The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has released the April 2024 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments increased 13% in April compared to April 2023. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 1% in March compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 2% when compared to March 2024. Unlike previous months, changes in U.S. shipments across the 3 major P-W categories (UFS, CFS, and MECH) in April all showed increases compared to the same period last year. Uncoated free sheet (UFS) shipments increased by 9%, coated free sheet (CFS) shipments increased by 22%, and mechanical (MECH) paper shipments increased by 25%.

Nekoosa announces the launch of NextBond™ UV-cured durable adhesive, a robust, eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional solvent-based adhesives for long-term print applications like displays, decals and signage. NextBond™ is a solvent-free, non-toxic durable adhesive solution. Nekoosa streamlined the product process by curing the NextBond™ adhesive inline with UV lamps and removing all hazardous waste and harmful VOCs. Also, NextBond™ will not shrink and maintains adhesion strength when exposed to challenging outdoor environmental and chemical conditions, making it ideal for long-term printed graphics.

Billerud’s Board of Directors has decided to not proceed with plans to convert its Escanaba mill to cartonboard production. Instead, the company will target to shift its product mix gradually towards packaging materials in North America with a moderate investment level. “After in-depth feasibility studies, evaluations, and supplier discussions, we have concluded that the projected return on investment is not sufficiently attractive to proceed with the conversion of Escanaba to cartonboard production. During the process, conditions have changed and the cost of equipment and services necessary to transform the operations have greatly increased. Instead, we will pursue a higher returning and more moderate investment strategy for our North American mills going forward,” says Ivar Vatne, President and CEO of Billerud.

The Fedrigoni Group - a leading global player in the manufacturing of specialty papers for luxury packaging and other creative applications, self-adhesive labels and graphic materials, as well as RFID and connected solutions - announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in POLI-TAPE Group, internationally recognized for the production of high-quality materials for graphic applications, including textile, signage, digital printing and specialties. The POLI-TAPE Group, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Remagen, Germany, employees 370 people located in Germany (incl. two production sites), Italy (incl. two production sites) and Oklahoma, USA (focused on distribution); while its products are distributed in more than 90 countries. Its majority shareholder is the Möhren family along with the Bitburger Group as minority shareholder. The Möhren family will retain a significant share to ensure a smooth transition, during which the POLI-TAPE Management team led by Mark Wehrmann will continue to serve its long-standing customers and partners globally.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today released the 64th Paper Industry Annual Capacity and Fiber Consumption Survey. The report provides detailed data on U.S. paper industry capacity and production compiled by the AF&PA statistics team. U.S. paper and paperboard capacity declined by 1.6% in 2023, to 79.7 million tons. That compares to an average decline of 0.9% per year since 2014. U.S. paper and paperboard production declined 7.2% last year, with declines in all categories except tissue.

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from lndah Kiat Pulp & Paper TBK to supply a complete old corrugated containers (OCC) line including a reject treatment system to the mill in Karawang, Jawa Barat, Indonesia. The new OCC line will have a design capacity of 2,000 bdmt/d and process a mixture of OCC, mixed waste and up to 30% American OCC as raw material to produce testliner. Based on the latest technology available, it will provide high pulp quality at cost-efficient and resource-saving operation. The collaboration between lndah Kiat Pulp & Paper TBK and ANDRITZ will support Indah Kiat’s stable and sustainable growth, driving the company’s production to new heights. Start-up of the new line is scheduled for the end of 2024.

Cascades Inc. announces the appointment of Mr. Hugues Simon as its new President and CEO. Currently President of the Wood Products business at Resolute Forest Products, Mr. Simon will assume his new role no later than July 1, 2024. The appointment follows an extensive succession planning and recruitment process, supported by an international firm, in anticipation of Mario Plourde’s planned retirement. After more than 11 years at the helm of the Company, Mr. Plourde will support the new President and CEO during a transition period lasting until December 2024, after which he will act as a Special Advisor. A graduate in administration from the Université de Sherbrooke, Hugues Simon has over 30 years of experience in key positions in the manufacturing sector, including as President, of the Wood Products business at Resolute Forest Products. Previously, Mr. Simon was President of BarretteWood Inc., where he worked from 2012 to 2020.

