Berry and Glatfelter Announce Regulatory Milestone in Proposed Transaction for Spin-Off and Merger of Berry’s Health, Hygiene and Specialties Global Nonwovens and Films Business with Glatfelter

Over the past few years, recycled paper made from 100% secondary fibers has turned the Koehler Paper Group into the premium provider of creative board. A firm favorite of the crafting and office segments, this product has recently established itself in the packaging industry and has even gained traction in the high-end segment. While Koehler Paper Group's plant in Thuringia impresses with its "Blue Angel" eco-label, the brilliant colors of its paper products are the real highlight. The newest addition to the range is called "EcoBlack". Udo Hollbach, managing director of Koehler Greiz GmbH & Co. KG has this to say about the new product: "EcoBlack is an extraordinarily high-quality paper that captivates with a deep, rich black and was specially developed for high-quality packaging. It is the next logical step for our range of vibrantly colored recycled paper. With this product, we are catering to our customers' wish that a product avoids doing harm to human health or the environment, without having to sacrifice its aesthetics. EcoBlack is lightfast, resistant to bleeding, color migration and wear." For the product developers at Koehler, it goes without saying that all its paper is ideally suited to further processing. Since EcoBlack is produced completely carbon-free, it lends itself particularly well to embellishment through foil stamping.

Underlying EBITDA from continuing operations in Q1 2023 was €351 million and broadly flat when compared to Q4 2022 after excluding the non-cash forestry fair value gain1. The quarter was characterised by lower average selling prices; softer demand, driven in part by destocking; and lower input costs from the highs seen in H2 2022. While wood prices remained high in Q1 2023, they have now started to reduce. Corrugated Packaging saw softer demand, driven in part by destocking, and lower prices compared to Q4 2022. Flexible Packaging delivered a stable performance compared to Q4 2022, with weaker industry demand and modestly lower prices being offset by falling input costs. Uncoated Fine Paper demand in Europe was lower compared to Q4 2022, with prices declining towards the end of the quarter. In Southern Africa demand and pricing were stable.

Lacerta Group, LLC, a leading provider of custom and stock packaging solutions for food processors and supermarkets, has been awarded the EcoVadis Bronze status for its commitment to sustainability. This award is a testament to Lacerta's ongoing efforts to integrate circularity across its operations and supply chain. The EcoVadis Badge recognizes eligible companies that have completed their assessment process and demonstrated a relatively strong management system that addresses sustainability criteria. This recognition acknowledges achievement relative to other assessed companies. "Lacerta Group has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, and we are honored to receive the EcoVadis Bronze Status as a step in our journey," said Matt Crider, VP of R&D and New Product Development at Lacerta Group. "This recognition underscores our dedication to improving sustainable outcomes for our company, our customers, and those who use our packaging products."