Pulp and Paper Workers Advocate for Forest Products Industry

Sappi North America, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced a $5.94 million capital investment in its Cloquet, Minn. mill to replace the headbox on Paper Machine 12 (PM12). This investment enabled Sappi to maintain its capacity by adding a state-of-the-art, dilution profiled headbox that produces excellent basis weight profiles. A headbox is an integral part of the paper machine responsible for spreading the pulp fibers evenly to form the sheet. "This investment shows Sappi's unwavering commitment to its graphic papers and packaging customers," said Mark Gardner, President and CEO, Sappi North America. "The new headbox will ensure that we're fulfilling orders to the highest quality standards that Sappi's customers have come to expect. This project will not only improve upon our longstanding history with the graphic papers market, but also support our growing paper-based packaging business." Click Read More below for additional information.

International Paper announced a plan to pursue a spin-off of the Company's Printing Papers segment into a standalone, publicly traded company. The transaction will result in two streamlined, leading companies well positioned for long-term success. Upon completion of the transaction, International Paper and SpinCo will each be well positioned to create long-term value. The Company expects the separation to be tax-free for the Company's shareowners for U.S. federal income tax purposes and plans to complete the spin-off late in the third quarter of 2021. SpinCo intends to raise debt in order to pay a dividend to International Paper, which will be used to pay down outstanding debt. Upon completion of the spin-off, Jean-Michel Ribiéras, currently senior vice president, Industrial Packaging, will become the chief executive officer of the new company, which we will refer to as SpinCo until the company establishes its own corporate identity.

Linda Coady, President & CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) made the following statement in response to ongoing mill closures and curtailments in BC: “Escalating closures and curtailments of lumber, pulp and paper mills in BC mean the provincial government needs to move faster to stabilize timber supply. Additional transition measures are needed within the next 60 days to address current challenges in approval and permitting systems, and changing land use policies that are leading to dramatic declines in harvest levels. Each time a mill closes in BC, there is a substantial direct impact on employees and their families, with further consequences for local communities as well as across supply chains. The loss of high paying jobs, local tax revenue and relocation to new employment opportunities have lasting effects in rural communities. It also creates uncertainty regarding the future of critical forest sector infrastructure and capacity in BC.