The Pixelle Mill in Jay, Maine is one of the most efficient paper mills for making release liners. And now it's closing...at the height of a release liner shortage. With pulp prices continuing to rise and with no other facility like the Pixelle Mill coming to the rescue, the labeling industry is in real peril. Here’s what we know about how this event will affect us.
September 27th, 2022 | 9 Minute Read Time
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March 24th, 2023 | 3 Minute Read Time
Smith Corona has set a new standard in label making by implementing a rare UV curing method and process. Our on-site nitrogen gas generation facility allows us to make our own nitrogen, benefitting our business and work environment. We believe in sustainability and self-sufficiency to create a more innovative future for the label industry!
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February 20th, 2023 | 5 Minute Read Time
Another Finland strike brings back bad memories of the UPM strike when warnings of a paper shortage threatened global paper supplies. But this time around we might be able to avoid another shortage. Thanks to the current supply and demand market conditions, the label industry will likely see little to no repercussions. Here’s what you need to know.
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January 27th, 2023 | 4 Minute Read Time
If you’ve paid attention to the paper industry over the last decade, you’ve noticed a considerable decline in the amount of paper mills; particularly those that make labels. Investments keep these mills running but there’s been a considerable lack of funding over the years. Why? Well, the paper industry isn’t that attractive to investors.
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December 20th, 2022 | 6 Minute Read Time
As 2022 wraps up, it makes sense to take a look back at which events made the most impact in the labeling industry. Would you be surprised to find out it wasn’t just one thing? From strikes to mill closures to severe shortages of key raw materials, a domino effect started at the beginning of the year that hasn’t stopped. Let’s take a look at how this year treated labels and what we can expect for 2023!
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December 13th, 2022 | 5 Minute Read Time
With paper shortages still affecting the label industry, there’s one alternative option we haven’t seen make its way onto the scene: glassine. Almost every other country uses glassine for release liners except North America. But why is that? We’re taking a look at the process of making glassine and why this material is rejected by the North American market.
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October 7th, 2022 | 5 Minute Read Time
A release liner shortage is hitting paper-based products hard. Now with the Pixelle Mill closure set to remove even more material from the market, the industry is shifting to the closest alternative: PET liner. But just how did we end up in this volatile situation? And how are major suppliers and customers dealing with this necessary transition?
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September 27th, 2022 | 9 Minute Read Time
The Pixelle Mill in Jay, Maine is one of the most efficient paper mills for making release liners. And now it’s closing…at the height of a release liner shortage. With pulp prices continuing to rise and with no other facility like the Pixelle Mill coming to the rescue, the labeling industry is in real peril. Here’s what we know about how this event will affect us.
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May 12th, 2022 | 7 Minute Read Time
There’s a monumental change occurring in packaging. Companies have been leaning away from plastic and switching to more sustainable packaging materials. But this is affecting how paper mills operate. As the infrastructure continues to shift and with material grades on the decline, what will happen to label companies straining to meet demands?
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April 28th, 2022 | 4 Minute Read Time
After lasting 112 days, the UPM strike in Finland officially comes to an end. Estimates put costs of the strike in the hundreds of millions. Operations are set to resume immediately but that begs the question on everyone’s mind: with severe delays already occurring, how soon will it take for desperate businesses to get orders from UPM?
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April 5th, 2022 | 6 Minute Read Time
As the 2nd largest global producer of paper and pulp, it’s worth knowing the changes happening to U.S. paper mills. Especially how recent events have caused quite a stir in an industry that was already volatile. The last decade hasn’t been kind to paper mills. As they continue to struggle through severe changes, what does the future have in store?
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February 18th, 2022 | 5 Minute Read Time
Strikes at the UPM mills in Finland have exacerbated the global paper shortage. Key industries like food and pharma are at risk for severe supply chain disruptions and the European economy is in jeopardy. Now, this major event may cause a huge paper shortage in the U.S. as we struggle to meet growing demand. Here’s what we can expect from the repercussions.
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February 10th, 2022 | 5 Minute Read Time
Supply chain issues have dominated every industry for the last 2 years. And then the UPM strike in Finland hit. Not only has this caused a severe shortage of label products but it could ultimately wreck the European economy. Here’s a list of need-to-know details surrounding this event and the grave consequences it can and will have.
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