Introduction

July 2026 reflected strong momentum across the global pulp, paper, and packaging industry as companies accelerated investments in capacity expansion, mill modernization, digital transformation, and sustainability initiatives. Recycled containerboard, fibre-based packaging, specialty papers, AI-enabled manufacturing, and energy-efficient technologies remained the primary focus of capital investment, highlighting the industry's continued transition toward circular and low-carbon production.

Alongside expansion projects, producers strengthened their businesses through strategic acquisitions, operational restructuring, and technology partnerships while navigating mixed market conditions. Packaging and specialty products continued to outperform traditional graphic papers, supported by improving operational efficiency, disciplined cost management, and growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions. The month also saw continued emphasis on workplace safety, environmental compliance, leadership changes, and regulatory developments shaping the future of the industry.

🏗️ Investments, Expansions & New Projects

• Cristini was selected as a strategic supplier for Shotton Mill's PM3 recycled containerboard project, supporting one of Europe's largest recycled packaging investments.

• KAMA invested more than 50 million rubles to modernize wastewater treatment infrastructure and improve environmental performance.

• KAMA completed a major ERP implementation integrating manufacturing, planning, finance, and production management into a single digital platform.

• LG Electronics supplied a high-temperature industrial heat pump to Ajin P&P to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

• Arauco will install AI-powered panel repair systems at two Chilean mills to improve quality and productivity.

• Johnson & Johnson announced a US$1 billion expansion of its Florida manufacturing and packaging operations.

• Minhan Paper ordered a second ANDRITZ OCC recycling line to expand recycled packaging production.

• Valmet will deliver a complete board production line with automation to Sun Paper in China.

• Amcor began expanding its intelligent packaging manufacturing facility in Dongguan, China.

• EFI Group plans to double vegetable pulp packaging capacity to 100 million units annually by 2028.

• Hoffmaster announced an 86,000-square-foot expansion that will nearly double production capacity and create more than 100 new jobs.

• DS Smith and ANDRITZ successfully commissioned Europe's largest FibreFlow drum pulper for recycled fibre processing.

• Cumberland Packaging selected Amtech ERP to digitally modernize manufacturing and supply chain operations.

• Lenzing AG awarded ANDRITZ a contract for a new debarking and chipping line to improve dissolving pulp production.

• Kruger announced the C$700 million Project Tuckamore to modernize forestry operations, paper production, and renewable energy assets.

• Ence completed €48 million of modernization and energy-efficiency investments at its Navia biofactory.

• Hyogo Pulp Industries placed a repeat order with ANDRITZ to expand production while improving water efficiency and operational performance.

• Guangxi Sun Paper unveiled plans for an 800,000-tonne-per-year bleached chemical and fluff pulp project.

• Palm announced the conversion of its UK newsprint mill to recycled corrugated case material production.

• Valmet will supply a new wood handling line to The Price Companies to increase chipping capacity and strengthen wood chip supply.

• LEIPA and OutNature began construction of a straw fibre plant for sustainable recycled packaging applications.

• Paranova announced a £20 million investment in a new UK fibre-based packaging facility.

• Voith and Palm will convert King's Lynn PM7 from newsprint to recycled containerboard production.

• Toscotec will upgrade Cartiera del Vignaletto's cogeneration plant to improve mill energy efficiency.

• Satia Industries is modernizing PM-3 to increase annual paper production capacity.

• Steinbeis Papier is upgrading PM4 with advanced forming and dewatering technologies.

• Frugalpac and Siemens Financial Services launched financing solutions to accelerate global adoption of paper bottle manufacturing.

🛑 Shutdowns, Closures & Curtailments

• International Paper temporarily suspended Pine Hill mill operations following severe weather damage.

• Canfor announced the permanent closure of the Northwood Pulp Mill in British Columbia.

• Kondopoga Pulp & Paper Mill successfully completed its annual maintenance shutdown.

