at the end of the year, according to the company. Carey will serve next year as a fellow at the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative, a program designed to give business, government and other leaders a platform for social-impact initiatives. "Under David, we have become a preeminent global digital publishing company while continuing to launch innovative print editions," CEO Steven Swartz said in a memo to employees this morning. "Over the next few months, while continuing to run the group, David will help select the next leader of our magazine company. This kind of orderly transition is a hallmark of Hearst Magazines." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Trade war threatens the U.S. newspaper industry

The newspapers, like the staff, are leaner than they were a decade ago, with fewer reporters to write about crime, the school board and youth sports and to craft obituaries for their aging readership. And now they’re facing a new and unexpected threat: President Trump’s confrontational trade policies. Last year, in one of the Trump administration’s first actions on trade, the U.S. government imposed tariffs on Canadian lumber. A few months later, it added tariffs on Canadian uncoated groundwood paper. The result has been a jump in the cost of newsprint, the second-biggest operating expense, after salaries, for most newspapers. Rogers and fellow news executives across the country are now bracing for price increases that could exceed 30 percent, forcing tough budget decisions and potentially driving some community papers out of business. “This may be the thing that pushes us across the line,” Rogers said. “We’re all kind of close to that edge.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil steady as outages balance trade dispute, OPEC

Oil prices steadied on Tuesday, supported by Canadian production losses and uncertainty over Libyan exports, but under pressure from climbing OPEC supply and escalating trade conflicts between the United States and other major economies. Eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar's forces have given control of oil ports to a separate National Oil Corporation (NOC) based in the country's east. The official state-owned oil company from the capital Tripoli, also called NOC, will no longer be allowed to handle that oil, he said. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Domtar’s Paper Division: Who We Are

For 170 years, Domtar has manufactured useful products for thousands of applications. For the past 20 years, pulp and paper have been at the center of our business. Domtar’s Paper division is the largest integrated manufacturer and marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America. We are the private brand expert and leading producer of many of the most successful brands of copy paper and we produce and market a number of highly respected, well-known commercial printing, publishing, digital and inkjet paper brands. Our network of mills and converting sites give us 3 million tons of papermaking capacity annually to help us to serve our customers, support our employees and strengthen our communities. That’s how our paper makes life better every day. Domtar is a global manufacturer with a history spanning more than 150 years. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Macedonian forestry dreams come true with PEFC endorsement

We are delighted to announce that Macedonia has achieved PEFC endorsement of its national forest certification system for the first time. “Having a PEFC endorsed national system in Macedonia makes the dreams about Macedonian forestry joining global initiatives for sustainable forest management come true,” said Vladimir Stojanovski, President of The Council for Sustainable Forest Management in the Republic of Macedonia. “The same positive energy used in the process of creating our national forest certification system will be transferred to the next steps - having the first PEFC-certified forest in Macedonia.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa and HP continue digital printing expansion throughout Europe

Smurfit Kappa is continuing to use digital print with remarkable effect in the corrugated packaging industry. The packaging leader has ramped up its capabilities by installing eight HP Scitex corrugated presses across its European sites. The new printers facilitate brilliant graphics which make display and promotional packaging come alive. They are also capable of short runs to meet the increasing demand for reduced turnaround times from brands. Smurfit Kappa has installed Scitex HDR technology corrugated presses – the HP Scitex 11000, HP Scitex 15500, and HP Scitex 17000 – in sites in Belgium, Denmark, France, Portugal, Poland and the UK with additional installations scheduled for sites in the UK and the Netherlands. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM Raflatac launches sustainable RAFNXT+ versions of its BPA-free thermal label materials for retail, food and logistics applications

UPM Raflatac is introducing to the European market three new sustainable, BPA-free label materials for retail weigh-price and backroom labeling applications as well as for logistics labeling. The new products enable printers to offer BPA-free, legislation-compliant thermal labels that come with the added advantage of the unique RAFNXT+ formula of sustainability credentials. Thermal papers have traditionally used Bisphenol A (BPA) as a color developer. However, new European Union legislation requires all thermal paper sold in Europe to be free of BPA after 2 January 2020. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Japs Olson Together with Speedmaster XL 106 LPL Configuration and Saphira Coating are in a League of Their Own

Japs Olson of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, is reaping the benefits of its newly installed Speedmaster XL 106-6+LYY-P-6+L from Heidelberg. With the XL 106 LPL (Print, Coat, Perfect, Print, Coat) configuration, Japs Olson has seen increased efficiency and faster makeready times thanks to its ability to coat both sides of a job in a single pass at maximum speeds. Replacing the older Speedmaster SM 102 at Japs Olson, the Speedmaster XL 106 has already made a huge impact in increased productivity only 2 months after installation. With maximum production speeds of up to 15,000 sheets per hour, the peak performance press can handle a wide range of substrates from 27 lb. offset to 32 pt. board. “Our customers require high quality products with lots of colors,” said Bob Murphy, Chairman and CEO of Japs Olson. “The XL 106 is exciting because it’s a 12-color press and allows us to print on both sides. Our customers are now receiving their beloved colorful pieces with industry-leading quality at an incredible speed.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Zanders GmbH continues restructuring process within German chapter11 rules

Zanders GmbH has filed for the opening of ‘debtor in possession’ proceedings in the local court in Cologne on the 22 June 2018. This is a restructuring process to secure the continued operation of Zanders. It has become necessary primarily because of high pension fund payments, which continuously weigh on our operations, and a drastic increase in raw material and energy costs in the last few months, together with difficult conditions and overcapacity in our industry. By engaging in this process we can accomplish a successful restructuring that will see Zanders GmbH back in a strong, competitive trading position. In the past three years we have made many operational improvements which have delivered annual sales growth of 12%. Under the supervision of the court we believe we can build on this growth, increase our efficiency and create a solid base to continue to deliver to our customers. Click Read More below for additional information.
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EURO-GRAPH reports Monthly Statistics of the European Graphic Papers Industry

Total European shipments of graphic papers were down 0.3% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are down 3.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint were down 7.0% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are down 7.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine were down 1.2% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are down 8.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels were UP 6.8% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are UP 2.9% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) were UP 7.3% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are UP 7.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree were down 2.9% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are down 5.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree were UP 1.3% in April '18 vs. April '17 and are down 3.0% year-to-date. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Nearly half of Iowa crude oil spill contained, BNSF says

Workers have contained nearly half of the crude oil spilled near Rock River in northwest Iowa over the weekend following a freight train derailment on Friday, BNSF Railway Co said. About 100,000 gallons had been hemmed off using booms out of the estimated 230,000 gallons spilled, BNSF said in a statement on Saturday. The spill has raised concerns about drinking water downstream. The company did not respond to questions on Sunday about the progress of the cleanup. No one was hurt in the derailment, in which 32 cars came off the rails, 14 of which leaked at least some of their contents, BNSF said. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Expanded Östrand Pulp Mill in Operation

Production at the expanded Östrand pulp mill began according to plan during the midsummer holiday (i.e. this weekend). SCA is investing SEK 7.8bn in the operation and the project is on budget and schedule. SCA decided in 2015 to invest in an increased production capacity at the Östrand pulp mill – from 430,000 tonnes to about 900,000 tonnes of bleached softwood kraft pulp (NBSK). Following an extended maintenance stop, which began in April of this year, the expanded pulp mill is now in operation. Production capacity in the expanded pulp mill is expected to increase successively during 2018 and 2019. 2020 is therefore expected to be the first year with full production, corresponding to 900,000 tonnes. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Privatization is Not the Answer to What Ails the Postal Service

In its Government Reform Plan, the Administration made the case for privatizing the Postal Service, and preparing for an eventual change through recommendations coming in August from the President's Task Force on the Postal System. The business community – mailers and suppliers in the paper, printing and technology industries collectively generating $1.4 trillion in sales annually and supporting 7.5 million jobs – strongly believes privatization is not the answer for a postal system in financial distress. "Our troubled postal system can be fixed in a two-step process that does not resort to a draconian solution unproven at the gigantic scale of the U.S. Postal Service," said Art Sackler, Manager of the Coalition for a 21st Century Postal System (C21), which broadly represents the industry. Those two steps would be removing $tens of billions in liabilities to prefund retiree health care imposed on the Postal Service in the short-term, and considering whether and what business model or other changes would have to be made to sustain USPS in the long-term. "The mere prospect of privatization will sow confusion, uncertainty and concern about maintaining mail and package delivery around the country, and stimulating still more volume and revenue loss when the major problem has been a drop off in mail," Sackler added. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Xerox Responds to Fujifilm Lawsuit

