WestRock Announced as Name of Combined MWV/RKT Company Pending Merger

WestRock Company was announced today by MeadWestvaco Corporation and Rock-Tenn Company as the name for the new company when the two packaging leaders complete their previously announced combination. WestRock will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WRK.

Pratt Industries announces the passing of former Deputy CEO Mike Harwood

Mike Harwood joined Pratt as a director with global responsibility for containerboard in 1995 and was named Deputy CEO three years later. During his tenure with Pratt, the company grew from the 46th biggest box producer in the nation to number 5.

Man who helped found Quad/Graphics dies at age 78

Purtell was also among the original investors in Sussex-based Quad -- one of the biggest employers in Wisconsin, where Quad employs nearly 7,000 -- and he took an active role in strategy as a board member from its 1971 inception until his board retirement in 2005.

Fibria to construct new pulp line at Três Lagoas facility in Brazil

The Horizonte 2 Project consists in the construction of a new bleached eucalyptus pulp production line with capacity of 1.75 million tons per year and an estimated investment of US $2.5 billion. The start-up of the new production line is projected for the fourth quarter of 2017.

Crews respond to fire at Glatfelter mill in Ohio

A minor fire at a Glatfelter mill had emergency crews on scene for approximately two hours Tuesday night.

VPK plans to start up Wisconsin facility next month

Focusing on local markets, the new plant will meet the demand for cores used in foil and paper industries.

Sinar Mas Group to Build 'Asia's Largest' Pulp and Paper Mill

Sinar Mas Group, one of Indonesia's largest conglomerates, says the pulp and paper mill it plans to build in Ogan Komering Ilir, South Sumatra, will help Indonesia compete globally.

DuPont wins proxy fight; activist failed to win any seats

DuPont emerged from a bitter proxy war on Wednesday 13 May 2015 with its Board of Directors slate intact, as none of activist investor Nelson Peltz's four nominees won a seat.

Georgia-Pacific facility in Michigan announces closing

The 57-employees at Georgia-Pacific's Parchment facility were notified Friday that the plant will be closing by the end of the year, and its work consolidated at plants in Wisconsin and Mississippi.

Apple Announces New Environmental Initiatives in China

The new forestland program aims to protect as much as 1 million acres of responsibly managed working forests which provide fiber for pulp, paper and wood products.

Fire at KapStone paper mill contained

A small fire outside the KapStone paper mill in North Charleston, South Carolina on Tuesday afternoon, 5 May 2015, has been contained, authorities said.

KapStone to acquire Victory Packaging

KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation and Victory Packaging/Golden State Container jointly announced 5 May 2015 that they have signed an agreement for KapStone to acquire the assets of Victory Packaging in a cash-free, debt-free transaction for $615 million in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments.

Green Bay Packaging Inc. acquires Baird Display

Green Bay Packaging Inc. announced that is has acquired Baird Display, a Wisconsin Corporation. The acquisition was effective 30 April 30, 2015 and terms of the deal were not disclosed, the company said.

Thompson Private Letter for May 2015

AkzoNobel completes divestment of paper chemicals business to Kemira

AkzoNobel has finalized the €153 million divestment of its global paper chemicals business to Kemira. The deal was first announced in July 2014.

Metsä Board divests mill in Germany

Metsä Board Zanders GmbH contains the business operations of Gohrsmühle mill located in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. Gohrsmühle mill has approximately 480 employees and its main products are cast coated and label papers.

MeadWestvaco announces completion of the sale of European tobacco folding carton business

MeadWestvaco Corporation announced on 30 April 2015 the completion of the previously announced sale of its European-based tobacco folding carton business to AR Packaging Group AB.

Arbitration case in Montes del Plata settled

The parties have now signed a settlement agreement and will withdraw the case from arbitration. The settlement agreement results in a USD 44 million (EUR 40 million) cash payment to be made by Montes del Plata of which Stora Enso's share is 50%.

Solenis opens new world headquarters

The headquarters will accommodate 120 employees supporting a variety of corporate functions for the specialty chemicals company, which was previously known as Ashland Water Technologies.

New tissue products use wheat straw and bamboo

In the US, Kimberly-Clark Professional is launching a range of tissues and towels incorporating wheat straw and bamboo. The company says it aims to provide a rapidly renewable source of fiber for its pulp mill and environmentally friendly products aimed at its commercial customers.

Worker killed in accident at Quad/Graphics facility

Quad/Graphics worker died in an industrial accident Friday morning, 24 April 2015, in southeast Oklahoma City, police reported.

