Catalyst Paper: Regarding CVD & AD Surcharge

In the near future, certain uncoated groundwood paper products imported into the United States from Canada may be subjected to U.S. countervailing (CVD) and/or anti-dumping (AD) duties. These duties arise from petitions made by North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC), a U.S.-based pulp and paper manufacturer, to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission that allege Canada’s UGW paper exports are unfairly priced and/or that Canadian federal and provincial governments subsidize domestic producers – including Catalyst – thereby placing U.S. manufacturers of uncoated groundwood paper at an unfair disadvantage. I am writing to advise that Catalyst intends to implement price surcharges on our uncoated groundwood paper products we import into the USA that are subject to these CVD and AD duties. These surcharges will directly mirror the charges imposed on Catalyst by the U.S. Government. We will inform you of the level of Surcharge as soon as it becomes available. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Higher prices help offset impacts of softwood lumber duties

Canada’s lumber industry has been able to survive the impacts of preliminary duties, largely thanks to soaring lumber prices. While industry production will remain virtually flat this year, industry revenues are on pace to grow by 8 per cent, according to The Conference Board of Canada’s Canadian Industrial Outlook: Wood Products Manufacturing – Autumn 2017. “Lumber prices are at their highest levels in over a decade due to a perfect storm of factors, including supply constraints in B.C. from the wildfires this summer, and increased demand from a recovering U.S. housing market and rebuilding efforts in hurricane-affected regions,” said Michael Burt, Director, Industrial Trends, The Conference Board of Canada. “The surging lumber prices are providing a welcome relief from the costs of the lumber duties imposed by the U.S., but this is not likely to last.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Resolute turns to Thermal Energy for $11M heat recovery, steam conservation project

Thermal Energy International, a global provider of industrial and institutional energy efficiency solutions, has been engaged by Resolute Forest Products to design, develop and implement an energy efficiency improvement and greenhouse gas reduction project. The $11-million project — which includes the installation of two Thermal Energy FLU-ACE Heat Recovery Systems and the conversion of the mill’s steam traps to Thermal Energy EM Steam Trap system — aims to meet the energy savings and greenhouse gas reduction goals of Resolute’s Thunder Bay, Ont., mill. Earlier this month, the Ontario government announced the project secured $5 million in funding from the Ontario Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science through the TargetGHG Industrial Demonstration Program administered by Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE). Click Read More below for additional information.
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Hans Sohlström appointed President and CEO of Ahlstrom-Munksjö

The Board of Directors has appointed Hans Sohlström President and CEO of Ahlstrom-Munksjö, effective as of June 30, 2018, at the latest. Sohlström is currently the President and CEO of Ahlström Capital Group. Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s current President and CEO Jan Åström, (b. 1956), will retire from the position on June 30, 2018, at the latest. He has been the President and CEO of the company since its creation through the merger of Ahlstrom Corporation and Munksjö Oyj on April 1, 2017, and before that he was the President and CEO of Munksjö since 2008. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Crude Climbs as U.S. Storage Nosedives and Foreign Orders Jump

Futures advanced 0.9 percent in New York. American crude inventories tumbled by 6.5 million barrels last week, more than double the average estimate in a Bloomberg survey. Exports surged by the most on record as domestic explorers sent cargoes to foreign shores where they fetched higher prices. “Crude inventories are just taking a nose-dive,” Matt Sallee, who helps manage $16 billion in oil-related assets at Tortoise Capital Advisors LLC, said by telephone. The price gap that’s making American oil more attractive to overseas buyers is “supporting pretty robust exports.” Yet, gasoline stockpiles rose for a sixth week and diesel supplies unexpectedly edged higher. Click Read More below for additional information.
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FedEx Corp. Reports Higher Second Quarter Results

FedEx Corp. reported earnings of $2.84 per diluted share ($3.18 per diluted share on an adjusted basis) for the second quarter ended November 30, compared to earnings of $2.59 per diluted share ($2.77 per diluted share on an adjusted basis) a year ago. Both as-reported and adjusted fiscal 2018 earnings reflect the estimated negative impact of the June 27 cyberattack affecting TNT Express ($0.31 per diluted share). This year’s and last year’s quarterly consolidated earnings have been adjusted for TNT Express integration expenses of $0.33 and $0.18 per diluted share, respectively. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Ink-Global: New deal with Transavia France

As an American friend said to me recently: “if you ain’t growing, you are shrinking”, and having given that rather asinine statement a decent amount of thought, I think that they may be right… In recent weeks, we have witnessed Time and Rolling Stone magazines change hands and getting new chunks of money, and today we are announcing that we are creating a new magazine for the European Airline Transavia France. And all of this comes on the back of the fact that we have never had a busier year both in terms of growth and advertisers flocking to our print magazines and digital products. We are all currently being bombarded by “commentators” and “journalists” saying that the print media business is over... but knowing what I know about media and travel media specifically, I think that is both a naïve and a false statement. We are currently seeing an average 3 – 5 % annual growth in passenger numbers across the airline world with some of our partners reporting increases as large as 9%. That more bums on seats and more people/eyeballs for our magazines. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Appointment of bankruptcy trustee in Norske Skog companies

Oslo Byfogdembete (Oslo Bankruptcy Court) has on 19 December and 20 December 2017, appointed lawyer Tom Hugo Ottesen as bankruptcy trustee for the following companies: Norske Skogindustrier ASA Norske Treindustrier AS Norske Skog Holding AS Lysaker Invest AS Norske Skog Eiendom AS. In addition to the bankruptcy filing of Norske Skogindustrier ASA on 19 December 2017, the board of directors of Norske Treindustrier AS, Lysaker Invest AS, Norske Skog Eiendom AS and Norske Skog Holding AS have filed for bankruptcy at Oslo Byfogdembete (Oslo bankruptcy court) today, Wednesday 20 December 2017. The deadline for claims to the bankruptcy trustee is set to 23 January 2018. See the enclosed court order from Oslo Byfogdembete. Questions concerning the bankruptcy process and the bankruptcy estate must be addressed to the trustee.
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PaperWorks Industries, Inc. Announces Agreement on Comprehensive Deleveraging and Recapitalization

On December 20, 2017, PaperWorks Industries, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the "Company") and five (5) holders of the Company's 9.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the "Notes"), holding approximately 87% of the outstanding Notes (the "Ad Hoc Group"), entered into a restructuring support agreement (the "RSA") regarding a comprehensive financial restructuring of the Company's debt and equity structure. Among other things, the proposed restructuring will reduce the Company's long term debt by approximately $275 million, which represents approximately 70% of the Company's funded indebtedness, through a repayment of the Company's existing ABL credit facility and an exchange of the Notes for new debt and new common equity in the reorganized Company. Under the RSA, the Company's pro forma capital structure will consist of a $115 million post-restructuring financing facility, inclusive of $70 million of new capital back stopped by the Ad Hoc Group. Click Read More below for additional information.
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2018 Catalog, Publication Printing Outlook

For those in the magazine and catalog printing and publishing segments, the past year has been nothing short of dynamic. Although there has been considerable consolidation and downsizing, these trends have opened up doors to other possibilities that are being embraced by printers and publishers alike: niche publications are on the rise and catalogs have evolved to tell their own story. Traditionally, magazines were driven by mass-market titles that could appeal to a wide audience, David Pilcher, VP of sales and marketing at Freeport, Ohio-based Freeport Press, explains. The industry has recently seen a shift in the types of titles that are seeing the biggest growth, he says, and its niche titles that are leading the march into 2018. “This year, we’re seeing publishers offloading many of these big titles,” he says. “Some are calling it chaos. We don’t see it that way. We see a definite trend toward niche titles, with viable business models that take advantage of a more selective consumer base.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Transcontinental Inc. and the founders of CEDROM-SNi Inc. sell their stakes to CNW Group Ltd., a Cision company

Transcontinental Inc., announces the sale of its 50% stake in CEDROM-SNi Inc., a Montréal-based firm specializing in digital media monitoring, to CNW Group Ltd., a Cision company delivering Canadian media intelligence and news distribution services. As part of this agreement, the founders of CEDROM-SNi are also selling their stake to CNW Group Ltd., which now becomes the sole owner. CEDROM-SNi's employees, totalling approximately 110 people, remain employed in Montréal and in the satellite offices of Québec City, Ottawa, Toronto and Paris. Nicole Guillot, Cision's President of Canada and Corporate Director of CNW Group Ltd., noted, "We are very proud to acquire CEDROM-SNi, a company whose product and service offering is among the best-performing in the industry and is complementary to ours. By joining forces, we will be able to offer our customers an enhanced and diversified offering that is perfectly aligned with Cision's global vision to be a leading provider of earned media software and services at the crossroads of public relations, digital and social marketing. We are pleased to welcome the talented employees of CEDROM-SNi who bring leading-edge expertise to Cision, in order to pursue our growth together." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Trade Book Publisher Sales Increased Slightly in August 2017

In August 2017, Trade publishers’ revenues (sales to bookstores, wholesalers, direct to consumer, online retailers, etc.) increased +1.0% compared to August 2016. For the year-to-date (Jan. – Aug. 2017) revenues were flat at 0.0%. AAP’s StatShot reports Trade Books in the categories of fiction books, non-fiction books and religious presses. The slight revenue increase in August 2017, compared to August 2016, came from growth in Childrens and Young Adult books (up +2.9%) and Religious Presses (up +7.8%). There was a slight decline in revenue in August and a -0.6% year-to-date decline for all tracked categories, which includes: Trade Books, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses. Click Read More below for additional information.
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The Home Depot Acquires The Company Store

The Home Depot® announced that it has acquired The Company Store, a leading online retailer of textiles and home décor products, from Hanover Direct. The deal closed on December 19 and terms were not disclosed. In addition to its success as an online retailer, The Company Store has strong relationships and industry leading capabilities in the development and sourcing of high quality textiles across bedding, bath, and related categories. Founded in 1911, The Company Store has a rich history of providing products that are highly sought after by customers as they put the finishing touches on a room. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM completes closure of paper machine 5 in Blandin by end of year

On October 24, UPM announced plans to permanently close paper machine 5 at UPM Blandin in Minnesota, United States in response to overcapacities in the North American paper market. All related processes have now been completed, and paper machine 5 will be permanently closed latest on 30 December 2017. The closure will reduce the annual capacity of coated magazine paper by approximately 128,000 tons. The number of positions affected is 148. Paper production related to paper machine 6 will continue at the Blandin site. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Ritrama Inc. 2018 Pricing Announcement

Due to industry wide inflationary conditions on nearly all raw material purchases, Ritrama Inc. is announcing a price increase averaging 5-7% for all film and paper products effective with shipments on or after January 1, 2018. The price increases being instituted are a reflection of the raw material inflation. We have been working closely with our suppliers both locally and globally to minimize the impact while maintaining both quality and constant supply. In addition, we have taken every precaution to control other operating costs in an effort to remain competitive in times of escalating costs. We will continue to drive productivity and cost reduction programs in order to support our mutual market competitiveness.
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Burgo Announces Price Increase

Due to continuous increase of manufacturing costs, effective with new orders entered for January production and warehouse orders with shipping on or after January 15th 2018, Burgo Group is increasing the transaction price of all Coated Freesheet Sheets grades by approximately 4%.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases November 2017 Boxboard Report

Total boxboard production decreased 0.4 percent when compared to November 2016 and decreased 2.0 percent from last month. Unbleached Kraft Boxboard production increased over the same month a year ago and increased compared to last month. Total Solid Bleached Boxboard & Liner production decreased when compared to November 2016 and was flat compared to last month. The production of Recycled Boxboard decreased compared to November 2016 and decreased when compared to last month.
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Pulp and Paper Industry Fosters Local Entrepreneurship

Despite Indonesia's pulp and paper industry having experienced ups and downs, affected by challenges from both within and outside the country, one thing that is certain is that the industry's supply chain remains supportive of livelihoods and brings prosperity to communities in surrounding areas. Government data shows that the pulp and paper industry contributes 6.7 percent of national manufacturing industry gross domestic product (GDP) and last year, it contributed US$ 3.9 billion (non-oil export) to the country's exports. As part of this economic benefit, the government data shows that the industry has created jobs for 260 thousands direct jobs and 1.1 million indirect jobs throughout the value chain. The benefits of the industry's presence have also been felt by Sulaiman, who established his own company, Rifky Pratama Sanjaya, which supplies 200 tons of cocopeat per month to Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) – one of the biggest pulp and paper producers in Indonesia that uses technologically advanced and efficient processes. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil edges up on North Sea pipeline outage, lower US crude supply

Brent crude prices steadied on Wednesday while WTI futures edged higher, supported by expectations of a fall in U.S. inventories and the continued outage of the North Sea Forties pipeline system. “The API is the reason why the energy complex is slightly up this morning,” said Tamas Varga, analyst with PVM Oil Associates. The American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday that U.S. crude inventories fell by 5.2 million barrels in the week to Dec. 15 to 438.7 million. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Crown Holdings Announces Acquisition of Signode Industrial Group Holdings

Crown Holdings, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Signode Industrial Group Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd., a leading global provider of transit packaging systems and solutions, from The Carlyle Group, in a cash transaction valued at $3.91 billion subject to customary closing adjustments. The acquisition, which is subject to review by various competition authorities, is expected to close during the first quarter of 2018 and to significantly increase free cash flow. Debt financing has been fully committed in support of the transaction. With pro forma sales and adjusted EBITDA of $2.3 billion and $384 million, respectively, for the twelve months ended November 30, 2017, Signode is the world's leading supplier of transit packaging systems and solutions, which consist of strap, stretch and protective packaging consumables and the application equipment and tooling for each. Based in Glenview, Illinois, Signode's global footprint includes operations in 40 countries across 6 continents, with sales to customers in approximately 60 countries. Click Read More below for additional information.
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AARP Overtakes People As America’s Most-Read Print Magazine, Per MRI Data

Add another accolade to the trophy case in what has turned out to be a banner year for Mryna Blyth, Bob Love, and co. According to the latest data from market research firm GfK MRI, AARP The Magazine has overtaken People as America’s most-read print magazine. An estimated 38.3 million adults read the magazine over the reporting period—which ran from March to November, 2017—narrowly edging out People, which was read by an estimated 37.9 million adults, according to the data, down from 41.4 million a year ago. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Give your feedback on PEFC Group Certification! Public consultation open

Working with smallholders is at the heart of our work. This is why group certification is an extremely important instrument in our forest certification toolbox. Our revised Group Certification standard is now up for public consultation, and we are asking you to share your insights and knowledge to help us further improve this important standard. Group certification is a mechanism through which groups of small-forest landholders can organize themselves, pool their resources and work together to achieve certification. This makes certification accessible for small-forest owners. The key to successful group certification is to balance the need for robust implementation of our requirements with the need to be as resource efficient as possible. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPS Pre-Orders 125 Tesla Electric Trucks

UPS, which operates one of the largest commercial trucking fleets in the world, announced it has placed a reservation for 125 of Tesla’s new fully-electric Semi tractors. The new tractors will join UPS’s extensive alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle fleet, comprised of trucks and tractors propelled by electricity, natural gas, propane and other non-traditional fuels. “For more than a century, UPS has led the industry in testing and implementing new technologies for more efficient fleet operations. We look forward to expanding further our commitment to fleet excellence with Tesla,” said Juan Perez, chief information and engineering officer. “These groundbreaking electric tractors are poised to usher in a new era in improved safety, reduced environmental impact, and reduced cost of ownership.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Reading Preferences and Habits of U.S. Consumers

The consumer survey, “Print and Paper in a Digital World,” highlights interesting consumer trends on reading preferences and habits related to print vs digital. The recent Toluna survey commissioned by Two Sides showed that 62% of U.S. consumers between the ages of 18 to 55+ preferred to read books in print vs electronic devices, including 63% of the youngest age group (18 to 24 year-olds). Both groups strongly agreed (72-73%) that reading a printed book is more enjoyable than reading a book on an electronic device. Reading magazines showed a difference between the overall consumer response (66%) and the 18 to 24 year-olds (56%) although both still prefer print to digital. When asked if reading a printed magazine is more enjoyable than reading a magazine on an electronic device, the overall response was 73% and the younger group response was 66%. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Stora Enso inaugurates its new polyethylene coating plant at Beihai Mill in China

Around 170 guests attended the official inauguration of the new polyethylene (PE) coating plant at the consumer board mill in Beihai, China. Stora Enso has invested EUR 31 million in the PE coating plant, following its establishment in the Guangxi region in China as a response to increasing demand on the market. The plant has an annual capacity of 80 000 tonnes of PE coated products. PE coated board is suitable for products that require barrier against moisture, such as paper cups and food service packaging. Click Read More below for additional information.
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AF&PA Urges Chinese Authorities to Keep an Open Market for Recovered Paper Imports

