New Generation of Matte-Coated Inkjet Papers from Mitsubishi HiTec Paper (whattheythink.com)

Production in the Vallvik Mill has been affected by an unplanned shutdown due to disturbances in the bleaching plant and the recovery boiler. Repair work is underway and normal production is scheduled for Wednesday 9 May. The shutdown represents an estimated production loss of about 6,000 tonnes corresponding to approximately 6 percent of the Group's total planned production for the quarter.

Paper Excellence on 10/21/2022 announced that one of the unions at its Crofton mill, the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) local 2, has given 72-hour strike notice, putting the union in a strike position on Saturday October 22, 2022. Since July 2022, the company has been negotiating with PPWC local 2, which represents 370 of the 575 employees that work at the site. Those discussions have recently hit an impasse, and the company’s mediation request was rejected by the union. The negotiations committee will continue to meet as they try to resolve the situation. To protect the health and safety of employees, the integrity of the local environment, and preserve the company’s assets at Crofton, Paper Excellence has begun a controlled and orderly shutdown of the kraft pulp mill and mechanical paper operations.

Label and Graphic Materials - Reported sales increased 25% to $1.4 billion. Compared to prior year, sales were up 17% ex. currency (up 11% vs. 2019) and up 16% on an organic basis (up 11% vs. 2019). *Label and Packaging Materials sales were up approximately 12% from prior year on an organic basis, with strong growth in both the high value product categories and the base business. *Sales increased by approximately 49% organically in the combined Graphics and Reflective Solutions businesses. *On an organic basis, sales were up high-single digits in North America, up mid-teens in Western Europe, and up approximately 20% in emerging markets. Retail Branding and Information Solutions - Reported sales increased 80% to $529 million. Compared to prior year, sales were up 73% ex. currency (up 25% vs. 2019) and up 72% on an organic basis (up 14% vs. 2019), reflecting strong growth in both the high value categories and the base business. *Intelligent Labels was up approximately 65% organically. Industrial and Healthcare Materials - Reported sales increased 49% to $197 million. Compared to prior year, sales were up 39% ex. currency (up 11% vs. 2019) and up 33% on an organic basis (up 6% vs. 2019), reflecting an approximately 60% increase in industrial categories and a high-single digit decline in healthcare categories.