Weekly Spotlight
Duni Group Acquires UK-based Paper Tableware Producer Poppies Europe for SEK 670 Million

Over the Wire

TAPPI

Thursday, January 9, 2025 - Member
Cristini
Duni AB (Duni Group) signed an agreement to acquire the UK-based paper tableware producer Poppies Europe Ltd for a fixed purchase price of approximately SEK 670 million, whereof 60 percent will be paid upon closing and the remaining amount will be paid in three instalments by the end of 2025 (20%), 2026 (10%) and 2027 (10%).
 
Buckman Unveils New $10 Million Robert H. Buckman Chemical R&D Pilot Plant
Buckman recently unveiled its new, state-of-the art chemical R&D pilot plant facility on the campus of its global headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. The new R&D pilot plant is named in honor of Robert H. (Bob) Buckman, who served in the past as both CEO and Chairman of the Board, to recognize his leadership through the 1980s and 1990s, and his nationally recognized expertise on "knowledge sharing."
 
Print Revival: How Magazines Are Making a Comeback in 2025
In a world dominated by digital screens and on-demand content, print magazines were once thought to be on their way out. However, 2025 has seen a surprising resurgence in print, with magazines finding renewed popularity among readers. This revival is driven by a demand for tangible experiences, unique content, and sustainable practices that set print apart from its digital counterparts. Here’s a closer look at how the print revival is shaping up, why it’s happening, and what this means for the future of publishing.
 
Schlumpf Joins Double E Group in Name, Solidifying Longstanding Partnership
Schlumpf, a renowned provider of material handling solutions, is pleased to announce that it will now operate under the Double E Group name, officially aligning with its parent company. For Schlumpf, long a member of the Double E Group family, this rebranding represents a natural evolution, reinforcing Double E Group’s strategic commitment to integrated operations and a strengthened market presence to benefit our customers.
 
Dryer Cylinder Bearing Failures? Beat the Heat with NSK.
NSK Americas®
Under the high temperatures and thermal stresses of dryer rolls in paper making machines, conventional bearings can experience cracking damage and fail prematurely. NSK’s Tough and Long Life (TL) Spherical Roller Bearings dramatically increase MTBF and significantly reduce maintenance costs and machine downtime.
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From The Experts
The Future of Packaging: Bold Predictions for 2025
By Jamil Bouchareb
The packaging industry in 2024 stood at a pivotal moment, driven by groundbreaking innovations and mounting challenges. Sustainability emerged as the defining theme, transforming materials, designs, and business models. A notable surge in biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable substrates reshaped the industry's landscape, propelled by increasingly stringent regulations on single-use plastics and the rising demand for eco-conscious alternatives.
 
UPG Unified Purchasing Group
Market Roundup
Newsprint Paper Market Outlook
As of 2023, the global newsprint paper market size is valued at approximately USD 12.8 billion and is expected to reach USD 16.4 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8% during the forecast period of 2024-2032. This growth is underpinned by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements in the paper industry, and the sustained demand for printed media in various developing regions.
 
EPIQ Advanced Dynamics Corp
Pulp & Paper
Georgia-Pacific Modernizes Mt. Wolf Plant with $18 Million Investment
Georgia-Pacific has completed $18 million in upgrades at its Mt. Wolf, Pennsylvania, corrugated facility, enhancing efficiency and operational capabilities.
 
Nominate your Candidate for The Marcus Wallenberg Prize
The Board of the Marcus Wallenberg Foundation and its Selection Committee invite individuals and institutions, globally, to nominate candidates for the Marcus Wallenberg Prize, between 1 February and 30 April each year.
 
SVP Extends Acceptance Period for Nordic Paper Takeover Offer
US investment company Strategic Value Partners (SVP) has extended the acceptance period for its offer made to acquire Swedish paper manufacturer Nordic Paper. The US firm is giving shareholders until 8 January to decide whether they wish to accept the takeover offer. According to SVP, the deadline, which had already been postponed from 11 to 20 December, will not be extended again.
 
Containerboard/Packaging
Stora Enso Provides Wilfa with Wood Fiber-based, Biodegradable Foam for Packaging
Stora Enso announced that Wilfa, a Norwegian-owned company and a leading supplier of small electrical items in the Nordic countries, will use Stora Enso's bio-based and biodegradable foam — Papira® — made of wood fibers to package its ProBaker kitchen mixer.
 
