German-headquartered papermaker UPM says it plans to close its Chapelle newsprint mill in France after failing to sell it.

The mill in Grand Couronne, near Rouen, employs 236 people making up to 240,000 tonnes of newsprint on one machine.

Efforts to sell the mill started in September, and discussions have now opened on its closure, despite "continuous and substantial discussions" with interested parties.

"While these discussions are still ongoing, we have not received binding offers by potential buyers of the mill to date," said a spokesperson.

Employee representatives have been told that employee consultation processes for the potential closure will start, and are expected to conclude by mid-2020.

"We will continue the sales process throughout the consultation process," said the spokesperson. "We remain committed to selling the mill if we receive a suitable offer."

UPM Communication Papers employs about 8000 people and claims to be the world's leading producer of graphic papers. As a whole, UPM Biofore employs 19,000 with annual sales of 10.5 billion Euros.