DS Smith Proposes Closure of its PM1 paper machine at Kemsley Mill

DS Smith’s UK Paper division, St Regis, announced the proposed closure of one of its paper machines at its Kemsley Mill in Kent, U.K. The paper machine produces about 75,000 metric tons per year of corrugated case material. The machine will close by the end of next month.

St Regis currently operates four paper machines on the Kemsley site, producing a total of more than 800,000 metric tons per year. The paper machine being closed is the oldest machine at the mill.

Kemsley Mill is one of the largest recycled board mills in Europe. The mill includes the New Thames PM6 machine, which was recently modified to enable it to produce high-quality lightweight CCM. PM6 is the only facility in the UK capable of supplying significant volume for this segment of the market, which we expect to continue to grow over the longer-term.