Worldwide Pulp & Paper Industry News
October 22 - 29, 2026
This is a material-story roundup rather than a claim that literally every minor paper industry and supplier announcement worldwide was found. Also check Pulp & Paper Radio International (www.ipulpradio.com) for press releases every Wednesday afternoon.
1. United States
1. International Paper doubles North American packaging operating profit to $427 million
International Paper reported third-quarter 2026 results showing North American packaging operating profit of $427 million, approximately double the prior-year level. The results reflect pricing, operational performance and cost initiatives. The company continues to pursue its strategic restructuring, including plans involving its European, Middle Eastern and African packaging operations.
2. PCA reports strong third-quarter earnings as corrugated shipments increase
Packaging Corporation of America reported strong third-quarter 2026 results, supported by pricing and sales. Corrugated products shipments increased 10.6% per day and in total compared with the third quarter of 2025. The results point to robust demand for corrugated packaging and improved commercial performance.
3. Sonoco reports third-quarter results amid demand and inflation pressures
Sonoco's third-quarter results reflected challenges from drought-related reductions in food-can demand, inflation and changing business conditions. The company continues to operate across consumer packaging and industrial paper packaging. Its results provide an important indicator of demand and profitability in paper-based industrial packaging and broader packaging markets.
4. Clearwater Paper reports higher selling prices and third-quarter results
Clearwater Paper reported third-quarter 2026 results, citing stronger average selling prices compared with the second quarter. The company said its first announced price increase had been implemented successfully and that commercial initiatives were progressing. The results offer a current measure of conditions in its paperboard and tissue-related businesses.
5. Georgia-Pacific commits $150 million to Palatka tissue machine
Georgia-Pacific announced an approximately $150 million investment to modernize a strategic tissue machine at its Palatka, Florida, mill. The machine produces paper used in Angel Soft bath tissue. The project is intended to strengthen production capabilities and preserve an important asset within the company's consumer tissue manufacturing network.
6. UFP Industries acquires Apache Products for $27 million
UFP Industries agreed to acquire Apache Products for $27 million, strengthening its position in the Gulf Coast pallet market. The transaction expands its wood-products network and logistics capabilities. It also illustrates continuing consolidation among manufacturers and distributors serving industrial packaging, pallet and material-handling customers.
7. Central National Gottesman expands Midwest distribution through Omaha Paper acquisition
CNG's Lindenmeyr Munroe division announced an acquisition of Nebraska-based Omaha Paper Company, expanding its distribution presence in the Midwest. The transaction strengthens its paper distribution network and customer reach. The announcement was published October 21, just outside the requested period, so it is background rather than a new October 22–29 development.
Trade, regulation and industry policy
8. United States revises tariffs on Canadian paper and packaging
The United States removed the 50% surtax on Canadian corrugated boxes while retaining measures on selected paper and label products. The changes could affect cross-border packaging costs, sourcing decisions and competitive conditions for Canadian suppliers and U.S. converters. Producers should review the precise product classifications and applicable trade rules.
9. U.S. forest-sector employers gain flexibility under revised work-sharing rules
Canada's forest-sector association welcomed expanded federal Work-Sharing rules designed to help employers retain skilled workers and reduce layoffs during downturns. Although Canadian, the policy matters to North American forest products businesses facing volatile orders, operating costs and mill-utilization pressures.
2. Canada
10. Hivest Capital acquires Sustana, targeting recycled-fiber growth
Hivest Capital acquired Sustana, a North American producer of recycled fiber and paper, and appointed Kevin Richard as CEO. The ownership change brings a new investor focus to mill reliability, operating efficiency and recycled-fiber expansion. The transaction is relevant to recovered-paper markets and competition among sustainable-fiber suppliers.
11. Innofibre–UQTR researchers win award for cellulose packaging work
Researchers associated with Innofibre and the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières received a 2026 NSERC award for cellulose-packaging research involving Kruger. The recognition highlights work to develop fiber-based packaging technologies and strengthen collaboration between industry and academic research.
12. Södra strengthens U.S. pulp and timber sales with Boston office
Swedish forest-products cooperative Södra established a U.S. sales office near Boston and arranged logistics support for pulp and sawn-timber customers. The move is intended to improve customer service and commercial reach in North America. It represents a direct-sales approach for a European supplier serving U.S. forest-products markets.
