PaperFIRST

Siemens Energy is starting preparations for business area Transformation of Industry to become a standalone company

Siemens Energy is starting preparations for the legal and operational separation of its Transformation of Industry business area. The goal is to establish the business as a standalone entity and create a strong, independent industrial energy solutions company. The future setup is intended to provide Transformation of Industry with greater entrepreneurial flexibility and additional options for further growth – ranging from bringing in external investors to a potential capital markets transaction. Siemens Energy intends to deconsolidate the business while retaining a meaningful minority stake to support the business's continued development.

Valmet supports Jeonju Paper Corporation’s energy and machine efficiency targets with press section rebuild

Jeonju Paper Corporation has selected Valmet to rebuild a press section and predryer section in their paper machine PM 5 in South Korea. The rebuild will improve overall machine efficiency and support the customer’s sustainability targets, ensuring reliable, energy-efficient operation of the paper machine. The start-up is scheduled for fall of 2027.

Change in Valmet’s executive leadership team

Valmet has appointed Max Luedtke as Executive Vice President, Pulp, Energy and Circularity business area and a member of Valmet’s Executive Leadership Team. He will start in his position on September 1, 2026, and will be based in Tikkurila, Vantaa, Finland.

Sonoco names Francesco Giannolo Vice President/General Manager Consumer Packaging, EMEA

Sonoco today announced Francesco Giannolo’s appointment to Vice President and General Manager of Sonoco Consumer Packaging, EMEA. He reports directly to Ernest Haynes, president of Sonoco’s Global Consumer Packaging segment.

Smurfit Westrock reports strong Q2 despite rising costs

Smurfit Westrock has announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, reporting net sales of $8,031 million, up from $7,940 million a year earlier.

Innovative measurement solutions at CIPTE 2026 showcased by emtec Electronic

Taking place from September 16 to 18 at the Wuhan International Expo Center, the China International Paper Technology Exhibition and Conference sets focus on the most recent developments in forestry, pulp and paper, printing and packaging. As returning participant, emtec Electronic brings along its innovative measurement solutions for the pulp and paper industry at booth no. 2B962.

Siemens Energy begins preparations for the launch of an independent brand

Following the spin-off from Siemens AG in 2020 and the company’s successful development, Siemens Energy is now beginning preparations for the transition to an independent brand. This move is based on the time-limited licence agreement governing the use of the brand.

Valmet delivers board making line and lifecycle support to Sun Paper in China, enabling energy- and resource-efficient production

Sun Paper has selected Valmet to deliver a full board making line with automation and lifecycle support for their mill in Nanning, China. The customer’s target for the investment is to increase containerboard capacity and ensure reliable, energy- and resource-efficient operation of the board making line. The start-up is scheduled for fall of 2027.

Smithers's Moulded Fibre Packaging Asia Conference is Set to be Held November 19-20 in Shanghai, China.

Smithers is pleased to announce the launch of Moulded Fibre Packaging Asia 2026, a new conference dedicated to the rapidly evolving moulded fibre packaging sector.

3rd ASEAN Pulp & Paper Summit to be held in Bangkok, Thailand on December 1–2, 2026

The 3rd ASEAN Pulp & Paper Summit, organized by RUIZHIXIN Consulting, will take place on December 1–2, 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. Under the theme “From Circular Economy to Sustainable Value Creation,” the event serves as a premier strategic platform for the rapidly growing Southeast Asian pulp and paper sector.

Tasowheel and PAPTECH Partner in Vietnam

Tasowheel is partnering with PAPTECH, expanding its presence in the Vietnamese pulp and paper market.

Tissue World returns to Istanbul for 2026

Informa has confirmed that Tissue World Istanbul will return for 2026, taking place on 18–19 November at the Istanbul Congress Center, following a well-received edition in 2024.

Global Expansion: Feltest Welcomes New Strategic Partners in Indonesia and Japan

Feltest, whose tools and insights are trusted in over 600 mills across 90+ countries, is taking another major step in its global growth. The company has officially announced the appointment of two new local partners to support the pulp and paper industry in Indonesia and Japan.