Advocating for free and fair recovered fiber trade policies with China, American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman announced the association’s filing of formal comments with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Chinese authorities: “We believe China has violated their obligations under the WTO and will disrupt international trade and the global market for recovered fiber by their import limiting actions. Specifically, China has mischaracterized certain valuable raw material as ‘solid wastes,’ has taken action not proportional to its own regulation, is favoring its domestic industry over imports and has not provided enough time for U.S. operators to respond. We urge Chinese authorities to immediately engage with the U.S., other WTO member states and appropriate recovered fiber operators and address a number of concerns in order to ensure a free and fair global recycling system.”
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Flint Group Introduces a New Lightweight Family of rotec® Sleeves and Bridges

With increasing demand in the printing industry for equipment that enables more frequent and faster job changes on press, Flint Group introduces a new, lightweight family of rotec® Sleeves and Bridges designed to increase press efficiency. The new rotec® product line provides the same proven polyurethane coating that is well-known for its durability and solvent resistance in a series of sleeves and adapters that are lighter and easier to handle. The rotec® Lightweight Premium Sleeve – a high performance, plate mounting sleeve offering weight savings up to 40% compared to similar premium sleeves – exhibits excellent dimensional stability for high printing speeds, making it particularly effective in the wide web printing sector. The key to its superior all-around performance is the combination of its light weight and ease of use coupled with the premium construction that provides added strength and stability. The sleeve is further enhanced with an aluminum end plate that seals the edges for extra protection against inks, cleaning liquids and humidity and provides optimum performance and longevity to the sleeve life. Click Read More below for additional information.
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The battle over whether to enact an online sales tax heads into 2018

Lawyers for Newegg, Wayfair and Overstock petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court, requesting that it decline to review a South Dakota Supreme Court decision that would require larger online retailers to collect sales tax on purchases made in the state. Online retailers are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to decline review of a case that would require larger e-retailers to collect sales tax from South Dakota residents and pay it to the state. The South Dakota law would require out-of-state retailers that don’t have a physical presence in the state and generate least $100,000 in online sales or more than 200 transactions in the state to collect sales tax from South Dakota customers and then remit those taxes to the state. Click Read More below for additional information.
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ModusLink Announces Acquisition of IWCO Direct for $476 Million in Cash

ModusLink Global Solutions™, Inc. and Steel Partners Holdings announced that ModusLink has completed the acquisition of privately-held IWCO Direct, a leading provider of data-driven direct marketing solutions, for $476 million in cash. Warren Lichtenstein, Executive Chairman of ModusLink, said, “We have been looking to acquire a profitable business with attractive operations and financials, and with a strong management team in order to leverage our approximately $2.1 billion in net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) and cash. We found a great fit in IWCO Direct. We essentially double the size of our Company and add significant earnings and free cash flow. We add a market leader with industry-leading solutions, a client base consisting of Fortune 500 companies, and significant opportunities to drive both top- and bottom-line results. We intend to aggressively grow IWCO Direct, organically and through acquisitions, and will look to leverage Steel Partners’ vast relationships and resources to drive operational excellence and enhance stakeholder value.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Norske Skog’s operations continue as normal

Norske Skog's operations will continue to run as normal. For employees, suppliers and customers, there will be no change, it will be business as usual. The bankruptcy of Norske Skogindustrier ASA is financial and concerns mainly shareholders and bondholders of Norske Skogindustrier ASA. Oceanwood, the majority holder of the Senior Secured Notes (SSN), has started the process to enforce on the SSN collateral in Norske Skog AS. The ownership of Norske Skog AS, the parent company of all operating business units, will thus be transferred to new owners in an auction process. Oceanwood has entered into a joint venture (JV) with Aker in a bid to buy and operate Norske Skog AS. The JV is providing financial support to Norske Skog throughout the auction process. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Norske Skogindustrier ASA – decision to file for bankruptcy

The board of Directors of Norske Skogindustrier ASA has decided to file for bankruptcy at Oslo skifterett (Oslo bankruptcy court) today, Tuesday 19 December 2017. The board's decision is unanimous and is due to the fact that there is no longer a realistic opportunity to achieve a voluntary recapitalization solution for the Norske Skog group. The group's largest secured creditor, Oceanwood Capital Management Ltd (Oceanwood), has informed the board that it is not willing to support any such solution. The group's operational activities will continue in Norske Skog AS as normal with as little impact as possible from the bankruptcy proceedings of the listed Norske Skogindustrier ASA. The non-listed Norske Skog AS will be the new operating parent company of the Norske Skog group, and will continue the head office function that has been performed by Norske Skogindustrier ASA. The board and management of Norske Skogindustrier ASA have over an extended period worked hard to achieve a consensual recapitalization of the Norske Skog group and thereby avoid bankruptcy proceedings for the parent company. This work was well advanced and had broad support from the capital structure in October and November 2017. The board's decision to file for bankruptcy is therefore made with great disappointment that this goal was not achieved, said Christen Sveaas, Chairman of the board of Norske Skogindustrier ASA. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Trades Near $57 as U.S. Crude Stockpiles Seen Extending Drop

Futures rose 0.7 percent in New York after slipping 0.2 percent on Monday. Inventories probably lost 3 million barrels last week, according to a Bloomberg survey before Energy Information Administration data Wednesday. Nigerian oil workers suspended strike action and agreed to continue talks next month, while output from a Libyan field returned to normal after a power outage. Oil has rallied the past three months as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies reduce supply to drain a global glut. The unprecedented cooperation among producers, which has now been extended until the end of 2018, has crude prices on their way to a second annual advance. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Verso Announces Price Increase

Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of January 15, 2018 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all Coated Economy Freesheet Sheets and Sheeter Roll grades by 4% to 6%. This includes, but is not limited to: Anthem Plus® sheets/sheeter rolls, Blazer Digital® sheets/sheeter rolls. The increase applies to all basis weights, bulks, finishes and related private label grades.
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Sappi North America Price Increase

Sappi North America announces a transactional price increase on new and unconfirmed orders that book with confirmed delivery dates on or after Monday, January 15, 2018 on the following products: A $2.00 per CWT US$/$2.56 per CWT CAD$ increase on: Flo Folio Sheets, Digital Sheets and Sheeter Rolls – all basis weights, all finishes, EuroArt Folio Sheets and Digital Sheets – all basis weights, all finishes. Standard differentials and upcharges apply. This price increase includes all private label programs.
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Resolute Forest Products Announces Price Increase

Please be advised that effective with shipments on or after February 1, 2018, Resolute’s White Paper grades will increase by US$35/short ton. Products impacted by this price increase include, but are not limited to, the following: Ecopaque Offset, Ecopaque Laser; Equal (Offset & Book); Alternative (Opaque, Offset & Offset+); ResoluteSelect 75; ResoluteSelect 70, 65; ResoluteBook 75, 70, 65, 60 & ResoluteBook 70 Cream; Alternative Book, Alternative Book Cream; ResoluteSert Plus. The increase will be applicable to all basis weights and finishes, and all up charges apply.
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ANDRITZ successfully starts up MDF line supplied to Panel Plus MDF Co. Ltd.

International technology Group ANDRITZ has successfully started up the MDF line II supplied to Panel Plus MDF Co. Ltd., based in Bangkok, Thailand, for its mill in Hat Yai. The pressurized refining and chip washing system supplied by ANDRITZ is the centerpiece of the line. It has a capacity of 30 bdmt/h and is characterized by low specific energy consumption as well as excellent reliability. The chip washing system using the ANDRITZ sedimentation technology is the first of its kind to be delivered to Thailand and will be used mainly for sand removal. The scope of supply also included a maintenance-friendly ANDRITZ C-Feeder that ensures minimum energy consumption, higher system stability, and longer refiner plate lifetime. Click Read More below for additional information.
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BillerudKorsnäs sees continued strong market development for the products from the new board machine, but expects higher investment costs

Updated estimates show that the investment costs for BillerudKorsnäs' new board machine in Gruvön may increase by approximately 20 percent compared to previously announced investment cost of a total of SEK 5.7 billion. The increase of the investment is mainly due to higher costs for the construction work. The production on the new machine is still expected to start during the first quarter of 2019. "The cost increase is of course not good, and we have worked very hard throughout the project to keep the budget for the project. Unfortunately, we have had a difficult development on the construction side, which will lead to an increase of the investment. We are still seeing a strong development in the liquid packaging segment and other packaging materials that will be manufactured on the machine. We are convinced that we will be perfectly positioned to satisfy global demand in this market with this investment”, says Christer Simrén, BillerudKorsnäs, Senior Vice President and COO.
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Crude oil rises to 1-week high on signs of slower U.S. drilling activity

The optimism for the U.S. benchmark came after Baker Hughes BHGE, -1.08% reported that the number of active U.S. rigs drilling for oil was down 4 at 747 last week, breaking a three-week string of rising rig numbers. A drop in rigs implies a slowdown in drilling activity, which is usually boost oil prices. Brent also got a boost from the closure of North Sea Forties pipeline due to a power outage. “The outage of the North Sea’s most important oil and gas pipeline is continuing to lend support,” analysts at Commerzbank said in a note. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Brexit will usher in a dark chapter for new British authors, warns publisher

The next generation of British authors could struggle to land a book deal after Brexit, according to the publisher who launched Harry Potter writer JK Rowling’s career. The UK’s close ties with Europe meant British publishers enjoyed a huge financial benefit from exploiting the exclusive English-language rights to books sold across the continent. However, US publishing companies such as Simon & Schuster believe Brexit will open the door to competition and break the cosy historical deals enjoyed by British publishers. Under such a scenario, British publishers will be forced to focus on keeping their star writers happy, potentially offering them more lucrative deals to keep European rights. As a result, financially pressured British publishers are likely to become more risk-averse in signing and promoting new and aspiring authors. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sean Krajnik appointed Vice President & General Manager, Biron Mill

Catalyst Paper today announced the appointment of Sean Krajnik as Vice President & General Manager of the Biron mill, effective January 2, 2018. Mr. Krajnik brings extensive experience in the pulp and paper industry to his new role. He has spent more than 20 years in the coated specialty papers segment working in progressively senior roles, including product development, quality management, technical services, and production and mill management. Most recently, Mr. Krajnik was the mill manager of a major Las Vegas-based tissue, paper and converting facility. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Another Down Week for Holiday Sales

At outlets that report to NPD BookScan, unit sales of print books were 4% lower in the week ended Dec. 10, 2017, than in the similar week in 2016. It was the third consecutive week this holiday season that sales were down from last year. The only major segment to post a unit increase in the week was juvenile nonfiction, which had a 5% gain over the week ended Dec. 11, 2016. First 100 Words by Roger Priddy was #1 on the category bestseller list, selling more than 21,000 copies in the week. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison had a solid debut, selling more than 18,000 copies to land in fourth place on the category bestseller list. Unit sales in the juvenile fiction segment were 3% lower than in the similar week in 2016. Entries in Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series were #1 in both 2016 and 2017; Double Down sold almost 118,000 copies in the week ended Dec. 11, 2016, and The Getaway sold about 107,000 copies in the most recent week in 2017. Click Read More below for additional information.
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APAC Pulp and Paper Price Increase

Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, will increase prices for process chemicals and alkaline sizing products for the pulp and paper industry. Process chemicals will increase up to 25 percent effective immediately or as customer contracts allow. Alkaline and AKD sizing products will increase by 15 to 25 percent. These price increases are necessary due to the increase in certain raw material costs combined with a tightening overall global supply chain.
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The Postal Service is Ready for the Busiest Mailing and Shipping Week of the Year. Are You?

This week is expected to be the busiest week of the holiday mailing and shipping season for the Postal Service. The organization expects to process and deliver nearly 3 billion pieces of First-Class Mail, including greeting cards this week alone. The Postal Service also expects to deliver nearly 200 million packages each week from Dec. 11-24. The Postal Service anticipates delivering more than 15 billion total pieces of mail this holiday season. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, USPS expects to deliver more than 850 million packages, an increase of more than 10 percent compared to the same period last year. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Domtar gives students, teachers books as early Christmas presents Domtar gives students, teachers books as early Christmas presents

Domtar Corp. and others this week handed out some early Christmas presents to local teachers and students in the form of 40,000 books. And the teachers seemed to really appreciate it. “This is great,” says Shyrese Johnson, a pre-kindergarten teacher at Windings Springs Elementary in Charlotte. “It’s absolutely wonderful,” agrees Melissa White, a third-grade teacher at Fort Mill Elementary School. Both teachers were busy taking free books off the shelves at Classroom Central, a nonprofit in Charlotte that provides schools supplies for teachers and students. Domtar and First Book, another nonprofit, donated 40,000 books to teachers and students in Mecklenburg and York counties as a way to promote literacy, says Heather Alverson Stowe, Domtar corporate responsibility manager. Click Read More below for additional information.
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2018 Book Manufacturing Outlook

The book manufacturing segment has come a long way since the doom and gloom days five years ago when many people questioned whether the printed book was in death mode due to the rise of ebooks. But, as we head into 2018, the demand for printed books is rising. And, with customer demands driving shorter runs and ultra-fast turnarounds, book printers are rising to the challenge of meeting those demands by continuing to invest in production inkjet and digital imaging technologies. New Disrupter: Amazon’s Turnaround SLAs: “It’s an exciting time to be in the industry,” says John Conley, CEO of Borderland Advisors, and a 42-year book manufacturing industry veteran with stints at RR Donnelley and then Xerox. What he is referring to is a new disrupter in the industry: Amazon same-day delivery, which he points out, will totally change today’s book publishing, manufacturing and distribution markets. Although it is unclear at this point exactly what the Service Level Agreement (SLA) will be, Conley does note that the supply chain requirement will create new profit models and opportunities for both publishers and printers.
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FCL Graphics Adds to Leadership Team, Expands Capabilities

With the New Year quickly approaching and thoughts of resolutions, FCL Graphics took this time to reflect on all of the changes 2017 had in store: the company added staff to its leadership team, expanded its direct mail, finishing and binding capabilities, as well as capacity. FCL also has a newly designed website. FCL Graphics is pleased to announce that Amy O’Brien and Donna Caldarulo have joined the FCL leadership team. O’Brien joined in late August as controller and Caldarulo joined in late November as VP, sales support. The company hired both O’Brien and Caldarulo to strengthen its business financially and operationally. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Adobe Delivers Record Revenue of $2 Billion in Q4

Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2017 Financial Highlights • Adobe achieved record quarterly revenue of $2.01 billion in its fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017, which represents 25 percent year-over-year growth. • Diluted earnings per share was $1.00 on a GAAP-basis, and $1.26 on a non-GAAP basis. • Digital Media segment revenue was $1.39 billion, with Creative and Document Cloud achieving record quarterly revenue of $1.16 billion and $235 million, respectively. • Digital Media Annualized Recurring Revenue (“ARR”) grew to $5.23 billion exiting the quarter, a quarter-over-quarter increase of $359 million. • Adobe Experience Cloud achieved record revenue of $550 million, which represents 18 percent year-over-year growth. • Operating income grew 37 percent and net income grew 26 percent year-over-year on a GAAP-basis; operating income grew 37 percent and net income grew 39 percent year-over-year on a non-GAAP basis. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Holds Below $65 After Volatile Week Caused by Pipeline Woes

Futures rose 0.2 percent, leaving prices in London little changed on the week. They jumped above $65 for the first time since 2015 earlier on Tuesday after the Forties pipeline in the U.K. shut down because of a crack. Those gains were eroded as the International Energy Agency’s voiced doubts the market would fully rebalance in 2018, diverging from the view of OPEC. “It’s been volatile,” Torbjorn Kjus, analyst at DNB Bank ASA, said by phone. If the Forties pipeline is “out for a month, it should have a positive effect” on prices as 10 million barrels of oil supply could easily be lost to the market. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2018 Operating Results

Net sales for the first quarter were $31.12 billion, an increase of 13.3 percent from $27.47 billion during the first quarter last year. While this year’s twelve-week first quarter included one less sales day in the U.S. than the first quarter last year (due to the shift of the Thanksgiving holiday this year), pre-Thanksgiving and Black Friday/Holiday weekend sales fell into the first quarter this year compared to the second quarter last year. Combined, these factors produced an estimated net benefit of approximately 1.5% in the U.S., and slightly less worldwide. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Time Inc. Sells Golf Magazine

Time Inc. has reportedly reached an agreement to sell off Golf Magazine and its related assets to Howard Milstein, chairman of Emigrant Savings Bank. The deal was first reported by Golfweek senior writer Geoff Shackelford, citing “sources briefed on the sale.” Time Inc. has not confirmed the deal, and a spokeswoman tells Folio:, “The sales process for Golf is proceeding well and as soon as there are further developments we will share them.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Flint Group announces a global price increase for all Packaging Inks products.

