Week of 25 August 2025: Pulp Rats, Part 4/2025

By Fos, the Rat: Bang! Bang! Sounds of sawing and hammering, dust everywhere. Then Head Supreme Rat bangs her gavel, more of a thunk sound. Head Supreme Rat, "Clerk, what is going on?"

More on Innovation

Mondi announced it is launching its re/cycle PaperPlus Bag Advanced, a high-performance paper bag designed to protect humidity-sensitive goods, while significantly reducing plastic content. And Sonoco recently announced its partnership with NaturGrops GmbH, a newly established family-owned company dedicated to delivering natural, high-quality, and sustainable dog snacks, by providing an eco-friendly packaging solution.

Corruption: A Sinking Tide Lowers All Boats (So Learn to Fly)

Ever heard of Transparency International that tracks the corruption of countries across the globe? Their goal is to stamp out corruption (good luck at that), and they provide some pretty interesting statistics.

Luddites 2.0

Over time, "Luddite" became a term for anyone resisting technological change, though the original movement was more about labor rights than a blanket rejection of progress. We have now reached a point in history, and technological advancement, that virtually EVERY knowledge-based worker is in jeopardy of being augmented, then replaced with algorithms.

From Ambition to Action: Setting Meaningful Environmental Targets in the Pulp, Paper and Packaging Industry

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance is increasingly measured by how well companies define and meet internal environmental targets. For the pulp, paper, and paper-based packaging sectors, setting clear and credible goals is no longer optional - it's essential.

Patent Applications and Patents

Asset Management

I recently attended an hour-long technical presentation entitled "The Latest in Process IIoT". Over half of it discussed HART protocol. If you have spent much time in process control, that should tell you something.

[Adv.]MAJIQ

(Adv.) SAP offers you an easy direct link to their breaking developments

Greenpeace: Forest Stewardship Council Risks Reputation by Lifting Suspension of Asia Pulp & Paper's Remedy Process

Civil Society criticizes the move, citing failure to conclude investigations into the scope of forestry giant's empire and gross misrepresentation of community views.

The Hidden Cost of "Paperless": Rethinking the Environmental Impact of AI and Digital Communications

For more than a decade, the message "go paperless, go green" has been used by companies and organizations encouraging customers to opt for digital over print. But as we know from our own research and newly emerging data, this long-standing assumption is due for a rethink.

Read the monthly Industree 4.0 newsletters here

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Fiber Processing

Steam and Condensate Chronicles

Where is Jim this week?

As I travel, I am always looking for someone to go to dinner with, share a barbeque sandwich lunch and so forth.

Miami student receives Paperitalo Publications endowed scholarship

Natalie Lang, left, is shown receiving the Paperitalo Publications endowed scholarship from Jim Thompson, at the Miami University Paper Science & Engineering Foundation Meeting, April 8, 2025. Natalie will be a sophomore in the fall.

Judge approves process to sell off Northern Pulp assets

The company has yet to submit a reclamation plan to the Nova Scotia government.

International Paper announces facility closures, investment in Riverdale mill, sale of Global Cellulose Fibers Business

IP to Sell Global Cellulose Fibers Business to American Industrial Partners; Other Changes Include a $250 Million Investment in the Riverdale Mill in Selma, Ala. and the Closure of Riceboro Mill, Savannah Mill and Savannah Box Plant

Sylvamo Corp Announces Riverdale Mill Transition Plan

Sylvamo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jean-Michel Ribiéras stated that the Riverdale supply agreement is not part of the company's long-term strategy. He noted that Sylvamo has been planning for this conversion since its 2021 spinoff from International Paper and has made strategic investments in its North American footprint.

Containerboard price-fixing lawsuit moves ahead in Federal Court

The class-action antitrust lawsuit that a customer brought against eight of the largest containerboard producers in the United States is progressing. Industry observers and analysts are keeping tabs on whether the companies in question try for another price increase this year despite the lawsuit.

Domtar to indefinitely idle Grenada, Mississippi Mill in September; 181 workers impacted

Domtar says it will "idle" its Grenada facility next month, indefinitely.

Metsä Board starts installation phase of board machine modernisation at Simpele mill

MetsäBoard Classic FBB renewed to meet growing quality and sustainability demands.