Paper Packaging Company Moves to U.S. with Eco-Friendly Focus
The Paper Packaging Company, a Nigerian sustainable packaging provider, has announced its expansion into the United States market in March 2025.
 
McKinley Opens New Corrugated Box-Making Plant in Lancaster
McKinley Packaging, a subsidiary of Bio Pappel, known for its sustainable paper-based packaging solutions, has inaugurated a new corrugated box manufacturing plant in Lancaster, Texas, US, the Business Journals has reported.
 
Best-in-class in Paper Mill Starch Cooking.
Hydro-Thermal Corp®
Hydro-Thermal’s proven and original Jetcooker™ technology provides the instantaneous gelatinization of wet end starch, adjustable mechanical shear, and precise temperature control, optimizing the cooking process. Our patented Jetcooker™ directly injects steam into the starch slurry, producing consistent starch with 100% energy efficiency.  For more information on our advanced direct steam injection technology for starch cooking in paper making
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New Products
Papersnap®: A Sustainable Single Dose Packaging Solution
The packaging industry is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by growing demands for sustainable solutions that align with new regulations and consumer preferences. At the forefront of this change is Easysnap Technology dedicated to developing innovative single-dose packaging.
 
Amazon Reveals New Sustainable Packaging
Amazon is rolling out new, environmentally friendly packaging for its Echo, Kindle, and Fire TV products. The updated packaging, made with sustainability in mind, mirrors the simple brown kraft exterior that Amazon customers are accustomed to.
 
Sustainability
Rayonier and Reliant Partner on Carbon Sequestration Agreement
Rayonier Inc. has entered into a groundbreaking agreement with Reliant Carbon Capture & Storage, securing underground pore space rights for approximately 104,000 acres in Alabama.
 
Driving Packaging Innovation: The Future of Sustainable Design
As the global packaging sector navigates an era of profound transformation, the need for innovative solutions has never been greater. Sustainability, regulatory compliance, and technological advancements have emerged as dominant themes, demanding a nuanced understanding of market dynamics and a collaborative approach across the value chain.
 
People
USDA Appoints Paper and Packaging Board Members
The Paper and Packaging Board (P+PB) announces five new board members appointed by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. Appointed for three-year terms are Steve Henry of Domtar, Brandon Bennett of Georgia-Pacific and Erin Raccah of Sylvamo. Appointed for a two-year term is Anne Ayer of Sappi. Appointed for a one-year term is Richard Bennett of Suzano Packaging. The term begins on January 1, 2025.
 
MM Kotkamills has Appointed Marko Pekkola as Its New Chief Executive Officer
MM Kotkamills has appointed Marko Pekkola, M.Sc. (Eng.) as the new CEO from the beginning of 2025. Pekkola succeeds Päivi Suutari, who has served as the company's CEO since autumn 2021 and moves to the company's Senior Advisor from the beginning of 2025 until the end of March 2025, after which she will leave her active day job.
 
Twin Rivers Paper Names Tyler Rajeski as CEO; Debabrata Mukherjee to Continue as Chairman
Twin Rivers Paper Company announced the promotion of Tyler Rajeski as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2025. He succeeds Debabrata Mukherjee, who will continue his service to Twin Rivers as Chairman of the Board.
 
Sonoco Names Interim CFO, Reshuffles Roles
Sonoco Products Company has announced several leadership changes effective January 3, 2025.
 
TAPPI Career Wire
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Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Winter Haven, Florida
 
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Lenexa, Kansas
 
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Concord, New Hampshire
 
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Mayo Clinic
Phoenix, Arizona
 
TAPPI News
 
Visit https://events.tappi.org/event/nano/call-for-papers to view the full article online.
 
Share Your Expertise at TAPPI Nano 2025
TAPPI Nano 2025 Call for Presentations is open! Submit your abstracts by Wednesday, 5 February 2025
 
Need to Boost Your Talent Pipeline? We’ve Got Just the Ticket
Each MLK weekend, TAPPI’s Student Summit showcases next gen leadership. Is your company taking advantage of this industry-specific pipeline of potential interns, co-ops, and full-time employees?
 
Special TAPPI Journal Issue Pays Tribute to Peter W. Hart, Ph.D.
Prolific author and editor leaves behind an unmatched legacy for current and future generations
 
Secure Your Spot for the Hands-On Workshop for Pulp & Paper Basics
Join the Leading Pulp and Paper Workshop in 2025 – Register Today!