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The PM40 closed Friday, 13 August 2021, at 4353.

Get the latest PM40 updates by listening to the weekly Nips show and the PM40 Daily Show on Pulp & Paper Radio International.

The PM40 closed 13 August 2021 up 40.3% from the 14 August 2020 level.

In this issue of Disconnected Comparisons, we evaluate Louisiana Pacific and Veritiv.

Reported insider trading since the last issue of PaperMoney.

Ladies and gentlemen, the first class of inductees to the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame in Appleton, Wisconsin was inducted more than two decades ago in 1995, and today, close to 150 papermaking innovators and legends have been enshrined. This month, we profile the late Jasper Mardon, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010

ABB has won a first order for its recently-launched Sheet Break Performance as part of a major digital transformation project at PT. Riau Andalan Kertas mill (RAK) in Indonesia, part of Asia Pacific Resources International Limited.

At the end of the Annual General Meeting deciding on the discharge for the 2021 business year (scheduled for April 12, 2022), Wolfgang Leitner will end his functions on the Andritz AG Executive Board - after 34 years of successful work there, thereof 27 years as President and CEO.

Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing a diverse offering of responsible packaging solutions, announced the launch of a proprietary healthcare lidding technology that will be utilized for combination products - those consisting of two or more regulated components (device, drug or biologic).

Georgia-Pacific is expanding its manufacturing footprint for curbside recyclable paper padded mailers to support growing demand for more sustainable shipping envelopes. The new locations in Jonestown, Pennsylvania, and McDonough, Georgia, will expand availability of the mailers in the Northeast and Southeast to customers including Amazon. GP is also adding a third production line at its first mailer manufacturing site that opened in the Phoenix area in 2020.

Graphic Packaging Holding Company, announced that it has published its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report and launched a new ESG website that is interactive and designed for real-time dissemination of information. In the most recent report, Graphic Packaging outlines the many initiatives underway at the Company to further drive sustainability across operations and innovation in product development with the end consumer in mind.

Graphic Packaging International is a four-time winner for its innovative fiber-based solutions in the Institute of Packaging Professionals' AmeriStar Awards 2021.

Last year, the e-commerce industry grew nearly three times more than in 2019 -- and this record-breaking order volume remains strong in 2021. Since March 2020, fulfillment centers have continued to work past capacity, as consumers increase their expectations surrounding lightning-fast and damage-free home deliveries.

Huggies and Walgreens are also joining forces with The Everymom to host the first-ever #HuggiesStrollerSelfie Challenge - a virtual, self-led stroller run/walk (or even drive!) to a Walgreens store.

Huhtamaki and Syntegon, the German processing and packaging technology provider, announce an innovation for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. Push Tab paper, the first paper-based tablet packaging, is made from renewable FSC-certified paper and is designed to meet the stringent safety requirements of regulated pharmaceutical packaging.

Kimberly-Clark announced that it was named to Seramount's (formerly Working Mother Media) fifth annual Inclusion Index for the second consecutive year. The Inclusion Index recognizes companies that are leading the way in creating diverse and inclusive work environments.

Menasha Corporation has released its 2021 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, an annual publication highlighting the company's environmental, social and governance performance during calendar year 2020 and the first half of 2021.

Novolex released its third annual sustainability report, building on disclosures in prior editions and including many new topics reflecting Novolex's values and commitments as well as stakeholder interests.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, a leading global provider of marketing and business communications services, announced the launch of an omnichannel offering designed to meet the education industry's need for elevated communications agility that maximizes the value of each step in the student journey.

Greif, Inc., a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, announced that it is implementing a $70 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) and an 8.5 percent increase on all tube and core and protective packaging products.

Sonoco announced it will raise the price for all paperboard tubes and cores by a minimum of 8 percent, effective with shipments in the United States and Canada, on or after September 10, 2021.

Sonoco announced it is implementing a $70 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in the United States and Canada, effective with shipments beginning September 7, 2021.

Cascades Sonoco, a joint venture between Cascades Inc. and Sonoco Products Company, announced its Birmingham facility has been certified SQF (Safe Quality Food), a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) benchmarked certification standard.

Indiana students heading to college can get free, recyclable moving boxes, thanks to a "Pack to School" campaign announced by DS Smith, a leading paper and corrugated packaging supplier, and Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS).

HelloFresh, the world's leading meal kit company, Pratt Industries, America's 5th largest corrugated packaging company, and food rescue organization Second Helpings Atlanta (SHA), have teamed up to provide 8,000 meals per week to those facing food insecurity in Atlanta.

In the initial summons and complaint filed in May, the court case states Sanilac County resident Kimberly Cory's employment was terminated by the company in an alleged restructuring that lowered the median age of employees by eight years, from 51 to 43.

