UPM Specialty Papers showcases co-created recyclable solutions at Interpack 2023

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with HS Manufacturing Group, LLC for the use of their proprietary HS SILVA™ plant-based coating and additive chemistry. The functional characteristics afforded by HS SILVA™, combined with well-formed fiber-based substrates, result in products with oil and grease-resistant properties and/or significantly improved water resistance for applications like outdoor signage, horticultural labels and tags. While having improved durability these substrates will be 100 percent recyclable, 100 percent biodegradable and 100 percent compostable. “We’ve partnered with HSMG over the last several years and have successfully used their unique chemistry to produce uncoated and coated paper products in a wide variety of applications.” said Paul Ciccone, Vice President of Research and Development for Monadnock. “We can create paper based products tailored to meet your needs while meeting the market requirements of recyclability and biodegradability.” Click Read More below for additional information.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the July 2023 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in July remained essentially flat (+0.4%) compared to July 2022. They were down 3% when compared to the same 7 months of 2022. Shipments of the biggest subgrade in unbleached packaging papers — bag & sack — were 89,400 short tons for the month of July, down 1.1% year-to-date. The bleached packaging papers operating rate was 78.0%, up 5.4 points from July 2022 and down 2.2 points year-to-date.

Huhtamaki has decided to consolidate its three Flexible Packaging manufacturing sites in the United Arab Emirates, keeping one factory in Jebel Ali and expanding the one in Ras Al Khaimah. The transition will gradually take place during the second half of 2024. The aim of the consolidation is to optimize the manufacturing footprint, improve the competitiveness and strengthen the foundation for future growth in the region. The announced change is part of Huhtamaki’s program to accelerate strategy implementation published in November 2023 and expected to materially support the profitability of Huhtamaki with efficiency improvements leading to savings of approximately EUR 100 million over the next three years.  Planned consolidation does not represent a material share of the sales or profits of Huhtamaki. During the second quarter of 2024, Huhtamaki will book consolidation-related costs in total of approximately EUR 4 million. The costs will be booked as items affecting comparability.