Reality is setting in for about 225 paper mill workers in Camas. Layoffs announced in November 2017 are now underway. Many losing their jobs have worked at the mill for decades. Workers expressed a lot of sadness, grieving the loss of jobs they spent decades doing. The decision is forever changing the city that was built around it. “There's been a paper mill in Camas for 138 years,” Korhonen said. “We were proud to make paper in Camas." Click Read More below for additional information.

Interfor Corporation announced that it has resumed operations at its sawmill in Grand Forks, BC following severe flooding in the area over the past two weeks. The sawmill was temporarily curtailed on May 10, 2018 as a precautionary measure due to the escalating flooding in the region. Even though the sawmill was not operating during this time, a series of measures were taken by mill personnel to protect the operation against potential damage. Fortunately, such actions limited the risk to the mill’s infrastructure and equipment and has allowed the mill to resume operations now that the water level has receded. There are ongoing issues in the region related to rail line damage and the Company will be working with its carriers and customers to manage through the related logistics issues. Click Read More below for additional information.

Stora Enso and Sulapac have signed a joint development agreement to combat the global problem of plastic waste by accelerating the use of fully renewable, recyclable and biodegradable materials in packaging. Through the joint development agreement, Stora Enso will licence Sulapac’s materials and technology, and begin the development of fully renewable caps and closures for liquid packages. Other areas for joint development work include food packages and packages for consumer electronics. Click Read More below for additional information.

Effective with all orders shipping on or after July 1, 2018, Evergreen Packaging is raising the transaction price on all specialty and coated groundwood products by $2.00/cwt. This increase applies to all products, including, but not limited to, the brands listed below: TruSpec4; TruSpec4.5; TruSpec5; Coated Freesheet; Coated 1-Side. ALL Grades, Basis Weights and Finishes. All standard upcharges will continue to apply.

Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased four percent in April compared to April 2017. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased less than one-half of one percent from March. Imports of printing-writing papers decreased less than one-half of one percent compared to March 2017 imports, while exports remained flat compared to March 2018. •Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in April 2018 increased year-over-year, the third increase in four months. Imports of UFS decreased 22 percent year-over-year in March – the tenth consecutive decrease of 12 percent or more. Exports of UFS papers increased 25 percent in March compared to March 2017. •Shipments of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers decreased year-over-year in April 2018 by more than 20 percent. Imports of UM decreased one percent year-over-year in March. Exports of UM decreased 45 percent year-over-year in March. •Shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) paper and coated mechanical (CM) papers in April both declined year-over-year for the eleventh consecutive month. Imports of CM papers increased 33 percent compared to March 2017, partly on the strength of a 47 percent year-over-year increase in CM imports from Canada.

Wisconsin based paper mill, celebrates Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds® promotional campaign from the Paper and Packaging Board. The Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds® campaign is an industry-funded effort to highlight the important role paper and packaging play in lives, helping to accomplish goals and keep goods and products safe. “We are pleased to see the Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds® campaign in the market,” said Jim Koronkiewicz, BPM General Manager. “Our mill has made paper for over 75 years and while we have observed the increased use in technology, statistics show that paper usage creates a long-lasting impression and helps aid communication. The use of promotional videos, information and new brand ambassadors help to strengthen the consumer connection established by the campaign." Click Read More below for additional information.

Kimberly-Clark announced its 2018 Bright Futures Scholarship Program has awarded $1.2 million in college scholarships to 60 children of Kimberly-Clark employees in 17 U.S. states. Recipients were chosen based on academic achievement, leadership, work experience and involvement in extracurricular activities. Marking its 26th year, the Bright Futures program provides scholarship grants worth up to $20,000, or $5,000 per school year, for full-time students attending accredited colleges and universities. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $40 million in scholarships to more than 2,000 students. Click Read More below for additional information.

On 21.5.2018, the Helsinki Court of Appeal rendered its judgment in a case in which Metsähallitus claims damages from Metsäliitto Cooperative, Stora Enso Oyj and UPM-Kymmene Corporation based on their conduct on the wood market in 1997–2004. In its judgment, the Court of Appeal rejected the claims made by Metsähallitus and ordered Metsähallitus to compensate the defendants’ legal costs. The total amount of the joint and several claim for damages made by Metsähallitus in the Court of Appeal was 124.9 million euros. Metsäliitto Cooperative’s share of the capital of the claimed damages was 39.1 million euros. In addition, Metsähallitus claimed compensation for indirect damages, VAT, interest and compensation for legal costs. Click Read More below for additional information.

The aim of the partnership is to construct a new facility to produce advanced renewable fuels from tall oil with a capacity of 100 000 tonnes per annum. Construction of the new facility, subject to permission process and final approval from both companies, is expected to cost around 500 MSEK to build and is planned to be operational in 2021. Tall oil is a residual product from the production of kraft pulp in SCA’s mills Östrand, Obbola and Munksund. SCA is presently expanding its kraft pulp mill Östrand and as a result the production of tall oil from the mill will increase by more than 100 per cent. Between the two partners, the parties constitute the full value-chain from the raw material to the refining process, distribution and sale of the renewable fuel to the customers. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised that, effective with deliveries July 1, 2018, the US transaction price for the following grades from Catalyst Paper will be increasing for new and existing orders. Grades impacted include: Orion®; Vision®; Escanaba®; Dependoweb®; Capri®; Consoweb®. This increase applies to all basis weights as designated above, finishes and grade extensions.

The bio-methanol treatment plant supplied by ANDRITZ is designed to produce 5,000 tons of bio-methanol per year. The plant is a key part of a new process producing sustainable bio-methanol from renewable raw material. Bio-methanol can be used in shipping, for example, as a stand-alone fuel, as well as for the production of biodiesel (RME), as an additive in petrol, or as a raw material in the chemical industry. The methanol produced is compliant with the IMPCA Reference Specifications for merchantable methanol. Start-up of the plant is scheduled for the third quarter of 2019. The global methanol production is in the order of 80 million tons per year and is generated mostly from fossil raw materials. In the chemical wood pulping process, methanol is formed as a by-product that contains many impurities. This raw methanol is purified to a merchantable bio-methanol, which is chemically identical to fossil-based methanol. The bio-methanol generated contributes towards reducing the amount of fossil greenhouse gas emissions. Click Read More below for additional information.

Sappi North America announced the call for entries for its 2018 Ideas that Matter grant program, inviting designers to show the world how design – specifically print – can play an important role in changing lives for the better. Sappi established the Ideas that Matter grant program 19 years ago to fund designers who apply their creative talents to causes that address significant issues facing our society. For nearly two decades, Sappi has witnessed firsthand how the creative and integrated work of designers can change society. Sappi remains committed to the belief that good ideas inspire people to take action, and great ideas change the world. Though many media choices are available, print is at the heart of influential and effective messaging and a perfect complement to promote positive social causes. Click Read More below for additional information.

Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of July 1, 2018 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all Coated Freesheet Web and Coated Groundwood Web grades by 4% to 6%. This includes, but, is not limited to: ArborWeb Plus® web; Sterling® Ultra web; Sterling® Ultra caliper web; Productolith® Pts. web; Publishers Matte®; Publishers ThinBulk®; ArborWeb® web; Influence® web; Focus® web; Liberty® web; Balance® web; New Era® Matte; New Era® ThinBulk. The increase applies to all basis weights, bulks, finishes and related private label grades.

White Birch Paper set a $22/tonne price increase on shipments of 45-g (27.7-lb) newsprint, effective June 15. All other basis weights will be increased according to past practice, White Birch said.

Fortress Global Enterprises Inc. reported 2018 first quarter operating EBITDA loss from continuing operations of $1.4 million compared to operating EBITDA loss from continuing operations of $5.7 million in the previous quarter and operating EBITDA from continuing operations of $6.0 million in the prior year comparative period. The Dissolving Pulp Segment generated operating EBITDA of $0.2 million and corporate costs were $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.

We are announcing a US$22/metric tonne (for 45.0 gsm) newsprint price increase effective with shipments on or after June 15, 2018. Other basis weights will be adjusted accordingly. Please note that this price increase does not apply to Ponderay Newsprint Company.

Metsä Group has established a new innovation company, Metsä Spring Ltd. The company will, together with partner organisations, invest in new endeavours with the target to identify and develop new business opportunities in sustainable forest-based bioeconomy and circular economy. Niklas von Weymarn has been appointed CEO of the company. He transfers to Metsä Spring from the position of VP, Research in Metsä Fibre, also part of Metsä Group. The office of Metsä Spring is in the heart of the internationally-acknowledged Otaniemi innovation campus in Espoo, Finland. The establishment of the new innovation company does not affect the current research and development activities of Metsä Group’s current business areas. ”With the establishment of Metsä Spring, we want to create a new dimension to Metsä Group’s innovation activities and thereby participate more actively in the development of new business concepts in forest-based bioeconomy and circular economy. A large share of new ideas are generated outside our company and the new business concepts are increasingly developed in novel partnerships. The new innovation company enables Metsä Group to better take part in this activity,” says Metsä Group’s President and CEO and Metsä Spring’s Chairman of the Board Ilkka Hämälä. Click Read More below for additional information.

Stora Enso launches its Green Bond Framework as part of its Sustainable Finance approach. The ambition is to offer a loan-format to support sustainability-focused fixed income investors and to report the direct environmental impacts of some its investments and business activities. The Group will use this bond format to complement its other funding sources. Stora Enso’s strategy on Sustainable Finance is a natural part of its overall agenda on sustainability and an integral part of its focus on being the world’s leading renewable materials company. Stora Enso’s goal is to work with funding partners for whom sustainability is a key part of their lending agenda. Stora Enso’s aim is to have all its suppliers, including those for financial services join the Stora Enso Supplier Code of Conduct. We see this as generating competitive advantage and thus prefer to partner with banks and financial service providers that make sustainability a leading issue in their respective eco-systems. Click Read More below for additional information.

Stora Enso is launching its wood-based biocomposites, DuraSense™ by Stora Enso. This is another major step on the group’s journey to replacing fossil-based materials with renewable solutions. DuraSense is available to companies seeking high performance and a sustainable, bio-based alternative to plastics. DuraSense enables the use of renewable fibres, such as wood, to substitute for a large portion of fossil-based plastic. The production of biocomposites began in 2018 at Stora Enso’s Hylte Mill in Sweden, following the EUR 12 million investment announced in 2017. At full production, the mill’s annual production capacity is 15 000 tonnes, which is the largest capacity in Europe dedicated to wood fibre composites. Click Read More below for additional information.

BillerudKorsnäs today announces that negotiations with labour unions over a proposal for new organisation will be initiated within short. The proposal contains a full profit and loss responsibility in three divisions. “During my first months with BillerudKorsnäs, it has become clear to me that we have great conditions for profitable growth. In order for us to take maximum advantage out of these conditions, we need to become faster and clarify accountability within the company. This we now want to accomplish through a new organisation in three divisions with full profit and loss responsibility”, says Petra Einarsson, President and CEO of BillerudKorsnäs. Click Read More below for additional information.

Appvion, Inc. announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved the sale of substantially all of the Company's assets to a group of its lenders led by Franklin Advisers, Inc. The sale is expected to be completed by the end of May. The Purchaser submitted the previously announced stalking horse bid on February 8, 2018. Under the terms of the executed asset purchase agreement filed with the Bankruptcy Court, the total consideration is approximately $340 million plus the assumption of substantial liabilities, including many of the Company's contractual obligations. The transaction will substantially reduce Appvion's debt from approximately $585 million to less than $175 million and provide additional liquidity to fund the Company's operations. Kevin Gilligan, Chief Executive Officer of Appvion, said, "We are pleased to receive the Court's approval of the sale of our company to a group of our lenders who have been long-term supporters of Appvion. Their continued investment is a vote of confidence in the future of our business." Click Read More below for additional information.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced a $52.3 million strategic investment plan for its Saint-Félicien pulp mill, located in the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. The announcement was made at a press conference attended by Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, and many dignitaries and company employees. "The significant investments at Saint-Félicien are expected to improve several areas of the operation, increasing the average daily production capacity by 76 metric tons and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fossil fuels by 20%," said Yves Laflamme, president and chief executive officer. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised that Lecta will increase its prices by 5%, for new orders with a delivery date on and after May 14th, 2018. This increase is applicable on web rolls of: Condat Gloss, Silk, Matte, Digital; Garda Gloss and Silk Matte, Digital; Creator Star and Silk Matte, Digital; Mill and private brands Gloss, Silk, Matte, Digital.

Effective with all orders placed on/after June 15, 2018 Technicote Westfield will increase prices by 5% for all Strata pressure sensitive sheeted products. Orders placed prior to June 15, 2018 and scheduled to ship within standard lead times will receive current pricing.

Sappi North America announces a transactional price increase of 4% to 6% on new and unconfirmed orders that book with confirmed delivery dates on or after Monday, May 14, 2018 on the following products: • McCoy Web • Opus Web • Somerset Web • Flo Web • Galerie Web. Standard differentials and upcharges apply. The price increase includes all basis weights and finishes and all private label programs.

