Mercer Stendal Celebrating Success: 10 Million Tonnes of Pulp

Arneburg, October 29, 2020 – After 16 years of pulp production, the 10 millionth tonne of pulp rolled off the production line at the Arneburg Mercer Stendal pulp mill on October 14, 2020. It is an expression of 18 years of successful work at the Arneburg site and marks a remarkable milestone in the development of the company.

After the short 2-year construction phase of the Mercer Stendal mill, which went according to plan, the first pulp rolled off the production line in July 2004. In the following years, the company succeeded in establishing itself successfully in the market. With products of high quality and high reliability, Mercer Stendal has succeeded in developing stable customer relationships in Europe and Asia. In some areas, the Arneburg mill has set new standards in global pulp production.

With the operation of the largest biomass power plant in Germany with high energy and plant efficiency, the plant is also symbolic of the energy turnaround. With its green products produced on the basis of renewable raw materials, Mercer Stendal sees itself as part of the bio-economy and also as part of the solution in the process of the ecological reorientation of the economy.

“In the current pandemic situation we are refraining from holding a festive event,” explains Managing Director André Listemann. “We very much regret not being able to pay due tribute to this milestone in our company history. We hope to be able to make our contribution to the containment of the infection by refraining from celebrating our achievement in a public forum.”

The milestone achieved with the 10 millionth tonne of pulp represents a great joint effort. Many supporters from the region, the state and federal governments, authorities, customers, suppliers, business partners, social partners and, above all, the mill’s employees have contributed to this success. The establishment of this important business location in the Altmark would not have been possible without this help. For this reason, it is important for the plant management to say thank you and to emphasize that the commitment and support have been worthwhile.

About Mercer in Stendal

Mercer Stendal is Europe’s most modern pulp mill. It produces high-quality long-fibre pulp from softwood, which is sold under the Mercer Pulp brand to paper mills in Germany and around the world. They process the pulp into graphic, printing, hygiene and specialty papers.

Mercer Stendal is a subsidiary of the American-Canadian Mercer International Group. The plant employs approximately 455 people, 30 of whom are trainees. Mercer operates three further pulp mills in Blankenstein/Thuringia, Castlegar/Canada, Peace River, Canada, as well as a sawmill in Friesau/Thuringia.

Mercer Stendal is also one of the largest biomass power plants in Germany. Bioenergy is generated from the wood components that cannot be processed into cellulose, i.e. about 50 percent of the wood used. The green electricity produced in excess of the plant’s own requirements is fed into the public grid.

Only softwood is used as raw material for pulp production in Stendal, a particularly environmentally friendly, renewable raw material. The subsidiary Mercer Holz GmbH is responsible for the supply of raw materials. Mercer Logistik is responsible for the logistical handling of the deliveries of the pulp sold.