UPM announced that it will cease graphic paper production at its Ettringen mill in Germany on December 31, 2025, following the completion of the employee consultation process related to the planned site closure. The decision will affect 189 employees.
First announced in spring 2025, the Ettringen shutdown will reduce UPM’s uncoated mechanical paper capacity by approximately 270,000 tonnes per year. The move reflects the group’s continued alignment of its graphic paper operations with the ongoing structural decline in market demand.
To maintain safe conditions at the site after production ends, UPM will establish an after-care team to manage post-closure activities.
According to Eva Kriegbaum, General Manager of UPM Paper Mills in Germany, the negotiations were conducted within an arbitration framework designed to foster constructive dialogue between the company and employee representatives. “Our focus was on achieving socially responsible solutions for the employees affected, with the clear goal of mitigating the consequences of this closure,” Kriegbaum said.
About UPM Graphic Paper Production
UPM is a global producer of graphic papers serving publishing, commercial printing, and magazine markets. Its graphic paper portfolio includes coated and uncoated grades produced primarily in Europe, with a focus on operational efficiency, product quality, and supply reliability. In response to structurally declining demand, UPM has been progressively adjusting its graphic paper capacity, aligning production with market conditions while prioritizing cost competitiveness and asset performance.
Source: UPM
