According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 26 percent in December compared to December 2019. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 22 percent in December compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels remained essentially flat (+0.3 percent) when compared to November 2020. U.S. purchases of uncoated free sheet (UFS) papers in December decreased 17 percent compared to last December while the inventory level decreased one percent compared to November 2020. UFS imports increased 13 percent while exports decreased 31 percent in November 2020. Coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 26 percent compared to December 2019 while the inventory level increased four percent compared to November 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to November 2019, down 36 percent and eight percent respectively. click read more for additional statistics

Lecta presents an extensive new range of Termax products for the demanding, dynamic thermal paper segment, the result of deep technical know-how and years of experience in manufacturing specialty papers. Over the last years, Lecta completed a strategic investment plan prioritizing its heat-sensitive papers: a new base paper machine, a complete modernization of the coating preparation kitchen and a new coating line, installed in the Leitza mill (Spain) in 2018. Today, our new thermal facilities are equipped with two state-of-the art coating lines completely devoted to thermal paper, fully automated packaging lines and winding machines that provide a high-quality finish. In its new catalogue "Moving with your business", Lecta presents a renovated Termax paper range designed to meet the specific requirements of POS, ticket and label applications. Termax provides real end-use performance papers for converters and pressure-sensitive adhesive manufacturers, with high quality standards, perfect direct thermal printing results and numerous advantages.

Wednesday January 20, 2021, the last roll of paper was produced on SCA’s paper machine 5 at Ortviken paper mill in Sundsvall. PM5 produced uncoated publication paper for newpapers, magazines and commercial print and had a capacity of 255,000 tonnes per annum. The paper machine started production in the year 1985. PM5 will now be dismantled in order to make room for the company Renewcell and its recycling of textile fibre, which is expected to come on stream on the Ortviken site in 2022. As previously announced, the remaining two paper machines at the Ortviken paper mill will stop production during the first quarter of 2021, as SCA ceases to produce publication paper.

*Mondi’s new paper machine at its Czech mill in Štětí is dedicated to producing 100% recyclable speciality kraft paper for shopping bags using a combination of fresh and recycled fibres to prioritise sustainability without compromising on strength *The €67 million investment responds to growing consumer preference and legislative change to reduce plastic waste and demonstrates the company's commitment to supporting the circular economy *This new paper machine for shopping bags broadens Mondi’s leading portfolio, placing the group at the forefront of European kraft paper production

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced that Sylvain A. Girard will join the company and be appointed as senior vice president and chief financial officer as of March 2, 2021. His term will begin the day after Remi G. Lalonde, currently Resolute's senior vice president and chief financial officer, assumes the position of president and chief executive officer. Mr. Girard will report to Mr. Lalonde. With over 25 years of global financial and leadership experience, including nearly 20 years tenure in different chief financial officer roles, Mr. Girard is a seasoned finance professional with extensive global experience. He has a proven record of delivering results and leading bold transformations.

Georgia-Pacific announced that it will expand its Dixie to Go/PerfecTouch® cup manufacturing capacity at the Lexington, Kentucky, Dixie facility. This will allow GP to scale its efforts and create a single, world-class manufacturing facility for cupmaking. As part of this, GP will permanently close its Lehigh Valley Dixie cup manufacturing facility in Easton, Pennsylvania, by the end of 2021. Lehigh Valley will continue to make cups to support the business for the next several months as some of its cupmaking equipment is relocated to the Lexington site. With the closure of the Lehigh Valley plant, it means that after 2021 all Dixie cups, including premium hot cups, recycled fiber cups and bath cups, will be made at the Lexington plant. Approximately 190 jobs at the Lehigh Valley facility will be impacted by this closure, while approximately 50 jobs will be created by the expansion in Lexington. As we work through this transition, no supply disruption is anticipated.

Summary: *Revenue expected to be $783 million(1) *Adjusted EBITDA expected to be $200 to $204 million(1)(2) *Termination of the TTI transaction agreement following rejection by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) of a remedy proposal and opening of a Phase 2 investigation *$300 million discretionary debt repayment to be made by the end of the quarter from cash on the balance sheet originally intended for the TTI acquisition *Increasing annualized dividend to $0.32 per share from $0.28 per share, equivalent to a 14 percent increase, effective when the normal first quarter 2021 dividend is declared *Well-positioned to continue participation in the recovery and demonstrate the full capabilities of Tronox’s vertically integrated portfolio

Clean energy is vital for sustainability. Our responsibility targets express our commitment to annually improving our energy efficiency and increasing our use of renewable fuels. Fossil raw materials can be replaced with wood-based products and solutions in many applications, but this consumes a large amount of heat and electricity. As UPM produces and consumes significant amounts of energy, the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, Affordable and Clean Energy, is one of our six focus goals. “Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy while at the same improving energy efficiency is crucial for mitigating climate change. Energy efficiency not only reduces emissions, but it also saves natural resources and money, so it’s smart both for the environment and our bottom line,” says Pasi Svinhufvud, UPM Energy Manager, Thermal Power, HSEQ. UPM has a remarkable share of climate friendly energy production. there is much more..

‘We will offer packaging that does not yet exist’, said Koehler CEO Kai Furler in an interview with the newspaper F.A.Z. at the beginning of 2018. Some readers will have wondered where he got the self-confidence for this bold statement from. On the one hand, it shows great confidence in the company’s research and development. But it also anticipated what was announced a year later, in January 2019: the founding of the Green Coating Collaboration, a joint laboratory between Koehler and Darmstadt Technical University. The name already hints at the institution’s field of activity. The focus is on barrier coatings that can give flexible packaging paper properties that previously only plastic could offer. These include mineral oil barriers, water vapour barriers or barriers for oils and fats, as well as aroma barriers. ‘We are conducting fundamental research in the Green Coating Collaboration’, explains Dr. Markus Wildberger, Head of Technology at Koehler. ‘Our goal is to find and test more sustainable, bio-based raw materials for barrier coating in order to ultimately use them on production line 8. It is important not to use raw materials that could potentially be used as food. After all, our packaging material should not compete with food for land.’

Lecta announces a price increase on thermal papers of 10% to 12% for new orders. The price increase is necessary to offset the continuous and relevant increase in manufacturing and transport costs and to restore our profitability. The price increase is effective immediately. Lecta sales teams are at our customers’ disposal to provide specific information on how the price increase will be applied on a country-by-country basis.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. announced changes to the management structure in its High Purity Cellulose segment and Pulp business. Dr. Christoph Koenig will assume responsibility for all High Purity Cellulose sales, while Tomas Fernandez will assume responsibility for marketing and customer service, sustainability, high yield pulp and lignin sales, research and development, and other strategic growth initiatives. Dr. Christoph Koenig and Tomas Fernandez each bring over 25 years of experience in business leadership, sales and research and development in the specialty chemical industry.

Kotkamills, a manufacturer of food service board, has signed a Collaboration agreement with Lahti Ski Games. Food and Beverages at the World Cup event will be served in cups, plates and trays made from Kotkamills' food-safe, eco-friendly, fully recyclable and compostable board Kotkamills has previously signed Collaboration agreements emphasizing Sustainability with the Norwich City and HJK football clubs, the KooKoo ice hockey club, and the World Cup Levi of alpine skiing. “Sustainability is an inherent value for both Collaboration parties. We are pleased that the event organizers have wanted to replace the traditional products with new, eco-friendly alternatives , ”says Markku Hämäläinen , CEO of Kotkamills.

The Nomination Committee of BillerudKorsnäs has decided to propose that Jan Svensson shall be elected as Chairman of the Board of BillerudKorsnäs, at the Annual General Meeting that will be held on 5 May 2021. Jan Åström has announced that he is not available for re-election as Chairman of the Board, but as a continued member of the company's Board, and the Nomination Committee will propose that he is elected to this role. Michael M.F. Kaufmann, Chairman of the Nomination Committee commented: “The Nomination Committee is very pleased to propose Jan Svensson as new Chairman. We are convinced that Jan Svensson, with his broad industrial experience as well as excellent strategic and leadership skills, will provide the company with a chairmanship that is right for the company. The Nomination Committee also wants to point out the important contributions by Jan Åström during his term as Chairman of the Board, including his recruitment of a new CEO.”

Now Astrolite PC 100 Velvet is available in a 9 pt. caliper for postal-compliant oversized postcards. The only premium coated 100% recycled sheet made in America, Astrolite PC 100 Velvet is coated on two sides and crafted with only post-consumer waste recycled fiber. Like all Monadnock paper and packaging materials, it is made with responsibly sourced FSC-certified fiber, manufactured carbon neutral (VERs), and made with 100 percent renewable Green-e certified wind powered electricity (RECs) under a third-party certified ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. “Eco-conscious marketers are seizing opportunities to grow brand presence and drive sales by re-embracing direct-mail tactics in their omnichannel campaigns. They are finding fresh new ways to reach screen-fatigued consumers and prospects,” said Julie Brannen, Director, Sustainability Solutions, Monadnock. “Our Astrolite PC 100 Velvet 9 pt. meets their needs for sustainable, high-quality graphic reproduction in oversized USPS direct mail marketing communications.”

Domtar Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Personal Care business to American Industrial Partners (AIP) for $920 million. The sale of Domtar’s Personal Care business represents the culmination of a process announced on August 7, 2020, during which the Company undertook a comprehensive strategic review of value-creating alternatives for the business. With this sale, Domtar is reinforcing its focus on building an industry-leading Paper, Pulp and Packaging company to deliver long-term shareholder value. “This transaction represents a milestone in Domtar’s ongoing portfolio transformation and further advances our strategic initiatives that will position Domtar for a sustainable and successful future,” said John D. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Domtar.

Rottneros’ Board has decided on investments to reduce emissions to water at Vallvik Mill. The investments amount to a total of SEK 33 million and are linked to the mill's updated environmental permit, which has now gained legal force, allowing an annual pulp production of 255,000 tons. The decision means that a number of measures will be taken to reduce emissions to water. They will be implemented during the mill's annual maintenance shutdown in 2021. The majority of them are aimed at increasing the proportion of emissions treated in the mill's biological treatment plant, as well as improving the efficiency of the fiberline and thereby minimizing emissions from the bleaching process.

Sappi Maastricht and the Belvédère Wijkontwikkelingsmaatschappij (Neighborhood Development Company, WOM) of the Municipality of Maastricht have signed an agreement that will finalize the sale of the southwestern part of the Maastricht paper mill site to the WOM. The sale and subsequent purchase of this land creates a win-win situation for both parties as well as to the local area and will have no negative impact on employment at the Sappi site. In order to survive in this shrinking market and to guarantee continuity and employment, Sappi Maastricht started three years ago with the transition into luxury packaging board. This activity mainly takes place on the north side of the company site. The southwestern part is therefore less intensively used and was eligible for sale to the WOM. Ferdinand Koster, director of Sappi Maastricht commented: "This sale makes it possible for us to invest in the future of Sappi Maastricht. We will use the resources to improve internal logistics and additionally improve the sustainability of our production processes. "

Over the course of the last 12 months, we have experienced negative cost pressure due to inbound/outbound freight issues, higher import tariffs, and increased costs of raw materials. These costs have impacted our entire range of products. Until now, improvements in manufacturing and logistic efficiencies have enabled us to mitigate increased costs. However, we are no longer able to absorb the full impact of these costs on our business. Effective on orders received on or after January 18, 2021 we will implement a 6% price increase on all stock and custom orders. Thank you for your understanding and your continued support of 3A Composites.

No one was hurt after a fire erupted Monday morning, Jan. 4, 2021, in one of the paper machines at Paper Excellence Canada in Port Alberni. “We had a paper fire on the No. 4 paper machine in the dryer section,” Paper Excellence Canada Alberni division general manager Marc Bodin confirmed. Bodin said preliminary checks indicate damage was not extensive. “It looks like there was minimal damage to the machine itself.” The No. 5 machine remains in production. Bodin said he doesn’t anticipate Monday’s fire affecting the Alberni plant’s overall production. “We’re not expecting any significant down time or loss of production as a result,” he said.

GP reached an agreement today to sell the company‘s nonwovens business to Glatfelter, a leading global supplier of engineered materials, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, for $175 million. The sale must still go through customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances from competition authorities. The proposed transaction includes Georgia-Pacific’s nonwovens operations at Mt. Holly, North Carolina, which produces airlaid nonwoven material for commercial customers used to make table top, wiping, food pads, hygiene and related products, and a research center in Memphis, Tennessee.

Avery Dennison announced that it has acquired the business of Ohio-based ACPO Ltd. for the purchase price of $87.6 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. ACPO is a leader in pressure-sensitive overlaminate products for the label and flexible packaging markets and has approximately 170 employees. Avery Dennison has acquired the majority of ACPO’s assets, including coating, finishing and distribution operations at its Oak Harbor, Ohio, headquarters, as well as three finishing and distribution sites in Atlanta, Georgia; Oak Creek, Wisconsin; and Vancouver, Washington. ACPO employees will transition to the Avery Dennison Label and Graphic Materials team.

Tronox Holdings plc, a leading integrated manufacturer of titanium dioxide pigment, received a decision from the British Competition and Markets Authority indicating that it intends to open a Phase 2 investigation into Tronox’s proposed acquisition of the TiZir Titanium and Iron business from Eramet S.A. (the “Seller”) as announced on May 14, 2020. As a standard part of the process, the Company may offer remedies to the CMA before it reaches a final decision on whether to begin a Phase 2 investigation. The Company will keep the market informed of the progress of the transaction. The transaction did not require notification in the United Kingdom or meet premerger reporting thresholds in the United States; however, the CMA and the Federal Trade Commission each launched investigations into the transaction, and the Company has been cooperative throughout these reviews.

Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, announced on 1 December 2020 that it had signed an agreement to sell a 30 percent stake in its Husum pulp mill in Sweden to the Swedish forest owners' cooperative Norra Skog. The transaction was completed on 4 January 2021, and its impacts will be included in Metsä Board's financial reporting as of the January–March 2021 interim report.

The Navigator Company announced today that it will increase paper prices in Europe from 4% to 6%, setting a minimum of 30 euros net per tonne. This increase will be effective for all dispatches from 1st February, and the Company will inform shortly about the details of the new prices to be applied by grade. This decision was taken due to unsustainable low levels of profitability across the industry in Europe and following the recent announcements of worldwide increases in pulp and logistics costs.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in October 2020 were down 18.7% vs. October 2019 and are down 19.9% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in October 2020 were down 21.6% vs. October 2019 and are down 18.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in October 2020 were down 16.5% vs. October 2019 and are down 18.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in October 2020 were down 24.0% vs. October 2019 and are down 27.2% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in October 2020 were down 5.0% vs. October 2019 and are down 8.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in October 2020 were down 27.1% vs. October 2019 and are down 26.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in October 2020 were down 10.3% vs. October 2019 and are down 14.3% year-to-date.

Tronox Holdings plc, the world’s leading integrated manufacturer of titanium dioxide pigment, announced that its Board of Directors appointed John D. Romano, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, and Jean-François Turgeon, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, as co-Chief Executive Officers on an interim basis, effective immediately. In addition, Ilan Kaufthal, Lead Independent Director, has been elected Chairman of the Board on an interim basis, effective immediately. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffry N. Quinn will take a leave of absence, effective immediately. On December 24, 2020, Mr. Quinn alerted the Board that he had been referenced as an unnamed individual in a Securities and Exchange Commission civil complaint and related criminal complaint regarding alleged insider trading by the defendant named in the complaints in the shares of Ferro Corporation in February and March of 2016.

Please be advised that Catalyst Paper will be implementing a two-step price increase on its Machine Finished papers sold in the United States. For shipments on or after February 1, 2021, the US transaction price for the following grades from Catalyst Paper will be increasing by $25.00/Metric Tonne. The second step increase of $25.00/Metric Tonne will be applied to shipments on or after March 1, 2021. This includes all basis weights, finishes and brightnesses of Electrabrite, Electrabrite Book and Electrastar.

