UPM has developed standard newsprint grades at its Caledonian mill in Scotland, adding a domestic supply option for UK publishers and printers as Palm prepares to end newsprint production at its King’s Lynn facility.
The new grades are available at basis weights of 40 and 42.5 g/m². Initial supply is focused on coldset web offset printing, while customer trials are continuing for heatset web offset applications, according to information provided by UPM to PrintWeek and subsequently reported by PITA.
Guardian News & Media has tested the new product, with production director Dave Kirwan confirming the trials to PrintWeek. UPM has not publicly disclosed expected production volumes or indicated whether additional investment will be required.
Located in Irvine, North Ayrshire, the Caledonian mill operates a single paper machine with an annual capacity of 235,000 tonnes. Its established product range consists primarily of lightweight coated magazine papers, according to UPM.
The addition of newsprint comes as the UK market prepares for the loss of production at Palm’s King’s Lynn mill. Palm plans to convert PM7 from newsprint to lightweight recycled corrugated case material during the first quarter of 2027.
PM7 currently has an annual newsprint capacity of 400,000 tonnes. Following the conversion, it will be capable of producing up to 700,000 tonnes of corrugated case material annually, with basis weights starting at 60 g/m². Palm attributed the decision to the structural decline in newsprint demand, which it said has fallen by 60% in Western Europe over the past decade.
Market consultancy EMGE estimated UK newsprint demand, including improved newsprint grades, at 340,000 tonnes in 2025, according to figures cited by PITA. Demand could fall below 300,000 tonnes in 2026, with year-to-date demand down 13%.
UPM Caledonian’s entry into newsprint introduces a new source of domestic supply while the overall UK market continues to contract.
UPM Caledonian operates a paper mill in Irvine, Scotland, with an annual production capacity of 235,000 tonnes. The mill is part of UPM Communication Papers and primarily manufactures lightweight coated magazine papers.