• Finch Paper will discontinue in-house pulp production and transition to externally sourced market pulp.

• Canfor also announced the permanent closure of its Fox Creek sawmill.

• Opal's Maryvale Paper Mill will eliminate 84 positions as part of ongoing restructuring.

🔄 Restarts, Rebuilds & Modernization

• Andhra Paper restarted its second paper machine at Kadiam, restoring production to approximately 93% of normal operating capacity.

🤝 M&A, Partnerships & Joint Ventures

• Konecranes expanded into Japan through the acquisition of Mitsubishi Electric FA Industrial Products.

• Emmepi Group acquired Avanti Conveyors to strengthen corrugated packaging automation capabilities.

• Södra completed the sale of its ownership stake in SunPine.

• Arbex outlined plans to capture more than 35% of the global tissue market.

• Coastal Container acquired the former Howard Miller manufacturing facility.

• UPM advanced the planned spin-off of its plywood business following regulatory approval.

• BW Packaging partnered with Crown Packaging to expand packaging automation solutions.

• Kemira acquired ANMAC Water Treatment Service.

• The European Commission approved Saica Group's acquisition of Thimm's corrugated operations.

• Dunapack Packaging Hellas acquired El Pack's corrugated packaging operations in Greece.

• RDM Group hosted the ASPACK Board at its Santa Giustina mill to strengthen collaboration across the carton packaging value chain.

• Fibre Excellence's proposed takeover bid was rejected by the French court.

🌱 Sustainability & Circular Economy

• Sofidel and WWF Italy renewed their sustainability partnership through 2028 to advance climate action and responsible sourcing.

• ITC continued advancing circular packaging, renewable energy, fibre-based materials, and sustainable forestry initiatives.

• Cepi warned that proposed revisions to the EU Emissions Trading System could discourage future decarbonization investments.

• Paracel published its 2025 Sustainability Report highlighting forestry expansion and ESG progress.

• West Coast Paper reduced water consumption while expanding plantation activities.

• Cartiere del Garda signed a long-term biomethane supply agreement to reduce carbon emissions.

• Hinojosa Packaging highlighted sustainability achievements and international expansion in its 2025 ESG Report.

📊 Financial Results & Market Performance

• Duni Group reported lower quarterly profitability despite continued packaging growth.

• Norske Skog achieved record containerboard deliveries.

• Essity delivered mixed quarterly results supported by healthcare and hygiene businesses.

• ABB reported strong second-quarter growth.

• International Paper declared its quarterly dividend.

• Sonoco extended its long-standing dividend history.

• Celulosa Argentina continued financial restructuring.

• Billerud improved profitability through stronger North American performance.

• Kemira maintained its financial outlook despite weaker first-half earnings.

• Södra reported an operating loss.

• Reno de Medici completed a recapitalization agreement.

• SCA reported resilient second-quarter performance.

• Emami Paper delivered strong first-quarter growth.

• Ence returned to profitability.

• Packaging Corporation of America reported higher sales.

• Sonoco posted higher adjusted earnings and record cash flow.

• Indian paper stocks rallied following strong quarterly results.

• Huhtamäki improved profitability through operational efficiencies.

• UPM delivered stronger second-quarter performance.

• Stora Enso reported higher adjusted EBIT.

• Seshasayee Paper reported strong first-quarter profit growth.

• JK Paper delivered robust quarterly performance.

• BOBST reported weaker first-half sales.

• Greif posted strong third-quarter earnings.

• Clearwater Paper reported a quarterly loss.

• Smurfit Westrock reaffirmed full-year EBITDA guidance.

• Eagle Materials achieved record revenue.

• Graphic Packaging Holding declared a quarterly dividend.

• Canfor reported weaker pulp and paper performance.

• West Fraser improved second-quarter results.

• ANDRITZ posted record first-half orders and higher profitability.

• Ahlstrom reported strong growth led by packaging and specialty materials.

• Mondi reported earnings pressure despite operational improvements.