Xerox Vice Chairman and CEO John Visentin sent a letter to Fujifilm Chairman Shigetaka Komori responding to the lawsuit filed by Fujifilm last week. “Fujifilm should realize that the internal accounting issues at Fuji Xerox were a result of their mismanagement, which made it impossible to close the announced transaction” said Visentin. “We cannot stand by and let them further harm our iconic brand. The lawsuit is nothing more than a desperate and misguided negotiating ploy to save their takeover attempt, which to this day remains enjoined by order of the New York State Supreme Court, and could take our focus away from serving our customers.” “Our focus is on running the business in the service of our thousands of customers and partners and delivering exceptional value through market-leading services, products and delivery capabilities,” added Visentin. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Catalog Mailers Infuriated by Supreme Court’s Wrong Decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair Case

The American Catalog Mailers Association (ACMA) and the catalog marketers and other remote merchants it represents are outraged that the Supreme Court today upended well-established precedent that has served the country well for more than half a century. “Small catalog and online retailers with little or no presence beyond their headquarters will be hurt the most – some will be forced out of business,” said ACMA President & Executive Director Hamilton Davison. “Rural Americans, shut ins and older consumers will be particularly hard hit by this decision.” By ruling against remote sellers and customers all across America, the High Court’s decision means companies who sell only 100 orders a year must now collect sales taxes for every South Dakota order. “This is a ridiculously small threshold,” Davison said. “A merchant might sell only 100 $20 orders and now be forced to comply with laws well outside its capacity and be subject to horrendous complexity.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Overstock urges Congress to act in the wake of the Supreme Court’s online sales tax decision

Overstock.com Inc. is calling on Congress to pass legislation to simplify, or clarify, online sales tax collection in the wake of Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that enables states and local governments to force online retailers to collect sales taxes, even if they don’t have a physical presence, or nexus, in the state. “The U.S. Supreme Court has reshaped the interstate commerce landscape in a move that could impact small business innovation on the internet, which has been a driving force behind our nation’s economy for the last 15 years,” says Jonathan Johnson, an executive and board member at Overstock, No. 32 in the newly released Internet Retailer 2018 Top 1000, “The framers of the Constitution intended Congress to regulate interstate commerce by thoughtful legislation. To lessen the potential impact of today’s ruling on internet innovation, Congress can, and should, pass sound legislation allowing states to accomplish their aims while still permitting small internet business to thrive.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Supreme Court rules states can force online shoppers to pay sales tax

The 5-4 ruling Thursday is a win for states, who said they were losing out on billions of dollars annually under two decades-old Supreme Court decisions that impacted online sales tax collection. The high court ruled Thursday to overturn those decisions. They had resulted in some companies not collecting sales tax on every online purchase. The cases the court overturned said that if a business was shipping a product to a state where it didn't have a physical presence such as a warehouse or office, the business didn't have to collect the state's sales tax. Customers were generally supposed to pay the tax to the state themselves if they don't get charged it, but the vast majority didn't. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that the previous decisions were flawed. Click Read More below for additional information.
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AptarGroup Releases Corporate Sustainability Report

AptarGroup, Inc. released its 2017 Corporate Sustainability Report. The 2017 Sustainability Report highlights the robust sustainability initiatives that have been implemented across Aptar’s global operations. As in previous reports, Aptar summarizes various milestones measured and achieved in three key areas of people, planet and product. The 2017 Sustainability Report is based on the Global Sustainability Reporting (GRI) Standards: Core Options, as released in October 2016. In preparing the report, Aptar obtained limited external assurance for absolute energy metrics, carbon emissions and renewable energy purchases. Aptar also responds to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Investor Climate Change and Supply Chain questionnaires each year. Click Read More below for additional information.
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OPEC, Having Bolstered Oil Prices, Considers Ramping Up Production

Major oil-producing countries moved on Friday toward an agreement to jointly raise exports, a decision that has driven considerable division among them but that could temper criticism from President Trump. Officials from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, as well as other major producers like Russia, were set to increase their total output by less than 1 percent of the global oil supply. Though a relatively small addition to the world energy market, the move nevertheless signals a willingness by international suppliers to address rising prices. Click Read More below for additional information.
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AARP Widens Its Lead as America’s Most-Read Magazine

As it does twice each year, GfK MRI released its latest round of magazine audience estimates—the average per-issue readership among U.S. adults for about 200 of the most widely-read magazines—based on consumer research conducted over a nine-month period. The Spring 2018 figures—drawn from the two most recent waves of survey data, running from September 2017 to May 2018—reveal that AARP The Magazine has extended its lead over People as America’s most widely-read print magazine pound-for-pound, averaging an estimated 38.6 million readers per issue. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Color Ink Invites Customers and Prospects to a ‘World of Pure Imagination’

On June 6, 2018, Color Ink's facility in Sussex, Wis., transformed into every child's dream ... a chocolate factory. Well not quite, but there was a bubbling chocolate fountain, cupcakes and candy galore, and Willy Wonka himself. To celebrate its newly installed MGI JETvarnish 3D, Color Ink hosted an open house for 350 customers, prospects, and of course friends and family. The event had a "Golden Ticket" theme and showcased Color Ink's wide range of capabilities. In late 2017, Color Ink purchased the JETvarnish 3D, Todd Meissner, president or Color Ink, explains. When the device was purchased, it was clear an open house would be necessary to showcase its capabilities to customers and prospects. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Facebook goes offline: Social media giant launches magazine

It seems that Facebook has discovered what we all know – that print is the way to get your message across. The launch issue of Grow, “a quarterly magazine for business leaders” – by Facebook – quietly made its appearance in business class lounges at Heathrow and a few more exclusive spots in and around London in early June. Facebook explains its new print offering: The program is designed to deliver content in different formats that suit our audience. We know that business leaders have limited time for long reads at work, so we’ve also created a physical version with journeys in mind. We’re distributing this to clients directly as part of our marketing communications, and in selected airport and train business lounges where we know they are often to be found. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPS And International Brotherhood Of Teamsters Reach Handshake Agreement For New National Master Agreement

Months of collective bargaining have culminated in a tentative agreement for UPS (NYSE: UPS) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The five-year agreement, which is subject to ratification, covers Teamsters-represented UPS employees in small package roles. UPS’s goal has been to reward the company’s employees for their contributions to its success while enabling the business to remain flexible to meet its customers’ needs – each of these goals have been met in the new agreement. UPS is well-positioned to grow and meet the needs of its customers. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Mohawk Introduces 43 New Colored Papers with the Launch of Keaykolour by Arjowiggins Creative Papers

Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc. announces the launch of Keaykolour by Arjowiggins Creative Papers. Long established outside the U.S., Keaykolour has just undergone an extensive product update resulting in a range of 43, fresh colors. And Mohawk will be the exclusive North American distributor for this incredibly beautiful line of uncoated fine paper. The new Keaykolour portfolio offered by Mohawk is made up of 43 fresh colors, in 2 weights (80 text and 111 cover), sized at 27.5x39.3 inches, in a natural vellum finish. The entire product line is stocked in Mohawk’s U.S. warehouses for quick turn delivery through Mohawk merchants across North America and is available for immediate ordering. “Using colored paper has never been so easy and accessible,” says Chris Harrold VP, Creative Director for Mohawk. “Simply choose from 43 colors in text or cover weight and we will have it to your doorstep in just a few days.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Barnes & Noble Reports Fiscal 2018 Year-End Financial Results

Total sales were $786 million for the quarter and $3.7 billion for the full year, decreasing 4.3% and 6.0% over the prior year periods, respectively. Comparable store sales declined 4.1% for the fourth quarter and 5.4% for the full year. The consolidated fourth quarter net loss was $21.1 million, or $0.29 per share, compared to a loss of $13.4 million, or $0.19 per share, in the prior year. Fourth quarter results include $7.7 million of non-recurring charges associated with the Company’s strategic initiatives. The fiscal 2018 consolidated net loss was $125.5 million, or $1.73 per share, compared to net earnings of $22.0 million, or $0.30 per share, in the prior year. Fiscal 2018 results include non-cash asset impairment charges of $135.4 million, $16.2 million of severance charges and $15.3 million of strategic initiative costs. Click Read More below for additional information.
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International Paper Announces Senior Leadership Appointments

