Metsä Board Introduces QR Code with Recycling Information for All Its Delivery Packaging Materials

Dec. 6, 2024 - Metsä Board has launched a new solution to enhance and simplify the recycling process for packaging materials customers receive as part of Metsä Board product deliveries — QR codes on the pallet and reel labels of its products for all volumes delivered to its customers. The QR code directs customers to an intuitive app that provides detailed information on the various packaging materials used to protect the paperboard during the logistics chain. This information will assist customers in determining how each component of the delivery's packaging should be recycled.

By providing accessible and clear recycling information, the company aims to make it as easy as possible for customers to sort and recycle all the materials they receive with the product deliveries. In addition, customers will be able to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and ensure the materials are recycled as part of the local circular economy loop.

"The implementation of the new recycling QR codes on our paperboard deliveries stems from a strong commitment to sustainability and customer convenience," says Isto Hongisto, Product Safety Specialist at Metsä Board. "Recycling can sometimes be complex, and our goal is to make it as seamless and straightforward as possible for our customers. This initiative will not only save them time, but it will also ensure that the materials used in our deliveries are recycled in an optimal way."

The new initiative is part of Metsä Board's ongoing strategic commitment to sustainability and innovation in its operations. The company invites all customers to take advantage of this new feature and contribute to promoting efficient recycling practices within the packaging industry.

The QR codes have been visible on all paperboard deliveries as of November 2024.

Metsä Board is a producer of lightweight and high-quality folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners. With eight production units in Finland and Sweden, the company has an annual paperboard production capacity of 2.3 million tonnes.

SOURCE: Metsä Board

Government of Quebec Announces Investments of $252 Million to Support Forestry Sector

Nov. 21, 2024 - In the fall 2024 Update on Quebec's Economic and Financial Situation, the government has chosen to support Quebec's forestry sector, which has been facing a number of challenges over the past few years, including the major forest fires in the summer of 2023 and the imposition by the United States of countervailing and anti-dumping duties on Canadian lumber. The additional investments of $252 million over five years announced today will enable initiatives worth $540 million over the next seven years to provide support to the wood processing sector and invest in reforestation efforts.

Providing $100M to support the wood processing sector

To support certain businesses currently facing liquidity problems, notably because of the dispute with the United States over various softwood lumber products, financial assistance of up to $100 million will be granted in the form of loans.

Investing $440M in reforestation efforts

The Quebec government and the Canadian government have agreed to step up reforestation efforts and to plant more than 100 million trees in public and private forests by 2030-2031. More specifically, the Canadian government has committed to contributing $220 million under the 2 Billion Trees program to further the Québec government's efforts aimed at increasing reforestation, particularly in unproductive sites and areas affected by natural disturbances, and to ensure tree planting maintenance, bringing the total investment to $440 million.

"The forestry sector plays a key role in Québec's economy and the development of its regions. The initiatives we are announcing today bring to more than $1 billion the sums invested by our government since the fall of 2023 to help this sector," stated Eric Girard, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers

Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, added, "We are fully aware of the difficulties that the forestry sector has been facing in recent years. The government has chosen to support this vital sector for our regions. By combining the modernization of the forest regime with the new investments we are announcing today, we are giving the sector the means to meet these challenges. In the long term, we will offer greater flexibility, but most importantly predictability, to businesses in the forestry sector and to other forest users."

Ministry of Finance of Quebec, through its contribution to the responsible and rigorous management of public finances, intends to be recognized as a highly effective, innovative and outstanding institution which serves society as a whole and supports Quebec's equitable economic development to ensure a better quality of life for current and future generations.

SOURCE: Ministry of Finance of Quebec

Paper Excellence Group Rebrands All Legacy Businesses as Domtar

Oct. 24, 2024 - Paper Excellence Group today announced the operational integration of the recently acquired Domtar Corporation (and other legal entities) and Resolute Forest Products with the legacy Paper Excellence business, forming a leading, unified forest products company in North America. This integration represents a strategic alignment of the companies' strengths, resources and expertise, creating a stronger organization poised for future growth and innovation, while maintaining the highest levels of environmental stewardship.

Together, the companies will now be doing business as Domtar.

