Sappi Confirmed Closure of Paper Machine at Finnish Mill
Paper Recycling | 2025-10-09 12:14:10
The closure will impact a total of 93 mill employees and is expected to reduce the company’s annual coated mechanical paper capacity by around 175,000 tonnes.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Sappi Europe confirmed its decision to close Paper Machine 2 (PM2) at its Kirkniemi Mill in Lohja, Finland by the end of the current year. It must be recalled that the company had begun the consultation process in connection with the closure in August this year.
What is the impact of the closure?
The decision is aimed at boosting the mill’s overall cost competitiveness and profitability, in alignment with the wider structural changes happening in the world paper market, said a company news release. The closure will impact a total of 93 mill employees and is expected to reduce the company’s annual coated mechanical paper capacity by around 175,000 tonnes, it said.
What assistance will the affected employees get?
Furthermore, Sappi noted that it is working closely with local authorities to offer all possible support to affected employees through the transition process. In addition to establishing an on-site service point, it committed to providing individual career transition coaching to impacted employees.
Will the decision impact the company's overall production?
The production from PM 2 will be transferred to the other two paper machines in the mill. These two machines will continue to operate. Also, customer deliveries will not be impacted, it said.
CEO's Remarks
The move will help in optimizing its operations, enhancing sustainability, and ensuring the long-term competitiveness of Sappi Europe, said Misa Bursac, vice president manufacturing, R&D and technology at Sappi Europe.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When did Sappi begin the consultation process for the closure?
- The company initiated the consultation process in August this year.
- Why is Sappi Europe closing PM2?
- The closure aims to improve the mill’s cost competitiveness and profitability while aligning with structural changes in the global paper market.
- How many employees will be affected by the closure?
- The closure will impact 93 mill employees.