13. Clearwater Paper plans additional maintenance downtime at Augusta mill
Clearwater Paper plans additional maintenance downtime at its Augusta, Georgia, mill in 2027 following equipment problems affecting pulp and recovery operations. Planned downtime can influence mill output, maintenance spending and regional supply availability. The announcement underscores the importance of reliability and recovery-system performance in integrated pulp and paper operations.
3. Latin America
14. Klabin posts R$5.57 billion in third-quarter revenue
Brazilian forest-products and packaging group Klabin reported third-quarter revenue of R$5.57 billion amid substantial cost pressures. The results provide an update on performance across pulp, paper, packaging and forest operations. Revenue alone does not establish profitability, making operating costs, debt and cash flow important indicators to watch.
15. CMPC advances its proposed $4.6 billion Natureza pulp complex
CMPC obtained a preliminary environmental license for its proposed Natureza pulp project in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The planned investment is approximately R$27 billion, or about US$4.6 billion. The licensing milestone advances development, but it should not be interpreted as final construction authorization or a completed financing commitment.
16. Greif acquires land for a new Brazilian manufacturing plant
Greif acquired 70,000 square metres of land for a new Brazilian plant after reaching a milestone of 22 presses. The acquisition points to further manufacturing expansion. Additional confirmed details about the facility's investment, capacity, product mix and construction timetable were not available in the cited summary.
17. Paraibuna Embalagens improves its position in Brazil's corrugated market
Paraibuna Embalagens reported progress in its position within Brazil's corrugated packaging sector despite a declining market. The development highlights the importance of customer mix, operating efficiency and commercial execution as box producers manage changing demand. Specific financial figures and market-share details require confirmation from the company's underlying announcement.
18. Karteck acquires CV Pack to expand production footprint
Karteck acquired CV Pack, adding a second production facility and creating opportunities for further investment. The transaction is a converting-sector consolidation story, potentially expanding capacity and customer coverage. The published summary did not specify the acquisition price, equipment involved or precise contribution to sales and earnings.
4. Europe
19. UPM reports strong cash flow amid third-quarter cost pressures
UPM reported third-quarter 2026 results characterized by strong cash flow but challenging market conditions, destocking and cost inflation. The company cited global uncertainty, high energy costs and cautious customer activity. The results provide insight into conditions across its pulp, paper, specialty materials and forest-products businesses.
20. Stora Enso partners with Shanshan Technology on sustainable anode materials
Stora Enso and Shanshan Technology entered a partnership to accelerate development and large-scale production of sustainable anode materials. The collaboration builds on the potential use of wood-derived carbon in battery applications, broadening the company's opportunities beyond conventional pulp, paper and packaging markets.
21. Valmet agrees to acquire Tieto's manufacturing execution system business
Valmet agreed to acquire Tieto's manufacturing execution system business, including the TIPS MES platform used in industrial process environments. The acquisition would expand Valmet's digital offering for pulp and paper producers and other process industries. Completion remains subject to the transaction's terms and applicable closing requirements.
22. SCA raises quarterly EBITDA 25% as kraftliner prices improve
Swedish forest-products group SCA reported sequential EBITDA growth of 25% to SEK 1.63 billion, supported by higher European kraftliner prices. The results point to improved profitability in packaging materials, although forestry costs, market demand and mill utilization remain important factors in sustaining the improvement.
23. Rottneros increases third-quarter pulp production 9%
Swedish pulp producer Rottneros increased third-quarter pulp production by 9%, while lower wood costs helped support EBITDA. The performance suggests improved production and input-cost conditions. Future results will depend on pulp prices, fiber procurement, energy expenses and demand from customers using market pulp.
24. Norske Skog reports uneven progress in containerboard ramp-up
Norske Skog reported slower-than-planned progress at its Golbey PM1 containerboard operation in France, while Bruck PM3 in Austria reached full capacity. The contrasting performance highlights the technical and commercial challenges involved in converting paper machines to new grades and achieving stable production.
25. James Cropper emphasizes specialist papermaking as a competitive advantage
James Cropper highlighted its specialist papermaking expertise as a strategic advantage in markets facing automation and changing customer requirements. The company's positioning reflects the continuing role of customized grades, technical knowledge and service in differentiating specialty paper producers from high-volume commodity manufacturers.
