UPM plans capacity reduction in Schongau and accelerates its exit plan in Steyrermühl

(UPM, Helsinki, 22 March 2023 at 11:35 EET) – UPM plans to adapt its uncoated publication paper capacity to a long-term profitable customer demand. The capacity reductions are planned to take place in Germany and Austria:

• UPM Communication Papers plans to permanently close paper machine 6 at UPM Schongau, Germany, reducing the annual capacity of uncoated publication papers by 165,000 tonnes by the end of Q2 2023.
• UPM Communication Papers accelerates the earlier announced stop of production at its Steyrermühl mill by six months. The exit of a total annual capacity of 320,000 tonnes of newsprint will take place already by the end of Q2 2023.

Production on the cost-competitive paper machines 7 and 9 in Schongau as well as on the four other uncoated publication paper machines of UPM in Germany and Finland is planned to continue with a total annual capacity of 1,800,000 tonnes.

The employee consultation process in Schongau is planned to start immediately in line with local legislation. The machine is planned to be closed after the consultation process has been finalized. Would the plan be implemented, the total reduction of personnel at UPM Schongau is estimated at 135.

The COVID-19 years caused demand disruptions in the graphic paper markets, followed by a period of high inflation and unprecedented volatility last year. Now that volatility is subsiding, the graphic paper market is returning to its long-term trend of declining demand which has characterized the industry for over a decade.

“The continued long-term decline in graphic paper demand forces us to continue our efforts to ensure cost competitive production and that our assets are in efficient use in all circumstances. We are aware that these are difficult news for our employees who have demonstrated their loyalty and commitment over such a long time. In a declining market, competitiveness in company operations is key to substantiating our long-term commitment to the publication paper market and to remain as a reliable partner to our customers. UPM aims to handle the restructuring measures in a socially responsible manner and will engage now in a fair dialogue with employee representatives,” says Massimo Reynaudo, Executive Vice President, UPM Communication Papers.

At the same time, UPM has decided to stop the newsprint production at its Steyrermühl newsprint mill by the end of Q2 2023. We thereby accelerate the plans to ensure competitive production at our remaining newsprint paper machines in Europe. This decision will have no impact on the plans for the Steyrermühl site and its employees as communicated on 21 June 2022. In the case of Steyrermühl UPM will recognize charges of EUR 10 million as items affecting comparability in its Q1 2023 results.

For the planned closure of Schongau PM 6, UPM will recognize restructuring charges of EUR 26 million as items affecting comparability in its Q1 2023 results. The planned actions are estimated to result in annual fixed cost savings of EUR 13 million.

For further information please contact:
UPM Communication Papers Stakeholder Relations, tel. +49 821 3109 225, [email protected]

For local information please contact:
Wolfgang Ohnesorg, General Manager, UPM Schongau, tel. +49 8861 213122
(best available from 14:30-15:30 CET)

UPM, Media Relations
Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 EET
tel. +358 40 588 3284
[email protected]

About UPM Schongau
UPM Schongau manufactures graphic papers with the annual capacity of 700,000 tonnes. Located in Bavaria, Germany the mill employs about 490 people.

UPM Communication Papers
UPM Communication Papers is the world's leading producer of graphic papers, offering an extensive product range for advertising and publishing as well as home and office uses. The high performing papers and service concepts of UPM add value to our customers' businesses, while actively fulfilling demanding environmental and social responsibility criteria. With headquarters in Germany, UPM Communication Papers employs approximately 6,500 people. More about UPM Communication Papers and its products at www.upmpaper.com

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UPM
We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. As the industry leader in responsibility, we are committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change. We employ 17,200 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 11.7 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore – Beyond fossils. www.upm.com

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