UPM is entering into exclusive negotiations with VPK Packaging Group NV and Klingele Papierwerke through their newly created joint venture company, for the sale of assets and part of the land at the UPM Stracel paper mill site in Strasbourg, France.
VPK and Klingele have made an offer on the acquisition of assets from UPM. The offer is subject to finalization of its review by the bank mandated for the financing. According to the plan, UPM would retain part of the Stracel real estate in its possession for potential future production of advanced biofuels.
VPK and Klingele plan to convert the Stracel mill into a recycled fibre-based containerboard unit, producing fluting and test-liner. The planned production of the mill would be approximately 300 000 tonnes per year. The conversion from the current magazine paper production would require a considerable investment by the two buying companies. The new converted mill would create 140 jobs.
If UPM accepts the offer that has been submitted, the conversion project could start and the reconversion period would be approximately 12 months. Providing the plan proceeds, the converted mill would start the production in the second half of 2013.
