Mercer Rosenthal

A New Era – Mercer in Germany

Mercer’s inaugural mill in Germany finds its home in Rosenthal am Rennsteig, strategically positioned in one of the nation’s vital forest regions, approximately 300 km to the south of Berlin. This storied location has been a hub for production since its inception in 1883.

In 1994, Mercer took the reins, embarking on a journey of transformation. Over the years, the mill underwent extensive modernization, evolving into a cutting-edge kraft pulp facility—the first of its kind in Germany. A substantial investment of over $380 million breathed new life into the operation. This endeavour boosted pulp capacity, trimmed operational costs, lessened environmental impact, and heightened operational efficiency. Presently, Mercer Rosenthal boasts a production capacity of approximately 360,000 tonnes of softwood kraft pulp annually.

Mercer’s acquisition coincided with the unification of Germany, thrusting the mill into a competitive landscape where it swiftly earned recognition within both the local community and the industry at large. Investments in technology, plant upgrades, and workforce development propelled Mercer Rosenthal to its current status as one of Europe’s foremost modern pulp mills.

Beyond kraft pulp (NBSK), the facility now yields about 5,000 tonnes of tall oil and over 400,000 MWh of green electricity annually. This self-generated energy not only powers the mill but also provides electricity to approximately 50,000 households.

A significant milestone arrived in the summer of 2023 with the inauguration of Mercer’s Lignin Center at the Rosenthal site. This pioneering facility is Central Europe’s first of its kind, capable of daily lignin extraction of up to one tonne. In collaboration with partners from the realms of science, research, and industry, Mercer is committed to developing lignin-based products, ushering in a new era where fossil-based products are replaced with sustainable alternatives.

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