Resolute Forest Products, Greenpeace, Inc., Greenpeace Fund, Inc., and Greenpeace International announced that they have resolved Resolute Forest Products, Inc. et al. v. Greenpeace International et al., No. 3:17-cv-02824-JST (N.D. Cal. 2016). Resolute Forest Products and Greenpeace Canada also announced that they have resolved Resolute Forest Products, Inc. et al. v. Greenpeace Canada et al. (Ontario Superior Court of Justice). All parties are pleased that they have turned the page on these long-running litigations. The Greenpeace parties have no knowledge of illegal operations in off-limit areas by Resolute. Greenpeace, Inc., Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Canada state that their criticism was always directed at Resolute’s legal operations in certain forests that Greenpeace believes require more protection. Greenpeace states that it will continue to advocate for protection of the environment. Resolute states that it is committed to the sustainability of the boreal forest and prosperity of its communities. Resolute and Greenpeace agree everyone should be part of this discussion and to raise concerns with each other in an attempt to resolve factual disagreements.

Koehler Paper and Badische Stahlwerke (BSW), a steel producer, have teamed up with the Rhine port of Kehl to study the feasibility of harvesting wind energy at the port facilities. They hope to find out if building wind turbines is a feasible solution to suppling their own energy at the companies' sites in Kehl. Energy cost in Germany have risen drastically in the last two years – a huge challenge for energy intensive companies like Koehler Paper and Badische Stahlwerke, especially given the intense international competition faced by both companies. At the same time, both companies need to source a significant quantity of electricity from renewables to meet the climate goals of the German national government and the government of the state of Baden-Württemberg, as well as the self-imposed climate goals of the companies themselves. A species protection assessment and an environmental impact study have already been commissioned. Wind measurements are now scheduled to start in June. The feasibility study also includes an analysis of noise emissions and economic viability. The feasibility study is scheduled to last through the summer of 2025, and should indicate whether the site is suitable for wind turbines.

Metsä Group has on 13 May 2024 completed a transaction in which the ownership in the group’s Russian subsidiaries Metsä Svir LLC, Metsä Forest St. Petersburg LLC, Metsä Forest Podporozhye LLC and Metsä Board Rus LLC has transferred to VLP Group. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the transaction. VLP Group operates in forestry and forest industry mainly in Vologda region, Russia. Metsä Group held a minority ownership in VLP Group during 2003–2017. In 2022 Metsä Group stopped its business operations in Russia, including the operations of the Svir sawmill, wood procurement and paperboard sales. As result of the completed transaction Metsä Group does not hold any assets in Russia anymore.

Highlights • Q1 2024 net loss from continuing operations was $13.4 million compared to net loss of $21.6 million in Q4 2023. • Average lumber prices for Q1 2024 were higher than Q4 2023, with an average selling price of $626/mfbm compared to $601/mfbm in Q4 2023. • The valuation provision for lumber and log inventory was decreased to $1.0 million from $4.3 million at the end of Q4 2023, generating a $3.3 million credit to lumber cost of sales in Q1 2024. • Our lower duty rate has positively impacted the Company’s earnings and free cash flow since August 1, 2023. • There continues to be downward pressure on newsprint and paper products prices in North America.

Paper is by far the highest volume raw material component in UPM Raflatac self-adhesive labels, and therefore we have no room for compromises in sustainability. At the end of 2023 we reached a remarkable milestone when we achieved our target of 100% certified paper six years ahead of time. In practice it means that all papers we source from year 2024 onwards, whether used as a face paper or a release liner in our labeling materials, are certified under a credible third-party forest certification scheme. Purchasing only certified paper is one of our 2030 responsible sourcing and climate targets. We believe that third-party forest certification is one of the key ways to ensure the sustainability of our paper supply chain, along with supplier assessment, related development activities, and continuous risk monitoring and management. As our paper face and liner materials come from a large number of paper supplier sites, reaching this goal required systematic work and close collaboration with our suppliers. Increasing the share of certified papers was discussed in annual negotiations with the suppliers who supported our target by lowering and removing the hurdles of this development.

Linda Coady, President & CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) made the following statement in response to ongoing mill closures and curtailments in BC: “Escalating closures and curtailments of lumber, pulp and paper mills in BC mean the provincial government needs to move faster to stabilize timber supply. Additional transition measures are needed within the next 60 days to address current challenges in approval and permitting systems, and changing land use policies that are leading to dramatic declines in harvest levels. Each time a mill closes in BC, there is a substantial direct impact on employees and their families, with further consequences for local communities as well as across supply chains. The loss of high paying jobs, local tax revenue and relocation to new employment opportunities have lasting effects in rural communities. It also creates uncertainty regarding the future of critical forest sector infrastructure and capacity in BC.

