Total European shipments of graphic papers in May 2017 were UP 3.8% vs. May 2016 and were down 1.2% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in May 2017 were down 1.9% vs. May 2016 and were down 4.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine papers in May 2017 were UP 6.5% vs. May 2016 and were UP 3.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in May 2017 were UP 5.7% vs. May 2016 and were down 2.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in May 2017 were UP 4.9% vs. May 2016 and were UP 1.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree papers in May 2017 were UP 10.0% vs. May 2016 and were UP 0.6% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree papers in May 2017 were UP 2.0% vs. May 2016 and were down 0.7% year-to-date. Click Read More below for additional details.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö will release additional capacity at its Turin plant in Italy to meet the growing demand for engine and industrial filtration media. Fulvio Capussotti, Executive Vice President of Business Area Filtration and Performance, states: “This capacity increase aims at improving our current service level but also, more strategically, enables us to offer to our customer an industrial platform on which they can build on to further grow their business. The plan will include investments on selected assets, re organization of planning practices and additional staffing. This capacity release will be concluded at the beginning of 2018 and will significantly increase our ability to answer the current and future needs of our filtration customers”. Click Read More below for additional details.

Nordic Paper is a leading Swedish-based producer of kraft and greaseproof paper. Three of Nordic Paper’s mills are located in Sweden, and the fourth one in Norway. A China-based pulp and paper company, Anhui Shanying Paper Industry Co., LTD (“Anhui Shanying Paper”), has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 % of the shares in Nordic Paper Holding AB from Special Situation Venture Partner lll and Petek GmbH. Click Read More below for additional details.

In a letter today, Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) of the Senate Finance Committee urged Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to negotiate a softwood lumber trade deal with Canada that would lessen the harmful impact of subsidized Canadian lumber imports on the U.S. economy. The Senators' letter also expressed strong support for fair competition and the enforcement of existing U.S. trade laws. "The U.S. Lumber Coalition applauds the efforts by members of the Senate Finance Committee to push for a fair trade deal, especially the letter's provision calling for a clean quota agreement to hold Canada to its commitments and maintain a stable, enforceable system," U.S. Lumber Coalition spokesperson Zoltan van Heyningen said. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Q2 2017 highlights: • Comparable EBIT increased by 2% to EUR 270 million (264 million in Q2 2016). • Favourable market demand continued. • High maintenance activity and seasonally higher fixed costs impacted comparable EBIT by approximately EUR -20 million compared with Q2 2016, EUR -45 million compared with Q1 2017. • Solid operating cash flow at EUR 269 million (434 million). • Net debt decreased to EUR 1,046 million (1,876 million). • UPM announced new focused investments at the Kaukas pulp mill and Tampere labelstock factory. Click Read More below for additional details.

Avery Dennison Corporation announced preliminary, unaudited results for its second quarter ended July 1, 2017. Unless otherwise indicated, comparisons are to the same period in the prior year. “We continued to make good progress against our strategic and financial objectives in the second quarter," said Mitch Butier, Avery Dennison President and CEO. "LGM generated strong profitability despite a short-term moderation in organic growth; RBIS had a great quarter, with accelerated sales growth and margin expansion as our multi-year transformation delivers; and IHM continues to make progress against its strategic priorities, including the completion of two acquisitions. “We have raised our outlook for full-year earnings per share, reflecting continued strong operating performance and a reduction in the tax rate," said Butier. "We continue to remain confident that the consistent execution of our strategies will enable us to meet our long-term goals for superior value creation through a balance of profitable growth and capital discipline.” Click Read More below for additional details.

