Sonoco Returns to FORTUNE 500 List

Sonoco Returns to FORTUNE 500 List

Sonoco Products Company (NYSE: SON), a global leader in high-value sustainable packaging, has returned to the FORTUNE 500 list, a ranking of the largest U.S. companies by revenue. Coming in at #489, Sonoco had sales of $7.8 billion in 2025. With 22,000 teammates, the Company serves customers across paper and metal packaging markets around the world.

Cenpa: Liquidation for the French manufacturer of cardboard for tubes and cores

Cenpa: Liquidation for the French manufacturer of cardboard for tubes and cores

After being placed under court-ordered administration in early December 2024, the French manufacturer of cardboard for tubes and cores, Cenpa, was liquidated on June 1st. Production will cease definitively on June 12th. In April 2025, 36 people were laid off as part of a redundancy plan (PSE), and last August, one of the two machines serving the industrial sector (manufacturing and construction) was shut down. The factory then refocused on a single production line designed to supply the tissue industry. Owned by the German investment fund Accursia Capital since 2021, this factory still employed nearly 50 people. Despite various expressions of interest in recent months, no takeover offer was unfortunately made. The plan to establish a cooperative (Scop) had also been abandoned.

Valmet and Linde collaborate to advance electrically driven CO₂ capture solutions for pulp and paper industry

Valmet and Linde collaborate to advance electrically driven CO₂ capture solutions for pulp and paper industry

Featured news: Valmet and Linde, a leading global industrial gases and engineering company, have announced a collaboration to integrate, optimize and offer electrically driven carbon capture solutions for the pulp and paper industry. The collaboration combines Linde’s HISORP® CC CO₂ capture technology with Valmet’s strong integration capabilities and deep process expertise in pulp and paper production.

Implosion of a white liquor tank at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in the US: 11 people killed and 8 injured

Implosion of a white liquor tank at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in the US: 11 people killed and 8 injured

On May 31, Nippon Paper Industries published an update of the dramatic consequences of a tank collapse (white liquor, containing pulping chemicals, i.e. sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide) which occurred last May 26 at the facility of its U.S. subsidiary, Nippon Dynawave Packaging (“NDP”), located in Longview, Washington State, U.S.A. This mill is specialized in pulp and paper production.

Fedrigoni pioneers large-scale biomethane adoption as first Italian Special-Fine paper maker, accelerating decarbonization  and securing its energy supply chain

Fedrigoni pioneers large-scale biomethane adoption as first Italian Special-Fine paper maker, accelerating decarbonization and securing its energy supply chain

Fedrigoni Group has entered one of Italy's first long-term biomethane supply agreements, covering approximately 40% of the gas requirements of its Italian manufacturing plants, reinforcing the Group's energy resilience, securing continuity of supply, and reducing the cradle-to-gate carbon footprint of products at these sites by 30 to 50%.

According to a survey by the French Cardboard and Stationery Federation (CAP), the situation for French companies in the sector will deteriorate sharply in the second half of the year

According to a survey by the French Cardboard and Stationery Federation (CAP), the situation for French companies in the sector will deteriorate sharply in the second half of the year

In an economic context marked by uncertainty, CAP (the French Federation of Cardboard and Stationery*) conducted, with the support of the French Confederation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (CPME), of which it is a member, a business climate survey among its member companies**. Carried out online from May 5 to 22, this study is based on responses from 30 executives who are members of this Federation. The conclusion is clear: while the crisis has not yet fully impacted companies in the sector, the situation will deteriorate sharply in the second half of the year.

BIR makes strong progress despite global turmoil

BIR makes strong progress despite global turmoil

Despite travel challenges and unrest in many parts of the world, the BIR’s latest World Convention has attracted an “amazing” 1700-plus registered participants representing more than 800 companies from 57 countries, President Susie Burrage OBE revealed to the event’s Opening Session at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in Gothenburg on June 1.

Next-generation Valmet DNAe DCS to strengthen gas boiler operations at Lenzing in Austria

Next-generation Valmet DNAe DCS to strengthen gas boiler operations at Lenzing in Austria

Valmet’s long-time customer Lenzing AG, an Austrian global leader in dissolving wood pulp and regenerated cellulose fibers, is upgrading their Lenzing production site by incorporating a complete Valmet DNAe Distributed Control System (DCS) to the 1K6 gas boiler. The new system will replace an obsolete third-party system, enabling state-of-the-art DNAe technology with long-term availability, highest cybersecurity standards, improved reliability, and future-ready platform capabilities. As a mission-critical solution, it ensures continued safe, secure, and high-performance plant operations.

Automated zeta potential measurement from emtec at the Paper and Board Technology Kring Seminar

Automated zeta potential measurement from emtec at the Paper and Board Technology Kring Seminar

With its portfolio of innovative testing and analysis systems, emtec Electronic continues to support the forward-looking development in the pulp and paper industry with its participation at the regularly held event in Apeldoorn. This year’s international seminar in June is focused on “Raw materials and stock preparation”. Based on the reliable solutions for process monitoring, raw material characterization and quality optimization, emtec complements the event with their paper measurement experts.

Valmet’s flexible optimization suite accelerates process performance

Valmet’s flexible optimization suite accelerates process performance

Valmet introduces the Valmet DNAe Optimization Suite, a scalable software suite of optimization applications designed to improve plant performance and operational efficiency. It can be delivered to process plants using control systems supplied by Valmet as well as those from other providers.

1.44 GWh in energy savings with FabriCare

1.44 GWh in energy savings with FabriCare

The IBS Paper Performance Group, technology leader in paper machine optimization, has successfully started up a traversing FabriCare ultra-high-pressure cleaning system on a packaging paper machine. Following a comprehensive audit of the vacuum systems, the existing standard wire suction system was replaced with FabriCare. This measure eliminated the need for a 180 kW vacuum pump entirely, including the associated maintenance and spare part costs. The result: enormous energy savings of 1.44 GWh per year - while maintaining or even improving product quality and a return on investment in just a few months.

Dominique Lagarde has been elected President of Carton Ondulé de France

Dominique Lagarde has been elected President of Carton Ondulé de France

Dominique Lagarde is the new President of Carton Ondulé de France (COF). He succeeds Philippe Durand. Dominique Lagarde has over 35 years of experience in the corrugated board industry, notably within the Smurfit Westrock group. After holding several industrial and operational management positions, he notably served as CEO and Director of the Packaging Division. Most recently, he was Head of Industrial Operations for Smurfit Westrock in France. His career, marked by strong industrial, managerial, and strategic expertise, will be a valuable asset in supporting the sector's transformation. With this new presidency, Carton Ondulé de France will continue its priorities: advocating for a stable and transparent regulatory framework, promoting the environmental performance of corrugated board, and championing a high-performing, innovative industry rooted in local communities.