Corrugators and printers serving leading brands with high-performance packaging and displays rely on the consistent availability of premium coated and uncoated liner board. In recent years extensive internal cost and efficiency initiatives, including organisational restructuring and operational optimisation were implemented. Despite these actions, continued price erosion has created a widening gap between structural costs and the pricing levels required to maintain a sustainable and reliable supply. To address this imbalance, Sappi Europe will implement a price increase of 7% to 8% on coated and uncoated premier Fusion Liner board, effective 1 April 2026.
Across all industries, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace is increasingly recognised as valuable and essential to long-term success. However, despite the print industry’s significant advancements in technology and innovation, visible representation of women remains limited. As the sector grapples with low recruitment, it’s important to challenge outdated perceptions. Creating real change, however, requires collective effort - no single company can do it alone.
(By Danna Drion, General Manager Marketing and Product Management at Mimaki Europe.)
Industrial water treatment is technically challenging, especially for pumps that convey aggressive chemicals. To address this issue, Lutz-Jesco is presenting the Peridos FXM peristaltic pump at IFAT 2026, the world's leading trade fair for environmental technologies in Munich, from May 4 to 7, 2026 (Hall 3A, Stand 222).
Kemira will implement a price increase of 10-20% for all AKD (alkyl ketene dimer) wax products, effective immediately or as contracts permit. The adjustment is driven by significantly higher costs across the AKD wax value chain.
Techkon USA announced that its color QA management suite ChromaQA now can generate accurate spectral data for color standards that are only defined in CIELab values. To ensure the accuracy of this generated spectral data, ChromaQA uses the AI driven SmartInk formulation engine and a colorant set that corresponds to the ink and substrate of the original Lab color standard.
Once again this year, the Leipzig-based emtec Electronic GmbH will be exhibiting its innovative measuring instruments at IMPS 2026 in Munich. From March 17 to 19, the event will focus on advances in paper and board production. The International Munich Paper Symposium is opening its doors for the 34th time and welcoming experts from the paper, board and tissue industry. For years, emtec Electronic has been part of the exclusive circle of exhibitors, as the predominantly technical conference is accompanied by a renowned exhibition.
The material solutions company UPM has entered into a collaboration with international technology group Andritz to recycle its paper machine clothing. This initiative uses innovative recycling approaches to return used fabrics and felts made from synthetic polymers to the circular economy. This avoids thermal disposal and its associated emissions while reducing the demand for fossil-based raw materials.
Graphispag 2027 is preparing a renewed edition with greater emphasis on technology and innovation aimed at improving printing efficiency and competitiveness. From 4 to 7 May 2027, and strategically coinciding with Hispack, the Spanish trade show will present equipment, production processes and applications designed to support investment decisions and open new business opportunities in the graphic arts industry and across other sectors that rely on printing.
Mondi has collaborated with Prymat, the Polish dried seasoning manufacturer, to create packaging that contributes to a circular economy while protecting its aromatic spices. The partnership will see Prymat transition to new paper-based packaging, created with Mondi’s re/cycle FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate. This ultra-high barrier solution was chosen following extensive trials and tests, which proved it to be a sustainable alternative to conventionally non-recyclable multi-layer structures.
Sappi Europe will increase prices for its Speciality products by €50-70/t, depending on the grade, effective on deliveries as from 1 April 2026. Despite significant internal efficiency programs and cost-saving initiatives, and major restructuring efforts, the combination of persistent cost inflation and continued price erosion has pushed current price levels to an unsustainable point for Sappi.
Holmen is introducing Holmen BOOK Bright, a new, whiter wood-containing book paper that reproduces colours with clarity and intensity. The paper offers a high level of opacity and can help reduce environmental impact across the book market. Holmen has been a renowned supplier of book paper since the early 2000s, delivering a wide-ranging portfolio to make reading as easy and pleasurable as possible. With Holmen BOOK Bright, the company is taking another major step forward in developing sustainable, high-performance materials for modern book production.
The 4evergreen alliance has published major updates to two cornerstone documents in its Technical Toolbox, supporting Europe’s transition to high-performance recycling systems under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Terminology and definitions have been revised to reflect the latest PPWR and CEN developments, ensuring full technical consistency with emerging standardisation parameters. The scope of 4evergreen remains unchanged; these updates are strictly linguistic and standardisation-driven. For example, certain descriptors are being aligned from “fibre-based” to the more technically precise and CEN-conformant “paper-based” terminology.