5. Asia, Middle East and other international markets
26. Elopak reports €308.4 million in third-quarter revenue
Elopak reported third-quarter revenue of €308.4 million. Its Americas business faced constraints associated with a shortage of board supplied by Nippon, highlighting the vulnerability of carton converters to upstream material availability. The results illustrate how paperboard supply interruptions can affect downstream packaging production and sales.
27. Smurfit Westrock reports $1.2 billion third-quarter EBITDA
Smurfit Westrock reported third-quarter EBITDA of approximately $1.2 billion, with North American containerboard demand described as strong. The results underscore the scale of its global packaging business and the importance of pricing, utilization and operating efficiency across integrated containerboard mills and corrugated converting facilities.
28. Archroma and JK Paper advance functional barrier packaging development
Archroma and JK Paper announced work to accelerate development of functional barrier materials for next-generation paper packaging. The collaboration addresses the challenge of adding performance characteristics to fiber-based products while maintaining their suitability for packaging applications. Commercial availability and detailed technical performance were not specified in the summary.
29. Stora Enso advances lignin-based battery material production in China
Stora Enso and Shanshan Technology are advancing plans for sustainable anode materials based on lignin-derived carbon. The work could open a higher-value outlet for forest biomass and pulp-industry by-products. The partnership reflects growing interest in integrating forest-products expertise with battery materials and energy-storage supply chains.
30. M.A.H.Y. Khoory plans new premium containerboard machine in Abu Dhabi
M.A.H.Y. Khoory announced plans for a new PM4 containerboard machine in Abu Dhabi, with an investment reported at AED 1 billion. The project targets premium containerboard production and further capacity development in the Gulf region, where demand for corrugated packaging is supported by industrial and consumer markets.
31. Hotpack acquires Pride Packaging to enter Oman's corrugated market
Hotpack acquired Pride Packaging in a transaction reported at $15 million. The acquisition will support corrugated-board manufacturing in Oman, extending Hotpack's packaging footprint. The deal represents another example of regional packaging companies investing in local production to serve industrial customers and reduce reliance on outside suppliers.
6. Converting plants, packaging suppliers and equipment
32. Tricel Honeycomb acquires Verticel product line from Hexacomb
Tricel Honeycomb acquired the Verticel manufacturing operations, brand, trademark and customer list from Packaging Corporation of America's Hexacomb division. The transaction expands Tricel's structural paper-core business and adds product and customer relationships. Financial terms were not disclosed in the available announcement.
33. Outlook Group acquires Pewaukee facility to expand specialty converting
Outlook Group acquired a facility in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, to expand its conductive-film and specialty-label capabilities. The addition creates opportunities for greater production flexibility and a broader product offering. The announcement did not provide the purchase price, incremental capacity or a detailed timeline for integration.
34. Edale secures new Latin American installation at Colombian converter Impreac
Edale secured a CartonLine FL5 installation at Colombian converter Impreac. The equipment investment supports folding-carton production and the company's expansion in Latin America. It also illustrates continuing demand for modern converting equipment as packaging producers seek higher productivity and greater flexibility across shorter production runs.
35. Etilisa adds eighth ABG Digicon line to increase embellishment capacity
Etilisa added an eighth 430-millimetre ABG Digicon line to expand label embellishment capacity. The investment supports finishing operations for higher-value labels and packaging, where decoration and production efficiency can help converters differentiate their offerings. Additional capacity and utilization figures were not included in the published summary.
36. Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 boosts Carlson Print Group productivity
Carlson Print Group reported productivity gains exceeding 30% with a Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 press. The installation illustrates how printing companies can improve throughput through equipment modernization. The operational benefits depend on job mix, setup time, labor utilization and how consistently the equipment is scheduled.
37. Kyocera advances digital label printing with new high-speed printhead
Kyocera introduced a digital printing technology aimed at label production, with a reported speed of 100 metres per minute. Higher-speed digital printing can improve the economics of short runs, reduce setup requirements and expand the range of jobs that converters can produce competitively.
38. Nefab opens first Mexican ExPak production facility in Monterrey
Nefab opened its first Mexican ExPak production facility in Monterrey, with the project expected to create 100 jobs. The new operation expands the company's industrial packaging presence in Mexico and positions it to serve customers seeking localized packaging supply and support across manufacturing and export supply chains.
