Operations News

International Paper Co. plans to close its Cleveland, Tennessee, production plant after 61 years and cut 115 jobs, according to a filing with the state.

International Paper says it plans to close its facility in Kansas City, Missouri, but did not say how many employees would be impacted.

​Metsä Board Corporation has initiated change negotiations regarding potential temporary layoffs at its paperboard and BCTMP mills in Finland. These talks will impact approximately 1,100 employees across seven mills: Joutseno, Kaskinen, Kemi, Kyro, Tampere, Simpele, and Äänekoski.

Mika Kekki has been appointed Executive Vice President of UPM Specialty Papers as of 1 January 2025. He will continue to be a member of UPM's Group Executive Team and report to UPM's CEO Massimo Reynaudo.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc., a leader in High Purity Cellulose, today announced that its Jesup, Georgia facility has fully resumed operations ahead of schedule, following an isolated fire on October 11. All production lines have returned to producing on-grade material at full capacity.

According to state filings, the employees were notified on Oct. 10 of the closure and were informed layoffs will take place on Nov. 18.

​Suzano S.A. has announced the resignation of its Executive Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations, Marcelo Feriozzi Bacci, effective November 30, 2024.

Clearwater Paper Corporation, a premier supplier of bleached paperboard and quality consumer tissue, announced that it temporarily suspended operations at its Augusta, Georgia paperboard facility and its Shelby, North Carolina tissue facility due to the impacts from Hurricane Helene. There was no serious damage to equipment and both facilities are resuming operations.

Sappi employees were able to help keep the fire under control before firefighters arrived on scene.

According to the Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire Department, a log truck turning to enter the papermill was hit in the rear by a box truck from Fayetteville. A log 3 inches in diameter then impaled the driver of the truck, going into their left stomach area.

Kalle Parviainen has been appointed SVP, Metsä Fibre's sawmill business and member of Metsä Fibre's Management Team. He will report to Ismo Nousiainen, CEO, Metsä Fibre in this new role. Parviainen has previously worked as CFO at Metsä Wood.

According to EMA Director Donnie Ray, the fire spread when a digester, the main equipment for making chemical paper pulp, caught fire. As of Friday evening, there are still active flames in the digester which processes wood chips.

Sappi paper mill workers rallied in Skowhegan Tuesday to draw attention to concerns about several proposed changes to their union contracts.

A union representing hundreds of workers at Sappi North America's Somerset Mill has authorized a strike amid concerns from members over forced overtime, proposed changes to a vacation time policy and other issues.

Hurricane Helene has made a significant impact in the Southeastern United States, including in the Carolinas where we have several operations.

UPM Fibres plans measures to increase efficiency and safeguard the profitability of its operations in Finland and starts change negotiations in its Fibres Finland Operations. The planned measures include the possible reduction of 110 positions.

Western Forest Products Inc., a major forest products company based in Vancouver, announced a significant reduction in lumber production for the final quarter of 2024. The company will curtail production at its British Columbia sawmills by 30 million board feet between October and December. For the full year, the total estimated reduction is 90 million board feet, representing 10% of the company's annual capacity.

Jordi Aguiló assumes the presidency of ASPAPEL (Spanish Association of Pulp, Paper and Cardboard Manufacturers) for the next two years.

The Prattville Fire Department was fighting a large industrial fire Monday night, Sept. 23, at the city's International Paper mill.

Mercer International Inc. announced that its Peace River mill has taken downtime to complete necessary repairs to the mill's digester after experiencing a mechanical failure. The Company currently expects the repairs and related assessments will be completed in mid-October 2024, and anticipates that NBHK production at the mill will be reduced by approximately 45,000 tonnes during such period.

Antti Eskola has been appointed Sawmill Manager at Metsä Fibre's Renko sawmill as of 1 November 2024. Previously, Eskola has been responsible for the procurement and contract management of Metsä Group's Kemi bioproduct mill project, has been involved in several strategic procurement projects, and held different procurement positions in Metsä Group.

Metsä Fibre's Joutseno pulp mill, part of Metsä Group, is undergoing a production shutdown to adapt to the current market situation. In addition, on the basis of construction technical reviews, the mill's baling plant building has been placed under a temporary operating ban due to the potential risk of collapse detected in the roof structures.

Union spokesperson Joe Gallagher said the mill's last day would be 18 December and at least 72 workers at the mill had been affected.

The preliminary investigation determined that on September 18, 42-year-old Anthony Smith Jr., of Milton, a Cottrell Paper employee, became trapped in a compactor on-site. Company members as well as firefighters and emergency medical personnel were able to remove Smith from the machinery, but officials say he couldn't be revived and he was declared dead at the scene by a Saratoga County coroner.

Tolko Industries announced a two-week shutdown of its lumber plant in Armstrong, British Columbia, citing ongoing market challenges and resource shortages. The closure will last from September 16 to October 1, according to a statement from company spokesperson Chris Downey.