Clearwater Paper Reports Updated Fourth Quarter Guidance

Ahlstrom introduces a new range of renewable and sustainable filtration solutions for automotive applications. Ahlstrom ECO™ is a technology supporting the increasing sustainability demands of the global transportation market and offering a new choice for filter manufacturers. Developed by Ahlstrom, a new renewable and sustainable filter media utilizes lignin-based* impregnation, replacing fossil-based resin. The resin solution contains a significant amount of bio-based, renewable lignin, whilst the mechanical properties and the durability of the filter media, even in challenging environments, are maintained. According to Ahlstrom’s initial estimates1, the new lignin-based impregnated filter media displays a lower carbon footprint than a standard fossil-based resin media. Additionally, the lignin-based impregnation recipe brings a significant reduction, between 50-70%, of formaldehyde emissions during the curing process.

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.

Management Summary from Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jean-Michel Ribiéras: We delivered strong earnings with a 20% adjusted EBITDA margin and outstanding free cash flow in the third quarter, driven by solid operational performance, good commercial execution and stable input costs. The quarter also had no planned maintenance outages. On Oct. 31, we announced we are mutually terminating a supply agreement for uncoated freesheet, bristols and specialty papers from International Paper’s Georgetown, South Carolina, mill, effective Dec. 31, 2024. We will continue to optimize our North America region by leveraging strategic initiatives to simplify the business, unlock efficiencies and drive earnings growth. We have seen encouraging increases in industry demand across our regions and expect recent capacity reduction announcements to lead to more favorable supply and demand balance trends in 2025. We are confident in our strategy to grow earnings and cash flow by continuing to invest in high-return projects in our mills and processes.