OCC heading into a pulping machine at a Pacific Northwest paper mill. Four major recovered fiber companies recently detailed their outlooks for the future of OCC markets. | Jared Paben/Resource Recycling
Some of the largest consumers of fiber bales enjoyed low OCC prices during the second quarter, giving them a little margin relief amid an otherwise tough business environment. As the year progresses, they’re expecting to pay more for recovered fiber, however. Continue Reading
The top destination for exported U.S. fiber, India, took in 37% less this year than it did last year. | StockStudio Aerials/Shutterstock
Exports of both recovered fiber and plastics fell during the first six months of 2023, newly released federal trade statistics show. Continue Reading
Despite showing brief declines between 2018 and 2020, paper and OCC recycling rates continue to trend upward. | AdamBoor/Shutterstock
Data from the American Forest & Paper Association showed that paper and OCC recycling rates held steady in 2022, despite fluctuations in recycled material markets more generally. Continue Reading
WestRock announced it is shuttering its Tacoma, Wash. facility due to the mill’s high need for capital investment and to consolidate the company’s footprint. | Google
Paper giant WestRock is shutting down a nearly 100-year-old mill in Tacoma, Wash. that consumes OCC from recycling programs. The company says its decision is driven by high operating costs. Continue Reading
The change will be accompanied by a consumer education campaign. | Natalya Bond/Shutterstock
Over 1 million Chicago-area residents are now able to put paper cups in their curbside recycling bins. Continue Reading
Producers of recycled paper products continue to wrestle with labor costs, energy costs and an uncertain economy. | Sittipong Phokawattana/Shutterstock
Some of the biggest U.S. consumers of OCC enjoyed the benefits of low bale prices late last year, but they generally expect prices to rise modestly over the course of 2023.
An artist’s rendering of the planned paperboard mill in Waco, Texas. | Courtesy of Graphic Packaging International
Graphic Packaging International is replacing several older recycled fiber mills with a $1 billion facility in Waco, Texas.
Continue Reading
Nine Dragons has issued a “profit warning” to investors, informing them to expect a loss for the second half of 2022. | Courtesy of ND Paper
Citing difficult market conditions, paper product manufacturer ND Paper is temporarily halting or reducing production at some of its U.S. locations that consume recycled feedstock.
Workers at Cascades’ recently converted Bear Island Mill in Ashland, Va. celebrate the first paper roll produced at the site. | Courtesy of Cascades
Early 2023 presented a challenging business environment for big buyers of OCC and recovered paper, with some mills taking downtime on lackluster paper product demand. Continue Reading
An AMP Robotics unit, nicknamed Arturito, is allowing the city of Dallas to accept cartons at curbside. | Courtesy of FCC Environmental
A recently installed carton-sorting robot at FCC Environmental Services’ Dallas MRF has reduced residue by about 11%, one reason the unit is “going to have a pretty big financial impact for us,” a company manager said. Continue Reading