EU regulators are preparing to block the EUR 1.42bn (USD 1.63bn) joint venture between UPM and Sappi after the companies declined to offer concessions on competition concerns, and did not convince officials of the deal's merits at a closed-door hearing in the week to 18 September 2026, according to people familiar with the matter. The venture would combine UPM's European and US communication paper business with Sappi's European communication paper and speciality paper operations, creating the largest supplier in Europe. A final Commission decision is due by 11 November 2026.
Why this mattersA prohibition would keep European printing paper fragmented and mark a rare EU block of forestry-sector consolidation, hardening scrutiny of further tie-ups.
- EU regulators are preparing to veto the EUR 1.42bn (USD 1.63bn) joint venture after the companies declined to offer remedies, according to people familiar with the matter.
- Closed-door hearings in the week to 18 September 2026 did not persuade regulators of the merits of the deal.
- An asset-sale remedy is not being pursued because of difficulties in finding a buyer.
- The Commission sent a statement of objections in August 2026, saying the deal could reduce competition in communication paper used for magazines and books.
- The venture would combine UPM's European and US communication paper business with Sappi's European communication paper and speciality paper operations, creating Europe's largest supplier.
- The Commission must decide by 11 November 2026.
A Luxembourg district court summary judge has issued an order prohibiting Ardagh Holdings S.A. from proceeding with the sale of all or part of its interests in Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. The order followed an ex parte application by minority holders of ARD Finance S.A.'s senior secured toggle notes due 2027. Ardagh Holdings says the application is without merit and has applied to have the order withdrawn.
Why this mattersThe injunction halts a planned sale of Ardagh's listed can-making arm, leaving bondholder claims to determine whether the transaction can proceed.
- A summary judge of the district court of Luxembourg ordered Ardagh Holdings S.A. not to proceed for now with the sale of all or part of its interests in Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A.
- The order followed a unilateral (ex parte) application by certain minority holders of the senior secured toggle notes due 2027 issued by ARD Finance S.A.
- ARD Finance S.A. was a parent of Ardagh Group S.A. before the recapitalisation completed in November 2025.
- The order was made without Ardagh Holdings having had the opportunity to present its position.
- Ardagh Holdings says the application is without merit and has applied for the order to be withdrawn, in a statement issued on 16 September 2026.
- Ardagh Metal Packaging had sales of USD 5.5bn in 2025 and runs 23 production facilities in nine countries with about 6,500 employees.
- Ardagh Holdings had earlier in 2026 announced preparations to acquire all shares in Ardagh Metal Packaging to facilitate a sale to a third-party buyer
- Ardagh Group as a whole operates 58 metal and glass plants in 16 countries with about 20,000 employees and estimated 2025 sales of USD 9.6 billion
Greif is exiting its coated recycled paperboard business and will close its paperboard mill in Austell, Georgia, removing about 120,000 tons of annual production capacity. The company expects the mill to cease operations by the end of 2026, with about 90 job losses, as part of a strategy to concentrate on businesses where it holds a leading market position.
Why this mattersRemoving 120,000 tons of annual capacity tightens North American recycled paperboard supply and confirms Greif's retreat to segments where it holds leading positions.
- Greif will close its coated recycled paperboard mill in Austell, Georgia
- The mill removes about 120,000 tons of annual production capacity
- Operations are expected to cease by the end of 2026
- The closure will result in about 90 job losses
- The mill also produced uncoated recycled paperboard and gypsum facing and backing paper grades
- Greif will serve affected uncoated recycled paperboard customers via its broader North American mill network
- The Sweetwater mill in Austell, Georgia has now ceased operations
- Affected employees are receiving severance and career support
- Greif has confirmed its full exit from the coated recycled paperboard market
AV Nackawic will halt operations at its pulp mill in Nackawic, New Brunswick, next month, leaving about 350 employees out of work. The company has described the shutdown as temporary. The mill is one of the community's largest employers.
Why this mattersThe stoppage takes a pulp mill out of regional supply and idles about 350 workers in a small New Brunswick community.
- About 350 employees at AV Nackawic will be out of work from next month.
- The company describes the shutdown as temporary.
- AV Nackawic is one of the largest employers in the community of Nackawic, New Brunswick.
