Your Walls Can Talk: Realizing Vision and Transforming Spaces with Sustainable Materials

The Company reported operating income of $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2021, an improvement of $33.2 million from the reported operating loss of $28.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, reflecting improving global pulp market conditions, combined with a 25% increase in pulp production quarter-over-quarter. During the first quarter of 2021, global pulp markets experienced a surge in US-dollar list prices in response to an uptick in demand, particularly from China, combined with ongoing global logistic constraints and supported by strong price increases on the Shanghai Futures Exchange. As a result, Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (“NBSK”) pulp list prices on orders from China saw sharp increases throughout the period, reaching a high of US$973 per tonne in March to average US$883 per tonne for the current quarter, up US$246 per tonne, or 39%, from the previous quarter. Prices to North America also saw sharp increases, although not at the same levels as those in China, up US$164 per tonne, or 14%, quarter-over-quarter to US$1,302 per tonne (before discounts). Reflecting the lag between orders and shipments, the significant majority of these price gains will be realized in the second quarter. NBSK pulp unit sales realizations reflected improved prices on shipments in the current period, which more than offset a 2 cent, or 3%, stronger Canadian dollar. Average Bleached Chemi-Thermo Mechanical Pulp (“BCTMP”) unit sales realizations were broadly in line with the previous quarter as more modest upward positive trends in BCTMP US-dollar pricing were largely offset by the stronger Canadian dollar.

UPM Raflatac has acquired Grafityp, a Belgian-based company to further accelerate its growth in graphics solutions. Merging UPM Raflatac’s existing Graphics business with Grafityp will strengthen UPM Raflatac’s overall competitive positioning in this attractive product segment, expand its portfolio and give access to high-value new technologies. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price or other transaction details. Grafityp is a well-established company with more than 50 years of history and a pioneer in developing and manufacturing self-adhesive graphics solutions. Today it is known for its strong brands and product portfolio consisting of colour films, print films for large format colour printing, laminates and wrapping films for various end-uses. The company has approximately 100 employees and has a manufacturing site in Houthalen, Belgium and a distribution centre in the UK.

Mondi extends its Color Copy original flagship range with extra-long digital formats (with lengths up to 1200mm) to meet the growing demand for digitally printed applications and allows for a host of new print applications. The papers offer the highest possible quality in digital colour printing and provide customers the choice between different long-sheet applications, (personalised for each customer), both in large scale or single items. Color Copy original ELDFs are compatible with all major printing machine manufacturers e.g. Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Xerox, Canon and others. The range is both FSC® and EU Ecolabel certified as well as part of the Green Range, Mondi´s umbrella trademark for sustainable paper solutions, and has a ColorLok® certification for excellent colour reproduction and faster drying in inkjet printing. "It is always our goal to produce high quality products that meet evolving needs and are sustainable by design. Color Copy original ELDFs are the perfect addition to our longstanding product range as we keep pushing the barrier in innovation." Johannes Klumpp, Marketing & Sales Director at Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper