Paper, Nonwoven and Film News for July 17, 2026

Paper Advance reported that DS Smith started a new stock-preparation line at its Porcari mill in Italy. The line is designed to process 1,650 tonnes per day of recovered paper and supports a 450,000-tonne-per-year recycled containerboard machine scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: More recycled packaging paper capacity means converters should qualify dust, moisture profile, edge strength and winding behavior as lighter recycled grades move into commercial supply.

Source: Paper Advance on DS Smith Porcari recycled fiber line

Paper Advance reported that International Paper will close its Carrollton South, Texas packaging facility by the end of the third quarter of 2026. The company described the move as part of a network optimization plan.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Plant closures can shift packaging orders to other locations, so converters need flexible scheduling, fast grade-change setup and traceable finished-roll output to protect customer service.

Source: Paper Advance on International Paper Carrollton South closure

Hoffmaster said it will invest $65 million to expand its Clintonville, Wisconsin manufacturing facility. The project includes an 86,000-square-foot addition and is expected to create more than 100 manufacturing jobs for paper-based consumer products.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Growth in paper plates and tableware supports demand for consistent paperboard rolls, clean slitting and reliable roll handling before printing, forming and die-cutting operations.

Source: Hoffmaster on the Clintonville manufacturing expansion

Ahlstrom launched MaxLiner, a high-transparency and high-density release paper for pressure-sensitive adhesive labeling, manufactured at its Jacarei plant in Brazil. Paper Advance said the product strengthens regional supply and reduces lead times for South American label manufacturers.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Release liner availability affects labelstock and hygiene-component converters, where stable caliper, clean edges and controlled rewinding are critical for downstream dispensing and lamination.

Source: Paper Advance on Ahlstrom MaxLiner release paper

Paper Advance reported that Canfor will close its Northwood pulp mill in Prince George, British Columbia, eliminating 300 jobs amid global pulp oversupply. The shutdown is another sign of adjustment in pulp supply and cost structures.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Pulp supply shifts can change tissue, absorbent-core and specialty-paper input costs, making material trials and machine settings more important when suppliers or grades change.

Source: Paper Advance on Canfor Northwood pulp mill closure

Nonwovens News reported that IMA Teknoweb launched its third-generation Exige cross-fold wet wipes converting line, pushing output to 3,000 wipes per minute with enhanced hygienic design.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: At this speed, unwind stability, web guiding, perforation accuracy, folding control, lotion management and sanitation access become core machine-selection requirements.

Source: Nonwovens News on IMA Teknoweb high-speed wipes technology

INDA said the 2026 World of Wipes conference gathered the wipes industry from June 29 to July 2 in Nashville, with presentations, exhibits, innovation awards and a development course covering materials selection, formulation design and packaging considerations.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: The agenda reinforces that wipes projects should define substrate blend, flushability target, lotion, pack format, inspection data and changeover needs before machinery is specified.

Source: INDA on the 2026 World of Wipes conference

INDA named Lenzing DualWipe as a 2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award finalist. The material integrates abrasive and soft absorbent surfaces in one regenerated-cellulose-based wipe substrate and contains no synthetic fibers, binders or finishing chemicals.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Plastic-free wipe substrates can have different stretch, linting and moisture response, so converters should test low-tension unwinding, perforation quality and roll hardness before scale-up.

Source: INDA on 2026 World of Wipes Innovation Award finalists

ANDRITZ said A Penteadora started a complete mechanical textile recycling line and a needlepunch nonwoven line at Unhais da Serra, Portugal. The lines process pre- and post-consumer textile waste into products for insulation, acoustic barriers and protective applications.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Recycled textile nonwovens can vary in fiber mix and thickness, making robust web guiding, dust management, slitting cleanliness and rewind density control important for downstream converting.

Source: ANDRITZ on A Penteadora recycling and needlepunch lines

Nonwovens News reported that P&G removed fragrance from all Pampers Swaddlers diapers sold in the U.S. while keeping absorbency, leak protection and softness unchanged. The update is also rolling out in Canada and Puerto Rico.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Skin-contact changes raise the bar for topsheet and acquisition-layer consistency, so hygiene converters should control contamination, roll cleanliness and defect inspection across material suppliers.

Source: Nonwovens News on Pampers Swaddlers fragrance removal

Packaging Digest reported that LyondellBasell developed a recycled-content flexible packaging solution for Mondelez International's Marabou chocolate bars with Amcor, Taghleef Industries and other partners. The packaging uses CirculenRevive polymers with attributed recycled content and is sourced from 75% recycled content.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Recycled-content food films must still meet print, seal and barrier requirements, so converters should test gauge profile, COF, static, slitting quality and rewind stability at production speed.

Source: Packaging Digest on Marabou recycled-content flexible packaging

Packaging Digest highlighted a weekly flexible-packaging update covering polypropylene snack-packet recycling tests, a recyclable mono-material PE refill pouch, improved recycled-content BOPP and cellulose-based film and coating materials.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Frequent material trials require converters to maintain tension recipe libraries, changeover discipline and documented qualification runs for films that behave differently on slitting and sealing equipment.

Source: Packaging Digest on flexible packaging sustainability updates

Packaging Digest reported that ExxonMobil Signature Polymers developed monomaterial polyethylene film solutions with up to 35% PCR for hygiene compression packaging. The films were validated through production, wicket converting and forming/sealing trials.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: PCR PE can shift stiffness, slip, sealing and cut-edge behavior, so converters should validate slitting, punching, rewinding and output at real line speed before full adoption.

Source: Packaging Digest on ExxonMobil PCR PE films

Packaging Digest reported that PureCycle and Innovia produced and validated white cavitated BOPP film containing more than 40% post-consumer recycled content for snacks, confectionery, frozen treats and roll-fed labels.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Higher-PCR BOPP can narrow the operating window for slitting, static control, print registration and winding density, especially in thin label and snack-packaging rollstock.

Source: Packaging Digest on PureCycle and Innovia recycled BOPP

Packaging Strategies reported that IPG launched a PCR Air Pillow Film with 50% total recycled content, including 35% certified PCR and 15% post-industrial recycled content. The film is designed to run on existing AirSpace inflation machines and delivery systems.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Protective-film converters and packers need recycled-content rollstock that inflates, seals and unwinds consistently without forcing equipment changes or downtime.

Source: Packaging Strategies on IPG PCR Air Pillow Film