Month: January 2026

As part of CNH’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and community, its Basildon plant in the UK is excited to announce a new tree-planting Initiative across the site.

The project – funded by Trees for Climate and supported by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) – involves members of environmental charity, the Thames Chase Trust’s Programmes Team, the Thames Chase Conservation volunteers, and volunteers from the Basildon plant. It aims to enhance the landscape, support biodiversity, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Paul Cumming, Basildon’s Environmental Health and Safety Advisor, together with Becky Gibson, Thames Chase Programmes Manager, organised and led the planting of the first 28 trees and 200 whips for the hedgerows in December. More tree planting days are planned in the first quarter of this year amounting to around 200 new trees in total.

The initiative divides the site into seven distinct planting zones, each carefully matched with tree species that offer both visual appeal and ecological value. Options include native species such as Wild Pear, Rowan, Silver Birch, and Oak – each selected for their ability to provide shade, improve air quality, and create habitats for local wildlife.

UK-based grant program, Trees for Climate, funds large-scale tree planting projects to help combat climate change. Beyond beautifying the environment, these trees will play a vital role in capturing carbon, regulating soil and water, and supporting pollinators and birds. The project also fosters staff engagement, with opportunities to volunteer for the planting days. Volunteers will be recognized as “Planting Champions” on our sustainability board.

“This initiative is about more than planting trees – it’s about working together to create a healthier, more vibrant workplace and community,” said Ed Kerley, UK Head of HR for CNH. “Everyone’s input helps ensure we choose the best mix for aesthetics, biodiversity, and long-term value.”

“It has been fantastic to finally get spades in the ground, planting trees around the tractor plant. The change is instantly noticeable and the trees will have great benefits for people, the environment and wildlife, added Becky Gibson, Programmes Manager, Thames Chase Trust. “Plant staff have voted for their favourite tree species, selected for their blossom, fruit, autumn colour or attractive bark. The staff are being involved in the planting of the trees too and with a sense of ownership will be key to helping them flourish with regular watering particularly in the drier months. We are extremely pleased to be involved in such a great project.”

Read more and join the conversation on LinkedIn here!

As part of CNH’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and community, its Basildon plant in the UK is excited to announce a new tree-planting Initiative across the site.

The project – funded by Trees for Climate and supported by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) – involves members of environmental charity, the Thames Chase Trust’s Programmes Team, the Thames Chase Conservation volunteers, and volunteers from the Basildon plant. It aims to enhance the landscape, support biodiversity, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Paul Cumming, Basildon’s Environmental Health and Safety Advisor, together with Becky Gibson, Thames Chase Programmes Manager, organised and led the planting of the first 28 trees and 200 whips for the hedgerows in December. More tree planting days are planned in the first quarter of this year amounting to around 200 new trees in total.

The initiative divides the site into seven distinct planting zones, each carefully matched with tree species that offer both visual appeal and ecological value. Options include native species such as Wild Pear, Rowan, Silver Birch, and Oak – each selected for their ability to provide shade, improve air quality, and create habitats for local wildlife.

UK-based grant program, Trees for Climate, funds large-scale tree planting projects to help combat climate change. Beyond beautifying the environment, these trees will play a vital role in capturing carbon, regulating soil and water, and supporting pollinators and birds. The project also fosters staff engagement, with opportunities to volunteer for the planting days. Volunteers will be recognized as “Planting Champions” on our sustainability board.

“This initiative is about more than planting trees – it’s about working together to create a healthier, more vibrant workplace and community,” said Ed Kerley, UK Head of HR for CNH. “Everyone’s input helps ensure we choose the best mix for aesthetics, biodiversity, and long-term value.”

“It has been fantastic to finally get spades in the ground, planting trees around the tractor plant. The change is instantly noticeable and the trees will have great benefits for people, the environment and wildlife, added Becky Gibson, Programmes Manager, Thames Chase Trust. “Plant staff have voted for their favourite tree species, selected for their blossom, fruit, autumn colour or attractive bark. The staff are being involved in the planting of the trees too and with a sense of ownership will be key to helping them flourish with regular watering particularly in the drier months. We are extremely pleased to be involved in such a great project.”

Read more and join the conversation on LinkedIn here!

As part of CNH’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and community, its Basildon plant in the UK is excited to announce a new tree-planting Initiative across the site.

