Sappi announces closure of Biberist Mill in Switzerland

By Samir Lukka

Sappi Fine Paper Europe announced on 20 July 2011 that it has been unsuccessful in its attempts to find a suitable acquirer to allow continued operations and employment at the mill. The move reduces Sappi's graphic paper capacity by 500,000 tonnes per annum. There will be no supply interruption to customers during the mill closure and transfer of production.

Pragati Offset and Silverpoint Press are the two key Sappi customers in India. In October 2010, Pragati won the prestigious Sappi Elephant for the third time in a row. Mumbai-based B K Sales and Delhi-based Indu Marketing are the two dealers for Sappi paper in India.

The company has therefore decided on the complete closure of the mill. "The process to find a suitable purchaser included numerous discussions with interested parties and involved close cooperation between local mill management and Sappi’s European and global management teams to make the purchase as attractive as possible," said Sappi Fine Paper Europe CEO, Berry Wiersum.

Sappi has agreed a social plan with the employees and the labour unions.