Jun 22, 2015. /Lesprom Network/. UPM permanently closes paper machine No.3 at UPM Chapelle Darblay in France as of today, 22 June. The consultations regarding its closure were finalised at the end of April and approved by the Labour administration in the beginning of June. The closure has an impact on 187 positions at the mill, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.

UPM Chapelle Darblay will continue paper production on the remaining paper machine No.6 producing standard newsprint and improved grades (MFS) with an annual capacity of 250,000 tonnes.

“This year the European newsprint market has faced even stronger headwind than expected. However, our collective actions will ensure the efficient use of our remaining capacity and secure reliable deliveries to our customers,” says Bernd Eikens, Executive Vice President, UPM Paper ENA.

The announced decision is part of UPM’s Euro 150 million profit improvement target introduced in November 2014.The full profit improvement programme includes variable and fixed cost savings in all UPM businesses and functions.

After the closure UPM Chapelle Darblay manufactures standard and special newsprint (MFS) with the annual capacity of 250,000 tonnes. Located in Northern France the mill employs 211 people.