Staff reductions at Rottneros mill
Rottneros mill is running at a loss, primarily as a result of a weak market for both groundwood pulp and CTMP, which are the kinds of pulp produced at this mill, Rottneros writes in a press release.The Rottneros Group does not envisage any rapid improvement on account of the weak growth on the part of our customers within the printing paper sector, which are the largest purchasers of the mill's pulp. Rottneros mill has taken downtime during the year and is planning further shutdowns during the autumn as a consequence of this weak market.These planned reductions form part of an improvement programme, which also includes changes to our range and other reductions in respect of production costs. It is intended that the cost of these measures be carried in the Group's result for the fourth quarter of 2011. These measures are planned to be implemented gradually up to and including the summer of 2012."It is regretful that we are compelled to take measures that have an adverse effect on our employees and their families, but we cannot continue to run the mill at a loss," explains Olle Dahlin, Mill Manager at Rottneros mill.Plans to commence the production of refined biofuel at Rottneros mill in cooperation with joint venture partners will not be affected.Rottneros' other manufacturing unit, Vallvik mill, which manufactures chemical pulp, is showing good profitability, primarily on account of a strong market. /AA