Domtar's new brand identity symbolizes the combined legacy, shared values and forward-looking vision of the three organizations. The new logo reflects the spirit of collaboration, sustainability and commitment to excellence that will define Domtar's future. The inclusion of a seedling in the logo represents the company's commitment to nurturing potential and fostering growth, symbolizing the start of something new and the continuous journey toward flourishing success. It also signifies an important evolution, capturing the essence of the gradual development of our legacy companies and the natural progression from a small, humble beginning to a thriving, mature global organization.

"Today marks a new and important chapter in Domtar's journey, representing the bright future ahead of us," said John D. Williams, non-executive chairman of the Management Board of Domtar (and its sister organizations). "As a fully integrated company, we are better positioned to deliver for our customers, strengthen relationships with our key stakeholders and drive innovation across our industry.

"As a result of the integration, we now have a company that boasts the best of our three legacy companies and is poised to pursue and achieve future growth and success. Our new brand is a reflection of our shared mission to lead with purpose and impact."

Domtar will continue to serve pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products markets, leveraging its expanded capabilities to offer enhanced products and services to clients worldwide. Products will be marketed under their legacy names, and commercial information will be updated on the Domtar website in the coming weeks; until then, information will be available on the legacy platforms.

Domtar will maintain its corporate offices in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Richmond, British Columbia, and Montreal, Quebec. There will be no changes to the company's physical location or production footprint as a result of this announcement.

The company's commitment to sustainability and community investment will continue to be a core focus as it moves forward under the new brand.

Domtar is a leading, privately held manufacturer of diversified forest products, with a workforce of about 14,000 employees in more than 60 locations across North America. The company has an annual production capacity of 9.1 million metric tons of pulp, paper, packaging and tissue, and approximately 3 billion board feet of lumber and other wood products.

Formerly known as the Paper Excellence Group, Domtar is comprised of legacy businesses Paper Excellence, Domtar and Resolute Forest Products.

SOURCE: Paper Excellence Group

International Paper to Review of Strategic Options for Global Cellulose Fibers Business; Close Georgetown Pulp and Paper Mill

Oct. 31, 2024 (Press Release) - International Paper (NYSE: IP) today announced the decision to review strategic options for its global cellulose fibers (GCF) business. The decision to explore alternatives for the GCF business is consistent with the Company's strategy to focus on sustainable packaging solutions.

IP's GCF business creates safe, high-quality absorbent pulp for a wide range of applications like feminine care, incontinence and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. In addition, its specialty pulp serves as a sustainable raw material used in textiles, construction materials, paints, coatings and more. The GCF business generated $2.9B in revenue in 2023 and has operations in three countries, with eight mills and two converting facilities.

"International Paper is committed to maximizing value for our shareholders, and to that end, we have launched a comprehensive and thorough review of strategic options for our global cellulose fibers business," said International Paper Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail.

"GCF is focused on accelerating earnings by aligning resources with our most strategic fluff pulp customers, implementing an 80/20 mindset and creating a simplified and focused portfolio. Our team is well-positioned to win with attractive customers in the growing global fluff pulp market," said Clay Ellis, Senior Vice President, Global Cellulose Fibers, International Paper. "Throughout our review, we will maintain our strong customer relationships with the same high standards and close collaboration."

International Paper has retained Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC as financial advisor to help review strategic options for the GCF business. The review of strategic options is at an early stage, and there can be no assurance that this review will result in any kind of transaction or other outcome. The Company will provide updates on the progress or status of this matter if and when it deems further disclosure is required or appropriate.

IP to Close Georgetown, South Carolina Pulp and Paper Mill

Additionally, the Company announced the permanent closure of its Georgetown, South Carolina mill. The mill will shut down in stages with a full closure expected by the end of 2024.

The Georgetown mill produces approximately 300,000 tons of fluff pulp designed for a range of consumer applications from baby diapers to incontinence products. GCF plans to retain 100% of the mill's fluff pulp capacity by transferring production to other mills and further reducing the Company's exposure to commodity pulp grades.

The mill also produces uncoated freesheet papers that it sells to Sylvamo (NYSE: SLVM) pursuant to a strategic contract, which IP and Sylvamo have mutually agreed to terminate as of December 31, 2024.

"This decision is especially difficult because of the impact on hard-working employees, their families and the surrounding communities," said Bernie Chascin, Georgetown mill manager, International Paper.

In total, 526 hourly employees and 148 salaried employees will be impacted. All employees will be offered severance benefits, outplacement services and access to mental health resources.

International Paper is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, IP serves customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America and North Africa.

SOURCE: International Paper