Georgia-Pacific and Aldi in bathroom brawl

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific says the packaging of its Angel Soft toilet paper has been blatantly imitated by Aldi for Aldi's SoftTouch toilet paper, particularly the color of the label, images of clouds, a picture of a baby and the use of the word "soft."

Getting an Unexpected Gift on a Rainy Day

The kindness of strangers is gratefully received by the recipient, but the doing of kind deeds is also a great teaching moment for young people.

Contractor injured in accident at International Paper mill in Texas

According to a statement from International Paper to Paperitalo Publications on Thursday, "At approximately 8:45 a.m. yesterday (Wednesday) morning, an employee of Southern Environmental, a mill contractor, was involved in an electrical incident in the Orange Mill. He was treated at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas and released today."

3 people injured in accident at International Paper's Reigelwood, N.C. mill

Three people were injured and taken to the hospital after an accident at International Paper's Riegelwood mill Wednesday morning.

Smurfit Kappa to sell some Dutch, Belgian and UK operations

Smurfit Kappa announced this week that it has agreed a deal to sell its solidboard and graphicboard operations in the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK to the Aurelius Group.

Metsä Fibre to build a next-generation bioproduct mill in Äänekoski, Finland

Metsä Fibre says it has made the decision to build a bioproduct mill in Äänekoski, Finland in the area of the existing pulp mill.

Fire erupts inside debarking machine at Glatfelter

No one was injured when a fire erupted inside a debarking machine at Glatfelter paper company on Monday.

Orchids Paper to build integrated tissue paper facility in South Carolina

Orchids Paper Products Company plans to build an integrated manufacturing site in Barnwell, South Carolina. The project will include a tissue paper machine with paper making capacity between 35,000 and 40,000 tons per year and two converting lines with converting capacity between 30,000 and 32,000 tons per year, which are capable of producing value through ultra-premium grades of tissue products.

Georgia-Pacific invests $50 million in Big Island plant renovations

The Georgia-Pacific plant in Big Island is undergoing about $50 million in improvements with its biggest expense being an upgrade to its pulp mill.

Multiple departments respond to fire at Catalyst mill

No cause has been determined yet for the paper machine fire that broke out at the Catalyst paper mill late in the evening on Thursday, 16 April 2015, in Port Alberni.

Another fire at Norampac mill in Niagara Falls

For the second time in seven months, a massive fire broke out at the Norampac/Greenpac mill.

Sonoco announces $52 million in expansions, new facilities

Sonoco is building a $12 million research and development showcase at its headquarters and investing an additional $40 million in facilities in Franklin, Ohio, Waco, Texas, and Malaysia that would increase its production capabilities, the company announced Wednesday.

Smurfit Kappa to acquire Inspirepac for $64 million

Inspirepac is a private company with 279 employees, and operates two packaging plants and a further two erecting plants in the North of England.

RockTenn sets world production records

RockTenn announced this week that its Nicholasville, Kentucky, folding carton team set two world records. The team earned the first record by printing more than 9 million sheets in one month, and the second by printing more than 357,000 sheets in one day.

Pratt Industries expands into California

Company chairman and owner Anthony Pratt said the acquisition would also help integrate his American and Australian holdings.

Pratt breaks ground on corrugated box facility

Pratt Industries broke ground this week on its new $52 million corrugated box factory in Beloit, Wisconsin. The 350,000 sq. ft. facility, due for start-up in early 2016, will sit on a 56-acre site and produce 600 tons of recycled boxes a day at capacity. It will also eventually provide 140 full-time jobs - as well as approximately 200 during construction.

Crews battle fire at Expera mill in Old Town, Maine

Firefighters arrived at a blaze reported Wednesday morning at the Expera Old Town mill to find the flames were extinguished by employees, company spokeswoman Addie Teeters said in an email.

Report: Smurfit Kappa 'approached for £6bn takeover'

A US paper-manufacturing giant is reportedly weighing a £6bn-plus takeover bid for Ireland's Smurfit Kappa as a wave of global deals fueled by cheap debt continues to gather pace.

Orient Paper building tissue manufacturing facilities

Construction of the mill and associated infrastructure is progressing, and the production of tissue paper is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2015.

Sonoco investing $11.8 million in R&D facility

The facility will mean the creation of at least 10 new jobs, initially, and could produce as many as 40 jobs within the next five to 10 years as new products are developed.

Rougier announces three-year collaboration with WWF France

WWF France and Rougier Group announced that they will work together in a three-year strategic collaboration that focuses on advancing sustainable forestry in Africa and responsible supply chains in Europe.