Financial Highlights - First Quarter vs. Fourth Quarter *Net income of $43 million ($1.02 per diluted share) vs. $49 million ($1.16 per diluted share) *Adjusted operating earnings1 of $45 million ($1.07 per diluted share) vs. $49 million ($1.16 per diluted share) *Adjusted EBITDA2 of $118 million (13% margin) vs. $117 million (12% margin) *Cash provided by operating activities of $27 million vs. $167 million

HIGHLIGHTS• Pulp sales of 2,401 thousand tons (-2% vs. 1Q23).• Paper sales1 of 313 thousand tons (12% vs. 1Q23).• Average net pulp price in export market: US$624/ton (-13% vs. 1Q23).• Average net paper price1 of R$6,713/ton (-9% vs. 1Q23). • Pulp cash cost ex-downtime of R$812/ton (-13% vs. 1Q23). • Leverage of 3.5 times in USD and 3.6 times in BRL. • Cerrado Project completes 94% of physical progress and 87% of financial progress up to April 2024.

After thorough analysis of the persistent shortage of economically available timber and challenging operating conditions in northern British Columbia, Canfor Corporation announced the permanent closure of its Polar sawmill in Bear Lake, BC and the suspension of its planned reinvestment in Houston, BC. This follows the announcement by our subsidiary company, Canfor Pulp, that one line of production will be indefinitely curtailed at the Northwood Pulp Mill. The Polar sawmill, with a production capacity of about 300 million board feet annually, has been curtailed since January 2024. The permanent closure will impact approximately 180 employees.

Mativ First Quarter 2024 Highlights (Continuing Operations) *Sales of $500.2 million increased 10.6% sequentially versus Q4 2023, and decreased 8.9% versus the prior year, reflecting sequential volume recovery *GAAP loss was $(28.0) million, GAAP EPS was $(0.52), which included organizational realignment, integration and purchase accounting expenses

Drytac is delighted to announce the appointment of Anne Sierakowski to the role of Product Manager in North America. Effective 1st May 2024, Anne will play a key role in product strategy development at Drytac. This will include assessing the market landscape for major trends and emerging technologies, as well as conducting research to understand core customer needs and requirements. “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Anne to the Drytac team,” says Glen Fitzgerald, Director of Sales, Americas at Drytac. “She brings a wealth of experience to the role which will benefit both our team and customers across the market. “Anne will be supporting us with both new products and existing solutions, working closely with customers and our many partners to ensure we are delivering the best possible solutions.”

​​Lecta once again demonstrates its firm commitment to innovation and sustainability by drawing on its extensive technical know-how in the manufacture of thermal and metallized papers to develop new, high-quality products made with recycled fiber. The new thermal paper products are Termax Recy TFXr30 and Termax Recy TFXr100, both phenol-free and Ineris-certified. Thermal papers made from 30% and 100% recycled fibers, respectively, both have excellent print quality in high-speed thermal printers, very good image resolution and good rigidity for label applications, mainly in the retail and logistics industries. Lecta's new metallized paper products are Metalvac Recy 70 EWS and Metalvac Recy 100 EWS. Metallized papers for high wet-strength labels for returnable bottles, containing a 70 and 100% recycled fibers, respectively, both demonstrate good printability in flexo and offset and perform excellently in labeling trains, even in moist and cold conditions, as well as in their subsequent storage in refrigerators, ice buckets, coolers and freezers. With a reverse side suitable for good glue receptivity and good flatness, they offer excellent results in bottling lines even at high speeds.

Financial summary for the quarter • EBITDA excluding special items US$183 million (Q2 FY23 US$167 million) • EPS excluding special items 12 US cents (Q2 FY23 11 US cents) • Net debt US$1,366 million (Q2 FY23 US$1,225 million) • Closure of Stockstadt and Lanaken Mills completed

In a positive move to reduce its carbon footprint, Sappi Southern Africa has concluded a milestone 175GWh per annum renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Enpower Trading, a NERSA-licensed private electricity trading company. Sappi’s decision to partner with Enpower Trading aligns seamlessly with its broader sustainability goals and is a significant move towards attaining its Science Based Target (SBTi) objectives. By implementing this renewable energy solution at its multiple South African operations, it is expected that Sappi SA and Sappi Limited’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions will be reduced by 6% and 4% respectively. The power supplied to Sappi will be sourced from SolarAfrica Energy’s Sun Central PV project. SolarAfrica Energy, an integrated energy solutions provider, is executing one of the largest solar farms in South Africa – the 1GW Sun Central PV project is located southeast of De Aar in the Northern Cape.

