Copacel highlights the seriousness of the situation in the French paper industry

Copacel highlights the seriousness of the situation in the French paper industry

A genuine warning in the face of a situation that has become, in its view, increasingly worrying. On April 9, during its traditional annual press conference, held remotely this year, Copacel sounded even more alarmist than in previous years. The trade association, which represents French producers of pulp, paper, and board (74 companies, employing nearly 10,000 people), highlighted "the increasing number of paper mill closures over the past 24 months, as well as the precarious situation of several sites at the start of 2026." These indicators, according to the association, highlight "the urgent need to implement an ambitious policy to promote reindustrialization."

Mondi showcases semi-chemical fluting portfolio for demanding food and heavy-duty supply chains

Mondi showcases semi-chemical fluting portfolio for demanding food and heavy-duty supply chains

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, ensures consistent packaging performance across long journeys and fluctuating climate conditions, where material choice is especially critical for products to arrive intact. Its semi-chemical portfolio includes ProVantage Powerflute®, made from 100% fresh fibre and developed for applications requiring maximum strength and resistance to variable climates; ProVantage Frescoflute, offering excellent dimensional stability and compression strength during processing and storage; and ProVantage Aquaflute, optimised for environments where short-term moisture and water resistance are essential.

Henkel expands its barrier and heat seal coatings portfolio for paper applications

Henkel expands its barrier and heat seal coatings portfolio for paper applications

Paper-based packaging has become much more than just a matter of image, particularly in the food and e-commerce sectors. Brand owners and packaging manufacturers are switching to sustainable and, above all, recyclable solutions, driven by regulatory requirements such as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). To support this transition while maintaining product integrity, process stability and efficiency, Henkel Adhesive Technologies is enhancing its paper coatings portfolio with water-based barrier and heat seal coatings. The solutions are designed to improve the functionality of paper-based packaging and strengthen ‘design for recycling’ approaches.

DS Smith supports the launch of Lalique Beauty’s "Tales of Light" home fragrance collection with a fiber-based packaging solution

DS Smith supports the launch of Lalique Beauty’s "Tales of Light" home fragrance collection with a fiber-based packaging solution

Lalique Beauty, a member of the Lalique Group rooted in the House’s iconic heritage, has called upon the expertise of DS Smith—an International Paper company and a global provider of sustainable cellulose fiber-based packaging—to support the launch of its new home fragrance collection, Tales of Light. DS Smith designed and manufactured the folding boxes and inserts for the entire collection, which includes six scented candles and three diffusers.

Grünperga & Starkraft Accelerate Paper-Based Packaging Market Entry with one.five

Grünperga & Starkraft Accelerate Paper-Based Packaging Market Entry with one.five

one.five, Hamburg-based AI-powered packaging developer, has successfully deployed its Product Market Fit Compass with 2 leading producers of high‑quality paper. The new tool analyses market, material, and machine data to predict the market success the companies paper portfolio. It delivers customer acquisition four times faster than traditional processes and saves R&D costs up to 60%. Both companies are using the Product Market Fit Compass to expand their paper portfolios with sustainable, paper-based packaging materials that can replace non-recyclable plastic films and multi-material composites.

Atip Technical Day in Grenoble: New Solutions for Optimizing or Reducing Energy Consumption

Atip Technical Day in Grenoble: New Solutions for Optimizing or Reducing Energy Consumption

With uncertainty once again at its highest regarding energy price fluctuations following the outbreak of the war in Iran, the Technical Day organized on March 26 by the French Technical Association of the Paper Industry (Atip) at the Paper Technical Center (Centre technique du papier, CTP) in Grenoble was perfectly timed. More than 80 participants attended this day of discussions dedicated to optimizing energy consumption and preserving resources. A dozen paper companies were represented: Ahlstrom, Canson, Fibre Excellence, Fregata Hygiène, Gascogne, Kimberly Clark, Papeteries Léon Martin, Papeterie le Bourray, Papeteries du Léman (PDL), Sterimed, SWM (Papeteries de Saint-Girons), VPK Paper, and Wepa.

Sappi Carmignano improves coat drying and reduces energy consumption

Sappi Carmignano improves coat drying and reduces energy consumption

Ircon-Solaronics was selected by the Sappi group to improve the coat drying in their mill in Carmignano di Brenta (Italy). The project consisted by replacing an old inefficient gas infrared dryer (more than 30 years old) by a new UniDryer V3 system equipped with the latest generation of high intensity emitters.

Metsä Group is planning a commercial plant for wood-based carbon capture in Rauma

Metsä Group is planning a commercial plant for wood-based carbon capture in Rauma

Metsä Group has started a pre-engineering project for the first commercial biogenic, i.e. wood-based, carbon capture plant. As part of the plant’s financing plan, the company has submitted an application for a reverse auction organised by Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment which distributes investment aid for clean transition projects.

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

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.

Fibre Excellence steps up pressure on the French Government with the announcement of a preliminary administrative appeal

Fibre Excellence steps up pressure on the French Government with the announcement of a preliminary administrative appeal

On 27 March, the French market pulp producer Fibre Excellence issued a press release providing an update on the status of negotiations with the government. This amounts to a kind of ultimatum aimed at securing a response from the government, particularly regarding energy issues. Fibre Excellence is seeking a formal position, pointing out that the company’s future will be decided between now and mid-April. Furthermore, according to France Info, on March 27, the unions learned during a new meeting with the CIRI (the Interministerial Committee for Industrial Restructuring) that the shareholder had put the two factories in Saint-Gaudens and Tarascon up for sale.

Atip Technical Day in Grenoble: New solutions for optimizing or reducing energy consumption

Atip Technical Day in Grenoble: New solutions for optimizing or reducing energy consumption

With uncertainty once again at its highest regarding energy price fluctuations following the outbreak of the war in Iran, the Technical Day organized on March 26 by the French Technical Association of the Paper Industry (Atip) at the Paper Technical Center (Centre technique du papier, CTP) in Grenoble was perfectly timed. More than 80 participants attended this day of discussions dedicated to optimizing energy consumption and preserving resources. A dozen paper companies were represented: Ahlstrom, Canson, Fibre Excellence, Fregata Hygiène, Gascogne, Kimberly Clark, Papeteries Léon Martin, Papeterie le Bourray, Papeteries du Léman (PDL), Sterimed, SWM (Papeteries de Saint-Girons), VPK Paper, and Wepa.

Stora Enso publishes Green and Sustainability-Linked Financing Report 2025

Stora Enso publishes Green and Sustainability-Linked Financing Report 2025

Stora Enso has published its annual Green and Sustainability-Linked Financing Report 2025, which outlines how sustainability principles are integrated in its financing activities. The report presents the allocation of proceeds from the green financing instruments and highlights the environmental impacts achieved through these investments.

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

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.