Tembec Paperboard eNewsletter
Welcome to the Tembec Paperboard Group eNewsletter
Current edition
January 18th, 2010.
- Caraustar to increase prices by US$50/ton on all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard, converted products made by its mills, effective Feb. 8
- RockTenn to increase price on uncoated recycled paperboard by US$50/ton, effective Feb. 8
- Revised: Pulp producers expect further price hikes in February as customers scramble for tonnes amid very tight supply around world
- Canfor Pulp makes first Feb. 1 pulp price hike announcement - up US$30/tonne for North America, Asia
- Papermaker Appleton plans to appeal ruling on PCB cleanup of Fox River in Wisconsin; costs expected to reach US$700M or more
- Fire at Sappi's mill in Stockstadt, Germany, delays coated-paper output on PM No. 2 for eight weeks, but company's other mills expected to cover shortfall
- Connecticut-based commercial printer Phoenix Press to construct 150-foot wind turbine that will provide one-third of its annual energy needs, saving US$35,000/year
- RR Donnelley awarded multiyear agreement with AT&T Advertising Solutions for printing about 450 directory titles serving consumers, businesses in U.S. Southeast region
- Campaign to limit deliveries of white pages phone book gains momentum; bill with similar intent introduced in several states, to be introduced in California in January
- Companies that conserve, restore forests for carbon sequestration and trading likely expanded in 2009 despite recession, regulatory uncertainty, finds first global survey of forest carbon markets
Archived editions
January 11th, 2010.
- Union disputes continue at MWV's paperboard mill in Covington, Virginia, as Jan. 19 contract talks loom
- Closure of Smurfit-Stone's linerboard plant in Frenchtown, Montana, will be pushed back again due to outstanding orders; Thursday will be last production day, says union spokesperson
- Revised: Global pulp markets continue strong as New Year begins, with supply limited and January price increases being implemented
- Proposed U.S. federal legislation would eliminate black liquor tax credit from Farm Bill, while promoting biomass use by providing same tax incentives as wind and solar
- Chinese paper industry supply/demand balance, raw material costs to pose challenges in 2010; best outlook for SBS, worst for coated paper
- Chinese exports of paper, paperboard hit 3 million tonnes in first 10 months of 2009, down 4.9% year-over-year; value totals US$2.6B, down 9.0%
- FOEX Pulp & Paper Indices - Jan. 5, 2010
- Germany's envelope maker Curtis 1000 Europe files for insolvency
- Wegmans Food Markets uses paper made from FSC-certified timber for millions of marketing materials U.S. supermarket chain prints weekly
- PwC report: Forest, paper and packaging companies on the brink of major change
January 4th, 2010
- Smurfit-Stone to keep linerboard mill open in Frenchtown, Montana, through Jan. 5 because of demand
- Forestweb North American Packaging Index flat in December against announced price hikes
- Papermaker NewPage continues feasibility study of biofuel refinery in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; proposed plant would produce 370 barrels of renewable diesel fuel a day
- IP to shut down PM No. 1 at Franklin, Virginia, mill by year's end, with 166 layoffs as a result; entire mill to close in the spring
- Appleton Papers, NCR and GP continue with costly cleanup of Wisconsin's Fox River despite court ruling striking lawsuit aimed at forcing other entities to help pay for the project
- FOEX Pulp & Paper Indices - Dec. 29, 2009
- Forestweb North American Publishing Papers Index up fourth month in December
- Forestweb North American Pulp Index holds gains in December
- Iowa moves closer to paperless court system as electronic document system set to be implemented in Plymouth County beginning Jan. 4
- Record number of newspaper publishers faced bankruptcy in 2009; three major Chapter 11 proceedings, including Tribune Co., still ongoing
December 24th, 2009.
- IP not yet decided about what to do with equipment at idled Albany, Oregon, containerboard mill, but some parties have expressed interest in the site, says mill manager
- IP's xpedx takes over Medford, Oregon, distributor Southern Oregon Paper and Packaging in move to enhance its offerings in state
- Survey: 42% of businesses plan to invest in direct mail campaigns, though marketers are shifting some of their 2010 spending to social media
- U.S. output of printed pages on decline since Q4 2008, says IDC analyst; number could go down by more than 10% this year amid job losses, shift to digital
- San Francisco audit finds Office Depot overcharged city by at least US$5.8M for office supplies; retailer disputes findings
- Report: U.S. corrugated and solid fiber box manufacturing industry's revenue totals US$33.7B in 2008, with estimated gross profit of 15.6%; imports valued at US$362.2M and exports at US$1.2B
- Catalyst asking its most senior employees to take 45% cut in wages, benefits at Elk Falls pulp and paper mill in Campbell River, British Columbia, says local CEP president
- Pulp import volume into China's Guangdong Port up 40.6% year-over-year during January-November 2009; after June's record high for 2009 of 156,000 tonnes, imports ease and level off
December 14th, 2009.