The project – funded by Trees for Climate and supported by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) – involves members of environmental charity, the Thames Chase Trust’s Programmes Team, the Thames Chase Conservation volunteers, and volunteers from the Basildon plant. It aims to enhance the landscape, support biodiversity, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Paul Cumming, Basildon’s Environmental Health and Safety Advisor, together with Becky Gibson, Thames Chase Programmes Manager, organised and led the planting of the first 28 trees and 200 whips for the hedgerows in December. More tree planting days are planned in the first quarter of this year amounting to around 200 new trees in total.

The initiative divides the site into seven distinct planting zones, each carefully matched with tree species that offer both visual appeal and ecological value. Options include native species such as Wild Pear, Rowan, Silver Birch, and Oak – each selected for their ability to provide shade, improve air quality, and create habitats for local wildlife.

UK-based grant program, Trees for Climate, funds large-scale tree planting projects to help combat climate change. Beyond beautifying the environment, these trees will play a vital role in capturing carbon, regulating soil and water, and supporting pollinators and birds. The project also fosters staff engagement, with opportunities to volunteer for the planting days. Volunteers will be recognized as “Planting Champions” on our sustainability board.

“This initiative is about more than planting trees – it’s about working together to create a healthier, more vibrant workplace and community,” said Ed Kerley, UK Head of HR for CNH. “Everyone’s input helps ensure we choose the best mix for aesthetics, biodiversity, and long-term value.”

“It has been fantastic to finally get spades in the ground, planting trees around the tractor plant. The change is instantly noticeable and the trees will have great benefits for people, the environment and wildlife, added Becky Gibson, Programmes Manager, Thames Chase Trust. “Plant staff have voted for their favourite tree species, selected for their blossom, fruit, autumn colour or attractive bark. The staff are being involved in the planting of the trees too and with a sense of ownership will be key to helping them flourish with regular watering particularly in the drier months. We are extremely pleased to be involved in such a great project.”

Read more and join the conversation on LinkedIn here!

• As expectations rise for sustainability data to be credible, comparable and usable in real-world decisions, Sappi has been recognized by CDP for the quality and maturity of its environmental disclosures.
• Sappi achieved prestigious Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) ‘A’ score for Forests in 2025, ranking highly among nearly 20,000 companies scored.
• Recognition for Sappi’s ongoing progress in Climate Change (A-), Water Security (B) attained; both remain key priorities in Sappi’s recently announced targets leading up to 2030.

JOHANNESBURG, January 15, 2026 /3BL/ – Sappi Limited, a diversified industrial business utilizing renewable resources to produce woodfiberbased products for global markets, has received an outstanding ‘A’ score for Forests in 2025 by CDP, a global non-profit that operates the world’s leading independent environmental disclosure and scoring system for companies, capital markets, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. Sappi also received strong CDP scores for Climate Change (A-) and Water Security (B) in 2025 which reflect ongoing progress.

Achieving an ‘A’ demonstrates comprehensive disclosure, mature environmental governance, and meaningful progress towards environmental resilience. CDP scores are increasingly used as a stress test for whether companies’ sustainability data can support investment decisions, procurement requirements and emerging regulation. This emphasis on decision-ready data is increasingly critical as sustainability disclosures are linked to regulatory compliance, access to capital and customer requirements. Sappi’s CDP performance provides external validation of its readiness to meet these evolving expectations.

“It is difficult to overstate the immense effort and dedication that underpin this achievement,” said Tracy Wessels, Group Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability, Sappi. “We’re delighted to be acknowledged as a leader in corporate transparency and action on advancing deforestation-free supply chains. We continue to collaborate intensively across our value chain, driving net-positive impact across our sustainability pillars and in line with our Thrive strategy, but also in supporting our customers in meeting their ambitious sustainability goals.”

Sustainable forestry is significant for its role in protecting environmental integrity, supporting social wellbeing, and enhancing long-term economic resilience. Sappi’s activities range from managing its own landholdings in South Africa, to cooperating with small, local landowners, to maintaining 100% chain of custody certifications across its pulp and paper manufacturing operations worldwide. Together, these practices advance Sappi’s long-standing commitment to sustainable forest management and deforestation-free supply chains, central pillars of its 2030 sustainability ambitions.

