ACTIVITYIndustrial intelligence
Latest movements. Activity connects developments documented by The Paper: what changed, who is involved, where it happened and what the evidence supports.
Stora Enso and Shanshan Technology will build a demonstration line in Ningbo to validate lignin-based hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries at an industrial scale.
Valmet acquires Tieto's MES business, including the TIPS platform installed in 300 mills, to accelerate the transition toward autonomous paper production.
Koenig & Bauer has installed an eight-color Rapida 106 press at Carlson Print Group, increasing the American converter's overall productivity by over 30%.
SIG's CEO unveils a new roadmap dividing the company into two core segments and raises profitability forecasts following a strong third quarter.
Outlook Group has acquired ABX's Pewaukee facility, expanding its capabilities in conductive film printing and specialty labels while retaining the site's specialized workforce.
French firm Karteck acquires CV Pack following court approval, adding a second plant in Saint-Chamond and an HP Indigo 12000 B2 press.
Graphic Packaging and Paper Transport deploy eight RNG trucks between Chicago and Kalamazoo to haul paperboard and measure Scope 3 emissions data.
UFP Industries has acquired Texas-based pallet manufacturer Apache Products for $27 million, adding $55 million in annual sales to its PalletOne network.
Clearwater Paper is finalizing customer trials for a new coated unbleached kraft (CUK) line at its Cypress Bend mill, targeting up to 30% of a 400,000-ton market.
Archroma and JK Paper's Central Pulp Mills have partnered to advance barrier coating technologies, driving the paperization trend in complex packaging.
Clean Cult introduces 32-ounce paperboard cartons for its new liquid soap line, challenging the historical dominance of rigid plastic in this category.
Tricel Honeycomb has finalized the acquisition of the Verticel manufacturing operations and brand from PCA's Hexacomb division to strengthen its North American footprint.
The Spanish company presents its GPM machine today at FoodTech 2026, developed with Green OX to automate the assembly of corrugated cardboard pallets.
The European federation confirms its main technical forum will take place from October 27 to 29, 2027, to address corrugated board manufacturing challenges.
Cartopel CEO Rodrigo Cordero confirms paper prices have surged over 50% in four months, creating severe pressure for Ecuador's export packaging sector.
The restructuring of the Fibre Excellence plant in Saint-Gaudens enters a new phase with a €200 million industrial proposal backed by Ghost Group and regional authorities.
Nefab has inaugurated a 7,000-square-meter facility in Monterrey to manufacture its collapsible plywood packaging, creating up to 100 local jobs.
Managing Director Paul Barber outlines how the UK's last specialist colored paper mill leverages human expertise in fiber and color as a competitive advantage.
International Paper confirms talks with potential buyers for its European packaging division after receiving unsolicited private equity offers.
The Italian manufacturer of material handling solutions incorporates Marco Contarini as Export Manager to consolidate its international growth strategy.
The German manufacturer introduces CITOSOL ACTIVE, a high-performance, label-free cleaning system designed to remove stubborn residues from cutting plates without CLP hazard warnings.
Kyocera will launch the KJ4A-EX600RC-HX printhead in November 2026, designed to apply varnish, white ink, and foil at speeds of 100 meters per minute.
The German manufacturer reinforces the deployment of its marbacover|2.0 technology, a fully rubberized cutting die designed to stabilize low-quality corrugated boards.
Maxcess expands its domestic assembly and tooling repair operations in India to reduce lead times for local converters and packaging manufacturers.
Norske Skog reported a stark contrast in its Q3 2026 packaging segment, with Bruck PM3 reaching full capacity while Golbey PM1 suffered a NOK 40 million EBITDA loss due to operational disruptions.
Teknosavo reports that its integrated AI systems, including TruckSmart and WoodSmart, reduce raw wood consumption in pulp mills by 3 to 5 percent.
SCA has completed a critical modernization of the cooking and washing processes at its Östrand pulp mill in Sweden, integrating Valmet technology to improve wood yield and operational stability.