Increased, incremental cost escalation forces Flint Group to raise the prices of its Packaging Inks products. Further to announcements made in March 2017, it has become clear that the raw material markets for many components within Flint Group’s Packaging Inks products have experienced price escalation. Many raw material markets remain highly volatile as 2017 comes to a close. Q3 2017 saw significant increases and supplementary rises have been announced for Q4 2017. Current forecasts indicate that the price pressure will not lessen as the industry moves into 2018. These unique cost burdens necessitate that Flint Group Packaging Inks raise prices globally as of 1 January 2018. Argumentation is discussed below and our sales representatives are currently in the market discussing the magnitude of increases for each customer and segment. Click Read More below for additional information.
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FCC Repeals Open Internet, Blocks States From Passing Own Regulations

At a contentious meeting Thursday morning, the FCC voted 3-2 to repeal net neutrality rules that prohibit broadband providers from blocking or throttling traffic, and from charging higher fees for prioritized delivery. The agency's controversial move also prohibits states from passing or enforcing their own broadband laws -- including, in the view of at least one Commissioner, privacy laws. The vote came during a session that lasted longer than 3 hours and was briefly interrupted by a security threat. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Mondi’s new SPLASHBAG now resists rain for up to six hours

Since its launch in 2015, Mondi’s SPLASHBAG has celebrated international success – and it does not stop here: its rain resistance has tripled to up to six hours and it now prevents moisture ingress for up to five days. “We have introduced a new industry standard here for paper bags to benefit our customers,” says Claudio Fedalto, Sales & Marketing Director, Mondi Industrial Bags. “Workers can now store their cement sacks in damp environments for a whole working week without worrying about the materials getting wet.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sappi confirms expansion plans for dissolving wood pulp (DWP) capacity

Sappi Limited, the South African based leading global supplier of dissolving wood pulp (DWP), speciality and packaging papers, printing (graphic) papers and biomaterials has confirmed plans and ongoing projects to significantly increase DWP capacity by 2020. In particular, Sappi has started preparatory work for the potential expansion of its Saiccor DWP Mill to ensure that the company would be in a position to increase the mill's capacity by up to 250,000tpa to meet strong projected demand growth. Building on the previously announced debottlenecking investments which will increase the Saiccor Mill capacity by 10,000tpa by the end of 2018, work has also started at increasing the chipping capacity and modernising the Saiccor Mill wood yard. The new equipment for the wood yard is scheduled to be delivered and installed at the end of 2018, with start-up planned for January 2019. The wood yard investments will result in cost, quality, environmental and efficiency benefits to the Saiccor Mill and is also a major step towards preparing the Saiccor Mill to expand by a further 250,000tpa. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Fort Dearborn Enters Into Agreement to Acquire NCL Graphic Specialties

Fort Dearborn today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire NCL Graphic Specialties. The transaction is subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions and is expected to close by the end of the year. “As the largest cut and stack label supplier in North America, the acquisition of NCL would provide us additional capacity and would expand our footprint in the Midwest. The proposed acquisition would also enhance our product offering with promotional printing capabilities and enter us into the flexible packaging market,” said Fort Dearborn CEO Kevin Kwilinski. “With the anticipated addition of NCL, we’ll have an expanded breadth of products and services to better serve all of our customers.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Transcontinental Inc. announces its financial results for fiscal 2017

Fiscal 2017 Highlights: Revenues decreased by $12.3 million, or 0.6%. Operating earnings increased by $89.2 million, from $212.8 million to $302.0 million. Adjusted operating earnings, which exclude restructuring and other costs (gains) and impairment of assets, increased by $9.9 million, from $283.4 million to $293.3 million, or 3.5%. Net earnings increased by $65.2 million, from $146.3 million to $211.5 million. Adjusted net earnings, which exclude restructuring and other costs (gains) and impairment of assets, net of related taxes, increased by $5.9 million, from $196.3 million to $202.2 million, or 3.0%. Maintained a solid financial position, with a net indebtedness ratio of 0.3x. Click Read More below for additional information.
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A Matter of Choice

As companies strive to move their customers towards digital communication, we examine whether this business decision is the right one for the consumer. It’s no secret that businesses and organisations prefer to communicate with their customers digitally. Whether it’s financial institutions sending statements via an app or utility companies emailing your latest bill, companies are keen to make every document for every customer digital. For businesses with thousands of customers, you can understand why. With no paper, print or postage, the relatively low cost of emailing or texting is a major factor, but so is the ease of automation and the collection of data that can be used to target other products or packaged up and sold. Companies have even begun to charge people to receive their communications by paper. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM Raflatac partners with SGA and MCC in Italy to create sample book of wine, spirits, and craft beverage labels inspired by natural surfaces

UPM Raflatac is launching a new visual sample book to showcase its premium label materials for wine, spirits, and craft beverages. Designed in collaboration with a team from SGA Corporate & Packaging Design led by chief designer Giacomo Bersanetti, the book has been printed by leading Italian printing company Multi-Color Corporation (MCC). The book was inspired by the details and perspectives of the surfaces of the natural world, such as barks, petals, shells, and feathers. The sample book is designed to inspire, stimulate, and excite designers, brand owners, and wineries, providing them with a tool to help select the perfect label materials to showcase their high-quality products. It demonstrates how label designs and label materials can complement each other and showcases the huge range of visual possibilities offered by UPM Raflatac's solutions and expertise. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Diva Art: Lecta’s New Paperboard for Creativity

Diva Art is a new one-side coated paperboard with an outstanding silk finish noteworthy for its printability and rich color reproduction in offset and digital printing, in addition to its perfect folding characteristics and exceptional resistance to cracking. Lecta's Diva Art paperboard offers outstanding finishing and converting properties, and is ideal for a wide range of end uses such as book covers, folders, labels, postcards and greeting cards, as well as packaging for cosmetics, perfumes, premium beverages and chocolates or confectionary. The Diva Art range is available in substances of 220, 250, 280, 300, 330 and 350 g/m2. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Asia Pulp & Paper Commences Pilot Audit for Enhanced SGLS Certification

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) to commence with a pilot audit of one of its supplier concessions, an event that marks the commencement of the assessment process for the enhanced Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) certification. The agreement was signed today by Sinar Mas Group Country President and APP Managing Director, Mr Bernard Tan. Under the agreement, the enhanced SGLS pilot audit will commence this month, with a full audit to follow. In accordance to the label’s enhanced criteria, APP will provide full disclosure of its supply chain, including those not involved in products sold to Singapore1, for the assessment. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Rising U.S. output pulls oil prices back from session highs

Oil prices eased back from session highs on Thursday after the International Energy Agency increased its forecast for U.S. oil output growth in 2018, raising the prospect of excess supply. The IEA raised its U.S. crude output growth forecast for 2018, saying it would climb by 870,000 barrels per day (bpd) compared with its November forecast of 790,000 bpd. With cash pouring into the U.S. shale oil industry, the United States is on track to deliver up to 80 percent of the world’s oil production gains through 2025, the IEA estimates. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Attorneys General Urge FCC To Delay Net Neutrality Repeal

Eighteen state attorneys general on Wednesday asked the Federal Communications Commission to postpone a planned vote on net neutrality until investigators have weeded out fake comments submitted to the agency about its proposed rollback. "If the well of public comment has been poisoned by falsified submissions, the Commission may be unable to rely on public comments that would help it reach a legitimate conclusion to the rulemaking process," the law enforcement officials write. "Or, it must give less weight to the public comments submitted which also undermines the process." The FCC is scheduled to vote Thursday on a proposal to repeal net neutrality rules that prohibit broadband providers from blocking or throttling traffic and from creating paid fast lanes. The agency is expected to repeal the rules on a 3-2 party line vote.
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Long-standing partnership enabled pioneering lightweight cement bags for the Pakistan market

Cherat Packaging Limited, the largest producer and supplier of packaging to the cement industry in Pakistan with a capacity of 600 million bags annually, has made over half a billion cement bags with Mondi’s Advantage Select sack kraft paper in more than 15 years of partnership. Working together exclusively with Mondi, Cherat Packaging switched production from three-ply to mainly two-ply bags, which has reshaped the market and allowed considerable material and cost savings without compromising strength or quality. The company has country-specific exclusive rights to use Mondi’s brown sack kraft paper to produce high quality cement bags and has bought only Mondi paper for it’s use since 2002. In industrial applications especially, the use of paper bags in primary packaging is gaining traction, thanks to their flexibility and high performance credentials. Having partnered with Mondi since 2002, Cherat Packaging Limited was looking for paper alternatives to satisfy its customers’ growing demand for strong, high quality cement bags. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Launch of sales process for Norske Skog AS

Norske Skog AS has appointed Evercore Partners International LLP (Evercore) to act as its financial adviser in connection with a sale of Norske Skog AS and its subsidiaries (the Norske Skog group's operating businesses) by way of a competitive sale process which will commence imminently. A range of bidders will be invited to participate in the competitive sale process. Norske Skog group's seven paper mills will continue as normal, and our customers, suppliers and other business partners will continue to receive high quality products and services from Norske Skog without interruption throughout the competitive sale process. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Belarus achieves PEFC re-endorsement

The national forest certification system of Belarus has successfully achieved PEFC re-endorsement, confirming it continues to meet our globally recognized Sustainability Benchmarks. This re-endorsement also ensures that certified forest owners and companies in Belarus continue to benefit from the global acceptance of PEFC. The Republican Association of Forest Certification System, PEFC’s National member for Belarus, first achieved endorsement of its national system in 2010. Since then, almost nine million hectares of Belarusian forests have been PEFC-certified – equating to virtually all of the country’s forest area. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Why Marketers Can’t Count Out Print in 2018

Media pundits like to claim that the magazine industry is failing and that print is an antiquated medium. True or not, the “print is dead” drumbeat inevitably taints the perception media buyers have of print as a viable marketing mechanism. Linda Thomas Brooks, president and CEO of the Association of Magazine Media (MPA), argues that this tired rhetoric glosses over the reality, which is that print is one of the most effective ways to deeply engage consumers, build brand awareness, and sell products. During a presentation at DigiPub: Harnessing the Power of Data-Driven Print in November, Brooks shared third-party research on printed magazines, which reveal an alternative narrative. “We learned that magazine media works because it builds brand and sells product at the same time,” said Brooks. Marketers are beginning to reawaken to the value of print as well. The digital revolution made it easier than ever for brands to market directly to consumers, so in the past several years ad spend has gone toward direct marketing tactics, said Brooks. Click Read More below for additional information.
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TC Media sells 12 of its newspapers to Groupe Lexis Média inc.

Transcontinental Inc.'s Media Sector, TC Media, announces the sale of 12 of its publications, as well as their related web properties, to Groupe Lexis Média inc., a company owned by Mr. Elie Akoury and Mr. Frédéric Couture, who will act as President. In total, 75 employees of these various publications and 16 employees from TC Media's Production team are transferred to Groupe Lexis Média inc. TC Transcontinental also concluded a multi-year agreement for the printing and distribution of all of these titles as well as for the printing of the magazines already owned by Lexis Média inc. With the completion of this transaction, 60% of the publications included in the sale process of TC Media's local and regional newspapers in Québec and Ontario, launched in April 2017, are now in the hands of local owners. The newspapers sold to Groupe Lexis Média inc. are: Le Citoyen Rouyn-Noranda, Le Citoyen de la Vallée-de-l'Or, L'Écho Abitibien and La Frontière, distributed in Abitibi-Témiscamingue; L'Action D'Autray, L'Action – Wednesday Edition, L'Action – Weekend Edition, L'Express Montcalm and Hebdo Rive-Nord, in Lanaudière; Le Bulletin, La Petite-Nation and La Revue, in Outaouais. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Twin Rivers Announces Price Increase on Publishing Papers

Please be advised that effective with shipments on or after January 15, 2018, Twin Rivers Paper Company will be implementing a US $40.00/ton price increase on our publishing papers, including: • Freesheet: Snowbrite Opaque, Custom Brite, Custom Plus, Custom Supreme, Twin Rivers Opaque, Twin Rivers Offset, Pharmopaque, Snowbrite Pharm, Pharm Brite 92 and all private label grades • Hybrid: Border Brite, Bridge Opaque, Bridge Supreme, Frontier Opaque, Frontier Supreme, Frabrite 76, all tablet/converting products and all private label grades.
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ANDRITZ to supply a new stock preparation line and paper machine approach system for Varaka, Turkey

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from the Turkish Albayrak Group to deliver a new stock preparation line with a design capacity of 1,000 bdmt/d for its Varaka paper mill in Balikesir, Western Turkey. ANDRITZ will also supply the main components in the approach flow systems for the top layer of PM 2. Start-up is scheduled for summer 2018. Varaka will reinstall and rebuild the PM 2, which currently is a second-hand newsprint paper machine, into a modern brown packaging paper machine. After full conversion, the PM2 will have an annual production capacity of over 300,000 tons, with a design speed of 1,200 m/min and a paper width at reel of 6,500 mm. The machine will produce corrugating medium, imitation kraft papers, and white top testliner with a basis weight range of 90-175 gsm for the production of containerboard. The raw material is OCC and mixed waste paper for the new line, and stock from the existing DIP line for the top layer of white top testliner grades. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Cascades Fluff & Tuff (TM) wins the Tissue – Innovation Award at the 9th edition of the Pulp & Paper International Awards

Cascades Inc. is pleased to announce that it received the Tissue – Innovation Award for its Cascades Fluff & Tuff™ brand at the 9 th edition of the Pulp & Paper International Awards, which took place in Brussels on November 29. Cascades Tissue Group launched the national brand on March 14, 2017 . "We launched a line of toilet paper and paper towels that is among the softest and strongest on the market, while maintaining all of the green properties our products are known for. Our objective was simple, to offer consumers the comfort and performance they're looking for in a product, while also protecting the environment. We wanted our new and improved products to become the brand of choice for more and more families across the country, and we are achieving this goal. Convincing the industry of the innovative value of products and winning over consumers in a matter of months was a considerable but worthwhile challenge," said Jean Jobin , President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascades Tissue Group. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil up on U.S. crude stocks draw, Forties outage supports

Oil prices rose on Wednesday as industry data showed a larger-than-expected drawdown in U.S. crude stockpiles, while expectations for an extended shutdown of a major North Sea crude pipeline also continued to bolster markets. Britain’s biggest pipeline from its North Sea oil and gas fields is likely to be shut for several weeks for repairs. On Wednesday morning, its operator said it was still considering repair options and reiterated that any repairs would take several weeks. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Barnes & Noble Donates $450,000 Worth of Products to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

Barnes & Noble, Inc. announced that it donated $450,000 worth of products to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in both New York City and Reno, NV, to go to underprivileged families. The combined donation includes a handpicked selection of books, puzzles, plush toys, board games, electronic games, infant toys and many more fun and educational toys and games. “Barnes & Noble has always been committed to the communities it serves, and this year we’re proud to announce our significant donation to the Toys for Tots Foundation,” said Demos Parneros, Chief Executive Officer at Barnes & Noble, Inc. “The holiday season can be a tough time for families in need and we sincerely hope that this donation makes the holidays a little happier for those who need help.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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WestRock Announces Agreements to Acquire Plymouth Packaging

WestRock Company announced that it has entered into agreements to acquire substantially all of the assets of Plymouth Packaging, Inc. (“Plymouth”). Plymouth is a corrugated packaging company that derives approximately 70% of its sales from its “Box on Demand” systems and corrugated fanfold, and 30% from traditional corrugated box packaging. Plymouth’s market-leading “Box on Demand” systems are located on the customer’s site and use fanfold corrugated to produce custom, on-demand corrugated packaging that is accurately sized for any product type according to the customer’s specifications. Fanfold corrugated is continuous corrugated board, folded periodically to form an accordion-like stack of corrugated material. Plymouth installs “Box on Demand” machines on its customers’ sites under multi-year exclusive agreements for the fanfold corrugated supply. Click Read More below for additional information.
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AF&PA Disappointed in EPA Retaining Federal Human Health Water Quality Standards for the State of Maine

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to retain federal Human Health Water Quality standards for the state of Maine. The Department of Justice stated EPA’s position in its filing with the U.S. District Court in Maine on Friday, Dec. 8. “We are disappointed in the EPA’s move to retain the fundamentally flawed approach to federal Human Health Water Quality Standards final rule in a state known for consistently applying stringent, conservative standards to protect all of its waters. EPA’s action overrides the state’s protective water quality standards, ignores sound science, is legally unsound, and could result in extremely high costs with negligible benefit. We will continue to advocate for fact and data-driven public policy that respects the role of the states in our regulatory system and does more good than harm.”
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Brent crude oil hits 2½-year high on Forties pipeline outage