Executive Summary ◦Second quarter 2017 net sales of $4.6 billion decreased 1 percent compared to the year-ago period, as organic sales were down 1 percent. Organic sales fell 2 percent in North American consumer products, reflecting category softness, less promotion shipments and competitive activity. Outside North America, organic sales declined 3 percent in developed markets and rose 2 percent in developing and emerging markets. ◦Diluted net income per share for the second quarter was $1.49 in 2017 and $1.56 in 2016. Results were impacted by lower sales and input cost inflation, while the comparison benefited from cost savings. Second quarter adjusted earnings per share were $1.53 in 2016, which excludes items described later in this release. ◦Full-year 2017 net sales and organic sales are expected to be similar, or up slightly, year-on-year. The company's previous estimate was for sales and organic sales to be up 1 to 2 percent. ◦The company anticipates full-year 2017 earnings per share will be at the low end of its target range of $6.20 to $6.35. Click Read More below for additional details.

Financial review H1 2017: The Group's comparable net sales growth was 2% during the first half of the year with a positive contribution from all business segments. Comparable growth in emerging markets was 1%. Growth was strongest in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, while net sales declined significantly in India. The Group's net sales grew to EUR 1,511 million (EUR 1,414 million). Foreign currency translation impact on the Group's net sales was EUR 36 million (EUR -39 million) compared to 2016 exchange rates. The majority of the positive impact came from the US dollar, Russian ruble and Indian rupee, while the impact from pound sterling and certain emerging market currencies was negative. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. and Tembec Inc. announced that they have entered into an amendment to the arrangement agreement under which Rayonier Advanced Materials has agreed to acquire Tembec for an increased consideration valued at C$4.75 per Tembec share. The revised terms were unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies. Under the Amended Arrangement Agreement, Tembec shareholders will have the right to elect to receive either C$4.75 in cash or 0.2542 shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials common stock per Tembec common share, subject to proration so that approximately 67% of the aggregate consideration is paid in cash and approximately 33% is paid in Rayonier Advanced Materials common stock. The increased consideration represents a 17% increase in value offered for the shares compared to the initial terms and a premium of 61% to the closing price of Tembec’s shares on May 24, 2017, the day immediately before the initial announcement concerning the Arrangement. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Xerox (NYSE: XRX) announced today that its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share on Xerox common stock. The dividend reflects the one-for-four reverse stock split that became effective on June 14, 2017. The dividend is payable on October 31, 2017 to shareholders of record on September 29, 2017.

According to the June 2017 Printing-Writing Monthly report from the American Forest & Paper Association, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased five percent in June compared to June 2016. All four printing-writing grades posted year-over-year shipment declines in June. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased one percent from May 2017. Shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers decreased 3% year-over-year in June following the increase last month. U.S. imports of CFS papers increased 25% year-over-year in May and exports of CFS papers increased 12% year-over-year in May.

Under the theme 'a grip on any challenge', Avery Dennison is launching an Advanced Adhesives portfolio that expands converters’ options with four new adhesive choices - including a clear non-yellowing hotmelt adhesive for chilled food applications; a reclosure adhesive with high solvent resistance for household wipes; a compostable adhesive for fruit and vegetable packaging; and a heat-activated adhesive for automotive textile labelling.

Tembec Inc. (TSX: TMB) ("Tembec" or the "Company") today provided an update in response to the recent public broadcast solicitation by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. ("Oaktree") in connection with the proposed acquisition (the "Arrangement" or the "Transaction") by Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. ("Rayonier AM") of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Tembec (the "Tembec Shares").

Verso Corporation (NYSE: VRS) today announced plans to permanently shut down the No. 3 paper machine and associated equipment at its Androscoggin Mill in Jay, Maine, reducing annual coated paper production capacity at the mill by approximately 200,000 tons. The shutdown will be effective August 1 and is expected to be complete by the end of the third quarter of 2017. The No. 3 paper machine and a recovery boiler and digester that support it were idled in January of this year in response to declining customer demand that resulted in more coated paper capacity than could be filled. Most products made on the No. 3 paper machine were transitioned to lower-cost machines in other Verso mills.