Papierfabrik August Koehler SE, based in Oberkirch, recently celebrated the official groundbreaking ceremony for a new paper machine. Watched by some 145 invited guests, including the shareholders of Koehler Holding GmbH & Co. KG, the ground was broken by the Koehler Executive Board and representatives of the contracted construction firms Bold GmbH & Co. KG and Rendler Bau , Dr. Michael Trefz (Voith Paper Holding), the architects Alfons Burkart (archigroup GBR) and Thomas Schweiker (Schweiker Architekten), and the Kehl Building Commissioner Harald Krapp. In his welcome address, CEO Kai Furler, who is the eighth generation of his family to lead Koehler, underlined the fact that the Kehl site, with its three paper machines, will be the largest and most modern production site for specialty papers in Europe. This investment is the most significant in the 211-year history of the company. During its global search for a perfect site for the new production facility, the company came to the conclusion that there is no need to search far and wide when the answer is so close to home. Click Read More below for additional information.

or the first quarter of 2018, total revenue decreased by $23.4 million, or 92.5%, to $1.9 million from $25.3 million for the same period of the prior year. Gross loss was $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to gross profit of $5.7 million for the same period of the prior year. Click Read More below for additional information.

Financial summary for the quarter: EBITDA excluding special items US$211 million (Q2 2017 US$208 million). Profit for the period US$102 million (Q2 2017 US$88 million). EPS excluding special items 17 US cents (Q2 2017 17 US cents). Acquisition of Cham speciality paper business completed. Net debt US$1,632 million (Q2 2017 US$1,329 million). Click Read More below for additional information.

Effective with shipments July 1, 2018 and after, Kruger will increase the transaction price of all coated grades. This includes Krukote Offset; Krukote Hi Bulk; Krukote 76/80; Krukote Recycled; Krukote Satin/76/80. The increase will apply to all basis weights and finishes.

Between May 14 and 24, Klabin’s Monte Alegre Unit in Telêmaco Borba will perform its annual Maintenance Shutdown. More than 4,000 services will be executed over 11 days on the equipment at the unit to ensure the safety and continuity of the operation. The Maintenance Shutdown is compulsory for companies that have machinery such as boilers and digesters. Completing the tasks on schedule requires a large number of workers, many of whom work exclusively in pulp and paper mill shutdowns. Click Read More below for additional information.

Containerboard capacity continued to increase, rising 1.9 percent in 2017 to a record 38.9 million tons. Containerboard accounted for 46.2 percent of U.S. paper and paperboard capacity in 2017. Tissue paper capacity is on a long-term expansionary trajectory, approximately in line with U.S. population growth, and rose 0.2 percent in 2017. Four tissue paper machines started production in 2017. Those capacity additions were partly offset by two mill closures that same year. Reflecting displacement from digital media, capacity for newsprint and printing-writing papers continued to decline in 2017. Three mills and six machines producing these grades were permanently closed that year. Click Read More below for additional information.

The premier of British Columbia, John Horgan, has asked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to provide the promised assistance to Catalyst Paper and other Canadian paper mills, reports Terrace Standard. “The massive tariffs imposed by U.S. authorities at the behest of a single Washington state company put the jobs of 1,600 British Columbians working at three Catalyst pulp mills at risk,” Horgan wrote in a letter to Trudeau. “While I appreciate the magnitude of other U.S. actions may seem signifiant – steel, aluminum and softwood lumber stand out – the future of three coastal communities is at stake in this matter.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Paper machine 11 at Catalyst Paper Corporation’s Powell River mill went into start-up mode on May 7 after a three-week production curtailment of uncoated groundwood paper. The curtailment started on April 16 in response to a shortage of fibre and United States Department of Commerce tariffs on uncoated groundwood paper.

Consolidated net sales increased 10 percent to a record $266.5 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared with $242.1 million in the first quarter of 2017. Revenue gains resulted from higher volumes, both organic and with the November 2017 Coldenhove acquisition, a higher-priced sales mix, increased selling prices and favorable currency effects. Operating income of $24.1 million in 2018 decreased 11 percent from $27.0 million in 2017. Income benefited from volume growth, a higher value mix, increased selling prices and currency, but was more than offset by higher input and distribution costs. Click Read More below for additional information.

Revenue in Q1 2018 was $323.7 million, compared to $289.3 million in Q1 2017, an increase of $34.4 million or 11.9%. The increase in revenue was due to the combination of: an additional 6 days of sales in Q1 2018 compared to Q1 2017; the favourable impact of increased sales volume; and a Consumer selling price increase in Canada in Q4 2017; partially offset by the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on U.S. dollar sales. Net income in Q1 2018 was $1.6 million, compared to $6.9 million in Q1 2017, primarily due to lower Adjusted EBITDA of $6.8 million, higher depreciation expense of $1.1 million, an increase in interest expense of $1.0 million, a decrease in foreign exchange gain of $0.4 million and the loss on sale of fixed assets of $0.4 million. These items were partially offset by a decrease in tax expense of $3.8 million and the change in fair value of derivatives of $0.6 million. Click Read More below for additional information.

Sappi increases prices for its LWC and MWC grades prices by 6-8% from July 1st 2018 for all markets due to continued cost increases and strong demand. This follows previous announcements made for its woodfree coated and woodfree uncoated grades.

Verso Corporation reported financial results for the first quarter of 2018, including net sales of $639 million, net loss of $2 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $41 million. "Verso had a good start in the first quarter of 2018, with sales revenue up 4 percent to $639 million, Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) up 58 percent to $41 million, and Adjusted EBITDA margin up 2.2 percentage points compared to the first quarter of 2017," said Verso Chief Executive Officer, B. Christopher DiSantis. "We continued to grow our specialty papers business, now 24 percent of total revenue, and are seeing the benefits of our SG&A cost improvement initiatives, with an improvement of $8 million versus the first quarter of 2017. Looking ahead, we have positioned Verso well to benefit from improved operating rates and are building a better business." Click Read More below for additional information.

In addition to significantly boosting the mill’s production capacity, the upgrades will further enhance our first quartile performance in safety and quality. With this major investment, the Camden plant will continue to be a stable and significant employer in this region, paying good wages and benefits to our valuable employees. The upgrades, which will begin later this year, will include an upgraded new planer mill, a new continuous dry kiln to increase drying capacity, as well as new Sawmill equipment that will help increase the mill’s production capacity. Work is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2019. Click Read More below for additional information.

• First quarter 2018 net income of $24 million and EBITDA of $86 million • Diluted earnings per share of $0.38; 153 percent increase from prior year • Pulp contributed significant EBITDA; Forest Products delivered solid profitability despite duties on U.S. sales; High Purity Cellulose impacted by production issues in two facilities and a spike in energy costs • Integration of Tembec progressing as planned with significant contributions to first quarter profitability • $7 million of transformation and synergy savings achieved; on track to meet 2018 target of $40 million. Click Read More below for additional information.

The Navigator Company announced today that it will be increasing prices our Uncoated Woodfree Papers by 7 to 8 % in Europe, in all products and markets. This increase will be effective from 1st July dispatches and this decision was taken following the continuous increase in our key production costs.

Interfor Corporation recorded net earnings in Q1’18 of $33.0 million, or $0.47 per share, compared to $36.2 million, or $0.52 per share in Q4’17 and $19.7 million, or $0.28 per share in Q1’17. Adjusted net earnings in Q1’18 were $36.8 million or $0.52 per share, compared to $45.1 million, or $0.64 per share in Q4’17 and $22.7 million, or $0.32 per share in Q1’17. Adjusted EBITDA was $81.1 million on sales of $527.6 million in Q1’18 versus $89.5 million on sales of $532.8 million in Q4’17. Click Read More below for additional information.

Production in the Vallvik Mill has been affected by an unplanned shutdown due to disturbances in the bleaching plant and the recovery boiler. Repair work is underway and normal production is scheduled for Wednesday 9 May. The shutdown represents an estimated production loss of about 6,000 tonnes corresponding to approximately 6 percent of the Group's total planned production for the quarter.

Mohawk is announcing a price increase of 3.0% on all Domtar Lynx ® and and Earth Choice® Envelopes, and on all International Paper Accent ® Opaque and Springhill ® Envelopes effective with orders taken on June 4, 2018. This price increase will be applied to all contracts and promotions, within agreed upon terms, which include these grades. Manufacturing orders for these envelopes on file with Mohawk prior to June 4, but shipping after that date, will retain the agreed upon price.

Effective June 1st, HP is increasing the list prices on select large format supplies (some SKUs will not change – including PageWide XL and HP T3500 DesignJet eMFP ink SKUs). Actual price increases will vary by SKU, between 3% and 15%. As part of HP’s normal portfolio management process, the company regularly reviews pricing for all its products and adjusts accordingly.

Mr. David M. Gandossi, the Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are pleased with our performance and results for the first quarter of 2018 as: * we generated record Operating EBITDA of $99.4 million in the current quarter; * in 2018 we continued realizing on identified fiber synergies between the Friesau Facility and our German pulp mills. In the first quarter of 2018, including fiber, we estimate we have realized approximately $3.5 million of synergy savings; and * our pulp mills had solid production in the current quarter, with no scheduled maintenance downtime. Click Read More below for additional information.

Oceanwood has entered into a sale and purchase agreement (the SPA*) to buy the entire issued share capital of Norske Skog AS (Norske Skog). Following a four-month competitive auction process, in which more than 100 prospective bidders were approached, Oceanwood emerged as the winning bidder by offering the highest value in cash for the shares and the intercompany loans. John Chiang, an Investment Adviser of Oceanwood, says: “Our first investment in Norske Skog was back in 2015 and we have supported and worked constructively with the group since. In November 2017, as it became apparent that it would be difficult to reach a consensual solution and solve the financial issues in the former Norske Skogindustrier holding structure, we decided to act to protect the operating companies. With the subsequent auction process now concluded, we are very excited to team up with Norske Skog’s management and employees. We share the ambition to see the new Norske Skog Group succeed and to realise the potential that we believe is inherent in the business as it continues to transform and grow.” Click Read More below for additional information.

The company recorded operating income of $48 million in the quarter, compared to $53 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Operating results benefitted from the continued positive price momentum across most of our product offerings ($37 million), a decrease in maintenance outages and lower share-based compensation expense. These favorable elements were not sufficient to offset the significant increase in freight costs, seasonally higher energy costs, aggravated by unusually cold weather conditions, an increase in market-based stumpage fees and a decrease in shipments. Sales volumes were lower due to transportation challenges, timing of export sales, seasonally lower demand for supercalendered papers and lower productivity. The operating results in the previous quarter also included a gain on the disposition of assets of our Mokpo (South Korea) paper mill ($13 million). Click Read More below for additional information.

January–March 2018 (1–3/2017) *Sales were EUR 1,428 million (1–3/2017: EUR 1,216 million). *Operating result was EUR 208 million (131). Comparable operating result was EUR 208 million (128). *Result before tax was EUR 185 million (130). Comparable result before tax was EUR 185 million (126). *Comparable return on capital employed was 16.6% (12.5). *Cash flow from operations was EUR 34 million (-1). Click Read More below for additional information.

With the U.S. uncoated groundwood papers industry starting to see a level playing field against unfairly traded imports, North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC) CEO Craig Anneberg announced the hiring of 50 new full- and part-time employees and the limited restart of operations for Paper Machine 1 (PM1) idled this past year: "NORPAC has a world-class facility that can compete with anyone in the world on a level playing field. With the recent trade case preliminary determinations made by the Department of Commerce, important steps toward fair competition for American producers, NORPAC is excited to announce the hiring of 50 new employees and the limited restart of operations for Paper Machine 1 at our Longview facility to meet growing demand. Click Read More below for additional information.

SCA increases prices on coated publication paper, CMR , and improved uncoated publication paper by 40 Euro per tonne. “We see a substantially stronger demand for publication paper, “ says Ulf Edman Vice President Sales and Marketing Publication Paper. The new prices are valid for all deliveries from July 1 this year.

Effective May 2, 2018, Solenis and BASF signed an agreement to combine BASF’s paper and water chemicals business with Solenis to jointly create a customer-focused global specialty chemical company. The combined company intends to operate under the Solenis brand and will be positioned to provide expanded offerings and cost-effective solutions for customers in two specialty chemical businesses: paper technologies and industrial water technologies. “Together, we have a unique opportunity to create a customer-focused global specialty chemical company with an enhanced focus and expanded offerings,” said Solenis President and CEO John Panichella, who will lead the combined company headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. “I am pleased that our cultures are closely aligned and that our companies share a strong common desire to create value for our customers. Together, as one team of experts, we will continue to strive toward excellence in innovation, sustainability and safety.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Georgia-Pacific has announced that the formerly known Augusta Select Tissue mill in Augusta, Canada, would be closing, reports WRBC. The company pinned the mill’s closure on increased competition in the industry and improved performance of other facilities. Some of the equipment will be moved to other units, while other will be sold for scrap. The property will also eventually be sold, according to the company. Click Read More below for additional information.

"We are pleased with the support expressed by our employees. The company and the union have invested a great deal of time and resources over the last several years addressing public policy issues facing our company and industry. The collaborative environment we enjoy today is built on mutual trust and transparency," said Yves Laflamme, president and chief executive officer. "Our employees and their union leaders are committed to help keep our Canadian pulp and paper mills competitive, while providing stability for our customers, shareholders, communities and other partners." The collective agreements cover approximately 1,100 hourly employees represented by Unifor at Resolute's Amos, Baie-Comeau, Dolbeau, Gatineau, Kénogami and Saint-Félicien mills in Quebec, and Thunder Bay mill and indefinitely idled Thorold facility in Ontario. The eight operations account for about 40% of the company's total pulp and paper capacity. Click Read More below for additional information.

