Mercer International Inc. receives bankruptcy court sales order approval to acquire a CLT facility

German papermaker Feldmuehle is switching fuel from gas to light heating oil at short notice due to the gas supply crisis, while paper federation Cepi has warned about possible disruption to paper and packaging supplies if mandatory consumption cuts are enforced in the EU. Feldmuehle said it was taking rapid action to switch to light heating oil as fuel for steam generation at its Uetersen mill, which makes paper for labels and packaging. CEPI said that the pulp and paper industry had a fundamental role as a provider of critical products, and called on member states to consider entire value chains when responding to the crisis. “As its manufacturing partly depends on gas, possible disruptions in the industry’s gas supply would affect the entire logistics of the EU, availability of paper packaging for food and pharmaceuticals, as well as essential hygiene products,” CEPI stated.

*NET TURNOVER increased by 4 percent to 711 (681) MSEK. Compared to the first quarter of 2024, turnover rose by 3 percent due to higher market prices. *THE LIST PRICE of NBSK pulp was 16 percent higher compared with the second quarter of 2023. Compared with the first quarter of 2024, the list price rose 13 percent. The market price of CTMP rose by 1 percent compared with the second quarter of 2023 and decreased by 2 percent from the first quarter of 2024. *PRODUCED VOLUME amounted to 91.0 (93.2) thousand tonnes, which is 2 percent lower than in the corresponding quarter of 2023. *VOLUME SOLD rose to 88.6 (82.8) thousand tonnes, an increase of 7 percent. *EBIT (operating profit) was 30 (41) MSEK. Compared with the corresponding quarter of 2023, selling prices were lower while volumes were higher. EBIT increased from the first quarter of 2024 as a result of rising prices and higher production volumes.

Demand for imported softwood lumber to the US has fallen by six percent during the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016. In contrast, Chinese import volumes have been up 21% year-over-year. Demand for imported softwood lumber to the US has fallen by six percent during the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016. In contrast, Chinese import volumes have been up 21% year-over-year. The lumber trade in Europe has also picked up in 2017 with the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and Spain having increased imports the most so far in 2017. Countries in the Middle East and North Africa, also known as the MENA countries, have sharply reduced consumption of lumber this year, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ). In the first eight months of 2017, Egypt and Algeria (the two biggest lumber consumers in the region) have decreased their imports by 24% and 39% respectively as compared to the first eight months of 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.