Pulp & Paper Chronicle: September 2026 Weekly Edition 3– Industry Roundup

Global Pulp, Paper, Packaging & Tissue Industry: Complete Weekly Roundup

The September 2026 Weekly Edition 3 covers 32 industry stories across 12 categories, spanning capacity investments, mill closures, M&A, pricing, sustainability, innovation, leadership, operations, environmental compliance, regulation, awards and digital transformation. I have retained the newsletter’s category structure so that no reported story is omitted.

🏗️ 1. Investments, Expansions & New Projects

Valmet to Modernize Södra Mönsterås Recovery Boiler and Evaporation Plant

Valmet will provide modernization services for the recovery boiler and evaporation plant at Södra Mönsterås pulp mill in Sweden. The work is intended to improve operational reliability, safety and long-term equipment performance while reducing unplanned downtime. The modernization will be carried out during the mill’s annual shutdown in November 2026. The order value was not disclosed.

First Project NextGen Barge Arrives at Irving Pulp & Paper

Irving Pulp & Paper has received the first barge carrying major components for its US$1.5 billion Project NextGen at its Saint John, New Brunswick mill. The project includes a new recovery boiler replacing the mill's 1970s-era unit. Irving expects the new equipment to increase production by approximately 66% while expanding green-energy capacity.

Gold Hongye Starts Two ANDRITZ High-Consistency Refining Systems

Gold Hongye Paper Group has started up two ANDRITZ PrimeRefine HC T systems at its Rudong and Xiaogan mills in China. The technology is designed to improve raw-material utilization and tissue quality by reducing fibre cutting and fines generation. More than 50 such systems are reportedly in operation or under execution globally.

Pakka Expands Paper and Pulp Capacity Under Project Jagriti

Pakka Ltd is expanding under Project Jagriti with a new 100 TPD PM-4, an increase in PM-3 capacity from 70 to 80 TPD, pulp capacity expansion from 135 to 175 TPD, and an additional 15 MW power plant. The company is funding the programme partly through a preferential issue and associated warrants.

AFT to Supply MaxEdge Refiners to Naini Papers

AFT has received an order from Naini Papers for four MaxEdge double-disc refiners for PM1 and PM2 at its Kashipur mill in Uttarakhand. The investment is aimed at improving fibre development, paper quality and production efficiency.

Saica Invests in Automated Cardboard Production in Ireland

Saica Group has commissioned its third fully automated rotary die cutter at its Ashbourne facility in Ireland. The equipment is expected to increase production capacity and support faster, more efficient manufacture of corrugated packaging.

MEPCO Redirects SAR 291 Million Toward PM5 Containerboard Project

Middle East Paper Co. shareholders approved the reallocation of SAR 291.1 million from an earlier share issue toward the company’s PM5 containerboard project. The money had originally been intended for acquisitions of corrugated carton facilities.

CMPC Secures Land for US$370 Million Pulp Terminal in Brazil

CMPC has secured federal land for a planned US$370 million private-use pulp terminal at Brazil’s Port of Rio Grande. The joint venture with Neltume Ports is planned to include ship and barge berths plus a 59,000-square-metre warehouse capable of storing 220,000 tonnes of pulp. The terminal is designed to handle up to 4.6 million tonnes of pulp annually.

Azerbaijan Hygiene Products Plant Investment to Rise to US$15.9 Million

Investment in a privatized baby-diaper and tissue-paper manufacturing plant in Azerbaijan is planned to increase to US$15.9 million through additional production lines and equipment. Fabriora Group initially committed US$8.8 million, while the reconstructed facility in Baku’s Garadagh district has already received equipment and technologies from Germany, Italy and Türkiye.

Domtar PARAGON Project Passes Factory Acceptance Test

Domtar and BW Converting have completed the Factory Acceptance Test for a new PCMC PARAGON line. The line is scheduled to move into operation in Calhoun, Tennessee, as the project progresses to its next phase. Further technical specifications and capacity were not disclosed.

🛑 2. Shutdowns, Closures & Curtailments

Cepac Proposes Darlington Closure

Cepac has proposed closing its Darlington site, potentially affecting up to 63 jobs. The facility produces Flutepac fibre-based corrugated trays. A 30-day redundancy consultation began on September 9, with the company citing slower-than-expected market development for the product portfolio.

