Leading Stories

Quad/Graphics Inc. said it has temporarily furloughed employees throughout the company and suspended operations at a number of its plants.

The company is planning reductions in plywood production of 25-35% and in EWP volumes of 20-40% depending on location, in comparison to 1Q levels. The reductions in production are expected to be implemented through a combination of periodic curtailments and reductions in operating schedules at specific facilities.

Mercer International Inc. reports that its joint venture Cariboo pulp mill in British Columbia, Canada will be taking approximately 4 weeks of downtime starting on or about April 20, 2020, resulting in an approximate reduction of NBSK production of 30,000 tonnes of which Mercer's share is 15,000 tonnes.

IT Tech Packaging, Inc. announced that its tissue paper production lines are now running at full production capacity to fulfill orders. The average selling price of tissue paper increased 8% from USD $836 per tonne to USD $903 per tonne in the first quarter, resulting from growing demand because of Covid-19.

Clearwater Paper confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 among the workforce at its Lewiston mill Monday.

Paperitalo Publications is doing a follow-up survey regarding the coronavirus and how it's affecting the pulp and paper industry.

Company to idle Kingsport, Tennessee mill and Ashdown, Arkansas A62 paper machine for three months.

In this project, Klabin S.A. is carrying out an expansion of its existing facility in Paraná State in southern Brazil. By further promoting the use of biofuel it is expected to control the GHG emission. This project will contribute to the development of Brazil's sustainable forest industry and to strengthening the supply chains.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting global demand for forest products. In response, effective April 6, 2020, Conifex Timber Inc. will temporarily curtail operations at its Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada sawmill for two weeks.

Neenah, Inc. announced that it had not closed on its agreement to acquire Vectorply Corporation on April 1 as originally contemplated. Neenah had agreed to acquire Vectorply from MSouth Equity Partners for $155 million in cash.

Mondi produces elastic, three-layer laminate straps using nonwoven material for one billion face masks.

It was unusual for Christopher Hollins to fall ill. While he caught an occasional cold, he rarely missed a shift at the Georgia-Pacific paper mill in Zachary, where he worked for more than 30 years.

The disruption of the first straw pulp mill of its kind in North America comes just five months after the company began production.

Kokusai Pulp & Paper ("KPP") and SEQUANA SA have entered into an agreement, according to which KPP agreed to acquire 53,395,148 ordinary shares of Antalis SA held by Sequana, representing approximately 75.2% of Antalis' share capital and 82.5% of voting rights.

Södra Wood is implementing temporary partial furloughs at its production facilities in Mönsterås and Orrefors due to a reduction in demand in the UK and the Republic of Ireland during the ongoing pandemic. Södra Wood Ltd in the UK and the production facility in Hamina, Finland, may also be affected by the decision.

The J.D. Irving Sawmill near Truro, N.S., has reported that three of their staff members have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The first staff member to be diagnosed has received the appropriate medical care and is now self-isolating as recommended by health care professionals. Two more have since been diagnosed, leading to a temporary shut down of the mill.

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) has announced that it is idling one of its two uncoated white paper mills for two months (May-June).

A Procter & Gamble Co. manufacturing plant that makes Charmin toilet paper and Bounty paper towels suffered fire damage Monday, but workers are getting equipment affected by the blaze back into service.

Huhtamaki has completed the acquisition of full ownership of its joint venture company Laminor S.A. in Brazil.

As the COVID-19 pandemic is quickly evolving, the companies will continue to monitor the circumstances of the virus and any recommendations or directives of government and health authorities and will advise shareholders as necessary of any further updates regarding the AGMs.

Mr Pratt, who is the billionaire chairman of packaging companies Visy Industries and Pratt Industries, also issued 'a call to arms' to Australia's wealthiest to join the fight against COVID-19, as the number of confirmed cases hit 4,514.

Kruger Specialty Papers announced the temporary shutdown of its Brompton facility, effective Friday, April 3, for an indefinite period of time.

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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.

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.