UPM and the US-based pulp and paper producer Domtar Paper Company LLC have signed an agreement for UPM to acquire the total annual kraft lignin production of Domtar’s Plymouth Mill in North Carolina, USA as of January 2021. This step enables UPM to expand its role in the growing lignin business and different application segments. Following the agreement, UPM will increase its supply of kraft lignin by more than 20.000 metric tonnes annually. Part of the supply will be used to complement the existing UPM BioPivaTM product family. UPM lignin products will be sold globally through UPM’s sales network and are supported by strong technical expertise. “We are very pleased to have agreed this new supply agreement with Domtar. It enables us to expand our lignin business in the growing biochemicals market before the start-up of our Biorefinery in Leuna, Germany,” says Juuso Konttinen, Vice President, UPM Biochemicals.

Clearwater Paper Corporation announced a preliminary update to the company’s previous outlook for fourth quarter 2020 Adjusted EBITDA of $52 to $62 million. Due to significantly greater than expected demand in tissue, strong operating performance, and favorable cost trends, the company now expects Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2020 to be in the range of $71 to $76 million. “Demand for tissue products increased significantly in November through mid-December. We believe that the recent increase in COVID-19 cases caused a temporary change in consumer buying patterns, which are starting to normalize in later December,” said Arsen Kitch, president and chief executive officer. “We now expect our fourth quarter volumes to be above our previous guidance, with shipments exceeding those experienced in the fourth quarter of 2019,” Kitch concluded.

The owner of the Androscoggin Mill announced Wednesday that it will not rebuild a wood pulp digester that exploded April 15 and will permanently shut down one paper machine idled by the blast. Alan Ulman, spokesman for Pixelle Specialty Solutions based in Pennsylvania, said the decision is part of its long-term strategy to continue manufacturing specialty papers on its other two machines and utilizing more than 250 full-time employees. About 177 jobs have been eliminated at the mill since the explosion, which halted manufacturing for eight days and initiated months of recovery and strategic planning to ensure the mill would operate successfully and competitively. The mill will continue using pulp sourced from other mills, including Maine-based facilities.

Sappi Limited wishes to congratulate Mr Valli Moosa for his appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa as deputy-chair and member of the inaugural Presidential Climate Change Coordinating Commission for South Africa. The Commission is chaired by the President. The mandate of the commission is to advise on and facilitate a common understanding of a just transition towards a low-carbon, inclusive, climate change resilient economy and society, including matters of adaptation, mitigation as well as means of implementation. The commission comprises representatives from government departments and state entities, business organisations, labour, academia, civil society, research institutions and traditional leadership. Mr Moosa is the lead independent director of the Sappi Limited Board and serves as chair of the Social, Ethics, Transformation and Sustainability Committee of the Board.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced that Hugues Simon will join the company and be appointed as president of the wood products division as of March 1, 2021. His term will begin as of the date on which Remi G. Lalonde, currently Resolute's chief financial officer, assumes the position of president and chief executive officer. Mr. Simon will report to Mr. Lalonde. Mr. Simon, a native of Quebec, most recently served as president, BarretteWood, Inc., a producer of value-added wood products with operations in Canada and the United States. Previously, Mr. Simon worked for Resolute and its predecessor companies for seven years in corporate and division-based functions. Earlier in his career, he worked for a number of other forest products companies. Mr. Simon is a graduate of Sherbrooke University and is a certified public accountant.

“ The pulp demand is strong on all markets”, says Henning Ellström, VP Sales and Marketing Pulp. “The price development in Europe has been lagging compared to that in North America and Asia. We want to reduce the gap between Europe and other markets.” The new price on bleached softwood kraft pulp is valid from January 1, 2021.

As part of its forest land optimisation, Stora Enso has signed an agreement to divest forest assets located in southern Sweden to the forestry fund Silvestica Green Forest AB. The total area of forest land in the transaction is approximately 5 200 hectares. The selling price is approximately SEK 940 million (EUR 90 million). The transaction is in line with Stora Enso’s policy of divesting non-core assets. The forest areas are located geographically far away from Stora Enso’s other forest lands, which limits the scale benefits. The forest land divestment has no impact on Stora Enso’s nearby Hylte Mill, which uses other wood supply sources for its production. The forest land corresponds to less than 0.5% of Stora Enso’s total forest land area in Sweden.

Toundra Greenhouse, an innovative cucumber-growing greenhouse complex in which Resolute holds a 49% interest, is expanding once again. On December 9, 2020, the organization announced its third expansion since its inauguration in 2016. The new $50-million plan brings the total invested in the joint venture’s three phases to $175 million. Located on land adjacent to Resolute’s Saint-Félicien (Quebec) pulp mill, the complex operates using state-of-the-art growing technology and sustainable practices, such as collecting rain and snow for plant watering, and offering polysterene-free packaging for its products. Toundra Greenhouse cucumbers can be found on dinner tables across Quebec. In under five years, Toundra Greenhouse has become a major player in the province’s greenhouse industry. A second development phase began just last month, and construction on the third phase is expected to begin in November 2021. The third expansion phase will increase the facility’s total annual production area to 28 hectares, and allow for the cultivation of new products. The expansion is expected to add 55 new jobs to its workforce of 180 employees.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 24 percent in November compared to November 2019. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 16 percent in November compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased one percent when compared to October 2020. Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 17 percent compared to November 2019 while the inventory level increased one percent compared to October 2020. UFS imports and exports both decreased compared to October 2019, down 12 percent and 40 percent, respectively. U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in November decreased 23 percent compared to last November while the inventory level increased three percent compared to October 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to October 2019, down 42 percent and 18 percent, respectively. Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 37 percent compared to November 2019 while the inventory level decreased three percent compared to October 2020. CM imports and exports both decreased compared to October 2019, down 35 percent and 43 percent, respectively. U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in November decreased 13 percent compared to last November while the inventory level increased two percent compared to October 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to October 2019, down 14 percent and 44 percent, respectively.

Crown Van Gelder is pleased to announce we will begin production of our enhanced 3rd generation inkjet papers on February 1, 2021 for the following grades: - Crown Letsgo Universal - Crown Letsgo Matte - Crown Letsgo Silk and Bright Silk, ColorPRO branded version. This switch brings several advantages for pigment inks: 1. First and foremost it brings visible and measurable quality improvements in the print result of presses operating with pigment inks; 2. You can reduce total cost of print, because you will reach the same colors with less ink.

According to the Federal Environmental Agency, 2.8 billion disposable cups are consumed each year in Germany alone. Around 60% of these are plastic-coated paper cups which are currently thrown away, as they cannot be recycled in a reasonable and economically meaningful manner. The reason for this is the plastic coating on the inside, which prevents the cups from leaking or softening. The composite material of paper and plastic slows the recycling process. So far, the paper fibres could only be separated from the plastic coating in special recycling facilities and with a large amount of effort. However, separating the two materials is the prerequisite for restoring the paper fibres to the recycling loop. A newly developed, innovative recycling product now enables the fresh fibre pulp from disposable cups to be returned to the recycling loop in a resource saving and efficient way, without disproportionate additional input in the paper treatment process. The innovative idea for the new product comes from the Printing and Media Technology department of the creart advertising agency in Fulda, in the state of Hesse. “The upcycling that takes place here serves to upgrade the material,” explains authorised officer Torsten Gröger, who came up with the idea. “The waste product of disposable cups become a raw material again, in this case for a graphic paper that can be used for various purposes in communication and advertising.” As the name suggests, CoffeeCup Paper comprises around 25% disposable paper cups and 75% directly recyclable waste paper. Once manufactured, it can be recycled again at least six more times.

Innovation Norway has allocated NOK 15 million in support of building a demonstration plant for the development of fiber composite production at Norske Skog Saugbrugs. This will accelerate the on-going development work to industrialize the production of a new type of biocomposite, which can be included in furniture, packaging and car interiors. Norske Skog Saugbrugs will develop sustainable solutions related to plastic raw materials, fiber blending, technology development and testing of biocomposites. "We want to contribute to reduced plastic consumption by creating new, green products with significantly reduced carbon footprint, and find good solutions to recycle significantly more plastic than today. The plant is crucial for accelerating the industrialization of new sustainable, bio-based products," says CEO Kjell-Arve Kure at Norske Skog Saugbrugs. Norske Skog Saugbrugs is now well under way with the development of finding solutions to problems related to plastic raw materials, fiber blending, technology development and testing of biocomposites. The demonstration facility will be a prerequisite in the further development work to succeed.

WestRock welcomes Brandi Colander to its executive leadership team as chief sustainability officer. Colander further strengthens WestRock’s commitment to sustainability, both within the company and in the packaging solutions it provides its customers. "WestRock is committed to a world in which fiber-based packaging plays a central role in advancing the circular economy,” said Steve Voorhees, chief executive officer of WestRock. “As we work in partnership with our customers, I am confident that Brandi’s extensive experience will help us advance our work to imagine and deliver a more sustainable future. I am very pleased that she is joining us on our sustainability journey." Colander brings to WestRock a cross-section of experience that spans the private, government and nonprofit sectors. Colander was most recently a principal at The Raben Group leading teams to advance client public policy goals. She has worked as head of external relations with Charter Communications, where she created diverse partnerships and oversaw philanthropic investments. Colander has served as a deputy assistant secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the U.S. Department of the Interior and deputy general counsel for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, advising on environmental laws and policies across federal agencies with diverse stakeholders.

Northern Pulp is safe from its creditors for another five months. British Columbia Supreme Court justice Shelley Fitzpatrick approved the company’s motion on Friday to have creditor protection extended until April 30. Northern Pulp estimates it has enough money left to run until June. After that it will have to seek permission from the the court and its creditors to draw again on a $50 million financing facility set up by its parent company, Paper Excellence. “The Province is generally satisfied with the improved level of communication between the Petitioners and the Province, and also with other interested parties,” reads an affidavit filed with the Court on behalf of the provincial government before Friday’s hearing.

UPM Biofuels has joined the BIKE project that promotes low-ILUC risk biofuels production for European Bioeconomy. The project brings together companies and research organisations who believe that novel, safe and reliable biomass value chains can be deployed to produce food, feed, biofuels and biomaterials with a low risk of generating indirect land use change. Sustainable biomass-based biofuels mitigate ILUC (Indirect Land Use Change) because they result from productivity increases such as sequential cropping of cover or intermediate crops, or they come from crops grown on abandoned or severely degraded land. Sustainable biofuels are needed to rapidly decrease transport emissions in the EU. The responsible production of feedstock for biofuels through well-designed sustainable biomass value chains can enhance soil health and promote green resilience practices in agriculture, thus serving the objectives of the European Green Deal and fostering the bioeconomy.

Norske Skog Saugbrugs has since 2006 developed new and sustainable products based on fibre. CEBINA is a natural fibre product and add rheology control in fluids and armouring in solid materials. Following significant marketing efforts and customer testing in 2020, Norske Skog is proud to announce that CEBINA is now sold to customers in Norway and internationally. “The CEBINA sales in the fourth quarter are incredibly exciting. We have been able to establish promising cooperation with companies, consultants and researchers, who see the unique potential in the green and sustainable product we have developed,” says Hugo Harstad, Commercial Development Director of CEBINA at Norske Skog Saugbrugs. Product development of CEBINA continues at full speed, and Saugbrugs works closely with, among others, Re-Turn in Fredrikstad to identify new applications. In 2020, a new variant of CEBINA has been developed in which the water in which the fibrils are suspended has been replaced with a polymer. This enables the use of CEBINA in, for example, epoxy floor coverings and adhesives.

The owners of a Port Alberni paper mill say a major new investment in the facility reflects confidence in British Columbia’s forestry sector. Paper Excellence says it will spend $13 million to upgrade the mid-Island mill as it prepares to produce food-grade papers used by restaurants and food preparation companies. The company says the investment will remove production bottlenecks and upgrade a pair of paper machines at the facility. "With help from the leadership of B.C.’s government, we are very excited to invest in a winning project like this at Port Alberni," said Patrick Corriveau with Paper Excellence. "With the mill’s best-in-class papermakers and the ability to make even more of these new food grades, we’re confident in the Port Alberni mill’s secure and long-term future."

Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a leading, global manufacture of high performance fibre based solutions, supplying products to the flooring industry for over 40 years. Following the launch of FibRoc®, communicating the identity and positioning of the new product platform, Ahlstrom-Munksjö is pleased to announce the launch of the FibRoc® Flooring product portfolio. The new portfolio consists of a wide range of high performance fibre-based solutions for heavy duty, cushion vinyl and luxury vinyl flooring, as well as solutions for carpets and carpet tiles. The portfolio is bringing together a wide range of high performance products for flooring applications, making it easier for business partners to recognize and understand the product benefits.

Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) released Innovative, Sustainable, Resilient: Recommendations from Canada’s Forest Sector to Drive Economic Recovery and a Net-Zero Carbon Future. The report, submitted to the federal government, outlines how Canadian forestry workers, forest management, and forest products can help kickstart a green economic recovery. At today’s launch, FPAC President and CEO, Derek Nighbor, issued the following statement: “In the face of rising COVID numbers in most parts of the country, Canadians continue to stare down the biggest health and economic crisis of our lifetimes. Last week’s announcement that the federal deficit is projected to hit $382 billion by March 2021 is a stark reminder of how daunting the recovery effort will be. We need to come together with solutions that will meet the needs of Canadian workers and their families and deliver jobs to communities that need them, while promoting innovation and our move to a lower-carbon economy."

The Tasman mill has over the last period commenced production of paper for supplies into the Asian packaging markets in the form of Pulp on Reel. This is part of the ongoing strategic development process to transition the Tasman mill in New Zealand out of standard newprint production. As part of the same strategic review, Norske Skog has received significant inbound interest for Nature’s Flame pellets facility located close to the Tasman mill; therefore, Norske Skog has decided to launch a process to asses the best long term ownership structure for this operation. “The Tasman mill management and the larger Australasian organisation have shown entrepreneurial spirit in quickly developing an alternative business case for the mill, making good commercial use of existing assets and infrastructure on the site. I am certain that the continuing work will result in further ways to maximise the potential in the Tasman mill’s excellent fiber access and fiber processing competencies” says Norske Skog Chief Executive Officer, Sven Ombudstvedt.

After much consideration, Nekoosa has chosen to discontinue and exit our DIGITAL COATED paper offering at the end of 2020 and we will be selling off our existing inventory without replenishment. The decision to exit this lane was not an easy one, but at the end of the day we do feel it’s best for our business. We are operating on a “while supplies last” basis for this product line and customer service can let you know our current stock levels and pricing for the SKUs that you typically buy. The reasons for this decision can be summarized as a combination of things such as: supply chain issues, an interest in freeing up converting equipment to focus on other product segments, and profitability of the line.

“We are delighted to see the PEFC alliance grow further, even in these challenging times.” said Ben Gunneberg, following the acceptance of UPM. “It is a pleasure for me to welcome UPM into the family as our 31st international stakeholder member.” “On behalf of the company I would like to warmly thank the members for voting for our membership,” said Inka Musta, Senior Manager Global Forest Affairs, after the acceptance at the General Assembly. “UPM is one of the world’s leading forest industry companies. Our head office is in Helsinki, Finland, but we have operations all over the world. We have nearly 19,000 employees and production in 12 countries. Across our six business areas, we create renewable solutions that replace fossil-based materials,” she continued.

Willamette Falls Paper Company, Inc., a Columbia Ventures Corporation subsidiary, announces Ed Buehler will join Willamette Falls Paper Company as part of their executive leadership team. Mr. Buehler has spent over 30 years in the paper industry, providing leadership in Coated, Specialty, and Packaging Papers. Before joining Willamette Falls Paper, he started Point Specialty Papers Consulting following his retirement as VP and General Manager of Specialty Papers with Verso Corporation. Mr. Buehler brings a broad background to support Willamette Falls Paper with management experience in strategy, business turnaround, new market development, manufacturing, capital rebuilds, sales, marketing, and product development.