Caraustar to Close Cobb County Paperboard Plant

Caraustar plans to permanently close its paperboard manufacturing facility in Austell, Georgia, affecting 95 employees. A WARN notice was filed with the Georgia Department of Labor, with affected employees scheduled for separation on November 16, 2026.

Stora Enso Completes Veitsiluoto Sawmill Closure Negotiations

Stora Enso has completed negotiations for the permanent closure of its Veitsiluoto sawmill in Kemi, Finland. Production will be centralized at other northern Finnish sawmills, with approximately 60 redundancies. The company cited efficiency, profitability, competitiveness and high log costs among the factors behind the decision.

Greif to Exit CRB Market and Close Sweetwater Mill

Greif will exit the coated recycled paperboard market and close its Sweetwater paperboard mill in Austell, Georgia, by the end of 2026. Approximately 90 employees will be affected, while the closure will remove around 120,000 tons of annual production capacity. Greif said the move reflects its strategy of focusing resources on businesses and assets where it has a leading market position.

🤝 3. M&A, Partnerships & Joint Ventures

SCGP Joint Venture Acquires 90% of Jin Zhong Fa Paper Industrial

Thai Containers Group, a 70:30 joint venture between SCG Packaging and Japan’s Rengo, has completed the acquisition of a 90% stake in Jin Zhong Fa Paper Industrial in Thailand for THB68 million. JZF manufactures corrugated containers, has annual capacity of 28,000 tonnes, and primarily serves Chinese customers in Thailand’s fruit-export market.

📈 4. Price Changes & Market Pricing

Sappi Europe Announces 5–7% Price Increase for Woodfree Coated Papers

Sappi Europe announced a 5–7% price increase across its Woodfree Coated paper range in European markets. The increase applies to new orders and deliveries from 12 October 2026. Sappi attributed the move to continued cost escalation across the supply chain and pressure on paper-production economics.

Daio Paper Announces Executive Officer Change

Daio Paper announced that Masada Akihisa will step down from his executive officer role effective October 1, 2026 and become president and representative director of Otsu Itagami Co., Ltd. The announcement followed a September 15 board resolution.

Note: this executive-management story is positioned by the source newsletter under the Price Changes & Market Pricing section; it has been retained there rather than silently reclassified.

🌱 5. Sustainability & Circular Economy

Torraspapel Strengthens Circularity Commitment Through 4evergreen

Torraspapel is participating in the 4evergreen Alliance, a fibre-based packaging initiative led by Cepi that brings together more than 110 organizations across the packaging value chain. The alliance has an ambition of achieving a 90% recycling rate for fibre-based packaging in Europe by 2030 and is developing tools including the Recyclability Evaluation Protocol and Circularity by Design Guidelines.

🚀 6. Products & Innovation

Kleannara Expands CCKB Paperboard Exports to South Africa

Kleannara is expanding exports of Clay Coated Kraft Board to South Africa as demand grows for sustainable packaging materials. The company highlights CCKB’s strength, water resistance and printability and plans to pursue customers in Europe and Southeast Asia as well.

UPM Extends Barrier Paper Technology to Labels

UPM Specialty Materials has extended its barrier-paper technology to label face papers with UPM Asendo 80. The grade provides grease resistance without PFAS and is aimed at food-contact and grease-sensitive labelling applications.

Amcor and Ge Wu An Launch Inverted Pet-Food Cup in China

Amcor and pet-food brand Ge Wu An have commercially launched the Li Kou inverted pet-food cup in China. Its bottom-seal format allows the meal to be inverted and removed into a bowl, while the lightweight polypropylene-based structure uses less material than traditional aluminium cans.

Unilever Joins PaperFlex Consortium

Unilever has joined the PaperFlex Consortium, an initiative involving consumer-goods companies working to accelerate paper-based flexible packaging alternatives to plastic. The programme is focusing on technical requirements including product protection, shelf life, usability and manufacturing performance.

