Billerud Interim report January–June 2023

The second quarter was challenging with all-time low sales volumes and with currency-neutral net sales declining by 18% compared to the same period last year. The largest sales decline was in North America due to the continued inventory destocking resulting in production curtailments. This, in combination with historically high fiber costs in Europe led to a weak result.

By all indications, the blastomycosis outbreak at the Escanaba mill is behind us. Following a three-week idling and deep cleaning of the facilities, operations were successfully resumed on the 8th of May. We continue to work closely with local, state and federal health experts as they complete their analysis of the testing and sample collection at the mill. Results will be made publicly available in due course. The negative financial impact of the outage and the deep clean was SEK 85 million in the quarter.

From the 1st of April, our financial results are reported according to a regional structure. Business conditions differ vastly between Europe and North America, even if the current situation of high inventories and destocking applies to both regions. Region Europe’s profitability deterioration in the second quarter was primarily due to all-time-high fiber cost and soft volumes. Region North America on the other hand delivered a comparatively healthy margin, despite an operating rate of 50-60%, thanks to our cost-leadership and tight cost control.

For the third quarter, we expect continued low demand for all products except for liquid packaging board where demand is stable. We will continue to adapt our production to demand. Our prices are expected to be more stable, while mix will have a negative impact. Input costs are expected to decline, although fiber cost in Europe remains high.

Our efficiency improvement program remains a top priority. We have raised our 2023 ambition to SEK 600 million with accelerated delivery in the second half year. Examples of initiatives are increased share of field wood purchases and engagement with suppliers to jointly identify efforts to reduce variable costs and optimize consumption rates of high-cost chemicals.
details at: https://www.billerud.com/press–news/press-releases/2023/interim-report-januaryjune-2023

Related Posts

Sappi collaborates with WWF for water security

Sappi has entered into a Water Stewardship agreement with WWF-SA (World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa), aimed at improving the water security in the uMkhomazi catchment area. With its significant manufacturing and forestry footprint in this catchment area, which forms part of the Southern Drakensberg Strategic Water Source Area in KwaZulu-Natal, it makes sense for Sappi to focus its collaborative efforts here, where its Saiccor Mill and 42,000 ha of its forestry land is situated. The catchment also serves commercial farmers, subsistence farmers and domestic users in dispersed settlements across the area, but with it being underdeveloped, faces extensive development changes soon. To meet the future needs of all users, sufficient water at an acceptable level of assurance and quality must be secured. Sappi believes that this can only be achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration across the landscape. To help coordinate and facilitate the approach, Sappi has launched a two-year project with WWF to engage local communities, civil organisations, leadership and regulatory authorities in dialogue and cooperation focused on water stewardship. This collaborative approach is an extension of an innovative structure, known as the Integrated Community Forum (ICF), which Sappi introduced and uses to engage with local adjacent communities.

New Mill Capital Holdings, Infinity Assets, Camjay LLC Purchase Maine Mill Assets of Pixelle Specialty Solutions

GT2 Redevelopment LLC, a Joint Venture of New Mill Capital Holdings, Infinity Asset Solutions and Camjay LLC, has acquired the assets of Pixelle Specialty Solutions in Jay, ME. The acquisition includes the real estate of the main paper mill site as well as all mill equipment and the adjacent cogeneration power plant. “We are thrilled to have acquired the Jay mill and plan on making a significant investment to bring economic life back to the property,” said Tony McDonald, President of Camjay. “The site’s heavy infrastructure can be repurposed for a variety of industrial uses, and we have already started the process of identifying potential new users for the property.”

American Forest & Paper Association Releases May 2021 Printing-Writing Monthly Report

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments increased 11 percent in May compared to May 2020. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers increased six percent in May compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels remained essentially flat (+0.3 percent) when compared to April 2021. Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments increased 22 percent compared to May 2020 while the inventory level increased two percent compared to April 2021. UFS imports and exports both increased compared to April 2020, up 10 percent and 25 percent respectively. U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in May decreased 16 percent compared to last May while the inventory level decreased one percent compared to April 2021. CFS imports decreased 14 percent while exports increased 32 percent in April 2021. Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 14 percent compared to May 2020 while the inventory level increased one percent compared to April 2021. CM imports decreased 17 percent while exports increased five percent in April 2021. U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in May increased 16 percent compared to last May while the inventory level decreased 15 percent compared to April 2021. UM imports increased 10 percent while exports decreased 17 percent in April 2021.
Back To Top
×Close search
Search