Jukka Flinkman appointed VP, Mill Manager of Metsä Group’s Äänekoski bioproduct mill

Jukka Flinkman appointed VP, Mill Manager of Metsä Group’s Äänekoski bioproduct mill

Jukka Flinkman has been appointed VP, Mill Manager of Metsä Group’s Äänekoski bioproduct mill as of 1 March 2027. Flinkman will join Metsä Fibre from UPM, where he has served as Director, Operations at the Rauma paper mill, with overall responsibility for the mill’s operations. Previously, he worked as Production Manager at UPM’s Kymi pulp mill. He has extensive experience in production management in both the pulp and paper industries.

Sonoco to Modernize and Expand URB Production at Richmond, VA Mill

Sonoco to Modernize and Expand URB Production at Richmond, VA Mill

Sonoco Products Company, the largest producer of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in North America, today announced plans to invest $40 million over the next two years to modernize and expand production of its Richmond, VA paperboard mill, reinforcing the Company’s commitment to operational excellence, product innovation and long-term growth.

Veolia’s advanced water regeneration technologies strengthen environmental security at Arauco’s new pulp mill in Brazil

Veolia’s advanced water regeneration technologies strengthen environmental security at Arauco’s new pulp mill in Brazil

Global pulp producer Arauco has chosen Veolia, the world leader in water treatment technologies, to develop the water treatment line for the Sucuriú Project. The contract covers the design and implementation of an industrial effluent treatment plant for Arauco’s first pulp mill in Brazil, which will be the largest industrial facility in the world built in a single phase.

BIR Paper Division: EU urged to postpone “disastrous” DIWASS scheme

BIR Paper Division: EU urged to postpone “disastrous” DIWASS scheme

Clear calls to postpone use of the new EU Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS) by at least six months, and for European leaders to engage with the recovered paper sector on new rules which could have catastrophic impacts, have been made at the Bureau of International Recycling’s World Recycling Convention in Malaga.

UPM to open its first label material factory in India to accelerate growth in the region

UPM to open its first label material factory in India to accelerate growth in the region

UPM Adhesive Materials plans to open its first factory in India in early 2028. Located in the state of Gujarat, the factory will feature an acrylic-based coating line for self-adhesive label materials. The investment continues UPM’s expansion in India, following the company’s March 2026 announcement of a new label material slitting and distribution terminal near New Delhi.

Fibre Excellence Saint-Gaudens: No formal takeover bid submitted by October 22, but Portuguese firm Ghost is exploring a €200 million investment plan

Fibre Excellence Saint-Gaudens: No formal takeover bid submitted by October 22, but Portuguese firm Ghost is exploring a €200 million investment plan

A press release issued on October 23 by the Occitanie Region – led by Carole Delga – reveals that three letters of intent were submitted to the Toulouse Commercial Court on Thursday, October 22. These were filed by the Portuguese group Ghost, the French State, and the Occitanie Region, with the aim of continuing paper-manufacturing operations at the former Fibre Excellence site in Saint-Gaudens, in the South of France.

Valmet to acquire leading manufacturing execution system (MES) business from Tieto to accelerate industrial transition towards autonomous operations

Valmet to acquire leading manufacturing execution system (MES) business from Tieto to accelerate industrial transition towards autonomous operations

Valmet has entered into an agreement to acquire the manufacturing execution system (MES) business from Tieto, including the modern AI-powered TIPS MES for production planning and execution. The transaction also covers the Order to Cash solution for the pulp, paper and fibre industry. The acquisition completes Valmet’s Automation Solutions offering for the pulp and paper industries, further strengthens its leadership in pulp and paper automation and expands its capabilities to accelerate customers’ transition towards autonomous operations.

Valmet to deliver a new BCTMP line to ITC Bhadrachalam mill in India to increase high quality pulp production

Valmet to deliver a new BCTMP line to ITC Bhadrachalam mill in India to increase high quality pulp production

Valmet will deliver a complete bleached chemi-thermo mechanical pulping (BCTMP) line and BCTMP Evaporation for ITC Bhadrachalam mill in India. The new line utilizes Valmet’s unique high-temperature technology (HT-CTMP), which operates at elevated temperatures to create exceptionally intact fibers, improving pulp quality while simultaneously reducing energy consumption in refining. The production process will be supplied with Valmet Automation and Flow Control solutions.