The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has launched CRAFT, a national initiative to modernize the U.S. pulp and paper industry through AI and pilot testing.
Apex International has named Nick Harvey as its new Global Commercial Vice President to lead the anilox manufacturer's worldwide sales strategy.
UnityStep AI has launched an industrial trial at Rengo's Tonegawa mill to optimize paperboard roll storage using mathematical forecasting models.
SCA reported a 25% sequential increase in its Q3 2026 EBITDA to SEK 1.63 billion, driven by higher kraftliner prices and a stronger European containerboard market.
Gallus has installed its first Gallus One hybrid press in the UAE at Radiant House, enabling profitable single-pass production for short label runs.
M.A.H.Y. Khoory Group has announced an AED 1 billion investment to build PM4 at Union Paper Mills in Abu Dhabi, targeting premium containerboard grades.
Automatic converting machines surpass 62% market share in 2026, driving industrial adhesive suppliers to develop specialized high-speed laminating solutions.
Buckeye Corrugated Inc. has opened a dedicated 60,000-square-foot contract packaging and fulfillment center near the Port of Houston to scale its assembly operations.
Hivest Capital Partners has acquired Sustana from Blackstone, appointing Kevin Richard as CEO to drive investments in its North American recycled fiber mills.
The Italian tissue manufacturer has finalized the technological upgrade of its PM1 in France, integrating new Toscotec drying systems to cut carbon emissions.
Koenig & Bauer has demonstrated a fully networked folding carton production line in Radebeul, integrating large-format offset, digital printing, and automated finishing.
Esko and GlobalVision have launched Verify Comply, an AI-powered tool presented at PACK EXPO to automate regulatory and brand compliance in packaging artwork.
eCorrugated has invested in two EMBA Ultima casemakers to boost its high-volume FEFCO 0201 corrugated box production in the UK.
Grenadier Packaging has installed a new Heiber + Schröder CE 1000-2 tray former at its Trenton site to increase folding carton capacity and reduce changeover times.
Spanish converter Etilisa has installed its eighth ABG Digicon finishing line, featuring a 430mm web width and a 50-tonne hot foil unit, at its new La Rioja plant.
Colombian packaging converter Impreac has invested in an Edale CartonLine FL5 single-pass press, becoming the UK manufacturer's primary reference site for the Latin American folding carton market.
ColorJet introduces the Pro Prime industrial inkjet press at LOUPE India 2026, offering speeds of 60 m/min and up to eight colors for short-run label production.
Sonoco reported $646 million in Q3 2026 industrial paper packaging sales, driven by a 10% increase in North American URB volumes and 94% mill utilization.
Georgia-Pacific has successfully completed a $150 million rebuild of its No. 1 paper machine at the Wauna Mill in Oregon to boost consumer tissue production.
The Brazilian environmental agency FEPAM has granted the preliminary license for CMPC's Natureza project, validating a new 2.5 million-ton pulp mill.
Packsize has finalized the acquisition of Panotec's packaging business, expanding its automated right-sized corrugated machinery footprint across more than 50 countries.
The Corrugating Machinery Division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America has inaugurated a larger facility in Nevada to accelerate parts delivery and technical support for box plants across the Western United States.
Q360 Group has acquired North Carolina-based The Flexo Factor, expanding its portfolio of anilox cleaning solutions and pressroom equipment for converters.
Kodak's Trendsetter Q400 and Sonora process-free plates have enabled Missouri-based Golden Business Forms to double its prepress throughput to 30 plates per hour.
Crespel & Deiters confirms its Definol and Zerobor corrugated adhesives are exempt from the EU's strict new labeling requirements for boron compounds.
SIG partners with French co-packer LSDH and its subsidiary JFA to scale the commercial production of its Terra Alu-free full-barrier aseptic cartons.
Swiss adhesive systems manufacturer Robatech has acquired balti AG to strengthen its portfolio of customized hot-melt engineering and turnkey solutions.
