WestRock to Reduce SBS Capacity by Approximately 200,000 Tons

Mondi is the first global paper manufacturer to introduce an innovative logistics solution for its large reels, which provides benefits throughout the supply chain. The ProVantage Komiwhite reels with a width of 280cm, a diameter of 139cm and a weight of nearly four tonnes, presents a logistical challenge when it comes to transporting krafltiner products. To address this issue, Mondi is now transporting large reels on more efficient "roll-on/roll-off" (RoRo) vessels from its mill in Syktyvkar (Russia), via Bronka (Russia) and Luebeck (Germany), to the Innocenti terminal in Milan (Italy) without the need for them to be placed in shipping containers. "With this new way of transporting large reels, we are able to reduce our carbon footprint even further when moving goods. There is no longer a need for additional packaging materials to wrap around the reels to protect the cargo during transport. This innovation has led to us decreasing the amount of protective material waste by one truck load per month. Additionally, we now dispose of far fewer damaged reels." Giovanni Mondini, Sales Director at Mondi Italy

In light of the global market situation for graphic papers, and to sustain its competitiveness and leading position in the market, UPM Paper ENA plans to: • optimize operations at its UPM Nordland Papier and UPM NorService units in Dörpen, Germany, Europe's biggest fine paper site. Streamlining internal processes and investing in automation will enable a sustainable improvement of the fixed cost structure. • permanently close paper machine 5 at UPM Blandin in Minnesota, United States, reducing the annual capacity by approximately 128,000 tons of coated magazine paper in response to overcapacities in the North American paper market. The closure is expected to be completed by end of Q1 2018 the latest. Paper production related to paper machine 6 is planned to continue at the Blandin site. In total 223 positions are estimated to be affected by these plans in Dörpen at UPM Nordland Papier and UPM NorService. At UPM Blandin, it is estimated that 150 positions will be affected by the plans. Click Read More below for additional information.

Members of the Paperworkers’ Union, the Finnish Electrical Workers´ Union and the Trade Union Pro have this morning (1-Jan-2022) started strikes at UPM mills in Jämsänkoski, Kouvola, Lappeenranta, Pietarsaari, Rauma, Tampere and Valkeakoski. According to the unions, the strikes will continue until 6 o’clock on 22 January 2022 unless a new collective labour agreement is reached before that. The Paperworkers’ Union has not excluded any work from the strike, not even tasks critical to the society, such as operating and maintenance of water treatment and power plants. UPM businesses falling under the strikes are UPM Pulp, UPM Biofuels, UPM Communication Papers, UPM Specialty Papers and UPM Raflatac. The strikes do not concern UPM Plywood and UPM Timber, both of which signed business specific collective agreements with the Industrial Union in December. Furthermore, UPM Energy operates as usual, as it complies with the generally applied collective agreements of the energy industry.