Paper & Pulp Mills
Metsä Group reports sharply improved Q2 profitability, set to exceed EUR 300M savings target Update: Metsä Group's CEO said Q2 2026 profitability improved significantly and the company now expects to substantially exceed the EUR 300 million annual savings target of its July 2025 efficiency program, which has involved roughly 790 job eliminations to date. Sources: PaperAge · Paper Advance
Forestry & Timber
Finnish sawmills see no recovery as high log prices and weak demand squeeze margins Finland's sawmill sector remains under stress as exceptionally high domestic roundwood prices coincide with weak softwood lumber demand in both European and overseas markets. Production has declined, with no improvement expected in the second half of 2026. Source: Timber Industry News
BC sawmill faces shutdown as log supply runs out The Valemount Industrial Park sawmill in British Columbia, operated by Valemount Community Forest Ltd., faces imminent shutdown with only about 15-20 operating days of logs left at the end of July and no new logging contracts in place. The situation highlights the broader fibre-supply squeeze afflicting BC's lumber industry. Source: Timber Industry News
Turkey bans oak imports from all countries Turkey has imposed an immediate ban on oak product imports from all origins, effective August 4, covering both European and North American red and white oak shipments. The restriction cuts Turkish buyers off from key hardwood supplies. Source: Timber Industry News
PAGED closes Polish wood processing plant in Bartoszyce Polish plywood maker PAGED is shutting its wood processing facility in Bartoszyce in northern Poland, with production ceasing in August 2026. The closure trims the group's network from five to four plants across Poland and Estonia. Source: Timber Industry News