International technology Group ANDRITZ recently completed successful replacement and start-up of the PM5 Yankee hood at Cascades Tissue Group’s tissue mill in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA. The ANDRITZ PrimeDry Hood is specially designed for low energy consumption and long durability. With this upgrade, production output of the PM5 – a medium-speed tissue machine for dry-crepe tissue with a 12 ft. Yankee – has increased remarkably while reducing specific gas consumption by the hood. Due to the energy savings achieved, Cascades Tissue Group Wisconsin was awarded the 2020 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award by FOCUS ON ENERGY®, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy resources program. This program encompasses 107 utilities across the state, with the goal of providing expertise and financial incentives to residents and businesses to reduce energy consumption or increase energy efficiency.

Stora Enso is investing EUR 14 million to build a granulation and packing plant for lignin, allowing easier packing and handling of lignin compared to powder and wet form. According to Stora Enso’s strategy, lignin is one of the key innovation areas for delivering growth on new applications, such as energy storage, binders and carbon fiber. The granulation plant will be located at Stora Enso’s Sunila Mill in Finland. Lignin is one of the main building blocks of a tree. Today, the lignin produced at Sunila Mill, Lineo™ by Stora Enso, is delivered as a dusty powder or as wet lignin. It is used, for example, as a phenol replacement in adhesives, as a bio-based natural binder replacing bitumen in asphalt, and in bioplastics. In the future, it can be used as a source of biocarbon in energy storage systems such as batteries for electric vehicles, as bio-based binders in plywood and as material for carbon fiber.

The energy-efficient tissue machine has a design speed of 1,300 m/min and a paper width of 2.85 m and produces high-quality tissue grades made of either 100% virgin or 100% deinked pulp (DIP). It is equipped with a 15 ft. steel Yankee with a PrimeDry Hood COMBO from ANDRITZ Novimpianti. The innovative hood design – a pressurized wet chamber heated with steam and a special dry chamber – enables highly efficient drying while saving energy. The scope of supply includes a separate DIP line (to be started up this month), a stock preparation system for LBKP/NBKP market pulp, an approach flow system, a fiber recovery and broke handling system, machine clothing by ANDRITZ Fabrics and Rolls, basic and detailed engineering, as well as process pumps for water and pulp. The entire line is equipped with an ANDRITZ PrimeControl automation package and an advanced multi-motor drive system.

Sappi Limited announced that Marco Eikelenboom (53), currently Vice President Marketing & Sales, Graphic Papers at Sappi Europe, has been appointed as CEO of Sappi Europe as from 1 April 2021. Marco Eikelenboom succeeds Berry Wiersum (65), a 40-year veteran of the industry in Europe, who will retire at the end of March 2021. Berry Wiersum joined Sappi as CEO of Sappi Europe, a position he held for 14 years. Commenting on the retirement of Berry Wiersum, Steve Binnie, Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Limited said: “I would like to thank Berry for his significant service to Sappi during his 14 years with the company and for the support he has shown me as CEO. He is an outstanding leader both for the company and for the industry. His tenure saw massive changes as we made significant acquisitions, invested in machine rebuilds, restructured and refocused the business, all to ensure that Sappi could respond to and take advantage of the changes which were occurring. Most recently he also led Sappi Europe’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic. He and his team responded to each one with alacrity.”

International Paper announced a plan to pursue a spin-off of the Company's Printing Papers segment into a standalone, publicly traded company. The transaction will result in two streamlined, leading companies well positioned for long-term success. Upon completion of the transaction, International Paper and SpinCo will each be well positioned to create long-term value. The Company expects the separation to be tax-free for the Company's shareowners for U.S. federal income tax purposes and plans to complete the spin-off late in the third quarter of 2021. SpinCo intends to raise debt in order to pay a dividend to International Paper, which will be used to pay down outstanding debt. Upon completion of the spin-off, Jean-Michel Ribiéras, currently senior vice president, Industrial Packaging, will become the chief executive officer of the new company, which we will refer to as SpinCo until the company establishes its own corporate identity.

We’re proud to be a part of the communities where our employees live and work, including Plymouth, North Carolina. Our Plymouth Mill has played an important role in this historic mill town, driving the economy as the area’s largest employer and changing with the times. It also offered an area first in leadership diversity. The Plymouth Mill was originally known as the North Carolina Pulp Co. It was built in 1937 by brothers John W. and Herbert Kieckhefer of the Delair, New Jersey-based Kieckhefer Container Co. The mill and the mill town grew throughout the 1940s as Keickhefer Container Co. expanded across the United States to keep up with increasing demand. In 1957, the company merged with Weyerhaeuser, and by the 1970s, the Plymouth Mill had grown into one of Weyerhauser’s largest east coast operations — a fully integrated five-machine facility manufacturing a wide range of products, including fine paper, fluff pulp and corrugated medium.

SCA is changing the name of its business area Paper to business area Containerboard as of January 1, 2021. Following the discontinuation of its publication paper operations during the first quarter, SCA’s paper production will consist solely of packaging paper, a product with a stable and growing demand. SCA’s business area Containerboard will then comprise of the paper mills of Munksund, near Piteå, and Obbola, near Umeå (both in Sweden). Together, they have a production capacity of just over 850,000 tonnes. SCA is currently investing SEK 7.5bn in the Obbola paper mill, which will increase SCA’s containerboard capacity to 1,140,000 tonnes and further strengthen SCA’s position as a leading supplier of kraftliner on the European market.

UPM has completed the employee consultation process started in October on its plans to improve efficiency in global functions. UPM increases efficiency of its global functions by reorganising and streamlining the functions’ operations in five countries. This will decrease the number of positions in the functions by 67, of which 46 in Finland. UPM has also concluded the consultations regarding the reorganisation and restructuring at the Finnish pulp mills and UPM Forest that were announced in August. The consultations led to a reduction of 80 jobs in the Finnish pulp operations and 55 in UPM Forest.

Supremex Inc. announced a plan to further optimize its Canadian envelope operations by reducing expenses and improving resource allocation. Supremex will be closing its Edmonton facility and reducing its Canadian envelope facility headcount by a total of 39 employees, or approximately 5% of its total workforce. These measures will result in annual cost reductions of approximately $2.4 million, before taxes, which will begin to materialize in the current quarter and throughout the first three quarters of 2021 as operations wind down in Edmonton. A one-time charge of approximately $2.5 million, before taxes, will be recorded in the Company’s 2020 fourth quarter results.

Canada is home to among the most-sustainably managed forests in the world, global leading forestry innovation and product development, and a workforce that is 230,000 strong and committed to driving a green recovery that will lift rural and northern Canada up. Today, our industry has 140 capital investment projects across the country that are ready-to-go – worth over $1.5 billion. These projects can safeguard and grow Canadian jobs, improve our ability to win on the global stage, and fast-track our move to a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. We look forward to working with the federal government to build a recovery that lasts and one that can chart a new and exciting path for our workforce and forestry communities across the country.”

Cascades Inc. announced that its Laval plant in Québec, specializing in the manufacture of napkins for the away-from-home market, will be closing on June 30, 2021. The Laval plant has an annual converting capacity of 1.4 million cases. This volume will be moved to other Cascades plants and filled by additional capacity. The plant currently employs 54 workers. Until the plant is closed, Cascades will work closely with its employees to reduce the impact of this announcement. Among other things, it will offer to relocate as many employees as possible to its many other business units in Québec. Employees who are not able, or do not wish to relocate to other plants will be offered support in their search for other employment.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in September 2020 were down 15.0% vs. September 2019 and year-to-date shipments are down 20.0%. Total European shipments of newsprint in September 2020 were down 14.8% vs. September 2019 and year-to-date shipments are down 18.0%. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in September 2020 were down 12.1% vs. September 2019 and year-to-date shipments are down 19.1%. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in September 2020 were down 23.4% vs. September 2019 and year-to-date shipments are down 27.6%. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in September 2020 were down 2.6% vs. September 2019 and year-to-date shipments are down 9.0%. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in September 2020 were down 23.0% vs. September 2019 and year-to-date shipments are down 26.4%. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in September 2020 were down 7.1% vs. September 2019 and year-to-date shipments are down 14.9%.

Matti Koski’s role is to establish North American businesses and increase board sales and help other businesses in North America. Koski reports to Ari Tanninen, the Senior Vice President of the Consumer Board business. Matti has lived in the United States since 1997, where he has worked e.g. at Stora Enso for more than 15 years. For the last seven years, Koski has run his own consulting company and collaborated, e.g. with Kotkamills Oy. We wish Matti good luck and success in his new challenges.

Paper Excellence Canada announced that it plans to restart the number 3 paper machine at its Catalyst Paper mill in Crofton, British Columbia in early January 2021. The restart reflects the strong performance being delivered by Catalyst’s paper sales force and paper operations making both existing printing and writing grades with new food and packaging papers. The machine was curtailed in the spring of 2020 after the impacts of an external malware attack, a forest fibre shortage, and the COVID-19 pandemic simultaneously impacted paper production as well as global paper demand. Approximately 58 jobs will return with the startup of the paper machine at the Crofton facility bringing its total employee count to about 560. Crofton is one of Canada’s largest pulp and paper mills responsible for injecting almost $3 million into BC’s economy daily.

Please note that our Standard 45g Newsprint price will increase by $20/MT for shipments on or after January 1st, 2021, and will increase by an additional $20/MT for shipments on or after February 1st, 2021. Prices for all other basis weights and uncoated mechanical publishing grades will be adjusted accordingly.

We are announcing a US$40/metric tonne (for 45.0 gsm) newsprint price increase to be phased in over two months. The price will increase US$20/metric tonne effective with shipments on or after January 1, 2021 and a second US$20/metric tonne increase will be implemented with shipments on or after February 1, 2021. Other basis weights will be adjusted accordingly.

A collaborative effort between Sappi, MaBe and Kegelmann Technik GmbH from Rodgau-Jügesheim has culminated in the development of a biobased alternative for an injection moulding birdfeed-adapter. This development used the expertise of all partners. MaBe a German based company focused on upcycling and sustainability, sells lanterns made from recycled soda bottles. With recent innovation and adapters, these lanterns could now be used for bird-feeding devices. Partnering with Kegelmann Technik GmbH from Rodgau-Jügesheim, experts in the field of material composite formulations, these adapters were produced efficiently from more sustainable material. Instead of regular plastic, a natural fibre composite material was proposed. Sappi Symbio provided that alternative being a highly resistant, biocomposite cellulose fibre derived from responsibly managed renewable forests. This partnership has reflected the need for developing mutually beneficial, value adding products that could be recycled. This places a shared responsibility to move toward a sustainable future and recognise it is work that cannot be done alone.

Neenah, Inc. announced that on November 19, 2020, its Board of Directors renewed the Company’s share repurchase plan for up to $25 million of its outstanding common stock effective January 2021. The current share repurchase plan remains in effect through December 31, 2020. Purchases by the Company under the program would be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with the requirements of applicable law. The timing and amount of any purchases will depend on share price, market conditions and other factors. The program does not require the Company to purchase any specific number of shares and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 24 percent in October compared to October 2019. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 21 percent in October compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased two percent when compared to September 2020. U.S. purchases of uncoated free sheet (UFS) papers in October decreased 18 percent compared to last October while the inventory level decreased two percent compared to September 2020. UFS imports and exports both decreased compared to September 2019, down seven percent and 38 percent respectively. Coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 16 percent compared to October 2019 while the inventory level decreased four percent compared to September 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to September 2019, down 34 percent and 14 percent respectively. U.S. purchases of coated mechanical (CM) papers in October decreased 40 percent compared to last October while the inventory level decreased four percent compared to September 2020. CM imports decreased 20 percent while exports increased 35 percent in September 2020. Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 47 percent compared to October 2019 while the inventory level increased three percent compared to September 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to September 2019, down 11 percent and 56 percent respectively.

In accordance with its firm environmental commitment in carrying out its manufacturing operations, Lecta has updated the lighting installations at its Zaragoza, Sant Joan les Fonts and Motril mills in Spain. This energy efficiency project carried out in cooperation with Spanish energy and renewables company Acciona entailed substituting all the lighting at plant facilities, replacing conventional lighting with new LED installations. This first phase is part of an overall energy plan that aims to optimize energy management at Lecta's five mills in Spain. Before implementing the projects defined within the plan, most of which are currently being developed, several audits and an exhaustive analysis of the current situation at each mill were carried out.

Mondi is the first global paper manufacturer to introduce an innovative logistics solution for its large reels, which provides benefits throughout the supply chain. The ProVantage Komiwhite reels with a width of 280cm, a diameter of 139cm and a weight of nearly four tonnes, presents a logistical challenge when it comes to transporting krafltiner products. To address this issue, Mondi is now transporting large reels on more efficient "roll-on/roll-off" (RoRo) vessels from its mill in Syktyvkar (Russia), via Bronka (Russia) and Luebeck (Germany), to the Innocenti terminal in Milan (Italy) without the need for them to be placed in shipping containers. "With this new way of transporting large reels, we are able to reduce our carbon footprint even further when moving goods. There is no longer a need for additional packaging materials to wrap around the reels to protect the cargo during transport. This innovation has led to us decreasing the amount of protective material waste by one truck load per month. Additionally, we now dispose of far fewer damaged reels." Giovanni Mondini, Sales Director at Mondi Italy

UPM Specialty Papers joins CELAB-Europe to promote the development of a sustainable and circular business model in the self-adhesive label industry; the target is to ensure that 75% of the used liner and matrix materials in Europe are recycled in a circular fashion by 2025. “As part of our eco-design approach, UPM actively looks for innovative ways to recycle our products at the end of their life. UPM Specialty Papers is excited to support industry-level initiatives to promote circularity in the self-adhesive label business,” highlights Mikko Rissanen, Director, Technology at UPM Specialty Papers.

Canfor announced it has reached multi-year $30-million agreements with Peak Renewables involving the sale of the Company’s forest tenure in the Fort Nelson region of British Columbia. The transactions are subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from the BC Minister of Forests. Closing is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2021. The agreements follow Peak Renewables’ purchase of Canfor’s Fort Nelson mill assets in the third quarter of 2020. “I am pleased to have reached an agreement to sell our Fort Nelson tenure to Peak Renewables, a company that is committed to developing a long term plan to rejuvenate the forest industry in the region,” said Don Kayne, President and CEO, Canfor.

The Sappi Saiccor mill situated in Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal hosted a high-level delegation from the office of the outgoing MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube, as part of the KZN International Investment Conference today. The MEC was accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of Ethekwini, Councillor Belinda Scott and the TIKZN Chairperson, Ms Ina Cronje. This combined R7,7bn investment is aimed at increasing capacity and global competitiveness, significantly reducing the environmental footprint of the company and equipment and process upgrades and improvements. its Saiccor Mill in Umkomaas. Not only will fossil fuel CO2 emissions be halved and SO2 emissions be reduced by 37%, but water use efficiency will improve by 17% and waste to landfill reduced by a massive 48%. This all, while increasing the mills’ capacity by 110,000 tons per annum and creating additional future permanent employment for 120 people and saving the company at least R300m per annum through improved and more efficient processes.

Aki Temmes has been appointed Senior Vice President, Business Control & Finance Operations at UPM as of 1 January 2021. He will be based in Helsinki reporting to Tapio Korpeinen, CFO, UPM. Aki Temmes is currently Senior Vice President, UPM Timber. He joined UPM in 2003 and has previously held several Business Control leadership positions in UPM Biorefining and earlier in UPM’s paper business areas. Aki Temmes holds a Master’s degree in Finance from University of Tampere and an Executive MBA degree from Hanken School of Economics.

“AF&PA supports the enforcement of free and fair trade laws. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s preliminary ruling in a circumvention inquiry into uncoated paper sheeter rolls from China is a positive step to ensure the U.S. paper industry operates according to fair trade principles in a highly competitive global market. “This preliminary ruling is based on an impartial, transparent process that abides by international rules and a set of facts and evidence. AF&PA believes U.S. government enforcement of domestic and international trade rules will help safeguard the health of the U.S. paper industry, allowing markets to function properly.”