Less waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, fewer workplace injuries. Less of each of these means a more sustainable business and highlights how Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) is working smart for the long term. The company released its 2017 Sustainability Report today, detailing the company’s endeavors to take a longer term view of creating and preserving value for our shareholders, customers, employees and communities.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (the “Company” or “Rayonier Advanced Materials”) (NYSE: RYAM) today reaffirmed its commitment to acquire Tembec Inc. (“Tembec”) (TSX: TMB) on the terms previously agreed with Tembec.

Containerboard production was 3.8 percent higher compared to June 2016. The month-over-month average daily production compared to May 2017 was 0.7 percent higher. The containerboard operating rate for June decreased from 99.3 percent to 96.3 percent, which was, however, 1.7 percent higher compared to June of last year.

Total boxboard production decreased 0.9 percent when compared to June 2016, and decreased 0.1 percent from last month. Unbleached Kraft Boxboard production decreased over the same month as last year and decreased compared to last month. Total Solid Bleached Boxboard & Liner production increased when compared to June 2016, and increased compared to last month. The production of Recycled Boxboard increased compared to June 2016, but decreased when compared to last month.

Cascades Inc. (TSX: CAS), a leader in the recovery and manufacturing of green packaging and tissue products, invites the media representatives to the official inauguration its new state-of-the-art, 284,000-square-foot tissue converting facility in Scappoose, Oregon .

Multi-Color Corporation ("Multi-Color") (NASDAQ: LABL) announces today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Labels Division of Constantia Flexibles ("Constantia Labels") from Constantia Flexibles GmbH ("Constantia Flexibles") for approximately $1.3 billion (€1.15 billion), payable in cash and stock.

International Paper Company (NYSE: IP) announced the election of Christopher M. Connor to its board of directors effective October 1, 2017. Mr. Connor, age 61, retired as Executive Chairman of The Sherwin-Williams Company in December of 2016. Mr. Connor joined The Sherwin Williams Company in 1983 and served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2000 to December 2015. Mr. Connor is Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and serves on the board of directors for both Eaton Corporation plc. and Yum! Brands, Inc. He will be assigned to join the Board's Audit and Finance Committee and Management Development and Compensation Committee.

Tembec Inc. (TSX: TMB) (“Tembec”) announced today that Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) has recommended that shareholders of Tembec vote FOR the proposed plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) involving the acquisition by Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (“Rayonier AM”) of all of the outstanding shares of Tembec (the “Tembec Shares”). In connection with this recommendation, ISS noted that: "The proposed premium offer consideration provides shareholders with flexibility to participate in the growth opportunities associated with the combined business of increased size, scale and liquidity and/or to receive the consideration in the form of cash that provides immediate liquidity (subject to proration limits).

Weyerhaeuser Company today announced effective immediately the ban of all campfires on its lands in Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Missoula, Sanders and Ravalli counties in Western Montana due to high fire danger. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. and Tembec Inc. announced that they have received notification of clearance from Germany's Federal Cartel Office in connection with the previously announced proposed statutory arrangement under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act involving the acquisition by Rayonier AM of all of the outstanding shares of Tembec. Subject to obtaining the approvals of the holders of Tembec Shares and the Québec Superior Court and other necessary approvals and clearances, as well as the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Transaction, it is expected that the Transaction will be completed by the end of 2017.

Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of August 12, 2017 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all Specialty coated, uncoated and natural kraft (NK Series) grades by $2.50/cwt USD, including but not limited to the following product families: Flexible Packaging Papers: PointFlex™; PointMatt™; FlexPack Essential™; GlazeWrap, GlazeWrap A and GlazeWrap NK; GlazeBag and GlazeBag NK; PointWax™; PointWax™ Transfer; GlazeArmor™ and GlazeArmor™ NK. Technical Papers: Aspect® Pressure Sensitive Face Papers and Release Liner Papers; OptiLabel™; OptiPrime™; Sterling® Ultra C1S; UniTherm®; OptiTherm™; GlazeSil™ and GlazeSil™ NK; UniSil™; PointSil™; PointTrac™; PointGard™; GlazeTape™ and GlazeTape™ NK. Label and Converting Papers: Aspect® C1S C/S Label; Sterling® Litho C1S (100lb or less basis weights (3300ft2) web rolls); Sterling® Ultra C1S (100lb or less basis weights (3300ft2) web rolls); Reflections™; CraftPoint™; DuraPoint™; LithoPoint™; ProPoint™; OmniPoint™; Sterling® Metallizing; EcoPoint™. The increase applies to all basis weights (unless noted), bulks, finishes and related private label grades. Should you have any questions, please contact your Midland Paper Sales Professional. Thank you for your continued support.

