Paper, Nonwoven and Film News for August 6, 2026

PACKNODE reported International Paper, Smurfit Westrock and Cascades announced new containerboard and boxboard price increases as recycled fiber, freight and energy costs rise and mill closures tighten supply. International Paper's increase is around $80 per ton for containerboard, Smurfit Westrock's approximately $100 per ton, and several producers also moved on SBS and FBB boxboard grades used in folding cartons and foodservice packaging.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Converters should reprice near-term orders and keep roll-finishing flexible as board grade availability and caliper mixes shift with each price cycle.

Source: PACKNODE on containerboard and boxboard price increases

Bank of America Securities reported Lee & Man Paper will invest RMB 6 billion in its Guigang project in Guangxi to build 750,000 tonnes of pulp capacity and 300,000 tonnes of tissue paper capacity, with production expected to commence in August 2027. After the project ramps, the group's total capacity would reach about 1.7 million tonnes of pulp and 1.5 million tonnes of tissue paper.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Large integrated tissue and pulp additions change regional parent-roll supply and pricing, so converters should qualify multiple sources and plan roll-size flexibility.

Source: AASTOCKS on Lee & Man Guigang pulp and tissue project

Pulp Paper News reported Toscotec completed an energy-saving project at Cartiera del Vignaletto's tissue mill in Zevio, Italy, covering the full upgrade of the cogeneration plant and air systems for PM4 and PM5. The rebuild lets the mill recover the 5.5 MW gas turbine's exhaust heat for drying hoods and high- and low-pressure steam while running at up to 1,700 m/min on tissue grades of 15-40 g/m2.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Energy is a growing share of tissue production cost, and mills that cut energy use per tonne can hold more stable supply and pricing for converting customers.

Source: Pulp Paper News on Toscotec cogeneration upgrade

PaperAge reported the Palm Group will convert paper machine 7 at its King's Lynn mill in the UK from newsprint to corrugated case material, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2027. After conversion, PM 7 will produce 700,000 tonnes per year of lightweight recycled corrugated paper from 60 g/m2 on a 10.6-meter-wide machine.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Another newsprint-to-packaging conversion raises recycled containerboard supply in Europe, so box-plant feeders should expect more roll-grade options and changing supply timing.

Source: PaperAge on Palm King's Lynn conversion

Paper Advance reported Finch Paper will end pulp production at its Glens Falls, New York, mill while continuing to make paper using purchased market pulp. The 161-year-old company said it can buy pulp more reliably and at lower cost than making it on site, and it is making an eight-figure investment to upgrade pulp receiving and processing, paper machine and energy infrastructure.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Specialty paper buyers should verify supplier fiber sourcing and inventory plans as one more mill shifts to purchased pulp, which can change grade availability and lead times.

Source: Paper Advance on Finch Paper pulp sourcing shift

Pulp Paper News reported Kimberly-Clark unveiled an Alternative Natural Fiber program based on hesperaloe, a rapidly renewable, low-water-use plant for the U.S. Southwest, selected after evaluating more than 70 fiber candidates. The company is building a pilot facility in Yuma, Arizona, and says the patented fiber platform could eventually be used across its hygiene products.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: New fiber platforms can change the roll materials hygiene converters receive, so converters should watch substrate performance, strength and absorbency as brands qualify alternatives.

Source: Pulp Paper News on Kimberly-Clark alternative fiber program

Textile Technology reported Lenzing's Grow Nonwovens, Reset Textiles program expands its nonwovens fiber business, focuses textile fiber on premium segments and strengthens pulp operations, with EUR 120 million in targeted cost savings by the end of 2027. Lenzing plans to phase out its Heiligenkreuz and Grimsby sites while adding nonwovens capacity in Lenzing, Austria.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Consolidation in cellulosic fiber supply changes availability and price for spunlace and hygiene nonwoven producers, so buyers should lock in qualified fiber sources early.