Brent crude oil prices spiked to the highest level in 2½ years on Monday on news that a major pipeline in the U.K.'s North Sea will shut down for repairs. The Forties pipeline system will close for several weeks while its operator, INEOS, repairs a crack in a pipe discovered last week. The pipeline carries about 450,000 barrels a day of Forties crude from offshore fields in the North Sea to a processing plant in Scotland. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Three Schools Feel the Holiday Spirit with the Gift of Box Tops

Boise Paper announced three winners in the 2017 Give the Gift of Box Tops Sweepstakes. Waterford Montessori Academy of Waterford, MI; St. Labre Indian Elementary School of Ashland, MT; and R.E. Baker Elementary School of Bentonville, AR, will each receive 10,000 Bonus Box Tops and 400 reams of paper to benefit their students and staff in 2018. “Our Give the Gift of Box Tops Sweepstakes is a fun way for us to engage and connect with local schools in the communities our customers and employees call home,” said Paul LeBlanc, vice president of Boise Paper. “We are proud to fulfill our Paper with Purpose promise by presenting these three schools with an unexpected gift this holiday season!” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Multiple awards success for Metsä Board’s SkinCare 2.0 gift box design

On 4 December Metsä Board, the leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards, was named Champion of Packaging Printing, Paper Packaging, at the 29th Hong Kong Print Awards for its innovative SkinCare 2.0 gift box design. Created by Metsä Board’s packaging design team, the new improved SkinCare 2.0 gift box design demonstrates a more environmentally friendly design through the use of lighter weight paperboard materials and the elimination of the plastic wrap. In addition, each box offers a unique opening and reclosing experience. At the same time each carton has been designed for maximum runnability performance on automated packaging lines. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Where next for PEFC? Potential members have their say

The 22nd PEFC General Assembly closed with voices from the future, as countries actively developing national forest certification systems took to the floor. As has become the tradition during our General Assembly, representatives from countries that have or are not yet PEFC members were invited to speak. This year Croatia, Kenya, Myanmar, Philippines and Vietnam all seized the opportunity to share their views. “We are in the process of developing and formulating forest certification in the Philippines,” said Dr. Priscila Dolom, University of the Philippines. “We started in 2014 and have since formed our interim national governing body.” “A technical working group has crafted a forest certification standard and we’re working on a chain of custody standard based on PEFC requirements.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Idealliance’s Andrew Paparozzi on 2018 Commercial Printing Industry Outlook and How It’s Being Redefined

Idealliance expects commercial printing industry sales (all sources) to grow 1.5% to 3.0% in 2018, after growing approximately 1.0% in 2017. Where in that range the industry finishes will depend largely on the strength of the American economy which, in turn, will depend on the size and efficiency of the stimulus Washington delivers. A weak package will mean a finish toward the bottom of the range, and a strong package a finish toward the top. If Washington really comes through, we may have to do something we haven’t done in years: revise a forecast up. Print enters 2018 with sales of approximately $84.0 billion, 9.1% above the 2011 low, but still 14.6% below the 2007 pre-Great Recession level. Diversification continues. Participants in the Idealliance “State of the Industry, 15th Edition” report expect, on average, something other than printing (mailing, fulfillment, database management, marketing services, Web service, etc.) to provide 31.6% of their revenue in 2018, up from just 13.3% in 2012. Click Read More below for additional information.
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SCA invest in increased production of White-top kraftliner in Munksund papermill

SCA invests mSEK 196 in increased production of White-top kraftliner, packaging paper with a white surface, in the Munksund papermill in Piteå. Through this investment, the mill’s capacity to produce white kraftliner will increase from 150,000 tons to 200,000 tons per annum. The total production capacity will not increase as a result of the investment. The investment will affect the woodroom, where the pulpwood is debarked, and the pulpmill. The project will be finished and in operation in May 2019. "This is an important step in our development towards more value-added products in Munksund papermill", says Mats Nordlander, President Business Area Paper. "The demand is increasing for white kraftliner with excellent printing properties. Through this investment we increase the production of high-value products in Munksund and we can optimize the production of kraftliner in the Obbola papermill. Thereby we improve the competitiveness of both mills." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sonoco Recognizes Interbake Foods for Sustainability Acheivement

Sonoco has awarded a gold-level Sonoco Sustainability Star Award to Interbake Foods of Front Royal, Va., a subsidiary of Weston Foods of Canada, for achieving zero waste to landfill status. Sonoco Recycling worked with Interbake on a new recycling program designed to maximize rebate, reduce costs and streamline recycling collection. Solid waste recycling was optimized through methods that made collection and processing more efficient, then supplemented with a waste-to-energy program that ultimately resulted in a landfill-free operation. “Interbake really worked smart as well as hard to achieve landfill-free status,” said Mike Pope, general manager and president, Sonoco Recycling. “They took a close look at their operations and found ways to increase efficiencies as well as rebates. Their program provides a great example how recycling isn’t just the right thing to do – it can be the best business decision as well.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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WestRock Announces Highlights of 2017 Investor Day

The Company presented information during Investor Day that highlighted: •WestRock has the scale, differentiated strategy and the capabilities to generate attractive long-term returns for investors. •The Company expects to increase adjusted EBITDA margins in its corrugated packaging and consumer packaging segments and generate significant cash flow over the next several years, and to deploy its capital to high-return internal projects and acquisitions, and return increasing capital to stockholders. •WestRock has the opportunity to expand its margins and deploy its capital to grow adjusted EBITDA from $2.3 billion in fiscal year 2017, to more than $4 billion in fiscal year 2022. WestRock reiterated its fiscal 2018 guidance for revenue of at least $16.3 billion, adjusted segment EBITDA of more than $2.8 billion and adjusted operating cash flow of at least $2.3 billion. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Falls to Near $57 on OPEC-Cuts Review, Increase in U.S. Rigs

Futures fell 0.3% in New York after climbing 2.5 percent in the previous two sessions. Drillers boosted the rig count by two to 751, a three-month high, according to Baker Hughes data on Friday. OPEC-led output curbs may end earlier than scheduled if the market re-balances by June, Kuwait’s then-oil minister said Sunday. Oil is heading for a second yearly gain as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies including Russia extend supply cuts through the end of 2018. The extension includes an agreement to review the cuts in June, raising questions of how OPEC will eventually phase out the reductions. Shale explorers have signaled they’re gearing up for a drilling surge next year as hedging rose for an eighth week to a record. Click Read More below for additional information.
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FSC Publishes Revised Trademark Standard

The FSC International Board of Directors has approved the revised Trademark Standard FSC-STD-50-001 (V2-0) Requirements for use of the FSC trademarks by certificate holders. The revised standard will become effective on 1 March 2018. The standard specifies the requirements for use of the FSC trademarks on FSC-certified products, for promotion of FSC-certified products, and for promotion of the organization’s status as an FSC certificate holder. Adherence to this standard is mandatory for all FSC certificate holders that are eligible to use the FSC trademarks. This standard also forms the basis for evaluation and approval of all certificate holders’ uses of FSC trademarks. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Baldwin Expands Global Platform with the Acquisition of QuadTech Inc.

Baldwin Technology - a world leader in providing process automation solutions, consumables and services for the print, packaging, textile and corrugated industries - has acquired QuadTech Inc., from its parent company, Quad/Graphics. With this acquisition, Baldwin adds all of QuadTech’s highly regarded technology and strategic locations across the Americas, Europe, China, Japan and India. QuadTech is a global leader in the design and manufacture of control systems that help commercial, newspaper, packaging and publication gravure printers improve their performance and productivity. Headquartered in Sussex, Wis., QuadTech maintains a worldwide network of sales and service operations, and sells automated systems in more than 100 countries. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Holiday Book Sales Slipped Again

At outlets that report to NPD BookScan, unit sales of print books were down 1% in the week ended Dec. 3, 2017, from the similar week in 2016. This was the second consecutive week in the holiday season that sales were lower than at the same time last year; the previous week saw a 2% decline from the similar week in 2016. The only major category in which sales rose was juvenile nonfiction: units were 5% higher than in the week ended Dec. 4, 2016. Harry Potter: A Journey Through a History of Magic by the British Library remained the category’s top seller, with more than 28,000 copies sold in the week. Among books that posted solid gains in the week were Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes by Rob Elliott, which sold more than 13,000 copies to land in fifth place on the category bestsellers list, and How to Draw 101 Animals by Dan Green, which was in sixth place with almost 13,000 copies sold. Both the adult categories had lower sales than in the similar week in 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Verso Coporation Announces Price Increase on Uncoated Freesheet Grades

Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of January 15, 2018 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all Uncoated Freesheet Grades by $2.00/cwt US ($2.55/cwt CAD), including but not limited to: Ideal Offset; Ideal Reply Card. The increase applies to all basis weights, bulks, finishes and related private label grades.
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WTO Panel Upholds the Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Certain Coated Paper from Indonesia

Verso Corporation and Sappi North America praised the decision of a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel, which upheld the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties on imports from Indonesia. The decision, released yesterday, confirms that the U.S. acted consistently with its WTO obligations when it imposed countervailing duties of 17.93 percent and antidumping duties of 20.13 percent. Yesterday's decision means that countervailing duties that were imposed in November 2010 on certain types of coated paper from Indonesia will remain in effect. The Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission determined in 2016 that the market situation warranted the continuation of the duties for an additional 5-year period. The paper products covered by the petitions include certain types of coated paper that use sheet-fed presses with a GE brightness rating of 80 or higher and weighing up to 340 grams per square meter. The papers are used in commercial printing to create magazines, books, direct mailing, and corporate collateral. Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM Biofuels wins the Bioenergy Industry Leadership award in the 2017 Platts Global Energy Awards

UPM Biofuels was chosen as the Bioenergy Industry Leader at the 2017 Platts Global Energy Awards - often described as the Oscars of the energy industry. The competition was arranged by S&P Global Platts, the leading independent provider of market information and benchmark prices for commodities in the energy sector. UPM Biofuels was nominated for its wood-based low emission advanced UPM BioVerno biofuels, and its one-of-a-kind commercial scale biorefinery in Lappeenranta, Finland. The choice was made among energy companies from nearly 30 countries representing four continents, including some of the world's leading energy giants. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Rises, Paring Weekly Decline After Chinese Imports Increase

Futures climbed 1.4 percent in New York, paring this week’s loss to 1.5 percent. China’s crude oil imports rebounded from a one-year low to near a record amid signs the nation’s commercial stockpiles shrank by the most in almost eight years. U.S. crude output increased to a record last week, while motor fuel inventories rose more than double analysts’ forecasts, government data showed Wednesday. U.S. crude production expanded for a seventh week to 9.7 million barrels a day, the highest level in weekly data compiled by the Energy Information Administration since 1983. Gasoline inventories rose by 6.78 million barrels last week, the biggest gain since January. Click Read More below for additional information.
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USLC: ITC Finds Canadian Subsidies Harm U.S. Producers and Workers; Restores Fair Trade in the Softwood Lumber Industry

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that the U.S. lumber industry is materially injured by Canadian government subsidies of their softwood lumber industry. Voting 4-0 in favor of the U.S. lumber industry, the ITC ruling follows a U.S. Department of Commerce determination that imports of softwood lumber from Canada are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of Canada. "The U.S. Lumber Coalition fully supports the enforcement of America's trade laws. The evidence presented to the ITC was clear - the massive subsidies that the Canadian government provides to its lumber industry and the dumping of lumber products into the U.S. market by Canadian companies cause real harm to U.S. producers and workers," said U.S. Lumber Coalition Co-Chair and Co-President of Pleasant River Lumber Company, Jason Brochu. "Now, with a level playing field, the U.S. lumber industry, and the 350,000 hardworking men and women who support it, can have the chance to compete fairly." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Unique brand communication by excellent color reproduction

No stranger to setting trends, Sappi’s latest specialty paper portfolio development sees it unveiling a new collection for the fashion-forward shopper. Driven by consumer preference for sustainability, Sappi has designed a family of shopping bag grades that present a unique ‘one stop shop’ marketing solution using recyclable and renewable paper-based products. New grades launched by Sappi for its innovative shopping bag portfolio are Fashion® White and Fashion® White OF that feature high whiteness with natural and good printing surface in a wide range of virgin fibre grades and grammages between 70gsm and 130gsm. Fashion White is a premium white MF Bleached Kraft and Fashion White OF is a premium white MF Bleached Kraft without added OBA. Both uncoated, machine finished grades are ISEGA certified for direct food contact and DIN EN71 certified for toy safety. Click Read More below for additional information.
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U.S. Consumers: Print on paper is safer, more secure and more trusted than digital media

In recent years, there has been an explosion of data breaches in the financial, business and health care sectors. This has made people everywhere sit up and take notice about where and how their important personal data is stored. It is not surprising then, that the recent Toluna survey commissioned by Two Sides revealed that 78% of U.S. respondents keep hard copies of important documents at home as they believe this is the safest and most secure way of storing their information. A similar number (76%) are increasingly concerned that personal information held electronically is at risk of being hacked, stolen, lost or damaged. For a taste of what these digital breaches can look like, check out a few examples covered in this blog. Millions of small businesses, households and patients are affected by data breaches every year. While moving from paper to digital records seems like it should save time and energy, the reverse can also be true. Click Read More below for additional information.
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‘W Magazine’ To Increase Newsstand Price, Decrease Frequency

More details have emerged regarding the future of W magazine, a month after parent company Condé Nast announced it would reduce the frequency of the fashion magazine and a number of the company's other print titles. WWD is now reporting that W magazine is dropping from the 10 issues printed this year to eight “volumes” in 2018, as well as increasing its newsstand price to $9.99 an issue, up from $7.99. It is all part of the magazine’s effort to produce collectible, special issues. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Reports: Appleton Coated to restart machine

Finally, some good news on Appleton Coated. One of the shuttered paper mill’s machines is reportedly starting back up on Monday, and the mill is recalling 50 workers. Representatives for Industrial Assets, the mill’s new owner, declined comment on the reported restart. But some workers and the regional head of the United Steelworkers union say some employees got recall notices on Tuesday. “It’s a temporary thing. We’re hopeful,” said Michael Bolton, the Menasha-based director of United Steelworkers District 2, which covers Wisconsin and Michigan. “We agreed to a 90-day temporary operation," he said. "The new owner said he was going to try and sell this or get it going again. He’s living up to what he said. It’s better than seeing it sit idle.” The 50 recalled workers will join 38 employees who had been previously retained for mill maintenance, for a total of 88. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Trades Near $56 After Slump

Futures were little changed in New York after tumbling 2.9 percent Wednesday, the biggest daily drop since Oct. 6. Motor-fuel stockpiles rose by 6.78 million barrels last week for a fourth weekly advance, according to Energy Information Administration data. That’s more than double the most bearish estimate in a Bloomberg survey. U.S. oil output increased to a record. U.S. crude inventories fell by 5.61 million barrels last week, the EIA reported Wednesday. Oil production expanded for a seventh week to 9.7 million barrels a day, the highest level in weekly data compiled by the EIA since 1983. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Study: ‘Porch piracy’ concerns on the rise

Retailers and consumers aren’t the only ones who think the holiday season is the “most wonderful time of the year.” With consumers stepping up the frequency of online shopping this holiday season, thieves are getting more brazen, and ready to pilfer home deliveries. And they have been honing their craft, as nearly one in five (19%) of homeowners in the United States were the victim of a package theft in the last year, according to a study from connected home security provider Ring. One in two homeowners (26%) receive a delivery at least once a week, and 24% receive packages multiple times a week. Yet, 73% of homeowners said carriers leave the deliveries on their front porch — in clear view of passers-by, especially criminals. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Give your feedback on the South African forest certification system

PEFC invites stakeholders around the world to comment on the South African national forest certification system, following its submission to PEFC for endorsement. To give your feedback, head to our Online Consultation Tool. The South African Forestry Assurance Scheme (SAFAS) is one of our newest national members, joining earlier this year in May. This means it is the first time they have submitted their national system to PEFC for endorsement. Make your comments now! The deadline is 9 January 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.
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2017 Printing Impressions 400 Printers List Reveals Key Industry Trends

It’s hard to believe that the 2017 Printing Impressions 400 ranking of the top printers in the U.S. and Canada, as ranked by annual sales volume, marks our 34th annual list. For more than three decades, our compilation has illustrated key industry trends and chronicled the ups and downs - and, in some cases, the demise due to M&A deals - of specific companies. Like past editions, the 2017 PI 400 reveals the current state and future direction of the printing industry, as well as several hot print market segments that remain ripe for further industry consolidation. For instance, the financial performance of the publicly held printing conglomerates that fill the top spots on the PI 400 has largely been flat. RR Donnelley, Quad/Graphics, LSC Communications, Cenveo, Transcontinental and Donnelley Financial Solutions all reported sales declines for their most recently completed fiscal years in comparison to their previous campaigns. Exceptions included Cimpress (Vistaprint), an online-only, Web-to-print specialist, and Multi-Color Corp., a label printer that acquired the label division of Constantia Flexibles for $1.3 billion in October. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Speedmaster XL 106 from Heidelberg unmatched in productivity and efficiency