- Recently announced price increases for containerboard driven mainly by anticipation of expiration of black liquor tax credit at year's end, having no basis in actual market conditions, says AICC
- MeadWestvaco expects to increase boxboard and bleached paperboard prices in U.S. by US$40/ton on Jan. 18 - Wilde
- Holmen's Iggesund workers vote for strike action over closure of paperboard machine at mill in Workington, England, and over proposed layoffs of 99 workers
- International Paper announces global US$40/tonne fluff pulp price increase for Jan. 1
- CEPI: U.S. black liquor tax credit distorts international competition, should expire Dec. 31 as planned and not extended through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program
- Domtar, NewPage, Quad/Graphics, Thilmany Paper, Wausau Paper, among nine Wisconsin companies to split US$14.5M in state funding for energy efficiency projects
- Canadian paper products industry expected to lose C$1.2B, see production fall 14% in 2009 before returning to profitability in 2011, says Conference Board of Canada
- M-real Zanders to close two specialty paper machines at its Reflex mill in Düren, Germany, streamline operations to improve profitability
- Online retailer Zappos.com mails out 750,000 print catalogs; publisher says average catalog order is more than double that of online orders
- Cox no longer selling Valpak, citing direct mailer's promising future as it continues to generate new sources of revenue, drive greater profitability
December 7th, 2009
- RockTenn to raise price on all grades of containerboard by US$50/ton, effective with January shipments
- Forestweb North American Packaging Index unchanged again in November
- Pulp markets stable worldwide in December, with a few producers pushing for price hikes; hardwood still particularly tight
- Tembec looking to restart Chetwynd, British Columbia, high-yield pulp mill on Jan. 1
- GP to permanently shut down secondary fiber plant, PM No. 8 and tissue converting lines at Day Street mill in Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Weyerhaeuser announces US$20/tonne fluff pulp price increase in North America and Europe, effective Dec. 1
- Forestweb North American Publishing Papers Index adds another gain in November
- U.S. newspapers' problems with their print business model will soon affect other countries, says CEO of Hispanic newspaper publisher ImpreMedia
- Book publishers, retailers team up for BooksAreGreatGifts campaign that encourages holiday shoppers to buy, give books
November 30th, 2009
- Tembec to review strategic options for its Tarascon and Saint-Gaudens pulp mills in France, including possible sale; mills have combined capacity of 565,000 tonnes/year
- IP's sale plans fall through for closed paper mill in Gardiner, Oregon, after potential buyer fails to secure funds for deposit
- AbitibiBowater to save C$2.3M a year with sale of closed Belgo pulp and paper mill in Shawinigan, Quebec
- International pulp prices expected to continue to increase due to China's substantial influence on the market, says Stora Enso executive
- GP announces containerboard price increases for January in U.S
- U.S. OCC markets firm in November; December likely to remain flat but ocean freight rate hikes could pull down prices if demand drops significantly
- IP's Shorewood Packaging cuts 33 jobs at its Danville, Virginia, plant because of low customer demand, eliminates one of four printing presses
- U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg still evaluating Tester's wilderness bill; says he wants to make sure proposed legislation will result in an increase in logging in Montana
November 23rd, 2009
- U.S. paperboard production falls 6.2% year-over-year in October, up 2.3% to 25,100 tons compared with September -- AF&PA
- U.S. corrugated box shipments fall 7.9% in October; inventories at 15-year low; price hike plan in the works
- U.S. corrugated box shipments fall 7.9% in October; inventories at 15-year low; price hike plan in the works
- U.S. containerboard production down 3.5% year-over-year in October, up 3.7% over September -- AF&PA
- No big hurdles for pulp producers in global markets as year draws to close; China could see further price increases in December
- October North American coated paper production down 16.4% from a year ago; shipments up slightly, inventories down
- Workers strike Sappi's coated paper mill in Kirkniemi, Finland, in protest over job cuts
- Bill launched in U.S. House to lock in alternative fuel tax credit for paper mills' black liquor fuel
- Chinese paper and paperboard imports in October fall 15.3% and 11.7%, respectively, from previous month, China Customs reports
- U.S. newspaper advertising revenue down 28% in Q3 to US$6.4B, reports NAA; revenue has declined year-over-year for 13 straight quarters
- The Proper Care And Feeding Of Your Customers
November 16th, 2009
- No letup in tight pulp supply as producers push for further global price increases in November; hardwood supply remains especially snug
- NewPage in talks with city of Niagara, Wisconsin, to sell part of shuttered paper mill site for US$1, says mayor
- Paper and paperboard production in China improves in September and through first three quarters; January-September pulp imports increase 40.2% year-over-year
- USPS announces 2010 parcel rate changes, targets small-package shippers with products based on cubic volume, half-pound pricing