- Unifor says over 200 union members will lose jobs from 4 November 2026
- AV Group NB is an affiliate of India's Aditya Birla Group
- All of the mill's pulp is sold to the textile industry, mostly to customers in Asia
- Company cites five years of rising production costs outpacing profits plus tariff-driven market instability
- The Nackawic mill, west of Fredericton, has operated for more than 50 years
- New Brunswick's Natural Resources Minister said the government is preparing support for affected workers
- More than 200 of the roughly 350 mill employees are Unifor union members
- New Brunswick's provincial government is assembling a cross-department response plan for workers, contractors and suppliers affected by the idling
- The idling also affects related timber harvesting, transport and maintenance services
- The government says the idling is not a permanent closure and is awaiting further detail from AV Group on duration and restart conditions
- Nackawic mill has annual capacity of approximately 190 KTPA of dissolving-grade pulp
- Idling attributed to prevailing market conditions and macroeconomic factors
- AV Group NB's separate Atholville pulp mill is unaffected
Smurfit Westrock, Pratt Industries and the United Steelworkers filed trade petitions on 9 September 2026 alleging dumped and subsidised pizza box imports from China, Malaysia and Turkey are harming the US corrugated industry. The petitions, submitted via law firm Wiley Rein, ask the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission to investigate duties on boxes sold at margins the filers put as high as 568.5% below US prices. A preliminary ITC injury ruling is expected by late October 2026, with final determinations likely in late 2027.
Why this mattersA successful case would raise landed costs for imported pizza boxes and could shift US foodservice packaging volume back to domestic corrugated producers.
- Petitions were filed on 9 September 2026 by the American Pizza Boxes Manufacturers Coalition, made up of Smurfit Westrock and Pratt Industries, with the United Steelworkers.
- Alleged dumping margins are 96.62% to 568.50% for China, 110.73% for Malaysia and 120.65% to 210.37% for Turkey.
- A countervailing duty petition targets Turkey alone, alleging Turkish government tax breaks and discounted inputs plus Russian cross-border subsidies.
- Pizza box imports from the three countries rose at least 130% between 2023 and 2026.
- Commerce must decide on initiation within 20 days of filing; the ITC votes on preliminary injury by 26 October 2026.
- Final dumping, subsidy and injury determinations are expected in late 2027, though duties can attach from the preliminary determinations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree placing the 100% stake in Aptar Vladimir, a plastic packaging plant owned via Aptar's Aptar Europe Holding unit, under temporary state management. The appointed manager, H&N, is the entity formerly known as Danone Russia, nationalised under a separate Putin decree in 2023. The decree follows a 17 September 2026 law placing Auchan, Nestle, Lemana PRO and FM Logistic's Russian assets under a different manager, L.E.V. Management.
Why this mattersThe decree extends Russia's seizure of Western-owned assets to a US packaging group, raising expropriation risk for remaining Western manufacturers in the country.
- Putin's decree places 100% of Aptar Vladimir under temporary state management
- Aptar Vladimir is owned by Aptar Europe Holding, part of US-based AptarGroup
- Aptar Vladimir makes plastic packaging in Russia
- Appointed manager is H&N, the legal entity behind the former Danone Russia business
- Danone's Russian arm was nationalised under a separate Putin decree in 2023
- On 17 September 2026 Putin signed a separate law placing Auchan, Nestle, Lemana PRO and FM Logistic's Russian assets under management by L.E.V. Management
KKR has emerged as the preferred bidder to acquire Portuguese plastics packaging maker Logoplaste, according to people familiar with the matter. The US private equity firm is in exclusive talks with Logoplaste's owners after rival bidder Apax Partners dropped out of the process. A deal could be reached in the coming weeks.
Why this mattersA change of control would place Portuguese packaging maker Logoplaste under a new private equity owner, resetting its investment and acquisition plans for the next holding period.
- KKR has emerged as the preferred bidder for Portuguese packaging maker Logoplaste, according to people familiar with the matter, reported on 16 September 2026.
- KKR is in exclusive talks with Logoplaste's owners.
- Apax Partners has dropped out of the process.
- A deal could be reached in the coming weeks, with no certainty that the talks lead to a transaction.
