Paper & Pulp Mills
Pratt Industries commits $90 million to expand Rockwall, Texas corrugated plant The expansion adds a 346,000-square-foot facility — taking the site from roughly 390,000 to 736,000 square feet — and includes a new corrugator line to lift production capacity and efficiency. The project is expected to create about 100 new jobs. Source: Paper Advance
Forestry & Timber
Finnish sawmill industry calls for three-year limit on inherited forest estates Sahateollisuus ry is proposing that inherited forest property be transferred or divided within three years, arguing that estates hold about 1.2 million hectares — over 9% of Finland's privately owned forest area — where wood sales and management are less active. The association estimates annual stumpage income could rise by up to EUR 50 million if estate-held forests matched other private owners' sales levels. Source: Fordaq
Klöpferholz ends acquisition talks with JAF Group German timber distributor Klöpferholz has terminated negotiations over a potential takeover of JAF Group's Wholesale and Construction divisions, opting to develop those businesses independently and citing a stable entrepreneurial position and reliable customer base. Source: Fordaq
Wood Pellets
New Wood Fuel and Heating Association launches in the UK A newly formed trade body for the U.K. biomass heating sector says it aims to provide "a clear, informed and responsible voice for the U.K. wood fuel and heating sector," giving pellet and wood fuel suppliers, appliance makers and installers a dedicated representative organization. Source: Biomass Magazine