Norske Skog has announced that its Skogn mill will begin producing book paper for the European market starting in the second quarter of 2026.
The new product line, branded NOR Book, will include standard qualities in bulk, brightness, and shade, and marks a key step in the company’s strategic diversification.
A net investment of NOK 40 million (EUR 3.5 million) in paper machine PM1 will allow the mill to alternate between newsprint and book paper production, with a total capacity exceeding 140,000 tonnes. The project has been developed in collaboration with Austrian technology group ANDRITZ, and multiple trial runs have yielded positive results.
The transition builds on the mill’s switch to 100% virgin fibre in 2024, enabling the production of high-bulk, bright paper using thermomechanical pulp. This allows Norske Skog to meet demand across major wood-containing book paper grades, while also offering low CO₂ emissions—positioning the mill as an environmentally responsible supplier.
“This development strengthens our product range and competitiveness, while opening the door to markets with stable demand,” said Norske Skog CEO Geir Drangsland, noting the positive response from potential customers. The company aims to become one of the top three suppliers of book paper in Europe.
The project will not affect domestic newsprint deliveries, but some export volumes to Asia will be reduced as book paper output ramps up. European demand for wood-containing book paper remains steady at around 400,000 tonnes annually.
Norske Skog is a European producer of publication paper and recycled packaging, with four industrial sites in operation. Headquartered in Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the company employs approximately 1,700 people and is engaged in development initiatives aimed at expanding into higher value and more sustainable market segments.