Kruger has announced a US$40/MT (45 gsm) newsprint price increase effective on all shipments made on or after June 1, 2018. The transaction price for all other basis weights and other Uncoated Groundwood products (Krubook and Krubrite) will be adjusted accordingly.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced major investments totaling $12,956,700 in its La Doré wood products facilities, located in the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. The announcement was made during a press conference attended by Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, as well as dignitaries and company employees. The investments will be used to integrate new technologies into the manufacturing processes in order to sustain the facilities' continuously enhanced performance in an ever-changing competitive environment. Also through these investments, energy efficiency will be improved as operational processes are modernized. Click Read More below for additional information.

Domtar Corporation reported net earnings of $54 million ($0.86 per share) for the first quarter of 2018 compared to a net loss of $386 million ($6.16 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2017 and net earnings of $20 million ($0.32 per share) for the first quarter of 2017. Sales for the first quarter of 2018 were $1.3 billion. "We continued to see strong price momentum for our products in the first quarter with higher price realizations in both of our pulp and paper businesses," said John D. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Despite improved results, some of our operations were adversely affected by severe weather, notably in our pulp business, which impacted production and costs. Constrained availability of trucking options also contributed to higher than expected freight costs in the first quarter. Nevertheless, the short-term outlook for pulp and paper markets continues to be favorable." Click Read More below for additional information.

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) announced that it has achieved a gold rating from EcoVadis, the global leader in sustainability assessments, for its continued commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) throughout its business operations. This achievement places the company in the top five percent of organizations rated. This is the second time APP has received this recognition from EcoVadis. The rating is based on anextensive assessment of four key areas in APP’soperations in Indonesia and China – Environment; Labor Practice and Human Rights; Sustainable Procurement; and Fair Business Practices. Click Read More below for additional information.

Glatfelter reported first quarter of 2018 net income of $5.7 million, or $0.13 per diluted share compared with $11.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted earnings for the first quarter of 2018 were $8.6 million, or $0.19 per diluted share compared with $17.2 million, or $0.39 per diluted share for the same period a year ago. Consolidated net sales totaled $410.6 million and $390.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Foreign currency translation favorably impacted the year-over-year comparison by $21.8 million. On a constant currency basis, Composite Fibers’ net sales were essentially flat and Advanced Airlaid Materials’ increased by 7.8%. Specialty Papers’ net sales declined 3.1% in the year-over-year comparison. Click Read More below for additional information.

After first “paper on reel” on March 31st, LEIPA will soon complete the startup period of its PM 5 and begin supplying customers with uncoated White Top Testliner from PM 5. LEIPA Group CEO Peter Probst: “We look forward to growing successfully with our customers and partners. The demand for White Top Liner remains consistently high and the trend is rising. Prices are at a high level as well. These factors result in excellent conditions for the market launch of the PM 5.” As an international market leader LEIPA will have developed a one-stop shop for their customers with the PM 3 and PM 5, offering an annual total capacity of 700,000 tons of coated and uncoated White Top Testliner. Click Read More below for additional information.

Sappi North America announced a new addition to The Reflected Works, an educational collection showcasing the creative marketing campaigns of S.D. Warren Company, which Sappi Limited acquired in 1994. The collection originally consisted of three printed booklets and online archives, each showcasing a different area of marketing expertise, and was recently expanded to include additional work from notable designer W.A. Dwiggins. The collection demonstrates Sappi's creative leadership since 1854 as the S.D. Warren Company. Featuring various S.D. Warren advertisements, educational pieces and promotions from 1910 – 1969, the series provides a comprehensive look at how the industry has changed over the past century, as well as how it has stayed the same. Click Read More below for additional information.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in February 2018 were down 3.7% vs. February 2017 and are down 2.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in February 2018 were down 9.0% vs. February 2017 and are down 7.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in February 2018 were down 5.2% vs. February 2017 and are down 7.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in February 2018 were UP 2.6% vs. February 2017 and are UP 4.6% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in February 2018 were UP 9.9% vs. February 2017 and are UP 12.3% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in February 2018 were down 7.6% vs. February 2017 and are down 4.4% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in February 2018 were down 3.5% vs. February 2017 and are down 4.4% year-to-date. Click Read More below for additional information.

Second Quarter 2018 Highlights •Earned $0.86 per diluted share and $0.83 of adjusted earnings per diluted share compared to $0.40 per diluted share and $0.54 of adjusted earnings per diluted share in the prior year quarter, up 115% and 54%, respectively. •Segment EBITDA increased $122 million, or 22%, compared to the prior year quarter. •Corrugated Packaging Segment EBITDA increased 39% compared to the prior year quarter. The segment delivered a Segment EBITDA margin of 18.9% and a North American Adjusted Segment EBITDA margin of 20.5%, up 410 and 460 basis points, respectively, compared to the prior year quarter. •Pulp & Paper Week published North American price increases across all of WestRock’s major grades, including containerboard, SBS, CNK, CRB and URB. •Achieved $64 million in year-over-year productivity and a run rate of $975 million of synergy and performance improvements since the creation of WestRock.. Click Read More below for additional information.

Q1/2018 (year-on-year) · Sales increased by 3.3% to EUR 2 579 (2 497) million, primarily due to favourable prices and the ramp-up of strategic investments. · Operational EBIT increased 72% to EUR 369 (215) million as announced on 13 April, mainly due to favourable prices and mix optimisation combined with continued successful ramp-ups of the strategic investments. · The operational EBIT margin was 14.3% (8.6%), the highest for any quarter since 2001. · EPS was EUR 0.35 (0.14). EPS excl. IAC increased to EUR 0.35 (0.17). · Balance sheet strengthened further and net debt was reduced by EUR 485 million; the net debt to operational EBITDA ratio improved to 1.3 (1.9). Click Read More below for additional information.

1Q18 HIGHLIGHTS • Strong Results: Adjusted EBITDA² of R$1.5 billion and ROIC of 17.4% • Solid performance in the pulp segment: Adjusted EBITDA²/ton of R$ 1,467/ton (+ 103% vs. 1Q17) • Lower cash costs in LTM: R$573/ton, down 5.3% from LTM 1Q17 • Implementation of price increase and recovery of paper segment: Adjusted EBITDA²/ton of R$ 855/ton (+22% vs. 1Q17) • Investments: announcement of the combination with Fibria’s assets • Tissue: integration of operations with Facepa and segmented results as from 2nd half of 2018 • Financial Solidity: reduction in net debt, with leverage ratio of 1.7x Net Debt/ Adjusted EBITDA (in BRL and USD). Click Read More below for additional information.

Printing Papers operating profits in the first quarter of 2018 were $64 million versus $136 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. In North America, the benefits from increased sales prices and a favorable mix were more than offset by higher planned maintenance outages and higher input costs related to transportation and energy. In Brazil, seasonally lower sales volumes and an unfavorable geographic and product mix exceeded the benefits from higher sales price realizations. In Europe and Russia, earnings decreased due to higher planned maintenance outage costs, higher input costs and lower sales volumes, partially offset by improved pricing. Industrial Packaging operating profits in the first quarter of 2018 were $437 million ($464 million excluding special items) compared with $609 million ($614 million excluding special items) in the fourth quarter of 2017. In North America, strong demand in box and export containerboard markets, along with price realization, were more than offset by seasonally lower sales volume, production constraints due to weather related disruptions and maintenance outage costs. Click Read More below for additional information.

As the world leader in label papers, UPM continues to grow in the attractive release liner segments to support its customers globally. Steady growth is expected to continue in all markets driven by favourable economic conditions and strong increase in specialty paper demand for labelling, packaging and e-commerce as well as in medical and hygiene applications. To strengthen its position UPM will rebuild paper machine 2 at its Nordland mill in Dörpen, Germany and convert it from fine paper to glassine paper production. The machine will be equipped with new finishing equipment and starts producing glassine paper as of Q4 2019. The planned capacity after the rebuild will be 110,000 tonnes per year. The total investment in Nordland is EUR 116 million. The production of woodfree papers on PM2 in Nordland will continue until Q3 2019 and the machine will be producing both glassine and woodfree paper during the ramp-up phase. Click Read More below for additional information.

UPM Paper Europe and North America (ENA) business area will be renamed UPM Communication Papers as of 26 April 2018. The new name underlines the industry focus and global reach of the business area. It further highlights UPM's long-term commitment to sustaining its global graphic paper business, building on the view that paper will continue to be an important part of the media mix in the publishing industries and business communication. UPM Communication Papers is a world leading producer of graphic papers, offering an extensive product range for advertising and publishing as well as home and office uses. We serve our customers through a global sales network providing quality papers, strong services and an integrated supply chain. Our papers are produced in 15 paper mills in Austria, Finland, France, Germany, the UK and the USA. Click Read More below for additional information.

Q1 2018 highlights •Comparable EBIT increased by 17% to EUR 355 million (305 million in Q1 2017). •Sales prices increased in all business areas, outweighing the impact of higher input costs and unfavourable currencies. •Operating cash flow was EUR 208 million (396 million), including an increase in working capital. •Net debt decreased to EUR 41 million (807 million). Click Read More below for additional information.

The company reported net sales of $48.2 million in the first quarter of 2018, up 36.5% compared to the year-ago period. Converted product sales were $43.6 million, a year over year increase of 32.7%, and parent roll sales were $4.6 million, up 86.8% over the first quarter of 2017. The increase in converted product sales was a result of the company ramping new customer volume at the Barnwell facility. Parent roll growth was driven by an increase in the volume of excess parent rolls sold from Barnwell. Orchids had a first quarter operating loss of $1.0 million in 2018 and a loss of $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2017. The increase in the operating loss was driven by SG&A increasing to $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2018, up $1.0 million from $2.6 million in the year-ago period. Click Read More below for additional information.

JANUARY 1 – MARCH 31, 2018 (compared with the year-earlier period) •Net sales increased 11% to SEK 4,400m (3,972). Sales growth was mainly related to higher prices in the industrial units. •EBITDA rose 47% to SEK 1,175m (797). The improvement in EBITDA was mainly related to higher prices in Wood, Pulp and Kraftliner, and an improved market and product mix. •EBITDA margin increased to 26.7% (20.1) •Earnings per share amounted to SEK 1.00 (0.52) •Operating cash flow, which excludes strategic capital expenditures, rose to SEK 591m (85). Strategic capital expenditures amounted to SEK 634m (515) and relates to the Östrand investment which proceeds according to plan. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised that Resolute Forest Products will raise the price of its uncoated freesheet Connect grades effective with shipments on or after June 1, 2018. This increase will apply to all basis weights, and includes all upcharges.

In the Packaging segment, total corrugated products shipments with one less workday were up 6.0% and shipments per day were up 7.7% over last year’s first quarter. Containerboard production was 953,000 tons, and containerboard inventory was down 23,000 tons from the fourth quarter of 2017 and up 31,000 tons compared to the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to the addition of recently acquired Sacramento Container. In the Paper segment, office paper and printing and converting paper sales volumes were up 33,000 tons compared to the first quarter of 2017, and production volume was up 10,000 tons primarily due to no scheduled maintenance outages in the first quarter of 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.

The Group's comparable net sales growth was 5% with all segments making good progress. Comparable growth in emerging markets was 8%. In absolute terms growth was strongest in Eastern Europe, India, and Middle East and Africa. The Group's reported net sales declined and were EUR 725 million (EUR 739 million). The Group's reported earnings declined but in comparable currencies the Group's earnings improved slightly compared to the previous year. Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania segment's earnings increased significantly as a result of sales growth and operational efficiency. Fiber Packaging segment's earnings grew as well, while earnings in Flexible Packaging and North America segments declined. Click Read More below for additional information.

Label and Graphic Materials Segment: • Reported sales increased 11.8 percent. Sales ex. currency increased 4.2 percent; on an organic basis, sales grew 3.6 percent. Sales on an organic basis increased mid-single digits in Label and Packaging Materials and increased low-single digits in the combined Graphics and Reflective Solutions businesses. • Reported operating margin decreased 30 basis points to 12.3 percent, reflecting the impact of restructuring actions. Adjusted operating margin increased 20 basis points to 13.0 percent as the benefits of increased volume and productivity more than offset higher employee-related costs and the net impact of pricing and raw material costs. Click Read More below for additional information.

Adjusted EBITDA totaled R$1,824 million in 1Q18, 8% less than in 4Q17, due to lower sales volume, to the higher cash COGS effect, in turn impacted by the higher production cash cost, partially offset by the higher average net price of pulp in dollars. The EBITDA margin stood at 55% excluding the sale of pulp from Klabin and 49% including this effect. The 1Q18 net financial result was negative by R$270 million, versus a negative R$781 million in 4Q17 and a positive R$331 million in 1Q17. The variation from 4Q17 and 1Q17 was chiefly due to the lower exchange rate effect on the debt position and the hedge result. As a result of all the above, Fibria reported 1Q18 net income of R$615 million, versus net income of R$280 million in 4Q17 and R$329 million in 1Q17. Click Read More below for additional information.

Highlights * Q1, 2018 adjusted operating income of $238.7 million driven by historically high lumber prices and record-high pulp and paper earnings; record-high sales of $1.23 billion * Adjusted net income of $145.4 million, or $1.13 per share * Net debt of $96.8 million, or 4.3% net debt to total capitalization, at March 31, 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.