For the past several weeks we have faced challenging market conditions, similar to our competitors. In response to the market, Port Hawkesbury Paper has decided to curtail production beginning at 7am on Sunday, July 16th and span through to 7am on Sunday July 23, 2017. No deliveries will be impacted as a result of the curtailment and we anticipate full operation for the balance of the year.

The Board of Norske Skogindustrier ASA has decided to extend the consent deadline for the ongoing recapitalization transaction and to postpone the publication of the second quarter financial report from 13 July until 23 August. The consent deadline has been extended from 12 July until 31 July 2017 (at 23:59 New York time). Norske Skog will use the period prior to the new expiration deadline to continue discussions with various creditors regarding its ongoing efforts to achieve the transactions contemplated by the exchange offer and consent solicitation memorandum. The Parent's Board of Directors will continue to follow and evaluate the situation thoroughly during such period. The publication of the second quarter report was postponed due to the significant uncertainty inherent in the ongoing recapitalization process.

UPM, the world's leading paper manufacturer, has launched a new innovation, UPM Impresse plus C, a pioneering SC paper custom-developed for coldset web offset printing. UPM Impresse plus C offers a smoother, glossier finish and a unique, magazine-quality result that sets new benchmarks in CSWO printing. The velvety finish and appealing texture enable superior-quality print reproduction characterised by intense colours and rich contrasts. This new innovation opens up a whole new range of business opportunities for CSWO printers, whilst also enabling more efficient utilization of press capacity. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Nippon Paper Industries launches "b7 Light", a new product in the "b7" series. The new product will be produced with the PM N4 and CM 4 at Nippon Paper Industries' Ishinomaki Mill in Japan. The "b7" series uses Nippon Paper Industries' unique bulking technology to produce well-textured coated paper that achieves low base weight and high paper thickness. The paper is available in 67g/m2, 77g/m2, 87g/m2 and 97g/m2 at 10g/m2 unit in terms of the base weight, and designed under a lineup concept similar to that of b7 TRANEXT in terms of paper thickness. Click Read More below for additional detail.

A smoldering fire at KapStone caused in an unknown amount of damage to mill’s biggest paper machine Tuesday. Crews from Longview Fire and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue responded to a call of a smoldering fire at about 7:15 a.m. Tuesday morning at Paper Machine No. 10. By the time firefighters arrived, sprinklers had already doused much of the flames, but there was a small amount of smoldering from the burning machine, said Captain Randy Bradshaw of Longview Fire. Firefighters worked with KapStone crews to identify hot spots underneath the hood of the machine and on the roof, Bradshaw said. KapStone’s own emergency response team used the company’s hoses to put out the hot spots, Bradshaw said. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Avery Dennison Corporation announced the appointment of Gregory S. Lovins to senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately. Mr. Lovins, 45, will be responsible for leading financial operations across Avery Dennison, and will also oversee the company's information technology group. Mr. Lovins has served as the company’s vice president and interim chief financial officer since March 2017 and has also been the company’s treasurer since August 2016. He has more than 20 years of experience with Avery Dennison, having served in various positions of increasing responsibility across the company, including global finance leadership for what is now the Label and Graphic Materials segment. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Norbord Inc. reported that its OSB mill in 100 Mile House, British Columbia has temporarily suspended production due to the wild fires burning nearby in the region and in order to comply with evacuation orders in the 100 Mile House and surrounding areas. At the time of evacuation, the mill was secure. At this time, Norbord is assessing the impact to its production schedule. All mill employees have been safely evacuated and no injuries have been reported. The 100 Mile House mill has a stated annual production capacity of 440 million square feet (3/8-inch basis).

