Paper Recycling

U.S. Packaging Paper Shipments Rise 2% as Printing Paper Falls 9%

U.S. packaging and specialty paper shipments increased 2% year over year in September, while printing-writing paper shipments fell 9%, highlighting contrasting conditions across the paper market.

BIR Malaga 2026: Paper Recycling Leaders Target Trade & Regulatory Risks

BIR’s October convention in Malaga will put recovered paper trade and regulation under the spotlight as tighter European fibre supply, stronger Asian demand and new EU waste-shipment rules reshape international recycling markets.

Paper Packaging Materials Market to Reach USD 729.8 Billion by 2036

Asia Pacific dominated the global paper packaging materials market in 2025, accounting for the largest revenue share of 38%.

New Brunswick Pulp Mill Idling Puts Regional Exports in Jeopardy

AV Group Nackawic’s planned idling is expected to reduce container traffic through Port Saint John, where the pulp mill accounts for roughly 8% to 10% of containerized traffic and as much as 15% to 20% of export containers. The port says it does not anticipate layoffs.

Europe Paper Recycling Rate Hits Record High in Latest EPRC Report

Europe's paper recycling rate held at 76.4% in 2025 as 53.9 million tonnes of paper and board were collected and recycled. European mills used 46.3 million tonnes domestically, while net Paper for Recycling exports rose 13.9% to 7.5 million tonnes.

Stora Enso Plans Gruvön CLT Closure, 80 Jobs at Risk

Stora Enso plans to discontinue cross-laminated timber production at its Gruvön mill in Sweden by the end of 2026. The proposed restructuring could affect up to 80 positions as weak CLT demand, rising wood costs and high fixed production costs pressure profitability.

Greif to Close Sweetwater Mill, Exit Coated Recycled Paperboard Market

Greif will close its Sweetwater paperboard mill in Austell, Georgia, by the end of 2026, removing 120,000 tons of annual capacity and ending the company’s participation in coated recycled paperboard.

AF&PA: Packaging Paper Shipments Jump, Printing-Writing Demand Dips in August

U.S. paper markets moved in opposite directions in August 2026, with packaging paper shipments rising 4% year over year while printing-writing paper shipments fell 7%, according to the American Forest & Paper Association.

BIR Plenary Session to Highlight Global Recovered Paper Market Trends

The session is expected to provide valuable insights into the direction of global recovered paper markets and the factors likely to influence the sector in the forthcoming months.

Smurfit Westrock Climbs to No. 190 on TIME World’s Best Companies List

Smurfit Westrock climbed 15 positions to rank 190th on TIME’s 2026 World’s Best Companies list and placed 12th in its industry category. The annual assessment evaluates companies on employee satisfaction, revenue growth and sustainability transparency.

Ontario Provides $5.1 Million Boost for Espanola Pulp Mill Restart

Bioveld North Inc., part of Canadian-owned BMI Group, will provide another C$5.4 million, taking the total investment in the engineering work to C$10.5 million.

AF&PA: U.S. Cardboard Recycling Exceeds 33 Million Tons

The U.S. cardboard recycling rate stood at 70%-75% in 2025, exceeding the overall paper recycling rate of 61%-65%.

AF&PA: U.S. Packaging Paper Climbs in July, Printing Paper Demand Slumps

Shipments of packaging papers and specialty packaging products rose 1% from July 2025. Meanwhile, cumulative shipments during the first seven months of the year were 5% higher than the same period in 2025.

MM Group to Acquire Arnsberg Recycled Cartonboard Mill in Germany

The Arnsberg facility has a capacity to produce approximately 230,000 tonnes of recycled cartonboard annually, with liner products forming a major part of its output.

Stora Enso to Permanently Close Veitsiluoto Sawmill in Finland

Under the current proposal, Veitsiluoto would remain shut after its temporary production stoppage and would not resume operations in October 2026.

Global Cardboard Recycling Market Gains Momentum Amid Growing Sustainability Focus

The industry is likely to benefit from wider adoption of circular economy policies. Recycled content regulations by various governments have led to increased investment in recycling collection and processing facilities.

Fire at Smurfit Westrock’s Townsend Hook mill

The company declined to comment further on whether recovered paper stocks had been destroyed, whether operations at the depot had resumed or whether the incident was affecting paper production at the mill.

U.S. Containerboard Operating Rate Reaches 95% in Q2, AF&PA Says

AF&PA report noted that Solid Bleached Boxboard recorded a 4% increase in production from a year earlier.

International Paper Reports Mixed Q2 2026 Results, Reaffirms Full-Year EBITDA Outlook

During the quarter, the company also completed the acquisitions of the NORPAC mill in Washington and the Delmarva corrugated packaging facility in Delaware.

Smurfit Westrock Posts Q2 Profit, Maintains EBITDA Outlook

Smurfit Westrock reported continued operational progress across its business. North America recorded improvements in efficiency and pricing, while the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific regions delivered strong performance.

International Paper Names Two New Directors, Announces Texas Plant Closure

Separately, International Paper revealed plans to permanently close its Carrollton South packaging facility in Carrollton, Texas, by the end of the third quarter of 2026.

AF&PA: Packaging Shipments Rise Despite Declining Printing Paper Demand

Year-to-date shipments of uncoated free sheet (UFS) dropped 9%, while coated free sheet (CFS) shipments fell 3%.

BIR Reports Tight Supply, Firm Prices in Recovered Paper Market

According to the report, exporters were faced with growing challenges, including higher freight costs, shipping delays, longer transit times, and new regulatory requirements under the European Union's updated Waste Shipment Regulation.

Global Pulp and Paper Market to Hit $413.9B by 2035

Among raw materials, wood-based pulp accounted for the largest share of the market in 2025, while recycled paper is expected to record the fastest growth through 2035.

Smurfit Westrock, Coca-Cola Join Hands to Launch New Paper-Based Packaging

The company also created additional packaging options like a seven-mini-can octagonal pack, a basket-style carrier, and a dedicated e-commerce packaging solution.