The 2,000th Speedmaster XL 106 recently left the production line in Wiesloch-Walldorf and is now being installed at Japanese customer Toyama Sugaki. With this, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is celebrating another milestone for this Peak Performance class press. Packaging printer Toyama Sugaki, based in Toyama in Japan with 270 employees, is taking delivery of a seven-color Speedmaster XL 106 with coating unit and extended delivery. It specializes in packaging for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Toyama Sugaki likes the short makeready times, the perfect print quality, and the high production speed of the new press. The Speedmaster XL 106-7+L with anniversary cover on the printing unit will be inaugurated with a certificate on site by Heidelberg Japan and the customer. It will be the company’s second Heidelberg press alongside a Speedmaster SX 74-4-P-H chosen by the customer for its machine fleet. The Speedmaster XL 106 has proven itself in industrial commercial and packaging printers, label printers, and web-to-print printers, which like the wide range of configuration options in the 70x100 format class. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa’s corporate social responsibility activity is recognised with top award

The prestigious Portafolio Awards are held annually in Colombia to recognise people and companies who have demonstrated exemplary achievements in areas including the environment, customer service, business and social initiatives. A large group of companies, including some of the world’s leading brands, were gathered at the event along with the country’s president, Juan Manuel Santos. Alvaro Henao, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Colombia, said: “We are excited and proud to receive this award. It recognises Smurfit Kappa Group´s commitment to initiatives that help improve the environment and develop the communities in which we operate. “At Smurfit Kappa, we believe in sustainability in every fibre and this includes running our plants and mills in a sustainable way and being socially responsible.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPM Raflatac’s RafCycle® recycling solution expanding to China

UPM Raflatac is expanding its RafCycle® recycling solution to China. RafCycle services were launched in Changshu on December 6, 2017 during a customer event. RafCycle is also being promoted at Labelexpo Asia in Shanghai on December 5-8. Hangzhou Changli is also the 100th RafCycle partner globally.The number of RafCycle partners has grown increasingly over the years as sustainability has become one of the key drivers in the labeling industry. Today more than 10 000 tons of label liner waste is being recycled in Europe through the RafCycle program. UPM Raflatac is actively searching for new RafCycle partners and the expansion to China is an important step in this process. The paper liner waste generated by the RafCycle partners in China will be delivered to Hangzhou Fulun Ecology Technology Co., Ltd. where the paper liner waste can be recycled back into pulp and paper. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Solenis to Increase Prices on all Wet Strength and Sizing Product Lines in North America

Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, will increase prices by seven percent on most (AKD) sizing products and all wet strength products across the North America region, effective immediately or as customer contracts allow. The price increase is necessary due to the increase in certain raw material costs combined with a tightening overall global supply chain. “We are unable to absorb the impact of the increased costs that we are currently experiencing but we will continue to work in partnership with our customers to help mitigate the increases,” said Jose Santolaya, global product director, Functional Chemicals, Pulp and Paper. Click Read More below for additional information.
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French Paper Announces Price Increase

Due to recent cost changes and market conditions French Paper is announcing our first price increase since 3-3-14, over three and a half years. This increase consists of $5/cwt for Glo-Tone and $4/cwt across all other grades, with equivalent changes made among envelope items. All changes will apply to orders placed after December 15th. Along with these pricing changes we have begun the discontinuation of our Mod-Tone grade and will sell remaining items as inventory is available.
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Oil Drops as Industry Data Show U.S. Gasoline Stockpiles Grew

Futures dropped 1.3 percent in New York after rising 0.3 percent on Tuesday. Motor-fuel inventories climbed by 9.2 million barrels last week, the American Petroleum Institute was said to report. That would be the biggest gain since January 2016 if replicated in government data due later on Wednesday. Nationwide crude stockpiles declined, according to the API data. “This bears all the hallmarks of a year-end lull in U.S. fuel demand, which in turn should help safeguard the current bout of range-bound trading,” said Stephen Brennock, an analyst at PVM Oil Associates Ltd. in London. Click Read More below for additional information.
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EFI Continues Innovation with Newest Dedicated Flatbed Printer

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. has announced commercial availability of its newest launched printer, the EFI™ Pro 24f. First exhibited at the recent SGIA Expo, it is the only dedicated flatbed wide-format printer featuring EFI’s proven LED and variable drop grayscale head technologies. It provides precision imaging, fine detail and outstanding image quality for a broad range of applications. Wichita, Kansas-based customer Superior Signs & Engraving is the very first user for the printer. The printer’s premium quality imaging capabilities, with white ink included, and the high versatility and productivity of EFI’s “cool cure” LED technology, have vastly improved throughput and quality at the company. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Old Navy Named One of the 2017 Best Workplaces for Diversity by Great Place to Work® and FORTUNE

Great Place to Work and FORTUNE have named Old Navy one of the 2017 Best Workplaces for Diversity. The ranking considered more than 440,000 employee surveys from organizations in a wide range of industries across the U.S. Great Place to Work, a research and consulting firm, evaluated more than 50 elements of team members’ experience on the job. These included professional development, behaviors linked to innovation, leadership confidence and consistent treatment among employees of different backgrounds. The ranking also accounted for the share of women, people of color, Baby Boomers and LGBT individuals in the workplace. Old Navy was also named to the 2017 “Best Workplaces in Retail” list. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Patagonia and REI push back against the Trump administration’s move to slash protected lands

Patagonia.com features a forceful push back at President Donald Trump’s move yesterday, in which he signed a proclamation that seeks to dramatically reduce the boundaries and management of Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. If put into effect, the revised boundaries would reduce the size of the 1.3-million-acre Bears Ears National Monument by 85% and cut Grand Staircase-Escalante’s 1.9 million acres in half. Recreational Equipment Inc., or REI, also made a forceful declaration, making a statement that declares: “Today we are witnessing an unprecedented attack on our public lands, despite more than 100 years of bipartisan work to protect this country’s parks, waters, mountains and forests.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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FCC Won’t Delay Vote To Repeal Net Neutrality

Rejecting requests by lawmakers and advocates, the Federal Communications Commission says it will proceed with next week's scheduled vote on whether to repeal the net neutrality rules. On Monday, the City of New York and 40 advocacy groups urged the FCC to hold off on a vote until after a federal appellate court decides whether a different agency -- the Federal Trade Commission -- has authority to bring consumer protection cases against broadband providers. Also on Monday, a group of 28 U.S. senators, along with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, urged publicly urged the FCC to hold off on a vote due to problems with the public commenting process. "While I fundamentally disagree with the merits of the FCC’s proposal, what is equally concerning is the lack of integrity to the FCC’s process that has led to this point," Rosenworcel stated. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Allen Press Upgrades Scholarly Services with Arbortext Publishing Engine Enterprise

Allen Press, Inc. has upgraded its scholarly journal typesetting platform to Arbortext Publishing Engine Enterprise. The Arbortext Publishing Engine is a cloud-based system that provides the ability to intelligently pull XML and unstructured data from content management systems profile content for targeted audiences and variable deliverable types and automatically generate publications. In addition to the Arbortext Publishing Engine platform, Allen Press improved its workstation-class computers by installing the latest generation hardware and high-resolution video systems. “Upgrading to the Arbortext Publishing Engine helps us accomplish our mission of efficiently producing more jobs,” said Mark Kohlhase, Senior Director of Composition and Training. “This technology will allow Allen Press to enhance our typesetting automation processes, resulting in faster delivery and reduced publishing costs.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Novolex™ Agrees to Acquire Shields Bag and Printing Company

Novolex™ announced it has agreed to acquire certain assets and business operations of Shields Bag and Printing Co., a leading manufacturer of custom engineered flexible packaging products located in Yakima, WA. The transaction is expected to close near year end. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Shields Bag and Printing Company was founded in 1935. The Shields family expanded their founder’s successful commercial printing business into flexible packaging in the 1960s. Today, Shields ranks among the leading North American producers of flexible packaging with substantial capabilities in the areas of blown film extrusion, printing, bag making and other converting processes. Shields’ core focus is providing custom engineered products to a diverse group of customers across a range of end-market segments, including building and construction, food and consumer, banking and security, lawn and garden, chemicals and energy, and general industrial. Click Read More below for additional information.
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New Board members elected at PEFC’s 22nd General Assembly

Representatives from nature conservation, tropical forestry and the forest industry have all be elected onto the PEFC International Board, following a unanimous vote by the PEFC General Assembly in the Helsinki, Finland. Alongside two returning Board members, Riikka Joukio (forest industry and processing) and Hervé Le Bouler (NGO), we are delighted to welcome two new board members: Gerald Pfiffinger (ENGO and conservation) and Mohd Nurudeen Iddrisu (tropical forestry). "We need forest certification in developing countries," said Dr. Iddrisu, following his acceptance onto the Board. "Now as part of the PEFC Board, I want to take it upon myself to reach out to my fellow ‘countrymen’ in the tropical countries in order to get certification into the national agenda." Click Read More below for additional information.
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USPS Bail Out Could Hike Postal Rates 41% in Next Five Years

The Postal Regulatory Commission is proposing that publishers’ postal rates increase by an estimated average of 34% to 41% over the next five years. The postage increases would be lower than average for magazines that use co-mail and higher than average for less efficient mailers. The PRC announced its proposal to bail out the U.S. Postal Service with future rate hikes late Friday. The vote on a final version seems likely to occur in spring of 2018, giving mailers, the USPS, and other interested parties time to comment. The PRC’s 10th-anniversary review of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) concluded that the postal-reform legislation had met some of its goals – but not the one calling for stabilization of the Postal Service’s finances. As a result, the commissioners concluded, they must override the law’s inflation-based cap on most postal rates. Many mailers’ groups disagree with the PRC’s interpretation of the law, saying the agency must have Congress’s explicit approval to breach the price cap. A legal challenge to the PRC’s final plan seems likely, which could delay implementation until 2019. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Wiley Reports Second Quarter 2018 Results

HIGHLIGHTS: • Revenue increased 6% to $452 million; +3% at constant currency • Adjusted EPS increased 32% to $1.03; +22% at constant currency. EPS on a GAAP basis at $1.04, up from ($0.20) • Free Cash Flow less Product Development Spending for six months improved by $38 million • Brian A. Napack named as President and CEO. “The second quarter was highlighted by the announcement of Brian Napack as our new President and CEO and Ella Balagula as our new EVP of Publishing. We also realized improved growth in Research, better than expected results in Publishing, and significant progress in our operational excellence initiatives,” said Matthew Kissner, Chairman. “This month, we celebrate 210 years of enabling many of the world’s advances in research and learning. While we are immensely proud of our legacy, we are just as energized by the opportunities ahead of us.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Martha Stewart Living Named to Ad Age’s “Magazines of the Year” List

Meredith Corporation is pleased to announce that Martha Stewart Living has been named to Ad Age's Magazines of the Year list. Led by Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Graves and VP/Group Publisher Daren Mazzucca, Martha Stewart Living has had a phenomenal year with both readers and advertisers. The brand debuted a magazine redesign with the October issue, revealing exclusive typography, fresh and enlarged imagery, and a number of new cross-platform franchises. The look is now modern and forward-thinking, yet still timeless, classic and always aiming to create trends rather than follow them. It's the Martha Stewart Living that millions of people love, but now even more. "It's truly an honor to be part of Ad Age's 'Magazines of the Year' list," says Graves. "It's exciting to build upon Martha's trusted expertise, take the brand to new heights, and have that recognized in the industry." Adds Mazzucca, "We have an incredible team, and I think we are only getting started." Click Read More below for additional information.
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The Magnolia Journal Named To Ad Age’s “Magazines of the Year” List

Meredith Corporation is pleased to announce that The Magnolia Journal has been named to Ad Age's "Magazines of the Year" list. In its first year on newsstands, The Magnolia Journal has showcased the monumental presence and impact of Chip and Joanna Gaines and their Magnolia brand. With only five quarterly issues published to date, this magazine's launch was one of if not the best in Meredith Corporation's 115-year history, raising its rate base to 1.2 million for the Spring 2018 issue. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Print is Still Very Much Alive at Bauer Media Group (Folio)

It’s been a rather tumultuous year for magazine media, to say the least. With so many consumers reading content on digital platforms, it appears that many publishers are reducing print frequencies or altogether shuttering print editions of magazines to focus on digital initiatives and cut costs. While most publishers seem to be drifting away from print, Bauer Media Group is doing just the opposite. In 2018, the media giant is not only continuing its print editions, but also increasing frequencies for four of its titles, with Life & Style slated to rise from 51 to 53 issues, and Closer, In Touch and Woman’s World from 52 to 53 issues. “Bauer earns a positive margin on every issue from single copy sales,” Bauer CEO Steven Kotok (pictured) tells Folio:. “So the more issues we publish, the more money we earn, unlike an ad-dependent model in which fewer ads each year are spread over the same number of issues.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Global Forest and Paper Industry Reports on Sustainability Progress

The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations’ (ICFPA) launched its 2017 Sustainability Progress Report. It is the sixth biennial report highlighting ICFPA members’ progress on the sustainability commitments agreed upon in the 2006 CEO Leadership Statement on Sustainability. “We are proud to announce our global industry’s continuous progress, which represents our commitment to social and environmental aspects associated with forest management and the manufacture of forest-based products,” said ICFPA President Jane Molony. “We look forward to continuing to supply the growing global demand for sustainable products, including fuel, fiber and forest products, while moving towards a greener economy.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil steadies above $62, expected fall in U.S. inventory supportsOil steadies above $62, expected fall in U.S. inventory supports

Oil steadied above $62 a barrel on Tuesday as expectations of a drop in U.S. crude inventories and prolonged supply curbs by OPEC and other producers countered rising output in the United States. An OPEC-led producer group last week extended a supply-cutting deal through 2018, but the resulting support for prices could bolster U.S. output which climbed to nearly 9.5 million barrels per day in September. An OPEC-led producer group last week extended a supply-cutting deal through 2018, but the resulting support for prices could bolster U.S. output which climbed to nearly 9.5 million barrels per day in September. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Federal Trade Commission and National Institutes of Health Take Action Against Predatory Publishing Practices Federal Trade Commission and National Institutes of Health Take Action Against Predatory Publishing Practices

In an interesting and potentially significant move for the scholarly publishing world, the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada has granted a preliminary injunction against a major journal publisher and conference organizer in response to a complaint by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The injunction was granted on the basis of the Court’s analysis of evidence provided by the FTC and its finding that the FTC’s complaint, if allowed to proceed, “is likely to succeed on the merits” and that the public interest would be served by granting it. The FTC alleges that OMICS Group and its affiliates iMedPub LLC and Conference Series Ltd have engaged in a variety of “unfair and deceptive practices with respect to the publication of online academic journals and organization of scientific conferences,” including: •Falsely claiming to provide rigorous peer review of articles submitted for publication in their journals; •Claiming as “editors” individuals who never received manuscripts to review or edit, or who never even agreed to be appointed as editors — some of whom say that OMICS ignored or refused their demands that they be removed from journal mastheads; •Sending solicitations to potential authors on behalf of other academics, without the latter’s permission or knowledge; •Giving their journals names “nearly identical to other respected journals, which has led to consumers mistakenly submitting articles to Defendants’ journal”; Click Read More below for additional information.
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Future solutions for the “growth market of packaging printing”

More than 300 visitors from around the world and over 40 international trade journalists attended the Packaging Day hosted by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) at its Wiesloch-Walldorf plant at the beginning of November. The “Pushing the Future in Packaging” event showcased the latest solutions and technologies for packaging printing. The aim of these solutions is to increase the efficiency of all processes through intelligent networking and automation. This applies both to printing high-volume standard packaging as well as highly embellished folding cartons in the luxury segment. Packaging printing is the strongest growing segment in the print media industry. Annual growth rates of around three percent are expected in the coming five years, and around 20 percent for digital printing. Heidelberg announced a broad-based product campaign for this market at drupa 2016, which is now being implemented consistently – in both offset and digital technology. As key note speaker, Steffen Schnizer, Managing Director of Multi Packaging Solutions in Obersulm near Heilbronn, emphasized that demand from brand owners for exclusively finished packaging is on the increase. Nowhere is this truer than in the cosmetics and perfume industry. Purchase decisions are frequently made at the point of sale, where high-quality packaging guarantee the necessary attention. “Heidelberg not only offers its customers the widest range of products for packaging output, but is also the clear market and technological leader in this area,” emphasized company CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer at the opening of the Packaging Day. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Simple and minimalist with great complexity