Lordos United has officially completed the €8.16 million acquisition of a 51% stake in P&S Carton, securing control of Cyprus's primary corrugated packaging manufacturer.
The company invests over 200 million in its Asturian biofactory to scale the only European production of eucalyptus-based fluff pulp.
Gallus and HEIDELBERG return to LOUPE India for the first time since 2012 to debut the 120m/min Gallus Screeny Printing Unit for narrow-web label converters.
The Honext x WEPA joint venture has received €9.85 million in regional funding to scale the production of 100% recycled fiberboards at its Kriebstein site.
Videojet Technologies has launched the 8530 and Wolke m620 touch thermal inkjet printers, delivering 600 dpi coding for primary and secondary packaging.
Grupo La Plana has renewed the ISO 45001 occupational health and safety certification at its Betxí corrugated packaging plant in Castellón.
The EU Council has adopted a negotiating mandate to exempt businesses placing less than one tonne of packaging annually from appointing authorized EPR representatives.
The Finnish corrugated packaging manufacturer simultaneously renewed its ISO 9001, 14001, and 22000 standards to support its recent capacity expansions.
Heidelberg and Pfenning Group have partnered to integrate pharmaceutical packaging production with GDP-compliant logistics and track-and-trace data.
The Brazilian packaging manufacturer has integrated an automated native starch conversion system to optimize surface application in its paper production.
Visy has commissioned a new 2.8-metre corrugator at its Smithfield supersite in Western Sydney, increasing board production capacity by 33 percent.
Smurfit Westrock has inaugurated an €11 million Bobst Mastercut 2.1 line at its Anzio plant to increase production of high-graphics corrugated packaging.
The Carton Council has launched a real-world image database of damaged cartons to improve the accuracy of AI sorting systems in US recycling facilities.
The German manufacturer appoints CoPriTech to manage its anilox roller sales and technical support across Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
Ahmedabad-based converter Axigo Multiprint has installed a Rhyguan Smart-450 slitter-rewinder with a Luster inspection camera to ensure defect-free label production.
ABB's new medium-voltage motor with integrated speed control replaces a traditional direct-on-line setup at the Varkaus mill, projecting 2,500 MWh in annual energy savings.
Jesons Industries will introduce its new Bondex adhesive portfolio at LOUPE India 2026, featuring slot-die formulations capable of reaching 600 meters per minute for narrow-web converting.
UAE-based Hotpack has acquired a major stake in Pride Packaging for an expected $15 million to establish an integrated corrugated manufacturing complex in Oman.
Arclin has announced a multimillion-dollar investment in its Asturias facility to expand Nomex paper capacity, targeting the aerospace and EV markets by 2028.
Billerud expands its North American packaging capabilities with modernization at the Escanaba mill while launching a new generation of high-strength fluting from Sweden.
ColorJet will showcase its 3.2-metre Soniq I and hybrid-ready Verve LED X printers at the South Print Pack 2026 exhibition opening tomorrow in Bengaluru.
Rottneros reported a SEK 47 million EBITDA improvement in the third quarter of 2026, driven by a 9% increase in pulp production and lower wood costs.
Arctic Paper's Kostrzyn mill will receive PLN 34.3 million in compensation for indirect emission costs, significantly boosting its Q4 2026 financial results.
UPM plans to increase its Fray Bentos mill production by 200,000 tonnes annually without modifying its current environmental discharge limits.
Packaging Corporation of America reported a Q3 2026 net income of USD 262.3 million and a 12.5% revenue increase, driven by full mill capacity and the Greif acquisition.
The Georgia-based manufacturer consolidates its flexographic offering by combining its ceramic anilox technology with RollerTec rubber rollers.
Jamil Packaging has achieved up to 50% efficiency improvements by consolidating its corrugated converting operations onto a single BOBST technology platform.
UPM, Siegwerk, and Uteco have successfully industrialized a secondary packaging structure reaching 90% paper content with integrated barrier and heat-sealing.
