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The PM40 closed Friday, 17 November 2023, at 5063.

Get the latest PM40 updates by listening to the weekly Nips show and the PM40 Daily Show on Pulp & Paper Radio International.

In this issue of Disconnected Comparisons, we evaluate Clearwater Paper and Kimberly-Clark.

The PM40 closed 17 November 2023 down 2% from the 18 November 2022 level.

The PM40 closed 3 November 2023 up 0.2% from the 4 November 2022 level.

Reported insider trading since the last issue of PaperMoney.

Ladies and gentlemen, the first class of inductees to the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame in Appleton, Wisconsin was inducted more than two decades ago in 1995, and today, more than 150 papermaking innovators and legends have been enshrined. This month, we profile the late Morris W. Kuchenbecker, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

Looks like I will keep my job...

As Asia Symbol Group, one of the biggest wood pulp producers in China, expands its pulp and paper business into tissue manufacturing, it has selected ABB to deliver the ABB Ability Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and system integration at three of its tissue mills in China.

Sonae Arauco Deutschland GmbH placed an order with Anthon GmbH for sophisticated high-capacity finishing line for processing wood-fibre-insulation-boards and packaging of blow-in insulation in Meppen, Germany.

Voith successfully started up Asia Symbol's BM 13 at Rugao, China. The state-of-the-art machine is 8.16 m wide with a design speed of 1,400 m/min and an annual capacity of around one million tons. It mainly produces high-quality white folding boxboard in the basis weight range of 170 to 400 gsm.

Cellwood's partnership with RC Machinery has resulted in a new order for a Dispersing unit to Star Paper.

Finnos and Södra Wood Ab have agreed about a delivery consisting of Finnos Board Scanner. The scanner will be delivered to Södra's sawmill in Hamina, Finland in summer 2024.

Wood fiber insulation board manufacturer Gutex has successfully produced first fibers with its new Andritz fiber preparation system in Eschbach, Germany. This is the second system Andritz has delivered to Gutex.

Metsä Group and Valmet are jointly developing a comprehensive operating model to ensure sustainability in technology and maintenance investments.

The completion of this transaction, initially disclosed on July 7, 2023, now solidifies Valmet's presence as a comprehensive provider of process technologies and services for converting tissue jumbo reels into final products.

Ahlstrom's portfolio for battery materials includes a wide range of pasting materials, film separator reinforcement, and Absorbent Glass Matt (AGM) media. Ahlstrom is now taking further steps to become a leading, single-source provider of fiber-based battery materials by expanding its offering with a hybrid pasting material.

Caressa is a digital platform and new business model for Essity that brings together care essentials - tasks, medications and appointments - into one subscription-based app, enabling multiple family members to collaborate and coordinate the care of a loved one.

For the third consecutive year, the hygiene and health company Essity has been designated a Diversity Leader by the UK business daily Financial Times.

With more than 100 years of experience in molded fiber packaging technology, Huhtamaki, the maker of Chinet® tableware, is launching fiber-based egg cartons, made from 100% recycled material, for US egg producers. Huhtamaki is bringing its fiber expertise to the US as an alternative to foam egg packaging..

Sponsorship of veteran-focused recruitment and training program adds to LP's efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce.

As the needs of modern marketers evolve, RRD is making significant investments in digital direct mail production capabilities and marketing automation solutions.

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has collaborated with Skånemejerier to create a mono-material, polypropylene (PP) based packaging for, among others, ICA's Hushållsost cheese.

Smurfit Kappa has developed a recyclable film to replace the nylon which is commonly used in bag-in-box products, particularly in the US.

The Business Intelligence Group named Sofidel, a leading global provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use, a finalist in its 2023 Sustainability Awards program. The Sustainability Awards honor those who have made sustainability an integral part of their business practice.

Sun Chemical has launched its new groundbreaking 'Pace' technology platform for sheetfed offset inks. SunPak FSP, Sun Chemical's flagship sheetfed offset low migration ink for food packaging, will be the first ink to transition to the new technology with the launch of SunPak FSP EcoPace.

UPM Specialty Papers is responding to the growing pet food market's need to transform traditional packaging solutions by offering paper-based alternatives for plastics and packages that contain soon to be phased out PFAS chemicals.

$5 million program to provide targeted support to five communities across North America.

Safire Group and Glatfelter to develop new separator for shear thickening battery technology.

Södra and the collaboration partner Lenzing have received the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) Award 2023 in the category International cooperation for their joint achievements in textile recycling and circular economy.