*Operating profit for January–March was SEK 653 million (January–March 2017: SEK 627 million). Operating profit includes a forest property sale of SEK 70 million. Prices for paper and wood products increased, wheras costs for wood and other input goods rose. *Compared with the fourth quarter of 2017, profit was SEK 232 million higher, mainly as a result of income from the forest property sale and due to that fourth-quarter earnings were affected by a maintenance shutdown. *Profit after tax for January–March amounted to SEK 507 million (485), which corresponds to earnings per share of SEK 6.0 (5.8). Click Read More below for additional information.

Irving Pulp and Paper as well as Irving Tissue on the west side of Saint John is underway with a $40 million investment with an impact across NB. Eighty-four (84) New Brunswick companies will be working on the modernization, accounting for $29 million of the investment. These suppliers are located across New Brunswick. The project is scheduled for completion on May 14, 2018. This project is also going to provide hands-on learning experiences for the workforce of the future – over twenty-five co-op students from the University of New Brunswick, Dalhousie University, Memorial University in Newfoundland & Labrador as well as the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC). This new investment brings environmental benefits. Today, the pulp mill is already 95% green energy. This upgrade will improve energy use and further reduce the site's carbon footprint. Click Read More below for additional information.

Effective with shipments on or after June 1, 2018, Midwest Paper Group will be increasing prices on Ethos Offset, Ethos Offset 30% PCRF and Ethos Offset 100% PCRF. The increase applies to all basis weights, finishes and private label grades.

Please be advised with shipments on June 1, 2018 Suzano Pulp and Paper will increase prices by 6% to 8% on the following products: Suzano Branded and Private Label Office Papers; Paperfect Offset Rolls and Sheets, Prisma Bright Offset Rolls and Sheets. All current standard upcharges and terms of sale remain in effect until further notice.

Please be advised that Rolland will increase our prices by 5% to 7% USD on the following products, effective with shipments on or after May 25th, 2018. Rolland Enviro® Print;Rolland Enviro® Satin;Rolland Enviro® Book & Schoolbook; Rolland Opaque®; Rolland Kraft®; Rolland Enviro® Digital; Rolland Enviro® Jet; Rolland Hitech®; Rolland Enviro® Copy; ReproPlus®; New Life® Envelope; Rolland Kraft® Envelope; All specialty papers and private label grades; Price increases apply to all rolls, folio and cut size. All standard upcharges will remain unchanged.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö has entered into an agreement to acquire MD Papéis’ Caieiras specialty paper mill in Brazil of the Formitex Group, an industrial conglomerate active in the paper, chemicals and panel board industries. Ahlstrom-Munksjö has entered into an agreement to acquire MD Papéis’ Caieiras specialty paper mill in Brazil of the Formitex Group, an industrial conglomerate active in the paper, chemicals and panel board industries. Click Read More below for additional information.

Q1/2018 highlights (vs Q1/2017 proforma): • Net sales EUR 572.4 million (EUR 566.9 million), an increase of 1.0%. In constant currency growth was 5.9%, driven by higher selling prices. • Continued good demand across most markets • Comparable EBITDA EUR 66.7 million (EUR 79.4 million), representing 11.7% (14.0%) of net sales in an environment of significant raw material cost escalation • Net profit EUR 21.2 million (EUR 24.2 million).

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. introduces Monadnock Archival line of cotton and high alpha fiber papers and boards for printing, presentation and preservation of fine artworks, photographs and important documents. •Archival Facing & Backing Papers •Archival Mat & Mounting Boards •Archival Liner Board & Mediums •Coated Fine Art Inkjet/Giclee Papers •Archival File Folder •Fine Printing and Envelope Papers. Monadnock combines its fine printing and technical/specialty expertise to create high performance papers that meet ANSI longevity standards. These superior quality papers are groundwood-free, alkaline pH and lightfast (per Standard and Color Photo Activity Tests). Monadnock’s archival art and conservation papers and boards/solids meet ISO 9706 and ANSI Z 39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials) standards. Click Read More below for additional information.

Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, will increase prices by five to 30 percent on all process chemicals, effective immediately or as customer contracts allow. The price increases are due to increases in key raw material costs, escalating freight costs and decreased market availability of several raw materials. “We are committed to delivering high-value, innovative solutions to help customers maximize their productivity,” said Varun Ratta, Senior Vice President, Product and Pricing Management. “While these price increases are necessary for us to reliably supply and support our customers, we’ll continue our efforts to help mitigate these increases and control their costs with beneficial process improvements.”

Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of May 19, 2018 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all Uncoated Freesheet Grades, including but not limited to: Ideal® Offset; Ideal® Reply Card; Ideal® Enhanced Tablet; Ideal® Tablet. The increase applies to all basis weights, bulks, finishes and related private label grades.

Glatfelter is announcing a price increase for the listed grades and product lines sold in our United States market. The increase will be effective with shipments on or after May 21, 2018. The increase will be 4-8% for the following items: Moistrite® Form Bond; Worthington Index; Glatfelter End Leaf; Moistrite® MICR Colors; Index Card; Natures® End Leaf; Transform®Laser MOCR; Tiffin Tag; Glatfelter Offset; Spring Forge® Offset; Scioto™Ledger; Natures® Book; Spring Forge® Digital; Sealer Envelope; Conserve®; Thor® Plus & Thor® PCW; Carbonizing Bond; digiBOOK®; Hopewell Offset; Adena Opaque®; All Envelope grades; Pixelle® Ink Jet Uncoated Repro Bond; All Cut Size Papers (Mill/Private Label). All current standard differentials and upcharges remain in effect.

Effective with shipments on or after May 20, 2018, Flambeau River Papers will increase the transaction prices for the following grades of paper: • FRP Converting and Envelope Papers • FRP Specialty Papers • FRP Glacier and Torchglow Opaque and Pastel Papers • FRP Reply Card Papers • FRP Index, Vellum Bristol and Tag Papers • FRP Tradebook and Endleaf Papers • FRP InkJet Papers • FRP MOCR and Ledger Papers • FRP 100 Papers. All current standard upcharges and differentials will remain in effect.

Effective with shipments May 21, 2018, International Paper will increase prices by 5% to 7% on the following products: Printing Papers o All Williamsburg o All Accent® Opaque o All Springhill®. Office Papers o All Hammermill® o All Hewlett Packard® o All Private Label o Generic White Box o Relay. Postmark® Envelope; DataSpeed® Laser MOCR; By George®. This increase applies to all virgin, recycled and treated products. We are also increasing our standard basis weight price differentials on all Envelope and Laser MOCR products as follows: 20lb over 24lb: $2.00/cwt 22lb over 24lb: $1.00/cwt. Additionally, the freight stop off charge will increase from $300 to $500. All other standard upcharges will continue to apply. Orders acknowledged prior to April 20, 2018 will ship at the pre-increase price.

Effective with shipments May 21, 2018, Boise Paper will raise prices by USD 6% on private label and branded office papers, printing papers, and converting papers. • X-9® • ASPEN® • Boise POLARIS® • FIREWORX® • Essential Copy®, Essential 30®, and Essential Bright® • Boise® Copy • Xerographic Paper (rolls and sheets) • Boise® Offset • Boise® ASPEN® Offset • Boise® Opaque • Boise® White Wove Envelope • Boise® ASPEN® Wove Envelope • Boise® FIREWORX® Wove Envelope • Boise® Kraft Envelope • Ledger • Index • All other converting products • All corresponding private label products. All minimums, up-charges and shipping policies remain unchanged.

Effective with shipments on or after May 15, 2018 Finch Paper will be increasing prices on commercial printing and converting grades in all pack types by 5% to 7% on the following grades: Finch Fine; Finch Fine ID; Finch Fine Color Copy; Finch Opaque and Finch Opaque Digital; Finch Casa Opaque; Finch 94 & Finch 94 Digital; New Leaf Ingenuity and Harmony; Finch Offset, Finch Index and Tag; Finch Reply Postcard 7 pt. and 9 pt.; Finch ThruPut Wove and Finch ThruPut Advantage; Finch Image DME and Finch Deluxe DME; Finch Forms Bond; Finch MOCR Laser; Finch Engineering Bond and CAD Inkjet Bond; Finch Inkjet Products including Digital Web XP, Mailstream, Smartbook Jet, Opaque Jet; Finch Pub Book; Finch Office Papers including all Finch mill and private-label brands; Finch Technical Specialty grades including label facestock and other digital grades.

Effective with shipments on or after May 20, 2018, Navigator North America will be increasing prices by 5% to 7% for: Navigator Premium Inkjet, Soporset Premium Opaque Offset (Text & Cover & Digital) in sheets and sSheeter rolls and all cut-size office papers including Navigator, Pioneer and Discovery. Also implementing a freight surcharge of $2.00/cwt for shipments to CO, NM, OR, WA, NV and AZ and a $4.00/cwt freight surcharge for shipments to ID, UT, WY, MT, SD and ND.

Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased five percent in March compared to March 2017. U.S. purchases of printing-writing papers decreased seven percent in March. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased two percent from February 2018. Imports of printing-writing papers increased six percent compared to February 2017 imports, while exports increased five percent compared to February 2017. •Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments declined year-over-year for the tenth consecutive month. Imports of CM increased 21 percent compared to February 2017. Exports of CM decreased five percent in February compared to the same month in 2017. •Shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) paper in March declined year-over-year. U.S. imports of CFS papers increased two percent year-over-year in February. Exports of CFS papers decreased five percent year-over-year in February. •Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments in March 2018 decreased year-over-year for the first time in 2018, following two months of year-over-year increases; meanwhile, shipments of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers decreased year-over-year in March 2018 for the 21st consecutive month.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö has decided on two investment projects, totaling EUR 9 million, both with attractive financial returns. This supports Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s strategic ambition to maintain a leading position in selected niches of the global fiber-based solutions market that offer positive growth outlook and are supported by sustainable market drivers. In the Decor business area, the company will invest about EUR 5 million to further enhance the quality of pre-impregnated decor papers produced at its Dettingen plant in Germany. Through the investment, which will be completed by the end of 2018, Ahlstrom-Munksjö will be able to strengthen its leading position in pre-impregnated decor papers. In the Specialties business area, the company will invest about EUR 4 million to rebuild a converting line of sterilization wrap being produced at its Pont Audemer plant in France. The material is e.g. used for protecting medical garments and sterilizing instruments. The investment includes installing a new sheeter and folding line as well as automated wrapping and boxing of the finished goods. Through the investment, which will be completed by the second quarter of 2019, the business will improve its competitiveness through higher efficiency and shorter lead times.

Sales of $4.7 billion in the first quarter of 2018 were up 5 percent compared to the year-ago period. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited sales by 3 percent. Organic sales improved 2 percent, as volumes increased 3 percent while net selling prices were down 1 percent. In North America, organic sales increased 3 percent in consumer products and 2 percent in K-C Professional. Outside North America, organic sales rose 2 percent in developed markets and 1 percent in developing and emerging markets. First quarter operating profit was $247 million in 2018 and $848 million in 2017. Results in 2018 included $577 million of charges related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program. First quarter 2018 adjusted operating profit was $824 million. Results were impacted by $175 million of higher input costs, driven by a $105 million increase in pulp and a $45 million increase in other raw materials. The operating profit comparison was also affected by lower net selling prices. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised that, effective with shipments June 1, 2018, the US transaction price for the following grades from Catalyst Paper will be increasing for new and existing orders of Electracal® & Electraprime®. This increase applies to all basis weights, finishes and grade extensions.

The company reported net sales of $437.0 million for the first quarter of 2018, essentially flat with net sales of $437.5 million for the first quarter of 2017. Net earnings determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for the first quarter of 2018 were $2.6 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to net earnings for the first quarter of 2017 of $7.5 million, or $0.45 per diluted share. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, were $35.4 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to $48.1 million for the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $39.8 million, down 19.3% compared to first quarter 2017 Adjusted EBITDA of $49.3 million. Click Read More below for additional information.

Net sales were SEK 5 897 million (5 636), an increase of 5% mainly as a result of increased selling prices. EBITDA was SEK 1 065 million (923), an increase of 15% mainly as a result of increased selling prices, which were partly offset by higher wood prices. Adjusted EBITDA was SEK 1 102 million (938), an increase of 17%. The adjusted operating margin was 12% (10%). Adjusted operating profit was SEK 729 million (572), an increase of 27%. Earnings per share amounted to SEK 2.40 (1.94). Click Read More below for additional information.

The Combined Locks paper mill formerly home to Appleton Coated will begin doing business under the name “Midwest Paper Group”. The new entity was established by Industrial Assets and Maynards after their October 2017 purchase of substantially all the assets of Appleton Coated LLC. The company restarted the facility in December. After the purchase, Industrial Assets took note of the highly experienced and dedicated workforce and focused on upgrading the mill’s production capabilities and fiber handling systems. “We have a made a significant investment in this mill and community. We are grateful for our customers, vendors and the team onsite which has allowed the company to continue its tradition of producing some of the highest quality paper in the industry.” said Steve Mattes, CEO of Industrial Assets Corp. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised that, effective with shipments on or after June 1, 2018, Resolute Forest Products will raise its SC paper prices. The products impacted by the price increase include, but are not limited to, the following: ResoluteSCA+; ResoluteSCA; ResoluteSCB; ResoluteSNC. The increases will be applicable to all basis weights and finishes, and all up charges apply.

Effective with all shipments from May 16, 2018, North Pacific Paper Corporation (NORPAC) will increase the price of our Natural Choice and Natural Choice 30 cut-size papers. All standard up-charges and shipping policies remain in effect.

