SCA increases kraftliner prices

Finnish packaging manufacturers PackageMedia and Starcke have been awarded for their innovative products packaged in Kotkamills’ board material. Designed by PackageMedia, the Fazer Domino campaign packaging has received a ScanStar Award. The primary judging criteria of the pan-Nordic packaging competition, organised by the Scandinavian Packaging Association, were innovativeness of the idea, protective properties of the packaging, price, design, and user and environmental friendliness. The awarded Domino campaign skilfully used appealing images submitted by consumers. To delight consumers, digital technology was used to print a total of 1,200 different images on cookie packages made from Kotkamills’ AEGLE® Pro board. The good printability and excellent stiffness of AEGLE® Pro ensured the high-end result.

Total boxboard production decreased 0.8 percent when compared to January 2017 and decreased 1.2 percent from last month. Unbleached Kraft Boxboard production increased over the same month a year ago and was flat compared to last month. Total Solid Bleached Boxboard & Liner production decreased when compared to January 2017 and decreased compared to last month. The production of Recycled Boxboard decreased compared to January 2017, but increased when compared to last month.

Net sales were $1.8 billion in the first quarter of 2023, up compared to $1.7 billion in the prior year period primarily due to higher selling prices. Sales volume (in tons) was down 8 percent which was partially offset by favorable change in mix. Approximately 3 to 4 percent of the volume decline was attributed to a challenging prior year comparison (up 6.4 percent) amid record low inventories and disruption from temporary external events impacted volumes around 2 percent. Overall, the company estimates underlying market demand was down approximately 2 to 3 percent primarily due to inventory destocking across the supply chain and softer consumer demand in a few markets given macroeconomic uncertainty. Earnings before income taxes were $270 million in the first quarter of 2023, up $100 million compared to the prior year quarter. Likewise, segment operating profit was $398 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to $231 million in the prior year period.