Type
Closure
Country
Germany
Region
Rheinland-Pfalz; Koblenz; Mayen-Koblenz
Location of affected unit(s)
Ettringen
Sector
Manufacturing
(16 - 17) Manufacture of wood and paper materials
17 - Manufacture of paper and paper products
17 - Manufacture of paper and paper products

189 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
11 March 2025
Employment effect (start)
11 March 2025
Foreseen end date
31 December 2025

Description

UPM Communication Papers, a global manufacturer of graphic papers and part of the Finnish UPM group, plans to close its paper mill in Ettringen, Germany, affecting 235 jobs in the production area.

The measure is driven by the need to adjust production capacity to market demand in light of overcapacity and a dynamically changing market. The closure is scheduled for July 2025, with the remaining production facilities to be used more efficiently and flexibly.

The planned restructuring includes redundancies, early retirement schemes, and natural attrition. Employee representatives will be involved in negotiations to agree on a social plan aimed at reducing the social impact on the affected employees.

In total, 462 positions will be cut worldwide, including in Finland, Germany, the UK, and the US. UPM Communication Papers operates ten paper mills globally and employs approximately 5,000 people; in 2023, 135 jobs were already cut at the Schongau mill in Germany UPM 2023 - DE.

Updated, 16/12/25: The talks with employee representatives have now concluded. The outcome is that 189 positions will be cut (instead of the originally announced 235). The company will introduce market‑standard severance and retirement options and establish a transfer company to support affected employees. Production in Ettringen will end on 31 December 2025.


Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2025), UPM Communication Papers, Closure in Germany, factsheet number 202506, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/202506.