Valmet will deliver a comprehensive technology package exceeding €100 million for Century Sunshine's new Rizhao pulp mill, scheduled to start operations in June 2028.
BW Converting will showcase its Baldwin Guardian PQV and OLP inspection systems at LOUPE India 2026 to help converters eliminate print defects.
The three companies have co-created a recyclable paper structure combining starch grease barriers and bio-based heat-seal coatings for food packaging.
AmerCareRoyal (ACR) has acquired Minnesota-based Ultra Green Packaging, marking its twelfth strategic add-on to expand its PrimeWare molded fiber portfolio.
Eurobrillance, Plastigraf Trevigiana, NatureWorks, and Form iQ have developed CellShield Protopia, a barrier paperboard achieving 27 thermoforming cycles per minute.
Bel Group has adopted Koehler Paper's NexPlus Seal Pure for its Babybel 2 Go flowpacks, achieving a full transition to recyclable virgin fiber without sacrificing packaging line speeds.
The Swedish forestry group has opened a commercial office near Boston to manage its growing pulp and sawn timber operations across the US market.
Central National Gottesman’s division Lindenmeyr Munroe will acquire Nebraska-based Omaha Paper Company to strengthen its packaging and paper distribution footprint across the Midwest.
Fastmarkets has launched the Corrugated Cost Benchmark for North America to track changes in the principal costs of manufacturing and delivering boxes.
Italian manufacturer CARTES reaches 30 installations in the Japanese market, consolidating its strategic alliance with SCREEN GP JAPAN at Label Forum 2026.
Esko's advanced Quartz screening technology enabled Italian prepress specialist Zincopar to achieve unprecedented precision and repeatability in water-based flexographic packaging.
TAPPI opens its three-day technical program in Atlanta today to equip paperboard packaging producers with operational expertise in aqueous barrier coatings.
KUKA presents its latest robotic palletizing and autonomous material handling systems for packaging operations at PACK EXPO 2026.
Huhtamaki showcases its ICON technology at PACK EXPO 2026, replacing traditional polyethylene with a water-based coating to recover over 90% of paper fiber.
BOBST has introduced the MASTER 6003 gravure press, featuring the LeanPrint system to reduce circulating ink by 60% and solvent consumption by up to 40%.
US packaging paper shipments grew 2% in September 2026, with the unbleached operating rate reaching 90.9% amid a surge in bag and sack imports.
Rennco introduces the 301 Paper E-Commerce System at PACK EXPO 2026, a vertical bagger engineered to process recyclable fiber-based materials efficiently.
Smurfit Westrock has successfully deployed its EnduraGrip paperboard handle for Kirkland Signature orange juice multipacks across Costco warehouses in the US and Mexico.
Asia Pulp & Paper, RGE, and CVC Capital Partners are evaluating separate bids for Essity's consumer tissue division in a potential €3 billion transaction.
Pratt Industries will supply 100% recycled corrugated packaging for the new $40 million Thomas Foods International meat processing facility in Jacksonville.
PM Studio Group has acquired TNT Group, creating a global premium packaging entity with €130 million in combined revenue for the luxury and beauty sectors.
Russ Stroner takes over as President and CEO of JLS Automation, succeeding Craig Souser who retires after leading the robotic packaging manufacturer since 1978.
Barry-Wehmiller has introduced Perpetua, a new independent business unit dedicated to complex automation projects that integrates machinery from any manufacturer.
Sidel has launched EvoDECO Next, a new roll-fed labeling platform that introduces partial decoration to reduce material consumption by up to 75 percent.
The US Department of Commerce has established a 1.69% preliminary antidumping margin for Hansol Paper's thermal paper imports from South Korea.
Selective collection of paper and board in Portugal reached 127,919 tonnes in the first nine months of 2026, outperforming the national recycling average.
UPM has appointed Aki Temmes as its new CFO and Petri Hakanen as EVP of UPM Fibres, effective January 1, 2027, following Tapio Korpeinen's retirement.
