Södra : Birch – built for reliable performance

Södra : Birch – built for reliable performance

Birch fibres support paper and board production by combining high tensile strength with a smooth surface and good printability. Easy refining and efficient furnish optimisation help improve process control, reduce energy demand and support consistent quality.

François HENIN François HENIN
Fibre Excellence Saint-Gaudens: industrial consortium formed, €90m investment announced, and a paper industry operator in the running

Fibre Excellence Saint-Gaudens: industrial consortium formed, €90m investment announced, and a paper industry operator in the running

A new deadline has been granted to continue pulp production operations at the Fibre Excellence Saint-Gaudens plant in Southern France. According to Agence France-Presse reports quoted by La Tribune and L'Usine Nouvelle, the Toulouse Commercial Court granted additional time on August 24 to allow the takeover bid submitted that day to be refined and improved by September 3. The court will then review the offer five days later, on September 8.

François HENIN François HENIN
Key takeaways from Fastmarkets' Latin America Forest Products Conference 2026

Key takeaways from Fastmarkets' Latin America Forest Products Conference 2026

The Fastmarkets Forest Products Latin America Conference 2026 concluded in São Paulo on 12 August, gathering more than 50 speakers and around 400 industry participants over two days. Discussions ranged from China's growing influence on global fiber markets to climate risks, investment strategies and the long-term competitiveness of Latin America's forest products sector.

Stephane RICHARD Stephane RICHARD
Softys Perú recognised for value chain management

Softys Perú recognised for value chain management

The Peruvian branch of the tissue producer Softys has won the Value Chains category at the Empresa con Gestión Sostenible (EGS) 2025 awards, an initiative of Perú Sostenible that evaluates companies' environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance to strengthen competitiveness and recognise sustainability achievements. The distinction was based on a comprehensive assessment, grounded in internationally recognised standards and frameworks, of how companies embed these principles into their business decisions and practices.

Stephane RICHARD Stephane RICHARD
Change in Valmet’s executive leadership team

Change in Valmet’s executive leadership team

Valmet has appointed Max Luedtke as Executive Vice President, Pulp, Energy and Circularity business area and a member of Valmet’s Executive Leadership Team. He will start in his position on September 1, 2026, and will be based in Tikkurila, Vantaa, Finland.

Stephane RICHARD Stephane RICHARD
Essity acquires feminine care business in Brazil

Essity acquires feminine care business in Brazil

Hygiene and health company Essity has entered into an agreement to acquire Kenvue’s feminine care business in Brazil, including the market-leading brands Carefree, Sempre Livre and o.b. The purchase price amounts to USD 284m (approximately SEK 2.7bn) on a cash and debt-free basis. The acquisition strengthens Essity’s position as a market leader in feminine care in Latin America.

François HENIN François HENIN
Mercer Stendal reduces fossil CO₂ emissions

Mercer Stendal reduces fossil CO₂ emissions

Mercer Stendal, a subsidiary of Mercer International Inc., is converting the fuel supply for the lime kiln at the Arneburg pulp mill in Germany. With a total budget of 34.6 million euros, the lime kiln, which is currently operated with natural gas, will be converted to biomass firing.

Stephane RICHARD Stephane RICHARD
Suzano reports Adjusted EBITDA of R$4.7 billion in the second quarter of 2026

Suzano reports Adjusted EBITDA of R$4.7 billion in the second quarter of 2026

Suzano, the world’s largest pulp producer, announced its results for the second quarter of 2026 , reporting higher prices, stronger volumes and improvements in Adjusted EBITDA and operating cash generation compared to the previous quarter. The quarterly results reflect the competitiveness and resilience of Suzano’s operations in a quarter marked by foreign exchange headwinds and pressure on input costs driven by higher oil prices affecting the industry as a whole.

Stephane RICHARD Stephane RICHARD
Valmet initiates a strategic review to evaluate a potential separation of its two segments

Valmet initiates a strategic review to evaluate a potential separation of its two segments

The Board of Directors of Valmet Oyj has decided to initiate a strategic review to evaluate a potential separation of its two core businesses, Biomaterial Solutions and Services, and Process Performance Solutions, into two standalone publicly listed companies. The review will focus on assessing whether a separation of the two businesses and their operation as separately listed companies on Nasdaq Helsinki would create additional value for shareholders compared with the current combined structure.

François HENIN François HENIN
SOFIDEL and WWF ITALY renew their partnership on climate and energy, responsible sourcing, and awareness-raising activities

SOFIDEL and WWF ITALY renew their partnership on climate and energy, responsible sourcing, and awareness-raising activities

Eighteen years after signing their first agreement, Sofidel and WWF Italy renew one of the longest-standing partnerships in the history of WWF Italy, in a year when both organizations celebrate the 60th anniversary of their founding. The renewed partnership focuses on three areas of collaboration: climate and energy transition, responsible forest sourcing, and stakeholder awareness.

François HENIN François HENIN