UPM says it will close an SC paper machine in Finland and sell a newsprint mill in France to cut capacity.

Closing the supercalendared paper machine at UPM Rauma will reduce capacity by 265,000 metric tons, while the newsprint mill accounts for 240,000 metric tons.

UPM says the measures will help safeguard overall competitiveness and support the long-term performance of the business.

A bidding process is to be opened for the sale of the Chapelle newsprint mill, with UPM saying its closure will not impact deliveries to the customers. It says a consultation process for a potential closure of the mill will be started if no credible offer is received by mid-January 2020, although the search for a potential buyer will continue. Currently 236 people are employed there.

UPM says it will also establish a new business services hub in Wroclaw, Poland, consolidating services to reduce staff currently working in 11 locations. Some 168 positions are affected, initially in UPM Finance & Control, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Raflatac, with the process complete by the third quarter of next year.