Ed Buehler to join Willamette Falls Paper Company executive leadership team

UPM Raflatac, a global supplier of innovative and sustainable self-adhesive paper and film products, announces a new line of Graphics Solutions, now available in North and South America. UPM Raflatac acquired AMC AG in Germany last year, which included this line of high-quality self-adhesive films and laminates, large format versatile printing and sign films. “Following a successful portfolio of these Graphics Solutions in Europe, we are excited for the opportunity to partner with distributors and provide quality, cost effective materials here in the Western Hemisphere,” stated Gabrielle Whittaker, Director, Films & Specials, UPM Raflatac Americas.

Materials Group: *Reported sales increased 5% to $1.5 billion. Sales were up 6% ex. currency and on an organic basis. -Label Materials sales were up mid-to-high single-digits on an organic basis. **Volume/mix was up low double-digits, which was partially offset by deflation-related price reductions. -Graphics and Reflectives were up low single-digits organically. -Performance Tapes and Medical were down low single-digits organically. *Reported operating margin was 14.4%. Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 17.9%, up 220 basis points driven by higher volume/mix and benefits from productivity, partially offset by higher employee-related costs. Solutions Group: *Reported sales increased 12% to $689 million. Sales were up 14% ex. currency and 11% on an organic basis. -Sales in high-value categories were up low double-digits ex. currency. -Sales were up mid-to-high teens ex. currency in base solutions. *Reported operating margin was 9.3%. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 16.8%, up 100 basis points, driven by higher volume and benefits from productivity, partially offset by higher employee-related costs and investments. -Margin was up 70 basis points sequentially; the company expects margin to continue to improve in the second half of 2024.

In 2019, UPM Raflatac announced that RAFNXT+ was the world’s first label material verified by The Carbon Trust to reduce its carbon footprint and help mitigate climate change. Now, UPM Raflatac takes a step further in providing its customers with more sustainable solutions in labeling and introduces its RAFNXT+, the world’s first CarbonNeutral® label material certified as a CarbonNeutral® product by Natural Capital Partners. "The recent IPCC climate report showed that the time to act is now. There is more than a 50% chance that global warming will exceed 1.5 °C in early 2030s. Consumer brands have set ambitious climate targets, and they are looking for tangible solutions to take positive action in a credible manner. Product packaging plays an important role here, and we can help our clients make a difference in the battle against climate change," says Robert Taylor, Sustainability Director at UPM Raflatac. As a part of its climate approach, UPM Raflatac is continuing reducing its own emissions as well as emissions from raw materials and transportation. The positive climate action of choosing RAFNXT+ instead of a standard labeling material is verified by The Carbon Trust, including the smarter use of raw materials which reduces pressure on forests and increases the capacity to improve mitigation of climate change.