Sappi Europe will increase prices of all of its Packaging and Speciality paper grades by 7%-11%, valid for deliveries from 1 April 2021.

In a statement, the paper manufacturer said: “Sharply rising input costs, particularly relevant to pulp and energy in combination with very high freight rates due to global logistic constraints make price increases unavoidable.

In January, the company had already announced an increase to the price of its coated and uncoated woodfree paper grades by 8%-10% across Europe. This increase, on sheets and reels, was due to be implemented “by 1 March at the latest”.

Also, Flint Group Packaging said it intends to increase the prices of its ink and coating products, also effective as of 1 April 2021, though specifics on the increases were not available at the time of writing.

The company said it is facing “an extraordinarily turbulent set of supply chain conditions, exacerbated by the global pandemic” and that its costs are increasing and supply is tightening across almost all procurement categories.

“The unusual set of supply chain conditions currently witnessed are some of the most severe I have seen. Our business is facing substantial cost and availability headwinds, across multiple raw material categories. Resins, solvents and pigments, including titanium dioxide, are particularly problematic.” Doug Aldred, Presiden, Flint Group Packaging Inks.

Published in International

INX Europe joins CEFLEX as a stakeholder in developing sustainable solutions to create a circular economy for the flexible packaging market. CEFLEX is a European-based consortium that represents the entire value chain, from material producers, converters and printers to brand owners, retailers and recyclers.

The rise of flexible packaging has become increasingly important to protect food and other goods, and to ensure that products for consumers are safe and fresh while preserving nutrition value, taste and quality. Flexible packaging is also instrumental for use with medical products and pharmaceuticals, securing the items within a sterile environment and making them both tamper and counterfeit proof.

These facts and the leadership efforts of CEFLEX impressed “There are tremendous benefits to using flexible packaging, and the narrative of CEFLEX is in alignment with our company’s philosophy on sustainability,” said Lockley. “As consumer demands and regulatory requirements increase, we are cognizant of the responsibilities to grow our leadership position in the industry. This means addressing the needs of brand owners, customers and consumers by improving the sustainability of our ink and coating solutions. So far, we have taken specific steps to improve how we manage our resources and eliminate waste through better products and process designs. Joining the CEFLEX initiative will help us continue to improve in these areas as we promote a circular economy.” Peter Lockley, President of INX Europe.

“Many companies associated with flexible packaging in Europe, including us, realize the challenges ahead to transform the linear economy to make plastics circular,” John Hrdlick, President and CEO of INX International Ink Co. “Flexible packaging has many advantages and presents opportunities that are part of the CEFLEX agenda. For example, since it is thin and lightweight, we can reduce the environmental impact on transporting products. As part of Sakata INX, one of the world’s largest ink producers, we will continue our efforts to heighten sustainability awareness.”

Published in Inside the Business

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