The global pulp and paper industry continued to see strong activity in the second week of March 2026, with major developments spanning capacity expansions, mill upgrades, sustainability initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, product innovations, financial results, and pricing actions.

Companies across Europe, Asia, and the Americas are investing heavily in specialty papers, packaging grades, renewable energy integration, digital automation, and fiber diversification, reflecting both market demand and evolving regulatory pressures. At the same time, industry consolidation and strategic partnerships continue to reshape the competitive landscape.

Major Capacity Expansion and Industrial Projects

APP Advances Specialty Paper Expansion in China

Asia Pulp & Paper subsidiary Hainan Jinhai Pulp & Paper is moving forward with a 160,000-ton specialty paper project in Hainan, strengthening the company’s position in high-value specialty paper markets.

Guangxi Industrial Revitalization Program Supports Major Paper Investments

China’s Guangxi region approved several large projects including:

• Nine Dragons Paper – 650,000-ton high-quality paper production line

• Guangxi Jianhui Paper – 306,000-ton food packaging paper project

• Xianhe New Materials – 100,000-ton specialty paper expansion

Century Sunshine Paper’s Major Integrated Project

Century Sunshine Paper is advancing a 2.65 million-ton integrated pulp and paper project in Rizhao, one of the largest ongoing investments in China’s paper industry.

Shanying Paper Invests in Biogas Purification Project

Shanying Paper (Suzhou) launched a 20 million yuan biogas purification project, converting biogas into pipeline-grade energy as part of its sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives.

Paracel Paraguay Develops Forestry Industrial Hub

Paracel Paraguay is accelerating the development of a large forestry industrial hub following US$165 million in financing, strengthening the regional pulp supply chain.

Sofidel Finalizes $775 Million U.S. Expansion

Sofidel completed financing for its $775 million tissue production facility in Inola, Oklahoma, reinforcing its position in the North American tissue market.

Yazoo Mills Expands Manufacturing Network

Yazoo Mills announced plans to establish a third manufacturing facility to support its growth strategy in the U.S. packaging tube market.

Rand-Whitney Adds New Facilities in North America

Rand-Whitney expanded its manufacturing footprint with three new facilities in Mexico and Texas, enhancing service to cross-border packaging markets.

Van Genechten Packaging Invests in Riga

Van Genechten Packaging announced a new investment in Riga, Latvia, expanding its folding carton production capacity in Eastern Europe.

New Production Lines, Start-ups and Technology Installations

Valmet Starts Up Board Line PM8 in China

Valmet successfully started PM8 at Anhui Linping Circular Development, designed for recycled liner and fluting production.

ANDRITZ Supplies Tissue Machines in Vietnam

ANDRITZ will deliver two PrimeLine tissue machines to Koro Viet Nam, marking the company’s entry into the tissue market.

Ahlstrom Orders Steel Yankee from ANDRITZ

Ahlstrom has ordered an ANDRITZ steel Yankee cylinder for a paper machine in Sweden, strengthening its specialty materials production.

Advance Paper Box Installs Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106

U.S. packaging converter Advance Paper Box will install a Rapida 106 nine-color press, enhancing premium packaging capabilities.

Parason Supplies Advanced Headbox to Seshasayee Paper

Parason dispatched an auto-dilution headbox with CD basis weight control to improve paper quality and machine performance.

Runtech Improves Runnability at Alkim Kagit

Runtech implemented a runnability improvement solution including high-release web stabilizers and vacuum systems.

CENIBRA Implements Digital Traceability System

CENIBRA deployed a digital environmental traceability platform to track pulp supply chain sustainability metrics.

Ranheim Paper & Board Improves PM6 Approach Flow

Ranheim optimized its PM6 approach flow cleaning efficiency, improving operational reliability and product quality.

Dunapack Packaging Automation Project

Dunapack completed a major automation and work-in-progress storage project at its packaging facility.

Mill Upgrades, Maintenance and Operational Improvements

Valmet to Upgrade Automation System at MM Kotkamills

Valmet will upgrade the automation platform at MM Kotkamills, improving system reliability and process control.

MM Board & Paper Expands MCM® SMART Technology

MM Board & Paper expanded MCM® SMART production technology to a third European mill, increasing premium cartonboard capabilities.

MM Board & Paper Improves Energy Efficiency at Kwidzyn Mill

The company achieved a major milestone in its energy efficiency project at the Kwidzyn mill, reducing emissions and operating costs.

Sappi Installs Steam Storage System at Maastricht Mill

Sappi Europe installed a steam storage system at its Maastricht facility to optimize energy consumption.

Mari Pulp and Paper Mill Completes Major Repairs

Mari Pulp and Paper confirmed the successful completion of a major repair and maintenance shutdown, restoring full operational capacity.