Schubert has introduced its Lightline Case Packer at PACK EXPO 2026, enabling toolless changeovers between RSC and wraparound corrugated formats.
Hitachi Energy will build a 21,000-square-meter facility in London, Ontario, to produce up to 20,000 metric tons of electrical-grade pressboard annually.
UPM Adhesive Materials has opened a new slitting terminal in Delhi-NCR, cutting label material lead times for North and East India from nine days to two.
Straub Verpackungen has officially inaugurated its new €45 million, 24,000 sqm corrugated converting plant in Bräunlingen, Germany.
Paper Machinery Corporation debuts its TP3820 press at Pack Expo 2026, offering packaging manufacturers a high-speed fiber thermoforming solution.
Sun Chemical has upgraded its SolarFlex FSP UV flexo inks to ensure converters comply with the strict German and Swiss food packaging regulations.
The CNMC has raided the headquarters of several Spanish corrugated board companies to investigate potential price-fixing and customer-sharing agreements.
Packshion has launched a fold-flat magnetic rigid box that reduces shipping and storage space by up to 70%, helping luxury brands adapt to EU PPWR regulations.
Yangi introduces its Cellera platform at PACK EXPO 2026, showcasing a dry molded fiber technology that achieves 4-second cycles without water slurry.
GlobalVision introduces Verify Inline at PACK EXPO 2026, a cloud-native platform that shifts print quality control from press-side sampling to continuous remote supervision.
Smurfit Westrock is investing R$120 million to modernize and expand its corrugated packaging plant in Blumenau, Brazil, focusing on automation and capacity.
The Argentine papermaker manufactured 22,654 tons in its latest quarter, leaving behind the 2025 plant paralyzations despite ongoing financial constraints.
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has found reasonable evidence that dumped and subsidized paperboard cups from China are harming domestic producers.
Koehler Paper has partnered with Chinese medical aesthetics firm YESTAR to supply its 100% recycled Creative Board for exclusive Lunar New Year VIP gift packaging.
Ahmedabad-based Amba Multiprint has installed its fourth Multitec press, the S3S 670, transitioning its entire flexographic department to the Indian manufacturer's technology.
Valmet will deliver two complete BCTMP lines to Guangxi Jingui in China, adding 2,400 tonnes of daily capacity with energy-efficient HT-CTMP technology.
UPM has officially inaugurated its €1.37 billion biorefinery in Leuna, reaching stable operation for lignin-derived chemicals and enzymatic hydrolysis.
BAHMÜLLER partners with Haire Group to distribute its advanced corrugated converting machinery across the US, aiming for full North American coverage by 2027.
Pentatech partners with Mardan Intermediarios, appointing Marc and Dani Gilabert to lead its corrugated machinery expansion and after-sales support in Iberia.
Oji Holdings breaks ground on a $110 million facility in Vietnam, shifting from a material supplier to a full aseptic packaging and filling platform.
Valmet's BM2 line at Liansheng's Zhangzhou mill exceeded its design capacity just two months after its July 2025 startup, producing heavy-weight folding boxboard.
Essity has successfully scaled its Tork PaperCircle service across 15 European markets, recovering over 500 million used hand towels annually for new tissue production.
ROTOCON USA sold 11 machines at LOUPE Americas 2026, bringing its total US installed sales to 20 and demonstrating strong market traction.
Domino's digital technology has transformed Labelnet's operations, taking its digital output from zero to 40 percent and prompting the installation of a new N730i press.
Peacock Group is merging its Peacock Bros. and insignia operations into a new 8,000 sqm facility in Melbourne, increasing its production footprint by 56%.
CGS ORIS has partnered with Chinese label converter Hengze to deploy its FlexPack and Press Matcher systems across two new Durst digital inkjet presses.
Ittihad Paper Mill (IPM) celebrates the production of 2 million tons of uncoated wood-free paper since its 2020 launch in Abu Dhabi.