Appvion Operations, Inc., announces the first of a comprehensive line of Sustainable Packaging Papers under the MISSION ZERO™ brand with the introduction of recyclable hot and cold beverage grades. • Water-based, dispersible, barrier coating • Manufactured without plastic film • Recyclable and repulpable • Broad basis weight and caliper range for cup sidewall and bottom • Works with all standard converting equipment • Excellent Heat Seal and Printing Surface • Manufactured in FDA cGMP certified facility. “MISSION ZERO hot and cold cup products encourage the transformation, innovation, and optimization in the paper and packaging value chain, a closed loop system, and circular economy by addressing the environmental concerns related to the life cycle of current plastic-coated cups.” said James Taylor, Director, Business Development- Packaging and Specialty Coatings

A worldwide pandemic and 75 days of rainy weather in Kentucky couldn’t stop a dedicated team from completing a $100 million expansion at Georgia-Pacific’s Bowling Green Dixie facility. The investment created more than 70 new jobs and includes an 80,000-square-foot building, a new printer and presses. GP will continue meeting the needs of customers as demand grows for Dixie plates and bowls. Originally built in 1991, the plant has seen several expansions in its nearly 30 years of operation. Production at the facility represents about one quarter of all paper plates and bowls produced by GP. Bowling Green is one of two facilities GP operates in Kentucky. Since 2013, the company has invested more than $200 million in its Kentucky operations.

Georgia-Pacific recently relaunched its Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong® sub-brand to provide what one could say is a two-for-one deal. Combining both a sustainable bath tissue product that consumers can feel good about purchasing, while being able to enjoy the same premium comfort and quality. “Consumers today often believe they have to choose between bath tissue products that are either comfortable or sustainable, and we don’t think they should have to choose,” said Vivek Joshi, General Manager of Retail Bath Tissue at Georgia-Pacific. “When we decided to relaunch the Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong® sub-brand, our vision was to produce the same comfortable bath tissue our consumers know and love, but to do so in way that ensures they can feel good about purchasing a product that’s made with the environment in mind. While we are the experts when it comes to developing a more energy and water-efficient manufacturing process, for the tree plantings it was important to us to work with experts like the Arbor Day Foundation® who can help ensure that the plantings are done in the appropriate areas and are well taken care of at the proper stages for healthy forest rehabilitation.”

WestRock announced that it has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI North America) and Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for 2020, in recognition of its commitment to sustainable business practices. The Index is a widely recognized standard for measuring and advancing corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices across all industries. DJSI North America recognizes the top 20 percent of sustainability performers among the 600 largest U.S. and Canadian companies. DJSI World tracks the performance of the top 10 percent of the 2,500 largest companies in the S&P Global Broad Market IndexSM that lead the field in terms of sustainability.

The American Forest & Paper Association announced its annual Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Award winners, which recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives in the paper and wood products manufacturing industry and are awarded based on the merit of entries received across multiple categories. *Leadership in Sustainability – Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Resolute Forest Products: Modernization of Coosa Pines (Alabama) Mill Helps Reduce Resolute’s Carbon Footprint *Leadership in Sustainability – Safety: Clearwater Paper: Aspects & Impacts Process to Identify and Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIF) Risks *Leadership in Sustainability – Sustainable Forest Management: Evergreen Packaging: Family Forests – The Key to Certified Success *Leadership in Sustainability – Water: Sappi: Somerset Mill’s Caustic Reclaim & Reuse *Innovation in Sustainability (Large Company): WestRock: Pak On Demand™ Pouch System *Innovation in Sustainability (Small Company): Appvion: Innovative and Sustainable Direct Thermal Technology *Innovation in Sustainability (Small Company): The Price Companies: Restoration & Management of Marginal Agricultural and Timberlands

After 16 years of pulp production, the 10 millionth tonne of pulp rolled off the production line at the Arneburg Mercer Stendal pulp mill on October 14, 2020. It is an expression of 18 years of successful work at the Arneburg site and marks a remarkable milestone in the development of the company. After the short 2-year construction phase of the Mercer Stendal mill, which went according to plan, the first pulp rolled off the production line in July 2004. In the following years, the company succeeded in establishing itself successfully in the market. With products of high quality and high reliability, Mercer Stendal has succeeded in developing stable customer relationships in Europe and Asia. In some areas, the Arneburg mill has set new standards in global pulp production. With the operation of the largest biomass power plant in Germany with high energy and plant efficiency, the plant is also symbolic of the energy turnaround.

The trials for newsprint paper production on the paper machine 6 at UPM Jämsänkoski paper mill as well as paper test runs at printing plants have been successful. As a consequence of this, the product portfolio of uncoated mechanical papers of the paper machine 6 will in the future be extended to cover also newsprint paper. “Our employees have invested a great deal of effort and development work in recent weeks to get to where we stand today. We have developed high-quality coldset paper grades especially for domestic newsprint customers and the feedback from our customers’ test runs has been extremely good. With those enlarged capabilities of Jämsänkoski PM 6 UPM is able to deliver newsprint qualities uninterruptedly to Finland. This is keeping our site flexible and competitive,” says Antti Hermonen, General Manager, UPM Jämsänkoski. A complete range of SC and newspaper grades can now be produced on site in Jämsänkoski, focusing on our Finnish and Nordic customers with high quality products for newspapers, magazines and advertising supplements.

Please be advised that Lecta will increase its prices between 3-5%, for new orders with a delivery date on and after January 4th, 2021. This increase is applicable on web quality rolls of: Condat Gloss, Silk, Matt (Mill and private brands); Garda Gloss and Silk; Creator Star and Silk. All other differentials remain the same.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö reinforces its leading position in high performance solutions for durable applications, by launching Ahlstrom-Munksjö FibRoc®. The Fibroc® platform will bring together a wide range of high performance products under the same brand, making it easier for business partners to recognize and understand the offering across the value chain. “Thanks to its unique know-how and very wide technological platform, Ahlstrom-Munksjö has been able to create, throughout the years, an extensive range of high performance solutions specifically designed for durable applications,” says Daniele Borlatto, Executive Vice President, Filtration & Performance. “As the demand of high performance media for durable applications continues to grow, including in the building industry, we saw a need to create a new product platform to simplify our product offering and make it easier for the major stakeholders along the value chain to understand our offering,” he adds.

Q3 2020 Highlights *Sales of $1,275 million (compared with $1,285 million in Q2 2020 (-1%) and $1,264 million in Q3 2019 (+1%)) *As reported (including specific items) +Operating income of $73 million (compared with $94 million in Q2 2020 (-22%) and $108 million in Q3 20192 (-32%)) +Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBD)1 of $154 million (compared with $169 million in Q2 2020 (-9%) and $181 million in Q3 20192 (-15%)) +Net earnings per share of $0.51 (compared with $0.57 in Q2 2020 and $0.45 in Q3 20192)

Along with our entry into the containerboard market, the changes at our Kingsport Mill in Tennessee bring new recreational opportunities thanks to a land swap with the city of Kingsport for park land near downtown. Our recent announcement of the mill conversion represents not only an exciting economic development but also a continued commitment to the community. As part of the project to convert the mill to manufacture recycled linerboard, we agreed to swap land parcels with the city — a park for a park — creating new opportunities for each location. The city will receive the 40-acre Cement Hill property, located behind Kingsport’s train station, which is next to the 112-acre Brickyard Park property. In exchange, Domtar will receive Domtar Cloud Park and will contribute $500,000 toward relocating the memorial Scott Adams skate park that is currently located in Domtar Cloud Park.

Stora Enso has decided to commence a feasibility study and environmental permit application process on enhancing and expanding the pulp- and board-making capabilities at its Skoghall Mill in Sweden. The investment would leverage the already strong mill into an integrated, highly cost-competitive and environmentally-friendly producer of packaging board and bleached softwood market pulp. The investment would serve customers globally and further establish Stora Enso as a provider of high-quality, renewable packaging materials. The feasibility study will evaluate a possible upgrade and expansion of existing integrated pulp capacity from 370 000 tonnes to 780 000 tonnes annually and a possible increase of 120 000 tonnes in board capacity. After the investment, the mill would be integrated close to 100%, with an additional 220 000 tonnes of softwood market pulp. This would enable a further increase in cost-competitive board production. The project would also significantly lower the fossil CO2 emissions of production. The findings of a recently completed pre-feasibility study supported continuation of the investment process.

Stora Enso has updated its strategy and certain financial targets, to support the Group’s focus on growth and value creation. The updated strategy and financial targets will be presented in Stora Enso’s Capital Markets Day online today. Stora Enso will have three focus areas for growth: • Packaging Materials and Packaging Solutions, driven by high demand for plastic free and eco-friendly circular packaging. We hold leading market positions and see attractive investment options. • Building Solutions, within our Wood Products division, driven by a growing wooden buildings market. We offer alternatives to fossil-based construction material and are a leading global supplier. • Biomaterials innovation, where our agenda is focused on lignin, and targets strong growth in new applications and markets.

The new disc filter is perfectly suited to all system applications for many different pulp types and leads the way for upgraded performance and reliability in fiber processing. The PrimeFilter D builds on ANDRITZ disc filter technology, which has been well proven over decades, and brings together several key technological innovations in one unit to improve throughput and reduce both investment and operating costs: *HHw technology for advanced feeding and optimum flow conditions within the filter. Thus, the PrimeFilter D can handle higher feed consistencies and higher-freeness pulp, even in the most demanding applications. *CC bagless sectors, offering significant improvements in terms of operation thanks to very homogeneous fiber mat build-up as well as fast mat knock-off. The special design of the sectors eliminates the need for a filter bag and reduces maintenance to almost zero. *Two-level shaft sealing: The innovative, double sealing arrangement is easily accessible and ensures greater reliability and superior filtrate quality.

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. is pleased to introduce the “Un-Plastic Alternative” for in-store marketing applications. New ENVIsual Board is a renewable, fiber-based and curbside-recyclable option engineered for a new generation of retail and hospitality graphics, POP displays, and signage. ENVIsual Board is FSC® certified, manufactured carbon neutral (VERs) and made with 100 percent renewable Green-e certified wind powered electricity (RECs) under a third-party certified ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. “ENVIsual is an easy alternative to unsustainable styrene. It is the latest in a long line of Monadnock’s sustainably-advantaged materials serving as smart and high-performing replacements for traditional plastic based products,” said Julie Brannen, Director, Sustainability Solutions, Monadnock. “We will continue to deliver the performance, sustainability, and premium-quality attributes demanded by today’s brands and retailers.”

Sappi North America announces a transactional price increase of 3.5% to 5% on new and unconfirmed orders that book with a confirmed delivery date on or after Monday, January 4, 2021 on the following products: • McCoy Web • Opus Web • Somerset Web • Flo Web. The increase applies to all weights and all finishes. Standard differentials and upcharges apply. This price increase includes all private label programs.

Appvion Operations, Inc., is launching a line of innovative packaging products under its new MISSION ZERO™ portfolio of sustainable products. MISSION ZERO™ is the umbrella brand for Appvion's newly engineered products to enhance sustainable packaging design by providing functional materials and systems that are addressing key issues of sustainability and recyclability. The MISSION ZERO™ products are designed to enable transformation, innovation, and optimization in the paper packaging value chain, and provide for a closed loop system and circular economy for consumer packaging, food service, industrial packaging and communication papers. "First in line under MISSON ZERO™ will be an innovative recyclable cup stock for hot and cold beverages that meets widely recognized industry standards for sustainable packaging in food and beverage , most notably the use of renewable, recyclable and responsibly sourced materials." said Jorg Schneewind, President of Appvion Packaging and Specialty Coatings.

Net sales for the third quarter 2020 decreased $310 million compared to the third quarter of 2019, as a result of significant declines in sales volume and unfavorable price/mix. Of the $310 million, or 50%, net sales decline, $36 million, or 6%, was attributable to the closure of our Luke Mill in June 2019 and $145 million, or 24%, was a result of the sale of our Androscoggin and Stevens Point mills in February 2020, and $70 million, or 11%, was attributable to the indefinite idling of our Duluth and Wisconsin Rapids mills in July 2020. Total company sales volume was down from 679 thousand tons during the third quarter 2019, to 382 thousand tons during the same period of the current year. Of the 297 thousand ton volume decline, 36 thousand tons were attributable to the closure of our Luke Mill in June 2019, 146 thousand tons were a result of the sale of our Androscoggin and Stevens Point mills in February 2020, 79 thousand tons were attributable to the indefinite idling of our Duluth and Wisconsin Rapids mills in July 2020, and the additional decline in volume resulted from lower customer demand driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating loss was $44 million for the third quarter of 2020, a decrease of $72 million when compared to operating income of $28 million for the third quarter of 2019.

ND Paper is implementing a series of transformations at its Rumford Division to further expand into packaging grades. In its current configuration, the fully integrated Rumford Division operates three paper production lines, kraft and mechanical pulping assets, and a pulp dryer; its product mix is heavily weighted toward bleached grades serving printing and writing (P&W) markets. With the COVID-19 pandemic battering economic activity across the world, demand for P&W papers has plummeted; coated woodfree and coated mechanical papers – primary Rumford grades – are expected to decline 23.5% and 30.3% year-over-year, respectively, equivalent to over 1.4 million tons of output. To ensure a viable, profitable future for the Rumford Division, ND Paper will be transforming the mill to increase its product flexibility and shift further into packaging grades. Notable changes include: *Commissioning of an unbleached recycled pulp line to provide fiber flexibility to the R12 and R15 paper machines *Conversion of its R15 paper machine from P&W papers into lightweight, high strength kraft linerboard products *Expansion of R12 paper machine capability to include unbleached recycled bag and converting papers, in addition to its current offering of bleached and unbleached papers *Continued operation of the R9 pulp dryer, including expansion into unbleached softwood kraft market pulp *Permanent curtailment of mechanical pulping operations and R15 coating and supercalender assets

Domtar Corporation reported a net loss of $92 million for the third quarter of 2020 compared to net earnings of $19 million for the second quarter of 2020 and net earnings of $20 million for the third quarter of 2019. Sales for the third quarter of 2020 were $1.1 billion. Operating loss was $136 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to operating income of $14 million in the second quarter of 2020. Depreciation and amortization totaled $71 million in the third quarter of 2020. Operating income before items1 was $43 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to operating income before items1 of $15 million in the second quarter of 2020. When compared to the second quarter of 2020, manufactured paper shipments were up 20% and pulp shipments decreased 7%. The shipment-to-production ratio for paper was 105% in the third and second quarters of 2020. Paper inventories decreased by 20,000 tons, and pulp inventories increased by 38,000 metric tons when compared to the second quarter of 2020.

Interfor Corporation recorded net earnings in Q3’20 of $121.6 million, or $1.81 per share, compared to $3.2 million, or $0.05 per share in Q2’20 and a net loss of $35.6 million, or $0.53 per share in Q3’19. Adjusted net earnings in Q3’20 were $140.0 million compared to $10.6 million in Q2’20 and an Adjusted net loss of $11.8 million in Q3’19. Adjusted EBITDA was a record $221.7 million on sales of $644.9 million in Q3’20 versus $42.8 million on sales of $396.8 million in Q2’20.