Product Innovations and New Paper Grades

Felix Schoeller Launches RubyPaper

Felix Schoeller introduced RubyPaper, the world’s first photo paper designed specifically for high-speed industrial inkjet printing.

UPM Introduces UPM SCK Forte Release Base Paper

UPM launched UPM SCK Forte, a new high-performance release base paper designed for label and industrial applications.

Lecta Introduces PFAS-Free Paper Solutions

Lecta launched PFAS-free packaging papers to meet growing regulatory and sustainability requirements.

Koehler Expands Eco® Paper Portfolio

Koehler Paper expanded its Koehler Eco® range, offering new environmentally friendly paper options for packaging and labeling.

Yiruixing Expands FSC-Certified Packaging Portfolio

Yiruixing Packaging expanded its FSC-certified packaging line to support ESG compliance across global supply chains.

Sustainability and Alternative Fiber Initiatives

LC Paper Introduces Bamboo Pulp Production

LC Paper launched paper production using bamboo pulp, diversifying fiber sources and supporting sustainable raw material strategies.

Svante Advances Carbon Capture Project

Svante and an integrated packaging company are advancing a BECCS carbon capture project targeting 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ removal annually.

Södra Advances Renewable Gas Project

Södra is studying the production of e-NG renewable gas from biogenic CO₂ at its Värö pulp mill.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Strategic Investments

Imperial Dade and BradyPLUS Complete Merger

Imperial Dade and BradyPLUS finalized their merger, creating one of North America’s largest distribution platforms for packaging and facility supplies.

CCL Industries Acquires Sleever International

CCL Industries signed an agreement to acquire Sleever International, strengthening its sleeve labeling technology portfolio.

Ibema to Acquire BO Paper Industrial Assets

Brazil’s Ibema announced an agreement to acquire BO Paper’s industrial assets in Paraná, expanding its cartonboard production capabilities.

SupplyOne Acquires Specialty Packaging Company

SupplyOne expanded its presence in New England through the acquisition of a specialty packaging supplier.

Altamont Capital Invests in Key Container

Altamont Capital Partners invested in Key Container Corporation, supporting expansion of its corrugated packaging operations.

Flourish Paper and Axchem Form Chemical JV

The joint venture will expand AKD sizing chemical capacity to 15,000 tons annually in India.

Financial Results and Corporate Performance

Lee & Man Paper Reports Strong Profit Growth

Lee & Man Paper reported FY2025 results:

• Revenue: HK$26.6 billion

• Profit: HK$1.9 billion (+43%)

• EPS: HK45.20 cents

• Dividend: HK15.9 cents per share

LC Paper Reports €53 Million Revenue

LC Paper reported €53 million revenue and €6 million EBITDA, while launching bamboo pulp paper production.

Ence Expands Specialty Pulp Portfolio

Ence announced that specialty pulps could reach nearly 40% of its production, reflecting rising demand for high-performance pulp grades.

Market Pricing Developments

Nine Dragons Paper Raises Base Paper Prices

Nine Dragons increased prices by 50 yuan per ton across multiple production bases.

Navigator Increases UWF Paper Prices

Navigator announced $30–$50 per ton price increases for uncoated woodfree papers in overseas markets.

Greif Raises URB Prices

Greif implemented $60–$70 per ton increases for uncoated recycled paperboard.

SCA Raises Kraftliner Prices

SCA announced a €100 per ton increase for kraftliner.

Drewsen Spezialpapiere Announces Price Increase

Drewsen will increase prices for specialty papers effective April 1, 2026.

Jujo Thermal Raises Thermal Paper Prices

Jujo Thermal confirmed price increases for thermal and C1S paper grades due to rising costs.

Industry Events and Market Outlook

Fastmarkets Forest Products Europe Conference 2026

The Fastmarkets conference in Barcelona concluded with discussions on:

• global pulp supply and demand

• OCC and recovered fiber markets

• packaging demand trends

• sustainability and decarbonization strategies

Spain’s Coated Cardboard Production Growth

Spain reported 1.8% growth in coated cardboard packaging production, reflecting stable demand in European packaging markets.

Safety and Operational Disruptions

Gas Leak Incident in Japan

A suspected gas leak at a Daio Paper mill in Gifu Prefecture injured six workers during maintenance operations.

Fibre Excellence Halts Production

Fibre Excellence temporarily halted operations at its Saint-Gaudens pulp mill due to insufficient wood supply.

Key Industry Takeaways

The second week of March highlights several key trends shaping the pulp and paper sector:

1. Continued investment in packaging and specialty papers
2. Expansion of tissue and consumer paper production in North America
3. Growing adoption of sustainable fibers such as bamboo
4. Rising industry consolidation through mergers and acquisitions
5. Increasing prices across pulp, packaging, and specialty paper grades
6. Accelerating digitalization and energy efficiency upgrades at mills

These developments underline a global industry transitioning toward higher efficiency, sustainable production, and premium paper segments.