- Domtar plans to sell remainder of about C$150M in unidentified assets in Ontario, Quebec
- AbitibiBowater must establish solid business plan before Quebec decides what form of investment it will make into company, says province official
- Sears announces new sustainable paper procurement policy to increase sourcing of environmentally-preferred paper for its catalogs, retail circulars, direct mail and internal paper usage
- Star Tribune partners with CarSoup.com to sell vehicles online, replaces newspaper's current car-selling site that was developed by staff
- U.S. wood products companies, associations form coalition under American Wood Council to work on building codes and standards, green building policy issues, regulations affecting manufacturers
November 2, 2009
- Tembec announces Nov. 1 softwood, hardwood, and high-yield pulp price increases for various markets
- Forestweb North American Packaging Index unchanged in October
- Future unclear for IP's containerboard mill in Albany, Oregon, after permanent shutdown in December; IP says it won't sell to competitors
- Revised: November global pulp price increase plans gel, for varied amounts depending on the market and grade
- AbitibiBowater announces US$30/tonne price increases for North America for all grades of pulp, effective Nov. 1
- September U.S. paper and paperboard production drops 1.7% from August despite gains in printing and writing shipments
- Sappi to increase hardwood pulp prices by US$25/tonne in North America on Nov. 1
- U.S. printing-writing paper shipments fall 11% year-over-year in September, 19% year to date -- AF&PA
- Albert Lea, Minnesota, approves US$200,000 loan for local corrugated container converter Interstate Packaging's US$300,000-plus equipment upgrade
- Enhance Your Listening Skills Improve Communications and Increase Sales
October 26,2009
- International Paper to raise global fluff pulp prices by US$30/tonne on Nov. 1
- Revised: New round of global pulp prices announced for Nov. 1 as supply remains tight; demand steady overall
- North American uncoated freesheet capacity dropping by 7% next year as major producers close further capacity to adjust to lower demand
- Marcal Papers calls on Congress to eliminate black liquor credit; payout is 'deplorable' given state of economy, says CEO
- M-real reports pre-tax Q3 loss of €72M, compared with Q2 loss of €97M and Q3 2008 loss of €45M; CEO cites pickup in demand, especially for paperboard, and improved profitability of consumer packaging
- North American inventories of printing/writing papers drop by 6.8% in September over August; shipments up 4.2% month-over-month but down 9.2% year-over-year -- PPPC
- IP to permanently close its Franklin, Virginia, paper mill, Pineville, Louisiana, and Albany, Oregon, containerboard mills, will reduce company's annual paper and board production by 2.1 million tons
- After deep cuts, newspapers not necessarily bulking up any part of their business, from newsroom to carriers, when economy rebounds, say analysts
- Xerox's Q3 earnings fall 52% to US$123M as businesses hold back spending, sales fall 16%; company boosts 2009 adjusted profit forecast on cost-cutting moves
- Nearly a dozen conservation groups appealing to USDA to stop two Tongass timber sales, plan to run advertisement this week and next in Washington, D.C., publications CongressDaily and Politico
October 19th, 2009
- Covington Paperworkers appears to have won third union vote at MWV paperboard mill in Covington, Virginia
- M-real increases folding boxboard prices in Europe by €70/tonne to cover cost inflation, rising pulp price, effective Dec. 1
- Revised: Strengthened currencies in some major pulp export countries, along with short supply, could lead to further price increase efforts
- U.S. pulp and paper companies could realize US$25B-US$50B over three years under new black liquor-related cellulosic biofuel producer tax credit
- Revised: North American printing and writing paper shipments up in September from August; declines continue to moderate--PPPC
- U.S. International Trade Commission holds preliminary hearing on coated paper case against China, Indonesia; USW VP testifies on far-reaching damage caused by mill shutdowns, lost jobs
- IP's Oct. 1 price increase plans also include US$20/tonne for fluff pulp, to US$810/tonne for North America and Europe
- Chinese paper and paperboard output rose 8.3% January-August versus a year ago; pulp production jumps in August
- Impact unknown of NewPage's indefinite shutdown of PM No. 63 at pulp and paper mill in Whiting, Wisconsin; company blames market for downtime
- USPS tells businesses it will not increase rates next year for categories such as first-class, standard mail, periodicals and single-piece parcel post
- Print catalogs continue to be revenue-driver for retailers, with 17 billion catalogs mailed in the U.S. last year, but environmental concerns increasingly being addressed
October 12th, 2009
- Labor Board slates second union representation vote at MeadWestvaco's Covington, Virginia, paperboard mill after last vote ruled too close to call
- U.S. paper-based packaging industry launches campaign 'The Responsible Package' highlighting sustainable solutions with paperboard, corrugated and paper bag products
- Revised: Pulp prices climbing mostly by US$30-US$50/tonne in October amid ongoing tight supply, but slowing reported in some markets
