Renewcell establishes textile recycling at SCA’s industrial site Ortviken

* Excluding items affecting comparability 2019.-Operating profit for 2020 was SEK 2 479 million (2019: SEK 2 345 million excluding items affecting comparability of SEK 8 770 million). Lower production costs in Paperboard and higher wood product prices had a positive impact on earnings, though this effect was offset by price decreases and production curtailments in Paper. -Compared with the third quarter, operating profit decreased by SEK 119 million to SEK 595 million as a result of a maintenance shutdown in Paperboard. -Profit after tax in 2020 was SEK 1 979 million (8 731), which corresponds to earnings per share of SEK 12.2 (52.6). Profit after tax for the previous year was impacted by items affecting comparability of SEK 6 943 million.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in January 2017 were down 1.2% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of newsprint in January 2017 were down 3.8% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in January 2017 were down 10.4% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in January 2017 were UP 6.7% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in January 2017 were UP 14.8% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in January 2017 were down 1.2% vs. January 2016. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in January 2017 were down 4.4% vs. January 2016.

Paper Excellence today warned that its customers may see pulp and paper delivery delays due to ongoing supply chain disruption in North America and particularly British Columbia. Over the past three months, global supply chains, ports and carriers have been impacted by disruptions related to the pandemic such as labour availability, lack of shipping containers, delayed carriers and significant port congestion. These backlogs have impacted the company’s ability to get finished products shipped in a timely manner. The atmospheric river weather system that hit British Columbia on Sunday, November 14 was a significant event that caused widespread damage. Although none of Paper Excellence’s facilities were directly impacted, there has been material damage to British Columbia’s infrastructure; particularly its roadways and railways. Closure of the TransCanada Highway, Highway 3 and Highway 5 in addition to the closure of the CP and CN rail lines has further impacted outbound product shipments as the company relies on both truck and rail transportation to move goods. The company also anticipates potential production interruptions over the next four weeks related to forest fibre and other goods shortages received at its British Columbian mills. The situation will be monitored closely in our decision to restart the Crofton facility from its current two week production curtailment.