In the world of packaging it is sometimes complicated to achieve something that looks simple, minimalist and elegant. The paperboard cartons for Jimmy Choo’s L’EAU that was launched in summer 2017 is a clear example of this. Its colour is pale pink apart from the brand, the name of the contents, and the fact that it is an eau de toilette. Yet the packaging has passed through twelve finishing stages. The carton is made of Invercote from Iggesund Paperboard. Conversion is by the distinguished French printing company Draeger on behalf of Interparfums. The packaging is offset printed on both the inside and outside. The printing on the inside is in a pale pink shade, which creates the mood around the bottle. Externally the packaging has a blind-embossed snakeskin pattern plus two rows of text on the front. The outside is also laminated with soft touch film, matt varnished, and foil embossed with both silver film and holographic film. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sappi expands its speciality and packaging paper capacity; will acquire the speciality paper business of Cham Paper Group Holding AG (CPG)

The transaction includes the acquisition of CPG’s Carmignano and Condino Mills in Italy, its digital imaging business located in Cham, Switzerland as well as all brands and know-how. It will be funded through internal cash resources. The transaction is conditional on the approval from certain competition authorities. We expect the acquisition to be completed during the first calendar quarter of 2018. The main benefits of the acquisition include: *Supports Sappi’s diversification strategy and 2020vision to grow in higher margin growth segments. Strengthens Sappi Europe’s speciality and packaging papers footprint and skills; adds 160,000 tons of speciality paper to our capacity. *Increases Sappi’s relevance in speciality papers, opening up new customers and markets to Sappi’s existing products and generating economies of scale and synergies. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sealed Air Announces Price Increase for Food Care Products in Europe, Middle East and Africa

Sealed Air Corporation announced that it is implementing a price increase of 2.5 – 5.0% for the majority of its Food Care division’s products in Europe, Middle East and Africa with the exception of Switzerland and the United Kingdom who received price increases earlier in the year. The increase will be effective January 1, 2018. “The price adjustment is the result of escalation of notable increases in the Company’s raw materials costs including a 19% rise in the price of polyethylene, a 16% rise in nylon and a 35% rise in polystyrene as well as other non-materials costs such as power, labor and transportation in the range of 1-4%,” said Karl R. Deily, President of Sealed Air Food Care division. “Despite the necessary price changes, we are working to minimize the impact to our customers while delivering them the same high level of value and innovation.” The price changes include an increase on all shrink bags, rollstock products, food films and vertical pouch packaging.
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Mactac Price Increase Notification

Mactac continues to focus on delivering premium quality products at competitive prices. The recent inflationary environment impacting our markets has brought about challenges and volatility related to raw material pricing, freight, and the overall availability of key components. We have worked diligently with our suppliers to ensure a reliable supply of materials allowing us to continue to provide outstanding service in the pressure sensitive market. Having already absorbed a significant level of price increases along with indications of continued tightness of supply and price escalation, we find it necessary to recover part of these increased costs with a 5% increase on all Sheet and Graphic products effective on all orders placed beginning January 15, 2018 shipping within our standard published lead-times. Click Read More below for additional information.
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LSC Communications Awarded Multi-Year Print Agreement with Bauer Media Group USA

LSC Communications has signed a multi-year agreement with Bauer Media Group USA, the number one seller of magazines at retail in the country. Beginning in January 2018, LSC will print 17 of Bauer’s popular print titles including Woman’s World, First for Women, In Touch Weekly, Life & Style Weekly, Closer Weekly and J-14, among others. According to Thomas J. Quinlan III, Chairman and CEO of LSC Communications, “With Bauer as one of the most successful magazine publishers in the world, LSC is honored to have been selected for our optimal print production and mailing solutions. We look forward to continuing to support Bauer’s vision for many years.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Quad/Graphics to close in Taunton with loss of 200 jobs

As many as 200 workers will be out of work by the end of January when the Quad/Graphics facility in Taunton closes, according to the Wisconsin book manufacturer. Emails were sent out Wednesday to workers informing them of the bad news, said spokeswoman Claire Ho. Ho said workers will be offered either a severance package with limited continuation of medical benefits or the chance to work at another of the company’s locations, most of which are in other parts of the country. “We want to take care of them,” she said on Friday from her office in Sussex, Wisconsin. Ho said the plant at 1133 County St., located on Route 140 near the onramp for Route 24, specialized in assembling traditional reading books. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Ahlstrom-Munksjö affirmed its ethical path forward by joining the UN Global Compact

In November 2017, Ahlstrom-Munksjö committed to the United Nations Global Compact's ten principles for ethical business practices by joining the initiative. The company is now among nearly 8,000 companies worldwide that have affirmed their dedication to respecting human rights, labour rights, environmental quality, and anti-corruption practices. As a signatory, the company commits to: •Continue to improve business operations so that the UN Global Compact and the principles become part of strategy, culture and day-to-day operations; •Communicate annually with its stakeholders on efforts to implement the ten principles, and post this Communication on Progress (COP) on the UN Global Compact website to support transparency. ''At Ahlstrom-Munksjö, we are dedicated to sustainability and responsibility from the highest levels of leadership to the most local concern in our supply chains or at our production sites'', said Jan Åström, President and CEO of Ahlstrom-Munksjö. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Falls Below $58 as OPEC Deal Risks a New Wave of Shale

Oil has advanced for the past three months amid optimism that output cuts by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners are helping to balance the market. Yet U.S. rivals have been expanding their operations, with drillers adding two oil rigs to reach 749 last week, the highest level since late September, according to Baker Hughes. “The OPEC deal will mostly work for non-OPEC,” said Eugen Weinberg, head of commodities research at Commerzbank AG in Frankfurt. “Even if OPEC delivers the cuts promised, and prices stay high long enough, the main result will be that U.S. shale adds on close to 1 million barrels a day of additional production.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Canfor Pulp Announces Temporary Production Outage at Northwood

Canfor Pulp Products Inc. announced that it has taken a temporary and unscheduled outage on one production line at its Northwood Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (“NBSK”) Pulp mill located in Prince George, British Columbia (“BC”), as a result of a tube leak in the number five recovery boiler. Canfor Pulp anticipates the number five recovery boiler to be down for approximately two weeks, and is currently projecting 15,000 tonnes of reduced NBSK pulp production during the fourth quarter 2017, as well as higher associated maintenance costs and lower projected shipment volumes. To mitigate the impact of the incident, Canfor Pulp is continuing to operate the second production line at the Pulp mill and will advance certain mill maintenance activities previously scheduled to be performed in the first quarter of 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Green Bay Packaging Announces An All New State Of The Art Container Board Machine

Green Bay Packaging (GBP) has announced that it is in the first phase of evaluating construction of a new, state of the art recycled containerboard machine at its location in Green Bay Wisconsin. The 220” machine would be operational in 2020 and would replace the Company’s existing 164” trim machine, originally constructed in 1950. The investment would increase GBP’s recycled containerboard capacity by over 70%.
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Agency Forecasts: Look For Growth In The 4%-5% Range Next Year

Expect some moderate growth in advertising in 2018. That growth will be boosted in part by big events like the Olympics and mid-term political elections. Below are summaries of the newly issued forecasts from WPP’s GroupM, Interpublic’s Magna, and Publics Group’s Zenith. WPP’s GroupM is forecasting global ad expenditure growth of 4.3% in 2018 to nearly $558 billion. That estimate is based on the assumption that 2017 expenditures will be 3.1% to about $535 billion. For North America, the firm estimates that expenditures will reach almost $200 billion next year, up 3.4%, following a 2.2% gain this year to more than $193 million. The release of the new forecast was timed to this week’s UBS Global Media and Communications Conference in New York. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Mondi improves scores again in each category of WWF Environmental Paper Company Index 2017

Mondi has again improved its ecological footprint in the three WWF reporting categories: Graphic Paper, Packaging and Pulp. For Graphic Paper, Mondi has achieved a result of 85.5% in 2017, up from 81.4% in 2015 and 74.9% in 2013. Mondi’s overall 2017 result for Graphic Paper is based on sub-category scores of 82% for sourcing, 76% for clean production, and 100% for transparency. In the category of Packaging, Mondi received an overall score of 85.6% in 2017, up from 83.8% in 2015 and 73.7% in 2013. Mondi’s sub-category scores for Packaging in 2017 were 88% for sourcing, 87% for clean production, and 82% for transparency. In the Pulp category, Mondi received an overall score of 70.4% in 2017, up from 69.4% in 2015 and 63.2% in 2013. The group’s sub-category scores for Pulp were as follows: 72% for sourcing, 73% for clean production, and 65% for transparency. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Barnes & Noble sees smaller stores, more books in its future

In the wake of a wider quarterly loss than expected and a continuing sales slide, Barnes & Noble plans to a greater emphasis on what brought it the party in the first place: books. “Book sales continued to strengthen, and we saw improved traffic and conversion trends,” said Demos Parneros, CEO of Barnes & Noble. “As a result of the improving trends, we will continue to place a greater emphasis on books, while further narrowing our non-book assortment.” Along with a renewed focus on books, the retailer is looking is smaller stores. Barnes & Noble stores average approximately 26,000 sq. ft. But its new store, in Plano, Texas, is less than half that, about 10,000 sq.ft. “Our goal is to get smaller,” Parneros told analysts on the chain’s quarterly call. “We want to have smaller stores that are more efficient.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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The start of containerboard production at Laakirchen Papier

Paper has been manufactured in Laakirchen for the past 150 years and now with its entry into the packaging paper market, Laakirchen Papier AG has ushered in a new era. Indeed, the decision to break into the containerboard field will secure the long-term success of the company, as with a volume of 26.4 million t/y and annual growth of between two and three per cent, the strong, European corrugated board market segment offers considerable future potential for the paper industry. Accordingly, the production of lightweight containerboard made entirely from recycled fibres on PM10 started in Laakirchen mid of October. The paper machine meanwhile runs stable and produces paper on A quality level. The PM10 will now manufacture up to 450,000 t/y of containerboard based on recycled paper with working widths of 7.5 m at a speed of 1,600 m/min. This production switch also required additional investments at the company location. These included new plant for the treatment of wastepaper fibres and anaerobic used water cleaning, storage areas for recycling paper, and the completion of a warehouse with an automated crane system for the new products. Click Read More below for additional information.
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PRC Concludes Rate System Has Not Achieved Necessary Objectives and Issues Proposed Rulemaking to Address Shortcomings

Today, the Postal Regulatory Commission (Commission) issued its findings related to the statutorily mandated review of the system for regulating rates and classes for Market Dominant products that was first established in 2006 by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA). The law required the Commission to review the past 10 years of the existing market dominant rate and classification system to determine if the system achieved the nine objectives, considering the 14 factors, established by Congress. The objectives reflect the goals of the PAEA to create a flexible, stable, predictable, and streamlined ratemaking system that ensures the Postal Service’s financial health and maintains high quality service standards and performance. In its findings order, the Commission identifies three principal areas of the PAEA system which encapsulate the nine objectives: (1) the structure of the ratemaking system; (2) the financial health of the Postal Service; and (3) service. After extensive review, the Commission concludes that the system achieved some of the goals of these areas, but the overall system has not achieved the objectives taking into account the factors of the PAEA. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Cascades acquires containerboard packaging plants in Ontario and increases its ownership in Greenpac

Cascades Inc. announces the acquisition of four plants in Ontario to strengthen its position in the containerboard packaging sector, and the purchase of an ownership position in Tencorr Holdings Corporation. The company also announces an increase in its equity holding of the Greenpac Mill LLC. "We are very pleased to expand our presence in Ontario and increase our stake in Greenpac for the second time this year. These transactions align perfectly with our vision and strategy for our containerboard activities," stated Cascades President and CEO Mario Plourde. The four following plants were acquired from the Coyle family, and specialize in the manufacturing of boxes and speciality products offering strong growth potential: •McLeish Corr-a-Box Packaging & Design – Etobicoke, Ontario •Brown Packaging – Burlington, Ontario •Coyle Corrugated Containers Inc. – Scarborough, Ontario •Coyle Packaging (Peterborough) Ltd. – Peterborough, Ontario. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa has won two prestigious PPI awards, demonstrating its leadership in the global paper industry.

Smurfit Kappa operations from both sides of the Atlantic were lauded with the company’s Zülpich Paper Mill in Germany winning the ‘Resilience – Managing Risk’ award and the Cali Paper Mill in Colombia taking the prize for ‘Bringing Paper to Life – Innovative Printing & Writing Campaign of the Year’. The Zülpich Mill, which was established in 1873, has an exemplary record in health and safety and a robust risk management strategy. Speaking about the award, Christian Ludwig, Managing Director, said: “We have always had the full support of the Group to build up our resilience strategy to the standard is at today and we are encouraged to take an innovative approach to finding solutions. The Cali Paper Mill certainly delivered on the brief of ‘Bringing Paper to Life’ with its CartoPrint school paper display. The vibrant appearance of the product, which was created in a collaboration with the Packaging Division, was inspired by its sustainable forestry origins and the ongoing work to preserve biodiversity that the company carries out. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sonoco announces 5-year, $2.725 million fresh packaging initiative

Sonoco has announced a new research partnership with Clemson University: the Sonoco FRESH (Food Research Excellence for Safety and Health) initiative will develop new technologies and new forms of packaging to optimize the fresh food lifecycle. “Sonoco is committed to serving fresh brands, using packaging to tackle the challenges they face,” said Sonoco President and CEO Jack Sanders. “Optimizing fresh food packaging to extend shelf life and maintain quality makes fresh produce more accessible to communities, and helps brands and retailers extend sales opportunities and eliminate food waste. “Each year, the food industry loses $15.6 billion due to food spoilage at retail. Modifying packaging design to extend shelf life by even one day can recover $1.8 billion of that loss – while feeding more people and reducing waste to landfills.” To establish the multi-disciplinary hub for innovation and research to advance fresh food packaging and distribution, Sonoco will contribute $1.725 million over 5 years. The Company will also sponsor business-driven research projects totaling $1 million over that period. Sonoco FRESH is an extension of the partnership that created the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics at Clemson. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Tronox Limited’s Acquisition of Cristal TiO2 Progresses

Tronox Limited announced that, in connection with its planned acquisition of the titanium dioxide (TiO2) business of Cristal, a privately held global chemical and mining company headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the waiting period in the United States under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act expired at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 1, 2017 without further action by or communication from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Jeffry Quinn, Tronox's chief executive officer, stated: "Based on consultation with counsel, we believe that expiration of the waiting period means that we can proceed toward completion of the transaction once all closing conditions are met. However, we have not been informed that the Federal Trade Commission has formally concluded its investigation. The Commission could conceivably seek to enjoin the transaction at a later time, but we believe such action would be unprecedented and contrary to the rationale of the pre-merger notification system that is the framework of the U.S. regulatory process."
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Brazil’s Suzano to buy controlling stake in Facepa paper factory

Brazil’s Suzano Papel e Celulos closed a deal to acquire a majority stake in Amazonian paper factory Facepa for 310 million reais ($95 million), the wood pulp and paper maker said on Monday in a securities filing. Suzano said it had agreed to buy 92.84 percent of total shares and 99.99 percent of common shares in the company, which manufactures paper towels, napkins, diapers and tissue in factories in Belem and Fortaleza with total capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year. The price is subject to adjustments, Suzano said in the filing.
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Special Alert: Opportunity to Push Postal Reform Legislation Through

Dear Catalog Industry Participant: Word out of Washington this week is encouraging for HR 756, the postal reform bill. According to our colleagues at the Coalition for a 21st Century Postal Service, there is increasing talk of adding postal reform to the Omnibus funding measure for the government next week, or to some other must-pass legislation that can serve as a vehicle. Both House and Senate leaders are reportedly interested, but we only have until next Thursday when the current continuing resolution runs out. So we’re calling on you for some urgent action. Our Ask and Your Ask: Please reach out as quickly as possible to as many Republican members of the House as you may have connections with and urge that postal reform be added to the Omnibus funding measure or some other moving piece of legislation. Your messages should conclude with an ask of your representative(s) to personally take this message to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Domtar Specialty Papers – Important Pricing Information

Please be advised, effective with shipments as of January 1, 2018, Domtar Specialty Papers pricing will increase by $2.50/cwt. USD on bleached and unbleached Food Packaging, Medical Packaging, Industrial Grades, Coating Base and Release Paper Products. We pledge to continue to earn your business by providing quality products and reliable service while investing in the future through innovation.
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Glatfelter carbonless price increase