Sappi’s climate strategy is focused on increasing renewable energy use, improving energy efficiency, investing in low-carbon technologies and integrating carbon considerations into capital allocation decisions. When it comes to water stewardship, Sappi actively seeks to reduce freshwater withdrawal, increase water reuse and recycling within operations, and improve the quality of water returned to the environment.

The full list of companies that made this year’s CDP A List is here: Scores and A Lists – CDP.

About Sappi

Sappi is a leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfiber-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we are building a more circular economy by making what we should, not just what we can. Our raw material offerings (such as dissolving wood pulp (DWP), wood pulp and biomaterials) and end-use products (packaging papers, specialty papers, graphic papers, casting and release papers, as well as forestry products) are manufactured from woodfiber sourced from sustainably managed forests and plantations, in production facilities which, in many cases, use internally generated bioenergy. Many of our operations are energy self-sufficient. Together with our partners, we work to build a thriving world by acting boldly to support the planet, people and prosperity.

Sappi produces 4.8 million tons of paper, 2.3 million tons of paper pulp, 1.5 million tons of dissolving pulp per year. Globally, it has around 11,350 employees, 405,103 ha of owned and leased sustainably managed forests in South Africa. Sappi Limited (JSE) is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa with manufacturing operations across three continents and sells its products in more than 150 countries.

About CDP

CDP is a global non-profit that operates the world’s leading independent environmental disclosure and scoring system for companies, capital markets, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. Its scoring methodology assesses the depth and quality of environmental disclosure, governance, risk management and progress against targets, and is aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). In 2025, CDP scored nearly 20,000 companies. CDP maintains the world’s largest environmental data repository and is widely relied upon to inform investment and procurement decisions that support a net-zero, sustainable and earth-positive global economy. In 2025, 640 investors representing US$127 trillion in assets requested environmental data through CDP to support capital allocation and risk assessment.

For further information

Jessica Ching
Communications Manager, Sustainability
Sappi Limited
Tel +32 4 9030 9300
Jessica.Ching@sappi.com

April Jones
Corporate Communications Manager
Sappi North America
Phone: 617-398-0691
April.Jones@sappi.com

AUSTIN, Texas, January 15, 2026 /3BL/ – Whole Foods Market Foundation announced today the recipients of its 2025 Community First Grant program, awarding $938,877 to nonprofit organizations across the United States and Canada. These grants support initiatives focused on expanding fresh food access and nutrition education in local communities.

The Community First Grant program uniquely engages Whole Foods Market Team Members in the grant nomination process, strengthening connections between stores and their communities. Recipients include organizations operating community gardens, mobile markets, healthy cooking education programs, and more.

“These grants represent our commitment to building stronger, healthier communities through improved long-term access to fresh, healthy food and nutrition education,” said Michelle Phares, Program Manager at Whole Foods Market Foundation. “By partnering with community-led organizations nominated by Whole Foods Market Team Members, we are supporting home grown solutions that are best suited to serve our communities.”

The 2025-2026 Community First Grant partners span 75 cities in 32 U.S. states and one Canadian province. Their projects include:

• 35 Nutrition Education and Healthy Cooking Classes
• 29 Fruit and Vegetable Growers
• 15 Special Projects
• 11 Fresh Produce Distributors
• 4 Collaborative Health Partnership

Among this year’s recipients is first-time grantee Agricultural Institute of Marin, nominated by 22-year Whole Foods Market Team Member, Geri Feldman. Their “Rollin’ Root” mobile market program serves historically underserved communities. The grant will support their Rollin’ Root Ambassador program, which engages community members in sharing information about affordable produce access and how to use SNAP benefits at the mobile market.

Sustainable Food Center, a four-time grant recipient nominated by 15-year Whole Foods Market Team Member Lee Robinson, will use their funding to support bilingual cooking classes, extending their 50-year mission of improving food access for all Texans.

Since launching the Community First Grant Program eight years ago, Whole Foods Market Foundation has awarded 570 grants to 316 organizations in 188 cities, investing over $4.3 million.

For a complete list of grant recipients and more information about our Community First Grant program, visit https://www.wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org/.

