Sappi Fine Paper is shutting down one of the paper machines at its Westbrook, Maine, mill and laying off 170 of its 500 workers.
The company said the No. 14 paper machine, built in 1920, is outdated and unable to compete in the global market. Sappi is transferring its production of coated paper to its mill in Muskegon, Mich.
In addition to the mills in Westbrook and Muskegon, it has North American plants in Skowhegan and Cloquet, Minn. It employs 2,200 hourly workers in North America and 1,100 salaried workers.
The Westbrook plant will continue production of release papers, which provide surface aesthetics and texture to products such as footwear, clothing and flooring materials.