Due to large increases in key input material costs, including over a two-fold increase in colorformers to ensure an uninterrupted supply, that cannot be offset by our on-going internal continuous improvements, cost reductions, and operating excellence efforts, Glatfelter is announcing a price increase for carbonless roll products, carbonless sheet products and security papers sold in our United States and Canadian markets. The increase will be effective with shipments on or after January 15, 2018. The increase will be 6% for the following items: All Glatfelter Carbonless Roll products; Carbonless Roll Accessories (CF and CB Sprays); Defensa® Security CB products; All Glatfelter Carbonless Sheet Products; Fan-Apart Adhesive. The increase will be $4.00/cwt for the following item: Defensa® Basic. The increase will be $5.00/cwt for the following items: Defensa® Premium Defensa® Design; Defensa® Security Gate Defensa® True. All current standard differentials and upcharges remain in effect.
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Weekly US crude oil production hits highest level on record

Weekly U.S. crude oil production hit the highest level on record last week, according to preliminary government data, in another sign of the resilience of American shale drillers. The United States produced 9.62 million barrels of oil a day in the week through Nov. 3, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday. That just slightly topped a record high struck in June 2015, just before the oil price crash sparked a more than one-year decline that sent U.S. output to about 8.4 million barrels a day. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Hachette UK Acquires Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Jessica Kingsley Publishers has been acquired by Hachette UK, effective immediately. It has been folded into John Murray Press as an imprint, and will be overseen by managing director Nick Davies. The agreement keeps Kingsley intact as a company, with Hachette UK made 100% shareholder. "Jessica Kingsley has built a business of great significance, renowned for anticipating trends and identifying gaps in the market, publishing books that are essential for professionals in their specialist areas, and that serve the communities with which they work," Jamie Hodder Williams, CEO of Hodder, Headline, Quercus and John Murray Press, said in a statement. "I am greatly looking forward to welcoming the Jessica Kingsley team into Hachette." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Evolution Achieves High-end, Higher-volume Success with EFI VUTEk LED Hybrid Printer

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. today reported that Northampton, U.K-based graphics production company Evolution has installed an EFI™ VUTEk® GS3250LX Pro LED hybrid roll/flatbed printer. Evolution chose the 3.2-metre wide printer for its speed, quality of build, and low downtime and running costs. Previously, when its superwide-format graphics work volumes became too large, the company often outsourced to other providers. Now, Evolution can produce that work in-house with a printer that is several times faster than its old flatbed printer. Although Evolution’s machine operators are new to using the printer, they were able to get trained quickly, taking very little time to start producing high volumes of work – more than 200 2440mm x 1220mm panels a day for clients. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Flint Group announces the acquisition of Eston Chimica SRL in Italy

Flint Group announced today the acquisition of Eston Chimica SRL located in Padova, Italy. This acquisition follows Flint Group’s strategy to grow not only organically, but also through tactical acquisition. Eston Chimica manufactures and sells water-based inks for flexo and gravure applications to printers predominantly located in Italy and Southern Europe. The company supports key Paper & Board applications, such as corrugated, shopping bags, paper bags, and various other water-based print jobs. Eston Chimica is located in northern Italy, near Venice, and employs 32 people. Kim Melander, Vice President & General Manager EMEA and Global Strategy, Paper & Board, says, "Flint Group is very happy to join together with Eston Chimica. We have found the ‘right’ partner; a company who, with the dedicated support of its employees, has been very successful in recent years outgrowing the market as compared to other suppliers.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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shíshálh Nation and Interfor Sign Relationship Agreement

Interfor Corporation and shíshálh Nation have announced the recent signing of a five-year relationship agreement for mutually beneficial forestry operations in the Nation’s swiya (territory). Interfor is a major forestry tenure holder in the shíshálh Nation swiya on BC’s Sunshine Coast. The agreement is a new milestone for Interfor and the shíshálh Nation who have had a strong working relationship for more than twenty years. “This agreement was built on trust, opportunity and a long-standing relationship. It creates predictability for both Interfor and shíshálh Nation and will support further growth of our partnership over the next five years,” said Interfor’s Vice President and Chief Forester, Ric Slaco. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Statement From New Brunswick Lumber Producers (NBLP)

The Province of New Brunswick announced its plan regarding sawmills impacted by softwood lumber duties on shipments to the United States. A dedicated effort on this important file is crucial to the survival of New Brunswick’s forest products sector as we know it today. Sawmills are the lifeblood of many rural communities. Hundreds of New Brunswick woodlot owners and wood producers depend on these sawmills. A successful sawmill is the vital source of wood chips to the value chain of products made throughout New Brunswick – from particleboard in St. Stephen to tissue in Dieppe, pulp in Edmundston and paper in Saint John. Thousands of New Brunswick jobs and local suppliers depend on this sector which impacts more communities than any other industry in the province. Maintaining New Brunswick’s historic 35-year exclusion requires the unity and support of all political parties. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Indonesia and Japan take the spotlight at PEFC General Assembly award ceremony

With an increase of almost two million hectares of PEFC-certified forests in Indonesia over the past year, the Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation (IFCC) took top prize for growth during our PEFC Forest Certification Week award ceremony. “Without the tremendous support from everyone within the PEFC family and without the strong commitment and hard work from all members of the IFCC family, we would have never arrived at this proud state,” said Dradjad Wibowo, Chairman of IFCC. “So, IFCC thanks everyone from the PEFC and IFCC families for this! Though we still face huge challenges, we are confident, that together we will prevail," Mr. Wibowo concluded. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Arkansas State Forest Earns Certification To The SFI Forest Management Standard

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) is pleased to announce that Poison Springs State Forest, the Arkansas state forest managed by the Agriculture Department's Forestry Commission, has earned certification to the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard through a rigorous third-party audit. Certifying to SFI sends a strong signal about Arkansas's commitment to sustainable forest management, conservation, and economic opportunity for its citizens. "It shows we are working to ensure that our forests will remain healthy and productive for generations to come. Certification to SFI also boosts our competitive position in national and international markets because we can demonstrate that our forest products come from well‑managed forests," said Joe Fox, Arkansas's State Forester. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sappi, ACTEGA Terra and Koenig & Bauer join forces for calendar project

Pushing the boundaries in sports and print: Sappi’s Algro Design® Card forms basis for new 2018 photo calendar. “Move X-treme. Discover your possibilities” – This is the umbrella theme under which ACTEGA Terra, Koenig & Bauer and Sappi have continued their successful joint calendar project over the last few years. The new 2018 calendar, hot off the press, depicts athletes who push themselves to their limits, whether in speed skating, white water kayaking or motocross. Steely resolve and perfect preparation can lead to outstanding sporting success. The rewards: strong emotions, a great deal of public interest and the satisfaction of having accomplished something extraordinary. These are reactions similar to those experienced by three companies from the worlds of speciality papers, quality printing and overprint varnishes for high-quality finishing as they produce their annual calendar. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Time Inc. Announces Sale of Iconic SUNSET Brand to Regent

Time Inc. announced the sale of SUNSET to Regent L.P., a Los Angeles–based private equity firm led by investor Michael Reinstein. Based in Oakland, California, SUNSET is the defining lifestyle brand of the modern American West, with coverage that includes travel, food, wine, home and garden across its monthly print publication, digital and social platforms, books, events and experiences. The storied brand, which was founded in 1898, has been a forum for literary giants like Jack London, Dashiell Hammett and Sinclair Lewis, a showcase for transformational architecture and design, and a launching pad for the modern environmental movement through its early affiliation with conservationist and Sierra Club founder John Muir. “As a native Californian, I am honored to take the mantle as the fourth owner of this iconic and beloved institution. For almost 120 years SUNSET has been the definitive, pioneering voice of the promise, hope, values and innovative spirit of the West,” said Michael Reinstein, Chairman, Regent L.P. “We are excited to partner with SUNSET’s talented Editor-in-Chief Irene Edwards and her accomplished team to ensure that SUNSET continues to thrive for generations to come.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Ulta Beauty Announces Third Quarter 2017 Results

For the Third Quarter: • Net sales increased 18.6% to $1,342.2 million from $1,131.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The Company estimates that Hurricanes Harvey and Irma resulted in approximately $14 million in lost sales; • Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales) increased 10.3% compared to an increase of 16.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The 10.3% comparable sales increase was driven by 6.0% transaction growth and 4.3% growth in average ticket. The Company estimates that Hurricanes Harvey and Irma resulted in approximately 100 basis points of negative impact to comparable stores sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2017; • Retail comparable sales increased 6.6%, including salon comparable sales growth of 3.8%; • Salon sales increased 10.8% to $66.9 million from $60.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016; Click Read More below for additional information.
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Barnes & Noble Reports Fiscal 2018 Second Quarter Financial Results

Total sales for the second quarter were $791.1 million, declining 7.9% as compared to the prior year. Comparable store sales decreased 6.3%, with approximately half of this decline attributable to last year's release of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child. The balance of the decline was primarily due to non-book categories. "Comparable sales improved throughout the second quarter and into November," said Demos Parneros, Chief Executive Officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc. "Book sales continued to strengthen, and we saw improved traffic and conversion trends. As a result of the improving trends, we will continue to place a greater emphasis on books, while further narrowing our non-book assortment. We expect these improvements to continue as we head into the holiday season which, coupled with cost reductions, will enable us to achieve EBITDA of $180 million." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Rethinking classroom technology

Following recent findings by research psychologists Pam A. Mueller of Princeton University and Daniel M. Oppenheimer of the University of California, Los Angeles, which showed that students who took handwritten notes did better than those who took notes on their computers, new research indicates still further that too much technology in the classrooms harms students’ ability to learn. As millions of dollars are spent on increased investment in classroom technology, including students’ use of iPads and e-textbooks, it’s assumed that the learning environment in the classroom should reflect the high-tech realities of the digital culture in which students and their parents live. Working on this presumption, the state of California passed a law in 2009 requiring that all college textbooks be available in electronic form by 2020. Following suit, the state of Florida passed legislation in 2011 requiring public schools to convert their textbooks to digital versions. “Given this trend,” write Patricia Alexander and Lauren Singer of the University of Maryland, “teachers, students, parents and policymakers might assume that students’ familiarity and preference for technology translates into better learning outcomes. But we’ve found that’s not necessarily true.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Two Sides and National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers Announce Strategic Partnership

The National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) Board of Directors has announced its increased support of Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use and sustainability of print and paper. NAPIM Executive Director, John Copeland and Director Regulatory Affairs and Technology, George Fuchs will be joining Two Sides’ Anti-Greenwash Task Force to ensure that the views of NAPIM members are considered in Two Sides campaign activities. Membership discussions are also underway with specific companies in the ink manufacturing sector to ensure representation within the Two Sides network of companies and governance. Click Read More below for additional information.
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L Brands Reports November 2017 Sales

L Brands, Inc. reported net sales of $1.267 billion for the four weeks ended Nov. 25, 2017, an increase of 2 percent, compared to net sales of $1.246 billion for the four weeks ended Nov. 26, 2016. Comparable sales decreased 1 percent for the four weeks ended Nov. 25, 2017. For November, the exit of the swim and apparel categories had a negative impact of about 1 percentage point for both total company and Victoria’s Secret comparable sales. The company reported net sales of $9.077 billion for the 43 weeks ended Nov. 25, 2017, a decrease of 3 percent compared to net sales of $9.331 billion for the 43 weeks ended Nov. 26, 2016. Comparable sales decreased 6 percent for the 43 weeks ended Nov. 25, 2017. For the 43 weeks ended Nov. 25, 2017, the exit of the swim and apparel categories had a negative impact of about 4 percentage points and 6 percentage points to total company and Victoria’s Secret comparable sales, respectively.
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AF&PA Disappointed in Passage of Bag Provision

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding the passage of the Boston City Council ordinance regarding the reduction of plastic bags in Boston (Docket #0132). The proposed ordinance would place a five-cent fee on recycled paper bags. “Dozens of communities in Massachusetts have enacted plastic bag bans in recent years, and until today, only one taxed paper bags. This undermines an environmentally responsible option for carryout shopping bags. Paper is the most-recycled material in the United States today. Last year, two-thirds of all paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling. Paper is part of the environmental solution, but Boston is treating it like the problem.”
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Oil Holds Near $64 as OPEC Is Said to Agree Nine-Month Extension

Futures rose 1.6 percent in London. The curbs will last to the end of 2018, according to delegates at a ministerial meeting in Vienna. Talks have now moved on to the mechanism that will be used to review the agreement in the middle of next year, they said. Ministers also need to get Russia, their largest non-OPEC ally, on board at a meeting with other partner countries later on Thursday. Futures rose 1.6 percent in London. The curbs will last to the end of 2018, according to delegates at a ministerial meeting in Vienna. Talks have now moved on to the mechanism that will be used to review the agreement in the middle of next year, they said. Ministers also need to get Russia, their largest non-OPEC ally, on board at a meeting with other partner countries later on Thursday. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports November Sales Results

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $11.26 billion for the month of November, the four weeks ended November 26, 2017, an increase of 13.2 percent from $9.95 billion during the similar period last year. For the twelve-week first quarter of fiscal year 2018 ended November 26, 2017, the Company reported net sales of $31.13 billion, an increase of 13.3 percent from $27.47 billion reported in the twelve-week first quarter of fiscal 2017. While this year’s twelve-week first quarter included one less sales day than the first quarter last year (due to the shift of the Thanksgiving closure this year), pre-Thanksgiving and Black Friday/holiday weekend sales fell into the first quarter this year compared to the second quarter last year. Combined, these factors produced an estimated net benefit of approximately 1.5% in the U.S., and slightly less worldwide.
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Flint Group opens new facility in Turkey for its Packaging Division

Flint Group continues its leadership position in the Packaging Inks segment with the opening of its new facility in the cosmopolitan district of Beylikduzu, in Istanbul, Turkey. This new 3800 square meter manufacturing and distribution facility is conveniently located only 13 kilometers from the main container terminal on the European side of Turkey and is well positioned for exports to surrounding markets in the Middle East. Kim Melander, VP Sales EMEA & Global Strategy Paper & Board, says this, “Flint Group’s Paper & Board business has been a local supplier in Turkey and the neighbouring regions since 2008 and our team has been satisfying customers’ requirements with state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities and expert local service for nearly 10 years. This additional investment not only solidifies Flint Group’s dedication to the Turkish market, but also confirms our promise to grow together with its customers in this key emerging market.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Holmen sells forest properties

Holmen has signed an agreement to sell forest properties in north-west Jämtland, Sweden, for SEK 100 million. The sale is expected to be completed in January 2018. The Group’s earnings will be positively impacted by just over SEK 70 million in the first quarter of 2018 since the sale price exceeds the carrying amount according to IAS 41. With holdings of over 1 million hectares of productive forest land, Holmen is one of Sweden’s largest forest owners. “This forest land is located far from our production facilities and has significant other values than forestry. We intend to reinvest the sales proceeds in forest located closer to our own production facilities,” says Henrik Sjölund, President and CEO of Holmen. Click Read More below for additional information.
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BuzzFeed Hits Brakes: Announces Layoffs, Ad Restructuring

BuzzFeed, long the darling of native digital publishing models, is hitting its brakes following a weakening of advertising demand. The company said it is laying off about 100 employees in the U.S. -- less than 10% of its global workforce -- and restructuring its advertising sales organization “amid a tough digital media market.” In an email to the company's staff, CEO Jonah Peretti announced Greg Coleman is stepping down as BuzzFeed’s president and would take on an advisory role. BuzzFeed News Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith said cuts will not affect BuzzFeed’s U.S. news team directly. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Metsä Group further improved its evaluation scoring in WWF’s Environmental Paper Company Index for transparency

Metsä Group has been participant in the international Environmental Paper Company Index (EPCI), arranged by the WWF, for evaluating companies’ transparency. This year, Metsä Group participated in the pulp (Metsä Fibre) and tissue paper (Metsä Tissue) categories, improving its overall scoring in both. The tissue overall scoring improved from 77.3% in 2015 to 80.5% in 2017, and the pulp overall scoring from 68.9% in 2015 to 72.3% in 2017. Metsä Group’s investment in clean manufacturing can be seen as improved scores in both categories. The tissue category scoring improved from 64% in 2015 to 70% in 2017, and the pulp from 76% to 85% in corresponding years. The criteria for clean manufacturing includes energy use, energy sourcing, fossil CO2 and other emissions to air and water as well as the amount of landfill waste. Click Read More below for additional information.
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PEFC’s Stakeholder Dialogue calls for Purposeful Innovation