Novolex closing Pactiv Evergreen plant in California, affecting 127 employees

Novolex is shutting down a former Pactiv Evergreen plant in Bakersfield, California, according to a WARN notice posted by the state. The company is permanently closing the manufacturing facility come Oct. 14, impacting 127 employees.

Northern Pulp gets initial $104 million bid for timberlands, seeks court approval

Bid from Ontario-based Macer Forest Holdings would leave nothing for cleanup costs.

Canfor fined nearly $500K after B.C. mill worker injured

The 'high-risk' violation involved an unguarded hydraulic system that pumps toxic chemicals created in the pulping process.

Södra invests $140 million in Kinda sawmill to raise lumber capacity by 50 percent

In line with its strategy to make more of every tree and to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of family forestry, Södra has decided to invest more than a billion SEK in its sawmill in Kisa, southern Östergötland. This investment is crucial for the future of the sawmill and will contribute significantly to the growing need for timber construction in the green transition.

UFP Industries expands reach in North America

Edge, a manufacturer of exterior trim, siding and interior accents, announced it is growing its footprint by expanding its partnership with Associated Building Material Distributors of America, Inc.

Mondi to build new biomass power plant at its mill in Ružomberok, Slovakia

The new power plant will replace the existing bark boiler and is scheduled for completion in 2027.

Domtar Paper Company, LLC: Breaks ground on Rothschild Dam modernization project in Wisconsin

Earlier this year, Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin State Legislature committed $42 million in state funding to the project. Another $7 million in federal congressionally directed funding is also being pursued.

Kruger suspends Corner Brook Pulp & Paper operations for 3 weeks due to Canada wildfires

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.

Stora Enso inaugurates consumer board production line in Oulu, Finland

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.

End of an era: Pixelle Paper Chillicothe, Ohio Mill closure leaves hundreds jobless

The Pixelle Paper Mill, a longstanding fixture in Chillicothe, officially shut down Sunday, August 10, leaving nearly 800 workers without jobs.

Sappi Europe initiates a consultation process for potential closure of PM2 at its Kirkniemi Mill in Finland

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.

Bain considers €8 billion Ahlstrom sale or Amsterdam IPO

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.

RYAM and USW Petition the U.S. Government for Relief from Unfairly Traded Imports of High-Purity Dissolving Pulp from Brazil and Norway

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc., a U.S. and global leader of cellulose-based technologies, together with the United Steel Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union AFL-CIO ("USW"), announced the filing with the US Department of Commerce ("USDOC") and the US International Trade Commission ("USITC") of parallel antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on Brazil, and an antidumping petition on Norway, concerning U.S. imports of High Purity Dissolving Pulp ("HPDP").

Sofidel Commits to Net Zero by 2050

Sofidel is intensifying its ecological transition policies and - after the achievements of the WWF Climate Savers program and the endorsement of decarbonization targets to 2030 by Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) - is committing to Net Zero by 2050.

Brazil's Suzano to raise pulp prices in Asia, Europe and US as of September

Suzano on Thursday said it will raise pulp prices by $20 per metric ton in Asia, and by $80 per ton in Europe and the United States.

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. Will Look for Merger and Acquisition Opportunities

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. will further increase exports of household paper, paper containers and biomass materials, new President Akira Sebe has said. "We'll capture (demand) in overseas markets," he said in a recent interview. His company faces shrinking domestic demand for graphic paper mainly used for newspapers and copy papers.

A Forest Products Manufacturer Rooted in Sustainability: Domtar's Story Comes to Screen

New short film highlights Domtar's sustainability journey and everyday impact as part of the Sustainable Development Goal Leaders project.

Vetain adopts Sonoco's paper-based GreenCan packaging

This new packaging solution is now available in the German market.

Three Cascades leaders feature in the 2025 Top 10 Under 40 list for the Canadian pulp and paper industry

Cascades Inc., a leader in environmentally responsible packaging and hygiene product recovery and manufacturing, is thrilled to announce that three of its young leaders have made Pulp & Paper Canada's Top 10 Under 40 list, which recognizes excellence, leadership and innovation among young professionals in the pulp and paper industry across the country.

Sappi concludes sale of Lomati sawmill in South Africa

Normandien Farms will take ownership of the Lomati Sawmill from Sappi Southern Africa on 1 September 2025 following unconditional approval from the Competition Commission. The mill, which has an annual production capacity of 86,000 m3 of kiln-dried pine lumber, will transfer as a going concern, with all employees retained, according to Sappi Southern Africa.

