UPM to Reduce Coated Mechanical Paper Capacity in Germany
UPM plans to permanently close paper machine 10 at UPM Plattling, Germany, reducing the annual capacity of coated mechanical paper in Europe by approximately 155,000 tons.
April 2, 2019 - UPM announced plans to permanently close paper machine 10 at UPM Plattling, Germany, reducing the annual capacity of coated mechanical paper in Europe by approximately 155,000 tons. Paper production on paper machines 1 and 11 is planned to continue at the mill site. In total 160 positions would be affected by the machine closure, and the employee consultation process will start in the course of April in line with local legislation, UPM said. The machine is planned to be closed after the consultation process has been finalized, UPM added. “Paper markets globally have been declining consistently over the past 10 years,” said Winfried Schaur, Executive Vice President, UPM Communication Papers. “UPM Communication Papers has responded to this development by selective capacity reductions, always considering the competitiveness of our business — and we will continue to do so also in future. The planned closure announced today is in line with this approach and focuses on maintaining the most modern and competitive assets.” Ruud van den Berg, Senior Vice President, Magazines, Merchants and Office Business at UPM Communication Papers, explained, “Among our European coated mechanical machines Plattling PM 10 has both the lowest capacity and the highest technical age. We adjust our capacity to remain a reliable partner to our customers and will engage in a fair dialogue with employee representatives.” UPM will recognize restructuring charges of approximately EUR 30 million as items affecting comparability in its Q2 2019 results. The planned actions would result in annual savings of approximately EUR 17 million. UPM Plattling mill has the capacity to produce 785,000 tons per year of coated and uncoated magazine papers (LWC, SC). The mill employs 590 people. Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Paper ENA and UPM Plywood. To learn more, please visit: www.upm.com SOURCE: UPM |