####

ABOUT WHOLE FOODS MARKET FOUNDATION

Whole Foods Market Foundation works to nourish people and the planet by providing access to essential resources to improve nutrition and create opportunities for financial stability. The registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, based in Austin, Texas, focuses on expanding healthy food access, improving children’s nutrition and alleviating global poverty. For more information on the Foundation’s work, visit wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org. For ongoing news and updates, follow Whole Foods Market Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:

Sandra Mariscal, Director of Philanthropy
Whole Foods Market Foundation
Sandra.Mariscal@wholefoods.com

PARK CITY, Utah, January 15, 2026 /3BL/ – Mountain Mediation announces a generous $100,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation. The check presentation will be held on Friday, January 16th, at 3pm at the historic McPolin Barn (3000 UT-224, Park City, UT 84060)*. It will be a chilly day by the thermometer, but hearts will be warmed by the foundation’s generosity and some hot cocoa from Mountain Mediation.

The substantial contribution will be used to scale and strengthen Mountain Mediation’s existing Eviction Prevention program and support the hiring of a Program Coordinator and two bilingual housing mediators. The Program Coordinator will design and deliver housing mediation training for any Utah court-rostered mediator. The grant also funds educational experiences and resources for landlords and tenants, helping them both better understand their rights and responsibilities and highlighting the benefits of mediation for conflict resolution.

“Legal eviction is one of the most destabilizing events a family can face. Research shows that eviction filings have profound and long-lasting consequences – including difficulty securing future housing, emotional trauma, and disconnection from schools and communities,” says Gretchen Lee, Executive Director of Mountain Mediation. “This program is about housing stabilization. We want to help our community before legal action is taken. The grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation allows us to reach more people, providing invaluable housing education and mediations.”

“Wells Fargo is proud to support Mountain Mediation and their efforts to keep individuals and families safely housed,” said Nathan B. Paddock, Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Market Executive for Utah. “Stable housing is a foundation for financial stability and long-term wellbeing, and Mountain Mediation’s eviction prevention work provides exactly the kind of early, community-based support that makes a meaningful difference. By investing in this program, we are helping expand access to resources, education, and mediation services that empower both tenants and landlords to find fair, sustainable solutions. This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening communities and increasing housing access for those who need it most.”

About Mountain Mediation: Mountain Mediation’s mission is to bring people together to prevent conflict, resolve disputes, and improve communication for a more inclusive community. The nonprofit provides mediation services, landlord/tenant education, communication training, and community conversations. Mountain Mediation has developed a comprehensive landlord/tenant eviction diversion program and also offers communication training to help individuals, organizations, schools, and businesses engage in constructive dialogue and effectively manage and resolve conflicts. Program Overview: The need for timely, tenant-focused support has never been greater. Mountain Mediation’s Eviction Prevention Program helps people stay housed and avoid the financial and emotional strain of eviction. Through early intervention, education, and mediation, we help tenants and landlords find fair solutions before problems worsen. This promotes stable housing and better financial outcomes for individuals and families.

Contact: 

Nicole E. Droitsch “Ned” 
Associate Director | Mountain Mediation
435-450-8193
ned@mountainmediationcenter.org

Across plants, labs, and customer conversations, one theme kept showing up at Covia in 2025: people drive progress. 

Throughout the year, Covia team members showcased how they solved problems with curiosity, led with courage, and stayed grounded in the communities and teams that shaped them. Here’s a look back at some individuals who helped drive Covia forward–and the many ways our team members turned expertise into impact.

Robert Knight: Driving Digital Innovation with Deep Roots

Robert Knight’s story is a reminder that transformation works best when it’s built on both experience and connection. As Director of Enterprise Applications and IT Architecture, Robert helps guide the systems that power Covia’s day-to-day operations, especially the enterprise applications and ERP foundation that touches everything from maintenance to sales and accounting.

In addition to his wealth of experience, Robert also brings a personal connection to his tenure at Covia. Robert’s decision to join Covia in 2023 was more than just a good fit – it was an opportunity to return to his hometown roots. That blend of forward-looking technology leadership and deep-rooted pride captures the spirit of Covia’s evolution.

Read the full story: Driving Digital Innovation with Deep Roots

John Chee: Bridging Technology, Marketing, and Sales in Polymer Solutions

John Chee exemplifies the combination of deep technical knowledge and real commercial outcomes. With a career spanning more than three decades, John brings a rare mix of R&D, sales, and marketing experience to his role as a technical sales and application technology manager for polymers. 