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Astrolite® Digital+, Astrolite PC 100® Digital+ and Astrolite PC 100 Velvet C2S to the Scodix Recommended Media List (RML). Recently released luxurious Monadnock Astrolite PC 100 Velvet, with a universal print coating optimized for UV and conventional offset, dry toner and HP Indigo presses, is now recommended for Scodix Digital Enhancement Presses.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced that after a 39-year distinguished career with Resolute, Yves Laflamme will be stepping down, and retiring, as of March 1, 2021. The board of directors has unanimously selected and appointed Remi G. Lalonde as the company's next president and chief executive officer, effective on the same date. Mr. Lalonde, 44, currently serves as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Upon becoming president and CEO, Mr. Lalonde will be appointed to Resolute's board of directors. The announcement today coincides with Resolute's third quarter 2020 results. "The Resolute board of directors enthusiastically supports Remi Lalonde's selection as the company's next president and CEO. He has an outstanding track record of success as well as strength of character and exemplary personal integrity. Remi's superior leadership skills demonstrated on a range of strategic initiatives have consistently impressed the board," stated Bradley P. Martin, chairman of the board of directors. "Remi has very good relationships with our stakeholders, sharp analytical skills, impressive credentials, and a strong business drive. We are confident he will guide the company through its ongoing strategic transformation, delivering improved shareholder value. Remi is the right person at the right time for Resolute."

*Q3 GAAP net income of $57 million / $0.66 per diluted share *Adjusted EBITDA of $140 million *Net debt down to $541 million / liquidity strengthened to $477 million at quarter-end *$38 million YTD EBITDA contribution from our recently acquired U.S. sawmills *Remi G. Lalonde to succeed Yves Laflamme as president and CEO as of March 1

KPLP Q3 2020 Business and Financial Highlights • Revenue was $369.1 million in Q3 2020 compared to $344.0 million in Q3 2019 excluding the divested Mexico business in 2019, an increase of $25.1 million or 7.3%. • Adjusted EBITDA was $46.2 million in Q3 2020 compared to $44.0 million in Q3 2019, an increase of 5.1%. • TAD Sherbrooke site near completion and remains on time and on budget.

Third Quarter 2020 Highlights: *Third quarter income from continuing operations was $29 million, $43 million better than comparable quarter in 2019 *Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $55 million, up $19 million from comparable quarter in 2019 primarily driven by higher lumber prices, improved reliability in High Purity Cellulose operations and lower costs *Generated $34 million of Free Cash Flow through the third quarter driven by reduced capital expenditures and improved working capital *Improved liquidity of $196 million, excluding a $33 million cash tax refund expected in fourth quarter plus an additional $22 million expected over the next twelve months

Financial summary for the quarter and full year • EBITDA excluding special items o For the quarter US$82 million (Q4 FY19 US$185 million) o For the year US$378 million (FY19 US$687 million) • Loss for the period *For the quarter US$88 million (Q4 FY19 profit of US$50 million) *For the year US$135 million (FY19 profit of US$211 million) • Cash generation for the quarter of US$88 million (Q4 FY19 US$173 million) • Net debt US$1,957 million (FY19 US$1,501 million)

Notable items in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 include: *Net sales of $4.5 billion increased sequentially by 5.6% and decreased by 3.9% compared to the prior year quarter *Packaging volumes increased sequentially 6.9% and 2.4% compared to the prior year quarter *Consumer Packaging reporting unit recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment of $1.3 billion, or $5.06 per diluted share, driven by expected lower volumes and cash flows related to certain external SBS end markets including commercial print, tobacco and plate and cup stock *Loss of $4.45 per diluted share and adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.73 compared sequentially to $0.69 of earnings per diluted share and $0.76 of adjusted earnings per diluted share *Generated net cash provided by operating activities of $732 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $631 million

ANDRITZ will supply a new 7-effect evaporation plant on EPC basis with a capacity of 390 t/h that will concentrate kraft black liquor to a final dry solids content of 75%. The plant will be the largest in India and have the capability to improve the quality of condensate from the existing mill so that it can be re-used effectively in the mill and also to reduce water consumption.

For the third quarter of 2020, Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $457 million, a 3% increase compared to net sales of $445 million for the third quarter of 2019. Net income for the third quarter of 2020 was $21 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, compared to net loss for the third quarter of 2019 of $11 million, or $0.66 per diluted share. For the first nine months of 2020, Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $1.4 billion, a 7% increase compared to net sales of $1.3 billion for the first nine months of 2019. Net income for the first nine months of 2020 was $55 million, or $3.27 per diluted share, compared to net loss for the first nine months of 2019 of $8 million, or $0.46 per diluted share.

Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources to speak with Members of Parliament about how government can work with forest sector workers and communities to advance economic recovery and help grow a lower carbon economy for tomorrow. FPAC’s remarks outlined several potential solutions to stimulate the economy, including advancing over 140 shovel ready projects worth over $1.5 billion that can lower Canada’s carbon footprint, increase competitiveness on the global stage, and sustain and grow forestry jobs here at home. FPAC also shared several ideas to secure a sustainable working forest for workers, contractors, and communities, and to improve market access opportunities for Canadian wood-based products and bio-products with customers in Canada and around the world.

WestRock Company announced that Jim Porter, president, Business Development & Latin America, has decided to retire, effective December 31, 2020. Following his retirement, Jim will continue to contribute to WestRock by serving as one of its representatives on the board of managers of Gondi, S. de R.L. de C.V., the Company’s Grupo Gondi joint venture, and an advisor to the Company. Jim has had a remarkable 46-year career. After earning his degree in forest management from the University of Missouri, he started his career with Menasha. In 1993, Jim joined Southern Container and was president and chief operating officer when WestRock acquired Southern Container in 2008. He has played an instrumental leadership role in the development of the company’s corrugated packaging business and its growth in Latin America, including the company’s operations in Brazil and joint venture with Grupo Gondi in Mexico. Jim received the RISI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

Third Quarter Highlights *Net sales of $190.7 million increased 18 percent versus the second quarter with strong rebounds in each segment. *Filtration revenues increased 9 percent versus the prior year and contributed to a $3 million year-on-year increase in Technical Products operating income. *Consolidated operating income of $13.9 million compared with $19.0 million in the prior year. Excluding adjusting items of $2.0 million in 2020 and $2.5 million in 2019, operating income increased $15.4 million versus the second quarter, but declined from $21.5 million in 2019 to $15.9 million in 2020. *Cash generated from operations of $36.8 million increased from $33.4 million in the prior year as a result of actions in 2020 to carefully manage working capital and reduce spending. *Liquidity of $182 million as of September 30, 2020 increased from $159 million as of June 30, 2020.

Sappi Dissolving Pulp has partnered with Birla Cellulose, one of the leading viscose manufacturers in the textile value chain, to provide a forest-to-garment traceability solution for brand owners. Through this collaborative partnership, Sappi Verve - the world market leader in dissolving pulp - continues to strengthen its sustainability credentials within the textile industry. Providing a brand-owner traceability solution has been made possible with the use of Birla’s pioneering ‘Green Track’ blockchain technology, coupled with Sappi’s comprehensive database on wood origin for its dissolving pulp operations in South Africa and the USA. According to Krelyne Andrew, Sustainability General Manager for Sappi Verve, Sappi is “committed to delivering practical innovations, building trust and creating shared value in our supply chain - working closely with our partners to promote and shape the sustainability of the Man-Made Cellulosic Fibre (MMCF) sector towards a net positive vision.”

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Guangxi Sun Paper to supply two tissue machines for its new mill in Beihai City, Guangxi Province, China. Start-up is planned for 2021. The ANDRITZ tissue machines are of the type PrimeLineTM W 2000, with a design speed of 2,000 m/min and a working width of 5.65 m. They are equipped with a large suction press roll, an 18 ft. PrimeDry Steel Yankee with head insulation, and a re-evaporation system, thus enabling energy savings. The scope of supply also includes FibreSolve FSV pulpers, the paper machine approach flow systems, broke handling and fiber recovery, and automation systems (QCS, DCS).

The decrease in consumption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered strong pressure on prices. In combination with cost increases in paper production and transport this has led to unsustainable profitability levels, especially felt in our overseas markets. Sappi has therefore been forced to review its pricing per market and product segment, adjusting them accordingly. The increases will be applied as of shipments from January 2021 at the latest and will vary between 5 and 8%.

• Pulp sales of 2,527 thousand tons (stable vs. 3Q19). • Paper sales of 319 thousand tons (+2% vs. 3Q19). • Adjusted EBITDA1 and Operating cash generation² of: R$3.8 billion and R$2.9 billion, respectively. • Adjusted EBITDA1 /ton3 from pulp of R$1,339/ton (+56% vs. 3Q19). • Adjusted EBITDA1 /ton4 of paper of R$1,236/ton (+1% vs. 3Q19). • Average net pulp price – export market: US$458/t (-13% vs. 3Q19). • Average net paper price5 of R$4,081/ton (+1% vs. 3Q19). • Pulp cash cost ex-downtime of R$600/ton (-8% vs. 3Q19). • Capture of operating synergies in line with planning. • Recovery of ICMS credits in Espírito Santo in the gross amount of R$146 million.

To ensure a viable, profitable future for the Rumford Division, ND Paper will be transforming the mill to increase its product flexibility and shift further into packaging grades. Notable changes include: • Commissioning of an unbleached recycled pulp line to provide fiber flexibility to the R12 and R15 paper machines • Conversion of its R15 paper machine from P&W papers into lightweight, high strength kraft linerboard products • Expansion of R12 paper machine capability to include unbleached recycled bag and converting papers, in addition to its current offering of bleached and unbleached papers • Continued operation of the R9 pulp dryer, including expansion into unbleached softwood kraft market pulp • Permanent curtailment of mechanical pulping operations and R15 coating and supercalender assets

In the third quarter of 2020, net income was $7.5 million (or $0.11 per share) compared to $1.2 million (or $0.02 per share) in the third quarter of 2019 and a net loss of $8.4 million (or $0.13 per share) in the second quarter of 2020. In the first nine months of 2020, Operating EBITDA decreased by 41% to $143.1 million from $244.6 million in the same period of 2019. In the first nine months of 2020, net loss was $4.3 million compared to net income of $63.1 million in the same period of 2019.

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Rajan Iyer as its new Vice President of Research & Development and Technical Services. Dr. Iyer will oversee the company’s new product development efforts, guiding Monadnock’s portfolio development of award-winning and sustainably-advantaged fine printing, packaging, and technical papers. He replaces Paul Ciccone who has announced his retirement. Paul (Mr. Ciccone), a 41-year Monadnock veteran, will remain with the company for an undetermined period of time to ensure a smooth transition.

*Third quarter net earnings attributable to International Paper of $204 million, compared with $266 million in the second quarter of 2020 and $344 million in the third quarter of 2019. *Third quarter adjusted operating earnings* (non-GAAP) of $280 million compared with $305 million in the second quarter of 2020 and $431 million in the third quarter of 2019. *Third quarter cash provided by operations of $735 million and year-to-date of $2.3 billion compared with $2.7 billion year-to-date in the same period of 2019. *Third quarter debt reduction of $760 million, bringing year-to-date 2020 to $1.1 billion.

The fourth sheeting line at the UPM Kymi paper mill started full production at the end of October, strengthening UPM’s position on the market for graphic fine paper sheets. The new sheeting line, comprised of a folio sheeter, conveyors and a packaging line further expands the paper production area of the UPM Kymi integrated mill site. The new line was built in a space previously used as a warehouse, specifically converted for this purpose. The project was safely and successfully completed despite restrictions of Covid-19. Start-up took place on 24 September and performance tests have been conducted throughout October. The new line will produce coated and uncoated graphic fine paper sheets.

JANUARY–SEPTEMBER 2020 (1–9/2019) *Sales were EUR 3,698 million (4,183). *Operating result was EUR 279 million (342). Comparable operating result was EUR 274 million (418). *Result before taxes was EUR 242 million (298). The comparable result before taxes was EUR 236 million (374). *Comparable return on capital employed was 7.0% (11.0). *Cash flow from operations was EUR 419 million (421). JULY–SEPTEMBER 2020 (7–9/2019) *Sales were EUR 1,245 million (1,374). *Operating result was EUR 116 million (110). Comparable operating result was EUR 115 million (110). *Result before taxes was EUR 103 million (96). The comparable result before taxes was EUR 102 million (96). *Comparable return on capital employed was 8.8% (8.7). *Cash flow from operations was EUR 179 million (239).

Domtar Corporation announced it has signed an agreement with Voith to provide equipment and technical services to convert the paper machine at its Kingsport, Tennessee, mill to produce recycled containerboard including high-performance lightweight packaging grades, as well as industry standard grades. In addition to being a full-line supplier to the paper industry, Voith is also recognized as a leader in the containerboard machinery business. The company will play an important part in Domtar's entry into the containerboard market by helping build one of the most modern recycled containerboard machines in the world, able to set industry benchmarks in recycled containerboard strength and convertibility.

Lecta has appointed Alain Gaudré as Lecta CFO. Starting on October 26th, he will be reporting to Eduardo Querol, Lecta CEO. Alain Gaudré will also be appointed as an additional member to the Board of Directors of Lecta Ltd. Alain Gaudré has been working as CFO across different industries, including the automotive and packaging industries, and is experienced within both the international and industrial environments.

Stora Enso has appointed Tobias Bäärnman, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, as a member of the Group Leadership Team. He joined Stora Enso in 2017, first as SVP Controlling, Strategy and IT for Consumer Board division. Since December 2019, he has worked as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer. Before joining Stora Enso, he worked as Finance Director at Iggesund Paperboard and has earlier held various positions at Statoil and Procter and Gamble. He has a master’s degree in finance. Stora Enso has also appointed Teemu Salmi, CIO and Head of IT & Digitalisation, as a member of the Group Leadership Team. He joined Stora Enso in 2017. Previously, he worked at Ericsson in various executive positions, most recently as SVP and Head of business unit IT & Cloud in Middle East & Africa. He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Q3/2020 compared with Q3/2019 • Net sales decreased by 8.0% to EUR 654.5 million (711.3), mainly due an adverse currency effect and lower average selling prices • Comparable EBITDA decreased to EUR 78.9 million (83.6), representing 12.1% (11.7) of net sales, impacted by scheduled maintenance shutdowns • Operating result of EUR 32.9 million (34.3) • Net result EUR 15.5 million (12.0). Q1-Q3/2020 compared with Q1-Q3/2019 • Net sales decreased by 9.9% to EUR 1,994.1 million (2,214.1), mainly due to lower average selling prices and volumes as well as an adverse currency effect • Comparable EBITDA increased to EUR 244.7 million (242.4), representing 12.3% (10.9) of net sales, driven by lower variable costs, which more than offset lower selling prices and sales volumes • Operating result of EUR 132.5 million (87.2), including a capital gain of EUR 32.0 million from the sale of the fine art paper business • Net result EUR 71.2 million (30.9)

Ahlstrom-Munksjö strengthens long-term strategy development and deepens its innovation and sustainability focus by extending the Group Executive Management Team. Mikko Lankinen has been appointed Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Development, and a member of the Group Executive Management Team as of October 28 2020. He reports to Hans Sohlström, President and CEO. Mikko is currently Chief Development Officer, Corporate Development. Robin Guillaud has been appointed Executive Vice President, Innovation, Sustainability and Communication, and a member of the Group Executive Management Team as of October 28 2020. He reports to Hans Sohlström, President and CEO. Robin is currently Vice President, Business Development, Filtration & Performance Solutions business area.

At Domtar, we are proud to be a part of the communities where we work, live and play. In many of these communities, the pulp and paper mill has influenced the development of the town and is often the area’s largest employer. Our Johnsonburg Mill is a great example of how a mill can shape a town. The Johnsonburg pulp and paper mill has been the backdrop and the backbone of this small Pennsylvania town since 1889. Boasting more than a century of partnership, the mill and the town have developed a symbiotic relationship. Click read more below for the rest of the story.