- Canada says 24 pulp and paper companies have qualified for funding under C$1B Green Transformation Program; can expect funding for approved capital projects by early 2010
- Renew Paper refutes rumor on closing, says it will keep former Tembec paper mill operating in St. Francisville, Louisiana
- European papermakers will exit economic crisis in better state after making cuts, though some will be less well-equipped than others, says UPM chair
- Congressional Timber Caucus formed in U.S. House of Representatives that will work to advocate for federal policies that benefit timber and forest products industry
- AbitibiBowater likely to be a transformed company after it emerges from bankruptcy protection, but exact specifics open for debate
- USPS announces that 371 retail stations, branches remain under consideration for possible consolidation, after examining 3,600 this summer as part of review process
- Trade Show Leads What to do with all the leads you get from events
October 5th, 2009
- Labor Board to schedule runoff election between unions at MWV paperboard mill in Covington, Virginia, after ruling that Wednesday's three-vote margin was too slim
- Report: U.S. folding paperboard box manufacturing industry earns US$11.5B in 2008 revenue, with estimated gross profit of 22%; import valued at US$600M from 66 countries
- AF&PA: U.S. paper and paperboard production rises slightly from July to August as industry continues to operate at 85% of capacity
- Norpac in Longview, Washington, producing the paper for another top-selling Dan Brown book; company says book projects could offset declining newsprint sales
- Sappi to delist from London Stock Exchange on Nov. 2; 'low trading volumes do not warrant' listing and associated costs, says CEO
- Sappi raising Oct. 1 hardwood pulp prices by US$50/tonne in North America
- Report: Chinese papermaking industry's total revenue in H1 falls 19.3% to US$3.27B and net profit plummets 82.9% to US$57.6M due to financial crisis
- U.S. paper and paperboard production fell 4.9% in 2008 to 88.4 million tons -- the lowest level in 15 years: AF&PA
- Survey: Paper mail ranks No. 1 at 57% among alumni for information, solicitations from colleges, universities; e-mail comes in at 31%
- Import declarations for certain wood products required under amended U.S. Lacey Act bring transparency that will help in global fight against illegal logging, says Environmental Investigation Agency
September 21rst, 2009
- Canfor Pulp announces US$30/tonne NBSK price increases for U.S. and Asia, effective Oct. 1
- Revised: October pulp price announcements getting underway as world markets show continued strength
- Manitoba appoints mediator in Tembec labor dispute at newsprint mill in Pine Falls
- Taiwanese company to invest US$360M to produce stone paper in Kunming, China
- AbitibiBowater plans to shut down or reduce paper production at five operations in Canada and the U.S. starting Oct. 31
- Domtar's closed paper mill in Port Edwards, Wisconsin, attracts recent inquiries, several from alternative energy producers
- NewPage prices private placement offering of US$1.7B in aggregate principal amount of 11.375% senior secured notes due 2014
- U.S. kraft paper shipments rise 7.8% in August compared to July, although inventory remains flat -- AF&PA
- NewPage agrees to pay US$26,000 for violating state air pollution control laws at its Wood County, Wisconsin, pulp and paper mill in 2006
- BEING UNIQUE IS A GOOD THING... ISN'T IT? C.J. Hayden, MCC
September 14th, 2009
- Lee & Man Paper sees 15% increase in sales in recent months thanks to domestic demand and recovering economy, considers starting up three idled PMs
- M-real increases coated and uncoated white top kraftliner prices by US$87/tonne in continental Europe and by US$72/tonne in U.K.
- Global softwood and hardwood pulp markets stable and strong in September, with similar conditions expected over next couple of months
- Wausau Paper raising global coated paper prices by 3%
- Sappi adds to US$40/ton coated freesheet grade price increase announcements for U.S., with hike taking effect immediately
- APP has no immediate plans to expand its two Indonesian pulp mills, would do so only if company secured sustainably produced timber
- NewPage plans two-week shutdown of paper machine at Rumford, Maine, mill, starting Sept. 18
- Delays for restart of M-real's 310,000 tonnes/year hardwood pulp mill in Alizay, France, and for hardwood pulp line at APRIL's Kerinci, Indonesia, complex
- Minneapolis newspaper Star Tribune plans to launch paid Web site for Minnesota Vikings coverage in a few weeks
- Governments of Canada, British Columbia invest C$14M in jobs; funding supports creation of more than 470 jobs for laid-off resource workers
September 1rst, 2009
- Forestweb North American Packaging Index again unchanged
- RockTenn plans to invest US$4M this year in Solvay Paperboard mill in Syracuse, New York
- Prices for high grades of recovered paper remain on upward trend in U.S. in August; sluggish domestic demand offset by severe lack of supply
- Pulp producers seeking mostly US$40/tonne increases in September, with talk of another hike in October as supply remains snug
- AbitibiBowater to run PM No. 6 at Fort Frances, Ontario, paper mill for three weeks to fill orders, to upgrade PM No. 5 for C$4.6M
- Forestweb North American Pulp Index moves higher in August
- Forestweb North American Communication Papers Index drops in August
- Forestweb North American Publishing Papers Index drops again in August
