PaperFIRST

Advancing tissue excellence: Papeterie Le Bourray's 20-year journey with ISRA VISION

For the past twenty years, Papeterie Le Bourray, a distinguished paper mill in France's Sarthe region, has been at the forefront of the tissue paper industry, partnering with ISRA VISION to enhance product quality and operational efficiency. Specializing in colored tissue papers and innovative cellulose tissue, Le Bourray's integration of ISRA VISION's advanced Web Inspection System (WIS) in 2006 marked a significant leap in its manufacturing capabilities.

Hinojosa Packaging Group attracts young talent to the paper and packaging sector

Hinojosa Packaging Group took part in the 38th edition of the Grenoble INP – Pagora Careers Forum, which took place last November 13th. This benchmark event in the field of paper, cardboard, and packaging represents a unique opportunity for industry professionals to meet with young talent from this specialized institution in paper industry training.

The French Wizpaper paper mill has been placed into liquidation

There will be no buyer for the Wizpaper paper mill, located in Wizernes (in Northern France). Seven years after the acquisition of this former Arjowiggins factory by the Be Paper group, chaired by Henri Bréban, and its conversion to produce Corrugated Case Material (CCM), the Lille Métropole Commercial Court ordered its liquidation on November 18, with immediate effect. The factory had a CCM capacity of 180,000 tons per year and employed 147 people. On October 1, Wizpaper was placed under court-ordered administration, with an initial observation period of six months, which will ultimately be reduced to one month.

A jam-packed edition of Packaging Europe’s Sustainable Packaging Summit, the Davos of Packaging, took place at the Jaarbeurs, Utrecht, from 10th – 12th November 2025 – attended by a record number of 854 delegates, 142 speakers, and 89 exhibitor

The Summit is the leading international platform driving sustainable transformation across the packaging industry. Every year, it unites brands, start-ups, recyclers, policymakers, innovators, NGOs, and academics from across the global value chain; and this time, its international scope was broader than ever, bringing in attendees from Ethiopia, China, India, Australia, Brazil, and beyond.

Mondi launches extended corrugated and solid board portfolio for the food packaging industry

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is strengthening its position as a trusted partner for the food industry with the launch of an extended food packaging portfolio. The portfolio now includes solid board solutions and digital printing capabilities following the acquisition of Schumacher Packaging, enhancing Mondi’s ability to serve customers across Europe.

UPM launches glassine precoating innovation to boost competitiveness in label production

UPM Specialty Papers has launched an improved version of its proprietary UPM Forte™ precoating technology that helps labelstock manufacturers and siliconizers maximize the competitiveness of their production and can also support their sustainability goals. UPM Forte is now available across a wide range of UPM glassine papers.

Paperex 2025: 17th edition to unite global leaders from the pulp, paper and packaging ecosystem in India

Informa Markets in India, the country's leading organiser of B2B exhibitions, today announced the 17th edition of Paperex, the world's largest exhibition and conference dedicated to the pulp, paper, packaging, and allied industries. Scheduled from 3–6 December 2025 at Yashobhoomi (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi, the four-day event will bring together global paper and packaging leaders in a celebration of innovation, sustainability, and business transformation.

Valmet’s new waste-to-energy boiler to help Cheng Loong Corporation in Taiwan to decarbonize Houli mill’s energy production

Valmet will deliver a CFB boiler, flue gas treatment and automation system for Cheng Loong Corporation’s (CLC) Houli paper mill in Taiwan. The boiler will use various waste and biomass streams as fuel to produce electricity and heat for the mill. The new boiler is a significant investment in decarbonization of the mill as the new boiler will enable the reduction of coal usage and replaces an older less efficient waste boiler. CLC has estimated that this new boiler will reduce mill’s annual CO2 emissions by 48,000 tonnes.

Altri orders key white liquor plant and fiberline equipment from ANDRITZ

ANDRITZ has received an order to supply state-of-the-art white liquor plant technologies and modernize the fiberline at Altri’s Biotek pulp mill in Vila Velha de Ródão, Portugal.

La Rochette Cartonboard to Showcase Expertise at Prod&Pack and Osez l’industrie in November 2025

La Rochette Cartonboard continues its transformation and growth momentum, initiated since the launch of its strategic plan, "Vers de Nouveaux Sommets" (Towards New Peaks). This plan aims to enhance the industrial performance of the site, develop new drivers of growth, and promote expertise acquired over 150 years. This trajectory is notably reflected in a strengthened presence at major professional events within the industry.

ARCHROMA awarded ECOVADIS gold rating for second consecutive year

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, has been awarded a Gold rating by EcoVadis for the second consecutive year. This places Archroma in the top 5% of more than 150,000 companies assessed globally across 150 countries and 250 industries.