Q3 2020 highlights • Sales decreased by 19% to EUR 2,028 million (2,493 million in Q3 2019) due to lower deliveries of graphic papers and lower pulp and paper prices • Comparable EBIT was EUR 215 million, 10.6% of sales (342 million, 13.7%), down 37% year-over-year • Operating cash flow was EUR 365 million (500 million) • Closures of UPM Chapelle paper mill and UPM Jyväskylä plywood mill • Announced the closure of UPM Kaipola paper mill, plans for selling UPM Shotton paper mill and streamlining in several businesses and functions. Q1–Q3 2020 highlights • Sales decreased by 18% to EUR 6,392 million (7,791 million in Q1–Q3 2019) due to lower deliveries of graphic papers and lower pulp and paper prices • Comparable EBIT was EUR 697 million, 10.9% of sales (1,061 million, 13.6%), down 34% year-over-year • Operating cash flow was EUR 659 million (1,256 million) • Net debt was EUR 89 million (-2 million)• UPM's transformative pulp project in Uruguay and biochemicals project in Germany are well on track with the planned start-up timeline

Jeff Melucci, currently Senior Vice President, Business Development and General Counsel, has been named as Chief Transformation, Business Development and Legal Officer, adding responsibility for the company's transformation roadmap for further building its global organizational capabilities. This expanded role assumes the responsibilities of Achal Agarwal, who has announced his intent to retire at year end after 12 years with Kimberly-Clark and a nearly 40-year career. Melucci will continue to report to Mike Hsu, Kimberly-Clark Chairman and CEO. In addition, Gonzalo Uribe has been named as President of Kimberly-Clark's Latin American consumer business, and will also report to Hsu, with responsibility for the company's consumer operations across Latin America.

Companies in the pressure-sensitive labeling industry have announced a new global industry-wide consortium, CELAB: Creating the Circular Economy for Labeling. UPM Raflatac is acting as one of the key collaborators in CELAB to boost matrix and liner recycling in the pressure-sensitive labeling industry. The consortium aims to facilitate collaboration between companies from around the world and across the supply chain to drive progress on and promote solutions for matrix and release liner recycling. “Our RafCycle recycling service has been developed over the last 10 years and it gives label release liner waste a new life as release liner, face papers, magazine paper and composite material. By bringing our long experience to CELAB, we aim to drive the industry's shift towards the circular economy together with multiple players in the value chain. Furthermore, we aim to accelerate RafCycle development further by strengthening our service offering,” says Juha Virmavirta, Director, RafCycle solutions, UPM Raflatac.

Effective with all orders shipping on or after November 1, 2020, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all pulp products by $30.00 per metric tonne. This increase includes but is not limited to, Quinnesec® Hi-Maple BHK Pulp. Should you have any questions, please contact your Verso professional sales representative. Thank you for your continued support.

Accelerated by recent events, e-commerce sales continue to boom as today’s consumers purchase more of the products they use every day online — from the clothes they wear to the meals they eat. Unfortunately, this has increased concerns about unnecessary packaging waste and ever-greater levels of plastic pollution. Enter the paper freezer pack, which may one day replace plastic freezer packs for use in shipping refrigerated products. Domtar’s Catapult team recently revealed its paper freezer pack, an internally-developed potential solution to the issues posed by conventional cold chain offerings. Not only does the pack reduce plastic use, but it also capitalizes on mounting public interest in products made from sustainable wood fiber. The majority of this revolutionary paper freezer pack is made of forest-derived fiber, including paper, tissue and fluff pulp.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in August 2020 were down 24.5% vs. August 2019 and are down 20.6% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in August 2020 were down 25.0% vs. August 2019 and are down 18.3% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in August 2020 were down 21.3% vs. August 2019 and are down 20.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in August 2020 were down 32.2% vs. August 2019 and are down 28.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in August 2020 were down 13.4% vs. August 2019 and are down 9.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree reels in August 2020 were down 33.1% vs. August 2019 and are down 26.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree reels in August 2020 were down 15.7% vs. August 2019 and are down 15.8% year-to-date.

Kotkamills, a manufacturer of fully recyclable food service board, is currently exploring the possibility of establishing its own sales office in the North America. The launch of production in the still growing North American food packaging market is also being explored. “There is great interest in our products as alternatives to replace plastic also in North America, and by establishing a sales office we are pursuing growth in these huge markets. By operating close to the markets we can improve our customer service and, when needed, growth is supported by production built or acquired close to the markets. Starting our own production in North America is a vision, and the first steps in exploring it have already been taken,” says Kotkamills CEO Markku Hämäläinen.

Nine Dragons Paper Limited is pleased to announce the audited consolidated annual results of the Company and its subsidiaries for the twelve months ended 30 June 2020. * Record high sales volume; a year-on-year increase of 8.5% to approximately 15.3 million tonnes * Net profit1 was RMB 4.2 billion; a year-on-year increase of 7.5% * Gross profit margin of 17.6%, a year-on-year increase of 2.0 percentage points * Net profit margin of 8.1%; a year-on-year increase of 1.0 percentage point

Overview • Third quarter of 2020 reported operating income of $300 million, adjusted operating income of $347 million • Record-high adjusted lumber earnings of $387 million, driven by unprecedented surge in lumber prices and strong operational performance across all regions despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic • Total net debt of $526 million at September 30, 2020, improvement of $331 million from prior quarter; available liquidity of $1.1 billion; net debt to capitalization of 18.6% at September 30, 2020 • Vida Group (“Vida”) completed acquisition of Bergs Timber Production AB (“Bergs”) sawmill assets • Cumulative cash deposits of $548 million on countervailing and anti-dumping duties at September 30, 2020

The Company reported an operating loss of $27.6 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to an operating loss of $6.3 million reported for the second quarter of 2020. After adjusting for a $3.0 million recovery in its inventory write-down provision, the Company’s operating loss was $30.6 million for the third quarter of 2020, $32.5 million unfavourable compared to similarly adjusted results for the second quarter of 2020. The Company’s operating results for the third quarter of 2020 reflected weak global pulp market conditions as well as significant fibre-related and previously deferred scheduled maintenance downtime, stemming from the ongoing impact of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak, combined with a 3 cent, or 4%, stronger Canadian dollar.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New Source Review (NSR) project emissions accounting (PEA) rule, which was finalized today. “The EPA recognizes the need for sensible NSR accounting procedures that will provide a clear and concise approach to air permitting under the Clean Air Act. The PEA rule, by allowing increases and decreases in emissions to be counted together, will exclude minor projects from a burdensome and time-consuming permitting process. This NSR rule is part of a broader EPA effort to modernize an antiquated and complicated system and ensure the global competitiveness of American manufacturing. AF&PA commends the EPA’s efforts to advance regulatory process reforms, such as this, to support our industry’s ability to innovate, invest and create American manufacturing jobs.”

Iggesund Sawmill is being modernised to allow for an increase in production. Holmen is currently investing SEK 70 million in a new drying plant which will increase its drying capacity from 400 000 to 500 000 m3. The new drying plant is what is known as a tunnel dryer. It is much more energy efficient than the old kiln dryers which it will partly replace. The greater drying capacity will primarily be used for dried wood products for the joinery industry. In addition to investing in new dryers, the group had previously agreed to invest in land for timber storage and warehouse space.

Sales of $4.7 billion in the third quarter of 2020 increased 1 percent compared to the year-ago period. Organic sales increased 3 percent, while changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced sales 2 percent. Volumes rose 2 percent and the combined impact of changes in net selling prices and product mix increased sales 1 percent. In North America, organic sales increased 8 percent in consumer products but fell 15 percent in K-C Professional. Outside North America, organic sales rose 2 percent in developing and emerging markets and 3 percent in developed markets. Third quarter operating profit was $666 million in 2020 and $915 million in 2019. Results in both periods include charges related to the 2018 Global Restructuring Program. Results in 2019 also include a gain on the sale of a manufacturing facility as part of the restructuring.

Norske Skog’s EBITDA in the third quarter of 2020 was NOK 73 million, a slight increase from NOK 52 million in the second quarter of 2020 when excluding the gain of NOK 86 million from the sale of the Tasmanian forest. Although, there are modest signs of demand improvement, the markets have not returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. Norske Skog Saugbrugs (Norway) will permanently cease production at one of their SC-machines (PM5/100 000 tonnes) during the fourth quarter. Operating earnings in the third quarter of 2020 were NOK -31 million compared to operating earnings of NOK -122 million in the second quarter of 2020, mainly driven by a modest sales volume increase. Net loss in the quarter was NOK 89 million compared to a net loss of NOK 59 million in the previous quarter.

Pelican Lake First Nation and Witchekan Lake First Nation and Paper Excellence Canada announced today the signing of a Letter of Intent that sets out the intentions of all parties to build a collaborative relationship with each other in Saskatchewan. “We now have agreements with all the industries around us,” said Chief Peter Bill of the Pelican Lake First Nation. Chief Anne Thomas of the Witchekan Lake First Nation added, “First and foremost in establishing a partnership is standing on common ground with a vision based on positive values. Touring the mill gave me an insight to possible opportunities.”

Third Quarter 2020 Results: Net sales were $1.73 billion, down 1.8%. Sales were down 1.3% ex. currency, and down 3.6% on an organic basis. Reported operating margin increased 100 basis points to 12.3%. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 190 basis points to 16.1%, while adjusted operating margin increased 140 basis points to 13.1%. Reported net income was $1.79 per share, up 5%, and adjusted net income was $1.91 per share, up 15%, both of which were above the company’s expectations, reflecting a sales decline below the low end of its outlook range in July. Year-to-date free cash flow was $342 million, up 4.4% compared to the same period last year.

UPM Biocomposites and Finnish Mysoda have collaborated to create a range of sparkling water makers made almost entirely out of renewable materials. Traditionally, small kitchen appliances are made out of fossil-based plastics, so this innovation takes the sustainability of this type of product to a completely new level by substantially reducing the carbon footprint of the product. The raw material used for the Mysoda sparkling water makers is UPM Formi EcoAce biocomposite, which is made of wood fibres and renewable based biopolymer (on a mass balance basis), derived from UPM BioVerno naphtha. The materials originate from sustainable forestry and are produced from wood and pulp processing side streams and residues. Therefore, the raw material does not compete with food production and does not increase harvesting. Although composed of natural fibres, the UPM Formi EcoAce has similar material properties as fossil-based plastics and similar moulding technics can be used with it. The look and feel bears some similarities with wood as the wood fibres contained within create a natural finish for the end product.

UPM will establish a new labor markets team which will start its activities in the beginning of December. The background to the decision is the announcement of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation to discontinue the collective bargaining in the Finnish labor markets at the end of the ongoing agreement period. UPM aims to strengthen the company’s own capabilities in labor market matters and company specific bargaining. Jyrki Hollmén, LL.M., has been appointed Vice President, Labor Markets, as of 1 December 2020. He will report to Riitta Savonlahti, Executive Vice President, HR and will be a member of UPM HR Management Team. Jyrki’s current position is Director, Labor Markets in Finnish Forest Industries Federation. Mikko Lehtonen, LL.M., is appointed Legal Counsel, Labor Markets, as of 16 November 2020. He will report to Jyrki Hollmén. Mikko is currently working as a Manager, Collective Bargaining in Finnish Forest Industries Federation.

Highlights: *Operating profit for January-September was SEK 1 884 million (January-September 2019: 1 758). Profit was impacted positively by higher profit from Paperboard and Forest, but negatively by price decreases and production curtailments in Paper. *Compared with the second quarter, operating profit increased by SEK 172 million to SEK 714 million as a result of increased prices for wood products, decreased production curtailments in Paper and seasonally lower costs. *Profit after tax for January-September amounted to SEK 1 467 million (1 363), which corresponds to earnings per share of SEK 9.1 (8.1). *On 1 October Holmen completed the acquisition of Martinsons, one of Sweden's leading players in sawn and processed wood products.

Q3/2020 (compared with Q3/2019): *Sales decreased by 13.5% to EUR 2 079 (2 402) million, due to lower deliveries and prices. *Operational EBIT decreased to EUR 175 (245) million. The impact of lower sales was partly offset by continued cost management. *Operational EBIT margin was 8.4% (10.2%). *Operating profit (IFRS) was EUR 145 (170) million. *Operational ROCE was 6.7% (9.2%), below the strategic target of more than 13%. Q1–Q3/2020 (year-on-year): *Sales were EUR 6 400 (7 644) million, mainly as a result of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Finnish union strikes during the first quarter. *Operational EBIT was EUR 532 (879) million.

Stora Enso has decided to start using a valuation method for its forest assets in the Nordics based on market transaction data and change the accounting policy from the fourth quarter of 2020 onwards. Preliminary estimations, based on transactions in those areas in which Stora Enso has forest land, indicate that the value of the Group’s forest assets, including leased land, will be between EUR 6.5 billion and EUR 7.0 billion, compared with the end of Q3/2020 book value of EUR 5.4 billion. The review of the fair value will be completed during the fourth quarter and will take into account also the latest transaction prices. Deferred tax liability will be recognised based on the difference between the forest assets’ book value and their value for tax purposes in the same manner as currently.

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement recognizing the 60th anniversary of National Forest Products Week (October 18 – 24): “This week, during National Forest Products Week, we celebrate the undeniable value of the 950,000 people who work in the forest products industry – working safely to make essential products. “From tissue and paper towels, to packaging around the goods you ordered online, to the cups holding your coffee, paper and wood products contribute to our everyday lives. And, demand for these products encourages forest landowners to grow and replant trees, keeping forests as forests.”

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 21 percent in September compared to September 2019. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 20 percent in September compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased seven percent when compared to August 2020. Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 19 percent compared to September 2019 while the inventory level decreased six percent compared to August 2020. UFS imports and exports both decreased compared to August 2019, down 18 percent and 40 percent respectively. U.S. purchases of coated free sheet (CFS) papers in September decreased 12 percent compared to last September while the inventory level decreased 10 percent compared to August 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to August 2019, down 36 percent and 27 percent respectively. Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments decreased 31 percent compared to September 2019 while the inventory level increased two percent compared to August 2020. CM imports decreased 30 percent while exports increased five percent in August 2020. U.S. purchases of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers in September decreased 28 percent compared to last September while the inventory level decreased eight percent compared to August 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to August 2019, down 15 percent and 44 percent respectively.

With around 4,000 women employed directly or indirectly by Sappi Forests nationwide– through its own personnel in its nurseries, and sub-contracted to its harvesting and silviculture contractors – the company is very aware of the crucial role that rural women play in the agricultural labour force. It is to these women that the United Nations have dedicated the International Day of Rural Women, celebrated on 15 October every year. Fittingly, the theme for this year is “Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of COVID-19” and highlights the fact that the specific struggles that rural women face in their daily lives were further aggravated by the pandemic. World Food Day is another significant UN commemorative day which follows immediately on 16 October and further ties in the crucial role that rural women play in combating top on the list of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1 ‘No Poverty’ and SDG2 ‘Zero Hunger’).

Swedish road and infrastructure operator Svevia has decided to collaborate with Stora Enso in testing lignin in asphalt. Through this collaboration, Svevia aims to replace part of the oil-based binder with nature’s own binder – lignin, Lineo ™ by Stora Enso. The lignin containing asphalt is currently being tested out on Swedish roads. Svevia is carrying out road paving work on road 224 between the towns of Sandbrink and Gnesta on behalf of the Swedish Transport Administration. Of the total 15-kilometre stretch, Svevia has chosen to test Lineo™ on a couple of hundred meters, where lignin will replace bitumen. Lignin was chosen as it is a bio-based natural binder found in trees with the potential of reducing the negative climate impact of asphalt.

Employee consultations for UPM Communication Papers were concluded at the Jämsä River mills this week. The UPM Kaipola paper mill in Jämsä, Finland, will be closed permanently by mid-December. UPM’s second paper mill in Jämsä, UPM Jämsänkoski, will continue operations with one graphic paper machine and two specialty paper machines. The parties were not able to identify an economically viable solution for the future operation of UPM Kaipola. Consequently, Kaipola’s three paper machines will be permanently closed, affecting altogether 448 positions at the mill, of which 20 positions will be transferred to UPM Jämsänkoski’s Specialty Papers operations. Approximately 20 % of the redundancies will be retirements, with discussions pending. The closure will lead to an annual reduction of 720,000 tonnes of graphic paper capacity, thereof 450,000 tonnes of newsprint and 270,000 tonnes of coated mechanical paper. An after-care team will ensure safe conditions at the mill after the closing.

