Sappi, Johannesburg, South Africa, has approved investments of some EUR 25 million for mill upgrades in Europe during 2016. Sappi's Lanaken (Belgium) mill will improve the performance of PM 7 by installing a state-of-the-art film-press coater, and Sappi's Kirkniemi (Finland) mill will undergo a variety of modifications to PM 3 to increase energy efficiency and further improve quality consistency.

 

All work will be completed by the end of calendar year 2016.

 

"These investments support our continued drive for efficiency and profitability," said Berry Wiersum, CEO of Sappi Europe. "We are focused on the future and on continuous improvement, seizing opportunities where they make most sense."

 

In 2013, Sappi Europe announced its intention to make significant investments (EUR 56 million) in its Kirkniemi Mill over the coming years. The decision to build a new power plant was key to supporting future operations, safeguarding the competitiveness of the mill, and backing the company’s drive for cost leadership. The new plant opened ahead of schedule in September 2015.