Amcor and Dow Collaborate on Low-Carbon Packaging

Amcor and Dow announced a strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating adoption of lower-carbon packaging. The companies plan to combine Amcor’s packaging and manufacturing capabilities with Dow’s low-carbon polyethylene and materials expertise while providing carbon-footprint information to customers.

👥 7. Leadership & Corporate Updates

Unifor Members Ratify Eastern Canada Pulp and Paper Agreement

Unifor members at Domtar mills covered by pattern bargaining in Eastern Canada ratified a conciliator’s settlement recommendation. The four-year agreement runs from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2030, includes annual wage increases of 2.5%, and addresses vacation, leave, insurance, pension and probation provisions. The agreement is expected to serve as a pattern for negotiations involving approximately 14,000 Unifor members.

Jörg Papak Named Head of Global Sales at GAW Technologies

GAW Technologies has appointed Jörg Papak as Head of Global Sales. Papak joined the company in March and brings more than 25 years of relevant experience. He previously led sales activities in Asia and will now oversee GAW’s global sales organization.

Niclas Rosenlew Appointed Deputy CEO of Stora Enso

Stora Enso has appointed CFO Niclas Rosenlew as Deputy CEO in addition to his existing responsibilities. He will serve as deputy to President and CEO Hans Sohlström while continuing as a member of the Group Leadership Team.

Lasse von Hertzen Appointed WISA Group CFO

The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority approved a supplement to WISA Group’s demerger and listing prospectus following the appointment of Lasse von Hertzen as Senior Vice President and CFO. WISA’s planned demerger completion date is October 31, 2026, with trading expected to begin on Nasdaq Helsinki on November 2, 2026, or as soon as reasonably possible thereafter.

⚙️ 8. Operations & Supply Chain

Mauser Packaging Unites U.S. and Canadian Operations Under Questar

Mauser Packaging Solutions has launched Questar Canada, bringing its Canadian distribution businesses and Questar United States together under a unified North American organization. Effective September 1, 2026, the structure provides a broader distribution network with seven major Canadian hubs, increased inventory, supply stability and local warehouse and delivery capabilities.

🔥 9. Incidents, Safety & Environmental Events

Port Townsend Paper Faces US$734,000 Pollution Penalty

Washington’s Department of Ecology fined Port Townsend Paper Company US$734,000 over alleged wastewater-treatment violations. According to the department, an inspection found improper treatment over at least five months, with the facility out of compliance for 170 days. Issues included sludge and weed accumulation in the wastewater-aeration pond and improperly operating or disconnected treatment equipment.

🏛️ 10. Policy, Regulation & Trade

Seoul High Court Suspends FTC Price-Reset Orders in Korean Paper Case

The Seoul High Court suspended enforcement of price-redetermination orders issued by South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission against four paper companies in a price-fixing case. The suspensions remain in effect until the 30th day after first-instance rulings in the companies’ main lawsuits.

The FTC had alleged that six paper companies met more than 60 times between February 2021 and December 2024 to agree on benchmark-price increases and reductions in discount rates, imposing combined penalty surcharges of 338.3 billion won. The court proceedings remain ongoing.

🏆 11. Awards, Certifications & Recognition

Metsä Board Paperboard Wins Carton of the Year Again

A Sephora After Christmas Calendar 2025 made with Metsä Board paperboard won Carton of the Year at the European Carton Excellence Award 2026. Two additional Metsä Board-based packaging solutions also received awards: the Tequila Buen Amigo Duo Pack won in the Beverage category, while Toty Ilumina CC Cream packaging received a Gold Award in Pharma & Healthcare.

The Carton of the Year recognition marks the second consecutive year that packaging made with Metsä Board paperboard has received the competition’s top award.

Technology & Digital Transformation

GP and Koch Test Autonomous Drone System at Alabama River Cellulose

Georgia-Pacific and Koch are testing an autonomous drone system at Alabama River Cellulose. The system is designed to make site monitoring safer, more consistent and scalable while providing leaders with more timely information.

Georgia-Pacific conducts more than 1,500 drone checks annually, and the autonomous system is being tested as a means of improving monitoring efficiency, employee time utilization, workplace safety and visibility across the site.