Paper Excellence – Crofton Curtailment Announcement

For the second quarter of 2021, Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $406 million, a 15% decrease compared to net sales of $481 million for the second quarter of 2020. Net loss for the second quarter of 2021 was $52 million, or $3.10 per diluted share, compared to net income for the second quarter of 2020 of $23 million, or $1.36 per diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, Clearwater Paper reported adjusted net loss in the second quarter of 2021 of $18 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, compared to second quarter 2020 adjusted net income of $28 million, or $1.67 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $15 million, compared to the second quarter of 2020 Adjusted EBITDA of $79 million. Additionally, Clearwater Paper incurred impairment and other closure costs associated with the recently announced closure of its Neenah, Wisconsin facility of $41.7 million. For the first six months of 2021, Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $832 million, a 13% decrease compared to net sales of $958 million for the first six months of 2020. Net loss for the first six months of 2021 was $40 million, or $2.37 per diluted share, compared to net income for the first six months of 2020 of $33 million, or $1.99 per diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, Clearwater Paper reported adjusted net loss in the first six months of 2021 of $6 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to first six months of 2020 adjusted net income of $37 million, or $2.24 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA for the first six months was $69 million, compared to the first six months of 2020 Adjusted EBITDA of $134 million.

Pixelle Specialty Solutions Holding LLC announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Pixelle was formed in 2018 by Lindsay Goldberg, a private investment firm that focuses on partnering with families, founders and management teams seeking to actively build their businesses. Pixelle has built an industry-leading four-mill specialty paper platform with mills in Chillicothe, OH; Jay, ME; Spring Grove, PA; and Stevens Point, WI. Collectively the mills operate 11 paper machines and produce more than one million tons of paper annually. Timothy Hess, Pixelle’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Together with Lindsay Goldberg, Pixelle has developed a broad, innovative portfolio of industry leading brands across the specialty papers and sustainable packaging markets. In under four years, we have transformed Pixelle into the leading specialty-focused paper producer in North America through three strategic acquisitions and successful implementation of a continuous improvement program. We thank Lindsay Goldberg for their partnership and look forward to our next chapter with H.I.G. Capital.”

Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and dissolving wood pulp, has announced it will showcase seven new and recently launched textures from its Arrio finished surface and Ultracast decorative laminate release paper lines during interzum 2023 in Cologne, Germany from May 9-12, 2023. Sappi will also display a decorative laminate texture six-pack and a “bio-lab” that will highlight materials such as bio-based leather alternatives whose aesthetics benefit from the use of Sappi release paper. The six-pack will include these new or recently launched textures: Matte Stipple: This all-over delicate granular design is inspired by plaster effects in the decorative coatings of walls and ceilings. Lunaris: With its elevated concrete look, Lunaris expresses the spirit of surface patterns eroded over time, celebrating the beauty of naturally created texture. Koa: Koa's curly, wavy pattern is arguably one of the most beautiful woodgrain textures in Sappi’s catalog. Kenwood CD (CD=cross direction) is a modern and sophisticated version of Sappi's popular Kenwood design, aimed at the medium-high-end door market. Cayenne: Cayenne is a natural, fresh and trendy wood texture inspired by a refined linear Italian walnut surface. Bond: Bond rounds up every elevated laminate collection with the warmth and coziness of a textile finish.