On April 16, Catalyst Paper Corporation curtailed production on paper machine 11 at the Powell River mill in response to a shortage of fibre and United States tariffs on uncoated groundwood paper. When it announced the action, Catalyst stated the curtailment would last until May 7. No layoffs are expected as a result of the curtailment and employees affected are being moved to other duties at the mill.

For the fourth quarter of 2017, total revenue increased by $4.1 million, or 12.9%, to $35.4 million from $31.4 million for the same period of the prior year. The increase in total revenue was mainly due to increase in ASP and partially offset by decreases in sales volume across all product categories. Production of tissue paper was suspended in September and October for the replacement of coal boilers, and began intermittent production in the following months. In addition, we decreased the production volume of regular CMP, light-Weight CMP and offset printing paper and sales of these products due to environmental conditions in Northern China. Total gross profit decreased by $3.9 million, or 52.1%, to $3.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, from $7.5 million for the same period of the prior year. Overall gross margin was 10.2% for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to 24.0% for the same period of the prior year. Gross margins for regular CMP, light-weight CMP, offset printing paper, and tissue paper products were 8.9%, 10.0%, 16.5%, and 5.8%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to 23.2%, 28.8%, 25.1%, and 11.0%, respectively, for the same period of the prior year. Click Read More below for additional information.

UPM will be increasing the transaction price of our Supercalendered (SC) grades, effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates on or after June 1, 2018. This increase includes all basis weights and finishes of Eco; Impresse; Impresse Plus; Max; Cat; Smart

We herewith announce a price increase of 3 - 6% for our high-speed inkjet and office paper business in the USA and Canada. Specifically we will increase • DNS® premium starting for all deliveries 1 June 2018 • MAESTRO® special with starting for all deliveries 1 July 2018 • DNS® high-speed inkjet and all NEUJET® grades starting for all deliveries 1 July 2018. This increase is necessary due to continuous and drastic fiber price increases, transport cost rises and general inflation in other cost positions.

Effective with shipments May 16, 2018, transaction pricing for the following products will increase approximately 5%-7% in the US and Canada: • Printing and Publishing grades • Domtar Reply Card Rolls and Sheets • EarthChoice® Colors Multipurpose, Hots Text and Cover, Index, Tag and Vellum Bristol • EarthChoice® Opaque Offset 30% Rolls and Sheets • EarthChoice® Tradebook • Husky® Opaque Offset Rolls and Sheets • HuskyJET® Rolls including processed rolls • Lynx® Opaque Ultra Rolls and Sheets • Converting grades • Engineering Laser Bond • Enterprise Postal Advantage™ • Laser Forms Bond including processed rolls and box forms • White Wove Envelope • Business Papers • Business Papers products including all Domtar mill, private label brands and custom cut sheet products • Xerox® Vitality®, Bold Professional™, Bold Digital™ and Revolution™ products. Price increases apply to all pack types; rolls, folio and cut size. All current standard differentials and upcharges remain in effect.

Effective with all shipments on or after Monday, June 1, 2018, Nekoosa Coated Products will increase prices on all carbonless paper and supplies sold in the United States and Canada by 8%. This includes: • All Carbonless Sheets and Rolls • All Carbonless Supplies.

Effective with all shipments on 5/18/2018 or later, regardless of order date, the price of Port Hawkesbury Paper SC grades will be increased in the US and Canadian markets. This includes all Artisan® Plus, Artisan®, Prominence® Plus, Prominence®, and Maritime® grades. This price increase applies to all basis weights plus all related private label grades and associated brand extensions.

Effective with all shipments from May 16, 2018, North Pacific Paper Corporation (NORPAC) will increase our price of Uncoated Freesheet. This includes our Offset, Wove and Cut-Size grades. All standard up-charges and shipping policies remain in effect.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced that a tentative four-year agreement has been reached with Unifor, subject to ratification by their members. Unifor represents the majority of hourly employees working across the company's Canadian pulp and paper operations. The master agreement covers eight of Resolute's Canadian pulp and paper mills. The agreement applies to the Amos, Baie-Comeau, Dolbeau, Gatineau, Kénogami and Saint-Félicien facilities in Quebec, as well as the Thunder Bay mill and currently indefinitely idled Thorold operation in Ontario. Click Read More below for additional information.

Local 2-482 of the United Steelworkers (USW) union is calling on the Wisconsin state Senate to hold an immediate vote on a legislative subsidy package designed to keep two Kimberly-Clark manufacturing plants in operation. Kimberly-Clark, a multinational personal hygiene and paper product giant, announced in late January that it would shut down 10 plants around the world and eliminate 5,500 jobs. Those cuts included the plants in Neenah and Fox Crossing, Wis. Since then, the USW has been gathering information and meeting with company and state officials in an effort to preserve good jobs and keep the plants in operation. Click Read More below for additional information.

UPM Formi 3D is a new type of biocomposite that has been specially developed for 3D printing. It brings together advanced cellulose fibre and biopolymer technologies. With a matte finish and a surface that feels natural to the touch, filaments for 3D printing can be produced in light colours as well as dark. The new material has been engineered to flow smoothly through small nozzles enabling fine details. At the same time, UPM Formi 3D's fast cooling and low shrinkage ensures improved dimensional stability and makes it the ideal material for large scale printing. Click Read More below for additional information.

The collection, presented under the slogan "Creaset ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES", comes in two unique A5 envelopes printed on Creat​orSilk 300 g/m2 coated semi-matte paper. Each envelope contains printed samples of all the papers in the collection together with images of the final applications illustrating the numerous label and packaging possibilities that the Creaset range o​ffers. The entire Creaset range is manufactured with ECF woodfree pulp and is produced in accordance with ISO 14001 and EMAS environmental management standards, ISO 50001 energy management standard, ISO 9001 quality management standard and OHAS 18001 occupational safety and health management standard. In addition, it is all available with PEFCTM and FSC® Chain-of-Custody forest certifications upon request.

Due to continuing cost increases of pulp and other raw materials, Sappi reports that it is increasing its Dye Sublimation and Large Format Inkjet paper prices as from 1 May 2018. The increase will be five to eight percent for all Dye Sublimation grades and six to nine percent for the Large Format Inkjet papers. The price rise will apply to all European and Overseas markets.

Stora Enso’s operational EBIT for the first quarter of 2018 was approximately EUR 369 million. This is well above the earlier guidance for the Q1 2018 operational EBIT. Sales for the first quarter of 2018, amounting to approximately EUR 2 579 million, were similar to the fourth quarter 2017 sales of EUR 2 511 million. The result was better than expected, mainly due to: · The good pricing environment in Paper and Containerboard (Packaging Solutions) · Higher volumes at Consumer Board division’s European mills · Continued strong operational performance. Click Read More below for additional information.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation has approved a capacity expansion project at its Mobile, Alabama manufacturing facility that will support K-C Professional's continued bath tissue category growth in North America. "The Mobile team is excited about the role we will play in supporting the projected growth of the bath tissue category in North America as a result of this capacity expansion project," said Todd Visscher, Mill Manager for Kimberly-Clark's Mobile operations. "This investment, the commitment of our employees, and the community support will together bolster Mobile Mill's competitive position within Kimberly-Clark." With an estimated investment of more than $100 million, this two-year project is expected to deliver improved capacity, greater manufacturing efficiency, and enhanced product quality. Click Read More below for additional information.

The World Trade Organization has agreed to establish two panels to examine Canada’s complaint about duties imposed by the United States on softwood lumber imports, reports CBC. The Canadian government requested the WTO on March 27 to set up a panel to examine the dispute after consultations with the United States in January failed to resolve the matter. The country also requested a second panel to review the US’s use of differential pricing methodology in its anti-dumping determinations. The United States objected to these requests.

Heinzel Group increased its sales revenues by roughly 3% compared with the previous year to EUR 1,816.5 million in 2017. All companies of the two business areas, Trading and Industrial, recorded increases in both sales revenues and earnings. Due to the negative result of Laakirchen Papier (EUR -8.0 million), the operating result (EBIT) of Heinzel Group, at EUR 73.6 million, was lower than the prior-year figure (EUR 78.6 million), which had, however, included non-operating one-off effects of EUR 4.3 million. At EUR 55.0 million, net income also fell slightly short of the good prior-year level of EUR 57.6 million. Click Read More below for additional information.

Solenis has introduced its new MicroSolSM advanced retention and drainage solutions to help printing and writing paper producers stay competitive through increased productivity and superior product offerings. MicroSol is a revolutionary technology package that combines the company’s new patented PerForm™ SP7242 structured polymer with its uniquely structured PerForm™ MP9031 colloidal silica to give printing and writing paper producers a no-compromise solution for maximizing retention and drainage without sacrificing formation in the manufacturing process. As a result, papermakers enjoy a wider operating window that increases flexibility, improves machine efficiency and reduces operating costs. Click Read More below for additional information.

UPM sells its Myllykoski mill site and premises, located in Kouvola, Finland, to Redeve Oy. The buyer is specialised in real estate development. The transaction was completed today and the ownership of the real estate was transferred to the buyer with an immediate effect. UPM closed its Myllykoski paper mill in 2011. Since then, UPM has been searching for a solution to enable further usage of the site. Click Read More below for additional information.

Sappi has signed an agreement with the Department of Energy to build a renewable energy plant at its mill in Mpumalanga. Sappi and consortium partners KC Africa and African Rainbow Energy and Power would spend a combined R1.8bn on a 25MW biomass energy unit at the company’s Ngodwana mill, said Sappi Southern Africa CEO Alex Thiel. Sappi will have a 30% stake in the facility, which is expected to contribute to the national grid from July 2020. Click Read More below for additional information.

As one of the global leaders in electrotechnical paper manufacturing for insulation of high voltage cables and transformers, Ahlstrom-Munksjö plans to increase pulp production capacity and improve environmental performance of the Billingfors pulp line, Sweden. The investment involves rebuilding the recovery boiler and debottlenecking the pulp line. When completed in the third quarter 2019 the plant will meet stricter environmental regulations thanks to improved process combustion, reducing air emissions. Ahlstrom-Munksjö has also decided to modernize the bailing line at Aspa pulp plant, Sweden. The investment of EUR 4 million will improve safety level at the bailing line, improve production efficiency and give access to a more favorable customer mix. The new line is estimated to start during the first half of 2019. During the modernization production will continue normally. Click Read More below for additional information.

Pierre has a solid background with the Holmen Group. He most recently comes from Braviken Sawmill, where he has been Mill Manager for the past 18 months, and before that he worked at Hallsta Paper Mill. He has spent most of his career in the pulp and paper industry, primarily with Stora Enso. “We are very pleased that Pierre has accepted the challenge to lead Iggesund Mill,” comments Daniel Peltonen, President and CEO of Iggesund Paperboard. “Pierre is a well-regarded manager with long experience of production and broad experience of the forest industry.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Envi 96 Label is a high performance, brilliant white, Forest Stewardship Council Certified, wet strength label stock ideal for beverage and other consumer packaged goods labeling applications. Envi 96 Label is engineered to withstand the rigors of print and post-press processes, through the bottling line, onto the shelf or cooler, and finally into an ice bucket. Envi 96 is suitable for embossing, foil stamping and intricate die cutting and the brilliant white surface will make labels pop on a crowded store shelf. Click Read More below for additional information.

A fibre shortage has left Catalyst Paper Corporation with no options but to curtail production on paper machine 11 at its Powell River mill. Unable to acquire enough fibre from its regular source in the Okanagan, the company announced on Thursday, April 5, that it will not make paper from paper machine 11 for three weeks, from Monday, April 16, to Monday, May 7. The primary driver for Catalyst’s production cutback is the shortage of fibre, making it uneconomical to run paper machine 10 and paper machine 11, according to Kissack. But, he said recent United States Department of Commerce anti-dumping duties also led to the production cut. Click Read More below for additional information.

Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc. announced that it has purchased Crane Stationery Corporation of North Adams, MA for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition includes all three premium Crane brands – Crane & Co., William Arthur and Vera Wang. This marks the latest expansion for Mohawk and is a natural evolution for this fourth generation, family-owned paper company. Founded in 1801, Crane has been synonymous with luxurious cotton papers and the finest personalized stationery in the world. “The Crane name and reputation has withstood the test of time for more than 200 years and we are very excited to add this legendary paper and stationery brand to our family portfolio,” said Tom O’Connor, Mohawk Chairman and CEO. The combined companies will expand Mohawk’s product offering to include Crane’s extensive, iconic line of boxed stationery, wedding invitations, holiday cards and other personalized products, as well as Crane Crest, Crane Bond and Crane Lettra. Mohawk and Crane will maintain their respective existing brand names and continue to offer their unique portfolios and offerings, while at the same time expanding products, offerings and channels. Click Read More below for additional information.

Twin Rivers Paper Company LLC announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the paper mill located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas owned by Mondi Group. Twin Rivers, headquartered in Madawaska, Maine, produces specialty packaging, label, publishing, and technical specialty papers as well as dimensional lumber. It is owned jointly by Atlas Holdings LLC and Blue Wolf Capital. The acquisition is anticipated to be completed in Q2 2018. Terms were not disclosed. The Pine Bluff mill to be acquired under this Agreement produces Multiwall, Converting and Grocery Bag grade unbleached kraft papers serving a variety of food, agricultural, and industrial applications. With basis weights between 40# and 78#, the mill has a capacity in excess of 140,000 US short tons. Click Read More below for additional information.

