Balance

This year, we built on our decades-long commitment to fiber-based solutions—reimagining how our materials meet today’s needs while staying true to our values of performance, sustainability, and craftsmanship. Since 1997, Monadnock has led the way in developing plastic replacements. In 2023, we continued to refine and expand these Un-Plastic offerings to meet the growing market need for sustainable alternatives.

Among our achievements was the expansion of our Wide Format product line with Ultrahide PC 100®, Boulevard™, and Pavilion™—FSC-certified materials that balance performance and sustainability. These fiber-based solutions represented the ongoing dialogue about responsible design, a conversation Monadnock has proudly led for decades. 

Our Un-Plastic initiative also garnered awareness for replacing over 10 million conventional plastic gift cards worldwide this year, earning us the 2023 FSC Leadership Award. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to reducing environmental impact while meeting the growing demand for durable and sustainable fiber-based alternatives. While the award is an honor, the true success lies in seeing these solutions adopted by brands and consumers who share our commitment to sustainability. 

It’s certainly worth noting that none of these achievements happened in isolation. From the mill floor to the boardroom, our team tackled every challenge with creativity and resolve. Our customers, partners, and community were right there with us, proving once again that collaboration is the foundation of meaningful progress.

Striking that balance between staying true to who we are and adapting to what the world needs has always been part of the Monadnock way. As we head into 2024, I feel the same optimism that has carried us through generations of change. Together, we’ll continue planting the seeds for what’s next, honoring the legacy that brought us here while embracing the growth and change that lies ahead.

Sincerely,

Richard G. Verney, Chairman and CEO

By aligning with these organizations, Monadnock leverages collaboration to foster meaningful change, expand our network of expertise, and strengthen our commitment to sustainability.

Monadnock embarked on its Un-Plastic mission in 1997 with Ultraform® Backlit Poster.  Ultraform was launched to replace PVC and Styrene used in retail and hospitality back-lit and front-lit signage.  Our unique ability to craft paper with superb fiber formation and durability made this stock a perfect alternative for these high-performance applications.

In 2008, we launched Duraprint®, a durable, printable substrate for turned-edge covering applications like entertainment, electronic device, and cosmetic gift set packaging. The unique qualities of this beautiful printing paper preclude the need for a film-laminated structure.

In 2010, we unveiled Envi Wallgraphics, our first renewable fiber-based alternative to PVC for digital wallcoverings. Today, digital wallcoverings continue to lead as a high-performing segment in the wallpaper industry, with significant growth projected in the coming years.

Also in 2010, we crafted a durable tag for the horticulture market to replace HIPS and PVC for plant tags and pot wraps, further capitalizing on our ability to balance formation with durability and printability.

Soon after, in 2011, we launched Envi Card, a drop-in replacement for PVC and PLA gift cards. Engineered to meet shifting consumer requirements for performance, aesthetics, economic value and environmental friendliness, this disruptive innovation set a new standard for the industry. Looking back, its widespread adoption highlights how ready the market was for sustainable alternatives—especially one that’s third-party verified for curbside recyclability.

In 2015, we developed a paper alternative to plastics used in grocery shelf channel merchandising. This unique durable material innovation was driven by a sustainable grocery chain with a mission to reduce plastics in its stores.

In 2020, we launched ENVIsual® Board, a collection of poster board stocks designed to replace PVC and styrene in durable retail and hospitality signage. Engineered for superior performance across the supply chain, this material is also recyclable in standard curbside mixed paper bins.

The railroad was more than just a means of transportation; it was an extension of the river’s role as a lifeline. Coal arrived by train to fuel the mill’s machinery, and finished paper products traveled out, reaching customers far beyond the local community. For over a century, the river, the railroad, and the mill have worked in harmony to create a balance of natural power and industrial innovation, enabling Monadnock to thrive while supporting the town’s residents and businesses.

But balance is rarely static. In 1965, a catastrophic fire destroyed the wooden trestle bridge spanning the Contoocook River, briefly severing the railroad’s connection to the mill. Yet, as the river flowed on, so did Monadnock. The bridge was quickly rebuilt, becoming a symbol of strength, resilience and adaptation. Today, the bridge remains a landmark, a reminder of the enduring relationship between the river, the railroad, and the mill.

Though the railroad ceased operations in Bennington in the 1980s, its legacy lives on. The tracks may now sit silent, but the balance it once brought—connecting the natural power of the river with the industrial innovation of the mill—continues to inspire. Monadnock carries this spirit forward, honoring its history while crafting sustainable solutions for the future.

The Contoocook River reminds us that true resilience flows with change, not against it. Like the river’s current and the tracks that once carried the mill’s goods, Monadnock moves forward—rooted in community, guided by its history, and grounded in purpose to embrace what’s next.