Supremex Inc. announced the acquisition of the assets of Forest Envelope Group. Founded over 40 years ago, Forest Envelope is a regional leader in specialty envelope manufacturing located in Bolingbrook, Illinois in the Greater Chicago area. The transaction was concluded for a total consideration of approximately US$1.8 million, on a cash-free and debt-free basis, subject to customary adjustments, financed through the Company’s existing credit facility. “The acquisition of Forest Envelope is an excellent fit with our current operations in the U.S. Midwest region,” said Stewart Emerson, President and CEO of Supremex. “Forest Envelope has a solid reputation for providing high-quality products, top-tier customer service and on-time delivery. Given its close proximity to our existing plants in Naperville and Chicago, we intend to integrate Forest Envelope’s activities into these facilities over the next 90 days. The transition should be seamless for customers and, in fact, provide them access to additional capacity and a significantly broader product offering. We expect this tuck-in operation to rapidly yield synergies within our U.S. Envelope network.”

Nine Dragons, Inc. (ND Paper) and Billerud Wisconsin LLC (Billerud) closed on an Asset Purchase Agreement, whereas ND Paper will own and operate Billerud’s Wisconsin Water Quality Center (WQC) and associated landfill and F&E landfill assets. The Water Quality Center is essential component of the Biron facility. The agreement ensures the mill’s uninterrupted production and ND Paper’s Biron facility will remain an integral part of the Wisconsin Rapids community. Five employees are responsible for operating the facility and will be joining the ND Paper team.

First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights: *Produced revenue of $774 million, a 13% increase compared to the prior quarter, or a 9% increase compared to the prior year *Generated income from operations of $41 million, and a net loss of $9 million; adjusted net loss was $7 million (non-GAAP) *GAAP diluted loss per share of $0.06

Overview • Q1 2024 operating loss of $86 million; shareholder net loss of $65 million, or $0.54 per share • Sustained pressure on global lumber markets and pricing, especially for Southern Yellow Pine (“SYP”) • Solid earnings from Europe; US South results directly impacted by weak SYP lumber pricing; Western Canadian results remained challenging despite uplift in Western Spruce/Pine/Fir lumber pricing • Modest uptick in NBSK pulp unit sales realizations, 7% increase in pulp production quarter-over-quarter • Ongoing constraints accessing economically viable fibre in British Columbia impacting lumber and pulp operating rates in the near-term and through the balance of 2024

In a strategic move, Sustana has acquired fiber drying equipment for its De Pere, Wisconsin facility. Since its establishment, the De Pere mill has specialized in the production of wet lap fiber, with the capability of producing 450 tons per day of quality sustainable fiber. However, growth potential has long been hindered by the challenges inherent in handling a product with roughly 50% water content. Now, with the integration of dryer equipment, Sustana is poised to propel production into a new era of excellence within the recycled fiber market.

Earlier today we notified our employees that we have completed the sale of Twin Rivers’ unbleached Kraft paper mill in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to American Kraft Paper Industries, an affiliate of the global industrial group American Industrial Acquisition Corporation (AIAC). Our press release, which will be published this afternoon, is included for your reference. The sale of Pine Bluff is aligned with Twin Rivers’ strategy of prioritizing the growth of our core specialty papers business and product offering and investing in our Madawaska and New York assets. Twin Rivers Paper is pleased to continue serving your needs for all paper grades made at our Madawaska and New York mills. If Angela Swenson has been your account lead for Madawaska or New York grades, a Twin Rivers account manager will be contacting you immediately to ensure your ongoing needs are fully met.

*Net sales of $496 million, down 6% from the first quarter of last year *Net income of $17 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, down $7 million from the first quarter of last year *Reduced net debt by $33 million, repurchased $1 million of outstanding shares with $6 million remaining under program. “Despite the significant weather event that impacted the quarter, we delivered solid results that came in at the higher end of our expectations through strong operational execution,” said Arsen Kitch, president and chief executive officer. “Our Lewiston team did a tremendous job repairing damaged equipment under very difficult conditions and resuming operations."

The first quarter result was a clear sequential improvement. As we expected, the improvement was mainly derived from stronger sales volumes and stronger price positions within liquid packaging board. We also experienced favorable product mix changes in both regions. Despite headwinds of higher costs for energy, logistics and fiber in Europe, the Group’s EBITDA margin strengthened to 11% in the quarter. Net sales for the first quarter declined by 9% to SEK 10,423 million (11,495). Currency changes had a positive impact of 2%. The organic* and currency-neutral net sales declined by 9%, mainly due to lower sales prices and reduced sales volumes. The Group’s sales volumes totaled 921 ktons (943), negatively impacted by curtailments of production in North America.

