(News from RISI) – SCA plans to stop all operations at its Saint-Cyr-en-Val facility in France by October this year, affecting 119 workers.
According to a spokesperson from the company, a combination of factors has led the firm to take this decision.
“First, the mill is producing high quality tissue using through TAD technology for private labels,” he said, adding that this mature, stagnant and competitive market has to compete with brand owners.
“Second, the mill’s production unit does not fit with the European industrial production standards.”
He added: “The mill’s PM has a width of 3.48m compared to a European standard width of 2.65 – 2.70m, creating 30% waste and additional production and transport costs.”
Statutory negotiations with employee representatives will start this week.
On 8 April, workers observed a 24h-hour strike at the plant to protest against the closure.
The Orléans mill used to produce 35,000tpy of tissue for toilet paper and kitchen rolls.
According to the spokesperson, the facility does not produce tissue for toilet paper anymore.
Production on the mill’s PM is currently stopped three weeks per month, while the firm’s converting activities are suspended 10 days per month.
The mill’s production activities should be transferred to the firm’s Gien mill while the converting operations should be transferred to the Theil facility.
