BillerudKorsnäs unit in Karlsborg now back to full production

The Mayr-Melnhof Group (MM) has completed the acquisition of the Kwidzyn plant, Poland, agreed in mid-February 2021, with the approval of all relevant competition authorities. The acquisition of Kwidzyn is part of MM's strategy to grow high-quality virgin fiber board (FBB) with innovative, sustainable and cost-efficient grades. In addition, MM diversifies the product portfolio by integrating an attractive pulp and paper production with a focus on uncoated fine paper (UWF) and packaging kraft papers. In line with the expanded product range, the MM Karton division is renamed MM Board & Paper. "I am pleased that we are entering two new core businesses with uncoated fine paper and packaging kraft paper. MM Kwidzyn will drive our innovations for more sustainable packaging solutions in the growing virgin fiber board market and also create attractive new perspectives through the integration of pulp and paper at a European location with cost advantages. We look forward to a successful collaboration with our new colleagues, ”comments Peter Oswald, CEO of the MM Group.

In its quest for supporting a healthy planet, Walgreens committed to four goals for its branded products, by 2030: reduce plastic packaging by 30%, make all packaging recyclable, increase recycled content in packaging and eliminate problematic single-use packaging. Significant steps have been taken toward making all packaging recyclable, and part of the progress has come in an unexpected place—nail polish remover bottle caps. “By switching from black plastic caps to white plastic caps in just these seven Walgreens brand products, we’re able to improve the recyclability of a projected 13 tons of plastic,” says Andrew Horn, senior manager of sustainability operations. “Many recycling facilities use mechanical vision systems, essentially robots with cameras for eyes, to sort packaging that comes in. They have a difficult time correctly identifying black plastic. So, too often, they’ll put it in the waste stream or just inaccurately sort it into the wrong recycling stream.”

Apollo announced that funds managed by Apollo affiliates (the “Apollo Funds”) have completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Novolex Holdings LLC (“Novolex” or the “Company”), a leading global manufacturer of diverse and sustainable packaging products for the foodservice, delivery and carryout, food processor and industrial markets, from funds managed by Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG). Carlyle will retain a minority stake in the Company. The financing for the acquisition includes the largest-ever sustainability-linked loan issued to date. Additional financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.