LP Building Solutions Awards 100 Scholarships for the 2025-2026 Academic Year

Fifth consecutive year of program growth marks the largest investment to date.

Metsä Board awarded EcoVadis Platinum rating, among top one per cent of the world's most sustainable companies in its category

Metsä Board, the leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards and part of Metsä Group, has once again achieved the highest Platinum level in the 2025 EcoVadis sustainability assessment. The company has achieved the highest level rating every year since 2017.

Mondi launches Ad/Vantage Smooth Brown Semi Extensible - Smooth. Strong. Coatable. The paper built for performance

Ad/Vantage Smooth Brown Semi Extensible is Mondi's innovative kraft paper developed as a high-performance base paper for demanding coating applications.

Ahlstrom launches flame-resistant facer to enhance fire protection in building and construction

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, introduces a facer with enhanced Flame-Gard™ technology, designed to improve fire resistance in the building and construction industry, along with other key performance attributes. When exposed to fire, the facer paper will char but not support combustion and will self-extinguish once the flame source is removed.

Conservation group warns against West Fraser Timber's push for higher logging limits in southern Alberta

A wilderness conservation group is sounding the alarm over a major forestry company's bid to significantly increase the amount of timber it can cut in southern Alberta each year.

Interview with University of Maine senior Justin Pelletier

The University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation was incorporated in 1952 by 12 UMaine graduates financially supporting and preparing well-educated engineering students for careers in the pulp and paper and allied industries. Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with senior Justin Pelletier. We asked him a few questions about his experiences at UMaine.

Student Spotlight: Tatum Havard of Georgia Tech

Paperitalo Publications was able to interview Tatum Havard, and we asked her a few questions about her experiences at Georgia Tech.

Student Spotlight: Caleb Breining of Western Michigan

The Western Michigan University Paper Technology Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation founded by industry leaders in 1958. The mission of the corporation has been and continues to be to support the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering at Western Michigan University. Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Caleb Breining, who is a junior in the program. We asked him a few questions about his experiences at Western Michigan.

Student Spotlight: Levi Arnold of Syracuse

Paperitalo Publications interviewed senior Levi Arnold and we asked him about his experiences at Syracuse.

Interview with UWSP Paper Science and Engineering Junior Troy Knutson

Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Troy Knutson, a junior in the program, and we asked him a few questions about his experiences at UWSP.

Student Spotlight: Jacob Kanuk of Miami University

The Paper Science & Engineering Foundation at Miami University was founded in 1960 through the donations of several local paper mills and corporations who wanted to ensure the education of future paper engineers. The foundation continues to actively work with students in the paper science and engineering program at Miami University. Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with senior Jacob Kanuk. We asked him a few questions about his experiences at Miami.

Student Spotlight: Eilee Keske of Minnesota, graduating in Spring 2025

At the University of Minnesota, the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering discovers and teaches solutions for the sustainable use of renewable resources and the enhancement of the environment. Eilee Keske is a student in the program, and she shares some of her experiences at Minnesota.

The Light Green Machine Institute

Ideas you can use now.

Capital Arguments for July 2025

Check out TALOtech groups on LinkedIn

The purpose of the TALOtech groups on LinkedIn is to provide a convenient forum for people working within the manufacturing part of this industry to share technical and operating related dialog to promote safe and competitive operations.

Energy & the Environment News

Your contributions are welcome in this department, regardless of point of view. A few criteria--if you send us a copyrighted piece, also provide a permission to publish statement from the owner. We will not publish overtly political pieces or anonymous pieces.

Check out the Paperitalo Library

Items just for you

About SAP Selects

This section contains a collection of Paperitalo articles highlighted by SAP for their relevance to how the paper and packaging industry is evolving and how technology can help support that progress.

Just around the corner now

A bit of technology five years in the making. It is about time.

Pulp & Paper Radio International Program Schedule and Archives

Click here to listen to our latest episodes!

Volatility in the OCC/wastepaper market, trends in the recovered fiber and sustainable packaging markets

We welcome Myles Cohen, founder of Circular Ventures, LLC, to discuss the volatility in the OCC/wastepaper market, plus trends in the recovered fiber and sustainable packaging markets.