Seattle, WA -- Over the past two years, sawlog prices have fallen more in Europe than in any other region of the world. In the 3Q/16, the European Sawlog Price Index (ESPI-€) was down a modest 0.5% from the previous quarter to €83.40/m3. The Index has trended downward for the past few years and in 2016 has been at its lowest level since 2010. Much of the recent decline has been the result of reduced demand for lumber in some markets and generally lower lumber prices in both domestic and export markets.

Seattle, WA -- The two Global Wood Fiber Price Indices were close to parity in the 3Q/16. The Hardwood Wood Fiber Price Index (HFPI) has rebounded by 5.6% from the 1Q/16 when it reached an 11-year low. The biggest price increases this year have been in Brazil, Indonesia, Australia and Chile where prices have gone up despite the strengthening of the local currencies. However, hardwood fiber prices have not gone up in all markets this year. Hardwood pulplog prices were lower throughout Europe, Eastern Canada and the US South.

UPM-Kymmene Inc. and Northern SC Paper Corp., a subsidiary of the New York Times Company, announced today the sale of Madison Paper Industries\' mill site located in Madison, Maine to a joint venture of New Mill Capital Holdings of NY, Perry Videx of Hainesport, NJ and Infinity Asset Solutions of Toronto.

Seattle, WA -- Global sawlogs prices fell in the 3Q/16 after a temporary increase in the 2Q/16 following an almost two year-long downward trend. The Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) has fallen by 14.3% in two years and is currently almost 12% below the ten-year average and 21% down from the all-time high in the second quarter of 2011.

SCA has decided to discontinue its hygiene business in India. Four years after entering the Indian market, our conclusion is that profitability cannot be achieved within a reasonable timeframe. SCA prioritizes growth in selected emerging markets such as China, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Russia, where the company already holds strong market positions. Emerging markets accounted for 32% of SCA’s net sales in 2015.

SCA has entered into an agreement to acquire BSN medical, a leading medical solutions company, from the private equity group EQT. BSN medical develops, manufactures, markets and sells products within wound care, compression therapy and orthopedics. The purchase price amounts to EUR 2,740m* on a debt- and cash-free basis. The completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. Closing is expected to take place during the second quarter 2017.

Global trade of softwood lumber forecasted to increase by almost 14% in 2016, driven by higher wood demand in China and the US.

Global Timber Markets

Veritiv Corporation (NYSE: VRTV), a leading North American business-to-business distribution solutions company, today announced the opening of its new Greater Cincinnati Operations Center at Gilmore Pointe in Fairfield, OH. The approximately 72,000 square feet space accommodates more than 400 of Veritiv’s customer service, credit, IT, and finance professionals.

HARTSVILLE, SC, Oct. 20, 2016 -- Sonoco (NYSE:SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today reported financial results for its third quarter, ending October 2, 2016.