Stora Enso plans to shut newsprint paper machine

Print Solutions

Stora Enso will start codetermination negotiations with employees at its Hylte Mill in Sweden regarding a plan to reorganise the mill, including permanent closure of paper machine PM3 and the deinking plant (DIP). After the planned restructuring, the mill would run on 100% thermomechanical pulp (TMP), improving competitiveness.

The planned closure of PM3 and the reorganisation of the mill would impact a maximum of 140 persons.

PM3 is planned to be closed by the end of 2020 and the deinking plant latest in Q2 2021.

The plan would result in annual cost savings of €14 million.

‘The decline in global newsprint demand continues due to changes in consumer behaviour, and it is not expected to recover. This has led to global overcapacity, low operating rates, and poor profitability at the Hylte Mill. The planned measures would improve the competitiveness of the mill. Also, Stora Enso has invested in the future of the site to produce formed fibre products and biocomposites,’ said Kati ter Horst, executive vice oresident, Paper division. No decisions regarding the planned reorganisation or employee impact will be taken until the codetermination negotiations have been concluded.

Hylte Mill currently operates two newsprint machines with an annual capacity of 480,000 tonnes. Production at Hylte Mill would continue on one line, PM4 for standard newsprint paper. The planned shutdown would decrease Stora Enso’s annual newsprint capacity by 26% or 235,000 tonnes, which represents 4% of total European newsprint paper capacity. The planned shutdown would reduce Stora Enso’s total paper capacity by 5%. Stora Enso will continue to produce standard newsprint at Hylte, Langerbrugge and Sachsen mills. The closure of Hylte Mill PM3 would not impact the company’s newsprint product offering, and customers would be served as today.