Norske Skog’s EBITDA in the first quarter of 2024 was NOK 76 million, a decrease from NOK 760 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The fourth quarter EBITDA was significantly influenced by business interruption insurance of NOK 625 million at Norske Skog Saugbrugs. The first quarter EBITDA was negatively impacted by deconsolidation of Norske Skog Tasman of NOK 46 million and lower European CO2-allowance prices of NOK 32 million. Demand for publication paper is stabilising, but further capacity closures are still required. Containerboard demand is increasing but still experiences excess capacity. “We are very satisfied with the demand for our publication paper products in the first quarter. We have invested close to EUR 500 million into containerboard and energy projects over the past three years, and we still maintain a very strong balance sheet and cash position. We are highly satisfied with the production ramp-up at Bruck. The feedback from our customers on product quality is positive, and this is promising for our plan to deliver a total of 760 000 tonnes of packaging paper from Bruck and Golbey into the market in the coming years. Along with the Saugbrugs management team, we have continued to identify future opportunities for Saugbrugs industrial site, and we hope to announce further details during the second quarter,” says Geir Drangsland, CEO of Norske Skog.

Massimo Reynaudo, President and CEO, comments on the results: “In Q1, recovering demand and continued successful margin management resulted in improved earnings compared to previous quarters. The destocking that characterised last year was over for all our businesses and most of them improved their performance from Q4. In addition, our transformative growth investments, UPM Paso de los Toros and OL3, delivered good contribution to earnings. Our sales were EUR 2,640 million and our comparable EBIT was EUR 333 million, broadly at similar levels as in the comparison quarters. Our operating cash flow was solid at EUR 335 million and our net debt decreased to EUR 2,312 million during the quarter.

The quality of air intake is a substantial factor in the overall performance of today’s engines. An efficient air intake filtration supports optimal operation, preventing particulate contaminants from entering the engine while optimizing fuel consumption and reducing engine wear. In this context, a longer filter lifetime is a key benefit as it ensures continuous removal of contaminants while extending service intervals and minimizing environmental impact. Ahlstrom introduces a new dual-layer filter media technology, available globally, that represents a leap forward in filtration and is a perfect solution to comply with future market needs. The dual-layer design offers up to double dust holding capacity compared to the single-layer design, as each layer serves a distinct purpose to optimize the overall retention of particles in the depth of the material. In automotive engine air intake applications, the technology has proven to extend by over 50% the filter lifetime in the same configuration. It also offers the possibility to reduce both size and weight of the filter element in vehicles where these parameters are important.

Metsä Group has entered into an extensive cooperation with international technology group ANDRITZ to conduct a pre-study for the first possible commercial mill producing the Kuura textile fiber. This new type of textile fiber, developed by Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring, is made from Finnish wood. The primary objectives of this collaboration are to develop a pulp pre-treatment method, smart ways to integrate textile fiber production into the various departments of a bioproduct mill, and automation for Kuura production. The pre-study is the first planning stage for a potential commercial mill project to process softwood pulp into a new type of man-made cellulosic fiber (MMCF). The Kuura concept produces a sustainable, high value-added product without the use of fossil fuels.

New Force Magnetics and Master Magnetics, Inc. − a Colorado company − were acquired by a newly formed investment company now known as Master Magnetics Inc (a Delaware corporation) on April 1, 2024. Beginning on April 22, 2024, New Force Magnetics will operate as a new business unit under Master Magnetics Inc. Katie Fink will continue to provide the same level of customer service to which you are accustomed, operating under her new title, New Force Business Unit Manager. Jack Nellessen continues his employment with the company Chief R & D Strategist. Our new product offerings will expand to include not only the current flexible magnetics sheeting and strip and magnetic receptive products, but an entire array of neodymium, ceramic, ALNICO, and samarium cobalt magnets and magnetic assemblies for consumer, commercial and industrial use.

HEINZEL GROUP announces its performance for the year 2023, showcasing resilience in a complex market environment. The company reports a healthy €135,0 million of Operating Cash Flow and a simultaneous 6% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the previous year, underscoring its dedication to both economic performance and sustainability. HEINZEL GROUP achieved net sales of €2,214.9 million in 2023, with an EBITDA of €116.5 million. Notable successes of 2023 include the startup of unbleached pulp production at Heinzel Pöls as well as the preparation of the integration of Steyrermühl operations acquired from UPM in Austria. Sebastian Heinzel, CEO of HEINZEL GROUP, commented, "In 2023 we have demonstrated resilience in challenging market conditions, especially in the containerboard segment, and we have laid the groundworks for future successes.” The Steyrermühl mill has become part of HEINZEL GROUP on January 1, 2024. The rebuilding of PM6 machine there remains well on track, with production of kraft papers slated to commence in May 2024.