- U.S. black liquor credits for 21 companies total $2.85B through H1 2009; most receipts going to repay debt
- Domtar announces Sept. 1 US$40/tonne increase for hardwood pulp for North America
- Chinese prices up for coated paper, offset paper, pulp, wastepaper; but containerboard, newsprint prices fall
August 24th 2009
- Caraustar emerges from Chapter 11 as a newly reorganized private company after reducing US$135M in debt
- U.S. corrugated box shipments drop 9.4% in July year-over-year, as manufacturing gains fail to boost demand
- Update: Pulp producers make flurry of Sept. 1 price-hike plans, mostly of US$40/tonne, but market described as 'overheated'
- Tembec announces worldwide US$40/tonne increase for high-yield pulp, effective immediately for new orders
- Domtar to increase Sept. 1 NBSK pulp price in major markets, including US$40/tonne increase in North America
- World pulp producer stocks remain at 29 days; year-over-year shipments are positive for second straight month
- APP outlines environmental efforts in China for 2009 following allegations of illegal practices
- Finnish paper union leader says strike being considered in response to Stora Enso's announcement of closures, job cuts
- Domtar announces US$40/tonne increase on uncoated offset and opaque papers for U.S., effective Sept. 14
- Acquiring New Business The differences between a lead and a referral
August 17th, 2009
- K-C recognizes Tembec as a Supplier of the Year for leadership in providing FSC-certified pulp
- Pulp players already looking to September price hikes as early announcers plan worldwide US$50/tonne push
- AbitibiBowater to idle Mersey Paper mill in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, for another six weeks
- Sun Paper sells equity of three companies for US$54.5M to replenish its current capital, ease fund shortages for current projects
- Global paper demand to shrink in North America, Western Europe but will increase in Eastern Europe, Asia over next 15 years, according to new RISI report
- Shares fall Friday for packaging makers Graphic Packaging, Temple-Inland and IP in afternoon trading, along with broader market
- PaperWorks announces US$40/ton price increase for its MasterWorks coated and uncoated paperboard product line due to rising costs, effective Sept. 14
- Graphic Packaging announces US$40/ton price increase for its coated recycled board, uncoated recycled board to offset escalating recycled fiber costs
- U.S. publisher Cengage Learning becomes first to rent college textbooks directly to students; rentals would cost 40%-70% less than suggested retail price
- Quebecor World changes name to World Color Press upon emergence from creditor protection, narrows Q2 net loss to C$59.5M
August 10th, 2009
- K-C's 'truce' with Greenpeace to produce products with still as much as 60% virgin fiber a disappointment, does not go far enough, says Marcal Paper CEO
- North Carolina officials reject giving Domtar US$10M to retool its Plymouth paper mill to turn loblolly pine trees into the absorbent fluff used in diapers
- Seven papermakers in China's Ningxia region face noncompliance with new environmental standard, which threatens to phase out some paper firms
- China outpaces U.S. to become world's top paper and paperboard producer in 2008, producing 79.8 million tonnes compared with U.S. at 79.6 million tonnes
- AbitibiBowater to slash annual capacity in Canada by 1 million tonnes, says union; restructuring process continues cost-cutting strategy
- Verso's Q2 loss narrows to US$10.2M on cost savings, US$37.8M from alternative fuel tax credits; sales down 34% to US$298.1M
- K-C announces stronger fiber sourcing standards, won't purchase any non-FSC-certified fiber from Canadian boreal forest by end of 2011; Greenpeace to end its 'Kleercut' campaign
- FOEX: NBSK, BHKP prices increase again across Europe, U.S. and China; euro-denominated prices also show gains
- Taking Care Of Customers Is Taking Care Of Business By Harvey Mackay Mackay Mitchell Envelope Company
August 3rd, 2009
- Update: Global pulp markets strong going into August, with producers of all major grades setting price increases
- Kruger reducing Quebec paper mills' output by one to three weeks in August and September amid weak paper demand, strengthened Canadian dollar
- Former Tembec paper mill near St. Francisville, Louisiana, reopens under new owner following two-year shutdown; operation renamed Renew Paper
- Sappi reports fiscal Q3 operating loss of US$7M as average selling price dips 9%, although pulp market improves 'significantly' in demand, price late in the quarter
- KapStone's Q2 earnings more than double to US$18.1M as sales spike 130% to US$156.5M fueled by acquisition of MWV's Charleston Kraft Division
- Tribune could exit bankruptcy by end of 2009, says CEO Zell after newspaper publisher asks court for more time to complete its reorganization plan
- Time Warner magazine publishing group's Q2 revenue falls 22% to US$915M amid 26% drop in advertising, 18% decline in subscriptions
- MWV to permanently close No. 2 PM within two months, eliminate 70 positions at its Evadale, Texas, 705,000 tons/year SBS paperboard mill
- MWV repackages business model, moves away from low-margin timberland, paperboard to more upstream packaging
- Signs of life in U.S. housing market not enough to reopen British Columbia lumber mills
- Selling Is About Helping People What did you want to be when you grew up?
