DS Smith’s Witzenhausen paper mill in Hesse, Germany, celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 30, 2025, commemorating five decades of transformation, innovation, and community engagement.
A special event was held at the Culture and Congress Center in Bad Sooden-Allendorf, gathering nearly 300 guests—including current and former employees, their families, and colleagues from the Aschaffenburg Mill.
Opening the celebration, Mill Manager Erwin Sversepa highlighted the site’s evolution from a modest beginning to becoming one of DS Smith’s top-performing facilities. In the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the mill reached new monthly and annual production records, positioning itself as a model of operational excellence within the company’s recycled paper network.
Witzenhausen Mill plays a key role in advancing DS Smith’s Now and Next sustainability strategy. With strong commitments to energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing, the site reflects the company’s mission to innovate sustainably. Its efforts contribute to DS Smith’s target of offering 100% recyclable or reusable packaging while replacing problematic plastics across supply chains.
The mill’s innovations not only drive performance but also support DS Smith customers in achieving their environmental goals—solidifying Witzenhausen’s role as a cornerstone of the group’s circular economy efforts.
Witzenhausen Mayor Lukas Sittel praised the mill’s longstanding contributions to the local economy and social cohesion:
“As a reliable employer and economic anchor, the paper mill has shaped our town’s development. DS Smith’s commitment to our community goes beyond business—it strengthens social bonds and secures a better future for Witzenhausen.”
The anniversary event also honored the people behind the mill’s success. Thomas Kaiser, North Cluster Managing Director, thanked the organisers and the team, emphasizing the site’s central role in DS Smith’s ongoing pursuit of sustainable packaging leadership.
As DS Smith continues to evolve, the Witzenhausen Mill remains an important part of its recycled paper production network and broader sustainability efforts.
DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, paper products, and recycling services. Headquartered in London, the company operates across more than 30 countries and employs over 30,000 people. With a strong focus on the circular economy, DS Smith is committed to helping its customers replace problem plastics, reduce carbon emissions, and improve supply chain sustainability through innovative, fibre-based solutions.