• International Paper maintained its EBITDA outlook.

• South India Paper Mills reported more than 400% growth in net profit.

• The Navigator Company delivered strong EBITDA and profit growth.

📈 Price Changes & Market Pricing

• Packaging Corporation of America announced a US$140 per tonne containerboard price increase.

• Koehler Paper increased thermal paper prices by 8%.

• International Paper announced an US$80 per tonne containerboard price increase.

🚀 Products & Innovation

• Duni Group expanded recyclable mono-material food packaging.

• Pankaboard launched PankaTray Kraft cartonboard.

• Smurfit Westrock and Coca-Cola China introduced paper-based World Cup packaging.

• Voith launched eVenFilm Pro coating technology.

• Tetra Pak introduced an industrial bioreactor for improved production efficiency.

• Kappa Rus launched tear-off tape for retail-ready packaging.

• Ahlstrom introduced MaxLiner™ release paper in Brazil.

• Graphic Packaging International launched PaceSetter Ridgeline™ recycled paperboard.

• MoistTech introduced advanced infrared moisture measurement technology.

• Voith launched the MegaDrive rubber wire drive roll.

• KAMA started commercial production of industrial label paper.

• Mondi developed a corrugated packaging solution reducing customer packaging costs.

• Clearwater Paper introduced Circa™ recycled paperboard.

👥 Leadership & Corporate Updates

• Essity appointed Andreas Mattsson as Chief Legal Officer.

• Cascades appointed François David as Vice-President of Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development.

• International Paper announced Board appointments and planned retirements.

• Valmet announced the departure of EVP Sami Riekkola.

• ITC unveiled a ₹20,000 crore capital investment plan.

• Valmet appointed Pia Aaltonen-Forsell as Chief Financial Officer.

• Daio Paper announced the liquidation of Indonesian subsidiaries.

• Valmet initiated a strategic review of a potential business separation.

⚙️ Operations & Supply Chain

• Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro extended its power agreement with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper.

• AF&PA reported continued weakness in U.S. printing and writing paper shipments.

• AF&PA reported year-on-year growth in U.S. packaging paper shipments.

🔥 Incidents, Safety & Environmental Events

• Investigations continued into additional kraft pulp mills following the Longview tank disaster.

• Washington State will seek cleanup cost reimbursement from Nippon Dynawave.

• Woodland Pulp continued to face investigation into the fatal hydrogen sulfide incident.

• Nippon Dynawave extended employee pay support during the Longview investigation.

• Daio Paper reported naturally occurring arsenic and fluoride during environmental investigations.

• Technical investigators released findings on the Nippon Dynawave white liquor spill.

• Arkansas Paper Mill agreed to a proposed settlement over air pollution violations.

• Procter & Gamble contained a duct fire at its Green Bay facility without injuries.

• Essity quickly contained a fire at its Prudhoe tissue mill.

• Smurfit Westrock temporarily halted operations in France due to wildfires.

• Nippon Paper reported earthquake damage at its Yatsushiro mill.

• Woodland Pulp Mill received OSHA fines following the fatal hydrogen sulfide incident.

• Smurfit Westrock reported six injuries during a maintenance accident at its Covington mill.

🏛️ Policy, Regulation & Trade

• Brazil's corrugated packaging industry reported higher shipment volumes.

• South Korea's printing industry called for stronger enforcement against price-fixing practices.

• Suzano stated that continued U.S. tariff exemptions strengthen Brazil's pulp export competitiveness.

🏆 Awards, Certifications & Recognition

• TOPPAN Group's Siam Toppan received six major packaging awards across Asia.

• Constantia Pirk achieved ISCC PLUS certification for sustainable packaging.

🎤 Industry Events & Conferences

• LatamCORR Brasil 2026 highlighted innovation and collaboration across Latin America's corrugated packaging sector.

• PAPEXPO 2026 continued preparations for its October exhibition in Hyderabad, bringing together global paper, pulp and packaging stakeholders.