International Paper announced that Timothy S. Nicholls has been appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Glenn R. Landau who is leaving the company for personal reasons. Mr. Nicholls, who currently serves as Senior Vice President - Industrial Packaging the Americas, previously served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company from December 2007 through November 2011. The Company also announced that Jean-Michel Ribiéras, currently Senior Vice President - Global Cellulose Fibers, has been appointed Senior Vice President - Industrial Packaging the Americas, succeeding Mr. Nicholls, and that Catherine I. Slater has been appointed Senior Vice President - Global Cellulose Fibers. All appointments are effective immediately. Click Read More below for additional information.
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ANDRITZ to supply recovery boiler and pre-evaporation system to Smurfit Kappa Nettingsdorf in Austria

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Smurfit Kappa Nettingsdorf, part of the Smurfit Kappa Group, to supply a HERB recovery boiler and a pre-evaporation plant for its mill in Nettingsdorf, Austria. The new investments are part of the company’s Future Energy Project, which involves the implemention of sustainable energy initiatives at the Nettingsdorf mill. Start-up of the pre-evaporation plant and the new recovery boiler is scheduled for mid-2019 and mid-2020, respectively. In addition to reducing emissions, the new HERB recovery boiler will produce more electricity than a traditional one. Click Read More below for additional information.
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U.S. oil prices end higher after biggest weekly drop in U.S. crude supplies since January

Prices for U.S. benchmark oil futures settled with a gain Wednesday, at a nearly one-week high, after U.S. government data revealed the biggest weekly decline in U.S. crude supplies since January. Global benchmark Brent crude prices, however, finished lower as traders monitored comments from major oil producers gathering for the much-anticipated Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meeting at the end of the week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday that crude supplies dropped by 5.9 million barrels for the week ended June 15. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Boise Paper Expands Jam-Free Guaranteed Offering

Boise Paper has offered a 99.99% Jam-Free Guarantee® on their Boise POLARIS® Premium Multipurpose paper since 2009 and on X-9® Multi-use Copy and ASPEN® 30 Multi-use Recycled Copy papers since 2013. They have recently expanded this guarantee to cover ASPEN 50 and 100 Multi-use Recycled Copy papers, as well as the Inkjet, Laser, and Color Copy papers in their Boise POLARIS Premium line. “We know how important the jam-free guarantee is to customers with large volume, high-speed printers,” says Mary Ignas, senior director of marketing. “They need to maximize efficiency with as little downtime as possible. That’s why we’ve partnered with BLI for the last ten years to validate the guarantee on our highest volume products.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Magnolia Table Brings Lynx Paper Into the Kitchen

Millions of fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines, of Magnolia Homes and HGTV’s Fixer Upper fame, are getting a taste of quality from Domtar’s Rothschild Mill this year. That’s because Joanna Gaines’ new cookbook, “Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering,” was printed on 80-lb. Lynx® paper made at Rothschild Mill. The book, published by HarperCollins, includes personal stories and homestyle recipes of family favorites and classic comfort food from the couple’s new restaurant in Waco, Texas. It has received glowing reviews from lovers of all the Magnolia Homes brand and was a New York Times No. 1 bestseller. Our Rothschild Mill colleagues also received high marks from the publisher; Domtar has worked with HarperCollins for more than 20 years. It’s rewarding to know that our customers and partners value our high-quality Lynx paper and excellent customer service. Click Read More below for additional information.
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FedEx Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Earnings

“I am proud of the financial and operational results FedEx delivered in fiscal 2018 and extend well-deserved congratulations to our more than 425,000 team members worldwide for their continued dedication to the Purple Promise, which simply states, ‘I will make every FedEx experience outstanding,’” said Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corp. chairman and chief executive officer. “It was a year of opportunities and challenges—anticipated and unexpected—and FedEx emerged more competitive than ever. In all my years at FedEx, I have never been so optimistic and so sure of our strategy and our ability to deliver an exciting future.” Fourth quarter operating results benefited from higher base rates, increased volume and the favorable net impact of fuel at each transportation segment. Accelerated wage increases for certain hourly employees partially offset these benefits. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Steve Voorhees, CEO of WestRock, Named RISI North American CEO of the Year

RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry, today announced that Steve Voorhees, Chief Executive Officer of WestRock, a leading provider of differentiated paper and packaging solutions, has been named the 2018 North American CEO of the Year. The award will be presented to Steve Voorhees at the North American Conference on October 11, 2018 in San Francisco, California at the Parc 55 Hotel. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Advanced biofuels recognised as a fast-track option for transport decarbonisation

European institutions have come to an initial agreement on the revised Renewable Energy Directive. UPM Biofuels welcomes the agreement as it creates an obligatory advanced biofuel blending mandate in all EU Member States starting at 0.2% in 2022, double counted, and rising to 3.5% in 2030. "The UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery, the world's first to produce wood-based renewable diesel on a commercial scale, has proven the potential as a significant producer of truly sustainable advanced biofuels. UPM BioVerno, which reduces GHG emissions up to 80% compared with fossil fuels, has found a solid market place. The agreement will further boost interest in the most sustainable biofuels and strengthens the position of advanced low-ILUC fuels, such as UPM BioVerno, that have minimal risk of causing indirect emissions or land use change," says Sari Mannonen, Vice President, UPM Biofuels. Click Read More below for additional information.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases May 2018 Boxboard Report

Total boxboard production increased 6.3 percent when compared to May 2017 and increased 2.3 percent from last month. Unbleached Kraft Boxboard production decreased over the same month a year ago and decreased compared to last month. Total Solid Bleached Boxboard & Liner production increased when compared to May 2017 and increased compared to last month. The production of Recycled Boxboard decreased compared to May 2017 but increased when compared to last month.
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Amazon Announces the Best Books of 2018 (So Far)

Amazon.com announced its selections for Best Books of the Year So Far, naming Tara Westover’s memoir Educated: A Memoir the top pick overall. The annual list is hand selected by the Amazon Books Editors and features the Top 20 books released between January and June 2018—offering readers a mid-year look at the best books. The Amazon Books Editors’ picks for the first 10 of the Top 20 Best Books of the Year So Far are: 1. Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover: Tara Westover didn’t see the inside of a classroom until she was seventeen, but it was an experience that dramatically changed the trajectory of her life. This stirring memoir chronicles how she survived her survivalist upbringing, eventually earning a PhD from Cambridge University. It’s a rousing reminder that knowledge is, indeed, power. 2. The Great Alone: A Novel by Kristin Hannah: In this pressure cooker of a page-turner, a damaged Vietnam vet moves his family to the wilds of Alaska. Initially it’s a welcome change, but as winter approaches, and his mental state deteriorates, his wife and daughter find themselves in an increasingly precarious position. Like her mega-bestselling The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone highlights the heroics of everyday people, especially women. 3. The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson: Clever, informative, and sometimes endearingly bumbling, this mix of natural history and crime opens up new worlds. Readers will never look at an old stuffed bird or an elaborately tied fishing fly the same way again. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil steady ahead of OPEC meeting

Oil prices steadied on Wednesday, supported by a drop in U.S. commercial crude inventories and the loss of storage capacity in Libya, but under pressure ahead of a meeting of OPEC exporters which may increase global production. U.S. crude inventories fell by 3 million barrels to 430.6 million barrels in the week to June 15, according to an American Petroleum Institute report on Tuesday. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Flint Group installed nyloflex® Xpress Thermal Processing System in China

KECAI is a newly established trade shop, who provides high-level processed flexo plates for advanced packaging printing, not limited to printing applications of labels, flexible packaging, folding carton and paper cups. Mr. Guan Heng, the Director of KECAI, has been looking for solutions, which shall deliver not only high quality printing but also which are sustainable. The nyloflex® Xpress Thermal Processing System is very convincing with its focus on innovations such as: •An intelligent configuration of the nyloflex® Xpress Thermal Processor that allows few components which leads to less maintenance, less downtime and lower operating costs •Specially developed nyloflex® Thermal Printing Plates in combination with the unique heating system that ensures high plate and print quality •Engineered fabric of the nyloflex® Developer Rolls is designed to be highly efficient and environmentally friendly. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Glatfelter to Acquire Georgia-Pacific’s European Nonwovens Business for $185 Million

