Billerud has launched a new generation of Billerud Flute with higher compression strength, made with new headbox technology at its Gruvön mill. In packaging tests it cut box weight by up to 25% without losing performance, and one fruit-tray design cut GWP by 35%. The product debuted at Fruit Attraction in Madrid, Oct. 6–8 (PULPAPERnews)
Update: Mercer's Rosenthal pulp mill gradually resumed wastewater discharge into the Saale on Oct. 3, in coordination with environmental authorities. Mercer says it is preparing to restart pulp production but has not given a date, and the swimming ban on the southern Bleiloch reservoir remains (PaperAge)
Forestry & Timber
On Oct. 5 the U.S. Court of International Trade refused Commerce's request to re-examine Chinese exporters Xuzhou Jiangyang Wood and Zhejiang Dehua TB. Both stay excluded from the 2018 hardwood plywood antidumping order with zero rates, and Commerce must file its remand by Oct. 26. Other Chinese exporters face rates of up to 187.27% AD and 88.96% CVD under the newer case (Wood Central)
A binational NAFTA panel has again upheld Commerce's finding that Canadian softwood lumber is subsidized and that the offsetting duties are consistent with U.S. law, the U.S. Lumber Coalition said on Oct. 7 (Tree Frog, PR Newswire)
The Finnish Sawmills Association warns that timber supply could cap output once new capacity is fully used. Restoration and protection measures could cut harvest potential by 2–15M m³/yr. Finnish output fell 3% to 6.1M m³ in H1 2026, and spruce sawlog prices have risen ~62% over 15 years while sawn spruce export prices rose ~34%. Keitele is spending ~€40M to raise capacity from 420,000 to 600,000 m³/yr (PULPAPERnews)
Bearlodge Forest Products will close its sawmill and pallet operations in Hulett, Wyoming, after Oct. 31, ending nearly 50 years of operation. The company cites high input costs, a small labor pool, scarce housing and falling prices. The mayor estimates about 5% of the town's 349 residents will need work (Cowboy State Daily, Lesprom)
CMPC will invest US$92.6M in Chile's Biobío region, mostly in further processing at its Los Ángeles remanufacturing plant, with the rest expanding lumber capacity at its Mulchén sawmill (Global Wood Markets Info)
Washington and Ottawa are pressing the EU for lighter EUDR traceability and documentation rules for timber from low-deforestation-risk countries, ahead of the Dec. 30 start date (Global Wood Markets Info)
Delta Air Lines and Georgia forestry, farm and business groups are building a plan to turn surplus pine into sustainable aviation fuel. The Georgia Forestry Association says about 8M tons a year of Georgia wood no longer has an in-state buyer after mill closures (BioEnergy Times, Atlanta News First)
Wood Pellets
At an Oct. 5 Bundestag Economic Affairs Committee hearing, Germany's bioenergy groups (HBB, BEE) said the government's EEG amendment draft is not enough to keep existing biomass power plants running. They are asking for larger tender volumes, funding for flexible capacity, and easier terms for small heat-led plants (EUWID)
Industry Technology Vendors
Andritz — Set new 2029 targets at its Oct. 6 Capital Markets Day in Graz: €10B in revenue and a 10% comparable EBITA margin. These replace its 2027 goals, and the company is keeping its M&A strategy and its 50–60% dividend payout (EuropaWire)