Mondi advances transition to PE-free wrappers for cut-size paper across European mills

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has completed the transition to polyethylene (PE)-free wrappers for its entire Mondi-branded cut-size paper portfolio produced at Mondi SCP in Ružomberok, Slovakia. The Neusiedler mill in Austria is scheduled to complete its transition to PE wrappers by 2026. This milestone strengthens Mondi’s position as an industry leader in sustainable paper solutions and supports customers in meeting sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.

Ari-Pekka Vanamo appointed VP, Mill Manager of Metsä Group’s Kemi bioproduct mill as of 1 December 2025

Ari-Pekka Vanamo is appointed VP, Mill Manager of Metsä Group’s Kemi bioproduct mill, effective from 1 December 2025. Vanamo is currently working as Metsä Group’s VP, Employment Relations, and has extensive experience in the forest industry as well as in mill management. As Mill Manager, Vanamo will report to SVP, Pulp Production Timo Ahonen.

Saica Group Opens its First Customer Experience Center in France: A Dedicated Space for Innovation, Collaboration, and Training

Saica Group has opened the doors to its very first Customer Experience Center in France, located at the Saica Pack Venizel site, just an hour from Paris.

Statutory negotiations related to Metsä Group’s cost savings and profit improvement programme completed in Finland

In July, Metsä Group announced plans for a EUR 300 million cost savings and profit improvement programme aimed for improving profitability and efficiency as well as ensuring competitiveness. The majority of the cost savings of the programme comes from reductions in external costs. In addition, Metsä Group aims for savings in fixed costs, which is why the Group announced on 2 October that it will launch statutory negotiations in its operating countries.

Bellmer successfully closes the acquisition of Cellwood Machinery AB

Bellmer announced earlier this week the successful closing of its acquisition of Cellwood Machinery AB, a globally recognized Swedish manufacturer of systems for wastepaper recycling and bioenergy pre-treatment.

Fastmarkets Forest Products Europe Conference 2026 arrives in Barcelona to navigate volatility

As global supply chains continue to face unprecedented shifts, the 28th Fastmarkets Forest Products Europe Conference 2026 will convene over 300 senior executives, economists, and sustainability leaders in Barcelona to deliver clarity, strategy and foresight to Europe’s paper, pulp, and packaging industries.

The Navigator Company Strengthens Global Connections at Paperworld Dubai 2025

The Navigator Company, a leading supplier of uncoated woodfree papers and flexible packaging to Middle East and Africa Markets, will participate in Paperworld Dubai 2025, one of the world’s top international trade fairs for paper, stationery, and office supplies. The event attracts visitors from more than 100 countries and serves as a key meeting point for the global paper industry.

IBS maXX™: Save up to € 2 million per year

The IBS Paper Performance Group is currently presenting a new, unique product line under the name maXX™. With this move, the world's leading specialist in paper machine optimization is responding to

Paper & Tissue Show, Hygiene & Nonwoven Show, and Packaging & Recycle Show: A trilogy of industrial excellence in the MENA region

The 11th Paper & Tissue Show, Hygiene & Nonwoven Show, and Packaging & Recycle Show, scheduled for 2026 in Abu Dhabi and London, will convene industry professionals from around the globe. This strategic trio of exhibitions offers an unparalleled platform encompassing the entire value chain, set to redefine industrial excellence across the MENA region.

Sonoco Consolidating Consumer Packaging Businesses Under Two Geographies

Sonoco Products Company, a global leader in high-value sustainable packaging, today announced it is consolidating its Metal Packaging and Rigid Paper Containers businesses under one structure based on two geographies – Consumer Packaging EMEA/APAC and the Americas.

Valmet launches next-generation wet end analyzer for process stability and product quality

Valmet introduces the next-generation Valmet Wet End Analyzer, designed to help paper, board, and tissue producers improve wet end processes to achieve superior product quality, improved process stability, and reduced operating costs.

Genera starts up ANDRITZ pulping and stock preparation systems for sustainable packaging production

Genera, a leading U.S. manufacturer of sustainable packaging, has successfully started up advanced non-wood pulping and stock preparation systems supplied by international technology group ANDRITZ. Installation of these systems is part of Genera’s large-scale expansion of its manufacturing facility in Vonore, Tennessee, where locally grown grasses are transformed into packaging solutions.

A productive and relaxed second day at the Albany Mexico Seminar

The second day of the Albany Mexico Seminar in Puerto Vallarta offered a balanced rhythm between professional engagement and well-deserved relaxation for the participants. Following an intensive opening day of presentations, technical discussions, and networking around the latest felts and fabric solutions for paper and board machines, the organizers deliberately scheduled a free morning. Attendees used this time according to their own preferences: some opted to enjoy the coastal setting and rest on the beach, others joined small groups for a round of golf nearby, while several took advantage of the quieter hours to handle work commitments from their rooms. This pause in the agenda contributed to maintaining both the energy and the convivial atmosphere that are characteristic of this annual gathering.