Kruger Newsprint Price Increase

Norske Skog will initiate a main study aiming to enter the bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP) market by starting production at Norske Skog Saugbrugs in Halden. The rockslide at Saugbrugs in April 2023 causing heavy damages on the PM6 machine, released available termo-mechinalcal pulp capacity that can be utilised to produce BCTMP (bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp) at Norske Skog Saugbrugs. Part of the investment will be covered by the portion of the insurance settlement that has not yet been paid out by the insurance company, amounting to NOK 615 million, for the development of new activities at the plant. The new BCTMP line will produce approximately 300,000 tons of competitive pulp to meet the growing demand, especially for products in the packaging market. Saugbrugs has adequate access to green energy, and thus continue to deliver products with very low carbon footprint. Norske Skog Saugbrugs will continue to be a reliable supplier of SC-publication paper also after the start of BCTMP production.

Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc. unveiled a groundbreaking portfolio of papers, Mohawk Renewal, made from rapidly renewable, sustainable fibers—namely hemp, straw and recycled cotton—in April of last year. Mohawk's world-class engineers have devised a process that allows the mill to create the beautiful, high-performance papers Mohawk is renowned for using rapidly renewable, new fibers. The alternative fibers Mohawk has chosen for its groundbreaking line rely on waste from agriculture and garment manufacturing. By using scraps that would've otherwise been disposed of, we're reducing waste and pollution while creating something beautiful. Now, the entire range of Mohawk Renewal Hemp, Mohawk Renewal Straw and Mohawk Renewal Recycled Cotton papers have been reviewed and found to be in compliance with United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for use as an Indirect Food Additive (IFA), a designation for materials used in the handling, holding or packaging of food. This means that Renewal products are suitable for use in packaging and labeling applications that involve direct food contact.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced that it reached an agreement-in-principle for a four-year labor agreement with the Unifor union, representing most of the hourly employees in the company's Canadian pulp and paper operations. The agreement-in-principle is subject to member ratification. The master agreement covers seven of Resolute's pulp and paper mills in Canada: the Dolbeau; Gatineau; Kénogami; Saint-Félicien and currently indefinitely idled Amos and Baie-Comeau facilities in Quebec; and the Thunder Bay operation in Ontario. The collective agreement covers approximately 700 employees. The details of the agreement are confidential until union leadership presents its terms to members in the coming days.