In our continuing effort to provide best-in-class service to you on our core brands and our high performing items, we will no longer be replenishing select under-performing skus from our portfolio. The impacted items will be available while supplies last. Select skus in the following brands will be impacted: • ASTROBRIGHTS® Papers (13 sheet skus) • CAPITOL BOND® Papers (2 skus) • CLASSIC COTTON® Papers (3 sheet skus) • CORONADO® SST Papers (7 sheet skus) • CRANE’S BOND® Papers(1 sheet sku, 1 envelope sku) • CRANE’S CREST® Papers (2 sheet skus) • CRANE’S LETTRA® Papers (2 sheet skus) • ENVIRONMENT® Papers (3 sheet skus, 19 envelope skus) • EXACT® Brights Papers (4 sheet skus, 33 envelope skus) • EXACT® Index (2 sheet skus) • FOX RIVER SELECT® Papers (3 sheet skus, 33 envelope skus) • GILBERT® Cotton Papers (1 sheet sku) • HOWARD® Linen Papers (1 sheet skus) • NEUTECH® Papers (3 sheet skus, 33 envelope skus) ** The balance of the skus within these brands WILL continue to remain available. ** Please contact your Midland Paper Sales Professional for additional details.

A new page-turning promotional lookbook of unique surface design treatments — including arresting images, unconventional diecuts, spectacular printing and specialty techniques — has just been released by Neenah. The book is crafted on papers from The Design Collection, Neenah’s range of pearlized surfaces, unique textures and dramatic colors, inspired by Italy’s top fashion houses and America’s leading designers. “These are highly unique papers that naturally draw attention,” says Auburne Gahlman, Associate Brand Manager, Neenah. “With this lookbook, we set out to consider surface design in relation to these extraordinary papers. The result shows how conceptual aesthetics, through means such as line, texture, color, light, and patterning, can be alluring to both hand and eye.” Click Read More below for additional detail.

On June 30, 2017, Orchids Paper Products Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to its Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 25, 2015 by and among the Company, U.S. Bank National Association and the other lenders party thereto. The Credit Agreement Amendment, among other things, struck the fixed charge coverage for the period ended June 30, 2017, thereby also waiving a requirement for a Cash Reserve, as defined in the Credit Agreement, to be funded by that date. Covenants for future periods remain unchanged from the prior amendment. Additionally, the Company agreed not to make any dividend or other distribution payment with respect to its equity unless the Company has achieved a Leverage Ratio of less than 4.0:1.0 for two consecutive fiscal quarters and no Default or Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) exists or would exist following such payment. The amount and timing of dividend payments otherwise remains subject to the judgment and approval of the Board of Directors. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Stora Enso has decided to invest EUR 45 million in a new production unit for cross laminated timber (CLT) in connection with its Gruvön Mill in Sweden. The investment will further enhance Stora Enso’s position as a global provider of high quality engineered wooden elements and as a market leader in CLT. The production is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2019. The estimated yearly capacity of the production line will be approximately 100 000 m³ after ramp-up, subject to required approvals being in place. The investment is expected to generate annual sales of approximately EUR 50 million when run at full capacity and over time significantly exceed the Wood Products division’s profitability target, operational return on operating capital (ROOC) of 18%. Click Read More below for additional detail.

The Kotkamills group has been producing Saturating Base Kraft (laminating papers) in Tainionkoski, Imatra on Paper Machine 7 (PM 7) leased from Stora Enso Oyj since the separation of Kotkamills from Stora Enso in 2010. The operations are part of the Group’s Industrial Products segment. Stora Enso Oyj has notified Kotkamills Oy that the leasing agreement concerning Tainionkoski PM7 will be terminated in accordance with its terms to expire at the end of 2018. Click Read More below for additional detail.

