Paper, Nonwoven and Film News for June 25, 2026

Paper Advance reported that Kruger Products expects to reduce CO2 emissions by 13% at its Sherbrooke tissue mill through a heat-recovery system. The project points to tissue producers continuing to tune energy use and operating efficiency after major capacity additions.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Energy and efficiency projects often run alongside converting upgrades, so buyers should evaluate total line efficiency, reject handling and rewind consistency instead of only headline speed.

Source: Paper Advance on Kruger Sherbrooke tissue mill efficiency

PaperAge reported that Pratt Industries will expand its Rockwall, Texas corrugated box plant by about 346,000 square feet, bringing the facility to roughly 736,000 square feet. The project represents $90 million in capital investment and 100 new jobs.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Corrugated expansion increases demand for steady paperboard supply, core logistics and downstream sheet or roll handling, all of which influence slitter and rewinder throughput planning.

Source: PaperAge on Pratt Industries Rockwall expansion

Jackson Paper Manufacturing and Sustainable Corrugated are unifying under the Sustainable Corrugated & Containerboard identity. The combined brand links a recycled containerboard mill in North Carolina with sheet-feeding operations in North Carolina and Georgia.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Integrated paper and packaging operations can tighten delivery expectations, making roll quality, slit accuracy and fast changeovers more important for suppliers serving corrugated customers.

Source: Paper Advance on Sustainable Corrugated & Containerboard

Packaging Strategies reported that HZ Green Pulp is partnering with Hotpack Global to strengthen dry molded fiber offerings for foodservice markets. The move supports broader commercial use of molded fiber packaging as buyers look for plastic alternatives.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Fiber packaging growth changes the upstream material mix and can create new needs for airlaid, paper and specialty web converting where dust control, embossing and dimensional stability matter.

Source: Packaging Strategies on HZ Green Pulp and Hotpack

Paper Advance reported that Greif will increase prices for uncoated recycled paperboard, tube and core, and protective packaging products in July. The move follows continued input and demand pressure across packaging-related grades.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Core price changes directly affect rewinding economics, so buyers should lock core specifications, finished-roll diameters and waste targets before calculating operating cost.

Source: Paper Advance on Greif URB and core price increases

North Carolina announced that Supreme Nonwoven Inc. will invest $25.8 million in Lexington to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility and create 50 jobs. The company serves apparel, automotive, filtration and other industrial customers with advanced nonwoven materials.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Localized roll-goods supply can reduce lead time but raises expectations for consistent slit width, inspection records and flexible converting capacity near end customers.

Source: North Carolina Governor's Office on Supreme Nonwoven

ANDRITZ said Turkish yarn manufacturer Göliplik is preparing to enter nonwovens with a neXline Wetlace line for bio-based, flushable wipes. Erection and commissioning are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Pulp-rich flushable substrates are soft and sensitive, so slitting, perforating and rewinding systems need stable tension, clean cuts and disciplined roll build.

Source: ANDRITZ on Göliplik Wetlace project

ANDRITZ received an order from Dalian Ruiguang for another Wetlace line for eco-friendly flushable wipes. Start-up is scheduled for the end of 2026 and the line will help raise total annual capacity to 40,000 tons.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: More flushable capacity means more parent rolls requiring gentle unwind, perforation quality, low dust and repeatable roll density for wipes converting.

Source: ANDRITZ on Dalian Ruiguang Wetlace line

MET Magazine reported that Wangjin Holdings and Trützschler signed an agreement for a Pulp X Spunlace nonwoven production line alongside commissioning of Line 3 at Zhejiang Jinnuo Medical New Material Technology. The update points to continuing investment in eco-friendly spunlace capacity.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Additional spunlace output creates demand for downstream slitters and rewinders that can handle variable basis weights, soft webs and medical or wipes-quality inspection needs.

Source: MET Magazine news feed on Wangjin and Trützschler

ANDRITZ received an order from ATCO Hygienics for a baby diaper production line at its Tashkent plant. Commissioning is scheduled for the end of 2026, supporting PERLA brand diaper production in Central Asia.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Diaper expansion pulls demand for defect-free nonwoven, acquisition-layer and backsheet rolls, making unwind stability and roll-defect control important purchasing criteria.

Source: ANDRITZ on ATCO Hygienics baby diaper line

Packaging Insights reported that Nestlé, the Danish Technological Institute and 14 partners launched the InFact project to chemically recycle household plastic waste into new flexible packaging, including food-safe materials. The partners target PPWR compliance and aim to prove films with 30-35% recycled content at commercial scale.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Food-grade recycled film programs will require controlled trials, traceable quality data and rewind systems that can manage changing resin behavior without edge or roll defects.

Source: Packaging Insights on the InFact flexible packaging project

Packaging Insights summarized a CEFLEX report estimating that EU PPWR targets will require around 2.5 million metric tons of flexible-packaging-derived PCR by 2030. The report stresses quality, scale and consistent markets for recycled PE, PP and mixed polyolefins.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: PCR demand will put converters under pressure to qualify more variable films, so slitting, inspection and winding systems must support documented quality control.

Source: Packaging Insights on CEFLEX flexible PCR demand

Dow and Walki announced a monomaterial MDO-PE pouch with matte finish for frozen and dry foods. Packaging Insights reported that Dow supplied low-temperature sealing technology while Walki handled printing, lamination and finishing.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: MDO-PE structures can be heat-sensitive and tension-sensitive, so converters should validate slitting heat, unwind control, sealing windows and roll flatness before scale-up.

Source: Packaging Insights on Dow and Walki MDO-PE pouch

PureCycle Technologies and Innovia Films produced and trialed white cavitated BOPP film with more than 40% post-consumer recycled polypropylene content. Packaging Insights said tests showed comparable processing, mechanical, barrier and sealing performance to virgin PP films.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Higher-PCR BOPP can narrow the process window, making clean slitting, static control and controlled winding important for printability and roll-fed packaging performance.

Source: Packaging Insights on PureCycle and Innovia recycled BOPP

Packaging Insights reported that Sealed Air sees protein packaging moving away from tray-and-lid systems toward flexible high-barrier formats. Its Cryovac MonoPP Flowpack range is described as recyclable and intended to help reduce rigid packaging weight under EPR and PPWR pressure.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: More high-barrier mono-PP rollstock means converters need stable edge quality, low-wrinkle winding and inspection for films that must protect shelf life while meeting recycling claims.

Source: Packaging Insights on protein packaging and MonoPP Flowpack