Minnesota Power is seeking millions from Verso Corp., the previous owner of the Duluth paper mill, and warns that other ratepayers could be on the hook if state regulators don't step in to sort things out.

Charles Swanson, an architect for the project, said the facility would be one of the two largest facilities of its kind in North America. Atlantic Packaging is building a similar facility in Canada.

Interfor Corp. said Aug. 11 it will spend $30 million to expand its sawmill in Summerville, just months acquiring the facility from WestRock Co.

Klabin has announced investments of R$ 40 million ($8 million) in the technology employed to apply dispersible barrier in the paperboard used to produce diverse types of packaging present in everyday life.

Klabin started construction on its new terminal on the quay of the Port of Paranaguá in Brazil. In this phase, the project is expected to create 180 new jobs. Once the terminal starts commercial operations, it will require around 170 direct and indirect employees.

The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission announced Tuesday the expansion of Pratt Industries, resulting in more than $18 million in capital investment and the creation of 30 new jobs.

CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. announced that it had completed the sale of 18,063 acres of prime Oregon timberlands - known as the Bandon property - for $100 million in cash, or approximately $5,536 per acre, to Roseburg Resources Co. The property had been purchased in August 2018 for $88.8 million or $4,916 per acre.

CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. announced its Triple T joint venture has reached a definitive agreement with a client of the Hancock Natural Resource Group, Inc., a Manulife Investment Management company, to sell 301,000 acres of prime East Texas timberlands for approximately $498 million in cash, or approximately $1,656 per acre.

The Kwidzyn business has approximately 2,300 employees with an annual capacity to produce 740,000 metric tons of folding boxboard, uncoated freesheet, specialty kraft papers, and market pulp on four machines.

The mills Eerbeek and Baiersbronn together have an annual capacity of about 245kt of virgin fiber-based cartonboard (FBB) produced on two board machines and employ approximately 400 people. Sales reached Euro 195 million in 2020.

The Mayr-Melnhof Group (MM) has completed the acquisition of Kotkamills, Finland, which was agreed in December 2020, after receiving approval from all relevant competition authorities. Through the acquisition, MM strengthens its position in the virgin fiber cartonboard (FBB) market with an attractive range of barrier cartonboard solutions that can replace PE (polyethylene) -coated cartonboard.

Mercer International Inc. said it is very, very pleased to announce that it received approval from the applicable Bankruptcy Court for a sales Order approving the acquisition by its wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-of-the-art CLT manufacturing facility located at Spokane, Washington (the "Facility") for a price of $50 million, subject to customary adjustments. The closing of the sale is scheduled to occur shortly.

Novolex®, a leader in packaging choice, innovation and sustainability, has acquired Vegware, a rapidly growing international provider of compostable foodservice packaging headquartered in Edinburgh, U.K. Vegware's teams in both the U.K. and U.S. are expected to join the Novolex family. The Vegware brand will remain intact as part of Novolex's Eco-Products portfolio of brands and will continue to sell its products under the Vegware label.

Platinum Equity announced that it has completed the acquisition of McGraw Hill, a global leader in educational content and digital platforms, for a purchase price of approximately $4.5 billion.

The board of directors for Verso Corp. has formed a special committee to evaluate an offer to purchase the company.

Amcor plans to invest over $10 million in MSU's School of Packaging - the largest investment in the history of the university's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), under which the School of Packaging sits.

John Begley, who has been the CEO of Columbia Pulp LLC throughout the local private company's eight-year existence here, announced his retirement effective Sept. 3.

Interfor Corp. will reopen an idled sawmill in southwestern Louisiana, creating 170 jobs at the facility.

Metsä Group's innovation company Metsä Spring Ltd has made an equity investment in Innomost Ltd, a startup converting forest industry side streams into high-value bioactive products.

The name Sylvamo speaks to the company's connection to trees and highlights its role as a steward of sustainable forests. Sylvamo combines the Latin words for forest, "silva," and love, "amo." Company leaders translate this unique combination as "love of forests."

Sonoco released its 2020-21 Corporate Responsibility Report, highlighting the Company's new 2030 commitments to reduce energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and wastes along with ongoing efforts to achieve greater packaging sustainability and recycling.

Canfor opened its Houston mill August 9, following a two-week shutdown caused by rail system bottlenecks and other problems in southern B.C. owing to wildfire outbreaks there.

Interfor is expecting production disruptions at its British Columbia Interior, Canada, sawmills during the 3Q 2021 due to the ongoing impacts of wildfires and other factors on log supply.

A Packaging Corporation of America employee was killed Thursday afternoon, July 29, in a workplace incident, the Hardin County Sheriff's Department reports.

Saica Pack successfully manufactured more than 1 million square meters worth of corrugated cardboard at its Thrapston facility near Northampton, the UK.