Average input costs were stable sequentially and cost control was strong across the business. Currency movements had a net negative impact on underlying EBITDA compared to the second quarter, driven by a weaker US dollar, impacting a number of the Group's globally traded products, coupled with a weaker Russian rouble and Turkish lira. Given prevailing exchange rates, we anticipate a further net negative currency impact in the fourth quarter. During the quarter, planned maintenance shuts with an estimated impact on underlying EBITDA of around €35 million (2019: €40 million) were carried out successfully. Based on prevailing market prices, we continue to estimate that the impact of planned mill maintenance shuts on underlying EBITDA for 2020 will be around €100 million (2019: €150 million), with the fourth quarter impact expected to be around €55 million (2019: €30 million). Our major capital investment projects are progressing according to plan. The €67 million capital investment project to convert a containerboard machine at Štětí (Czech Republic) to become fully dedicated to the production of speciality kraft paper for shopping bag applications is scheduled to be commissioned during the fourth quarter. This additional capacity (75,000 tonnes) further supports our retail customers in their efforts to replace unnecessary plastic as they transition to more sustainable packaging solutions that contribute to the circular economy.

Italian tissue manufacturer EuroVast fired up a new Modulo-Plus tissue machine supplied by Toscotec at its Cartiera della Basilica paper mill in Villa Basilica, Lucca, Italy. PM5 is running efficiently at the speed of 1,600 m/min and since its start-up in February, it has exceeded the project’s production targets with excellent results in energy consumption. The new line completely replaced the mill’s existing PM5, a suction breast roll machine. The sheet width is 2,770 mm and the production capacity is over 30,000 tpy. It is equipped with a single press TT BlindDrilledPressRoll, a TT SYD and gas-fired TT Hoods. PM5 produces toilet tissue, kitchen towels and napkins from 100% pre-dried virgin pulp. EuroVast also purchased a complete service package including dismantling operations, erection, training, commissioning, and start-up assistance.

Stora Enso has completed the co-determination negotiations concerning the closure of one standard newsprint paper machine (PM3) and the deinking plant at Stora Enso’s Hylte Mill in Sweden. The maximum personnel impact is 140 people. As a result of the co-determination negotiations, PM3 will be shut down by the end of 2020 and the DIP latest in Q2 2021. Negotiations on organizational restructuring, including the risk analysis, have started. Stora Enso will continue to produce standard newsprint at Hylte, Langerbrugge and Sachsen mills. The closure of Hylte Mill PM3 will not impact Stora Enso’s newsprint product offering, and we will be able to serve our customers as today.

Featuring a converter friendly balance of high initial tack and low edge bleed, Mactac® announces the launch of a new durable labeling product line, LINTEC® Low-Ooze, High Adhesion Durable Labelstocks. The new LINTEC Low-Ooze, High Adhesion Durable Labelstocks feature a selection of durable film facestocks paired with LINTEC’s industry-proven PAT1 and automotive-approved P0066 aggressive acrylic adhesives. The labelstocks are intended for use in labeling durable goods, electronics, appliances, warning and instruction labeling, and automotive and medical labeling applications. With product features that are highly appealing to industry converters, Mactac’s LINTEC Low-Ooze, High Adhesion Durable Labelstocks offer cleaner on-press and thermal transfer print performance, as well as reduced risk of label pick-off. They are suitable for prolonged outdoor use and ensure very good resistance to chemicals, heat (durability up to 302-degrees Fahrenheit), and UV (ultraviolet) light. Additionally, the labelstocks are UL 969 recognized by Underwriters Laboratories for superior performance, label suitability, and compliance for displaying required safety information on UL Certified products, despite long-term exposure to a variety of environmental elements.

Lecta announces that it has reached an agreement for the acquisition of Avery Dennison Offset Sheets business in the Europe - Middle East - North Africa (EMENA) region. The transaction is subject to competition approval from the German Federal Cartel Office. Lecta taking over the manufacture and sale of Avery Dennison’s portfolio of FASSON™ and JAC™ branded self-adhesive papers and films in EMENA. Lecta will manufacture these under a special limited licensing agreement with Avery Dennison, keeping the FASSON™ and JAC™ brands available through the existing network of distributors.

Stora Enso is introducing its new eco-friendly take-away bowls for food service packaging, PureFiber™ by Stora Enso. The products are free from plastic and PFAS and are designed to help customers replace plastic on-the-go food packaging. The bowls are being brought to market together with the wholesale company Tingstad. The PureFiber™ product range will expand to other food and consumer goods applications. Stora Enso’s formed fiber products are designed for circularity, meaning that they are renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. The PureFiber™ product line enables a carbon footprint that is approximately 75% lower compared to alternative product materials such as plastic or bagasse. The unique formed fiber technology allows the products to be produced without plastic and PFAS, bringing a sustainable alternative with strong user-qualities to the market.

Norske Skog has announced to employees and stakeholders in New Zealand that due to the likely irreversible and rapid negative impact that COVID-19 has had on the newsprint industry in the region, the group has engaged in a broad process to identify alternative production options to reposition the Tasman newsprint mill at Kawerau industrial site in New Zealand. Norske Skog will perform a strategic review process for the Tasman newsprint mill, which is located at the Kawerau industrial site close to the east coast of the North Island. The mill has a total annual production capacity of 150,000 tonnes. Several options for the long term future of this industrial site are being considered.

On 30 July 2020 in connection to the announcement of Metsä Group’s January-June 2020 results it was estimated that the comparable operating result will weaken in the third quarter of 2020 from the EUR 96 million in the second quarter. Mainly due to better than expected profitability in paperboard and pulp businesses Metsä Group’s comparable operating result was in the third quarter of 2020 better than in the second quarter. Based on preliminary unaudited information the comparable operating result was approximately EUR 115 million in the third quarter of 2020. Metsä Group will publish the January-September 2020 interim report on 29 October 2020.

Cascades Inc. announces that it will progressively and permanently close tissue production and converting operations at its Ransom and Pittston plants, located in Pennsylvania, between December 7 and January 31st of 2021. The two paper machines at the Ransom plant have a total annual production capacity of 50,000 short tonnes of tissue paper. Currently, the conversion of this volume into 6 million cases of product occurs primarily at the Pittston plant. These volumes will be moved to other Cascades plants and filled with additional capacity. The two sites employ a total of 229 workers. "The aging equipment of these facilities, the low profitability, the high logistic costs and our recently announced investments in other production and converting units in the U.S. have prompted us to move production to our other sites to optimize operational efficiency." said Jean-David Tardif, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascades Tissue Group.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö advances into the North American customized digital printing market, and launches Ahlstrom-Munksjö WallStar® Digital, its new portfolio of fiber-based solutions for digital printing applications. Demand for customized digital printing is growing, led by changing consumer demand, where personalization is extremely important. Digitally printed wallcoverings can be used to change a room quickly, whilst at the same time add impact through use of personalized designs. Environmental aspects are also of high importance, as consumers in North America become more aware of sustainability and the type of materials they wish to use. Consequently, digital printers are looking for PVC free media which allows printing in small, unique, personalized quantities. WallStar® Digital is a directly printable, PVC free, nonwoven portfolio from Ahlstrom-Munksjö, delivering benefits for both printers and end users.

UPM celebrated the official start of the construction of the state-of-the-art biochemicals facility in Leuna, Germany. The biorefinery investment of EUR 550 million is a major milestone in UPM’s strategic transformation. In Leuna, UPM will produce a range of 100% wood-based biochemicals that enable a switch from fossil-based products to sustainable alternatives in a number of end-uses such as plastics, textiles, cosmetics and industrial applications. Technology and process have been developed by UPM over the past ten years, mainly building on the company’s own innovation capabilities and selectively working with international partners. The biorefinery is expected to start up by the end of 2022.The investment has been awarded The Bio Act of the Year 2020 by the World BioEconomy Forum earlier in September this year.

WestRock Company announced that it plans to reduce its solid bleached sulphate (SBS) mill system production capacity by 200,000 tons by shutting down one paper machine at its Evadale, Texas, mill. This shutdown of the paper machine at the Evadale mill is expected to occur by the end of 2020 and reduce headcount at the mill by 60 employees. The remaining two machines at the Evadale mill will continue to support important end markets, including liquid packaging, foodservice, food and premium coated pre-print liner for corrugated boxes, among other grades. The company’s total SBS production capacity after this action will be approximately 1.9 million tons.

Neenah Introduces conVerd Board® Wipe Clean™ and DigiScape® FootPrint™ Safe and Sustainable Wide Format Solutions for Conducting Business During COVID-19 Neenah expands its wide format portfolio to address significant market demand for safe signage solutions by offering new, innovative solutions with conVerd Board® Wipe Clean™ and DigiScape® FootPrint™. conVerd Board has long been the choice of brands searching for a recyclable alternative for structural signage. Now, Neenah introduces state-of-the-art conVerd Board Wipe Clean, the only 100% paper-based, fully recyclable product on the market with a wipeable, printable surface. It cleans with soap and water, protects with disinfectants, or with a dilution of bleach and water, as suggested by CDC guidelines. Through it all, the printable surface of conVerd Board Wipe Clean remains unharmed and visually uncompromised.

As a result of the weakening world economic outlook as well as the COVID-19 related restrictive measures and their consequences, the uncertainty in UPM’s market environment continues. To ensure future competitiveness, UPM keeps taking action to decrease fixed and variable costs in its businesses and functions. UPM’s label materials business UPM Raflatac plans to simplify its organisation and increase efficiency in operations and distribution. If implemented, the plans would reduce approximately 100 positions in UPM Raflatac’s global organisation, mainly in Europe. In addition, UPM aims to increase efficiency of its global functions by reorganising and streamlining the functions’ operations in five countries. If implemented, the plans would decrease the number of positions in the functions by up to 70, mostly in Finland and in Germany.

Crown van Gelder will start selling paper made with sugar beet in January 2021. This makes the Dutch paper manufacturer the first in the world to produce 'sugar beet paper' at an industrial level. The new product line called 'Crown Native' uses less wood fibres to achieve a reduced impact on the environment of 16% compared to traditional paper. Crown Native was developed with the Dutch agricultural cooperative Royal Cosun as a strategic partner. The agricultural process residue from Cosun's production process, beet pulp, forms a valuable resource for the paper. With Crown Native, Crown Van Gelder has succeeded in creating paper made out of 20% beet pulp, thus achieving environmental gains in several areas. Due to the local sourcing, far less transport is required. As a result, Crown Native realises a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and particulate matter formation. Moreover, by using beet pulp, the production process requires less water. 'And because we're using a residual source, no additional agricultural land is needed,' Dronkers adds. A big advantage of using sugar beet pulp is that it is FDA compliant. 'The pulp is classified as a former food product,' Dronkers explains. As a result, Crown Native is approved and suitable for food packaging, unlike recycled paper for example. Dronkers: ‘This makes our sugar beet paper the ideal choice for product packaging, but also for shopping bags and promotional print. Crown Native is the perfect fit for brands with a sustainability ambition.’

Sofidel announced the formal opening of its second greenfield plant in the United States, signaling a significant expansion by the company in response to consumer demand. The 1.8 million-square-foot production plant is fully operational in Inola, Okla., leveraging one of the United States’ most recently built paper manufacturing facilities, equipped with state-of-the art technology. The $360 million technologically and environmentally advanced plant is Sofidel’s second greenfield investment in the U.S.. An integrated facility, with its paper mill that transforms pulp into paper and the converting plant that makes the finished product, it can turn out 120,000 tons of tissue annually.

Like most property owners across the Province we are in receipt of our 2021 assessments for Irving Pulp & Paper (Saint John), Irving Paper (Saint John), Irving Tissue (Saint John) and Lake Utopia Paper (near St. George). As expected, there were changes at some of our pulp and paper mills reflecting Service New Brunswick’s independent review of the market values. Overall, our assessments went up 15% on average. We cooperated fully with the work of Service New Brunswick (SNB). While we have not yet had time to review our new assessments in detail, we note that the market for pulp and paper mills continues to be a buyers’ market. Paper use in particular is declining as a result of increased digital technology; this is reflected in the number of mills that have idled or closed across North America. Since 2013 demand for our paper products across North America has decreased by 50% and a significant number of mills have been closed.

The permit covers the new biorefinery operations as well as the necessary modifications required at the pulp mill to create the desired synergies between operations. A comprehensive application was submitted. Over a period of many years, the project team has conducted investigations and consulted with the authorities and the general public. The court decision that was received yesterday covers 184 pages alone. Work to examine the court decision is now fully underway. “From what we have seen so far, it seems as though the court has taken our point of view for the most part and accepted the conditions that we have proposed,” explains Roger Östlin, Project Manager. “On October 21, we will find out if the ruling will gain legal force or if it will be appealed.”

SCA and the textile recycling company Renewcell have signed an agreement for Renewcell to establish textile recycling at SCA’s industrial site Ortviken in Sundsvall. The operation is expected to create one hundred new jobs. “We are glad that Renewcell chooses Ortviken as the site for this investment”, says Ulf Larsson, SCA’s President. “We know that Ortviken is a very attractive industrial site with excellent infrastructure, including first class logistic solutions.” SCA will discontinue the production of publication paper at Ortviken and will thereafter make room for Renewcell’s operations, where one of SCA’s paper machines is currently located. SCA has also started the investment to produce chemically pretreated thermomechanical pulp, CTMP, on the site.

Mactac® Distributor Products announces a new, thicker liner for its wide-format printable IMAGin® StreetTRAX® non-skid outdoor floor graphic media. StreetTRAX (STX1528v2) is designed to produce outdoor sidewalk and parking lot ‘floor’ graphics on unsealed pedestrian traffic surfaces such as concrete, cement, and asphalt. The change in product construction replaces the product’s previous 60# polycoated liner with a new 90# polycoated liner. “The addition of the thicker, more stable liner improves this already great product and offers Mactac customers an even better printing and installation experience when using StreetTRAX,” says Amanda Smith, Product Manager, Mactac Distributor Products.

Activities surrounding Manufacturing Day will look different this year, but many businesses, employees and communities across North America still plan to highlight the exciting opportunities of a career in manufacturing. This year, we’re excited to focus on careers for women in manufacturing. Over the past several years, a number of organizations have focused on attracting women to careers in all types of manufacturing in fields such as diverse as aerospace production and oil and gas. One such organization is Women in Manufacturing, which provides support to women who are building careers in manufacturing across thousands of companies and at every level of experience. Christy Lathrop, vice president for human resources at Domtar, is a member of Women in Manufacturing and appreciates the opportunity to network and grow with female colleagues.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced the closing of its previously announced acquisition of Softex Indonesia, a leader in the fast-growing Indonesian personal care market. "This acquisition accelerates our growth with strong market share in key personal care categories across Southeast Asia's largest economy," said Mike Hsu, Chairman and CEO, Kimberly-Clark. "As we move ahead, we will leverage our combined strengths in innovation and brand building while maintaining the local market expertise and advantages that Softex Indonesia has built with its strong portfolio of brands."

SCA will increase the price of Brown Kraftliner by €50 per tonne. The new price is valid for deliveries from November 1, 2020. “We see a robust market environment with increased demand and we have strong orderbooks” says Mikael Frölander, Vice President Sales & Marketing Containerboard.

Neenah expands its wide format portfolio to address significant market demand for safe signage solutions by offering new, innovative solutions with conVerd Board® Wipe Clean™ and DigiScape® FootPrint™. “As the CDC continues to update safety guidelines for businesses, our customers need the flexibility to update their signage with cleaner and environmentally smarter products. With these new options, we meet the need for PVC-free products that print and perform better than plastic with similar properties. With conVerd Board Wipe Clean and DigiScape FootPrint, companies can effortlessly do the right thing for their customers, their brand, and the planet,” says Milene Ribas, Global Business Development Manager for Neenah. conVerd Board has long been the choice of brands searching for a recyclable alternative for structural signage. Now, Neenah introduces state-of-the-art conVerd Board Wipe Clean, the only 100% paper-based, fully recyclable product on the market with a wipeable, printable surface.