Mondi to shutter paper mill in Finland

Mondi bought the mill in 2008 and decided to close part of its production capacity last year. The mill makes speciality papers for packaging, food services, the hygiene and medical industries.

Cascades announces investments in biorefinery project

The company said that this innovative new process - a Canadian first - is used to extract hemicellulose, a cellulosic sugar with high value-added potential, from wood chips.

Amcor says it will buy Brazil packaging company

Amcor Limited says it has agreed to buy a tobacco packaging company in Brazil for A $39 million.

Solenis completes acquisition

Solenis Chemicals India Private Limited has completed the acquisition of Connell Bros. Company (India) Private Limited, a specialty chemical company dedicated to the pulp and paper market in India.

PPWC and Unifor commit to bargaining cooperation in pulp and paper sector

Two of the country's largest unions in the pulp and paper sector have agreed to work jointly in the next round of pulp and paper bargaining in Western Canada. Unifor and the Pulp, Paper, and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC) met in Vancouver last week to re-establish the Joint Pulp and Paper Caucus for the upcoming negotiations in 2017.

Plum Creek MDF facility resumes full production

June fire was caused by a mechanical failure

Cascades will end kraft paper operations in East Angus, Canada

By closing the facility, Cascades said it is withdrawing from the Kraft paper sector definitively

Kemira to acquire AkzoNobel's paper chemicals unit

The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of next year

Weyerhaeuser closes transaction to separate its homebuilding business

“As a result of this transaction, we have received approximately $700 million in cash proceeds and retired over $1.9 billion worth of the company’s shares,” said Doyle Simons, president and CEO of Weyerhaeuser, in a statement.

Multi-Color Corporation acquires Multiprint Lables in Dublin, Ireland

Multiprint specializes in Pressure Sensitive Beverage labels for Ireland and the UK.  Multi-Color Corporation said that Multiprint Labels has common markets, technologies and supply chain with MCC's Glasgow UK operation. 

Caraustar Industries signs agreement to acquire The Newark Group

Newark is a manufacturer of recycled paperboard, linerboard, industrial tubes, cores and other converted product including book covers and packaging solutions

Atlas Paper Mills buys Accurate Paper Recycling

According to Atlas Paper Mills, Accurate Paper is the largest independent commercial recycling facility in central Florida, providing bales of assorted recovered paper grades to paper making facilities located throughout the Southeast

Thompson Private Letter for July 2014

Neenah completes purchase of Crane Technical Materials

The purchase price of $72 million, comprised of $64 million for the business and $8 million related to future cash tax benefits, was financed through cash on hand

International Paper announces completion of xpedx spinoff and merger with Unisource

Combined company, Veritiv Corporation, trades on NYSE

Cascades exiting fine and security paper business

Cascades Inc. announced this week that it has reached an agreement with Rolland Enterprises Inc., a subsidiary of H.I.G. Capital. for the sale of its fine papers activities for $39.5 million

Stora Enso postpones reorganization of Renewable Packaging Division

Stora Enso announced this week that it is postponing the reorganization of its Renewable Packaging Division that was announced on 21 March 2014 and was originally intended to be implemented as of 1 July 2014

Rayonier completes separation of Rayonier Advanced Materials

Rayonier Inc. and Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. are now separate independent companies

Mondi completes purchase of Graphic Packaging unit

The Multi-Wall Bag plants and the kraft mill had trailing twelve month revenue of approximately $437 million and under the terms of the agreement, the enterprise value is $105 million and the sale was an all cash transaction.

Age, grandkids, trips and technology

Don't feel badly if you have trouble dealing with your iPhone or tablet.  Instead, surround yourself with friends who are good at it and they will help you through it.  And if you are a grandparent, tell your kids you want invitations to activities but not to get concerned if you occasionally decline.   

Stora Enso acquires U.S.-based biotechnology company

Virdia is a developer of extraction and separation technologies for conversion of cellulosic biomass into highly refined sugars and lignin

Resolute and Mercer International launch joint venture

Performance BioFilaments will work to develop commercial applications for cellulose filaments, a new source of sustainable biomaterial made from wood fiber that can improve the strength and durability of many commercial and consumer products found on the market today

Greif to expand North Carolina facility

The operation will add a second advanced corrugator by mid-2015

Paper company says it will invest $2 billion

Virginia governor says 2,000 jobs could be created

Georgia-Pacific to buy SPG Holdings

SPG has operations in Green Bay, Wisconsin; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and Augusta, Georgia

Verso no longer faces delisting from the New York Stock Exchange

Verso achieves early compliance with NYSE continued listing standard

Sappi sells paper mill

American Industrial Acquisition Corporation buys Netherlands facility

Södra will increase pulp production at mill

A new wood-chip plant will be constructed and one of the mill’s two pulp lines will be upgraded