The proposed transaction includes Georgia-Pacific’s operations located in Steinfurt, Germany, along with sales offices located in France and Italy. The Steinfurt facility produces high-quality airlaid products for the table-top, wipes, hygiene, food pad, and other nonwoven materials markets, competing in the marketplace with nonwoven technologies and substrates, as well as other materials focused primarily on consumer based end-use applications. The Steinfurt facility is a state-of-the-art, 32,000-metric-ton-capacity manufacturing facility that employs approximately 220 people. In 2017, the Business generated net sales of $99 million and EBITDA of $18 million. The Company expects to realize synergies in excess of approximately $6 million per year within three years, and expects to incur one-time costs of approximately $7 million for transaction fees and integration. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Klabin presents sustainable corrugated board packaging at 25th Hortitec

Between June 20 and 22, Klabin will participate in the 25th Hortitec, Brazil’s largest technical fair targeted at the farm produce sector, to be held in Holambra in the interior region of São Paulo state. Along with EcoKraft, the company will showcase its recyclable corrugated board packaging for the farm produce segment. At the Klabin booth, visitors can learn about the characteristics of the packaging solution, which is tailored to the specifications of diverse products in this market. The company’s corrugated board boxes come in specific formats to accommodate and pack fruits, vegetables, greens and other food products, ensuring resistance, protection of the contents, as well as ease of storage and transportation. Moreover, the packaging is recyclable and produced using raw material obtained from planted and certified forests. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sun Chemical Performance Pigments Completes Phase 3 of REACH Registrations Ahead of Deadline

In completing Phase 3, Sun Chemical registered approximately 200 chemical substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). These registrations emcompass all chemical substances manufactured or imported by the Performance Pigments division in excess of 1000kg per year. “After more than 10 years of extensive testing and risk evaluations, our broad portfolio of colorants and preparations have proven themselves safe for consumers and the environment,” said Gary Andrzejewski, Corporate Vice President Environmental Affairs. “Sun Chemical will continue to lead in product stewardship for the global pigments industry and institute processes to ensure compliance with future REACH requirements.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPS Adds More Than 700 Vehicles To Its Natural Gas Fleet

UPS announced plans to build an additional five compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations and add more than 700 new CNG vehicles including 400 semi-tractors and 330 terminal trucks. This $130 million dollar investment in CNG capacity for 2018 builds on previous UPS investments of $100 million dollars in 2016 and $90 million dollars in 2017. UPS will have invested more than $1 billion in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and fueling stations from 2008 through 2018. “We strongly believe further investment in our natural gas fleet is a key element to help us achieve our long-term goals for reducing our CO2 emissions,” said Carlton Rose, president, global fleet maintenance and engineering for UPS. “We demonstrated the effectiveness of natural gas vehicles and fuel in 2017 by using 77 million total gallon equivalents in our ground fleet. UPS is a catalyst for wide scale adoption of natural gas vehicles.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Norpac Announces Price Increase on Cut-size Papers

Please be advised we plan to increase the price of our cut-size papers by $2.50 CWT effective July 20, 2018. This increase applies to all uncoated freesheet brands of NORPAC copy paper as well as Natural Choice and Natural Choice 30. Please also note we will be increasing the standard upcharge for Orca 30 and Natural Choice 30 to $5.00 CWT. All other terms and conditions remain in effect.
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Midland Paper Launches New HP Indigo and Offset Printable Specialty Substrate Catalogs

Midland Specialty Paper & Film, a division of Midland Paper, Packaging + Supplies, is excited to announce the official launch of two (2) new stand-alone Specialty Paper & Film Catalogs – Specialty Paper and Film for HP Indigo and Specialty Substrates for Offset Printing. These new catalogs provide a unique, powerful single source for all of a printer’s Digital and Offset Specialty Substrate needs: • HP Indigo Catalog – A 170 page catalog with the most extensive offering of Indigo-compatible Coated Paper, Uncoated Paper, Text & Cover, Pressure Sensitive Films, Non Pressure Sensitive Films and Pressure Sensitive Paper in the industry. • Offset Specialty Paper and Film Catalog – A 40 Page catalog containing Offset-printable Pressure Sensitive Film, Non Pressure Sensitive Film and Pressure Sensitive Paper Substrates. Click Read More below for additional information.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases May 2018 Printing-Writing Paper Monthly Report

Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased five percent in May compared to May 2017. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased three percent from April. Imports of printing-writing papers in April increased four percent compared to April 2017 imports, while exports declined one percent compared to April 2018. •Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in May 2018 edged down slightly year-over-year. Imports of UFS decreased less than one-half of one percent year-over-year in April. Exports of UFS papers increased 13 percent in April compared to April 2017. •Purchases of coated mechanical (CM) papers increased year-over-year in May 2018 for the second time this year. Imports of CM increased 24 percent year-over-year in April. Exports of CM increased two percent year-over-year in April. •Shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) paper and uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in May both declined year-over-year. Imports of UM papers increased seven percent compared to April 2017, while imports of CFS papers decreased 12 percent compared to last April.
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PrintAmerica and The Peer Group Merge, Forming Group With Combined $400M in Revenues

Two long-standing industry peer groups, PrintAmerica and The Peer Group, announced that they have merged. PrintAmerica focuses on strategic renewal and growth of its members by providing opportunities for learning, sharing and collaborating. Members of PrintAmerica include Aradius Group (Omaha, Neb.), Best Press (Addison, Texas), Cohber (Rochester, N.Y.), Corporate Communications Group (Upper Marlboro, Md.), DCG One (Seattle, Wash.), The DOT Corporation (Irvine, Calif.), Garlich (Fenton, Mo.), GLS/Next Precision Marketing (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), Graphic Visual Solutions (Greensboro, N.C.), Heeter (Canonsburg, Pa.), Standard Press (Atlanta, Ga.), The Standard Group (Reading, Pa.), Suttle-Straus (Waunakee, Wis.), and Trabon Group (Kansas City, Mo.). Click Read More below for additional information.
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Ahlstrom-Munksjö responds to increasing demand for industrial filtration applications by investing EUR 28 million in its Filtration business

Ahlstrom-Munksjö continues to grow its attractive Filtration business as customer demand increases globally. In the Filtration and Performance business area, the company will invest about EUR 28 million to expand manufacturing capacity as well as product capabilities. The project will start in 2018 and is expected to be completed during the first half of 2020. Fulvio Capussotti, Executive Vice President of Business Area Filtration and Performance, states: “This investment will enable us to create additional capacity in Turin, Italy, and will allow us to support growing demand for high-end filtration materials. Turin is already Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s largest plant globally and this investment will further consolidate our position as one of the leading global platforms for high-performance filtration material development and production. This investment also includes rebuilding and modification of our existing plants in Malmedy, Belgium and in Ställdalen, Sweden. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Crude Oil Prices Settle Higher as OPEC Reportedly Mulls Modest Output Hike

Members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are discussing an agreement that would raise oil output by 300,000 to 600,000 barrels a day (bpd) over the next few months, Bloomberg reported, citing people briefed on the talks. That is well below the 1.5 million bpd uptick in production touted a few weeks ago, reducing investor fears of a significant slowdown in rebalancing in oil markets, which could potentially hurt oil prices. Click Read More below for additional information.
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DS Smith Rapak® Develops Bag-in-Box Packaging Solution for Concentrated Alcohol Spirits

Rapak created a tough and puncture resistant bag for Bag-in-Box that provides convenient dispensing of premium high-alcohol spirits and cocktail mixes, for parties, sporting events and outdoor activities such as picnics or camping trips. The highly engineered bag is comprised of a specially formulated high barrier Nylon-EVOH LLDPE Co-extruded film, providing oxygen barrier and durability. The bag film passes stringent migration testing and complies with FDA regulations for high alcohol content, CFR 21 176.170. Additionally, the food contact layer of the two-ply bag was carefully selected to not impart off-flavors. One of the key challenges of packaging spirits is that the bag and tap can easily take on the flavors of the materials they are in contact with so a properly formulated film coupled with organoleptic testing is key. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Pregis enters into definitive agreement to purchase FP International

Pregis LLC has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Free-Flow Packaging International, Inc. The acquisition is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory review. FP International has a 50 year history of providing a wide range of protective packaging solutions. Its well-known brands include the MINI PAK'R®, PRO PAK'R® and POWER PAK'R® and many other protective packaging products. The company was founded in 1967 by Arthur Graham, who pioneered the use of free-flowing interior packaging material. FP International has been transformed over the past two decades from a single-product company to a leading provider of protective packaging solutions with multinational operations. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Unifor reaches tentative agreement with Catalyst Paper