39. Packsize completes acquisition to expand automated packaging network
Packsize completed its acquisition of Panotec, consolidating automated packaging capabilities and a network spanning numerous countries. The transaction strengthens its position in on-demand packaging equipment and custom-sized corrugated solutions. The combination may broaden market reach, though integration and customer adoption will determine the financial contribution.
7. Construction, expansions and major capital projects
United States
40. Georgia-Pacific invests $150 million to modernize Palatka tissue production
Georgia-Pacific plans to invest approximately $150 million in a modernization of its Palatka, Florida, tissue machine. The project focuses on production supporting Angel Soft bath tissue. The investment is intended to improve manufacturing capabilities and preserve strategic capacity in the company's consumer tissue business.
41. Clearwater Paper targets 400,000 tons of coated unbleached kraft demand with Cypress Bend line
Clearwater Paper's Cypress Bend project is associated with plans to serve demand for coated unbleached kraft paperboard. The reported target market is approximately 400,000 tons. The project is relevant to domestic paperboard supply and competitive positioning, although the available summary does not establish a final startup date or confirmed realized capacity.
42. Georgia-Pacific modernizes Wauna tissue machine in a $150 million rebuild
Georgia-Pacific is undertaking a major rebuild of its Wauna tissue machine, originally installed in 1965. The project is intended to modernize production technology and improve long-term reliability and performance. The investment supports tissue manufacturing efficiency, though detailed capacity gains and the commissioning schedule require confirmation.
Europe
43. Saica consolidates Catalan production with a €100 million plant
Saica announced a €100 million plant project in Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Spain, to consolidate production in Catalonia. The investment will strengthen its regional manufacturing footprint. The available summary did not specify the full product mix, rated output or projected employment, so these details should be confirmed before publication.
44. SCA completes major fiberline upgrade at Östrand pulp mill
SCA finalized a major fiberline upgrade at its Östrand mill in Sweden to improve northern bleached softwood kraft pulp yield. The modernization is intended to improve process efficiency and strengthen output from the existing asset. Improved yield can support competitiveness by increasing saleable pulp production relative to wood input.
45. Sofidel completes €14 million tissue-machine modernization in France
Sofidel completed a €14 million modernization of a tissue machine at its Roanne facility in France. The project is aimed at improving manufacturing performance and supporting tissue production. The completion marks a capital investment in an existing facility rather than a new mill construction.
Middle East
46. Keryas Paper Industry plans new tissue mill in Oman
Keryas Paper Industry, partnering with Al Karama Hypermarket Group, signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a tissue mill in Oman. The project could expand local tissue supply and reduce reliance on imported finished products. Capacity, capital expenditure and the commissioning schedule were not specified in the cited summary.
Brazil
47. CMPC receives preliminary environmental license for Natureza pulp project
CMPC secured a preliminary environmental license for its proposed Natureza pulp complex in Rio Grande do Sul. The planned investment is approximately R$27 billion. This is a significant development milestone, but the project remains subject to subsequent approvals and execution decisions before it can be considered an operating mill.
The Bigger Editorial Message
1. Packaging earnings are a major theme. International Paper, PCA, Sonoco and Smurfit Westrock reported third-quarter results, while several developments point to continued demand for corrugated packaging.
2. Investment is shifting toward productivity and reliability. Georgia-Pacific, SCA, Sofidel and Clearwater Paper illustrate the importance of modernizing existing assets as well as developing new capacity.
3. M&A remains active across the value chain. Transactions involving Sustana, Verticel, Apache Products, Karteck and Packsize show consolidation in recycled fiber, wood products, structural paper cores and converting.
4. Fiber-based materials are extending into new markets. Stora Enso's battery-material partnership and the Archroma–JK Paper collaboration show how forest-derived raw materials and functional barriers may open new applications.
5. Trade rules and regional sourcing remain important. Changes to U.S.–Canada tariffs and material shortages affecting carton production could alter sourcing economics and competitive positions.
Publication note: This is a research roundup of identifiable reports, not a guarantee that every global story or local newspaper item has been captured. Some entries are based on brief trade-publication summaries; confirm original company releases and technical details before republishing. Logos are illustrative image searches rather than verified official artwork.
Please send news stories to jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com. Place NEWS in the subject line.
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