Recent Articles

Kruger has temporarily stopped operations at its Corner Brook pulp and paper mill in Newfoundland and Labrador, eastern Canada, due to wildfire emergency measures introduced by provincial authorities in areas facing very high and extreme fire risk.

The largest and most modern consumer packaging board production line in Europe was inaugurated on 18 August in Oulu, Finland. Stora Enso's Oulu unit serves the growing demand for renewable packaging globally and contributes to the transition to a circular bioeconomy. At the same time, the production site supports Finland's competitiveness and increases exports with products of higher added value.

Bain Capital is evaluating strategic options for Ahlstrom, the Finnish specialty materials manufacturer, including a potential sale or initial public offering that could value the business at up to €8bn, according to a report by Bloomberg citing sources familiar with the matter.

Smurfit Westrock will close in early October, according to the Iowa WARN site.

UPM Adhesive Materials, formerly known as UPM Raflatac, is investing in a new, state-of-the-art coating line and other facility and material handling upgrades in its label material factory in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

This transaction, which includes over 173,000 acres of timberlands across the Southeastern United States, follows Greif's previously announced intent to divest the business as part of its strategic portfolio optimization. The deal is expected to close shortly before or after the Company's fiscal year end, subject to customary closing conditions.

An investigation had determined the fire was accidental. No injuries were reported.

A fire at the Domtar facility located in Plymouth on Sunday, August 3 was successfully extinguished. The blaze broke out on the wood yard chip conveyor and the structures supporting it, according to a social media post by the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department. Crews cleared the scene around 3 p.m.

Due to prolonged weak profitability and the uncertain market outlook, Metsä Group is to initiate the planning of a significant cost savings and profit improvement programme. The aim of the programme is to achieve annual cost savings of approximately EUR 300 million, which are expected to be implemented gradually from 2026.

Sappi Europe has announced the initiation of a consultation process at its Kirkniemi Mill in Finland as part of a proposed asset restructure. This step is being taken in response to a structural decline in demand across Europe and sustained financial challenges. The proposed changes are intended to ensure long term competitiveness in the Graphic Paper Market and align production capacity with changing market dynamics and customer needs.

Novolex®, a leading manufacturer in the food and beverage packaging industry, announced that James "JT" Jones has been appointed Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), effective August 11, 2025. In this role, Jones will be responsible for leading the company's global procurement team, processes and strategy. He will be based in Lake Forest, IL and will report to Novolex Chairman and CEO, Stan Bikulege.

In this newly created role, Cobb will lead the development and execution of LP's commercial strategy, working in close partnership with the company's Sales, Supply Chain, and Customer Experience teams. She will oversee brand management, product innovation, and commercialization initiatives designed to drive demand and deepen customer engagement.<

The paper and paper-based packaging industry's national research and promotion program, administered by the Paper and Packaging Board (P+PB), will not continue following the results of the July continuance referendum vote.

Carmichael joins Kimberly-Clark after three decades at Nestlé, most recently serving as President and CEO of Nestlé Canada, where he oversaw a broad portfolio that included ice cream, coffee, beverages, water, confectionery, nutrition and pet care.

Actis-Grande joins Sealed Air following a five-year tenure as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MSC Industrial Supply Co. (NYSE: MSM).

Tom Erik Foss-Jacobsen assumed his position as Borregaard's new CEO on 1 August.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) -- the leading professional society for automation -- has announced the program for the 2025 ISA Automation Summit & Expo (ASE) this fall at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

What is your decision point in driving vs. flying for business trips?

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, more than 150 papermaking innovators and legends have been enshrined. This month, we profile Harold Miller who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024.

The PM40 closed Friday, 15 August 2025, at 5430.

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 15 August 2025 down 2.9% from the 16 August 2024 level.

In this issue of Disconnected Comparisons, we evaluate Quad and Smurfit Westrock .

Rottneros has decided to write down the value of fixed assets in Rottneros Mill. The reason is that the mill cannot utilize its full capacity in the prevailing weak market for the mechanical pulp CTMP. The impairment charge amounts to SEK 140 million.

Suzano, the world's largest pulp producer, announces its results for the second quarter of 2025 (2Q25), reporting sales of 3.7 million tonnes of pulp and paper. Sales increased 28% over the same period in 2024 (2Q24), mainly reflecting the strong operational contribution of the new Ribas do Rio Pardo pulp mill, whose production started in July 2024. Net revenue in the quarter totaled R$13.3 billion, a 16% increase compared to 2Q24.

Interfor recorded net earnings in Q2'25 of $11.1 million, or $0.22 per share, compared to a net loss of $35.1 million, or $0.68 per share in Q1'25 and a net loss of $75.8 million, or $1.47 per share in Q2'24.