“Once technologies have been incorporated adeptly into certification systems, we'll begin to see a shift to where certification systems are data brokers for social and environmental performance,” highlighted Wiebke Herding, ON:Subject, during her keynote presentation to the PEFC Stakeholder Dialogue. “Such a future, however, will require a shift in the use of technology and in the organizational purpose. If done well, it will enable more and real-time information about product flows through the supply chain, enable information feedback loops that benefit and add value to all participants, whilst ensuring that confidential data remains confidential.” With Ms. Herding’s forward-looking and provocative keynote address, PEFC’s Stakeholder Dialogue on ‘Making Certification SMART’ got off to a dynamic and enthusiastic start. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Units Drop 3% In Thanksgiving Week

Sales of print book got off to a slow holiday season start as units fell 3% in the Thanksgiving week ended November 26, compared to the comparable week in 2016, at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. Units fell 9% in the mass merchandiser channel compared to last year, while sales to retailers and clubs slipped 1%. The top-selling title in the week was Jeff Kinney’s newest Wimpy Kid book, The Getaway, which sold over 139,000 copies. A new release, Pete the Cat, by James Dean was in second place with over 104,000 copies sold. Four “5 Minute” Disney books also had a strong first week of sales with 5 Minute Disney Snuggle Stories, 5 Minute Disney Disney Princess, 5 Minute Disney Pixar, and 5 Minute Disney Avengers selling a total of roughly 281,000 copies in their first week on sale. Despite the the 3% decline in overall sales for the week, print units were still up 2% in the first 47 weeks of 2017, over 2016.
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Rottneros introduces new organisation for increased market and productivity focus

As part of optimising the Rottneros Group, a new organisation is introduced with a group-wide sales organisation and a site manager for each mill. At the same time, a group-wide safety function is established, which becomes part of the Human Resource Department. The purpose of the new organisation is to create an increased focus within each sub-area. Through the new organisation, the mills can focus wholeheartedly on productivity, quality, environment, costs and completion of Agenda 500. The common safety function also means that we will be able to get even more out of our high-priority safety work in the future, while it can be conducted in an efficient way, comments Lennart Eberleh, President and CEO of Rottneros. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Tiny Prints Teams Up with Baby2Baby to Support Children in Need

Tiny Prints unveiled an exclusive charitable holiday card collection, benefiting Baby2Baby, a non-profit organization that provides low-income children ages zero to 12 years with diapers, clothing and basic necessities that every child deserves. This year, Tiny Prints is increasing its donation pledge to 25 percent of the Baby2Baby Holiday Collection sales*. "Over the past four years, Tiny Prints has been committed to helping us impact the lives of so many deserving children in Los Angeles and beyond. With their help, this year we will provide over 150,000 children in Los Angeles with the basic essentials that every child deserves. We are so grateful for their continued support of the Baby2Baby kids," said Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein, Co-Presidents of Baby2Baby. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Smurfit Kappa’s eye-catching drinks packaging stands out at the FlexoTech awards

The striking pre-print liner, which was designed for leading beer brand Beck’s, took the honour in the ‘Sacks and Corrugated Pre-Print Liner’ category. The complex liner required a high concentration of ink coverage to meet the customer’s brief of realistic, stand-out print. In order to achieve the attention-grabbing finish, composite colours were used to build the brand’s vivid green shade and put the bottle in the spotlight. With up to 82% of purchase decisions being made in-store, there is increasing pressure on brands to create a dramatic on-shelf presence and the beautiful Beck’s packaging more than delivers on the brief. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Clearwater Paper Releases 2017 Corporate Social Responsibilty (CSR) Report

"At Clearwater Paper, we look at sustainability as a continuous improvement journey that reflects our strong commitment to being part of the solution in a changing and challenging world," said Linda Massman, president and CEO. "As such, we are pleased to present this CSR report, which was developed using current Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 guidelines." Highlights from the report include: •68 percent reduction in waste to landfill since 2012. •10 percent reduction in water usage since 2012. •23 percent reduction in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) since 2012. •9 percent reduction in recordable safety incidents since 2012. Click Read More below for additional information.
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LSC Communications Acquires The Clark Group

LSC Communications announced that it has acquired The Clark Group. Clark is a leading third-party logistics provider of distribution, consolidation, transportation management and international freight forwarding services, with a network of nine strategically located distribution centers in the US. “Continuing to expand LSC’s logistics service offering in ways that add value to our clients’ businesses has been a sharp focus for us,” said Thomas J. Quinlan III, Chairman and CEO of LSC. “The Clark Group brings a range of supply chain services to LSC that position us for growth, including the ability to better provide a full-service offering for magazine clients with newsstand distribution as well as reverse logistics solutions for our book publisher clients.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Ahlstrom-Munksjö launches Trinitex® Advance W3000 for high efficiency gas turbine filtration

Ahlstrom-Munksjö announces the launch of Ahlstrom-Munksjö Trinitex® Advance W3000, a unique filtration media specifically designed for pulse jet gas turbine applications. “Trinitex® Advance W3000 has the ability to combine EPA (Efficiency Particulate Air) efficiencies, whilst delivering highest protection of the gas turbine in all demanding conditions, especially humid or industrial environments” says Cedric Vallet, Product Manager at Ahlstrom Munksjo. “ Trinitex® Advance W3000 delivers high particulate removal efficiency, reducing corrosion and fouling, thus minimizing maintenance and unplanned shut downs. It also delivers higher efficiency at a low level of pressure drop, helping to minimize energy consumption. Trinitex® Advance W3000 enables extended performance in all challenging environments, increasing filter lifetime and reducing frequency for filter change” he adds. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Slips on Signs U.S. Inventories Gained Ahead of OPEC Meeting

Futures lost as much as 0.9 percent in New York after falling 1.6 percent the previous two sessions. U.S. crude inventories rose by 1.82 million barrels last week, the American Petroleum Institute was said to report, even as it noted a large decline at the storage hub in Cushing, Oklahoma. While all OPEC members support extending output curbs until the end of 2018, Russia hasn’t yet committed to the proposal, said people familiar with the matter. Oil has eased this week from the highest level in more than two years on uncertainty about the outcome of Thursday’s meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. While the global glut relative to the five-year average has more than halved since January, the surplus still stands at 140 million barrels, OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said Monday. Click Read More below for additional information.
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U.S. Ad Market Up 7% in October, Boosted By Digital

Continued gains from digital media -- and virtually unchanged results from national TV -- helped lift the U.S. ad market to a robust 7% hike in October. Digital media grew 11%, while national TV inched up 1% and radio rose a surprising 16%, Standard Media Index says. On the losing end, out-of-home was down 3%, magazines slid 19%, and newspapers gave up 3%. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Kingery Printing Acquires Fellow Illinois Commercial Printer United Graphics

Kingery Printing, an Effingham, Ill.-based commercial printer that provides a full suite of prepress, sheetfed and web printing, binding, and distribution services, has announced the acquisition, effective December 1st, of Mattoon, Ill.-based United Graphics, a digital and offset printing company that specializes in the manufacturing of books, catalogs, guides and newsletters. Graphic Arts Advisors (GAA), Mountain Lakes, N.J., a strategic financial advisory and consulting firm devoted exclusively to all sectors of the graphic communications industry, represented Kingery Printing in the acquisition, with GAA Director John Hyde, Esq. serving as lead advisor on the purchase. Under the agreement, United Graphics and its Mattoon facility, will become part of the Kingery Printing organization, which, in addition to its Effingham headquarters and manufacturing facility, also includes a plant in Henry, Ill. John Wurtsbaugh, president of United Graphics, becomes COO of Kingery Printing, overseeing operations at all three facilities. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Amazon Publishing Launches New Imprint

Amazon Publishing has launched Amazon Original Stories, a new imprint that will release short fiction and nonfiction works that can be read in a single sitting. The essays and reported pieces, available in the Kindle Singles store, will be free to Prime and Kindle Unlimited members. The pieces will be $1.99 for all other customers. The imprint's first titles are The Sign of the Beast by Joyce Carol Oates and Crown Heights by Colin Warner and Carl King. Forthcoming 2018 titles from the imprint include works by W. Kamau Bell, Jade Chang, Eddie Huang, Janice Y.K. Lee, Walter Kirn, Dean Koontz, Wednesday Martin, Nick McDonell, Harold Schechter, Dan Slater, Dodai Stewart, and Susan Straight. Click Read More below for additional information.
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The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Announces November 2017 Sales

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. announced that comparable store sales for the four weeks ended November 25, 2017 increased 3.1%. Total sales increased 1.9% to $280.6 million in the current year compared with $275.3 million in the prior year period. "We are very pleased with our November sales results and our strong start to the holiday season," said Bill Tracy, president and chief executive officer for The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. "We were well positioned heading into Black Friday weekend, and our new merchandising and marketing initiatives continue to generate positive initial results. We experienced in-store traffic that was better than industry regional trends, particularly on Black Friday, and our investments in our online and mobile shopping experience are resonating with customers. We continue to execute with a sense of urgency and remain focused on a successful holiday season."
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Informed Delivery: U.S. Postal Service’s Latest Innovation

Do you wait to see which co-workers, family members or friends send you holiday greeting cards before sending your own? Do you feel guilty about sending cards after-the-fact or worse — late? Well, stop feeling guilty. Your procrastinating ends this holiday season. Thanks to the latest innovative feature now offered by the U.S. Postal Service, you can preview those greeting cards from co-workers, family members and friends before they are delivered to your mailbox. Be among the first in your neighborhood to mail out cards this holiday season — not the last. “Informed Delivery is the perfect solution for mailing greeting cards this holiday season ahead of time,” said Product Innovation Vice President Gary Reblin. “See what’s coming soon to your mailbox before it’s actually delivered and manage your packages, too. Conveniently posted on your mobile phone, tablet or computer.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Lecta introduces its new Adestor catalogue of self-adhesive labels

An extensive range of self-adhesive materials in sheets and reels for multiple applications. With a new format and a clean, elegant graphic line, the latest Adestor? swatchbook is noteworthy for its functionality, including as a new feature at the end of each section an envelope for future product samples. The catalogue features all of Lecta's self-adhesive papers and films, including its most recent launches such as its new high-gloss, wet-strength Adestor Metal HG WS? metalized facestock and the new Adestor Matt Inkjet and Adestor Gloss Inkjet? facestocks, specially designed for water-based inkjet printing. From stickers to retail and signage applications to labels for specific sectors such as wine, logistics or home and personal care, an Adestor solution is available with permanent, repositionable and removable adhesives and filmic liners in addition to standard glassine and kraft liners. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Euro-Graph Publishes Monthly Statistics for the European Graphic Papers Industry

Total European shipments of Graphic Papers were down 4.2% in September vs. September 2016 and are down 0.9% year-to-date. Total European shipments of Newsprint were down 5.5% in September vs. September 2016 and are down 3.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of SC-Magazine were down 11.1% in September vs. September 2016 and are flat year-to-date. Total European shipments of Coated Mechanical Reels were down 4.6% in September vs. September 2016 and are down 1.4% year-to-date. Total European shipments of Uncoated Mechanical were UP 4.2% in September vs. September 2016 and are UP 2.3% year-to-date. Total European shipments of Coated Woodfree were down 1.4% in September vs. September 2016 and are UP 1.3% year-to-date. Total European shipments of Uncoated Woodfree were down 3.9% in September vs. September 2016 and are down 0.9% year-to-date. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Personalization Universe® Joins The 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Family Of Brands

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. announced that Personalization Universe®, a destination developed by the company featuring a curated assortment of distinctive customizable gifts and keepsakes, has joined its family of brands. This new brand offers shoppers a personalized option for their gifting needs and is part of the company's ongoing strategy to provide customers with a one-stop shop for all celebratory occasions. In addition to Personalization Universe, the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. portfolio of brands includes 1-800-Baskets.com®, Cheryl's® cookies, FruitBouquets.com, Harry & David®, Moose Munch® premium popcorn, Simply ChocolateSM, The Popcorn Factory®, and Wolferman's®. "We are pleased to add Personalization Universe to our growing family of gifting brands," said Chris McCann, Chief Executive Officer, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. "We've been testing the personalized business for some time, while closely monitoring the retail environment and ultimately identifying a strong opportunity within the customized gifts space. What resulted was the creation of a dedicated destination for a carefully curated assortment of unique items that may be personalized, providing gift-givers with truly special ways to act on their thoughtfulness." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Adobe Data Shows Cyber Monday Is Largest Online Sales Day in History with $6.59 Billion

Adobe released its 2017 online shopping data for Cyber Monday and the holiday weekend overall. Cyber Monday is projected to hit a new record as the largest online sales day in history with $6.59 billion by the end of the day. This marks a 16.8 percent year-over-year (YoY) increase as of 10:00 p.m. ET. In comparison, Black Friday and Thanksgiving Day brought in $5.03 billion and $2.87 billion in revenue respectively. Top sellers on Cyber Monday included the Nintendo Switch, PJ Masks and Hatchimals & Colleggtibles figurines, Apple AirPods, streaming devices like Google Chromecast and Roku, and Super Mario Odyssey, the video game. The holiday shopping season so far (November 1 to 27) drove a total of $50 billion in online revenue, a 16.8 percent increase. Adobe predicts this will be the first-ever holiday season to break $100 billion in online sales. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Extends Declines Before OPEC Meeting on Output-Cut Extension

Futures dropped as much as 1.2 percent in London, extending Monday’s decline. Uncertainty over the outcome of Thursday’s meeting is creating the risk of a slide in prices, which have gained on assumptions that the curbs will be prolonged for nine months, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. OPEC backs such an extension but is still waiting for commitments from Russia, according to people familiar with the matter. Crude surged earlier this month on signs the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners will prolong cuts aimed at shrinking a global glut. Prices, time spreads and hedge-fund positioning all reflect a high probability the group will follow a Saudi proposal to extend the pact to the end of 2018, Goldman said. Yet Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said Tuesday that it’s too early to talk about the duration. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Cascades wins a 2017 Food Innovation – Packaging Award for northbox®

Cascades Inc. is proud to have received a Food Innovation Award from the Food Processing Council of Quebec, in the Packaging category, for its northbox ® product, a new recyclable, insulated box. Cascades has developed northbox, a recyclable thermal box that ensures e-shipment temperature-sensitive product to your customer’s door. The northbox ® is an isothermal container made entirely of recycled materials, that is ideal for shipping temperature-sensitive products by mail. It was designed with the objective of being recyclable at the end of its lifecycle—a first in North America. With its thermal performance and eco-friendly features, northbox ® meets the needs of high-growth markets, notably e-commerce, for prepared and ready-to-cook meals. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Rite Aid Announces First Closings of Asset Sale to Walgreens Boots Alliance

Rite Aid Corporation announced that it has completed the pilot closing and first subsequent closings under the amended and restated asset purchase agreement entered into on September 18, 2017, resulting in the transfer of 97 Rite Aid stores and related assets to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA). Under the amended and restated agreement, WBA will purchase a total of 1,932 stores, three distribution centers and related inventory from Rite Aid for an all-cash purchase price of $4.375 billion on a cash-free, debt-free basis. Rite Aid and WBA expect to continue to transfer ownership of the stores in phases over the coming months, with the goal being to complete the store transfers in spring of 2018. The majority of the closing conditions have been satisfied, and the subsequent transfers of Rite Aid stores and related assets remain subject to minimal customary closing conditions applicable only to the stores being transferred at such subsequent closing, as specified in the asset purchase agreement. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Torstar announces community and daily newspaper transaction with Postmedia

Torstar Corporation announced it has completed a transaction with Postmedia Network Inc. (“Postmedia”) relating to the purchase and sale of a number of community and daily newspapers. As part of the transaction, Torstar has acquired eight weekly community publications, seven daily community newspapers and two free daily newspapers from Postmedia. The daily publications are the Barrie Examiner, Niagara Falls Review, Northumberland Today, Orillia Packet & Times, Peterborough Examiner, St. Catharines Standard and Welland Tribune. The community papers are the Bradford Times, Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin, Fort Erie Times, Innisfil Examiner, Niagara Advance, Pelham News, Inport News (Port Colborne) and Thorold Niagara News. As well, Torstar acquired the free dailies 24Hours Toronto and 24Hours Vancouver. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Innovation tops the agenda at European Paper Week, as industry moves forward on the bioeconomy

The 19th edition of European Paper Week will mark CEPI’s 25th anniversary and takes place in the background of industry’s transformation towards a low-carbon, circular bioeconomy. As part of this year’s theme, attendees are invited to look forward and ‘Sense the Future’ by experiencing through the five senses the innovative, bio-based potential of the industry. “Industry transformation is gaining pace. This year’s European Paper Week provides an occasion to look forward at how we can, as the leading renewable and recyclable material industry, unleash the full potential of a circular bioeconomy,” says Sylvain Lhôte, Director General at the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI). As part of the industry’s ambition to lead Europe’s bioeconomy transformation, this year’s event will play host to the inaugural Europe-only edition of the Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Awards, where eight accomplished researchers will make the case for their industry-changing ideas. Click Read More below for additional information.
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