A standout theme for John is his ability to translate complexity into possibility. His collaborative work across teams allows him to identify new opportunities, strengthen value propositions, and unlock performance advantages for customers. This approach includes efforts to explore the potential of nepheline syenite to evolve existing products and shape entirely new opportunities for customer-focused innovation.

Read the full story: Bridging Technology, Marketing, and Sales

Gary Vinson & Blake Rader: From Intern to Employee

Gary Vinson and Blake Rader’s journeys spotlight something Covia takes seriously: developing the next generation of leaders through real experience, mentorship, and meaningful work. The feature follows them from their internship beginnings into full-time roles, with Gary as a quality coordinator and Blake as an associate IT service desk teammate.

Gary’s story is centered on operational learning and accountability, from mapping complex plant systems as an intern to supporting environmental compliance at the Chardon plant. Blake’s path highlights connection and enablement, supporting teams today while envisioning stronger infrastructure and connectivity for remote Covia locations tomorrow. Together, their experiences reflect Covia’s commitment to being a place where questions are welcome and early career contributions truly matter.

Read the full story: From Intern to Employee

Jennifer Perry: Elevating People, Process, and Product

Jennifer Perry’s story captures Covia operations at their best: disciplined, people-first, and always improving. Starting her Covia career as a lab technician in 2013, Jennifer grew into a leadership role as the operations manager at the Troy Grove Resin plant.

Two of Jennifer’s greatest qualities are her drive and sense of shared ownership. She leads daily production scheduling, partners closely with technical and sales teams, and is always willing to help wherever needed. Her team’s mindset for continuous improvement shows up in measurable outcomes too, including efforts to reduce waste by more than 20% through smarter inventory and downtime reduction initiatives. 

Read the full story: Elevating People, Process, and Product

Bleve Willoughby: Leading with People and Purpose

Bleve Willoughby’s story reinforces a simple truth that Covia’s best leaders keep in mind: output matters, but people make it possible. As plant manager for Covia’s Elco and Tamms facilities in Illinois, Bleve leads two sites with different products, customers, and operating needs.

A defining theme of Bleve’s feature story is the strength of support systems. He speaks openly about learning through leadership training and customer interaction, and about Covia being the kind of place where help shows up when you ask for it. That culture is reflected in his team’s performance as well, including a long-standing safety record and community involvement beyond the plant’s borders. 

Read the full story: Leading with People and Purpose

Innovation Center Team: Meet Four Team Members Powering Innovation

Innovation comes from more than just high-end equipment or spacious laboratories. It comes from people working side by side to bridge the gap between customer needs and real-world solutions. This feature introduces four leaders at the Covia Innovation Center (CIC) who are powering innovation: 

• Steve Schilling, Director of Technology & Application Development
• Lauren Helton, Director of Sales – Coatings, Polymers, Exports
• Rob Light, Director of Sales for Engineered Stone & Ceramics
• Scott Van Remortel, Senior Technical Sales Manager for Coatings, Polymers & Elastomers

Each of these people represents a different dimension of innovation, from facility design to customer translation to product evolution and lab-to-market execution. Together, they represent Covia’s belief that innovation starts with people and scales through collaboration.

Read the full story: Meet Four Team Members Powering Innovation

Terry Gwinn: Building BESTSAND, One Relationship at a Time

Terry Gwinn’s feature highlights the power of creating genuine connections in an industry built on long-term partnerships. As sales manager for sports turf, Terry is often the face of Covia’s BESTSAND® brand, tirelessly working directly with customers, distributors, and field professionals for golf courses across the country. 

What stands out most in Terry’s story is how relationship-building isn’t just part of the job; it is the job. Terry’s deep knowledge of golf sand applications is matched by an equally strong commitment to showing up, even through serious health issues. The result is an example of how reliability, integrity, and personal connection directly shape customer success and brand loyalty.

Read the full story: Building BESTSAND, One Relationship at a Time

Looking Forward to Who We Are in 2026

Taken together, these stories reflect what’s strongest about Covia’s values: deep expertise paired with genuine caring and courage, ambition grounded in teamwork, and innovation powered by people who keep learning and keep showing up for one another. We’re proud of the team who helped Covia grow in 2025, and are excited to carry that momentum into the years to come.