A new four-year tentative agreement has been reached between Catalyst Paper and Unifor, representing approximately 750 workers in British Columbia. "This agreement achieves the pattern bargaining goals that Unifor set for the western pulp sector, which is helping to raise standards across the board," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "I congratulate the bargaining committee on obtaining a fair deal in these very challenging times for the Canadian pulp and paper industry." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Big Win for Remote Sellers in Alabama Economic Nexus Case

ACMA's Legal Team Successfully Leads Online Seller Newegg in 'Bama. While not necessarily a precursor to the forthcoming Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., we're excited to report a significant win for ACMA’s lawyers at Brann & Isaacson. Yesterday, the Alabama Tax Tribunal ruled in favor of e-commerce merchant Newegg in its challenge when the Alabama Department of Revenue sought enforcement of its economic nexus regulation in 2016. This ruling negates the first significant “Kill Quill” measure by Alabama Commissioner of Revenue Julie Magee, to promulgate the rule that required companies such as Newegg to register to collect the sales tax even though they did not have a physical presence. Newegg was one of the few companies that fought the Department. Click Read More below for additional information.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases May 2018 Containerboard Report

Containerboard production was up 1.5 percent compared to May 2017 and up 0.8 percent year-to-date. The month-over-month average daily production compared to April 2018 was 1.5 percent higher. The containerboard operating rate was 98.5 percent, 1.4 percentage points higher than the same month last year. Production for export was 3.6 percent lower than May 2017 and 5.4 percent lower year-to-date.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases May 2018 U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Monthly Report

Total Packaging Papers shipments were up 3.0 percent compared to May 2017 but down 0.2 percent year-to-date. Bag & Sack shipments were essentially flat year-to-date, Multiwall shipments were down 3.3 percent, Converting shipments were down 0.4 percent and Food Wrapping shipments were up 3.5 percent. The operating rate for May increased to 94.5 percent from 92.9 percent in April. Inventories were down 3.6 percent since April.
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American Media, Inc. Expands Entertainment Group with Agreement to Acquire Celebrity and Kids Group Titles From Bauer Media USA

American Media, Inc. announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire 13 brands from Bauer Media USA. The addition of the Bauer titles, including In Touch, Life & Style, and Closer as well as the nine brands that make up the Bauer Teen Group, including J-14 and Girls World, will now be part of the AMI Entertainment Group. Combined, the new AMI Entertainment Group will reach 38 million readers and deliver the youngest median age in the category. Newsstand sales will average 1 million copies weekly with less than 25 percent reader duplication. Click Read More below for additional information.
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China Tariffs Hurt US Crude Oil Price

The war of words over trade between the United States and China finally turned into an actual trade war Friday, after the administration of President Donald Trump announced a list of goods whose import from China, worth $50 billion in 2017, would be subject to an additional tariff of 25 percent. Among the retaliatory measures announced by the Asian country was the proposed imposition of tariffs on imports of petroleum products from the U.S., a move that sent domestic crude oil prices crashing. The fall in WTI crude is not in tandem with the global benchmark, Brent crude, which was trading about 0.7 percent higher Monday morning than a day before. The two prices are separated by a few dollars, Brent usually costing more, but that gap has increased in recent weeks for a number of reasons. However, the different directions in trade at present are caused largely by China’s announcement. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Crownconnect™ Facilitates New Industry-First “Almond” Blockchain Technology For Fact Water

In a first for the beverage industry, Crown Bevcan Europe & Middle East is launching its CrownConnect™ technology in conjunction with FACT - an all-natural sparkling drink. Each can will be marked with a 2D unique scannable code, making FACT beverage cans the first ever to be produced with a unique digital identity. To this end, Crown has partnered with tech-savvy entrepreneur Olly Bolton, to launch Almond, a blockchain platform that allows consumers to scan a unique hidden product code and rewards them by unlocking tokens that are redeemable for cash. The platform, to be launched in June of this year, will also unlock details of FACT Water’s story, giving unprecedented access to supply chain information and building deeper, trusting relationships with consumers that will ultimately foster brand loyalty. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Retail and industry groups warn a trade war could be costly

China has pledged a tit-for-tat response. In April, it said it would levy 25% tariffs on imports of 106 U.S. products in response to proposed American duties. The White House on Friday imposed $50 billion of tariffs on Chinese goods—a move, it says, will protect American workers and businesses from unfair trade practices. But the country’s largest retail trade association and some analysts are not buying that argument. “Tariffs are taxes on American consumers, plain and simple,” Matthew Shay, CEO of the National Retail Federation (NRF) said in a statement. “These tariffs won’t reduce or eliminate China’s abusive trade practices, but they will strain the budgets of working families by raising consumer prices.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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International Paper And World Wildlife Fund Collaborate To Develop Science-Based Targets For Forests And Advance Forest Restoration In Brazil

How much forest land—and what quality—is needed to ensure forests can continue to provide people, plants and animals worldwide with clean air and water, food and the goods and services they need to thrive? Through a new collaboration between World Wildlife Fund and International Paper, research will be undertaken to help answer the question of the quantity and quality of forestland needed for the planet to thrive. The outputs of this work will be used to help create the world's first regional and global science-based targets for forests, as well as the first comprehensive set of guidance on actions that can be taken to sustain the world's forests. Such 'forest positive' actions include investing in responsible forest management, supporting forest conservation, restoring forestland, and raising awareness about the importance of forests with consumers. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Expera Launches SOAR Sustainable Food Papers

Continuing to be at the forefront of sustainable product offerings, Expera Specialty Solutions announced its launch of a broad line of SOAR Sustainable Food Packaging and Processing Papers. These papers have the ability to achieve multiple sustainability goals in a single product. New to Expera's SOAR product portfolio is Wax Alternative papers. "Our Wax Alternative papers are manufactured without the addition of paraffin or other petroleum-based materials, creating a more sustainable alternative to the traditionally used quick service restaurant packaging," explained Robyn Buss, Vice President Sales & Marketing for Expera Specialty Solutions. "These products maintain a high-level of performance and are stronger on a pound-for-pound basis, allowing for improved yield and decreased transportation costs." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Feldmuehle Uetersen sale confirmed

Independent German paper mill Feldmuehle Uetersen has confirmed that it has been acquired, with more than 95% of jobs saved. Following reports last month that the business, which filed for insolvency in January, had been acquired by a holding company, the buyer’s identity has now been unveiled as a subsidiary of Berlin-based private equity company Beteiligungsgesellschaft Kairos Industries. “The successful completion of this refurbishment is largely thanks to the dedication, flexibility and responsiveness of the Feldmuehle employees," said Thies. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Green Bay Packaging Announces New $500 Million Facility

Green Bay Packaging Inc. announced plans to replace its 71-year-old Green Bay Paper Mill with a new state-of-the-art facility. The more than $500 million investment is the largest business development project in both Brown County and Green Bay Packaging company history. The new Green Bay Mill will be the first new paper mill in Wisconsin in more than 30 years. “Paper making has long been a staple in Wisconsin’s economic success, but it’s no secret that many paper mills across the state have closed down or moved out in recent years,” said Will Kress, president and CEO of Green Bay Packaging. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Bipartisan Group of Ten Senators Introduces “PRINT” Act to Protect Publishers and Printers from Harmful Tariffs

Today, in an effort to protect printers and publishers from unwarranted tariffs, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced S. 2835, the “Protecting Rational Incentives in Newsprint Trade Act of 2018,” or “PRINT Act.” Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Doug Jones (D-AL), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) joined as original co-sponsors. The PRINT Act would suspend new tariffs currently being imposed on imported uncoated groundwood paper from Canada, which is the primary source of newsprint and other paper used by domestic newspapers, book publishers and commercial printers. Simultaneously, the legislation would require the Department of Commerce to review the economic health of the printing and publishing industries. Newspapers and printers across the United States have told Congress that the new import tariffs – as high as 32 percent – would jeopardize the viability of the industry and threaten to decimate the U.S. paper industry’s customer base. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Adobe Reports Record Revenue

Financial Highlights • Adobe achieved record quarterly revenue of $2.20 billion in its second quarter of fiscal year 2018, which represents 24 percent year-over-year revenue growth. • Operating income grew 39 percent and net income grew 77 percent year-over-year on a GAAP-basis; operating income grew 33 percent and net income grew 62 percent year-over-year on a non-GAAP basis. • Cash flow from operations was $976 million, and deferred revenue grew 27 percent year-over-year to approximately $2.63 billion. Click Read More below for additional information.
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ANDRITZ to reconfigure TMP bleach plant for Kruger Trois-Rivières