Texas-based solar projects to support WestRock's pursuit of science-based targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S. cities, towns and water districts have challenged proposed class action settlements worth more than $11 billion with 3M, DuPont de Nemours and others, arguing the deals are too generous to the chemical companies accused of contaminating U.S. water with toxic "forever chemicals."

The owner of a Whiting paper mill faces a fine of more than $55,000 from federal inspectors after an employee's arm got stuck in a machine and he died earlier this year.

Raute Corporation has signed a contract worth Euro 93 million with Metsä Wood, part of Metsä Group, for the technology delivery of a new Kerto LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) mill in Äänekoski, Finland. This order, being the biggest in Raute's history, company said in a statement.

The net investment amount for the conversion project at Norske Skog Golbey will increase from EUR 265 to 300 million.

Asia Pulp & Paper Co. is joining the bidding for a stake in Vinda International Holdings Ltd., according to people familiar with the matter, adding complexity to a battle for the Hong Kong-listed tissue maker.

Huhtamaki's subsidiary in India has recently consolidated five manufacturing sites into larger local units. Following the reorganization, the company has sold its real estate in Thane, India, from where a manufacturing facility and offices have been transferred.

As required by the Takeovers Code in Hong Kong, Essity has today confirmed that discussions are ongoing with a number of interested parties in respect of a potential transaction regarding Essity owned shares in Vinda. No decisions relating to the future ownership of Essity's Vinda shares have been made. Vinda has made a public announcement as required by local laws.

Kronospan has executed an asset purchase agreement with Roseburg Forest Products to acquire Roseburg's Simsboro, Louisiana, particleboard facility. Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals.

Progroup AG and Sappi Stockstadt GmbH signed a contract to take over the site of the paper and pulp mill in Germany. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Rengo Co., Ltd. announces that it has acquired 30% of the shares in Velvin Containers Private Limited, a corrugated packaging manufacturer in India. Due to Rengo's equity participation, the company will change its name to Velvin Rengo Containers Private Limited.

For over 70 years, TriState has provided corrugated packaging products and services to customers located in the Northeastern United States.

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. completed the acquisition of Spray Lake Sawmills (1980) Ltd from family on November 17, 2023. As of November 17, 2023, Canadian regulatory reviews were completed.

The Company's current operations in Lathrop, CA, will relocate to this new facility, which includes office space and 190,000 sq. ft. enclosed warehouse served by rail.

Canfor Corporation will curtail operations at its Polar Sawmill located in Bear Lake British Columbia, north of Prince George, following an orderly wind-down. The curtailment is the result of a shortage of economically available fibre in the region and is expected to be in place for a period of approximately six months.

Cascades deeply regrets and is saddened to announce the death of one of its cofounders, Mr. Bernard Lemaire, at the age of 87.

The company cited "the difficult business environment in the newsprint sector" as the reason.

Complaint claims Paper Excellence ineligible for credential due to alleged ties with Indonesian conglomerate.

Metsä Group and industrial maintenance service provider Quant Finland have agreed to halve the consumption of fossil hydraulic oil together in Metsä Group's plywood and Kerto LVL mills by 2027 compared to 2022.

Metsä Group aims to reduce fossil carbon dioxide emissions from wood supply in Finland by 30% from the 2022 level by 2030. As one way to reduce emissions, Metsä Group is introducing the use of electric and biogas lorries in the Kemi bioproduct mill's wood transports.

Södra's venture in a new advanced technique for better seedling survival was recently field tested with promising results. Södra's ambition with the in-house developed BraSatt 01 planting machine is to accelerate technical advances in forest regeneration, which could potentially lead to considerable improvements for forestry.

This unique packaging is 90% renewable.

Clearwater Paper Corporation reported that it temporarily suspended certain manufacturing operations at its Lewiston, Idaho facility. An incident impacting the regional natural gas system has resulted in the disruption of natural gas deliveries to the mill and the surrounding areas.

A fleet of drivers employed at British cardboard maker DS Smith will strike later this month after they rejected a pay offer, UK's Unite union said on Wednesday.

MM Kotkamills has completed the change negotiations regarding the company's sawmill that started in September. After the negotiations, it has been decided that the sawmill will be closed permanently.

With its new production line in the Oulu Mill in northern Finland, Stora Enso will increase its capacity and produce 1.2 million tonnes of sustainable packaging materials in one site starting from 2025.

The Maine Bureau of Unemployment Compensation has awarded 80 striking workers at Woodland Pulp eligibility for unemployment benefits after the paper mill hired temporary workers to fill the empty positions.