- A takeover of Logoplaste could rank among the largest deals in Portugal in 2026.
- Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board holds 60% of Logoplaste and is considering a sale valued at more than EUR 1.7bn (USD 1.95bn), expected to complete in 2026
- Minority shareholders may reinvest alongside the buyer to retain a combined 40% stake
- Logoplaste operates more than 60 plants in 17 countries for customers including Kraft Heinz, Diageo and L'Oreal, with annual revenue of about EUR 1bn (USD 1.15bn)
- Carlyle invested about EUR 660m (USD 758m) in Logoplaste in 2016, when the company was valued at EUR 1.4bn (USD 1.61bn) including debt in 2021
The widow of an electrician killed when a white liquor tank collapsed on 26 May 2026 at Nippon Dynawave Packaging's mill in Longview, Washington, has sued the company in Cowlitz County Superior Court. The claim cites a US Chemical Safety Board preliminary report from August 2026, which found that inspector Applied Technical Services had told Nippon staff the tank was not fit for continued service and faced a high likelihood of failure unless repaired. The mother of two other workers who died filed a separate wrongful death suit in August 2026.
Why this mattersA safety board finding that the tank was flagged as unfit before it failed widens the operator's litigation exposure and puts pulp-mill tank inspection practice under scrutiny.
- Mackenzie Ammons, widow and personal representative of electrician Jared Ammons, filed a wrongful death claim in Cowlitz County Superior Court in September 2026, represented by Seattle firm Osborn Machler & Neff.
- The US Chemical Safety Board's August 2026 preliminary report found that inspector Applied Technical Services had told Nippon staff the tank was not fit for continued service, with a high likelihood of failure unless repaired.
- A white liquor tank collapsed at 7.09am on 26 May 2026 at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill in Longview, Washington, releasing an estimated 900,000 gallons of heated caustic chemical used in papermaking.
- The tank had a capacity of 1.2m gallons and the white liquor is maintained at around 200 degrees.
- Jared Ammons and seven other workers were in the electrical maintenance shop for a morning meeting when the liquor broke through the walls, doors and windows, trapping everyone inside.
- The mother of two workers who died, Bradley Kyle Covington and Tyler Scott Covington, filed a separate wrongful death suit against the company in August 2026.
- Inspection reports in July 2025, October 2025 and February 2026 flagged severe corrosion and thinning of the tank's carbon-steel shell, per Chemical Safety Board findings cited in the suit.
- The lawsuit does not specify a dollar amount for damages.
- King's complaint alleges more than a dozen failures including inadequate equipment maintenance, inspection, training and emergency response.
- Nippon Dynawave Packaging said it could not comment on active litigation.
- Damages sought in King's suit are not specified until trial.
Durst Group will acquire the holding company of MPS Printing B.V., the Dutch specialist in flexographic printing systems for labels and flexible packaging, with MPS joining the group on 1 January 2027. The business will operate as MPS - A Durst Group Company, keeping its management, brand and product line, while Durst US takes over sales and service in the United States. Durst announced the deal on 15 September 2026 at LOUPE Americas in Chicago.
Why this mattersAdding flexo hardware to Durst's digital and hybrid printing portfolio broadens its label-production platform against rivals combining digital, flexo and automation.
- Durst Group will acquire the holding company of MPS Printing B.V., with MPS joining the group on 1 January 2027.
- MPS will operate as MPS - A Durst Group Company and continue to develop, manufacture and market its flexographic printing systems.
- MPS chief executive Michiel Borst becomes managing director of the unit, reporting within Durst's management structure.
- MPS keeps its direct sales channels across Europe, while Durst US takes over sales and service of the MPS portfolio in the United States.
- MPS will draw on Durst's international service and spare-parts infrastructure, with existing service contracts continuing on their terms.
- Durst's partnership with OMET on the KJet and XJet hybrid platforms continues independently of the transaction.
- The MPS Printing acquisition is subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
- Durst has not disclosed financial terms of the MPS Printing transaction.
Alpla has opened two new production plants in Izmir and Adana, Turkey, investing about EUR 30m in total. The sites will supply beverage, food, dairy and home and personal care customers, shortening delivery routes and adding capacity for PET preforms, closures and HDPE/PP bottles. Alpla now runs five plants in Turkey, a market it says accounts for roughly a third of its Africa, Middle East & Turkey region activity.