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Kruger’s Trois-Rivières Mill, located in Québec, Canada, for a major reconfiguration of their TMP (thermo-mechanical pulp) peroxide bleach plant. Start-up is scheduled for the final quarter of 2018. The scope of supply includes: Delivery of new ANDRITZ components: HC mixer, HC bleach tower discharge system, two MC pumps; One reconditioned pulp screw press; Upgrade of two existing twin wire presses to achieve a higher production rate; Modification of one existing ANDRITZ twin wire press to move the drive to the other side; Basic engineering, erection supervision, as well as commissioning and start-up assistance are also part of the ANDRITZ scope. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Crude Oil Prices Settle Higher as Saudi Says Output Hike Will Be Reasonable

Traders remained concerned rising output would slow the rebalancing in oil markets as the production-cut agreement has helped rid the market of excess crude supplies. Inventories of U.S. crude fell by 4.143 million barrels for the week ended June 8, well above expectations for a draw of 1.440 million barrels, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Eddie Bauer names president

The specialty outdoor retailer named Damien Huang as president. He was most recently Eddie Bauer’s senior VP of merchandising & design. In his new role, Huang will oversee the design, merchandising, marketing, retail, e-commerce, licensing, international, and wholesale functions of the business. He will report to Mike Egeck, CEO of PSEB, the new operating company composed of Eddie Bauer and PacSun. “He [Huang] has played a pivotal role in the transition of the Eddie Bauer business into a performance outdoor brand – and it comes as no surprise that performance product has grown at a double digit rate over the last five years under his leadership,” said Egeck. “His passion for the outdoors and his knowledge in building award-winning product will ensure that Eddie Bauer continues its strong momentum.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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US online sales grow an estimated 17.7% in May

U.S. retailers’ nonstore sales reached $55.829 billion in May on a seasonally adjusted basis, a 9.1% increase compared with $51.155 billion in the same month of 2017, new monthly data from the U.S. Commerce Department shows. That’s a slower increase than in April, when nonstore sales grew 10.5% on an adjusted basis year over year. Nonstore sales mainly take place online but also include other channels, such as mail and telephone orders, door-to-door sales and sales through vending machines. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Intertape Polymer Group Successfully Completes Refinancing with a New $600 Million Credit Facility

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. announced a new five-year $600 million credit facility pursuant to a credit agreement with a syndicated lending group led by Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Sole Lead Arranger, and Sole Bookrunner, refinancing and replacing the Company's previous $450 million credit facility that was due to mature in November 2019. All dollar amounts are denominated in US dollars unless otherwise indicated. “We have made significant operational progress and improved our financial position since the execution of our previous credit facility in 2014. The new Credit Facility will provide us with increased capacity, better terms and more flexibility to execute the next phase of our growth strategy,” said Greg Yull, President and CEO of Intertape Polymer Group. Click Read More below for additional information.
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USLC: Congressional Letter Contains Inaccurate Facts Regarding Softwood Lumber Trade with Canada

Today, House Members Kenny Marchant (R-TX) and Brian Higgins (D-NY) penned a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer regarding the softwood lumber trade with Canada, calling for renewed negotiations with Canada for a softwood lumber trade agreement -- in lieu of the current enforcement of the U.S. trade laws through countervailing and antidumping duties on imports of unfairly traded Canadian softwood lumber. The letter states that anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce on Canadian softwood lumber are the chief driver of current lumber prices, a claim that is inaccurate. The price of lumber, like all commodities, fluctuates due to market forces. The trade measures -- imposed after a thorough year-long investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission -- are designed merely to offset the harm done to domestic producers from imports that are sold in the United States at less than fair value or which benefit from subsidies provided through foreign government programs. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Dallas Approves $1.7 Million in Incentives for New Vistaprint Manufacturing Facility

The Dallas Morning News reported that Dallas estimated the project would generate more than $1.8 million in net revenue over the course of 10 years. It also explained the proposed incentives in detail: The economic incentives proposal from Dallas includes $1.3 million in property tax abatements for up to 10 years for Vistaprint Manufacturing Texas and project developer Becknell Industrial Operating Partnership. Becknell would develop the land and lease it to Vistaprint for 10 years, with an option for the company to buy the plot outright. The city's economic development incentives package also includes up to $300,000 in Chapter 380 economic development grants to assist Vistaprint with workforce training programs for Dallas workers. On June 13, The Dallas Morning News reported that the Dallas City Council voted in favor of the incentives to prompt Vistaprint to build its facility in the area. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Iggesund Paperboard announces 150 redundancies

Iggesund Paperboard, a subsidiary within the Holmen group, is currently implementing efficiency measures to secure an efficient business and safeguard the long-term profitability of Iggesund Mill. The redundancies are part of an efficiency package aimed at improving production capacity and reducing costs. Local negotiations with the affected employee organisations will now begin with a view to completing the cutback in personnel before the end of the year. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sonoco Implementing Price Increases for Paperboard Tubes and Cores

Sonoco announced it will increase prices for its paper-based tubes and cores by a minimum of 6 percent in the United States and Canada, effective with shipments beginning July 16, 2018. “The price increase is necessary due to ongoing increases in uncoated recycled paperboard (URB), the largest input cost for tubes and cores. URB demand remains strong and the marketplace is extremely tight, with operating rates pushing 100 percent,” said Doug Schwartz, division vice president of sales and marketing. “In addition, the rising cost of transportation remains a headwind due to lack of capacity linked to recently imposed driver regulations. As a result, Sonoco will be implementing a new policy of selling certain large diameter tubes that have less space utilization yields at F.O.B. from our operations.”
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Ahlstrom-Munksjö renews the EcoVadis Gold rating for its Corporate Social Responsibility performance

Ahlstrom-Munksjö, a global leader in fiber-based materials, has renewed its Gold rating level for the company’s sustainability management and performance for the second consecutive year from EcoVadis. EcoVadis is one of the leading systems for evaluating suppliers' environmental aspects, working conditions, social responsibility, and procurement practices. The EcoVadis method is based on internationally adopted principles for sustainability reporting, such as the Global Reporting Initiative, United Nations Global Compact and ISO 26000, and is audited by independent sustainability experts. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Appvion Completes Sale to Lender Group Led by Franklin Advisers

Appvion announced completion of the sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets to a group of its lenders led by Franklin Advisers, Inc. The transaction will significantly reduce Appvion’s debt, provide additional liquidity, and better position the Company to compete long-term in the evolving specialty paper market and further invest in the innovation that has made it a market leader. As previously announced, the sale was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on May 14, 2018. The total consideration was approximately $365 million, plus the assumption of substantial liabilities, including many of the Company’s contractual obligations. Prior to the closing of the transaction, the Company reached agreement with the United Steelworkers Union on new collective bargaining agreements for Appvion’s manufacturing facilities in Appleton, Wisconsin, West Carrollton, Ohio, and Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania. The new three-year agreements, which were ratified at the end of May, cover approximately 830 Appvion employees. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil prices fall as U.S. crude production hits another record

Oil prices eased on Thursday, dragged down by rising output, although strong demand and a drop in U.S. fuel inventories provided the market with some support. Prices were pulled down by another rise in U.S. oil production , which hit a weekly record of 10.9 million barrels per day (bpd) last week, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday. U.S. crude output has risen by almost 30 percent in the last two years, and it is now close to top global producer Russia, which produced 11.1 million bpd overall in the first two weeks of June. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Windsor Mill’s Circular Economy Reduces Waste

You’ve heard about ecosystems: the way all living things in a given area interact with each other and their environment. There’s a similar concept in sustainability called “industrial ecology,” which is the notion that industrial processes benefit from mimicking the closed-loop efficiency, or circular economy, of a natural ecosystem. Here at Domtar, we’re focusing on building circular economies at each of our mills. Our Plymouth and Marlboro mills, for example, produce nutrient-balanced fertilizers for agricultural crops. And now, our Windsor Mill is closing its sustainability loop by giving back to the 400,000 acres of forestlands that support its operations. André Gravel, Windsor Mill’s fiber manager, says it’s all about rethinking waste. “The point is to stop talking about waste and instead talk about how you can make something out of what used to be waste,” he says. “There’s much more than one way to do that, but the idea is circularity.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Gap Inc. Appoints New Global Head Of Gap Brand