Verso Corporation announced that Adam St. John has resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors, effective as of September 30, 2020. The Verso Board of Directors has named Randy J. Nebel, a current member of the Board, as interim President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Nebel will also continue to serve as a member of Verso's Board. Verso's Board will commence a search for a permanent President and Chief Executive Officer, and plans to engage a national executive search firm to help identify and evaluate qualified candidates. Mr. Nebel joined Verso's Board in 2019 and has extensive paper and packaging industry knowledge and experience. He previously served as Executive Vice President of Integrated Packing at KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation, where he oversaw manufacturing and direct customer commercial operations. He was formerly President of Longview Fibre Paper and Packing, Inc. and is a past member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers and the American & Forest Paper Association.

Sappi has joined forces with VIGC (Flemish Innovation Center for the Graphic Communication) and EY in their endeavor to launch one of the first Graphic Arts Industry Hackathons. A Hackathon is a method of creative problem solving designed to boost disruptive innovation. The target of this event is to create synergies, foster innovation and trigger ideas that will future-proof the print industry by tackling and contributing solutions to its most pressing challenges. These categories being covered are: Commercial Print, Packaging & Labels, Publishing and Industrial Printing. The hackathon will take place on 12th and 13th of October, 2020, in a virtual format, thus enabling global participation. Startups, scale-ups, students, creatives and all industry enthusiasts are encouraged to join. Registrations can be done here: https://vigc.thefactory.works

Mactac® is partnering with DNP Imagingcomm America Corporation to enhance its existing portfolio of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved durable films with thermal transfer ribbons. The partnership includes the addition of DNP’s new V300 thermal transfer ribbon to Mactac’s MH26726 UL file for printing materials in the United States (PGJI2) and Canada (PGJI8). The film-ribbon combination has been approved for label suitability and compliance with ANSI/UL 969 and CSA C22.2 No. 0.15 testing standards. “Mactac is honored to the have the opportunity to continue our partnership with DNP and offer customers safe, compliant, best-in-class labeling solutions,” said Kim Hensley, senior marketing manager, Mactac Performance Adhesives. “By selecting the approved Mactac/DNP combinations, printers and converters can ensure compliance for displaying required safety information on UL-certified products. Additionally, no further label testing is needed.”

Ahlstrom-Munksjö invests in a more sustainable coating machine in Billingsfors, Sweden, to enable formaldehyde free balancing and finish foils for furniture, as well as building and construction industries. The new machine is expected to be fully commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2021. In addition to enabling formaldehyde free coating, the new coating machine will also reduce CO2 emissions by an estimate of 20%, further strengthening Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s position as a supplier of sustainable fiber-based solutions. The approximately EUR 7 million investment is expected to increase the plant’s manufacturing capacity and allow expansion to new geographical markets. It also increases utilization of the pulp mill at the plant.

Domtar recognizes Diaper Need Awareness Week every year during the third week in September. This week draws attention to the issue of diaper poverty in the United States. Launched in 2012 by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN), Diaper Need Awareness Week encourages real talk and simple actions to ensure that all parents and caregivers have access to clean diapers and other necessities so their babies can thrive. To mark this important initiative, the mayor of Delaware, Ohio, proclaimed the week of Sept. 21 as Diaper Need Awareness Week in the city. This proclamation is particularly special to us because our Personal Care facility that manufactures our baby diaper products is in Delaware, Ohio.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in July 2020 were down 26.4% vs. July 2019 and are down 20.0% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in July 2020 were down 23.7% vs. July 2019 and are down 17.0% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in July 2020 were down 23.4% vs. July 2019 and are down 19.9% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in July 2020 were down 38.5% vs. July 2019 and are down 27.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in July 2020 were down 16.6% vs. July 2019 and are down 9.3% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in July 2020 were down 36.6% vs. July 2019 and are down 26.0% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in July 2020 were down 17.1% vs. July 2019 and are down 15.5% year-to-date.

We are proud to announce that our production facility has passed its annual food safety inspection and audit performed by the American Institute of Baking (AIB) International. We received a Superior rating (955 out of 1000 points). This certificate of achievement signifies that Lamitech produces clean, safe paperboard products qualified for sanitary use in the food industry. As part of the review process, Lamitech was asked to demonstrate performance in the areas of operational methods and personnel practices, sanitation program and procedures, integrated pest control, overall maintenance and thoroughness of documentation to validate on-going activities. Lamitech’s food safe packaging includes Cake Boards, SBS, Polyguard and Sammyboard fish boards.

We are pleased to announce that 30-year paper and packaging veteran Tony Mollica joined Twin Rivers as our new Chief Executive Officer. He brings to the company a unique blend of sales, operations, and leadership experience that will accelerate our strategic transformation to becoming the market-leading manufacturer of specialty packaging, technical, label, and publishing papers. Tony replaces Tim Lowe, who will return to his role on the Board of Directors after acting as Interim CEO.

Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 24 percent in August compared to August 2019. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 24 percent in August compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels remained essentially flat (+0.3 percent) when compared to July 2020. U.S. purchases of uncoated free sheet (UFS) papers in August decreased 22 percent compared to last August while the inventory level increased one percent compared to July 2020. UFS imports and exports both decreased compared to July 2019, down 20 percent and 51 percent respectively. Coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 19 percent compared to August 2019 while the inventory level decreased one percent compared to July 2020. CFS imports and exports both decreased compared to July 2019, down 38 percent and 23 percent respectively. U.S. purchases of coated mechanical (CM) papers in August decreased 37 percent compared to last August while the inventory level remained essentially flat (+0.4 percent) compared to July 2020. CM imports decreased 40 percent while exports increased 30 percent in July 2020. Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 51 percent compared to August 2019 while the inventory level increased two percent compared to July 2020. UM imports and exports both decreased compared to July 2019, down 34 percent and 28 percent respectively.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö advances further into the energy storage market and launches Ahlstrom-Munksjö Forticell® LAB, its new portfolio of fiber-based solutions for Lead Acid Battery applications. Today, lead acid batteries are the most cost effective energy storage devices. Storing electricity from renewable energy resources, providing back up for data centers, supporting supply chain management , enabling vehicle start-stop systems and supporting electrical car charging stations. Fiber-based materials are widely used in energy storage devices and due to Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s extensive expertise in cellulose, microglass and specialty nonwoven materials, the company is developing a complete range of solutions for its customers.

Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and dissolving pulp, today announced that its Spectro® paperboard line has been certified as compatible with all HP Indigo Digital Offset Color™ presses. As part of the certification process, the company added new Digital substrates to its C1S and C2S lines to further expand its offerings for custom, short-run packaging and commercial printing applications. The new Spectro Digital for HP Indigo C1S and C2S products obtained the highest three-star rating based on runnability, adhesion and blanket compatibility from the Rochester Institute of Technology's Printing Applications Lab as a part of the HP Indigo Media Certification Program. Each product exhibited a high percentage of ink adhesion and exhibited excellent runnability with a high level of blanket cleanliness during normal testing intervals. The adhesion levels for all calipers and sides of the board, both coated and uncoated, exhibited side-to-side consistency and tested at photo recommended levels.

Interfor Corporation announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its specialty sawmill located in Gilchrist, Oregon to Neiman Enterprises Inc. The Gilchrist sawmill, which specializes in ponderosa and lodgepole pine boards, has been curtailed since mid-June of this year due to COVID-19 related economic factors. Prior to its curtailment, the mill produced approximately 80 million board feet of lumber per year and employed approximately 150 employees. The completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2020. Interfor will continue to own and operate its three US Northwest stud mills located in Molalla, Oregon, Longview, Washington and Port Angeles, Washington.

Stora Enso is making an investment in dispersion barrier technology at its Forshaga site in Sweden, as a step in its innovation agenda. The investment of approximately EUR 10 million enables the development and production of paperboard with barrier properties that are easier to handle in a recycling process, have a lower carbon footprint and can be compostable in industrial facilities. The new equipment is expected to come into use during the second quarter of 2021. Stora Enso Forshaga manufactures and develops barrier solutions that are required in certain packaging, for instance to protect against liquid, moisture, oxygen or fat. Liquid packaging, beverage cups and certain food packaging are some of the products that have a barrier which serves to protect the packaged product, while also ensuring that the packaging maintains its user-qualities. The investment in new dispersion technology aims to achieve the desired barrier properties in a more sustainable way. Stora Enso Forshaga has an annual capacity of approximately 120 000 tonnes of barrier coating across two machines/coating lines, with around 100 employees. Since the beginning of this year, the Forshaga site has also become a competence center within Stora Enso’s Packaging Materials division, tasked with producing and developing new bio-based barrier technologies and products.

Stora Enso will start codetermination negotiations with employees at its Hylte Mill in Sweden regarding a plan to reorganise the mill, including permanent closure of paper machine PM3 and the deinking plant (DIP). After the planned restructuring, the mill would run on 100% thermomechanical pulp (TMP), improving the competitiveness of the mill. The planned closure of PM3 and the reorganisation of the mill would impact a maximum of 140 persons. PM3 is planned to be closed by the end of 2020 and the DIP latest in Q2 2021. Stora Enso will continue to produce standard newsprint at Hylte, Langerbrugge and Sachsen mills. The closure of Hylte Mill PM3 would not impact Stora Enso’s newsprint product offering, and we would be able to serve our customers as today.

Due to market conditions that remain unfavorable, after a 6-month temporary shutdown, Kruger Specialty Papers is forced to permanently shut down its newsprint, specialty papers and pulp production at its Brompton Mill. However, the water treatment plant will continue to operate and the biomass cogeneration plant will restart. The Company will use all the measures at its disposal to minimize the impact of this shutdown on the 189 affected employees, including the creation of a reclassification committee. Furthermore, approximately 25 employees will return to work to restart the biomass cogeneration plant. As a result of the shutdown, Kruger’s overall annual production will be reduced by 100,000 mt of newsprint and 70,000 mt of specialty paper.

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States, announced today that it has broadened its west coast distribution. It has established a new stocking location in Kent, Washington to more fully serve its growing customer base on the U.S. West Coast. Being in King County, the heart of the Seattle–Tacoma metropolitan area, means faster fulfillment and reduced customer shipping costs for Monadnock’s in-demand and sustainably-advantaged fine paper and packaging portfolio. Shipping times will range from one to two days with the added benefit of convenient customer pick-up.

SCA has signed an agreement to acquire forest land in Latvia. The acquisition comprises an area of 19,150 hectares, of which 13,100 is forest land. The purchase price is EUR 44.5m, approximately SEK 450m. The standing timber volume amounts to 1.8 million m3fo. Some areas of the acquired land that are not forest land, will be divested. SCA has so far acquired 30,000 hectares of forest land in Estonia and Latvia.

International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Guangdong Hengan Paper Co., Ltd. (Hengan) to supply four tissue machines to its new mill in Yunfu, Guangdong, China, for the production of high-quality facial, toilet, handkerchief and napkin tissue grades made of virgin market pulp. Each of the new tissue machines is of the type PrimeLineCOMPACT M 1600 with a design speed of 1,700 m/min and a working width of 3.65 m. All of them are equipped with a proven PrimeFlow step diffusor headbox for superior formation quality. The 18 ft. PrimeDry Steel Yankee together with the high-load suction pressure roll and canopy hood ensure high drying capacity at reduced energy consumption compared to conventional drying systems. The scope of supply also includes an under-machine pulper.

SCA decided to discontinue the production of publication paper and to invest SEK 1,45bn in the production of chemically pre-treated thermo-mechanical pulp (CTMP) at the Ortviken industrial site in Sundsvall. The decision has been preceded by consultations with employee representatives. The proposed restructuring plan for Ortviken paper mill was announced on August 26. Following the conclusion of negotiations with employee representatives regarding the closure of publication paper production, consultations will now commence regarding the consequences of this closure for the employees. Approximately 800 employees are affected, most of whom are located at the Ortviken paper mill.

UPM supports Finnish universities and makes a contribution of 40,000 face masks as part of the company’s Biofore Share and Care programme. The masks will be handed to the students in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki, the School of Chemical Engineering at Aalto University, the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Åbo Akademi University and Chemical Engineering students at Lappeenranta University of Technology. “We support our stakeholders in making their everyday life during the Covid-19 pandemic as safe as possible. Students are important to us and interaction is a significant part of studies. The masks have been in short supply as the need for face masks in different fields has increased. Therefore, we have delivered 500,000 surgical face masks to our key stakeholders all around the world. The safety of face-to-face courses is important to students who are beginning their studies or taking laboratory courses, for example. That’s where the masks come in handy,” Pirkko Harrela, Executive Vice President, Stakeholder Relations at UPM says.

In this mercurial moment, with clients pausing projects, the world holding its breath, and creative tanks running on fumes, how are designers pivoting to meet the changing world head-on? Neenah explores that question in Rethink Everything, an inventive editorial promotion that tells the stories of six creative pioneers who dream big, think futuristically, focus on sustainability, and inspire creatives to shift the design's perception business. With this new CLASSIC® Papers promotion, Neenah aims to uplift the design community and celebrate designing for tomorrow, while rethinking everything along the way.“ With “Rethink Everything,” we shine a light on innovators, artists, designers, and printers who are reshaping the future. The world is moving quickly, but the time is now for creatives to push design boundaries. At Neenah, our desire is to provide you with both the inspiration and the backdrop to bring your creative vision to life on beautiful, sustainable paper,” says Ellen Bliske, Director of Marketing, Commercial Print, for Neenah.

Stora Enso has decided to invest approximately EUR 79 million in a new production line for cross laminated timber (CLT) at its Ždírec sawmill in the Czech Republic. 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. Production is scheduled to begin during the third quarter of 2022. The estimated annual production capacity will be approximately 120 000 m³ after ramp-up. The investment is expected to generate annual sales of approximately EUR 70 million when run at full capacity and to meet the Wood Products division’s profitability target of 20% operational return on operating capital (ROOC).

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has joined forces with AIM, the European Brands Association, and other partners across the value chain to prove the viability of digital watermarking for sorting waste at scale. The HolyGrail 2.0 initiative has the ambitious goal of assessing whether this pioneering digital technology can enable better sorting and higher-quality recycling rates for packaging in the EU, thereby driving a truly circular economy. Mondi was a founding member of the original Pioneer Project HolyGrail, facilitated by the Ellen MacArthur foundation. Now over 85 partners across the value chain are working together to refine and commercialise this concept, with Mondi continuing its active role in trialling the innovative technology.

As part of Sappi’s global long term commitment to sustainability and the focus it has on climate action a decision has been reached to invest in a complete modernisation of boiler 11 at the Sappi Europe Gratkorn production site. This investment into state-of-the-art technology will see a shift from a coal boiler to a multi fuel boiler in two phases with the goal to finally use only sustainable and renewable fuels. “The rebuild is an important investment in our sustainable pulp and paper production and a further important contribution to climate protection. It allows Gratkorn mill to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30 % and is a big commitment to boosting the decarbonisation of our sector”, says Berry Wiersum, CEO Sappi Europe. This investment is part of an overall larger scale decarbonisation strategy for Sappi Europe, which in the near term seeks to deliver a 25% specific greenhouse gas reduction by 2025.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Softex Indonesia, a leader in the fast-growing Indonesian personal care market, in an all-cash transaction for approximately $1.2 billion from a group of shareholders including CVC Capital Partners Asia Pacific IV. "This acquisition represents a compelling strategic fit and demonstrates our commitment to accelerate growth in developing and emerging markets," said Mike Hsu, Chairman and CEO, Kimberly-Clark. "Moreover, adding Softex Indonesia and its brands to Kimberly-Clark will enhance our company's underlying growth prospects and help us create even more long-term shareholder value."