Why this mattersThe expansion strengthens Alpla's regional supply network in Turkey, a growing consumer goods market it sees as key to its Africa, Middle East & Turkey strategy.
- Alpla invested about EUR 30m in two new plants in Izmir and Adana, Turkey
- The Izmir plant covers about 50,000 sqm and produces PET preforms, closures and HDPE/PET bottles
- The Adana plant covers about 20,000 sqm and focuses on PET preforms and HDPE/PP packaging
- Adana opened on 14 September 2026 and Izmir on 15 September 2026
- Alpla now operates five plants in Turkey: Kocaeli, Ankara, Konya, Adana and Izmir, present since 1992
- Turkey accounts for about a third of production capacity and business activity in Alpla's Africa, Middle East & Turkey region
- Türkiye's annual processing capacity for Alpla rises from about 90,000 tonnes to 120,000 tonnes with the two new plants
- Alpla plans a further EUR 40m (USD 46m) of investment in Türkiye over the next five years
- The İzmir and Adana plants have combined installed solar capacity of about 2.5MW, targeting 15% of energy needs, with İzmir aiming for up to 50% recycled material use
The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority has approved a supplement to the demerger and listing prospectus for WISA Group Plc, the entity UPM-Kymmene is spinning off onto Nasdaq Helsinki. The supplement confirms Lasse von Hertzen, previously interim CFO, as permanent Chief Financial Officer of WISA. The demerger is planned to complete on 31 October 2026, with WISA shares expected to start trading on 2 November 2026.
Why this mattersThe spin-off creates a separately listed entity carved out of UPM, letting investors value the unit independently of the parent group.
- Finnish FSA approved the prospectus supplement on 18 September 2026
- Demerger of WISA from UPM-Kymmene planned to complete 31 October 2026
- WISA shares expected to begin trading on Nasdaq Helsinki on 2 November 2026 or shortly after
- Lasse von Hertzen appointed permanent CFO of WISA Group Plc, having served as interim CFO
- WISA's Group Leadership Team now comprises seven senior executives including CEO Tuija Suur-Hamari
- Appointees remain in current UPM roles until the demerger takes effect
Colgate-Palmolive, Mars, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble and Unilever have become founding members of the PaperFlex Consortium, convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and (RE)SET, to jointly fund and trial paper-based alternatives to flexible plastic packaging such as sachets, wrappers and pouches. The consortium targets markets where flexible plastic use is high but collection and recycling infrastructure is limited, and remains open to further brand owners, innovators, suppliers and investors. Each member will continue to make its own packaging decisions independently.
Why this mattersA joint R&D push by six of the largest packaging buyers could accelerate paper-based substitutes for flexible plastic, reshaping demand for converters and material suppliers.
- Colgate-Palmolive, Mars, Nestle, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble and Unilever are founding members of the PaperFlex Consortium.
- The consortium is convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and powered by (RE)SET.
- Work will cover technologies including biodegradable coatings to improve product protection, shelf life and manufacturing-line performance of paper-based materials.
- The initiative follows an Ellen MacArthur Foundation report published earlier in 2026, endorsed by 48 businesses, NGOs, investors and academics, setting six design criteria for paper-based alternatives.
- Flexible plastic packaging, including sachets, wrappers and pouches, is described by the Foundation as the fastest-growing type of plastic packaging globally.
- The consortium remains open to additional FMCG companies, innovators, suppliers and investors.
- The Ellen MacArthur Foundation says responsible paper-based flexible packaging does not yet exist at required performance, scale and cost.
- Research priorities include coatings, product protection, shelf life, consumer usability and manufacturing-line performance.
- The consortium targets flexible packaging formats sized A5 or smaller, including sachets, wrappers and pouches, in markets such as India, Indonesia and the Philippines that lack formal plastic collection systems.
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation said it has invited further companies to join the consortium.
- A separate EU flagship project, BIOWRAP, targets replacing over 100 million square metres of plastic bubble wrap within five years of the project ending, aiming for a 90% paper recycling material recovery rate