Gap Inc. announced the appointment of Neil Fiske as president and chief executive officer of Gap brand. Fiske will begin his new role on June 20, 2018, and will serve on the company’s senior leadership team, reporting to Art Peck, president and chief executive officer of Gap Inc. “Neil brings significant retail and apparel experience to Gap Inc. and a track record of transforming and repositioning brands,” said Peck. “He is an experienced leader who deeply understands the mechanics of this business, the value of an omnichannel strategy, and the need to build a progressive and relevant brand. I believe Neil is the right leader to strengthen Gap brand.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Lecta Commits to Solar Energy at Its Condat Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare mill

In keeping with its commitment to the environment and increased energy efficiency, Lecta has announced an innovative renewable energy project to harness solar radiation for thermal power to be used in manufacturing processes at its Condat Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare mill. With the help of an expert specialized in the installation of thermal power plants for the paper industry, starting this fall Lecta will have a thermal solar power plant at the mill with a capacity of 3.4 MWth. Its total surface area will be 1.4 hectares, with 45,434 square feet of solar panels deployed on the surrounding land and an ability to provide around 3,900 MW/year of energy. Panels with solar trackers, mechanical devices that orient the collectors, will follow the position of the sun during the day and convert the sun's rays into thermal energy that will be sent to the mill as hot water. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sun Chemical to Increase Prices on Energy Curable Inks

Sun Chemical will increase the prices of all ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) inks in Europe by 4-6 percent, effective July 1, 2018. As announced previously, governmental initiatives and regulations geared toward environmental protection have caused many suppliers of photoinitiators to either cease or reduce production for limited periods of time. Additionally, as outlined by the European Printing Ink Association, photoinitiator supply has also been impacted by major incidents, including a factory fire, unforeseeable events, low stocks, unplanned maintenance and production outages. In addition to the photoinitiators, increases in key oligomers and monomers have impacted pricing for all energy cure systems. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM Raflatac continues to live up to its promise of labeling a smarter future by ensuring sustainability will soon come as standard

UPM Raflatac has made further strides towards delivering a smarter and more sustainable future with the announcement that all its main HD liners for standard PP and PE films in EMEIA will come from certified sources by the end of 2018. Forest certification takes a lifecycle approach across the entire forest supply chain, ensuring that wood-based products are sourced from responsibly managed forests. This is just the latest in the company's drive to create film labeling solutions that excel in sustainability. As part of its ecodesign philosophy, the company's first step is always to use responsibly sourced raw materials, with the goal being to only use wood raw material from certified sources by 2030. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sonoco joins Amazon APASS supplier network

Sonoco is now an official participant in the Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network (APASS). The APASS program was designed by Amazon to help support vendors, sellers and manufacturers to obtain certification of their products as Frustration Free Packaging (FFP), Ships-in-Own-Container (SIOC) or Prep-Free Packaging (PFP). Sonoco now provides APASS services directly to vendors, sellers and manufacturers related to package testing in compliance with Amazon’s certification test methods. In this capacity, Sonoco partners with brands to design and certify packaging that meets Amazon's unique requirements and helps companies protect and sell products more cost effectively. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Kruger Products L.P. Launches Titan® Bold Roll Towel and Bathroom Tissue Dispensers

Kruger Products L.P. Away-From-Home division (AFH) announced the launch of Titan® Bold, a striking new line up of roll towel and bathroom tissue dispensers to its Ultimate Washroom® Collection. "With an ultra-modern, sleek design and a gleaming black finish, Titan® Bold pushes dispenser design and technology, making this an exciting achievement for Kruger Products," said Sandra Garcia, marketing manager, Kruger Products L.P., AFH. "These stunning new offerings took two years to bring to life and required intensive collaboration with engineering, welding and design teams at Dispensing Dynamics, a Hunter company, to transform our innovative designs into reality." Click Read More below for additional information.
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ANDRITZ acquires Novimpianti, Italy

International technology Group ANDRITZ has signed a contract for the acquisition of Novimpianti Drying Technology S.r.l., a company owned by Novigroup S.r.l. and based in Lucca, Italy. Novimpianti has approximately 40 employees and generates annual sales of approximately 10 million euros. Novimpianti is a global supplier of engineered equipment and services for air and energy systems to the paper industry’s leading manufacturers. For ANDRITZ, the acquisition of Novimpianti further strengthens its product offerings in the field of air and energy systems, mainly for tissue and paperboard machines. Click Read More below for additional information.
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US crude ticks up as OPEC says oil market outlook is uncertain

Oil prices were mixed on Tuesday, with U.S. crude gaining and Brent crude slumping, as investors prepared for a key meeting of the OPEC producer group next week. Crude future were in line with the broader financial markets, which were largely unruffled by a U.S.-North Korea summit aimed at the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. OPEC and other producing countries including Russia have cut oil output by 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) since January 2017 in an effort to boost the market. The group holds its next meeting on June 22-23, and is expected to decide on future supply policy. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Type 1 Ecolabels Help Keep the Forest Viable

The concept of forest certification, which ensures that the forests used to create pulp and paper products will continue to remain environmentally viable after harvest, has existed for more than 20 years. Ecolabels, including Type 1 ecolabels like ECOLOGO® and EU Ecolabel, help consumers easily identify products sourced from well-managed forests. Paper was one of the first items to carry an ecolabel, in recognition of the many benefits that trees provide. Today, demand for ecolabels as indicators of sustainability has increased significantly. According to the Ecolabel Index, there are more than 450 ecolabels in the marketplace, each highlighting an environmental or social benefit associated with a product’s sourcing or manufacture. Click Read More below for additional information.
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DS Smith Rapak helps Harrogate Conquer the Online Water Market with a Bag-in-Box Packaging Solution

The number of consumers that order drinking water online is growing, and so is the awareness of the impact that packaging has on the environment. Harrogate, whose water was awarded “Best in Class” by The British Bottlers Institute Tasting Awards, met the new demand by offering a sustainable and convenient packaging alternative for e-commerce. Harrogate Water was the first UK Company to include a 10L Bag-in-Box packaging to its online portfolio. The company was looking for a larger packaging size format that would satisfy the needs of multi-generational families and be committed to the environment. Harrogate approached DS Smith Rapak interested in a Bag-in-Box packaging system that could meet their current requirements. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Group C Acquires Three More Titles; Grand View Media’s Breakup Nears Completion

Group C Media—the New Jersey-based publisher of Business Facilities and Facility Executive magazines—announced last week its acquisition of Turf, Turf Design Build, and Tree Services magazines from Grand View Media, reuniting the brands with the online forums LawnSite and PlowSite, which Group C purchased from Grand View earlier this year. “We’re thrilled that Turf, Turf Design Build and Tree Services are back where they belong with the LawnSite Network,” said Group C co-president Ted Coene in a statement. “The acquisition of these industry-leading brands will give us the opportunity to create new offerings in print, online and face-to-face events.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Graphic Packaging Acquires Assets of PFP, LLC

Graphic Packaging Holding Company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Graphic Packaging International, LLC, has agreed to acquire substantially all the assets of PFP, LLC and its related entity PFP Dallas Converting, LLC. PFP is an independent converter focused on the production of paperboard-based air filter frames, and operates two manufacturing facilities in Lebanon, Tennessee and Lancaster, Texas. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Torstar reaches exclusive deal with The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal’s award-winning business news and analysis is coming to Canada! Effective Tuesday, June 12, Torstar daily newspapers and websites across the country will begin publishing a limited sample of articles from The Wall Street Journal, the world’s pre-eminent source of financial news and information. Also starting Tuesday, June 12, the Toronto Star, Torstar’s flagship newspaper, will launch Star Business Journal, a major new initiative with both print and online editions featuring articles on business, the economy, technology and markets from The Wall Street Journal. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM Raflatac’s smart label solution makes recycling smarter than ever

UPM Raflatac combines digitalization with circular economy. By adding RafMore smart label solution to its RafCycle® recycling process, UPM Raflatac is able to optimize the waste collection process from its customers. The smart labels added to the recycling containers and scanned by a mobile app tell when the customers' waste is ready to be collected. RafCycle is a cost efficient waste recycling solution that collects label release liner waste from our partners throughout Europe. The RafMore smart label solution was tested with several RafCycle customers in Denmark and Sweden, and the waste material collected from these customers can be turned into new products at UPM Plattling paper mill in Germany where the paper release liners are de-siliconized and recycled into pulp and paper, closing the loop. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Saudi Arabia to supply full July crude oil volumes to some Asian buyers