Source: Textile Technology on Lenzing nonwovens realignment

CNHPIA reported Fujian Licheng Paper's expansion project in Taihu Park, Putian, Fujian, is expected to start production in August 2026 with about 15 production lines and a total investment of RMB 1 billion. The project will bring in fully automated equipment from Germany to build a production base for hygiene products and medical supplies.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: New automated hygiene and medical converting capacity in China raises competition and speed-to-market expectations, which favors suppliers that deliver fast changeover and consistent roll quality.

Source: CNHPIA on Fujian Licheng Paper expansion

The Honest Company reported second-quarter wipes consumption grew 26 percent overall, with flushable wipes up more than 200 percent and sanitizing wipes up 55 percent, making it the fastest-growing branded player in the U.S. flushable segment.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Flushable wipes are one of the fastest-growing roll formats, so wipes converters should verify perforation consistency, wet-strength handling and packaging-line speed to capture branded demand.

Source: MarketBeat on Honest Q2 wipes demand

Amrutanjan commissioned a new greenfield sanitary napkin facility in Telangana, India, with about Rs 150 crore invested and a planned annual capacity of 700 million sanitary napkins under its Comfy brand. The plant combines advanced automation, precision manufacturing and robust quality systems.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: High-volume sanitary napkin capacity increases demand for automated converting and tight process control, since finished-product consistency directly affects brand performance.

Source: MoneyWorks4Me on Amrutanjan sanitary napkin plant

AeroFlexx partnered with Plastic Films Internacional SA to expand its liquid packaging technology across Colombia, Venezuela and Central America, combining AeroFlexx's lightweight flexible pack with PLAFILM's regional market reach. Initial work will focus on market development, project qualification and customer conversion.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Regional flexible-pack rollouts create new converting demand for film lamination, slitting and pouch-making, so converters should confirm their lines can handle lightweight, high-barrier structures.

Source: Packaging Labelling on AeroFlexx and PLAFILM

Digital Labels & Packaging reported A4 Labels launched its Ocean Action Labels range using white and clear top-coated PP film made from chemically recycled ocean-bound plastic. The ISCC PLUS-certified material is designed as a drop-in for existing labelling and packaging processes, including food and cosmetics applications.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Drop-in recycled PP film lets converters add recycled content without changing equipment, but they should still verify unwind, slitting and matrix stripping on recycled grades.

Source: Digital Labels & Packaging on A4 Labels Ocean Action range

Future Market Insights forecast the global MDO-PE films market to grow from USD 882.19 million in 2026 to USD 1,370.01 million by 2036, a 4.5 percent CAGR, as PPWR and EPR rules push converters away from multi-material laminates. Cast films are expected to lead with a 67.8 percent share, and pouches to post the strongest format growth.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: MDO-PE adoption changes film stiffness, draw and rewind behavior, so converters should test tension and winding profiles when replacing BOPP or PET layers with mono-PE structures.

Source: Future Market Insights on MDO-PE films market

ChemAnalyst reported packaging polymer prices are expected to keep rising in August as renewed Strait of Hormuz disruptions tighten HDPE, LDPE and PP supply. HDPE stayed about 41 percent above pre-crisis levels, the BOPP-over-PP converter spread turned negative, and LDPE liquid packaging grades were flagged as a scarcity risk.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Negative film-over-resin spreads pressure converters to reprice contracts and secure resin volume, while resin swings change film quality and roll-to-roll consistency.

Source: ChemAnalyst on August packaging polymer prices

Mamata Machinery announced its RecTech mono-material film received 100 percent recyclability certification from Institut cyclos-HTP GmbH in the EU, following earlier recyclability certification in India and barrier-performance certification from the Indian Institute of Packaging. The film is aimed at replacing conventional non-recyclable composite structures in flexible packaging.

Why it matters for converters and machine buyers: Certified mono-material films give converters a compliance-ready substitute for multi-layer laminates, but they require verified slitting, tension and seal settings to run at commercial speeds.

Source: StockWatch on Mamata RecTech certification