UPM Chudovo plywood mill in Russia is celebrating its important milestone - two million cubic meters of plywood production since the start of the mill in 1990. Over the last 27 years, high quality WISA birch plywood by UPM Chudovo has become well-known both by the European customers and at the Russian market. "I am really proud of the two millionth cubic meter. It is an important milestone in the history of our production site. Continuous development and modernization are mill's keys to success. It took us 18 years to make the first million cubic meters and ten years later we were able to double the volume," says Anatoly Zhukovets, UPM Chudovo General Director. Click Read More below for additional information.

Due to continued shortages and ongoing cost pressure in silicone and silicone-based materials, Sun Chemical will increase prices by 30 percent on its entire silicone-based product line in North America, effective May 1, 2018. “The ongoing silicone shortage has caused our suppliers to continue increasing prices beyond anything we have seen in recent years,” said Dennis Sweet, Vice President-Commercial, Rycoline and Distributors, North American Inks, Sun Chemical. “While Sun Chemical has utilized all its resources to offset these shortages and increases, we need to pass some of these increases on.”

Daniel Dejan, Print & Creative Manager at Sappi North America, will receive PINE’s highest honor, the Industry Influencer Award, at the association’s annual Industry Awards Gala, on Tuesday, April 10 at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA. The Industry Influencer Award, sponsored by Heidelberg since 2003, honors the contributions of an individual whose vision and energy have impacted our industry in a profound and indelible way. It recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit and foresight to create new business models, develop market-shifting technologies and improve our industry in a permanent and sustained manner.

Companies and organizations continue to promote the switch from print to digital forms of communication but is this cost-cutting in the best interests of the customer? Based on a June 2017 U.S. survey¹, 90% of respondents felt they should have the right to choose how they receive communications (printed or electronic) from financial organizations and service providers, and 83% thought consumers should not be charged more for choosing a paper bill or statement. However, corporations are increasingly charging their customers for paper statements.

Civil, mechanical, industrial, chemical, electrical, naval, forest, and software - for JDI, the skills of our 1000+ engineers and engineer technologists are vital to our continued growth, modernization, and improvement. To promote the profession and showcase our team, we are profiling some of the many valued engineers across our operations. We asked what advice they’d give to an engineer just starting out and what sparked their interest in the profession.

Appleton Coated, a mill that shut abruptly last fall when it went into receivership, has been inching back to life, with its third machine restarted Monday (March 26) and 230 of its 600 employees recalled to work. Its improbable rebirth is coming under an equally improbable owner, used machine dealer Industrial Assets Corp. Other mills that shut in the past, like NewPage in Kimberly, are no more than a pile of rocks today. Appleton Coated, instead, is getting back on its feet.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in January 2017 were down 1.2% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of newsprint in January 2017 were down 3.8% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in January 2017 were down 10.4% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in January 2017 were UP 6.7% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in January 2017 were UP 14.8% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in January 2017 were down 1.2% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in January 2017 were down 4.4% vs. January 2016.

Since 1998, Mohawk has lead the market with innovative substrates for digital printing. Starting with legendary fine paper and carefully expanding into specialized non-paper substrates, Mohawk is celebrating 20 years of product innovation. At this year’s DSCOOP gathering in Dallas, Mohawk will introduce a number of new products engineered for HP Indigo as well as wide format printing. Mike Madura, VP of Product Management and Development says, “We wanted to arrive at DSCOOP ready to demonstrate these new paper and specialty materials in a manner that would echo the conference focus on Inspiration. Anyone who knows us knows that we are always looking for new ways to inspire designers and printers with the power of materials through provocative demonstration.”

The Board of Directors of the Europac Group has approved its 2017 annual accounts, which recorded a net profit of 78 million euros, 59.4% up on 2016. Aggregate sales increased by 10.9% to 1,186 million euros, Aggregate sales increased by 10.9% to 1,186 million euros, while consolidated sales reached 868 million euros, 8.4% more than a year ago. Consolidated EBITDA amounted to 158 million euros, 25% up on the 127 million euros of the previous year, while recurring EBITDA totalled 147 million euros, 19.3% up on the previous year. The difference between consolidated and recurring EBITDA is mainly due to the extraordinary effects of the sale of the packaging factory in Tangier and the logistics operator at the port of Viana do Castelo, as well as settlement of the guarantees linked to the acquisition of the paper and packaging factories in Rouen (France) in 2008. In this context, the EBITDA margin rose by 2.4 percentage points to 18.2%, while EBIT amounted to 106 million euros, 37.1% up on the previous year.

Paper prepares us for success and propels productivity. Watch how paper inspires creativity, showcases ideas and motivates decisions.

According to the February 2018 Printing-Writing Monthly report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased five percent in February compared to February 2017. U.S. purchases of printing-writing papers decreased four percent in February. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased two percent from January 2017. Imports of printing-writing papers began 2018 four percent lower than January 2017 imports, while exports began the year 12 percent less than January 2017.

The Management Board of Arctic Paper has of February 22 and adopted a long-term financial target of EBIT 10 percent. The Management Board has also adopted a new strategy for its paper business – A Future in Paper - Strategic Agenda 2022 – showing the way to a growing and more profitable business. “Our mission is to offer a variety of superior, reliable and eco-friendly paper products and services which turn highly creative ideas into distinctive experiences and cater for the latest printing technologies. The new strategy is built on the ambition to reach a sustainably higher profitability, with a set target of EBIT 10 percent at the latest 2022”, comments Per Skoglund, CEO of Arctic Paper.

Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of April 22, 2018 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all Supercalendered grades, including but not limited to: Voyager® web; Superior Gloss® web. The increase applies to all basis weights, bulks, finishes and related private label grades.

Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of April 22, 2018 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all Coated Freesheet Sheets and Sheeter Roll grades, including but not limited to: Sterling® Premium sheets/sheeter rolls; Sterling® Premium Digital™ sheets/sheeter rolls; Sterling® Premium Digital™ for HP Indigo sheets/sheeter rolls; Anthem Plus® sheets/sheeter rolls; Blazer Digital® sheets/sheeter rolls. The increase applies to all basis weights, bulks, finishes and related private label grades.

This letter is to notify you that NORPAC will raise the price of our Norbrite grades effective with shipments/invoices on or after May 1, 2018. Specific grades affected by this change in pricing include: Norbrite 65; Norbrite 70; Norbrite 75; Norbrite Plus; Norbrite Offset; Norbrite Hybrid; Norbrite 92 Max; Norbrite Book Cream; Norbrite Book Blue White. Additionally, be advised we plan to increase the price of our 27.7# (45.0 gsm.) standard newsprint. The increase will be phased in over two months as follows. $22.00 per metric ton on April 1, 2018 and $22.00 per metric ton on May 1, 2018. Prices for all other newsprint basis weights will be adjusted proportionally as per past practices.

As part of a settlement entered into by Verso with two Canadian producers of supercalendered papers, Verso today requested that the U.S. Department of Commerce revoke its order imposing duties on supercalendered papers made by those Canadian producers and imported into the U.S. The SC paper tariffs were intended to offset the impact of Canadian subsidies paid to Canadian producers of SC paper in order to help U.S. producers who were injured by the subsidized imports. However, injurious Canadian SC imports continue to enter the United States even with the tariffs, and imports from other non-U.S. SC producers which are not subject to the tariffs have increased. These factors offset the benefits of the tariffs to Verso. If the Department of Commerce grants Verso’s request to revoke the tariffs, it could provide Verso with a meaningful amount of cash over time, which we will evaluate how to use to best benefit our company and make us an even healthier supplier. However, there is no assurance that the Department of Commerce will grant our request to revoke the tariffs or that such funds will be provided to Verso. Be assured that we continue to make supercalendered paper at the Duluth Mill. Verso’s decision to settle the trade case is unrelated to any decisions about potential changes to Verso’s production assets at the Duluth Mill or to the types of products we make there.

The increase will be valid for deliveries ex mill from May 1st, 2018 onwards. The costs for carbonless paper in reels and sheets continue to rise. Prices for pulp, chemicals, especially for leuco dyes, result in considerably higher production costs. It is therefore inevitable to increase sales prices globally for carbonless paper as well. The increase will be 6 - 8% and be valid for deliveries from May 1st onwards.

Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions announced the launch of its new Cut Vinyl Film Portfolio, re-engineered for industry-leading weeding performance and a longer shelf life. The Portfolio of films is incorporated in the “Color with Character” theme of the Avery Dennison Booth #3623 at ISA Sign Expo, March 22 - 24, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Cut Vinyl Film Portfolio features HP750 High Performance and SC950 Supercast Film in the broadest color selection available. The films feature an enhanced shelf life and the fastest and easiest weeding, when compared to competitive products, for best-in-class results. The films in the Cut Vinyl Film Portfolio are ideal for indoor and outdoor signage, fleet graphics and crafting. Additional product details can be found at graphics.averydennison.com/CutVinylFilms. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised that we will increase our prices by $2.00/CWT for shipments West of the Rockies on all Rolland printing and publishing grades, effective with shipments on or after April 15th 2018. Price increases apply to all; rolls, folio and cut size. All standard upcharges will remain unchanged. Orders already confirmed for shipment on or before April 15th 2018 will be priced as acknowledged.

AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement in strong support of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). AF&PA and member company leaders will meet with administration and Congressional offices on March 20 to advocate for free and fair trade policies that recognize the strong global position of the paper and wood products industry. “NAFTA countries account for $9.6 billion or 45% of our industry’s pulp and paper exports, making them a vital industry market. As negotiators work to modernize NAFTA with Canada and Mexico, we support constructive changes that will ensure these markets remain open to our country’s exports and recognize the benefits of an interconnected supply chain. Maintaining open access for U.S. exports and a level playing field for U.S. companies, retaining the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, implementing transparent and sound science-based regulatory practices and combatting illegal logging and associated trade remain our top priorities. Click Read More below for additional information.

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. introduces Ultrahide® Blockout Poster. Ultrahide is a high-performance, Forest Stewardship Council Certified, 100 percent opaque blockout poster stock ideal for indoor retail, hospitality and event signage. Ultrahide is engineered for superior performance in varying moisture conditions. The bright white, coated printing surface is optimized for excellent photographic reproduction using offset, screen, latex inkjet, and UV inkjet printing equipment. The single-ply construction makes the product more stable and more economical than pasted alternatives on the market. Click Read More below for additional information.

Sappi North America announces a transactional price increase on new and unconfirmed orders that book with confirmed delivery dates on or after Monday, April 16, 2018 on the following products: • Opus Folio Sheets, Digital Sheets and Sheeter Rolls – all basis weights, all finishes • Flo Folio Sheets, Digital Sheets and Sheeter Rolls – all basis weights, all finishes • EuroArt Folio Sheets, Digital Sheets and Sheeter Rolls – all basis weights, all finishes. Standard differentials and upcharges apply. This price increase includes all private label programs.

Please be advised we plan to increase our Standard Newsprint price by US$ 65.00 per metric tonne (for 45.0 gsm), effective with shipments on or after April 1st, 2018 and by US$ 65.00 per metric tonne (for 45.0 gsm), effective with shipments on or after May 1st, 2018. Prices for our other basis weights as well as our bulky book and other specialty grades will be adjusted accordingly.

“As we review the details of the DC Circuit Court’s ruling, we are pleased the court upheld the practical start-up and shut-down provisions but continue to urge the EPA to conclude a 25-year rulemaking roller coaster ride by responding quickly to the court’s remand on the carbon monoxide limits. Our companies are focused on generating essential power from their boilers and deserve affordable and achievable standards that are not constantly in flux.”

Koehler Paper Group, leading manufacturer of thermal paper is increasing prices for its thermal paper product range by 10 - 12% for new orders, effective immediately. This increase is driven by the global shortage of Leuco dye (ODB-2 color former), resulting in an unprecedented cost increase for this essential chemical used in thermal paper production.

The tissue production group is expanding its US presence through an integrated plant (paper mill and converting) in Inola with an output of 120,000 metric tons a year, a total investment of 360 million dollars within 2020. Sofidel's first greenfield investment in the US, in Circleville, Ohio, will instead be completed by the end of 2018. Sofidel, one of the global largest tissue (paper for hygienic and domestic use) production players, today announces a major new stage in its journey of international growth, initiating a new greenfield investment in the United States to build an integrated plant - i.e. including both the paper mill and converting lines - in Inola, Oklahoma, around 30 miles east of Tulsa. Click Read More below for additional information.

We are announcing a US$70/MT (45 gsm) newsprint price increase to be phased in over two months. The price will increase by US35/MT (45 gsm) effective with shipments on or after April 1, 2018 and a second US$35/MT (45 gsm) will be implemented on shipments on or after May 1, 2018. The transaction price for all other basis weights and other Uncoated Groundwood products (Krubook and Krubrite) will be adjusted accordingly.

Brazil’s Suzano Papel e Celulose SA will pay Fibria Celulose SA’s shareholders 52.50 reais ($15.92) per share in a merger that will create the world’s largest pulp maker, the companies said in statements on Friday. Additionally, Fibria’s shareholders will receive 0.4611 shares of Suzano for every share they hold in Fibria. Click Read More below for additional information.

