Market News of Note

The federal government is launching a challenge under the new NAFTA agreement against U.S. softwood lumber duties, International trade Minister Mary Ng has announced.

SCA will increase the price on NBSK pulp (Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft) in Europe by 40 USD per tonne from January 2022. The new price will be 1,300 USD.

Sonoco provided an overview of its five-year strategic plan and 2022 financial guidance during a virtual meeting with investors.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced that its board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100 million or 10 million of the company's common shares, whichever occurs first. Repurchase transactions will be funded using the company's sources of liquidity.

JD. Irving Ltd. has been accused of using personal access to one of former U.S. president Donald Trump's cabinet secretaries to secure favorable treatment from the United States in the ongoing softwood lumber dispute.

Officials from various Canadian governments and the lumber industry are expressing disappointment that the U.S. has decided to go ahead with a plan to double the amount of duty it imposes on softwood lumber that comes from Canada.

The increase will be effective for all shipments made on or after the 13 th December 2021.

Some of Clearwater Paper's tissue operations, including those in Lewiston, might be temporarily idled in upcoming weeks as the manufacturer works to match production with volatile demand.

Commenting on the group's results, Sappi Chief Executive Officer Steve Binnie said: "I am very pleased with Sappi's strong recovery and our return to profitability for the year. I wish to recognise the dedication and resilience of the Sappi team in turning a loss of US$135 million in 2020 into a profit of US$13 million for 2021, with EBITDA increasing by 40% over the prior year. The team overcame significant challenges posed by Covid-19. The cooperation, cross-regional support and continued focus on our Thrive25 strategy was exemplary."

SCA increases the prices on white and brown kraftliner in Europe by Euro 50 per tonne. The new price is valid from December 1, 2021.

WestRock Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on its common stock, an increase of $0.01 per share from its previous dividend rate and representing an annualized increase of $0.04 per share, or 4%.

Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l. announces that due to continued inflationary pressure on the business it will raise prices by 50EUR / 50GBP (for the UK) per ton on all tube and core grades sold in the Company's EMEA regions. The increase is in direct response to the continued escalation of its cost base and will be effective for all shipments made on or after the 1st November 2021.

The net proceeds from the offering of the Notes, together with cash on hand, are expected to be used to pay the purchase price of the acquisition of PMM Holding (Luxembourg) AG ("Jacob Holm"), to repay certain indebtedness of Jacob Holm, to repay outstanding revolving borrowings under the Credit Facility, and to pay estimated fees and expenses.

Greif, Inc. announced that it is implementing a $60 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) and a minimum 7.0 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 6 percent, effective with shipments in the United States and Canada, on or after November 8, 2021.

Sonoco said the price increase was in response to continued inflationary pressures on manufacturing costs, including energy, freight, chemicals, and packaging materials.

Weyerhaeuser Company announced that its board of directors declared an interim supplemental dividend of $0.50 per share on the common stock of the company, payable in cash on October 19, 2021, to holders of record of such common stock as of the close of business on October 5, 2021.

The Offering is part of the financing for, and is conditioned upon the consummation of, the proposed acquisition of Domtar and its subsidiaries by Karta Halten.

Chatham Asset Management, LLC ("Chatham"), a private investment firm which manages funds that beneficially own approximately 14.9% of the outstanding common stock and which is the largest bondholder of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company ("RRD" or the "Company") (NYSE: RRD), sent a letter to RRD's Board of Directors (the "Board") following the Board's inaction and lack of engagement with Chatham despite the continued destruction of stockholder value at RRD.

Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l. announces that due to the rapidly escalating cost of European energy it will raise prices by €50 (£50) / tonne on all recycled paperboard grades sold in the Company's EMEA regions, effective for all shipments made on or after the 4th October 2021.

Glatfelter Corporation announced that effective immediately, it will increase prices for all Composite Fibers products by 12%, or as customer contracts permit.

Smurfit Kappa Group has launched its Green Finance Framework and commences discussions with potential investors on a new green financing transaction.

Graphic Packaging International, LLC, the primary operating subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company, announced that it has entered into an agreement for $100 million aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt green bonds due 2061 with a mandatory purchase date of October 1, 2026 (the "Tax-Exempt Green Bonds"). The offering is being executed through the Michigan Strategic Fund ("MSF") Private Activity Bond Program.

Sylvamo common stock began trading on a "when-issued" basis on the NYSE under the symbol "SLVM WI" on September 14, 2021. On October 1, 2021, "regular way" trading under the symbol "SLVM" is expected to begin. The CUSIP number for the Sylvamo common stock will be 871332 102 when regular way trading begins.

As a result, Canfor's BC mills are expected to operate at approximately 80% of production capacity and operating schedules may continue to vary as economic conditions warrant.