July 27th, 2009
- PPPC: Year-over-year decline in North American printing and writing paper shipments eases a bit in June; uncoated papers not as depressed as coated grades
- China's fine paper, packaging paper, wastepaper and pulp seeing upward trend in prices during week of July 13-17
- Update: Week ends with more Aug. 1 pulp price increase plans for major world markets; tightened supplies aiding efforts
- Update: Domtar, Mercer, Canfor Pulp add to Aug. 1 US$30/tonne NBSK pulp price hike announcements for North America; Canfor Pulp announces up US$30/tonne for Europe
- Stora Enso to take downtime at unprofitable paper mills in Finland in Q3, says CEO, citing ongoing cost competitiveness issues
- M-real reports operating loss of US$104M as sales slip amid weak market conditions; despite losses, company 'pleased' with ability to keep operating cash flow neutral, says CEO
- China's Ningbo Port sees 16.7% decline in H1 value of pulp, paper, and paper products imports and exports
- RR Donnelley to move its stock exchange listing in the U.S. from NYSE to NASDAQ Global Select Market, effective Aug. 5
- http://www.forestweb.com/iiPublisher/read.cfm?p=126&xid=1696720416
- Forestweb North American Packaging Index unchanged in July
July 20th, 2009
- Global pulp prices continue to show strength in July, with further price hikes planned in China for August
- Coated paper production in North America down 25.1% year-over-year in June; inventories creep up 10,000 tonnes as demand falls 28.2%
- AbitibiBowater to shut pulp and paper mill in Fort Frances, Ontario, for one week
- Converter Corenso proactive with new product line, new paper converter in US$35M expansion at coreboard mill in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
- Newspaper stocks soar on Gannett's better-than-expected Q2 earnings, signal that industry may be near its economic bottom
- Survey: Consumers cite newspaper advertising as leading medium in planning, shopping and making purchasing decisions; 82% say inserts have spurred them to action in past month
- U.S. book manufacturer Courier swings to fiscal Q3 earnings of US$1.6M as recession continues to dampen book sales; expects stronger Q4 results
- Report: North American commercial printing shipments in May down 9.4% to US$7.3B, hit by decreases in corporate communications budgets, increased postal costs and further shifts to digital media
- U.S. containerboard production flat in June compared to last year, but up 5.5% from May -- AF&PA
- Report: U.S. paperboard container manufacturing industry's revenue totals US$48.4B in 2008, with estimated gross profit of 17.49%
- Crumby Customer Service Selma's Cookies could learn some lessons
July 13th, 2009
- Update: Global pulp market holding as supplies remain snug and demand is steady, encouraging price hike efforts
- South Africa's Sappi and Mondi remain stubborn on wage offer for pulp and paper workers, trade union Solidarity says
- Temporary curtailment at Tembec's Kapuskasing, Ontario, site will remove 11,000 tonnes of newsprint from market; 510 workers affected across newsprint, sawmill, forestry operations
- Production, mechanical workers at NewPage's Luke, Maryland, paper mill ratify four-year contract; deal covers 700 of mill's nearly 1,000 employees
- Louisiana Gov. Jindal signs into law a tax break to benefit paper mills, logging industry
- Canada facing end of its forest products industry if changes aren't enacted, says professor; goal shouldn't be to make other products, but to focus on return on investments
- Lexmark survey: 75% of global consumers feel guilty about printing unnecessary pages; more education needed on printing best practices
- Direct mail budgets take hit in 2009, according to survey of chief marketing officers; factors could include high cost, low ROI and consumers' shift to online
- Nielsen: Print media hardest hit by economic crisis, declining in all regions, especially North America where Q1 ad spending for magazines, newspapers fell 22.2% and 15.6%, respectively
June 29th, 2009
- PPPC: North American printing and writing paper shipments down 21.3% year-over-year in May, domestic demand plummets 22.6%
- Louisiana's House approves tax breaks for paper mills, other businesses; vote goes to Senate on Thursday
- Suzano announces BEK price increases for July 1 in Asia and North America; European customers notified June 19 of BEK hike to take effect on that date with new business
- China's wastepaper markets seeing big differences in price quotes June 15-19, with some customers hesitant to accept price increases
- Tembec to extend curtailment of its Pine Falls, Manitoba, newsprint mill by additional three weeks; cites market conditions, U.S. black liquor tax credits
- U.S. newsprint market doldrums continue to weigh on ONP supply and demand in June
- North American coated paper mills cut output by 43.4% in May as demand declined by 30.5% year-over-year, PPPC reports
- Assn. of American Publishers: Book sales fall 17% to US$388.4M in March, down 6.8% for the year; adult paperbacks sink 35.8% in March while e-books jump 110.4%
- Quebecor World to invest US$35.2M in expanding facility, production capability in Frederick County, Virginia; will create 30 jobs, retain 150 others
- Sell Me This Pencil focus on customer needs, not your product’s features
June 15th, 2009
- Global pulp markets continue to gain strength on short supply and producer initiatives; more price hikes planned
- Two senators release legislative draft to eliminate black liquor 'loophole' for pulp and paper companies; say proposal is meant to clarify original intent of alternative fuel tax rebate
- MWV to lay off 65 workers -- 43% of work force -- from its envelope facility in Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Tembec to idle its Skookumchuck, British Columbia, pulp mill for at least two weeks beginning June 29, citing U.S. black liquor tax credit, market conditions
- California Gov. Schwarzenegger launches initiative to see if state's 6 million public school students can use more online materials, possibly saving millions per year in textbook purchases
- Print could be losing some of its stronghold on fashion, beauty advertisers as they venture into digital and other media, but major shift yet to be seen