UPM has signed a contract to sell forest estates to Silvestica Green Forest Finland Oy. The contract covers 6,877 hectares of forestry land located in Kajaani, Sonkajärvi and Sotkamo in Finland. In addition, the parties have signed a separate long-term wood purchase and forest management agreement. Silvestica Green Forest Finland Oy is committed to certify the estates according to FSC® and to join the UPM managed FSC group certificate (FSC C 109750). For the time being the estates are PEFCTM certified. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. Silvestica Green Forest Finland Oy is owned by a Swedish company Silvestica Green Forest AB, which is an investment fund for institutional investors founded in spring 2017 by SEB, the leading Nordic financial services group. Silvestica owned companies will invest in forest estates in Sweden, Finland and the Baltic countries. The forests will be managed by CRK Forest Management AB with CEO Rickard Lehmann in charge of forest activities and reporting to investors. Click Read More below for additional detail.

As a leader of innovative solutions in the specialty paper industry, Expera has continued to customize its line of food packaging and processing papers with its newly launched brand Prepera™ Food Processing Papers. Expera’s Prepera™ Papers keep individual food slices neatly separate and wrapped, while easily releasing from products that have been vacuum packaged, frozen, or thawed. Offering a breadth of performance options, Expera produces layout sheets for raw and pre-cooked applications as well as paper-based solutions designed to address a variety of needs in today’s refrigerated and frozen food categories. “Prepera™ papers are used in a wide variety of applications and they have the flexibility necessary for unique and demanding applications,” said Robyn Buss, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Expera. “Whether it’s bacon layout, or an interleave application for cheese or meat, these papers are safe, sustainable, and provide the food release properties necessary for all types of performance.” Click Read More below for additional detail.

The Heinzel Group has now initiated its next strategic initiative in the packaging paper segment. This will see the installation of a second large paper machine for the production of bleached kraft papers at the Zellstoff Pöls AG location in Austria. So-called MG papers are employed for flexible packaging and demonstrate above-average market growth. Kurt Maier, the Heinzel Holding CEO: “Using the new machine, we will be able to manufacture 200,000 tonnes of MG papers annually at the Pöls location. With pulp production in Pöls being expanded at the same time, this has only marginal impact on our annual market pulp capacity of 400,000 tonnes. Following our recent investments at our Raubling and Laakirchen mills, the Pöls project represents another step forward on our packaging paper segment path.” Click Read More below for additional detail.

Do you ever wonder why there are so many different types of vinyls? If you go to the Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions website you will see that we have two specific lines of media. One is the Digital line and the other is our Screen & Cut line which includes the Supreme Wrapping films and Conform Chrome series of films. Some of you may be wondering what the difference is, so in this blog post I will give a brief explanation of each and why you would use one over another. The Screen & Cut line is our oldest product line and dates back to the time when films were only screen printed, thermal transfer printed, or plotter cut. Within this line, we have our cast opaque, metallic, ultra-metallic and translucent films. We also have intermediate and economy calendered films as well as reflective products. In the last few years, we have added our very popular Supreme Wrapping Film 900 series (SW 900) which is a 3.2 mil cast film designed for color change wraps and the Conform Chrome films, which is a 5.7 mil chrome film material, designed primarily for vehicle accents and is frequently used for wraps.

On the occasion of the re-start of Paper Excellence’s Chetwynd pulp mill, the media-shy company opened up a bit in an interview with Business in Vancouver. “Many pulp manufacturers look at the pulp industry [to be in] sunset,” Chang told the magazine. “Paper Excellence, our vision is different. We look at it as sunrise. We will be here for a century – as far as Asia continues emerging.” Paper Excellence does have the benefit of selling its pulp to APP mills, not on the open market, so it is not as vulnerable to pulp price fluctuations, Chang explained.