Paper, Nonwoven and Film News for June 13, 2026

Valmet launched 3D Fiber technology as an end-to-end molded fiber packaging solution for high-capacity production of three-dimensional fiber-based packs. The company positioned the launch around rising demand for plastic alternatives and faster, higher-quality fiber packaging output.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: As packaging producers add molded-fiber output, more plants will need reliable parent-roll preparation, trim handling and web control around new fiber-based converting workflows.

Source: Valmet on 3D Fiber technology for molded fiber packaging

ANDRITZ said Metsa Fibre will modernize the cooking system at its Kemi bioproduct mill in Finland by converting it to single-vessel LoSolids continuous cooking. The project is aimed at better availability, cooking yield, raw-material flexibility and improved heat recovery with lower odorous emissions.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Better pulp yield and more flexible furnish can translate into more stable tissue and paper quality downstream, which directly affects slitting behavior, dust control and finished-roll consistency.

Source: ANDRITZ on Metsa Fibre's Kemi cooking-system modernization

ANDRITZ received an order from General Emballage to supply a complete PrimeLine paper production line for a greenfield mill in Naama, Algeria. The line is designed for 350,000 tons per year, a 7.5 meter web width and 1,200 m/min design speed, making it the widest and highest-capacity paper machine in Africa.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Large containerboard projects typically create downstream demand for high-capacity winding, slitting and roll logistics equipment that can match higher output without compromising edge quality.

Source: ANDRITZ on General Emballage's new paper machine project

Mondi officially opened a new Pittsburgh packaging facility with highly automated production and advanced printing for paper bags serving eCommerce, food, feed, building materials and chemicals. After ramp-up, the site is expected to reach annual capacity of 300 million paper bags.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Higher paper-bag output raises expectations for reliable paper roll preparation, slit accuracy and fast changeovers, especially where customers need short lead times and consistent print performance.

Source: Mondi on its new Pittsburgh paper-bags plant

Wuzhou Special Paper selected ANDRITZ as main supplier for a new greenfield pulp mill in Jiangxi, China. The company said the investment is meant to create a more self-sufficient and environmentally responsible pulp supply while reducing reliance on external sources for its food-packaging and specialty paper business.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: When paper producers bring pulp supply in-house, downstream buyers often gain more predictable substrate quality and supply security, which lowers risk in high-speed rewinding and converting plans.

Source: ANDRITZ on Wuzhou Special Paper's new pulp mill

ANDRITZ received an order from ATCO Hygienics in Tashkent for a new baby diaper production line due to be commissioned at the end of 2026. The line will produce a broad range of premium PERLA diapers with a focus on efficiency, flexibility and user-friendly operation.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Diaper-line growth increases pressure on upstream nonwoven, film and absorbent-material roll suppliers to hold tighter quality and scrap-control targets.

Source: ANDRITZ on ATCO Hygienics' new diaper line

Kruger Nonwovens ordered a complete Wetlace hybrid line from ANDRITZ for Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. The project is built around plastic-free, chemical-free wipes materials and is scheduled to start production in 2028 as Canada's first line of its type.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Pulp-rich, more dispersible wipe substrates put more value on precise tension control, clean slitting and stable finished-roll quality than conventional tougher webs.

Source: ANDRITZ on Kruger's Wetlace hybrid line

Sanitex in Kinshasa ordered two baby diaper lines and one sanitary napkin line from ANDRITZ. The scope includes absorbent-core forming, precise SAP dosing, advanced web tension control, quality inspection systems and automatic packaging, with start-up scheduled for the third quarter of 2026.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Quality-focused hygiene lines raise the bar for substrate consistency, cut precision and repeatable roll build throughout the upstream roll-processing chain.

Source: ANDRITZ on Sanitex's hygiene line order

Dalian Ruiguang awarded ANDRITZ another Wetlace line for premium flushable wipes roll goods, with start-up scheduled for the end of 2026. ANDRITZ said the new line will lift total annual capacity to 40,000 tons and support production that meets current flushability standards.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Flushable wipes are less forgiving than conventional wipes, so growing capacity in this segment supports demand for cleaner converting, lower lint and more stable web handling.

Source: ANDRITZ on Dalian Ruiguang's latest flushable wipes line

Aksan Kozmetik in Turkiye ordered a complete high-capacity spunlace line from ANDRITZ. The company said the investment is meant to manufacture nonwoven rolls in-house, improve access to tailored roll goods for its converting operations and respond faster to changing demand with 30-80 gsm wipes grades.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: In-house parent-roll production is often a direct signal that converters want tighter cost control, shorter lead times and fewer quality surprises across the full process chain.

Source: ANDRITZ on Aksan Kozmetik's spunlace investment

Amcor achieved RecyClass Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification across a range of flexible products made at its UK sites, including FFS films for cement, chemicals and minerals as well as shrink, stretch hood and flat film ranges containing PCR plastic.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: As verified PCR content becomes a procurement requirement, converters need equipment that can keep roll build, gauge handling and sealing performance stable across higher-recycled-content films.

Source: Amcor on RecyClass-certified PCR flexible films

Mondi launched re/loop FlowWrap, a mono-polypropylene wet wipes structure with 35% post-consumer recycled content. The company said internal tests and customer trials showed reliable sealing, barrier protection and smooth machinability on existing packaging lines.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Wipes packs with higher recycled content still have to run cleanly at speed, so film stability, sealing repeatability and reel control are becoming stricter buying criteria.

Source: Mondi on re/loop FlowWrap for wet wipes

At Chinaplas 2026, Reifenhauser introduced its EVO GEN3 blown film line generation, built around new die heads and cooling rings to deliver up to 1,050 kilograms per hour with a 350 mm die diameter. The company described the output as around 30% above the previous generation.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: More output only matters if the line still protects gauge control, winding behavior and downstream slit quality, so process stability remains the real investment question.

Source: Reifenhauser on its EVO GEN3 blown film line generation

Reifenhauser said Smurfit Westrock Spain is producing seven-layer blown barrier film for bag-in-box applications on a new line put into production at the beginning of 2026. The company highlighted output above 1,000 kg/h together with tight EVOH layer tolerances and flexible changeover between seven-, five- and three-layer films.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Higher output only pays when tolerance control and changeover discipline protect downstream slitting quality, so automation and process stability remain core capex drivers.

Source: Reifenhauser on Smurfit Westrock's seven-layer barrier film line

Coveris and Nextek said the COtooCLEAN demonstration plant is fully operational in Lincolnshire, UK, using supercritical CO2 extraction to purify post-consumer PE and PP film waste for food-grade recycling applications. The plant has now moved into industrial-scale trials.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: If food-grade recycled film becomes easier to source, more converters will be asked to qualify higher-PCR structures that still demand disciplined slit quality, inspection and roll build.

Source: Coveris on the COtooCLEAN food-grade recycling plant