- Canadian government plans C$1B lifeline to rescue pulp producers, offset U.S. black liquor subsidies
- Microsoft no longer provides corrugated package for Xbox 360 customers to send back their broken consoles
- Report: Global aseptic packaging has grown by 6% annually since 2003; cartons account for 75% of market, but losing share as pouches, PET bottles become more popular
- Minnesota bans movement of firewood to state parks, forests to fight spread of emerald ash borer
- Minnesota's Bois Forte tribe to get US$3.25M in USDA grants and loans that will help build biomass energy plant to use forest residues
June 8th, 2009
- Pulp prices moving up in June in major world markets; currency changes affecting market strategies
- Price declines, poor performances from self-made pulp some of the problems for top Chinese papermakers, says report on Q1 overview of nation's paper industry
- South Africa's Sappi sees its debt downgraded by Moody's in wake of poor markets
- IP plans market-related temporary shutdowns of paper machines at mill in Georgetown, South Carolina
- Canada's forest products sector wants auto-style bailout to offset U.S. black liquor subsidy to pulp producers
- Tembec to curtail Pine Falls, Manitoba, newsprint operations for at least three weeks starting June 16, losing 11,000 tonnes of output; 300 employees affected
- Update: U.S. paper and paperboard production drops 16.3% year-over-year in April as mills run at 80% of capacity
- Domtar raises tender cap from US$250M to US$400M in tender offer for its 7.875% notes due 2011
- Star Tribune, Teamsters agree to postpone bankruptcy court hearing on newspaper's request to cancel unionized drivers' contract, says union official
- Report: North American commercial printing shipments in April down 9.8% to US$7.5B; shipments down 8.8% for first four months of 2009
- Direct Marketing Association: USPS' approval of summer sale helps industry's entire supply chain; direct mail, catalogs accounted for US$56B of advertising spending last year
June 1rst, 2009
- World pulp producers pushing for higher June prices in key markets, citing tightened supply, currency issues
- Wastepaper market in U.S. seems to be bottoming out for bulk grades due to strong export activity; decline in high grades almost nil
- Tembec raising softwood kraft pulp prices in U.S., Asia, and Europe
- Suzano announces higher prices of eucalyptus pulp for June business, up US$20/tonne in North America and US$30/tonne in Asia
- APP launches Web site on its commitment to a sustainably managed pulp and paper supply chain, addresses claims about company
- Forestweb North American Packaging Index declines in May
- Murdoch: Newspapers will be read mainly on digital devices in 10-15 years
- Fitch downgrades R.H. Donnelley's debt ratings to 'D' from 'C' after publisher files for bankruptcy court protection
- Hunting Monkeys Solving what’s really bothering your customers
May 18th, 2009
- Further global pulp price hikes announced worldwide last week but ongoing weak demand in Europe and U.S. skew market fundamentals
- Fire extinguished at NewPage paper mill wood room in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
- PPPC: North American newsprint inventories trimmed in April, but analysts say further capacity cuts needed as U.S. consumption plummets 29.4% year-over-year
- PPPC: North American coated mechanical demand drops 30.4% in April; shipments at 67% of capacity
- Four Canadian cabinet ministers, three MPs have offices occupied by CEP workers in campaign for Canadian government's attention over forest sector crisis
- USPS official calls catalog industry's business model 'broken;' says postage rate is hurting sector that has seen steep declines
- Major magazine publishers ramp up their Web sites to bring in new subscribers, considering it a less expensive alternative to direct mail
- McDonald's Europe aims to produce all packaging from renewable sources by 2010, among other green packaging initiatives worldwide
- Demand for reusable plastic containers continues to expand on labor reductions, safety improvements, reduced damage and ROI benefits over paperboard packaging, according to workshop
May 11th, 2009
- Tembec launches its new flyer on FSC products
- Kallima 15 and 18pt Blanks are back
- Neenah Paper to permanently close its 35,000 tonnes/year fine paper mill in Ripon, Calif., says move will reduce costs, simplify supply chain
- Several smaller-scale U.S. pulp and paper producers considering coalition aimed at retaining black liquor credit into 2010, limited to US$25M per facility
- RR Donnelley's Lancaster, Pa., operation named Best Buy's top-performing print facility for fiscal year 2009
- Quad/Graphics to cut 140 positions from its prepress and equipment manufacturing operations; cites reduction in orders, advertising expenditures
- Consolidated Graphics swings to US$15.9M loss in fiscal Q4, compared with US$13.1M earnings last year, from lower revenues and competitive pressures
- Jamba Juice introduces cup carriers, lids and other packaging made from recycled material; reduces amount of corrugated paperboard for bulk shipping
- Cenveo to acquire Nashua in US$44.4M deal that strengthens its position in pharmaceutical and shelf label market
- Paper cup manufacturers seek sustainable solutions for single-use coffee cups as billions are discarded each year
May 4th, 2009
- Global pulp markets and prices stable to strengthening in May as supplies firm, but many uncertainties remain
- U.S. paper and paperboard production continues lower, falling by 17.6% in March; uncoated freesheet fares best among paper grades
- BC Hydro to increase purchase of electricity from Tembec's Skookumchuck, B.C., pulp mill under agreement extension; turns power generation from collateral activity into a 'second business' at mill
- After touching bottom last year, Chinese paper market gradually recovers as stocks return to normal levels
- S&P: IP's ratings and outlook remain unchanged despite improved free cash flow in Q1
- Domtar reports Q1 loss of US$45M as pulp prices continue to fall; gains US$46M from black liquor tax credit for the quarter
