UPM completes closure of paper machine 5 in Blandin by end of year

Norske Skog’s EBITDA in the second quarter of 2024 was NOK 471 million, an increase from NOK 76 million in the first quarter of 2024. The second quarter EBITDA was positively impacted by insurance at Norske Skog Saugbrugs of NOK 338 million. Despite signs of positive developments in the publication and containerboard markets, closures are still required. The process to deliver a main study on the BCTMP-production project (bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp) at Saugbrugs has started. Cash flow from operations was NOK 299 million in the quarter compared to NOK -69 million in the previous quarter. The second quarter cash flow was positively influenced by somewhat higher sales prices and -volumes, and a decrease in working capital due CO2 related proceeds. Operating earnings in the second quarter of 2024 were NOK 364 million compared to operating earnings in the first quarter of 2024 of NOK -177 million. The operating earnings in the quarter were affected by insurance at Norske Skog Saugbrugs of NOK 338 million, non-cash changes in fair value of energy contracts in Norway amounting to NOK 44 million and depreciation of NOK 128 million. Profit before tax in the quarter was NOK 311 million compared to loss before tax of NOK -382 million in the previous quarter.

UPM Plywood introduces a new fire retardant WISA-SpruceFR structural plywood for building and construction end uses. WISA-SpruceFR combines the market leading quality and structural performance with B-s1, d0 fire classification - the highest a wood product can have. "This is uniquely different type of plywood product released to the market," says Riku Härkönen, Product Manager at UPM Plywood. "There are products which are either extremely expensive, pressure treated, or they come with conditions and requirements for other structural solutions," Härkönen describes. Unlike in many other fire-resistant wooden products, the fire-retardant treatment in WISA-SpruceFR does not compromise the plywood's technical properties; the panels preserve the original qualities of untreated WISA-Spruce plywood. Also, different from many other wood panels, WISA-SpruceFR does not require any special structural design to achieve the fire classification. It can be used just like a regular plywood panel. Click Read More below for additional information.

The aim of the partnership is to construct a new facility to produce advanced renewable fuels from tall oil with a capacity of 100 000 tonnes per annum. Construction of the new facility, subject to permission process and final approval from both companies, is expected to cost around 500 MSEK to build and is planned to be operational in 2021. Tall oil is a residual product from the production of kraft pulp in SCA’s mills Östrand, Obbola and Munksund. SCA is presently expanding its kraft pulp mill Östrand and as a result the production of tall oil from the mill will increase by more than 100 per cent. Between the two partners, the parties constitute the full value-chain from the raw material to the refining process, distribution and sale of the renewable fuel to the customers. Click Read More below for additional information.