In response to the announcement by the Department of Commerce regarding preliminary anti-dumping duties on Canadian imports of Uncoated Groundwood (UGW) Paper, Printing Industries of America President and CEO Michael Makin made the following statement: “Yesterday, the Department of Commerce announced preliminary anti-dumping duties of up to 22.16 percent on Canadian imports of Uncoated Groundwood (UGW) Paper. This is compounded by preliminary countervailing duties averaging 6.5 percent on the same product announced in January. These tariffs will negatively impact paper used for newsprint, directories, book publishing, and advertising circulars, raising costs for production and, ultimately, print customers. In an industry in which it is difficult to absorb forced cost increases, the effect will likely be less production, fewer pages printed, a faster shift to digital content of news and books, and more diversion of advertising from print to electronic platforms. All of this havoc has been caused by one company in the paper industry filing a trade remedy case alleging unfair trade practices by Canada. The majority of U.S. newsprint manufacturers, the trade associations representing the industry, and U.S. customers oppose the trade petition on UGW paper. Click Read More below for additional information.

Premier Dwight Ball is worried about the impact of huge tariffs on newsprint from Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, following the introduction of another new tarriff by the United States. Just two months after the mill was hit by an export duty of nearly 10 per cent, the U.S. Department of Commerce on Tuesday announced an anti-dumping duty of 22.16 per cent — the result, it says, of a preliminary investigation that found Canadian exporters underpriced uncoated groundwood paper by up to that amount. The total tariffs will now add 32 per cent to the cost of newsprint — the highest duties of any mill in Canada. Click Read More below for additional information.

Fortress Global Enterprises Inc. is pleased to announce that it has signed a share purchase agreement (the "SPA") with S2G Biochemicals Inc. ("S2G") and its shareholders, whereby the Company will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of S2G for a purchase price of $2,500,000, payable by the issuance of 666,652 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $3.75 per Fortress Global share. Upon completion of the transaction, Fortress Global, intends to commission the construction of a demonstration plant to produce xylitol at its Fortress Specialty Cellulose (“FSC”) Mill, utilizing proprietary process technologies, know-how and expertise developed by S2G and Mondelez International, Inc. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar polyol that has a sweetening property matching that of cane sugar but with 40% fewer calories. In addition, based on third-party research, the Company believes that xylitol is currently the best nutritive sugar substitute with respect to the prevention of dental cavities. Click Read More below for additional information.

Kenneth Nystén has a solid background in the pulp and paper industry, from various positions in companies such as Stora Enso and Metsä-Serla. He comes most recently from the Finnish chemicals company Kemira Oy. Kenneth Nystén was born 1958 in Espoo, Finland. He holds a Bachelor degree in Economics from Uppsala University and an MBA from Seton Hall University in the U.S. “Kenneth is a driven business manager with a broad experience from leading positions within our industry, in particular the paperboard industry. His proven ability to create strong results and motivated sales teams, will be of great importance as we move forward and further develop our paperboard business” says Daniel Peltonen, President and CEO at Iggesund Paperboard. Click Read More below for additional information.

Norbord Inc. announced that a shortage of wood will cause it to temporarily suspend production at its oriented strand board (OSB) mill in 100 Mile House, British Columbia. Norbord currently expects the suspension to commence on or about May 14, 2018 and to continue for approximately one month. The significant wildfires that the province of British Columbia experienced in the summer of 2017 seriously damaged logging areas surrounding the 100 Mile House mill. Further, the severe weather conditions this winter have limited loggers' ability to access the forests during the months when the mill typically builds its annual log inventory. Combined, these extraordinary circumstances have impacted Norbord's ability to secure a sufficient wood supply to operate the mill on a continuous basis during this one-month period. Click Read More below for additional information.

Catalyst Paper will continue to vigorously defend itself against an unwarranted and onerous U.S. trade action following today’s disappointing decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce that it will impose a 22.16% anti-dumping duty deposit on the company’s exports of uncoated groundwood paper products. Uncoated groundwood directory paper was excluded from the duty. “We are very disappointed with this decision,” says Ned Dwyer, President & Chief Executive Officer. “This U.S. trade action is unwarranted and without merit.” Click Read More below for additional information.

On behalf of the workers in our sector, Forest Products Association of Canada is disappointed in this outcome and strongly believes that these duties are completely unjustified and represent a costly and losing proposition for workers and paper customers on both sides of the border. FPAC applauds the swift response issued last night from Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr – they unequivocally defended Canada’s interests. In addition to strongly defending Canadian workers and businesses against these unfounded duties imposed by our U.S. neighbours, FPAC is calling on the Trudeau government to do the following: •Continue efforts to support industry’s efforts to aggressively diversify export markets. •Partner with FPAC and Canada’s forest products sector and our workers to further enable the transformation of our sector into new and innovative product areas. •Activate employment support programs for any Canadian workers who might be impacted in the event of reduced shifts or job losses. Click Read More below for additional information.

Orient Paper, Inc. announced that it resumed production at its manufacturing facilities on March 14, 2018. Production had been suspended since late January due to a government-mandated restriction on the supply of natural gas.

The American government is imposing more anti-dumping duties on Canadian newsprint. The U.S. Department of Commerce says a preliminary investigation has found Canadian exporters underpriced uncoated groundwood paper by between 0 and 22.16 per cent. Uncoated groundwood paper includes newsprint, as well as paper for book publishing, printing and writing. The department says it calculated a dumping rate of 22.16 per cent for Catalyst Paper Corp. of British Columbia. It says Resolute Forest Products and White Birch were both found to have dumping rates of 0 per cent. Click Read More below for additional information.

Please be advised that Irving Paper will increase its prices of Irving SCA, Irving SCB, Irving Radiance (SCA+) and Irving Opulence (SCA++) for the US and Canadian markets, effective with all new and existing orders shipping on and after May 1, 2018. This increase affects all basis weights.

Please be advised that effective with shipments on or after May 1, 2018, Twin Rivers Paper Company will be implementing a price increase for the US market on the following grades: Publishing • Freesheet: Snowbrite Opaque®, Custom Brite®, Custom Plus®, Twin Rivers® Opaque, Twin Rivers® Offset, Pharmopaque®, PharmBrite 92™, and SnowBrite Pharm®; • Hybrid grades: Border Brite®, Bridge Opaque®, Bridge Supreme®, Frontier Opaque, Frontier Supreme, Frabrite® 76 & 72, and all tablet and converting grades; • All private label grades and proprietary products; Packaging • Acadia®, Bladepak®, TR Specialty Bag, and all other packaging papers; Label • Alliance® Label (TT & Release) and customized base papers; Technical • All technical grades

Solenis has launched its new Tapestry℠ Yankee Coating Solutions to help tissue makers produce a consistently reliable Yankee coating while improving manufacturing performance and controlling operational costs. The new Solenis Tapestry Yankee Coating Solutions offering includes a family of advanced chemistries and technologies, a team of application and field service specialists experienced in optimizing Yankee coating properties, and R&D support focused on tissue-making science and innovation. “Tissue makers face consumer demands every day — demands for softer, stronger and more absorbent products,” said Richard Cho, global marketing director, Tissue and Towel. “The Yankee cylinder is critical to meeting these demands, but difficulties with Yankee operation can affect manufacturing productivity, product quality and, in some cases, asset life. The new Tapestry Yankee Coating Solutions from Solenis can help tissue makers overcome these challenges.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Due to the increase of costs for raw materials, especially for pulp, and for chemicals and logistics, Papierfabrik Koehler will raise its prices for reacto® carbonless paper in Latin America. The increase will be 8 – 12% and will be effective for deliveries ex mill from Mai 1st, 2018 onwards.

Resolute Forest Products plans to put up a new distribution center at its Calhoun, Tenn., production site as the company grows its tissue business. The 300,000-square-foot distribution center under construction will provide storage for tissue products made at the mill, said Debbie Johnston, the company's director of U.S. public affairs. The goods later will be shipped to Resolute's retail customers, she said. Johnston said the center, slated for completion in August, will employ more than 30 people. She said construction of the center is the latest phase of $400 million Resolute is spending when it announced it was entering the tissue market in 2015. Click Read More below for additional information.

Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) applauds the Canadian government, and in particular Minister Champagne, on the signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. This agreement will benefit the Canadian forest products industry by eliminating tariffs, as well as providing clear provisions to help settle disputes and avoid unfair blocking of imports because of concerns about issues such as insects or other contaminants. For example, forest products from Canada now face:. •31% tariff to Vietnam for certain kinds of wood, going down to 0% starting Year 1 and up to 27% for paper, which will be at 0% by Year 4. •40% tariff to Malaysia for plywood and up to 25% for paper, down to 0% by Year 6. •10% tariff to Japan for wood products, going down as low as 5% in Year 1 and 0% as early as Year 11. “The CPTPP will increase Canadian forest products access to key global markets,” says CEO of FPAC, Derek Nighbor. “Growing exports will create more middle class jobs in the over 600 forest dependent communities across Canada and help the forest sector diversify its markets.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Comments to Results of Operations - Comparison of Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 to Three Months Ended December 31, 2016: • Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 decreased by $7 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. The sales decline was primarily attributable to a decrease in total sales volume due to the general softening of demand for coated papers and our capacity reductions at our Androscoggin Mill. • Gross margin, excluding depreciation, amortization and depletion expenses, decreased from 16.6% of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2016 to 13.3% in the fourth quarter of 2017. Comments to Results of Operations - Comparison of 12 Months Ended December 31, 2017 to 12 Months Ended December 31, 2016: • Net sales for the 12 months of 2017 decreased by $180 million compared to the 12 months of 2016. The sales decline was attributable to a decrease in total sales volume and a decrease in pricing, partially offset by improvement in product mix. The decrease in volume and pricing were driven by general softening of demand for coated papers and our capacity reductions at the Androscoggin Mill. • Gross margin, excluding depreciation, amortization and depletion expenses, decreased from 11.1% of net sales in the 12 months of 2016 to 9.1% in the 12 months of 2017. Gross margin was favorably impacted in 2016 by $22 million and in 2017 by $4 million as a result of gains included in cost of products sold, associated with the elimination of certain postretirement benefit costs. Click Read More below for additional information.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö announces the launch of Ahlstrom-Munksjö Trinitex® Advance W3200, a unique E12 filtration media specifically designed for pulse jet gas turbine applications. “Following on from the high level of interest generated by the Trinitex® Advance W3000 launch in November last year, we are very pleased to now introduce Ahlstrom-Munksjö Trinitex® Advance W3200” says Robin Guillaud, VP Business Development Filtration and Performance; “Trinitex® Advance W3200 is a natural extension of our Trinitex® Advance product range and has been designed for pulse jet gas turbine applications requiring the highest level of performance” he adds. Click Read More below for additional information.

KPLP Q4 2017 Financial Results: Revenue in Q4 2017 was $340.0 million, compared to $339.6 million in Q4 2016, an increase of $0.4 million or 0.1%. The increase in revenue was primarily due to a selling price increase in Canada, offset by lower Consumer sales volume in Canada and the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange on U.S. dollar sales. Net loss in Q4 2017 was $18.0 million, compared to $4.5 million in Q4 2016, primarily due to lower Adjusted EBITDA of $9.2 million, an increase in tax expense of $5.8 million, a decrease in the gain on sale of non-financial assets of $2.5 million and a change in fair value of derivatives of $0.4 million in Q4 2017. These items were partially offset by a decrease in the change in amortized cost of Partnership units liability of $3.3 million and lower depreciation expense of $0.5 million. Click Read More below for additional information.

Mercer International Inc. announces that it has received the decision of the tribunal in respect of its previously announced claim against the Government of Canada under the North American Free Trade Agreement. In a split decision, a majority of the tribunal ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to decide certain of the Company's claims under NAFTA and, with respect to the Company's other NAFTA claims, that they were highly complex and technical and that it would be inappropriate for the tribunal to re-determine matters calling for specialist judgment and, as a result, there was no violation of NAFTA. As is customary in these matters, the tribunal awarded costs to Canada of approximately $6.9 million. Click Read More below for additional information.

Nekoosa, comprised of Nekoosa Coated Products, RTape Corp, and CET Films, announced today the acquisition of Catalina Graphic Films, effective as of March 1, 2018. Catalina Graphic Films, headquartered in Calabasas, CA with manufacturing facilities in Chicago, IL and Las Vegas, NV, is a leading manufacturer of pressure sensitive products used primarily for printed retail point of purchase advertising and promotion. Nekoosa is making the acquisition to support expanded manufacturing capability, product portfolio expansion, and a national manufacturing footprint. “Nekoosa is proud to combine its 50 year legacy with the equal 50 year family legacy of Catalina Graphic Films, and create a truly special business that can service our customers with an incredibly broad portfolio of products, services, and capabilities,” said Paul Charapata, CEO of Nekoosa. Click Read More below for additional information.

The EU has today released a report related to a Trade Barrier Regulation ("TBR") investigation launched following a complaint submitted by CEPI, the European association representing the paper industry. The report upheld the complaint finding that the measures imposed by Turkey on the imports of certain varieties of paper such as office paper, books, envelopes and paper used for direct mail marketing (otherwise known as uncoated wood free (“UWF”) paper) from the EU were inconsistent with both WTO and the EU-Turkey Customs Union rules. “CEPI takes pride in its strong commitment to free trade with its partners. The decision by the Turkish authorities to remove these unfair measures is applaudable; however this issue should never have been escalated in the first place. It is our expectation that the Turkish authorities stand by their obligations under the EU-Turkey Customs Union Agreement in the future” says Sylvain Lhôte, Director General at CEPI. Click Read More below for additional information.