RRD expands its strategic partnership with HP by deploying 15 digital presses across global facilities through 2029 to boost its SMART manufacturing framework.
Datacolor and Techkon have released ChromaQA 7.5, introducing 18 new features that automate print quality control and reduce manual interventions.
Canon USA has secured its first direct sale of an Edale press, installing a LabelLine FL4p at repeat customer New York Label & Box Works.
Suzano's Francisco Zambon takes the stage at LatamCORR to demonstrate how integrating fiber properties with structural design optimizes corrugated packaging.
Koenig & Bauer Corrugated will present strategies at LatamCORR Brasil 2026 to optimize corrugated production, focusing on consistent quality over raw speed.
Robert Zehnpfennig from KOLBUS warns that corrugated plants must design their automation strategies for the shrinking labor pool of the next 15 years.
International Paper will spin off its EMEA packaging business into an independent company that will reclaim the DS Smith plc name, led by Tim Nicholls.
ThePaper.ai celebrates its first six months by reaching 500,000 visits, confirming the global paper and packaging industry's demand for specialized intelligence.
Stora Enso has successfully reduced specific refining energy consumption by 5.5% at its Beihai BCTMP line using Valmet's ShiveClean and Turbine technologies.
Arbex has announced a strategic transformation program for its Millicent tissue mill in Australia to optimize productivity and operational agility.
The European Commission has issued a new Letter of Facts to UPM and Sappi, confirming continued competition concerns over their planned graphic paper joint venture.
Kruger Products completes its $35 million investment in a state-of-the-art tissue converting line at its Memphis facility to boost North American capacity.
The CEOs of International Paper, PCA, and Graphic Packaging reveal how soaring OCC costs, tight capacity, and muted demand are reshaping the US market in 2026.
Kruger Packaging is adding a new converting line at its Elizabethtown, Kentucky plant, increasing production capacity by approximately 25%.
TRICOR Packaging & Logistics maximizes its €170m investment in Goch with a 2.8m BHS corrugator capable of high-speed triple-wall production.
Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper is accelerating its downstreaming strategy in Riau by diverting its massive pulp production into high-margin integrated packaging.
Dunapack Packaging’s acquisition of El Pack’s three Greek corrugated plants has formally entered competition review. The deal adds around 250 employees and reinforces Prinzhorn Group’s broader European expansion strategy.
Valmet has appointed industry veteran Pia Aaltonen-Forsell as its new CFO, accelerating her start date to November 2026 amid a major strategic review.
As the US enforces strict tariffs and the EU eliminates duties on industrial goods this July 2026, packaging converters are abandoning globalized supply chains in favor of regional production.
Dunapack Packaging successfully launched a high-speed 2.8m BHS corrugator in Eskişehir, significantly boosting Turkish production capacity.
The global NFC-embedded packaging market is poised for explosive growth, scaling from USD 6.70 billion in 2026 to USD 22.00 billion by 2035 at a 14.13% CAGR. Driven by rising demands for product authentication, real-time supply chain tracking, and consumer engagement, the sector is heavily impacting traditional paper and corrugated cardboard manufacturing. With North America currently dominating and APAC growing rapidly, key industry players like Avery Dennison and Graphic Packaging are prioritizing the seamless, sustainable integration of smart chips into fiber-based packaging solutions.
Dunapack Packaging has officially opened a €12.1 million automated high-bay warehouse for corrugated board at its Strasswalchen plant in Austria. Providing a 1.2 million m² WIP buffer, the 9-level facility addresses the industry's hidden bottleneck by separating corrugator output from converting speeds. This investment underscores Prinzhorn Group's strategy of combining optimized internal logistics with aggressive market expansion, such as its recent entry into Germany.
Brazil's paper and packaging industry is experiencing significant growth through major investments, strategic mergers, and a focus on sustainability, positioning itself for future success.
The Canadian corrugated packaging industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by the automotive sector and strong trade relations, with a focus on environmental sustainability and innovation.