Rentech expands wood chipping capacity and processing services in Chile

Rentech subsidiaries sign long-term processing agreement with Astex Ltda., a Mitsubishi Corporation subsidiary

Sonoco-Alcore receives favorable ruling in German Federal Court of Justice

Earlier decision reversed

Separation of Rayonier Advanced Materials expected to close on June 27

IRS confirms tax-free status of spin-off

Fire at Plum Creek facility

Operations are expected to resume in approximately 30 days following blaze

Georgia-Pacific completes purchase of chip mill

Georgia-Pacific currently operates three facilities in Louisiana, in addition to a wood and supply office at Port Hudson

Weyerhaeuser names president of Canadian subsidiary

Fred Dzida brings 35 years of forest industry experience to his new role

Cascades announces energy project

Solar power plant to supply the Cascades units in Kingsey Falls

Appvion names Kevin Gilligan president of its paper division

Appvion's paper division consists of the company's thermal, carbonless, security and specialty products businesses

Verso to locate Ohio operations center in Miamisburg following completion of pending NewPage acquisition

Verso West Chester office will close; Verso's corporate headquarters will remain in Memphis, Tenn.

Neenah Paper buying Crane Technical Materials

Neenah Paper announces it will acquire the Massachusetts-based technical  materials division from Crane & Co. for $72 million

Mondi to buy Graphic Packaging unit

The Multi-Wall Bag plants and the kraft mill had trailing twelve month revenue of approximately $437 million and under the terms of the agreement, the enterprise value is $105 million and the sale will be an all cash transaction.

International Paper appoints new president and chief operating officer

Current CEO Faraci set to retire next year

ASG acquires consumer packaging business from MeadWestvaco

ASG, a leading global specialty-packaging manufacturer, announced it has acquired the Bydgoszcz, Poland-based beauty and personal care folding carton business of MeadWestvaco Corporation.

Thompson Private Letter for June 2014

Georgia-Pacific investing $40 million for Dixie plate manufacturing project

When the expansion is completed, the Fort Smith plant is expected to employ more than 350 people

Georgia Tech’s Institute of Paper Science and Technology will be renamed Renewable Bioproducts Institute

Georgia Institute of Technology announces that the Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST), is being renamed the Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) effective June 1, 2014.

Weir drops Metso merger after new offer rejected

Board of directors nixed new approach from Weir Group

Rayonier board OKs separation of Rayonier Advanced Materials

Board approves distribution of Rayonier Advanced Materials stock

Graphic Packaging completes acquisition of U.K.-based Benson Group

The combination of Benson Group and Graphic Packaging's existing European businesses is expected to greatly enhance Graphic Packaging's folding carton business in Europe, with sales in excess of $700 million

Weyerhaeuser commences split-off exchange offer

The new company, Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Co., will combine with a subsidiary of TRI Pointe Homes Inc.

Sonoco opens display and packaging facility in Bentonville, Arkansas

Facility will provide point-of-purchase displays and fulfillment services

Leading distribution solutions company to be named Veritiv following completion of merger of xpedx and Unisource

xpedx, a business of International Paper and Unisource Worldwide, Inc., announced this week that they have chosen the name Veritiv for the leading distribution solutions company that will be created upon completion of their merger

Crazy TV ads

I am so tired of crazy TV ads.  Over half (by my unofficial count) are for prescription drugs.  Some ads are entertaining, but not these...

Smurfit Kappa to invest 27 million Euros to transform machine

Rebuild will last 12 weeks; project expected to start up in 2016

CSS Industries, Inc. announces acquisition of Carson & Gebel Ribbon Co.

Carson & Gebel Ribbon Co., LLC is a manufacturer and supplier of decorative ribbon to wholesale florists, packaging distributors and bow manufacturers

RockTenn completes mill acquisition

In 2013, the mill produced 465,000 tons on two paper machines and two pulp dryers that made various paper grades including containerboard, specialty kraft paper and pulp

RR Donnelley makes acquisition

Company acquires signage solutions provider True Colours Graphic Reproduction Ltd.

Weyerhaeuser announces intention to spin off real estate business

Company confirms plans for deal with TRI Pointe, says it will focus on its timber and paper products business

Rayonier announces post-separation CEO

Veteran timberland executive will serve as COO of Rayonier Inc. until its upcoming separation into two companies

Resolute announces permanent closure of Fort Frances mill

The company announced an extended period of market-related outage on its remaining paper machine in January. The kraft pulp mill and another paper machine have been idled since November of 2012.