Solenis Breaks Ground on New 60,000-Tonne Production Facility in Beihai, Guangxi

Solenis, a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions, announced the groundbreaking of its new 60,000-tonne per year production facility in Beihai, Guangxi Province, China.

Global regulatory reset on packaging to accelerate sustainability and operational change, says GlobalData

Tightening packaging regulations across the globe are forcing companies to rethink sustainability claims, material choices, and cost structures. As fragmented rules give way to stricter, harmonized frameworks, the shift signals rising regulatory scrutiny and operational complexity, with far-reaching implications on supply chains, innovation, and competitive positioning across consumer markets, according to GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

Automation is becoming the operating system of modern industry

Automation is no longer a nice-to-have but optional efficiency tool. It is now a strategic necessity that belongs on the board agenda, to be discussed alongside AI. In a world of geopolitical uncertainties, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, cost pressures, energy insecurity and high expectations for uptime, companies that deploy automation will be far better placed to remain resilient, competitive and – ultimately – relevant.

Mondi expands paper bags business in Southeast Asia through new joint venture

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is expanding its paper bags business in Southeast Asia through a joint venture with PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk (“Indocement”), one of the largest cement producers in Indonesia.

Valmet to deliver the sixth new chipping line to ITC Limited in India to meet increased capacity needs

Valmet has received an order from ITC Limited to supply a new wood chipping line to its pulp mill in Bhadrachalam, India. The delivery is part of ITC’s ongoing improvement initiatives at the Bhadrachalam mill to increase chipping capacity with high quality chips. The new line is designed for low wood losses, superior and even chip quality as well as high availability and easy maintenance.

Valmet strengthens its flow control presence in Australia by inaugurating a new service center and manufacturing unit in Sydney

Valmet is strengthening its flow control capabilities in Australia with the inauguration of a new service center and a manufacturing unit in Sydney. The new facility enhances the availability of mission-critical flow control solutions and services for customers in process industries across the region, with a particular focus on Australia’s pulp, paper, mining and metals, refining, chemicals, and renewable energy sectors.

Valmet launches IQ Virtual Sensor, enabling real‑time strength optimization and unlocking significant fiber and starch saving

Valmet introduces Valmet IQ Virtual Sensor, a software-based solution that gives paper and board producers real-time visibility of critical end-product strength properties that have traditionally been measured only in the laboratory. By providing continuous quality predictions, the solution enables mills to maintain consistent quality, reduce fiber and starch costs, decrease energy consumption, and increase overall production efficiency.

May 13-15，welcome to the 21th International Paper Expo - China

Co-sponsored by the papermaking associations and companies of Guangdong, Shandong, Henan, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Hubei, Fujian, Jiangsu, Hebei, Shanxi, Yunnan and Hunan regions, the 21th International Pulp & Paper Industry Expo-China，It will be held from May 13th to 15th at the Poly World Trade Expo in Pazhou, Guangzhou.

Mondi reveals how purpose-built corrugated packaging can drastically reduce food waste

Mondi has released a new white paper exploring how fit-for-purpose packaging can help food producers and retailers protect product quality and reduce waste across increasingly demanding supply chains. The paper - ‘Turning Packaging into a Competitive Advantage in the Food Supply Chain’ - shows that handling pressures and packaging performance challenges in today’s complex supply chains can lead to product loss, disruption and brand damage.

Successfull Unidryer Start-up in China for specialty paper

Ircon-Solaronics has received an order to supply the non-contact dryer of a new specialty paper machine for one of the leading national companies producing specialty material in large scale located in China.

Wuzhou Special Paper selects Andritz as main supplier for new pulp mill in China

Wuzhou Special Paper (Jiangxi) Co. Ltd., a Chinese paper producer, has selected international technology group Andritz as the main supplier of key technologies and equipment for a new greenfield pulp mill in Hukou County, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, China. Start-up is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.