Sappi Europe is planning to partially restructure its plant in Alfeld, Lower Saxony, in response to the ongoing financial challenges and the structural decline in demand throughout Europe.
In recent years, considerable steps have been taken to improve the financial performance of the Alfeld plant, according to Sappi. Despite a significant reduction in losses the complexity of the current product and system portfolio the plant's ability to operate sustainably under the current and foreseeable market conditions.
In order to ensure long-term viability, the proposed reorganisation provides for the Possible closure of paper machine 1, paper machine 4, offline coater 2 and sheet finishing ahead. These changes would allow Sappi to adapt capacity to changing market demand, reduce operational complexity and focus production on the most profitable and high-demand segments.
„As we respond to evolving market expectations for lower-carbon, resource-efficient materials and work to ensure a competitive and resilient future for our European operations, these difficult decisions are necessary. This move supports our overall commitment to the Clean Industrial Deal by accelerating the decarbonisation of our plant and adapting our product portfolio to better meet future customer needs and regulatory requirements. By focusing on our most efficient assets, we can strengthen our service offering, improve sustainability and ensure long-term regional viability.“
Marco Eikelenboom, CEO of Sappi Europe
The consultation process may affect up to 200 jobs at the Alfeld plant. Sappi is committed to supporting employees during this process and will work closely with employee representatives to find appropriate solutions.
Source: Sappi
