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Metsä Group and Andritz start up demo plant for new lignin products

Metsä Group and Andritz have successfully started up a new demonstration plant for lignin refining at Metsä’s Äänekoski bioproduct mill in Finland, marking an important step in the shift toward circular and renewable material solutions. The plant will enable Metsä Group to add new lignin products to its offering, while Andritz brings its LigniOxTM lignin recovery technology to demonstration scale.The project also involves Dow, a leading material science company, that collaborates with Metsä Group and Andritz to develop bio-based plasticizers for concrete and gypsum applications with modified lignin from the demo plant.

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Plockmatic ColorCut SC7800 Pro-RS XL redefines cutting and creasing

The new design compact B2 digital sheet cutter and creaser is the latest addition to Plockmatic Group’s ColorCut SC7000 series. Its unique triple tool cutter/creaser incorporates a revolutionary, patent-pending, tangential creasing tool, with male (convex) and female (concave) elements to ensure superior double-sided creasing. With pressing and moulding tools that move above and below the sheet simultaneously, ‘formed’ creases are created similar to a metal rule platen machine.

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Stora Enso releases climate resilience plan

Stora Enso has published a climate resilience plan outlining its approach to climate action, target attainment,?and business preparedness for future climate scenarios. The plan includes a forecast for emission reductions across all scopes by 2030. At the end of 2025, the Group’s Scope 1 and 2 CO2e emissions were 61% lower and the estimated Scope 3 emissions 38% lower than in the 2019 base year.?The target is to?achieve?a 50% reduction in all scopes by 2030.

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SCA to increase NBSK price

SCA will increase the price on NBSK pulp (Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft) in Europe. The new price will be 1,710 USD (+100 USD), effective for March deliveries and invoicing.

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Heidelberg achieves significant improvement in profitability – strategic realignment proceeding as planned

After nine months of financial year 2025/26 (April 1 to December 31, 2025), developments at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) are in line with expectations. The company has achieved a considerable improvement in its profitability and is also resolutely pressing ahead with its strategic transformation, moving into new areas of business that are enjoying strong growth. Notwithstanding the challenging environment, sales after three quarters climbed to € 1,602 million – some 6.1 percent higher than the previous year’s figure of € 1,509 million – despite negative exchange rate effects amounting to around € 44 million compared with the equivalent period of the previous year.

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Challenging market conditions burden Södra’s 2025 earnings

Södra reported a sharp decline in earnings for 2025, impacted by weak demand, exchange rate effects and higher raw material prices. Operating loss amounted to SEK 1,290 million and the Board of Directors proposes a profit distribution to the members of Södra of SEK (616) million. During the year, Södra implemented extensive streamlining and improvements to its operations. A far-reaching action programme was also launched in response to the current situation and to continue to create long-term value for the forest estate.

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ECO3 announces global price increase for offset printing plates and related chemicals

ECO3 announces a global price increase for its offset printing plates and chemicals, effective March 1. The decision follows the continued rise in the cost of aluminum - the key component of offset plates - as well as the increasing cost of all aluminum-related treatments and processes.

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Toscotec to attend Expoacotepac 2026 in Cali

Toscotec will take part in the XXXIV International Congress & Expoacotepac 2026, taking place in Cali, Colombia, on February 25, 26, and 27 at the Ritz Hall Hotel Dann Carlton Cali. As one of the most prominent events for the paper industry in Colombia, Central, and South America, Expoacotepac offers a valuable opportunity for Toscotec to engage with regional leaders and decision-makers.

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Dong Tien successfully starts up its third Andritz OCC line

Dong Tien-Long An Paper JSC has successfully started up a recycled fiber line at its board production mill in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam. This new OCC (old corrugated containers) line, the third supplied by international technology group ANDRITZ, is designed to process 330 t/d of mixed OCC for the production of high-quality testliner serving both domestic and export markets. The addition of this third line is a strategic step that increases Dong Tien’s production capacity, further enhances pulp quality, and strengthens its commitment to sustainable growth and operational excellence.

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InterPack

EyeC presents the new Proofiler Graphic Connect at Interpack 2026

From May 7 to 13, 2026, EyeC GmbH will present the new Proofiler Graphic Connect as a key innovation for prepress at Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf. At booth D01 in Hall 11, visitors can explore the latest generation of cloud-based artwork proofreading software, along with a comprehensive portfolio of inline and offline inspection systems. These solutions help packaging manufacturers, label printers, and brand owners automate, accelerate, and sustainably secure their quality control processes with the help of artificial intelligence. More information is available at www.EyeC.com.

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OE-A Business Climate Survey 2026 for flexible and printed electronics

“Despite uncertainties, the industry is clearly on a growth path: companies are investing specifically in technology, capacity, and new talent – a clear sign of strong demand and great confidence in the future of printed electronics,” comments Dr. Klaus Hecker, Managing Director of the OE-A, on the results of the latest Business Climate Survey.

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Smarter batch automation Valmet FlexBatch is now available for Valmet DNAe Distributed Control System

Valmet expands its automation solutions portfolio in the process industries and announces the release of Valmet FlexBatch® 8, the latest version of its advanced batch automation and recipe management software. Valmet FlexBatch was originally developed for Valmet D3 automation system and with the newest version, it is fully integrated both with Valmet DNAe and Valmet D3 automation solutions.

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