Saudi Arabia has informed five Asian refiners that it will supply full contractual volumes of crude oil in July, five sources with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday. The world's top crude exporter has also reinstated contracted volumes of Arab Heavy crude to one buyer after cutting supplies in the previous month, one of the sources said. Last month, the state oil giant maintained full contractual supplies to Asia for June supplies by replacing Arab Heavy with Arab Light. The Arab Heavy was redirected to domestic power plants to meet the increased demand for electricity for summer cooling needs. Click Read More below for additional information.
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DS Smith puts a revolutionary digital pre-printing machine into operation

As the first company in packaging industry, DS Smith had opted for the revolutionary digital pre-printing technology for medium and large-scale productions in one of their British locations. Now, the company celebrated the commissioning of the second HP T1100S digital pre-printing machine in their site in Fulda, Germany, opening up entirely new possibilities of brand activation and brand protection for their customers. Together with about 180 guests of leading brands, DS Smith celebrated the official commissioning of the digital pre-printing machine at their site in Fulda. In presentations, workshops and during the official commissioning, the new possibilities this revolutionary printing technology provides for the producers of branded articles and for industry were in the centre of attention. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Heidelberg on track to meet medium-term targets – aiming for growth in 2018/2019

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) made significant progress with the Group’s targeted digital transformation in financial year 2017/2018 (April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018). By the beginning of June, several customers had already opted for the new subscription model that offers Heidelberg products and services as part of a usage-based all-in contract running over several years. The total of over 30 contracts being targeted for the new financial year 2018/2019 looks set to generate business worth some €150 million over the standard five-year term of these models. However, as the number of contracts concluded is just starting to pick up, this will only be reflected in the company’s figures to any significant extent from financial year 2019/2020 onward, when it will also help stabilize Group sales. In addition, the series production of digital presses for packaging and label printing (Primefire and Labelfire), which also started in financial year 2017/2018, will have an increasingly positive impact on sales. Click Read More below for additional information.
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HP introduces One Package workflow suite to empower HP PageWide corrugated converters

HP Inc. announced the HP One Package workflow suite for PageWIde Industrial corrugated presses, the industry’s first ecosystem for digital corrugated printing. HP One Package offers software and solutions from HP and partners to help converters maximize the flexibility of digital production. HP One Package workflow streamlines submission and preparation of orders, allowing converters to take advantage of an array of digital value-added possibilities, including solutions for brands’ consumer engagement and piracy protection using variable data, imagery and unique ID serialization. One Package’s production management and automation software also enhances operational performance and optimizes the supply chain. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Net Neutrality Repeal Takes Effect

The Federal Communications Commission's repeal of the net neutrality rules took effect, leaving broadband providers in most states free to censor sites and slow down apps. The repeal, dubbed the "Restoring Internet Freedom Order," which took effect 6/11, also allows Comcast, AT&T and other broadband providers to charge companies like Netflix and Amazon higher fees for prioritized delivery. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who spearheaded the deregulatory move, says the repeal will improve broadband service. Click Read More below for additional information.
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WS Packaging Group Names New Chief Commercial Officer – Mark Roy

WS Packaging Group, Inc. announced it has named Mark Roy as its new chief commercial officer. Roy is one of the world's top leaders in the paper and packaging industry, bringing expertise across value-based selling, marketing, financial management and analysis, and operations. A packaging innovation specialist, Roy's 25-year career has spanned private equity owned, publicly traded, and privately held companies, where he has increased sales, streamlined commercial development, and implemented CRM technologies to benefit the bottom line. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa expands its range of Bag-in-Box packaging solutions with the launch of its Thermo Bag

Smurfit Kappa Bag-in Box® developed the Thermo Bag to meet the specifications of hot filling which is a commonly used processing method in the drinks industry. During hot filling, the product is pressed, filtered, pasteurised, heated and filled at a high temperature to facilitate sterilisation and then immediately cooled for preservation and taste. This method has the advantage of extending shelf life, removing any harmful microorganisms, reducing costs and simplifying the process. Hot filling is widely used in the production of fresh (not from concentrate) apple juice which has grown increasingly popular due to its freshness and health benefits. Bag-in-Box® packaging is an attractive option for both consumers and producers because in addition to maintaining the product’s quality it is eco-friendly and cost-efficient. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Solimar Systems Joins Two Sides to Help Bust Myths About Print and Paper

Solimar Systems, Inc., an innovative global solutions provider empowering critical communications through multi-channel document communications solutions for print, web and mobile delivery announced today that they joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print and paper. “We look forward to working with Solimar Systems who are a great addition to the growing Two Sides network of member companies. Their engagement in helping promote the sustainability of print and paper helps further diversify our membership and expand our reach within the various sectors of the graphic communications value chain and beyond,” said Phil Riebel, President of Two Sides North America. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Wiley Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2018 Results

FOURTH QUARTER 2018 HIGHLIGHTS • Reported results (GAAP) reflected growth in Revenue (+6%), Operating Income (+18%) and EPS (+16%), driven by strong operational performance and favorable impacts from foreign currency. • At constant currency, growth in Revenue (+1%), Adjusted Operating Income (+15%) and Adjusted EPS (+6%) resulted from strong performance in Research, growth in Solutions, and broader operating efficiencies. FISCAL YEAR 2018 HIGHLIGHTS • Reported results (GAAP) reflected growth in Revenue (+5%), Operating Income (+16%) and EPS (+70%), driven by strong operational performance, benefits from foreign currency, and a one-time benefit from US tax reform. • At constant currency, growth in Revenue (+1%), Adjusted Operating Income (+7%) and Adjusted EPS (+3%) resulted from strong performance in Research, growth in Solutions, and broader operating efficiencies, partially offset by higher taxes. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Slips on Signs Russia Boosted Crude Output Before OPEC Meets

Futures dropped 1.1 percent in New York after a third weekly loss. Russia, which along with Saudi Arabia is trying to garner support for lifting output limits, was said to have boosted production earlier this month to above the level envisioned by OPEC. Meanwhile, the number of rigs drilling for crude in the U.S. inched higher, signaling output may extend a record. Saudi Arabia and Russia, among the countries with spare capacity to raise production, signaled last month they may restore output even though they hadn’t yet consulted most other producers. Oil prices have fallen more than 7 percent since the two nations made their proposal public. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Heidelberg starts selling its new charging system for electric cars

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has now launched its new charging system for electric cars in Germany. The Heidelberg Wallbox Home Eco is the first ever product for end customers in a company history that spans almost 170 years. The system is aimed at individuals and also at businesses and local authorities that want to use the charging station to recharge the electric vehicles in their own fleets as well as those of customers and visitors. The Wallbox Home Eco has a CE-compliant design. Heidelberg developed all the power electronics itself and they are produced exclusively in Germany. Comparable solutions from Heidelberg have already proved a market success, with over 20,000 Wallboxes for the electric cars of a premium manufacturer and over 100,000 smart charging cables manufactured to customer specifications. Click Read More below for additional information.
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BillerudKorsnäs joins fight against ocean litter, announces U.S. events

BillerudKorsnäs is encouraging action against ocean litter in a series of just-announced U.S. events, in theme with this year's World Oceans Day. The Swedish company has outlined an ambitious mission to challenge conventional packaging and bring more sustainable practices to the industry. "Between the growing chorus from consumers to address single-use packaging waste to reports from ocean researchers on declining ocean health, the problem of ocean litter has reached critical awareness," said Peter Malmqvist, BillerudKorsnäs Marketing Director, Americas. "What we need now is collaboration for sustainable development." BillerudKorsnäs will bring together business leaders and consumers in a series of U.S. events as part of its mission to challenge conventional packaging, as well as its partnership with Tara Expeditions Foundation, a floating research institute studying the ecological crisis in the oceans on a globe-traversing schooner. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Soft Fiction Sales Continue Into June

Unit sales of print books fell 2% in the week ended June 3, 2018, compared to the similar week in 2017, at outlets that report to NDP BookScan. For the third week in a row, it was softness in the fiction categories that led to the decline. Unit sales dropped 5% in both the adult and juvenile fiction categories compared to the week ended June 4, 2017. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa’s Facture Paper Mill celebrates 90th anniversary

The mill, which began operating in 1928, quickly established itself as a leading supplier of kraftliner in France and then extended its reach throughout Europe. The Cellulose du Pin mill produces kraftliner from local maritime pine and recycled fibres and has a strategic location in the heart of the Aquitaine Forest beside a major transport route connecting Madrid, Bordeaux and Paris. The plant produces 500,000 tonnes of kraft annually. Click Read More below for additional information.
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