8 Oct. 2025: Sappi Europe announces its decision to close PM 2 at Kirkiniemi mill in Finland and reduce production capacity for coated mechanical paper by 175,000 tpy.

The consultation process for the potential closure of PM 2 at the Kirkniemi Mill in Lohja has been completed. Sappi Europe will close the publication paper machine PM 2 by the end of the year, reducing its annual production capacity by 175,000 tpy.

The shutdown of PM 2 is part of group’s strategy to "align production capacity with market demand and to optimise the utilisation of the mill’s remaining paper machines." Sappi Kirkiniemi runs a total of three paper machines with an installed capacity of 750,000 tpy of coated mechanical paper (LWC and MWC). Production of paper grades produced at paper machine PM 2 is to be transferred to PM 1 and PM 3 in order to guarantee regular deliveries to the customers.

According to Sappi, the consultation was aimed at improving the mill’s profitability and cost competitiveness. The closure of the PM 2 will lead to a loss of 93 positions, but Sappi will manage some of the redundancies through retirement arrangements.

The decision to close PM 2 reflects "the wider structural changes in the paper market and the need for ongoing efficiency improvements," says Misa Bursac VP Manufacturing, R&D and Technology at Sappi Europe.