Fourth Quarter 2017 Relative to Third Quarter 2017: Net sales of $43.5 million in the fourth quarter decreased $1.7 million, or 3.7%, from the third quarter driven by seasonality factors. Converted product sales declined $1.5 million; a decline of $1.9 million due to volume, offset by higher average-selling prices having a positive impact of $0.4 million. Parent roll sales decreased $0.2 million, as the effect of lower sales volume outpaced an increase in the average selling price compared to third quarter 2017. Average selling prices were, to a degree, positively impacted in the fourth quarter by the inclusion of Orchids' new ultra-premium products manufactured at Barnwell. Cost of goods sold, net of depreciation, in the fourth quarter declined by $2.5 million to 84.6% of net sales, down from 87.0% in the third quarter, representing our second consecutive decline as a percentage of sales. Total cost of sales increased to 94.2% of revenue in the fourth quarter, up from 93.9% in the third quarter. Total depreciation increased to 9.6% of net sales in the fourth quarter from 6.9% of net sales in the third quarter as a result of the addition of the Barnwell facility. Click Read More below for additional information.

In order to prepare Kotkamills Absorbex Oy, a subsidiary of Kotkamills Oy and the leading global supplier of Laminating Papers, to meet the increasing demand, as well as to replace the discontinuing production volume of Paper Machine 7 in Tainionkoski, Imatra (Stock Exchange release on the 3rd of July 2017), Kotkamills Oy has started the pre-feasibility study of a new Paper Machine 3 (PM 3) in Kotka. The final decision of this possible investment will be done by the end of year 2018. The capacity, cost estimation and start-up timing of the the PM 3 will be published later on subject to the positive investment decision. After the possible start-up of the PM 3, Kotkamills Oy is maximizing the integration advantages of the Kotka site. In addition to the efficient investment cost of PM 3 to the already available infrastructure, the energy and fixed costs per produced volumes of the whole integrated site would be lower than today. The possible investment would have a positive impact on the profitability of Kotkamills Group. Click Read More below for additional information.

Filled with entertaining urban legends and popular misconceptions, Sappi's new "True or False" booklet challenges frequently heard myths such as, "humans only use 10% of their brains" and "lightning never strikes the same place twice." It also refutes the widespread belief that uncoated printing papers cost less than coated. In addition to comparing costs, performance capabilities, and environmental benefits between coated and uncoated sheets, "True or False" presents an actual side-by-side demonstration of the same image printed with the same press settings on Sappi McCoy Matte and Silk and two comparable uncoated grades, so readers can see the tactile and visual differences for themselves. "Some myths about coated and uncoated paper have been around so long that people accept them as fact, but not everything that people believe to be true is true," says Patti Groh, Director of Marketing Communications, Sappi North America. "A premium smooth uncoated sheet may cost as much as 170% more than a comparable coated sheet such as Sappi's McCoy. Click Read More below for additional information.

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. 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 specialities and packaging papers footprint and skills; adds 160,000 tons of speciality paper to our capacity; Increases Sappi’s relevance in specialities and packaging papers, opening up new customers and markets to Sappi’s existing products and generating economies of scale and synergies; Gaining greater share-of-wallet with valued brand owners; accelerating innovation and new product development; Improved near-term profitability and serve as platform for organic growth and further acquisitions. Will add €183 million of sales and approximately €20 million of EBITDA before taking into account synergies; Builds on the investments currently underway to increase specialities and packaging papers capacity at our Somerset, Maastricht and Alfeld Mills; Unlocks the growth potential of the CPG speciality paper business. Click Read More below for additional information.

A few quick conversations with employees will confirm for anyone how these awards were earned at Huhtamaki. For all those who work to supply Walmart with the items they need for stores across the country, they all say the same thing — “It’s not just me.” Everyone including the employees who make the product, sales management and commercialization, product managers, finance professionals, operations managers, and the logistics team are excited to make sure that high quality product reaches its destination on time. Click Read More below for additional information.

Sappi North America has joined on as a new funding partner of The Recycling Partnership, a national nonprofit that applies corporate funding to improve recycling efforts in communities across the country. In doing so, the company will be working to help transform recycling nationwide, increase materials recovery, and reduce the creation of greenhouse gases that add to climate change. Currently, still less than half of recyclables in U.S. homes are getting captured; just 22 million tons out of an available 46 million tons are recycled every year1. While the funding and management of recycling systems has fallen on the shoulders of cities and towns across the country, now, through The Recycling Partnership, nearly 40 companies, including Sappi are committing financial resources to work with the nonprofit and local governments to improve recycling systems. Click Read More below for additional information.

Lecta announ​ces a price increase of 7% on its different grades for labelling applications: coated 1s, metallized papers, cast coated and self-adhesive papers. The price increase is unavoidable to offset the continuous increase in manufacturing costs due to the rising costs of pulp and other raw materials. The new prices will be effective on deliveries from April 2th, 2018. Lecta sales teams are at our customers' disposal to provide specific information on how the price increase will be applied by product on a country-by-country basis.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in December 2017 were down 3.4% vs. December 2016 and were down 1.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in December 2017 were down 7.0% vs. December 2016 and were down 3.6% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in December 2017 were down 12.4% vs. December 2016 and were down 2.0% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in December 2017 were UP 4.9% vs. December 2016 and were down 0.3% year-to-date. Click Read More below for additional information.

Due to continuing input cost increases and unsustainable profit levels, Sappi is forced to continue passing on this cost inflation by increasing its WFC and WFU in sheets and reels by 6-8% effective on deliveries from April 1st 2018 for all European and Overseas markets. Despite strong order books margins continue to be depressed by this severe input cost inflation. Sappi’s sales representatives will be in touch with their customers to agree on the specifics over the following weeks.

Despite the extremely strong order books the mechanical coated paper profit margins continue to be depressed due to continuing cost creep. Sappi addresses the cost inflation by increasing its LWC and MWC paper grades prices by 4% effective on deliveries from April 1st 2018 for all markets as validities allow. In order to reach sustainable profitability levels subsequent inflationary increases are expected during the year. Sappi’s sales representatives will be in touch with their customers to agree on the specifics over the following weeks.

The Navigator Company announced today that it will be increasing prices our Uncoated Woodfree papers by 5 to 7 % in Middle East, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Latin America. This measure will be effective with orders shipping April 2nd , 2018. The Navigator Company sells its products to 130 countries over five continents, under its own paper brands with a strong reputation for superior and consistent quality - Navigator, Pioneer, Inacopia, Discovery, Soporset and Inaset.

Highlights: * Q4, 2017 adjusted operating income of $190.8 million, aided by improved lumber unit sales realizations and record-high pulp and paper earnings; operating income of $598.5 million and record-high sales of $4.66 billion in 2017 * Adjusted net income of $114.8 million, or $0.89 per share; $363.4 million, or $2.77 per share, for 2017 * CVD/ADD duty deposit rate reduced from 27.98% to 20.52% following final determination by US Department of Commerce; combined duty expense of 14.34% recorded in fourth quarter of 2017 to reflect impact of updated sales and cost data on ADD rate in 2017 * Net debt of $97.5 million, or 4.6% net debt to total capitalization, at December 31, 2017 * Construction of new state-of-the-art US$120 million greenfield sawmill in Georgia approved by Board of Directors: 275 million board feet of high-value dimension Southern Yellow Pine lumber. Click Read More below for additional information.

The Board of Directors of Canfor Corporation approved the construction of a new, state-of-the-art sawmill in Washington, Georgia. The new sawmill, which will cost approximately US$120 million and have a production capacity of 275 million board feet, will employ best-in-class mill technology, capitalizing on an excellent fibre resource in the region to produce high-value dimension and specialty lumber products. Strategically located near the Company’s existing glulam facility in Washington and the larger population centers in Athens and Augusta, the new mill will be able to draw on a strong and skilled employee base. Construction will commence in the second quarter of 2018, with the official start-up projected for the third quarter of 2019. At full run rates, assuming 2017 market pricing, the sawmill is forecast to generate annual EBITDA of approximately US$35 million. Click Read More below for additional information.

Lecta announces a price increase of 6% to 7% on all its 2 side coated woodfree and uncoated woodfree grades in sheets and reels. This price increase is essential in order to offset the continuous increase in manufacturing costs due to pulp price evolution. The new prices will be effective on deliveries from April 2th, 2018.

According to the January 2018 Printing-Writing monthly report from the American Forest & Paper Association, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased five percent in January compared to January 2017. A small increase in shipments of uncoated free sheet was not enough to offset the year-over-year declines in January for the other three grades. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased one percent from December 2017. Imports of printing-writing papers finished 2017 five percent lower than 2016 imports while exports finished the year five percent higher than 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.

Boise Paper announced a new program to deliver rolls and sheets specifically intended for use in commercial grade digital printers. All products in the line have been performance tested and carry a laser guarantee. Products include Boise POLARIS® branded rolls and sheets, as well as Boise® Offset and Boise® Opaque rolls. “We’re committed to delivering what our customers need,” said Tina Brennan, Senior Marketing and Planning Manager for Boise Paper. “We know digital products are essential for commercial printers, and we want to make sure our offering enables success with those applications.” Click Read More below for additional information.

One of Susan Gionet’s favourite days of the year? Delivering new books for young students at Glen Falls school in Saint John. The books go to Glen Falls School Literacy Night, hosted annually for parents and students. “We have family-friendly, fun activities for parents and students planned,” said Jill Nylen, Community Schools Coordinator at Glen Falls. “With the help of Irving Paper and their donation of books and prizes, this will help our students build their home libraries.” “We are always thankful for our partnership with our Irving Paper PALS,” she said. “Their willingness to support our students and our school is overwhelming. It’s nice to have a partnership where our students benefit greatly.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Georgia‐Pacific announced it will build a new softwood lumber production facility in Warren County, Georgia. Construction of the $135 million, 340,000‐square foot, technologically advanced plant is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2018 with an anticipated startup in spring 2019. Georgia‐Pacific’s existing lumber plant in Warren County will continue full operations until the new facility is completed. After startup of the new plant, Georgia‐Pacific estimates hiring an additional 30 to 40 employees, bringing its workforce in Warren County to approximately 150 people. “We have enough property next to our existing mill in Warren County to build a larger facility equipped with the latest in lumber manufacturing technology,” said Fritz Mason, vice president and general manager, Georgia‐Pacific Lumber. “We have a great team at Warrenton and building a new state‐of‐the‐art facility on this site will make it competitive for years to come. The team has earned it.” The new facility will be capable of over three times the output of the current facility. The existing facility has been operating since the early 1970s and technology in the lumber production business has changed significantly since that time. Click Read More below for additional information.

Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, will increase prices by up to 15 percent on all wet strength resins globally, effective immediately. The price increase is necessary due to the significant increase in key raw material costs combined with a tightening of available supply.

As per 28 February Iggesund Paperboard’s Vice President Sales and Marketing, Arvid Sundblad, leaves his position for new opportunities outside the company. “For many years, Arvid Sundblad has provided extensive knowledge, good relationships and solutions to develop Iggesund Paperboard to where we are today”, says CEO Daniel Peltonen. The process of finding a replacement will start immediately and until a permanent solution is found, Daniel Peltonen will act as Sales Director. "We thank Arvid for his commitment during these years and the great efforts he made for the company and wish him luck in future challenges," concludes Daniel Peltonen

The Navigator Company announces that it will be increasing prices by 6 to 8 % in Europe. This measure will be effective with orders shipping March 26th, 2018. The paper industry cost drivers continue to show a steady rise. This fact results on the need to defend our profitability and therefore, the Navigator Company will be applying a price increase in Europe in all products and markets, ranging from 6% to 8% and from 26th March dispatches.

Gov. Scott Walker said Thursday "it's hard to tell" whether Kimberly-Clark Corp. will take his administration's tax deal to keep its Neenah and Fox Crossing plants open. "We put the best offer we could on the table," Walker told USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin after speaking at the Lincoln Day Dinner for the Winnebago County Republicans. "... Even though it's not new jobs, we thought, unlike just anybody out there, when you think of an industry that has such a large impact, an employer that has such a large impact, that's why we said we should parallel what we did for (Foxconn)." Click Read More below for additional information.

American workers employed in the U.S. forest products industry descended on Washington, D.C., this week and made over 485 visits with members of Congress and administration officials. Their goal was to educate officials on the impacts of legislative and regulatory decisions on the environment as well as the families and communities that depend on forest products manufacturing for their livelihood. The group of workers were from The Pulp & Paperworkers' Resource Council (PPRC), a grassroots organization of hourly employees in the forest products industry who educate about issues affecting American manufacturing jobs in their industry. "The good-paying jobs that forest products manufacturing provides is vital to our economy," said David Wise, PPRC chairman. "The PPRC believes that our elected and government officials need to help protect the environment and not support regulations and legislation that hurts U.S. workers. It's imperative that we ensure a competitive playing field for the American forest products industry in the global market." Click Read More below for additional information.

Mercer International Inc. reported strong results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017. Operating EBITDA* in the fourth quarter of 2017 increased by 54% to a record $89.1 million compared to $57.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and by 39% from $64.0 million in the prior quarter of 2017. For 2017, Operating EBITDA increased by approximately 36% to $252.3 million from $185.7 million in 2016. For the fourth quarter of 2017, our net income was $41.7 million, or $0.64 per basic and diluted share, compared to $18.5 million, or $0.29 per basic and $0.28 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $21.1 million, or $0.33 per basic and $0.32 per diluted share, in the prior quarter of 2017. For 2017, net income was $70.5 million, or $1.09 per basic and $1.08 per diluted share, after giving effect to a loss on the early settlement of debt of $10.7 million (or $0.16 per basic and diluted share), compared to $34.9 million, or $0.54 per basic and diluted share, in 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.