- Verizon Yellow Pages publisher Idearc files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, plans to implement debt restructuring plan
- Publishers increasingly favor trade paperbacks over hardcover books as smarter business model, cheaper format amid economic downturn
- CardPak joins National Paperboard Packaging Council in outreach program that highlights sustainability of paperboard packaging
- 7 Steps to Successful New Client Meetings
April 27th, 2009
- Additional pulp producers planning May price increases in Asia and Europe, as China drives market momentum
- PPPC: No letup in North American newsprint consumption decline; publisher inventories continue to drop, mill inventories still gaining
- U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe urges Congress to retain black liquor tax credit, says it's crucial to 'survival of the paper industry'
- EU defends approval of deal for South Africa's Sappi to buy graphic paper arm of Finland's M-real
- NewPage resumes production at its Duluth, Minn., paper mill following four-day market shut
- http://www.forestweb.com/iiPublisher/read.cfm?p=126&xid=1540343112
- USPS offers 30% summer rebate for mailers of more than 1 million standard letters; marketers more upbeat they can take advantage of discount
- Star Tribune, union reach tentative three-year agreement that cuts base wage scales by 3% and merit pay by 30%, calls for two days of unpaid furlough
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel employees' union approves 6.6% pay cut for members in exchange for no-layoffs guarantee through Sept. 30
- If U.S. leaves black liquor subsidy in place then Canada will have to hand out C$1.8B to forest sector or risk losing pulp mills, sawmilling industry, says analyst
- Clearwater Paper to lay off 50 employees for a week at Lewiston, Idaho, site, as company temporarily idles one of two paperboard machines
- MeadWestvaco's April 1 shutdown time for paper machine in Evadale, Texas, could run longer than a month, depending on paperboard demand
April 20th, 2009
- More reports of strengthening pulp prices in certain global markets as customers start replenishing low inventories
- K-C says 98% of wood fiber used globally comes from certified forests as part of green initiatives outlined in its 2008 sustainability report
- Fire put out at Wausau Paper's Mosinee, Wis., mill; no injuries reported
- Canadian government so far not responding to pulp and paper industry's calls for action to counter U.S. forest industry's 'black liquor' tax credit, magazine reports
- Tembec sells its idled St. Francisville, La., coated paper mill for C$16M to West Feliciana Acquisition
- AbitibiBowater says proposed C$100M loan from Quebec will provide additional short-term liquidity, support business continuity
- [http://www.forestweb.com/iiPublisher/read.cfm?p=126&xid=1527610272
- American Greetings sells retail stores to Schurman Fine Papers and purchases division that supplies Papyrus brand greeting cards
- B-to-B publication ad pages plunge 27% in January, while revenues fall 21%, says data; worst-performing categories in 2008 include health care, government and media
- Global containers and packaging market generates US$429.1B in 2008 total revenues, representing compound annual growth rate of 3.1% for 2004-2008 period, report finds
- Wood Fiber Costs Fell in the US South and the US Northwest in the 1Q/09 as Pulpmills were Taking Extensive Downtime, Reports WRI
April 13th, 2009
- Pulp price increase efforts in Asia and Europe making headway as global markets show some stability--at least for now
- Canfor Pulp LP raising April aspen BCTMP price in South Korea by US$20/tonne, to US$510/tonne
- FOEX: Printing paper prices in Europe rise; newsprint in U.S. plummets
- MWV closes promotional products division at its Sidney, N.Y., facility; will lay off 106 workers
- Survey: Custom publishing faring well in recent years as 93% are familiar with at least one title; print still preferred medium in custom publishing
- 3M receives SFI certification across all of its Post-it Note and Post-it Easel products that ship out of U.S.-based facilities
- Forest industry analysts expect a restructured AbitibiBowater would survive but shrink its scale
- China's Shanying Paper's 2008 profit plummets 93.3% to US$585,000 on rising costs, market shrinkage
- Initial push for paperboard CD packaging to replace polystyrene-based jewel boxes waning amid challenges in standardization, falling U.S. album sales
- Quebecor World Announces General Agreement With Creditors
- New Kallima Enviro Brochure
March 29, 2009
- http://www.forestweb.com/iiPublisher/read.cfm?p=126&xid=1505630160Banks boost direct mail that cross-sell products to existing customers by 57% in 2008, Mintel reports; direct mail sent to noncustomers up 7%
- Quebecor World narrows Q4 loss from continuing operations to C$654M after reducing costs, work force in 2008
- Postmaster general says USPS will run out of money this year without help from Congress; asks for reduced mail delivery, changes to retiree health benefits
- Logging contractors in Thunder Bay, Ont., area are selling firewood to supplement their income until economic conditions improve
- Chinese paper prices begin to change in economy that's picking up, but unclear economic outlook in Europe and U.S. lead to mixed prices
- U.S. pulp mills industry's 2008 revenue at US$4.6B, with estimated gross profit of 28%, report finds; imports valued at US$3.9B from 30 countries while exports total US$5B to 113 nations
- Wastepaper import from Russia to China's Heihe Port soars 87.7% in value to US$5.3M in early 2009 thanks to growing wastepaper demand, zero tariff policy
- PaperlinX's sale of Australian Paper to Nippon Paper receives approval from key Australian regulatory board
- AbitibiBowater idles PMs No. 5 and No. 7 for two weeks, extends PM No. 6 shut for one month in Fort Frances, Ont., over poor market conditions
- NewPage in coalition of U.S. manufacturers of energy-intensive products seeking protection from proposed climate bill; US$162B could be lost in exports, says lawmaker
- Dead Man Talking
March 20, 2009
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