Leading Stories

In Norway, Saugbrugs will cease production on one paper machine due to negative market developments as a result of the corona virus restrictions. As a result of this, there will be given notice of temporary layoffs. In addition, administrative personnel at headquarters has been temporarily laid off as a result of the corona situation. The Skogn mill will delay temporary layoffs as earlier announced.

LP Building Solutions announced adjustments to operating schedules, reductions in capital expenditures, and steps to enhance an already strong balance sheet. LP also announced amended guidance consistent with these plans and the uncertainties surrounding the impact of COVID-19, governmental responses, and subsequent economic recovery.

A union push to protect workers from COVID-19 has apparently prompted Longview WestRock mill managers to update the site's procedure for handling potential exposures to the disease.

Weeks after issuing an earnings that report that revealed the company lost $295 million last year, publication printer LSC Communications is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to reports, citing "people with knowledge of the plans."

This business includes three containerboard mills and four box plants.

Wapakoneta Mayor Tom Stinebaugh on Friday notified residents that a truck driver for Pratt Industries has reportedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus, while a second employee has since been sent home to self-quarantine for two weeks.

One of Nova Scotia's cases of COVID-19 has been confirmed to be an employee at the Irving Sawmill near Truro, N.S.

The Company is postponing the planned extended spring maintenance shut at Northwood Pulp Mill until later this year, and instead will curtail the mill for three weeks during the period the turnaround was originally scheduled to occur. This will result in a reduction of approximately 35,000 tonnes of Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp production.

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating disturbance in Huhtamaki's global trading conditions and the demand for food-on-the-go packaging is being significantly impacted.

In response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic West Fraser is taking additional steps to respond to changing operating and market conditions.

This adjusted operating configuration will initially result in a 25% reduction to Norbord's currently operating North American mill capacity.

As a provider of goods and services that consumers and businesses rely on for their everyday needs, Kruger Inc. announced that it will be maintaining all of its operations that have been declared essential by Canadian and U.S. authorities or COVID-19 government guidelines, including the manufacture of tissue products, food packaging and containerboard, newsprint, publication and specialty papers, as well as recycling services, the bottling of beverages and the production of electricity.

Pratt said his facilities were hiring more staff to cope with surging demand. Visy has had to radically adapt. Staff are getting temperatures checked daily, social distancing is in place and office staff are working split shifts to minimise contact.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. provided an update on the impact of the COVID-19 situation to its business.

Sappi has declared force majeure on the Vulindlela expansion and upgrade project at its Saiccor Mill in alignment with the South African Government's declaration of a nation-wide lockdown to combat the COVID-19 Epidemic.

We feel a huge responsibility during the COVID-19 crisis, says the mill's president.

Now 420 employees remain at the plant after 102 have been temporarily laid off because of a drop in demand caused by the coronavirus.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö has announced it is not affected by the decree issued by the Italian government and that all of its plants are operational worldwide.

Suspension is temporary; project involves about 4,500 professionals.

Paperitalo Publications is here to help. We will continue reporting the news. Later this week, we will be conducting a more in-depth survey.

Officials told International Paper management that COVID-19 patients no longer have to self-isolate when both of two conditions are met.

3M has doubled its production of coronavirus-protecting N95 respirator masks over the last two months - to a rate of more than 1.1 billion a year, or almost 100 million a month, according to a report.

The shelves of some stores may not have products like diapers, but they are weaving through the supply chain, according to International Paper CEO Mark Sutton.

The shelves at the local grocery stores may be empty, but U.S. toilet paper manufacturers are adamant: We've got this.

Clearwater Paper (CLW +10%) says it's experiencing a significant increase in demand for its retail tissue products and an increase in demand for paperboard used for packaging food and pharmaceutical products.